2024 Anvil Willys Overland Build

[Trauma PA]

Ok, more cheap mods done. A combination of TEMU and Amazon again.
Dead depal from TEMU, grab handles from TEMU, and Molle Sun Visor from Amazon.

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[Trauma PA]

Hi-low amfib snorkel inbound then pre runner grill light install. Wish I had more free time on my hands.

 

[Trauma PA]

It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything to my Jeep. Went to Jeep Beach in Daytona and had another amazing time. Weather was spectacular. The builds I saw were jaw dropping. Wish I had the coin to duplicate some of these builds there.

I added a new bed rack and some accessories. On June 3rd, I’ll be dropping my rig off to have 4.88 Dana Spicer gears installed.
I did buy an Apex Badlands 12,000 lb. winch today. Been debating a Smittybilt X20s vs this vs Warn EVO for a while now. The 20% for HF members this weekend sort of helped me make the decision.

 

[Trauma PA]

It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything to my Jeep. Went to Jeep Beach in Daytona and had another amazing time. Weather was spectacular. The builds I saw were jaw dropping. Wish I had the coin to duplicate some of these builds there.

I added a new bed rack and some accessories. On June 3rd, I’ll be dropping my rig off to have 4.88 Dana Spicer gears installed.
I did buy an Apex Badlands 12,000 lb. winch today. Been debating a Smittybilt X20s vs this vs Warn EVO for a while now. The 20% for HF members this weekend sort of helped me make the decision.

It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything to my Jeep. Went to Jeep Beach in Daytona and had another amazing time. Weather was spectacular. The builds I saw were jaw dropping. Wish I had the coin to duplicate some of these builds there.

I added a new bed rack and some accessories. On June 3rd, I’ll be dropping my rig off to have 4.88 Dana Spicer gears installed.
I did buy an Apex Badlands 12,000 lb. winch today. Been debating a Smittybilt X20s vs this vs Warn EVO for a while now. The 20% for HF members this weekend sort of helped me make the decision.

I’ve been researching rooftop tents for the past several weeks. I finally narrowed my choices down to 3 tents.
1. IKamper Skycamp Mini 3.0
2. Roofnest Condor 2 Air
3. Freespirit Recreation Nova

After much internal debate, I opted for the Freespirit Recreation Nova and placed my order today. I really liked the IKamper and there was an excellent Memorial Day sale price but I wasn’t sold on their mattress and they didn’t offer any type of interior lighting. I would have had to step up to their Skycamp DLX Mini at over $1000 more to get the 4” self inflating air mattress and the integrated LED lighting. The Roofnest Condor 2 Air had some really nice features and a competitive price but it just really didn’t “wow” me. The Freespirit seemed to check all my requirement boxes:
- price was about $600 cheaper than the IKamper
- weight was only 7 lbs. heavier than the IKamper (132 lb. Vs 125 lb.)
- height of tent closed was a consideration as I’m running a mid height rack and wanted the tent tucked under the cab of the truck as much as possible (11 3/8” vs 13 1/2”)
- the shell material is built from less plastic and more aluminum than the other 2 and given I live in sunny Florida I think the Freespirit shell will hold up to the elements much better plus the sides have T-slots to hang accessories from and it also comes with crossbars that would allow me to mount bicycles or cargo carriers on top.
- the Freespirit also comes standard with a self inflating mattress and can be closed with sleeping linens left inside the tent

I must say that I spoke to representatives from all 3 tent companies and I had very positive interactions and conversations from each and every person I spoke to. You could tell they all were genuine and passionate about their product and were actually real people who engage in the same outdoor type activities that most of us do. Bottom line is I felt like customer service was not an issue from any of my 3 choices and I would have been comfortable ordering a tent from any of these 3 companies.

Time will tell if I made the right choice but I am excited to receive the tent and put it through its paces.

Edit: forgot to post that I had a change of heart on my tent selection and canceled the Free Spirit Recreation Nova tent and ordered the IKamper Skycamp 3.0 mini. As I looked closer at the FSR Nova, I realized the side windows did not have awnings for shade or rain. I thought this would be a potential problem if I were out camping in the warmer weather and it rained, especially living in Florida.

 

[Trauma PA]

Re geared to Dana Spicer 4.88 gears. Going through the break in process right now. So far, very pleased with this choice.

 

[Metalhead]

Nice looking Rig. I was like you with lift kits. Had it down to Mopar and AEV. Had the AEV kit on my wrangler and liked it. I choose the Mopar lift mainly because my jeep is still under warranty. After seeing your jeep not sure I made the right choice. I am also going back and forth on wheels and tires. I really would like to keep the factory wheels to save money but it does limit tire choices. Especially when looking for an American made tire.

 

[Trauma PA]

Was torn on whether or not I wanted to try the Decked Drawer System out because of the weight and the cost however found a real nice guy local to me who was selling his at a reasonable price and I figured why not?
So here’s a few pics. I’m gonna have to play around with the configuration when I get a free day.

 

[Trauma PA]

Took advantage of the sale pricing IKamper had on their Skycamp mini 3.0 for Memorial Day. Was a difficult and at times overwhelming process deciding on which tent was the best for me. I finally got it installed earlier today and I really like how it turned out with my current bed rack set up.

 

[korisu56]

Jeep is looking great! Have you done any of the Florida Adventure Trail? I'm in the Tampa area and have been nugging out portions around Richloam. I may take a crack at the Southern Florida Adventure Trail during hunting season

 

[Trauma PA]

Thanks. I am brand new to Overlanding. First trip planned in August up into Georgia, NC and VA. Next trip will be in October into the Smoky Mountains. Super excited! Still so much to do to get ready.
I have not done any of the FAT yet but I’m interested.

 

[korisu56]

Thanks. I am brand new to Overlanding. First trip planned in August up into Georgia, NC and VA. Next trip will be in October into the Smoky Mountains. Super excited! Still so much to do to get ready.
I have not done any of the FAT yet but I’m interested.

Sounds like you've got full calendar! I have both the FAT and SOFAT files and will be doing day trips until it cools down. Holler if you're interested!

 

[Trauma PA]

I struggled with trying to make a 270 awning work with my iKamper sky camp 3.0 mini RTT and my mid height bed rack. Tried multiple approaches including offsetting the tent to the passenger side (which I didn’t like) to accommodate the tent top shell when opened. I finally decided to go the bed cap route and almost bought the OVS bed cap but instead went for the RSI EVO Adventure smartcap.

 

[Trauma PA]

Since the RSI smartcap load bars are on indefinite back order, I went with the Frontrunner load bars, tent riser mounts and quick release plates. Was a pretty tedious task to perform outdoors in the Florida heat but we got her done.

 

[Trauma PA]

Next up was mounting my iKamper RTT to the top of the load bars. A fairly tough task to perform as I have a 100% full thickness tear of my right shoulder rotator cuff and have no right arm strength whatsoever doing any type of overhead or pressing movements. So I was fortunate to be able to employ the help of a couple of friends and we did it. Not sure how much I like the look. Would be interested in hearing some thoughts?I think once everything else (270 awning, Rival roof rack, shower awning, water port) gets mounted up it will look better. At least I’m hoping so.

 

[Trauma PA]

Installed some @Quadratec Prerunner lights. No splicing required. Pretty much plug and play once you figure out how to get to the harness supplying the driver’s side fender flare.

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