My Overland/Bug Out

[smurfslayer]

They make heated lithium batteries that have internal temperature management. Self heating and insulating. Of course more money...

You. are an enabler.

 

[Lilla Kharn]

You. are an enabler.

See, I figured I could get into a business of consulting after I finish this of helping people figure out what to even put on their trucks. I’ve had some bad vendors I’ve dealt with that I’ve dropped a bunch of cash but then when I need something else, I may or may not hear from them again. I’ve become SUPER picky about the vendors because of that. ORA has definitely been the most response and best vendor I’ve worked with.

I bring that up because everything doesn’t fit together or it needs customization. I find that the people (Like ORA) can help me a lot more because Chris spends that time with me. And what I gather from other people and posts helps me put together a complete picture and get the right parts that do exactly what I want.

I’ll be selling the Leitner rack, too. Well, parts of it. I’m going to reuse my crossbars.

 

[amREADY]

They make heated lithium batteries that have internal temperature management. Self heating and insulating. Of course more money...

I was literally just geeking out on this yesterday. I wanted to go lithium for it's better features, but drops below freezing in the mountains and I didn't want to grenade my new battery and mess up my trip if it got cold.

First line of questioning I investigated - was there a temp sensitive heater that could use the battery power. Short answer yes. Slim little pads mounted to an aluminum heat sink plate, temp regulated and works decently well. It wouldn't work for a battery stored for a period of time because it would kill itself in pretty short order, even in an insulated enclosure. Too finicky and wouldn't want it on my mind.

About to give up and stumbled on the ones that will shut themselves off and not accept a charge below freezing. OK, well, that is ok, but they can still work to well below freezing, so you would again use the battery but not be able to charge it. Defeats the purpose.

Then the - LT batteries popped up or Low Temp. Ding. It approaching freezing temps, the battery uses the first part of the charge to warm itself instead of getting a harmful charge. Freaking genius. It means some reduced charging time because it could warm itself for an hour while you are driving from one place to the next or have spotty solar connected to it. So I'd imagine keeping the battery somewhere out of the cold, or insulated would combine to make a best practice.

Plus they aren't that much more expensive.

Great stuff Lilla

 

[amREADY]

See, I figured I could get into a business of consulting after I finish this of helping people figure out what to even put on their trucks. I’ve had some bad vendors I’ve dealt with that I’ve dropped a bunch of cash but then when I need something else, I may or may not hear from them again. I’ve become SUPER picky about the vendors because of that. ORA has definitely been the most response and best vendor I’ve worked with.

I bring that up because everything doesn’t fit together or it needs customization. I find that the people (Like ORA) can help me a lot more because Chris spends that time with me. And what I gather from other people and posts helps me put together a complete picture and get the right parts that do exactly what I want.

I’ll be selling the Leitner rack, too. Well, parts of it. I’m going to reuse my crossbars.

I've had similar experiences. I don't have the aspiration to be a consultant, but I see it could be marketable/helpful especially if it cuts across multiple lines of products/vendors. I'm an IT consultant/ mgmt consultant and I am not affiliated with any one product suite or services company so I am able to recommend what works best for them, be a trusted advocate etc. and they know it. However, like this community, there are some products or services I know I can rely on and will circle back to over and over.

There are companies in this community who consistently support the community, give helpful advice, and don't deal in garbage solutions. I will literally go out of my way to support them and recommend others do the same without reservation.

 

[Lilla Kharn]

I was literally just geeking out on this yesterday. I wanted to go lithium for it's better features, but drops below freezing in the mountains and I didn't want to grenade my new battery and mess up my trip if it got cold.

First line of questioning I investigated - was there a temp sensitive heater that could use the battery power. Short answer yes. Slim little pads mounted to an aluminum heat sink plate, temp regulated and works decently well. It wouldn't work for a battery stored for a period of time because it would kill itself in pretty short order, even in an insulated enclosure. Too finicky and wouldn't want it on my mind.

About to give up and stumbled on the ones that will shut themselves off and not accept a charge below freezing. OK, well, that is ok, but they can still work to well below freezing, so you would again use the battery but not be able to charge it. Defeats the purpose.

Then the - LT batteries popped up or Low Temp. Ding. It approaching freezing temps, the battery uses the first part of the charge to warm itself instead of getting a harmful charge. Freaking genius. It means some reduced charging time because it could warm itself for an hour while you are driving from one place to the next or have spotty solar connected to it. So I'd imagine keeping the battery somewhere out of the cold, or insulated would combine to make a best practice.

Plus they aren't that much more expensive.

Great stuff Lilla

Precisely. With the cap change up I’m planning on doing, I’ll have a little more flexibility in the long run. Sold the drawers and now I’m onto the next phase of the build that won’t be completed probably until late June.

The part that gets me is the suspension. Back in January I ordered the new suspension but Fox coilovers are taking forever to receive. ORA has a set but even if I got it from them, SVC doesn’t have any appointments available until mid May. Which also severely limits my job prospects as now I’m stuck in SoCal.

 

[amREADY]

Precisely. With the cap change up I’m planning on doing, I’ll have a little more flexibility in the long run. Sold the drawers and now I’m onto the next phase of the build that won’t be completed probably until late June.

The part that gets me is the suspension. Back in January I ordered the new suspension but Fox coilovers are taking forever to receive. ORA has a set but even if I got it from them, SVC doesn’t have any appointments available until mid May. Which also severely limits my job prospects as now I’m stuck in SoCal.

I wish you the best of luck with it all.

 

[KaptainKam]

How much was the total cost? I'm in the market for an overland build similar to this

 

[Lilla Kharn]

Tent was $4100 after install, rack was probably about $2500-$3000 after all the custom work I’ve done. The entire front end lighting and other modifications ran about $14,000 with help from Offroad Alliance. Suspension (Not done yet) is about $14,000 after install.

My fridge/kitchen/chase rack/dual battery is going to be about $10,000. This is the part that’s taking the absolute longest because of my specific use. I need to design a bunch of parts. I have a fabricator I’m working with for the chase rack but the kitchen is my problem.

What are you looking at doing?

 

[KaptainKam]

I'm looking at

Tent was $4100 after install, rack was probably about $2500-$3000 after all the custom work I’ve done. The entire front end lighting and other modifications ran about $14,000 with help from Offroad Alliance. Suspension (Not done yet) is about $14,000 after install.

My fridge/kitchen/chase rack/dual battery is going to be about $10,000. This is the part that’s taking the absolute longest because of my specific use. I need to design a bunch of parts. I have a fabricator I’m working with for the chase rack but the kitchen is my problem.

What are you looking at doing?

I'm looking to change my rims first to some method offroader but I want to put an overland rack that's level with the roof, add a pop up tent and carry one of those 100qt coolers for food along with carrying a kitchen and miscallaneous tools (shovel, ace, grip Trax, water filter, gas cans, fishing gear etc.) Going to do lights and a roof rack after I get the first build done

 

[Lilla Kharn]

I'm looking at


I'm looking to change my rims first to some method offroader but I want to put an overland rack that's level with the roof, add a pop up tent and carry one of those 100qt coolers for food along with carrying a kitchen and miscallaneous tools (shovel, ace, grip Trax, water filter, gas cans, fishing gear etc.) Going to do lights and a roof rack after I get the first build done

I like my methods.

I’ve made some changes to my setup that I haven’t posted yet. My drawers are gone and I got Built Right panels instead.
The Leitner rack is pretty well designed for what you’re wanting. Only problem is that it’s certainly not weather resistant. But it’s certainly the easiest to modify. I’m planning on doing significant modification right now including a built in table and ladder along with ambient lighting. The awning and shower combination are in the works as well.

@KaptainKam I finished installing these today. Into the cabinets for the Leitner gear pods.