Citylights' Tear - SOLD! - update 08-01-16

[capnTelescope]

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7MJ5LE/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Dual digital panel meter shows both volts and amps. Meh. Very utilitarian. A couple of antique-looking analog meters look way more cool.

Don't forget to tap the analog meter before you take a reading. They have a teeny bit of friction to overcome.

[citylights]

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7MJ5LE/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Dual digital panel meter shows both volts and amps. Meh. Very utilitarian. A couple of antique-looking analog meters look way more cool.

Don't forget to tap the analog meter before you take a reading. They have a teeny bit of friction to overcome.

I almost got that one, but I was not familiar with a shunt. You have to buy a separate shunt with that one, which one did you get?

[capnTelescope]

I almost got that one, but I was not familiar with a shunt. You have to buy a separate shunt with that one, which one did you get?

A shunt is basically a very low resistance resistor that goes across the current measuring leads. The ammeter is measuring the voltage drop across the shunt, and displaying amps. Ohm's Law makes it all possible. You would need a 100 amp shunt for that unit, or the same amps to match whatever unit you buy.

[citylights]

Camping near Duck Creek, Utah for Memorial Day weekend 2014

[mrwall1]

Looks great!! cant wait to go out!!

[citylights]

I thought I would mention, I had a "maximum brake experience" with the FJ and teardrop trailer today.

A big pronghorn antelope decided to dart out in front of a full size camper van that was in front of me. The pronghorn stopped in the middle of the road! I want to say the van was 1980's era without antilock brakes. It locked up the tires and slid to a slightly skewed stop about 5 feet in front of the animal. The pronghorn just pranced off the side of the road after the van stopped.

I was going about 50 mph behind the van when I saw the brake lights and smoke pouring off the vans tires. I stood on my brakes and my antilock engaged. I could feel the weight of the trailer pushing the stop longer than it would have been with FJ alone... But I still stopped in a shorter distance than the van. I had a hard, but smooth and straight deceleration.

The dang car behind me only stopped about 1/2 car length behind my teardrop.

My dry weight teardrop trailer is 1750# and I had debated trailer brakes, but decided not. With the FJ as a tow vehicle, I think it is fine. With a lighter tow vehicle, I think I would want the brakes.

Just relaying my experience.

[PKCSPT]

Thank you for sharing. I often hear people wonder of their vehicle can TOW a trailer, I worried if mine would STOP a trailer. I practiced a few and no problems here either.

[citylights]

I decided to get the dexter axle kit to move the axle from over the springs to under the springs. I gained about 4-inches of ground clearance. I also gained the space to put larger tires on... Either that or I need to lower my fenders!


Before


After


Axle above


The kit


Axle under

[citylights]

Somebody asked a question about my hatch wiring and I realized I didn't have a good finished picture. I also added some safety clips that I can put on my hatch props to make sure the hatch does not fall in the wind.

[capnTelescope]

I decided to get the dexter axle kit to move the axle from over the springs to under the springs. I gained about 4-inches of ground clearance. I also gained the space to put larger tires on... Either that or I need to lower my fenders!

I vote for the bigger wheels & tires. You'll get more ground clearance and the spindle bearings won't have to turn as fast. Win/win.

The Citylights looks good out in the wild!

[citylights]

Alrighty, I am really in trouble with the wife now... I sprung for the larger tires.

Now I have a total of 13 inches of ground clearance. I gained 5 inches today with the axle flip and tire change. Doesn't sound like much, but for ground clearance, that is huge. Plenty for any off-roading that I will do. The trailer probably has more clearance than my FJ!

[drewh1]

Nice! Have to agree - get some 15" wheels and tires. I got 14 and wish I had gone bigger now. I am going to do my first offroad trip in a couple of weeks. Still wanting to get some armor for my FJ. Probably won't take the TD in too far but it will be interesting to see what it all can do!

[Ned B]

Flip & tires look great! Just don't do what the driver in zach with the x-cubed's gif does when you take it off-road.

[citylights]

Flip & tires look great! Just don't do what the driver in zach with the x-cubed's gif does when you take it off-road.

Slow and easy, that's my motto.

[citylights]

Nice! Have to agree - get some 15" wheels and tires. I got 14 and wish I had gone bigger now. I am going to do my first offroad trip in a couple of weeks. Still wanting to get some armor for my FJ. Probably won't take the TD in too far but it will be interesting to see what it all can do!

I sent you a PM regarding FJ armor. Have a great trip!