SeasickSailor ‘19 PW (Natasha) build/mod log

[SeaSickSailor]

Picked her up at Northwest Dodge in Beaverton, Or in November, ‘19. Prior ordered and had dealer install: (Pics will follow)

ARB dual compressor with 4 liter tank (installed driver’s side of drive shaft, vertical compressor and tank).

Redarc dual battery system with isolator. Batteries are Mopar 730 CCA, 140 RC, and 80Ah.

White Knuckle rock sliders (got real good use out of them last week at Coyote Flats).

All of the following I have purchased and installed myself:

Expedition One front bumper with full bull bars and mounts for all the stock sensors and lights,

Nuthouse Industries package of rolling tonneau cover, equipment rack (cab high), spare tire shelf, 2rotopack mounts, Maxtrax mounts, light package that included rack clearance lights, l/r side and rear flood/work lights, and deck light. Also included two steel camping tables with slide in mounting.

KC G4 amber fog lights in front bumper,

KC under hood cyclone lights,

KC 28” chase lights. I rearranged the lights so that red were in the middle for CHMSL use, amber were on the outside for flashing in high dust/low vis situations, and white in between the red and amber for rear backups or work lights as needed,

KC 40” Flex front spot and flood lights (very bright).

SwitchPros 9100 system for accessories switching,

CB with 102” whip,

Dometic CFX 95DZW fridge/freezer (I love it). Installed where the passenger side rear seat goes. I removed both rear seats. Also have the insulation cover for it.

Lost Coast RTT bought used. Had to get an extra mattress pad because it was too hard for my tender self. Installed power strip and led lights in it.

23Zero Peregrine 270deg awning.

200W solar charger. It’s Chinese so I don’t expect much from it. Worked pretty good last week.

Near future stuff:

6 AEV Ram Katla wheels (on order: 17x8.5, 8x6.5 bolt pattern, +26 offset (I think)), DONE!

Probably 6 37x12.5 Maxxis RAZR M/Ts. Waiting to get the wheels before I order. Driving without a spare now as I blow a sidewall every time I go off-roading with OEM tires,

LiFePO4 100AH battery for power to significant nighttime loads (primarily fridge).

VHF/UHF radio and antenna system. Probably one of the Kenwood products. Just got my FCC Tech license. DONE!

That’s it for now.
Edit: FINALLY, Natasha has new shoes. Went with AEV Ram Katla 17x8.5 wheels and BFG 37x12.570R17 KO2 skins. They drive nicer than the POS OEM Goodyear Duratracs.

Also now have Dual Band Kenwood TM-D710G HAM radio (with all the licensing, of course).

 

[56PW17]

This is a sweet rig. Any interior shots?
Storage in your bed is great with the ram box. Are they well organized?

 

[SeaSickSailor]

This is a sweet rig. Any interior shots?
Storage in your bed is great with the ram box. Are they well organized?

I’ll take some interior shots tomorrow. Just posted some pics that I already had on file. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Trailmaker]

Great Build!

 

[Gamedog]

Man, what an awesome rig!

 

[IRSmart]

Why VHF/UHF instead of GMRS/FRS?

 

[Sandevino]

Looks cool and well sorted for your activities.

Question... with all these upgrades, what payload are you left with? I believe the PW had something like 1400# of payload unladen which isn't much.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Why VHF/UHF instead of GMRS/FRS?

I probably will eventually have gmrs HTs (and license) as well. Most of the folks I know overlanding have ham. Plus, in lieu of getting a single purpose emergency notification device, ham can fill that niche and I can actually use it. I’ll even keep the CB as there are still CBers on the trails.

 

[Rado]

WOW that is one great set up you have Even Solar Panels

 

[Halligan]

Nice setup you have.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Added some communication capabilities:

That is a dual band (2m/70cm) ham radio. Needed some way to communicate in case of emergency and for longer range when there was no cell service. Getting the ham licenses was fun as well. It doesn’t actually sit up as high as it is in the picture. No obstruction to visibility.

 

[rule18]

Added some communication capabilities:
View attachment 217019
That is a dual band (2m/70cm) ham radio. Needed some way to communicate in case of emergency and for longer range when there was no cell service. Getting the ham licenses was fun as well. It doesn’t actually sit up as high as it is in the picture. No obstruction to visibility.

Great build so far! Who makes that dual mount?

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Great build so far! Who makes that dual mount?

It’s the series 55 mount system from 67 Designs. I added the extra arm and ball. It fits perfectly in the tray on top of the dash.

 

[rule18]

It’s the series 55 mount system from 67 Designs. I added the extra arm and ball. It fits perfectly in the tray on top of the dash.

Thanks..

 

[Omar RVA]

It’s the series 55 mount system from 67 Designs. I added the extra arm and ball. It fits perfectly in the tray on top of the dash.

Did you have to pull the trim around the 12" display to install?

OA

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Did you have to pull the trim around the 12" display to install?

OA

Only on the top. Just two screws under the rubber pocket liner then the clips around the edges and sides. I was able to snake the cable for the radio front panel all the way down from there to the bottom without removing any of the trim around the 12” system. On of the best investments in tools that I purchased is the plastic trim removal tools. Link to follow: 19Pcs Trim Removal Tool,Car Panel Door Audio Trim Removal Tool Kit, Auto Clip Pliers Fastener Remover Pry Tool Set with Storage Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRNKY8P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9WUjFbXSR1W58

 

[Scotts26]

Only on the top. Just two screws under the rubber pocket liner then the clips around the edges and sides. I was able to snake the cable for the radio front panel all the way down from there to the bottom without removing any of the trim around the 12” system. On of the best investments in tools that I purchased is the plastic trim removal tools. Link to follow: 19Pcs Trim Removal Tool,Car Panel Door Audio Trim Removal Tool Kit, Auto Clip Pliers Fastener Remover Pry Tool Set with Storage Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HRNKY8P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9WUjFbXSR1W58

If anyone wants to completely remove their 12” Uconnect to install accessories or what not,it’s really easy. I had mine out a few weeks ago.Those 2 torx screws under the rubber mat in the top cubby are the only ones you have to remove. Then you can grasp the entire 12” and trim and vent assembly and give it a pull straight towards you and and it will pop free Of it clips. Unplug the electric connectors and voila. Of course take care not scratch anything.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

Thanks Scotts26! Good to know. The same is true with the overhead console. Just two screws behind the sunglasses holder.

 

[TrailWhale]

@SeaSickSailor you've got a great looking PW! I'm looking at possibly pulling the trigger on a Expedition One front bumper and had a question for you. The photo they advertise with on their website shows the fender liner hanging down on the passenger side, which does not look good.

Did you have to do anything special, outside the instructions, to clean up that area?

 

[SeaSickSailor]

The instructions for installation do include the trimming of the liner in that area. That was the easiest part.