Ode to FGT; a refresh story

Nununununununu Jack Hustler...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGy5tp_CDU0​

 

Some more parts ordered. Hopefully some of my Serra order has arrived. Been on vacation this week, so zero progress.

 

Campershell lighting bits have arrived. Some Amazon prime day scores.

 

Test fitted my Rhino rack off the 2019 on the FGT. These dang racks are $550 now. If I buy some new mounting rails for $150, I can reuse the bars and feet and save the $400. Whoever buys the 2019 can buy some bars if they want.

 

Mawfawkin loot crate has arrived!

 

My order-fu is not the best apparently. I only ordered one tie rod end (really thought it said it was a pair?) and one intake manifold gasket. Also got some internal cylinder component of the steering rack instead of a full set of rack bushings.

 

Couple small things today:

AC blower fan replaced. Super easy if you’ve never done it, one electrical clip and 3 bolts - 8mm. Lives under the glovebox.



My old non-oem replacement from 15 years ago. I broke my original trying to get the fan off to clean it.

Old vs. new:


Also added my strut switch for my topper lights and cleaned up the wiring harness with some loom and zip ties to secure. Will do the LED strip install later.

 

You got a grommet on that hole, bud?

 

Nope

 

More loot has arrived. Timing belt kit and new LED fog light replacements. Ordered the missing tie rod end, intake gasket and ball joint for the right side . All told sitting around $1650 in parts (including exhaust). I would consider most of this stuff to be 10yr maintenance parts, so if it’s 10 years before all of this stuff needs to be done again, that’s not too bad.

 

2035 or GTFO

 

Maybe I missed it but why did you replace the AC blower fan? Because it wasn't OEM and preventative maintenance? Wanna know if there are symptoms to watch out for on a failing fan.

 

It’s a bit noisy. Whirring and whistling occasionally. Also had a mild bearing noise for years. New OEM is smooth and quiet and seems to have a bit more airflow.

 

Swapped in the Phillips 9006 LED bulbs into the factory fog light housings. WOW. Very bright. A bit more light scatter than the modified 9012s. Light color temp matches the Colight mini projectors better.

 

I should probably do this. I don't even run my fogs with the CO lights but that's partially because they don't match colorwise and look weird. I do occasionally run parking lights and fogs when it isn't real dark out yet.

 

It's amazing the amount of low and medium range fill these 9006 LED's provide. A little concerned with the light scatter, I'll have to continue to assess. Really spreads light into the adjacent ditches, great for spotting suicidal critters.

 

They must mow along the shoulders up there. Tall grass made my factory fogs useless.

 

That's what I was worried about too. I'll let you test them out and see what it looks like.

 

The yellow fogs on my 06 are awesome down on the south coast during the foggy months from january-march

 

I thought about applying some of the yellow film to the fogs.

 

Lamin-x is what I used. It comes pre cut. Easy to apply, no mess stick

 

Also seriously considering wrapping the hood and roof in satin black Vvivid+ film.

 

If I ever wrap my hood, I'm going full 2000's ricer with carbon fiber wrap lol

 

That’s available. The topo wrap looks kinda cool too.

 

I see that a lot

 

I’d want one of a local range not some random design though

 

Speaking of fog lights- I've been brewing up this idea for a while.

I'd quite like to have more powerful fog lights to match my mini projectors, but I'm skeptical of what change an LED bulb would do. What if one was to cut a square hole out of the back of the fog light housing, maybe exactly the same size as these: https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...QEGqAK4o1Ph922ERSvLjM-H8bUu2uSawaAoKiEALw_wcB and then just glue them in place and wire them up?

I feel like that would work pretty well. I'd keep the lens on the housing to retain a factory look but I think that would really increase the output and maintain a nice beam. Since the fog lights have height adjustments too, I think that you could get them aimed pretty well if you cut the hole accurately enough. Idk. Just an idea.

 

Installed the camper shell lights tonight once the evil sun went down. Cleaned the wiring up as much as possible. We’ll see if the adhesive holds up, or if stronger stick ‘em will be needed.

 

Also does fun colors and dances to the music cause, I like to party.

activated by the prop rod switch, so they automatically come on when you open the cap.

 

meant to post these in here. Used these lights.


Nilight 3PCS 60 Inch RGB Truck...

$41 Nilight 3PCS 60" RGB Truck Bed Light Strip Kit 270 LED Neon Accent Lights with RF Remote On Off Switch Splitter Extension Cable for Cargo Pickup Truck Camper RV SUV Boat

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B37HSZ8Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share