What did you today for your BOV/how did you prepare your BOV

[rbeau30]

MOAR on the BOT please

I second the motion.

I built it from an M116A2 trailer. took it down to the frame, and helped my buddy build it. I basically learned how to weld on this thing. Everything from the frame up has been added. I got some custom canvas put on it, and a tepui tent on the top. works wonderfully as a camping trailer. I loaded it up with everything to make camp, and have extra room to spare for food and other perishables to grab and go. It is sprayed in its entirety with Line-x coating.


Here are some more pics of it as it progressed.

Pictures right after the Canvas was installed.



Before canvas, but with tent deployed.



Before Canvas, tent stowed.


Trailer pretty much as close as it is today, but before My excursion had the Aluminess Bumper.


Tow Vehicle by itself as it is today.

How much was that bumper? And was it all outfitted like that when you bought it?

The bumper only was about 2100. The boxes are 600 each. Typically, folks put a spare tire on one side but I am going to put the spare on the front bumper when I get it beginning of the year.

Aluminess.com

[NT2C]

Drove it like I stole it then refueled it. Richmond & back (about 100 miles) averaging 24mpg at 10 over the limit.

[NamelessStain]

Bumper and winch installed this weekend.

It will be a while before I do any more major updates. Need to let the funds replentish

[MPMalloy]

Bumper and winch installed this weekend.

It will be a while before I do any more major updates. Need to let the funds replentish

I heard that. I've had to spend half my emergency fund since the beginning of this month.

[NamelessStain]

Took the FJ out into the marshes this weekend. She didn't even flinch, she didn't even fishtail though the heavy mud.

[zombieapocalypsegame]

My ball joint separator / pickle fork arrived today. That will allow me to check the tie rod ends on the 89 F350 and replace the thoroughly trashed boots.

[moab]

So I have to get my oil pan gasket replaced. On my 2007 GMC Yukon XL. Guess how much? $700+!!! Cause it's a 4x4 and the front differential has to come out in order to get to it. Something I can't do in my driveway. Big slant and city is anal.

So I'm getting the best gasket money can buy. Fel-pro. Pretty heavy duty gaskets. I'm hoping it holds like forever!

*Unless someone has a better suggestion?*

Then it's time for new tires. That'll set me back another seven bills or at least 550. Ugh. I really just want to put a roof rack and spare tire/gas can tailgate on. And start building this into a BOV. But I think I may go junkyarding for that stuff. I live about 10 miles from the largest collection of junkyards on the westcoast - Sun City CA! Just North of LA. If I can find some 4x4's wrecked with stuff on them.

I looked into those sliding drawers you can fit in like a false floor. But man are those expensive. We're talking thousands of dollars. Someone in China has to rip those off. Or if I could find an old LE suburban that's been tricked out and wrecked or the motors blown. We've got a couple LE lots here too.

About the only thing going for LA is car parts. I swear.

[JeeperCreeper]

Then it's time for new tires. That'll set me back another seven bills or at least 550.

What tires you thinking about?

[moab]

Then it's time for new tires. That'll set me back another seven bills or at least 550.

What tires you thinking about?

Everytime I research them with consumerreports.com and then tirerack.com for price. They end up being out of stock. I want all terrain. Looking at Yokohama now. Before that I had a set of Pirellis picked out. As you may recall I'm moving back to the PNW next summer. So I want something that will handle the snow and mountains in 4 wheel drive.

I found some pretty good ones. I usually go for Michelin on my other cars. Best warranty and best tires I've ever run. But either they don't make All Terrain or they're way to expensive.

Consumer reports is the only place I trust. But I do read the reviews on tirerack. They seem to be legit. Not all good. Not all bad.

EDIT - Was looking at these or similar:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... toModClar=

[Halfapint]

Brought the F350 into a friends shop to have everything tested just to see where I stand and see if anything needs to be done.

I take good care of it, check fluids, leave mats under to see if there's any drips or anything and nothing. However I noticed when hauling heavy loads it starts this weird hollow sounding whine. Doesn't seem to effect anything, it sounds like the airbox has been removed and you can hear the air getting sucked in. So brought it to them to check out and I just got the email back.

About $4500 worth of work needs to be done. I think this truck just broke me of my Ford bias. There's a laundry list of things that need to be done the most severe is the rear dif, apparently on the top of it there's a crack, cant be seen unless you use a mirror and are looking for it. So most of the grease in it has fowled and burnt off. They cant find the whine I originally brought it in for but it's only when hauling the boat or a bed full of wood.

I could go on, but yeah. Not happy, but at least they have a lifetime warranty on their work and are giving me a bit of a "homie hookup" with the labor. So it's mostly parts and enough to cover the labor.

[JeeperCreeper]

Then it's time for new tires. That'll set me back another seven bills or at least 550.

What tires you thinking about?

Everytime I research them with consumerreports.com and then tirerack.com for price. They end up being out of stock. I want all terrain. Looking at Yokohama now. Before that I had a set of Pirellis picked out. As you may recall I'm moving back to the PNW next summer. So I want something that will handle the snow and mountains in 4 wheel drive.

I found some pretty good ones. I usually go for Michelin on my other cars. Best warranty and best tires I've ever run. But either they don't make All Terrain or they're way to expensive.

Consumer reports is the only place I trust. But I do read the reviews on tirerack. They seem to be legit. Not all good. Not all bad.

EDIT - Was looking at these or similar:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... toModClar=

Well, I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but since opinion's are like buttholes... I thought I'd share my butthole... errr I mean opinion with you.

Michelin's are awesome. Especially for highway tires with heavy vehicles. But you're right, they really don't have an all terrain.... but alas, there is a solution. Our good friends, BFGoodrich, the Baja champions, are owned by our "French tyre" friends (Michelin). Yes, expensive, but the BFG A/T KO2 tires are wonderful. There are other BFG all terrains that are not as aggressive, but they are not "mountain snowflake" certified (which I think is a good standard... not gold standard).

Also check out General Grabber AT2s. I love mine so much. But then again, my Jeeps are light vehicles compared to your suburban. I think they are a good budget alternative to the BFG.

I also love Cooper tires and their affiliates (Mastercraft, Hercules) but I know people who tow who had bad luck with Coopers on heavy vehicles. Also, the AT3 pattern is slippery on wet roads at times, so I wouldn't recommend them, especially on a big vehicle in the PNW.

I would stay away from Goodyear. They suck. I hate them. Everyone I know hates them (we are all geniuses). NASCAR doesn't hate them, because they are paid to like them. I almost died (not really) because of Goodyear tires.

I have no experience with Yokohama, Falken, Hankook, or Kuhmo. But I know all are pretty decent from endless videos (I love rubber things) that I have watched. I almost bought Hankook Dynapro ATMs. I know some fleet trucks (so heavy and abusive) run them to great success. I really like the Falken AT3W tires, they will probably be my next tire to test out. Not sure if they make your size though and I'm too lazy to check.

Wildcard: ProComp A/T Sports... Yes, ProComp may be known for their shitty white shocks and bro-dozer-licious vehicles (yes, lots of Monster energy stickers and flat bill hats), but their tires can take a beating. I would say 50% of my rock crawling buddies run their rubber on their trail vehicles. Now, I never used the A/T Sports, but ProComp tires have come a really long way the last 10 years. You might get lucky with a deal on some from 4wheelparts or their affiliate 4wdhardware.

https://www.procompusa.com/at-sport

[Dragon80]

I liked my Toyo AT's, love the BFG TA KO2's a LOT more.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[moab]

BFG A/T KO2 a bit to expensive for my blood. I'm hoping to come in around 600-700 with installation.

[Dragon80]

BFG A/T KO2 a bit to expensive for my blood. I'm hoping to come in around 600-700 with installation.

I paid $725 for my set plus $60 install, shipped too.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[moab]

BFG A/T KO2 a bit to expensive for my blood. I'm hoping to come in around 600-700 with installation.

I paid $725 for my set plus $60 install, shipped too.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I'll have to look for sales. Maybe Christmas isn't the best time. I'm seeing $225 a piece.

[zombieapocalypsegame]

Used my new pickle fork and took the inner tie rod end off my Pitman arm on the truck today. That was a first - learning as I go, mostly from YouTube. hahahaha

I can move that one tie rod end around with my hand, so I expect all of them to be the same. Pretty clear I'm going to need all new rods.

[velojym]

Had a good trip in the Burb a few months ago, to Chattanooga, with no issues.
Next week, gonna take a proper shakedown run to NM to visit my family.

I'm not too worried about it... Bob's been pretty reliable so far.

[teotwaki]

It's time to get a new car. The current 4Runner is 13 years old and I removed all of the modifications that accumulated over the years and returned it to stock.

List of OEM equipment pulled from storage to reinstall and also some de-installs.

rear shocks reinstalled
rear anti-swaybar reinstalled
rear coil springs reinstalled
rear lower control arms reinstalled
running boards reinstalled
factory skid plates reinstalled
front coilovers reinstalled
second battery system removed
roof rack reinstalled
two way radios removed
rear locker removed
stock differential reinstalled
air compressor removed
original carpet/mats/covers reinstalled
original stereo reinstalled

Next up will be a complete detailing and then shop for a 5th Gen 4Runner

[w3rdtoyamama]

BFG A/T KO2 a bit to expensive for my blood. I'm hoping to come in around 600-700 with installation.

I paid $725 for my set plus $60 install, shipped too.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I'll have to look for sales. Maybe Christmas isn't the best time. I'm seeing $225 a piece.

I hit about $1200 after tax, balance, installation and the tires themselves.

Still no regrets and in 2nd winter with em. Might be an overkill, but thats my middle name.

[velojym]

NM, piddled around, and back to Bama. About 2500 miles.
Spent a little under $350 on gas, and added one quart of oil.
Everything worked perfectly, no hiccups, no failures. Mpg sucked on the way out, with that west Texas headwind, but
I did much better on the return trip. If we have to make an "emergency" excursion to my ol' stomping grounds, that'll certainly be
a factor.

I did notice the lights could be a little better aimed, and some additional driving lights would be welcome out on the ol' prairie.

[w3rdtoyamama]

Battery shopping. With the recent sub zero temperatures, I was unable to start once...with a handful of very rough starts. If anyone has recommendations for high quality battery, let me know. 2011 F350 6.2L

[Ad'lan]

I'm going to go look for a BOV today, or at least, the vehicle that's going to get me from Vancouver to Haida Gwaii, with all my stuff.

My budget is under 5K. It's gonna be fun though, got a test drive booked for this afternoon for this one: https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/ctd ... 71934.html

[flybynight]

It's 15 degrees right now. With a wind chill of zero. So I stayed inside and kept the fire burning hot so I stay healthy and alive to work on the BOV on a warmer day.

[NamelessStain]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcisf1iFxVA ... by=reszfab

I sent a pic to the bumper manufacturer and he threw it up on his instagram feed. He also made the sliders.