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Project RHINO: Recreational High Intensity Nimble Overlander

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DiscoDino

DiscoDino

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Cradle in 6mm in the making for the battery and air tank...still some key mounts and side heat protection 2mm (Battery will be wrapped in heat shield as well)...

More to come on this...hoping to get the Solar system set up tomorrow...

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DiscoDino

DiscoDino

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(2mm debris guard for air compressor will be done in the morning)
 
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DiscoDino

DiscoDino

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Thanks! Today the truck is undergoing Solar system wiring, dual battery wiring, and other electrical work (monitors in cab)...tomorrow air system plumbing and wiring, and rear work light as well. If the suspension arrives tonight we'll install it tomorrow to hopefully...
 

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DiscoDino

DiscoDino

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Hi everyone, quick update from my end:
1. Solar panel & dual battery systems installed after the undercarriage cradle with the aux lifeline 105A AGM deep cycle marine battery was mounted, along with a dual battery monitor and solar panel mounted inside.
2. Fridge connection hard wired
3. Flag pole mounted
4. Rear bed area still needs to be figured out once and for all, FAK will be mounted with a Blueridge with quick release on the passenger side next to the fridge (dead area), the water pump to be mounted towards the end of the bed drive side, and need to figure out the rest of the components...
5. Ordered the BD Dome lights with switch in amber each for the middle of the bed from the rack, the toilet awning, and the passenger side under the tent
6. Air system mounted with slight adjustments, so that's good, 4-way inflate/deflate system to come too
7. Evo 2.5" lift should come by the 2nd of April

Until then we are doing some basic things here and there given the situation the whole globe is in...

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DiscoDino

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FAK mounted...highly recommend this quick release system from Outerlimit Supply (mis-quoted before that it was Blue Ridge!):

List is getting shorter...by Saturday I should receive:
  • Evo 2.5" lift (will reuse OEM Rubicon Fox 2.0 shoe with extenders until the Fox 3.0 IBPs or Ohlins are available after COVID)
  • Front Evo adjustable track bar
  • Rear Rock Krawler Pro-X 4 link upgrade for the rear axle to eliminate the rear track bar
  • Kitchen table set-up from Drifta in Australia, after which I'll build a compact kitchen from 3/4" MDF with a cutting board top and the Coleman dual burner dual fuel stove inside...super simple that will have all the kitchen stuff...
  • Also trying to figure out going 800W inverter or a Goal Zero 400 Lithium? I'm trying to go light/packaged so maybe the inverter...
That should cover Stage one...after Summer (our off season) will get going on Stage 2 (shocks, aluminum roof rack for longer journeys, skid plate, high OEM Fenders, Halo headlights, etc...

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DiscoDino

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Exciting day today! The 2.5 Evo Overland Stage 1 lift will be going in. Got the basic kit with no shocks as I'd like to hold up for the 3.0 Fox IBPs, the RK rear Pro-X upper 4 link kit is clearing customs and should be with my by Monday so will install thereafter. I did get an adjustable front track bar from Evo, so everything should be good. Below picture should be the last one with the RHINO squared! I measured before at front rock rail 16.5", rear rock rail 17.5" and under the rear-most part of the tent rail 69". Hoping we get at least 2.5" of lift...we'll see...

The solar system is being tested and all charging correctly...the panel is super sleek and slim...barely noticeable with the matching paint color of the tent.

With the MOPAR rear 2" receiver on backorder and I wasn't a fan of the design, we designed locally and will be cut and done by next week to help us at max tow capacity. Will be using it with the Factor 55 matching red Rubicon shackle receiver, and the Wilton 5" vice for trail work duties (only carried when hardcore or long multi-country trips...along with pull pal and high lift).

Will post up results from the lift tonight.

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DiscoDino

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Well the Evo 2.5” lift kit is in and I’m loving it! Rear shocks definitely need to be stiffer so for now the OEM Rubicon Fox 2.0s are in there with extensions, until we get something beefy...


Before/after height differences:
Front rock rail: 16.5-20
Rear rock rail: 17.5-20.5
Rear under tent: 69-72
So +3.5” front and +3” rear

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JTRUBI

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Looks great. Any close up pictures of how the rack works with the factory tonneau cover? Any modifications to the cover to make it work?
 

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DiscoDino

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Looks great. Any close up pictures of how the rack works with the factory tonneau cover? Any modifications to the cover to make it work?
Thanks! Here are some detailed pictures...key thing is we stretched out the legs of the rack to the extremities of the bed so we could give the cover enough space within the legs...

I can roll it all the way back between the front towers but I get ample access without squeezing it in there and rubbing the edges of the cover on the metal. Anyways, the end of the bed will be all the water and plumbing I won’t access regularly...only to switch the water heater on and to fill the water tank...so not regular access...

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Doesn’t look like you got the bed rail system that came with the US LE... what are you using for tie downs below the rail?
 
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DiscoDino

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Doesn’t look like you got the bed rail system that came with the US LE... what are you using for tie downs below the rail?
Yeah seems there was an issue between FCA and the dealer here with some items that were on the build sheet not actually being there. I got compensated and anyways other than the Aux Switch kit I didn't want anything else...

Most of the items will be secured (water tank, boiler, fridge, FAK, etc...) the 3 or 4 cases (2 x Action Packers, 2 x Pelican type) will be tied down with the OEM 4 ties and squished together like Tetris with the tonneau on top we should be good...

I did replace the M6 bolts that were securing the tent rack with galvanized loops so can use these as well...there are 4 per side but they are high up...
 

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Looks great man. Thanks for the pictures. Do you find it stable with the RTT on it while sleeping ? Also any water leaks from the tonneau cover with it installed with the rack ?

Thanks! Here are some detailed pictures...key thing is we stretched out the legs of the rack to the extremities of the bed so we could give the cover enough space within the legs...

I can roll it all the way back between the front towers but I get ample access without squeezing it in there and rubbing the edges of the cover on the metal. Anyways, the end of the bed will be all the water and plumbing I won’t access regularly...only to switch the water heater on and to fill the water tank...so not regular access...

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6E86FF48-8A84-4770-A391-77398D9D4CBA.jpeg


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E4C3C3D7-2033-4CA5-980A-2FE47DDEC94B.jpeg
 
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DiscoDino

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Hi everyone - hope you are keeping safe!

Received the RK Pro-X rear 4 link upgrade kit...hoping I can put this on by myself without the need for a lift & a taking the rear axle out (required widening some pre-drilled holes and tapping them for 4 bolts)...

Given my suspension is EVO and this kit is RK, I can say both companies provide very good quality products...I'd give a slight edge to the EVO in terms of fit and finish...the RK came in slightly scratched in certain places (chalk it up to shipping...) where the EVO looked PRISTINE (same travel distance US to Dubai).

Also reconfiguring my hot water system...trying to go with a 6 or 10L German made boiler vs the current Australian made gas-based heater...we'll see what comes out of this!

Stay safe!

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