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99, 5.0 Limited.

I've been around for a while so I guess it's time I post in here. There's some nice rigs in here. We try to get out into the back country as much as possible so I hope you guys like lots of pics...

99, 5.0 Limited, 265/75-16 Duratracs, MSD coils, 8.2 Taylor Thundervolt wires, Redtop, Bilstein 4600's, Rola rack w/extension, 30" Ridid SR combo LED bar with 4 Rigid dually diffused flood lights (area/camp lighting) and Rigid Dually spot (backup) all mounted to the rack with Rigid billet tube mounts.

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How'd the cummins do in comparison to the explorer?

It did ok for what it is, it's on Toyo M/Ts but this trail is mostly used by our Explorer and Jeep and Toyota guys so the Cummins liked to get sucked into the edge but could usually power out. My brother does have an '85 Yota with a 406 sbc and 40's just wasn't running that weekend.

I love the looks we get from the Jeep guys when they see the Explorer make it just as far as their Jeeps.
 



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It did ok for what it is, it's on Toyo M/Ts but this trail is mostly used by our Explorer and Jeep and Toyota guys so the Cummins liked to get sucked into the edge but could usually power out. My brother does have an '85 Yota with a 406 sbc and 40's just wasn't running that weekend.

I love the looks we get from the Jeep guys when they see the Explorer make it just as far as their Jeeps.

I compared my 08 Grand Cherokee AWD and 00 Ford Explorer AWD this past week with ranges from 12-20 inches of snow. The Jeep being very similar if not identical to the Ford in F&R ratio split, with the Jeep AWD being controlled "electronically" and Ford AWD being controlled for all intents and purposes with the VC, being "mechanical."

I noticed they both worked about equally effective with the Jeep seeming to react slightly quicker at transferring more power up front or at least being slightly better in its reaction. Now my TC could be slightly worn or if anything just the electronic system of an 8 year newer vehicle being a little quicker to react than a much older vehicle with mechanical means but it was nice to see the comparison and feel the differences.

I am not saying the Jeep system is "better." You could make an argument that it also has a higher chance of something going wrong, mechanical setup being much more reliable, etc but like I said it was just cool to feel the difference and compare the two.

I say that because both vehicles would have "pretty much" gone to the same places off road regardless of the brand. Way to many variables to say for sure I know, but I certainly wouldn't be looking down on the Ford AWD system in the explorer when comparing apples to apples. Is it as good as a true 50/50 split manual transfer case with manual locking hubs? Eh probably not, but it wasn't developed to replace that system either rather just to be another option. There is something to be said for being able to just hop in, put it in drive and go versus having to decide if the roads are bad enough to warrant 4x4, or get out and lock manual hubs just in case, or in case anyone else in your family uses the vehicle as well. Especially when it comes to the woman, trying to explain it all and what to do just makes her freak out. They certainly aren't big issues to me as I have both types of system, but it is a fair point to make for a lot of people.
 






I compared my 08 Grand Cherokee AWD and 00 Ford Explorer AWD this past week with ranges from 12-20 inches of snow. The Jeep being very similar if not identical to the Ford in F&R ratio split, with the Jeep AWD being controlled "electronically" and Ford AWD being controlled for all intents and purposes with the VC, being "mechanical."

I noticed they both worked about equally effective with the Jeep seeming to react slightly quicker at transferring more power up front or at least being slightly better in its reaction. Now my TC could be slightly worn or if anything just the electronic system of an 8 year newer vehicle being a little quicker to react than a much older vehicle with mechanical means but it was nice to see the comparison and feel the differences.

I am not saying the Jeep system is "better." You could make an argument that it also has a higher chance of something going wrong, mechanical setup being much more reliable, etc but like I said it was just cool to feel the difference and compare the two.

I say that because both vehicles would have "pretty much" gone to the same places off road regardless of the brand. Way to many variables to say for sure I know, but I certainly wouldn't be looking down on the Ford AWD system in the explorer when comparing apples to apples. Is it as good as a true 50/50 split manual transfer case with manual locking hubs? Eh probably not, but it wasn't developed to replace that system either rather just to be another option. There is something to be said for being able to just hop in, put it in drive and go versus having to decide if the roads are bad enough to warrant 4x4, or get out and lock manual hubs just in case, or in case anyone else in your family uses the vehicle as well. Especially when it comes to the woman, trying to explain it all and what to do just makes her freak out. They certainly aren't big issues to me as I have both types of system, but it is a fair point to make for a lot of people.

Our truck works really good mostly for what we use it for but I would still like to do a 4406 swap though.

Lots of the "Jeep guys" around here seem to think you need a fully kitted out JK to do any kind of offroading so we get some weird looks when our truck is already sitting at the end of the trail as they pull up.
 






Our truck works really good mostly for what we use it for but I would still like to do a 4406 swap though.

Lots of the "Jeep guys" around here seem to think you need a fully kitted out JK to do any kind of offroading so we get some weird looks when our truck is already sitting at the end of the trail as they pull up.

:salute:
 






Here's some quick pics after a long day "Exploring" some Alberta back country today, more to come.

Looking west as the sun sets over Panther creek towards Jasper National park.



Some amazing views out here...



Does it get any better?
Another Explorer might help the shot a bit...


I was finally able to get some good shots of all the lights but my camera did not like the cold so I had to take these ones with my phone.
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We put a lot of miles on today, I'll have more later.
I hope you enjoy!
 






Here's some more pics from last weekend.
We had a long day exploring the back roads west of Sundre Alberta, there's still a lot of trails we haven't been up.

A nice fire, hotdogs and some sledding along Sheep creek.


We found a nice look out with 360 degree views.
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We got lucky and found this look out just as the sun was going behind the ridge.
We had lunch along the road you can see in the bottom of this valley.

I sure do love it here, I can't wait to do some more exploring out this way.
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I love these shots!


The drive home was a good test of the Rigid leds and they sure impressed me yet again.
 






Beautiful shots man.

Would love to go up there one day.
 






Beautiful pictures!
 






Thanks a lot guys, I'll have some more soon.
We've been talking about a possible trip up the Dempster Highway this summer...
 






I thought I should put up a bit about my Led light install in here.

I first got a pair of Rigid Dually Diffused pods for camp lighting and 1 Dually spot. I put the spot up front with the plan of it being used as a reverse light once I got a 30" bar.
The Quality really impressed me right out of the box.


I mounted them to my rack with the Rigid billet tube mounts. These fit perfectly and mount very tight.
I also got some green covers for a little protection and so the light isn't quite so harsh when lighting up camp.


I decided the side post of the Red top was the best place to get power and use as a ground.


I tried to tuck the inline fuses as out of the way as possible.

As well as the rest of the harness.
*I think the truck will still get 1 more Dually diffused per side and after that I will run some wire loom over the harness.

I put a new grommet around the hood latch release cable and ran the wires though there.
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I needed to make some harness extensions so I ordered some 2 pin Deutsch connectors and borrowed a crimper from work.


I built the extensions and covered them with some 3/8" asphalt loom.


Once the extensions were secured it looked like this for a little while.


This worked well for a bit but left one side of the truck dark and the single forward facing spot left more to be desired...
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Then I picked this up and 2 more Dually diffused.

Rigid SR 30" combo.


You can see the flood optics on the end.


I needed to build some more harness extensions and decided to pick up a Deutsch connector kit that came with a crimper, this will be nice to have around. Got some more covers as well.


I mounted the relay for the SR 30 under the dash and this is what the switches look like.
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Have you thought about a yellow color versus the green?

Big money you got in lights there, I am jealous.
 






I also mounted the SR 30 using Rigid's billet tube mounts. The mounts are really clean and the light is solid.
This is when I added the extension to my Rola rack along with 2 more cross bars I picked up from the wrecker.


I got some clear covers for some extra protection and some green ones to match the Duallys and for driving in the snow. I think I'll still get some ambers as well.


I think it looks good tucked under the rack and not to flashy.


I couldn't wait to actually go use this light.


This is what the Duallys look like on the back. As I said earlier I think I want one more Dually per side, a little more light will be nice but i would really like to be able to control the right, left and rear separately, right now it's right side and right rear on one switch and left side and left rear on another switch.
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I was finally able to get some good night time comparison shots. These are away from the city with only a little bit of moonlight.

Stock low beams.
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The green was nice on the snow because it's not nearly as harsh as the white, it did take a minute to adjust once back on the highway though but it wasn't bad. I do like how the green matches the truck and the other lights but I still want to try some amber and blue covers in the snow and dust.
 






I found a good hill to climb up next to this back road and got some pretty decent "aerial" shots of all the lights.

All on.


Just SR 30 and left side Dually diffused.


Just SR 30.
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Have you thought about a yellow color versus the green?

Big money you got in lights there, I am jealous.

Looks like I missed your reply while I was flooding my own thread.
I think I may have answered your question in a later post but yes I have some amber lenses on order for the light bar and might try some on the "camp" lights too. I would like to try some blue lenses on the bar in the snow as well but I went with the green to match the truck and I like the over all look.

I get a wholesale discount on the lights so that really helps and they do add up pretty quickly but I'm very happy with this set up and any one that sees them in action instantly wants some of their own.
 






So after almost 2 years both of my MSD coils shorted out and all I could source in a timely manner were 2 more MSD's, so I reluctantly went that route again. These ones better last more than 2 years but I'm not holding my breath. The MSD's are really nice when they are working but I think they will be swapped out for some Screamin Demon coils sooner than later...


The red sure looks good...
The last time I will ever buy an MSD coil.
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