[Fjamming]

Thong, great job on the install. Super clean.

I had a hard time aiming the Lightforce lights. With the yellow filter it spreads out the lights and it seems everything is bright. Definitely not lights for street use. Awesome when no one is around though. I really want to see your ambers in action.

 

[TCao]

Very clean, professional install as usual

Thank you! It took quite a bit of planning but everything turned out very nicely.

Thong, great job on the install. Super clean.

I had a hard time aiming the Lightforce lights. With the yellow filter it spreads out the lights and it seems everything is bright. Definitely not lights for street use. Awesome when no one is around though. I really want to see your ambers in action.

I was planning to aim the 240 XGTs using the clear filters (spot beams) and then put the amber ones on; the amber filters should work very well for dusty conditions. I may try to aim the L/F XGTs from 50 ft distance instead of 25 ft as normally done.

 

[TCao]

Lunar Eclipse

Left San Diego around 1600 today and headed out to Ocotillo to improve my chances of seeing the total lunar eclipse tonight which started around 1730 PST and last until 2200 PST. I somehow missed the S2 turnoff and then had to go through the Border Patrol checkpoint right before the Mortero Wash turnoff. Luckily, there was minimal cloud cover so I took the first two photos around 1745 (I just pulled off of highway S2 about 100 ft from the checkpoint).

The rest of the photos were taken from the trail entrance to Mortero Wash. I was planning to camp overnight and then come back to San Diego very early tomorrow morning but the winds really picked up after sunset and there were 40 to 50 mph gusts which made it quite difficult to take these photos even with the use of a tripod. The last two photos were taken inside the FJ.

 

[jeshua]

great pics T. I wish I saw it but I was stuck in side.

 

[TCao]

Thanks Josh. The drive home was quite exciting with lots of wind gusts and heavy fog (the FJ was quite stable even when passing the tractor-trailers). Got home just in time to see the end of the eclipse.

 

[TCao]

Went to the DeMello Open House yesterday and got to see my new tube bumper was done and ready for powercoating. The laser-cut aluminum skid plate looks great.

 

[volhoo]

Nice shots of the eclipse Thong.

I really like that camera setup you have.

It was great talking with you yesterday at the Demello open house.

Until next time...

:bigthumb:

 

[jeshua]

You already swapping bumpers?
Was the coworker really buying the first one off of you? I thought you were just messing around. The new one does look awesome.



Got to have the best I see to match with the rest of the rig.

 

[TCao]

Nice shots of the eclipse Thong.

I really like that camera setup you have.

It was great talking with you yesterday at the Demello open house.

Until next time...

:bigthumb:

Thanks Vince. I can't wait to go back to Anza-Borrego and take some wildflowers photos with the Canon G9. The lensmate adaptor makes a huge difference on the camera handling quality.

You already swapping bumpers?
Was the coworker really buying the first one off of you? I thought you were just messing around. The new one does look awesome.



Got to have the best I see to match with the rest of the rig.

I talked to my coworker today and he said he still want to buy it. I talked to Jack today and he said the bumpers are going to the powdercoater tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have pics up by Sat morning.

 

[Fjamming]

This must be a record. You'll be on your 4th bumper!

 

[Sand_Lizard]

Great pics Tcao, so post pics of the new bumper, when you have it on

 

[TCao]

:lol: Actually sixth front bumper for me. The original factory and Fabfours bumpers were destroyed in two separate accidents. Another stocker until I got the first DO and the new (production) DO tube bumper. Yes, I may have a problem. Time to check into the local Modaholics Anonymous chapter.

edit: after an appeal and recount, it's actually six front bumpers: 3 stockers, 1 Fabfours, 2 DO.

This must be a record. You'll be on your 4th bumper!

 

[TCao]

Thanks. I'll post up some pics when the DO bumper is on. Hope the King shocks are working out for you.

Great pics Tcao, so post pics of the new bumper, when you have it on

 

[Dragon]

I love your night shots the evening of the eclipse. Very nice!!

 

[Sand_Lizard]

Thanks. I'll post up some pics when the DO bumper is on. Hope the King shocks are working out for you.

The Kings are the best mod on my FJ..thanks for all of the insight last yr
on these shocks..I have a lot of people at the gas stations looking under the
wheel well trying to figure out what I have in there..usually ends up in a converstion about suspenison's, wheels,tires etc..you know the drill...

 

[ThyIrishMen]

the bumpers look great, cannot wait to see the pictures of it mounted, I called and payed for mine today cannot wait to get it.

 

[TCao]

On Board Air System

Finally had a chance this afternoon to finish the installation of the On Board Air System.For the air compressor, I chose the new ARB CKMA12 model which is advertised as a high output on board air kit (PN 2102MA12). This ARB kit is very complete and can be used to air up tires as well as providing an air supply for the air lockers. A pre-made harness is part of this kit but since I'm not using air lockers, I made a very simple harness to bring +12V to the air compressor which is installed on the driver's side rear quarter panel.

Using the backer plate, the holes locations are transferred. Two additional holes are also drilled for the switch and power cable.

This is the relay and switch harness. I used a RS toggle switch with safety cover (PN 275-601) instead of the ARB switch (simpler to drill a round hole).

Toggle switch with safety cover.

The OBA system installed. The kit does not provide a QD so I added a 1/4" NPT QD. With this location for the air compressor, it would be fairly easy to add an air tank at a later time under the rear cargo area.

Here are some specs on the ARB CKMA air compressor:

Max current draw: 23A (under load)
Air flow: 2.65 cfm at 0 psi; 2.18 cfm at 29 psi

ARB installation guide

I'll post feedbacks at later date on this compressor's performance.

 

[sandabbe]

nice install on the compressor!
Nice photo's too!
The last pic of the eclipse with the FJ is an awesome shot! the big cloud resembles an UFO!! We had cloud cover here in corona and missed the whole thing!:indifferent:

 

[Fjamming]

Looking good Thong. Plan to add a tank for this?

 

[mbisson]

Nice install T