Alaska Daily Drivers: Hydro Blue 80A and Bright White JTR

[Turnswrench]

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[Redruby]

I hope to join you on some of these great spots, I’ll be there in July

 

[Turnswrench]

I hope to join you on some of these great spots, I’ll be there in July

Come on over!

 

[Turnswrench]

Got the chance to meet @Bacstar today in person at a jeep meet. nice seeing you, sir!

It was a good day.

 

[Free2roam]

Wife and I got the solar setup proof of concept done tonight and it's a big success. Nothing is tightened down or painted, just slapped together to make sure it will work out - and it will

Two 100watt panels, top is on a locking slider to extend when parked.

Do you have a parts list for that sick ass slide out on those solar panels?

 

[Turnswrench]

Do you have a parts list for that sick ass slide out on those solar panels?

Hey there,

Hopefully this helps:

Roof bars: https://www.etrailer.com/Roof_Rack/Rhino_Rack/RRSG59.html
Solar panels: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JXYTFF7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Drawer sliders: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DKRBM7Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The brackets to hold the panels are made from aluminum 2" x 2" and 1.5" x 1.5" angle stock from Lowe's. The hardware is all stainless steel. The 2" x 2" angle stock is the main structure and bolts to the roof bars. The drawer sliders bolt to the vertical portion of the 2" x 2" while the horizontal portion is what is bolted to the roof bars with 3/8" carriage bolts. The horizontal portion also bolts down through the 1.5" x 1.5" angle stock that is holding the lower panel in place.

Just take your time measuring and cutting the aluminum stock, get the proper length hardware, then drill and bolt together.

 

[Turnswrench]

The wife and I haven't seen the Jeep since Sunday. We're hoping to get it back tmrw.

Also some additional pieces for the solar setup arrived:

 

[Turnswrench]

The Jeep is home! Now equipped with front and rear 4.88s, ARB air lockers, and diff covers - and of course the front skid and truss package.

 

[Turnswrench]

Well hello there!

Gears are all broken in now, lockers are working great, too. The fuel economy improved by 2.5 mpg and the power band is much better.

We took the Jeep camping in Denali National Park this past weekend and it was a huge success. I didn't quite get the solar setup done, I still need to finish that. Almost 9 hours driving round trip and two nights camping. It was a great trial run for the Prudoe Bay visit this August.

Enjoy:

 

[Turnswrench]

Swapped the bed rack accessories to put the heavier items on the driver side to balance the Jeep. Got into some off camber crawling and decided to swap side to side.

I don't like the look as much, but it'll perform better.

 

[Turnswrench]

Chipping away at the solar setup still:

 

[mx5red]

Chipping away at the solar setup still:

Looks very clean!

 

[Turnswrench]

Well, we're back - again! It's been even busier. After several work trips to the lower, we're hopefully in Alaska for a bit.

Despite the travel, we've been getting after it any time we could.

Happy to report that the solar and Lifepo4 battery setup has been working perfectly.

We added in a 12v port in the bed which has come in handy for when we worked from the Jeep out in the forest recently.

This master disconnect switch and switch panel has been a great addition to the setup. The USB ports especially, which are hidden near the voltage meter.

Valdez, Alaska. For the 4th of July weekend, we headed south east from home to camp right in the ocean tide zone. Thankfully the water never got closer than 50 or so feet away. The views were on point!

Another shot of our spot.

Of course, if you're following along, we found beer

We also found more incredible views.

Rain was inbound, so we took cover in the forest and broke out the annex to provide a place for us to work from.

This is what combining work and fun looks like:

Good thing the roof top tent is so comfy, because the rain didn't let up all day.

Packing up to head back toward home:

We found more beer on the way. This is Alaska's 25th brewery and is in a garage. A hobby gone huge! As Jeep people, I think we can understand lol

More views:

A diesel heater has made an appearance just in time to start planning for cold weather camping

 

[Turnswrench]

Tonight's garage sesh:

RCV front axle shafts and then whiskey!

 

[4xjeepr]

Hope you have enough whiskey to share with everyone...lmao

Tonight's garage sesh:

RCV front axle shafts and then whiskey!

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