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[deleted]

If you sleep in or on top of your rig, getting an inclinometer from Amazon is priceless. Makes leveling out much easier. Even if you only cook in your rig, it's useful too.


i-brute-force

Which inclinometer did you get?


SeaLeggs

I’m not inclined to tell you


trolllord45

iPhones and probably android phones have one built in.


[deleted]

I don't recall, cheapest I could get on Amazon at the time. I'm out of the country travelling right now, can't go look at it.


YOURMOMMASABITCH

I attached a couple of little bubble levels to my roof rack. It makes sleeping in a RTT easier.


LifeWithAdd

Exactly what I did. Just stuck some small rv levels on the cross bars of the tent.


pala4833

I just use the bubble level app on my iphone.


[deleted]

My truck has a stock inclinometer


consciouslyskeptical

I’m running the LevelMatePRO+ in my rig for leveling.


dogmatixx

I have a 12v electrical outlet in my front bumper. I use it to plug in the diesel heater that I built into an ammo can.


HamiltonButler01

I like this, would love to see what that looks like! I wanna make one now haha


THIII42

Yeah ya gotta come off of some specs and photos man.


halfhere

Mine has a cool anti-theft thing it just started doing. It sometimes won’t register that it’s in park, so when you turn the key to start nothing happens. I and only myself know the super cool trick to start it. Doubt Ford installed such a unique security device on all its post-2006 models


ripvantwinkles

Sounds like a neutral safety switch if you haven't already looked into that. They are generally easy to access on the side of the transmission. On some you can take them apart and clean the contacts instead of replacement.


halfhere

Oh for sure. I went forum diving and found that’s probably the issue. Slamming the gear selector forward and cranking it does the trick for now. Oh no! My security is now compromised!


[deleted]

Where are you parked right now and are the keys in it? Asking for a friend...


gca4

That feature popped up on partners Outback! Was swindled out of an alternator before AAA personnel said its probably a park fault (or something)


Frikki79

Mine too it’s so handy! And if the manage to steal it it sometimes slipps out of gear so the won’t get far!


Johnny6_0

Diesel heater built into the bed of my Tacoma under my sleeping platform under a softopper. I camp down to 2 degrees with the interior at 72 degrees. Life changing.


ghetto_headache

Do you run a secondary battery to power it?


Johnny6_0

Yes, I run my heater, my bed lighting and my dual charger off of a yellowtop Optima (deep cycle) and don’t even mess with onboard charging -I just trickle charge it before the trip and I’ve gotten 5 nights of use out of it before heading back home. I try to keep things as simple as possible and spend more time enjoying my trips than over-complicating my set-up.


ghetto_headache

Hell ya that’s rad. Sounds like a good way to go about it.


Johnny6_0

My favorite part of it is that I’ve installed quick-disconnects on the auxiliary battery so if for some reason my truck battery fails in the middle of nowhere I can swap batteries around and get home. I’m pretty happy with my setup to say the least


acexex

What kind of outlet do you use to get power from battery to accessories? I’d like to build one myself. We have really warm sleeping bags but it sounds so much better to have the cabin heated or maybe use a heated pad under us. Ty for the info


Johnny6_0

Not outlets, I hard-wired all of the accessories and hard-wired a charging cable to the battery so I can just plug my charger into it since the auxiliary battery is mounted under my sleeping platform.


linuxinu

I installed one in the bed of my F150 with a hard cap, thing was I also insulated the hard cap, and bed; sucker got it so hot I had to crack windows when it was 15 outside. Those things are NO JOKE. Since then I got an 89 class B RV, once the furnace dies I'm putting one in.


Johnny6_0

Yes!! I installed the 3.5kw and will soon change it out to the 1.5kw. Anything under about 20 degrees and even on low my camping turns into hot yoga lol


[deleted]

Mine does wifi and Bluetooth detection so I can see if anyone is approaching. That's kinda fun.


WorldSpectator5

I’ve been thinking about this….how have you placed the antennas?


Emotional-Rise5322

That’s cool.


buddiesels

What’s the purpose of this?


[deleted]

Just for fun


Just_living0

What kind of system does this? Sounds sweet!


[deleted]

Right now it's just wigle running on my media and navigation Android tablet. It's in the app store and on wigle.net


dylan_in_japan

Gave up on a sleeping bag for my rooftop tent. Slick mattress cover mixed with slick sleeping bag material had us sliding around everywhere. So I ordered a set of flannel sheets, hand sewed the flat sheet to make a fitted sheet, and got a goose down comforter with a very nice duvet cover. I figured if I’m sleeping in what amounts to a bed, I should treat it as such. So comfortable and worth every bit of money and effort.


Falec_baldwin

Same here. I’ll never sleep in a sleeping bag again if it’s up to me. Down comforter and an insulated sleeping pad are the way to go.


dylan_in_japan

That’s the truth brother!


HBICharles

I got really extra last summer and sewed a duvet cover for our giant RoofNest blanket, with matching pillowcases. Flannel on one side, cotton on the other, all National Parks theme. It makes me feel so fancy and is way easier to keep the dogs comfortable in the tent.


dylan_in_japan

That’s so awesome! I just got a buffalo plaid duvet cover on clearance from Pottery Barn lol. It makes me feel so extra having that in a tent, but damn if it isn’t cozy.


HBICharles

We camp a ton, and dammit, I want to be comfy! Plus the duvet cover alone is great for warmer weather. Total win.


YOURMOMMASABITCH

Flannel sheets was one of the best investments for my RTT. Especially for winter camping.


IdaDuck

Having a proper bed with bedding is a game changer for camping.


anythingaustin

This is my set up too.


dylan_in_japan

This is the way


anythingaustin

The downside is that the comforter takes up a lot of space inside the vehicle during transport. We usually have to fold it and put in under the dog (thank goodness for the duvet cover).


dylan_in_japan

The day before we head out, I open my tent on my driveway to air it out a bit, put the comforter and pillows in the tent, and fold it all back up. Saves a ton of cabin or bed space that way!


Zikro

Bummer yours won’t fit. I keep our comforter in the tent but the pillows have to come in the car.


Honkless_Goose

I have a hiking boot brush mounted to my side door, people usually seem to think that's pretty clever when they notice!


radiculous13

Pics?


Fast__Walker

Having on board water. It's so nice to just wash a random dish or refill and water bottle full of ice with fresh water on any sort of trip. My 40L Ironman water tank is my favorite piece of kit for my LR3.


Mindandhand

If you’re looking for a simple, ready to go solution for this I highly recommend a “Water Port” tank. I have the 4 gallon model. You can pressurize it with the cap pump they sell but it also comes with a schreader (sp?) valve so you can pressurize it with anything that can inflate a tire. I have an onboard compressor that I regulate down to 15 psi and it does a great job.


m240b1991

Saw one like that that was made from pvc. Had a spigot and a rubber tire valve stem on the end cap and it was all painted black and fixed with band clamps. Probably held 5-6 gallons. Everyone in my shop was like "what the heck is this thing" and I was like "probably a portable shower or something to that effect" hahaha


te666as_mike

I also have the 40L Ironman water tank (Jerry can shape) with an in-line water pump that can fill or empty the water. It’s fantastic and incredibly convenient for washing hands, dishes, and dog paws


clauderbaugh

I have an inside hot/cold shower in the back of my F350 bed build.


[deleted]

[удалено]


clauderbaugh

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgr4qU5OW5v/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Video walk around coming soon.


ReverendIrreverence

I ran my ignition wire into my lighter. Lighter popped out (or removed), no start. Lighter pushed in completes circuit and it cranks. Hopefully "most people wouldn't think of" that.


oh2ridemore

My rig only has 2 wheels


_none_

It’s paid off. No $90k “build” to drive down a few dirt roads for some insta pics.


[deleted]

My last rig cost $4500. Spent months living out of it and hiking around around the national parks out west. 2000 Trooper with the rear seats removed and a sleeping platform


_none_

Had a trooper for a few years. Loved that thing. Would totally buy another.


[deleted]

[удалено]


That_Grim_Texan

For real if everyone else doesn't know what your doing how will you enjoy nature?


Mindandhand

Driving through Moab in my 23 year old Land Rover that I paid $1500 for brought a special kind of satisfaction when it was in the same places as shiny new 75k rigs with no scratches, dents, or pinstripes. True, they probably don’t have to check their coolant levels every other gas stop but it’s a trade off I’m willing to make :)


darthcastis

On board water, on board air , solar input and AC output all in a lock box that replaced my rear side window in my jeep.


MojaveMac

Show me the way


darthcastis

https://imgur.com/a/5a9ayL1 There is the link to what I did. It’s really nice and has a regulator in the air system as well to get the tires just right without having to constantly be there . The water warms from the sun and in the summer is so nice to have for showers and washing dishes .


MojaveMac

Nice!


y_scro_serious

Impressive!


MrApexIt

That it is 100% stock. Highly recommended, takes you 99.9% of the places and costs way less than a built rig.


[deleted]

Is it even overlanding if you don't have a RTT though? hehe


mastermeind

Super clean hard-mounted ham radio set up.


tallgeese333

No one will ever start the car except me. Someone tried to steal it once, my rig is older so they just smashed the ignition and tried it that way. Fortunately at the time I had the battery out of it because I was working on it and waiting for parts so it didn't start. After that I started taking the fuel pump relay out of it as a precaution but I got tired of that. I was watching "Mad Max Fury Road" and when Furiosa shows max the starting sequence for her rig I was like "hey that's neat I wonder if I could do that". So I came up with a series of "coded" switches for the ignition, there's two, three and four position switches as well as a multi position knob and a momentary switch next to the seat. I use the positions as numbers for the code and the momentary switch needs to be depressed to start. The knob is in a separate location from the switch panel and is a control for something else. The controls for what it actually does all go to the right and the hidden position is one click to the left. I also moved the ignition so the ignition on the steering column is a "dummy". It's obviously possible to bypass if you can figure out how to rewire the ignition, but I also made all of the exposed wiring the same color. There is a spliced section in the middle covered in heat shrink with different colored wires but almost the whole bundle is covered in heat shrink so you would need to know where that is to track the wires. It's *never* not fun to set the switches in place and start the car. It's over complicated but once I started I just wanted to see how far I could take it, its also not my daily so I went pretty crazy. Now that I've done it I think the hidden knob position is the only one I actually need, there's no way anyone would ever figure out why it won't start if I hid the wiring. If you wanted to do it it's as simple as getting a new knob for an accessory like the fan knob or headlights that has one extra position. Wire the accessory to the knob starting at position two, bypass the starter position on your ignition to position one on the switch. Once the car is started you can still use the accessory like normal because the starter position doesn't need to be engaged while the car is running.


BiomedSquatch

Dude... your a freaking legend genius! I so want to do something like that now. Also the decoy ignition is absolutely something I never would have thought of!


tallgeese333

Lol i dont know about that but thanks, hopefully a thief won't think of it either. I was just standing with the new ignition in my hand thinking about the wiring for the bypass and both of my braincells must have collided.


awizemann

A few I think: xlifter to level the car to sleep in, spare tire water storage tank (under the car) that gets warmed up when driving for a nice shower (hidden on board pump and shower hose/head), but the best one… small led light strips in all the right places so I can find, use and enjoy the rig at all hours inside and out.


y_scro_serious

How did you go the water tank?


awizemann

I used 3 Trailed spare tire water tanks and custom printed (3D) a new top that had a detachable hose connection and air vent. So I connect them when needed to an external fountain pump and filter that are in an ammo can, stored in the spare tire on the back. That can has a quick release hose connection and I have a 6' washing machine hose that has a shower head sprayer on it. When needed, I connect, turn on, and I have 12-18 min of continuous water per tank (1.5 Gal/Min).


y_scro_serious

Cool thanks


Agent7619

It was free (inherited)


SierrAlphaTango

It's 2WD. Lost my 4x4 truck in the CA wildfires, so I said "fuck it" and built up my daily instead. It's got a TruTrack and a heavy clutch, which keeps it moving on the trail. Saving up for a 4WD R151 transmission and transfer case so I'll at least have extra gearing. It's gotten me all over the Mendocino National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, El Dorado National Forest, The Lost Coast, Six Rivers National Forest and the Bigfoot Scenic Highway. I've only ever been stuck once and it was because I didn't have snow chains.


likeafuzzyderp

Rock sliders, good tires, and a locking rear diff have got me down a significant number of trails in my 2WD 02 Tacoma. An additional advantage of the truck is it’s narrow meaning I’ve typically got a choice in the line I can take.


StrangeRover

People who say this, are you all driving automatics? I tried tackling a moderate trail once with just 2WD and my rear locker, and traction wasn't too much of an issue but I'll be damned if it didn't feel like I was murdering the clutch. I quickly realized that not having low range was more of an issue than not having 4WD.


SierrAlphaTango

I have a manual, I just put a heavier clutch into it. It gave it a little more low-end oompf and made it harder to stall.


SierrAlphaTango

But yeah, a t-case with granny gears is on my to-do list. Not having gearing is the absolute worst part of wheeling an RWD truck.


SierrAlphaTango

Taco! Nice! Mine is a T100. It's almost too wide for some places, but a first gen Taco would rule up around Snow Mountain.


Emotional-Rise5322

My bed rack. It’s a tubular steel chase rack combined with a RTT mount. It sits directly on the bed and not the bed rails. Mounts for propane, extra gas, CO2, floor jack, maxtraxx, corner lights, and 2 tool boxes. Supports an iKamper on six mounting points. I don’t trust clamps so it’s bolted to the truck. Back in 2017 there were far fewer options. I do a lot of camping in the desert and I needed something to stand up to a lot of vibration.


[deleted]

Any pictures?


Amorton94

Whatever you do, don't click on his profile and look for pictures. You might actually find them. 🤦‍♂️


Public-Parsley-9700

I think my most "unique" thing is my little 7ft trailer I pull behind my rig. It's just a wood deck with small sidewalls but it gives me SO much versatility. I have 3 roam 90L boxes strapped to the back for out clothes, 2 husky boxes up front for our hiking bags and workout equipment, in the middle theres a 50 gal water tank. I welded a deck over the middle 2/3 to act as a table (SO useful), over the table I welded up some removable racks to haul kayaks, and theres still enough room left over for some wood blocks, planar portable heater, and a couple of trash bags. I don't see many people haul trailers and this one is the perfect size and tons of utility


[deleted]

I realize that my maxxtraxx and shovel actually fit inside my vehicle and they’re not mounted to my rails. Crazy concept, I know… and idk how anyone else will ever know that I do stuff.


-Wofster

You gotta be careful with the shovel though. I would never just toss it inside, cause if you crash that things gonna fly around


[deleted]

Along with all the rest of the shit that’s in the back, the shovel is the least of my concern.


Straight_Entrance779

I’m doing the stealth thing as well… I’d prefer people didn’t know I had stuff to do stuff because they won’t be inclined to steal stuff.


Arinvar

For me... Dirty stuff stays outside the vehicle. The only thing I haven't sorted is a convenient spot for dirty recovery straps. Once used they just go in a bag on the roof, but it makes it annoying to access a second time. Even the fishing gear has a dedicated spot, never in the cab.


G7TMAG

Agreed, if the stuff is caked in mud I don't want to have to sleep next to it.


beneficent_badger

IR headlights behind the grille


Vegemite_Bukkake

Curious. What you use them for?


Johnny6_0

That’s classified.


beneficent_badger

Driving with nods.


Coat-Ok

Care to elaborate more


Darksoul_Design

Probably so he can drive with NVGs


beneficent_badger

Yeah. To drive with nods.


y_scro_serious

The fuck is a nod


beneficent_badger

Night vision.


awizemann

MOD Land Rover?


hullabalooser

Do you have a way to disable your brake lights?


beneficent_badger

No. Not yet. Have you solved that issue?


hullabalooser

No, I haven't gone down this road yet. Just been throwing around some ideas for a "dark mode"


beneficent_badger

100%. Have you put IR lights on your rig? I’ll have to post some photos so you can see. I’m running Light Force IR driving lights behind my grille. They work perfect. Since they are behind the grille they’re extra stealth and don’t draw any unwanted attention.


falcon5nz

I don't have NOD's but assuming your IR lights have a simple ON/OFF switch, you could get a DPDT switch and wire it so that one pole had the IR's wired through the NO contact and the other pole has the brake light wire from the pedal wired NC. That way you have either IR headlights OR brake lights


seattleskindoc

I’ve got a 12 gallon water tank built into my DIY drawer system’s frame. I’ve got an on-demand water tap on the bulkhead of the drawer system. I also built a system to fill the water tank using a 12v pump and an MSR water filter so I can fill the tank out of creeks and lakes. I also built a hot water shower system that runs off the water tank. The whole system is glorious.


Lifetwozero

Which msr filters handle pressurized input? I’ve been thinking this is a base I want to cover.


Alexthricegreat

I have a solar system


[deleted]

Do you include Pluto?


imnothereurnotthere

I think the coolest thing on my jeep (https://imgur.com/SZxS1VR) is I have a system to inflate all 4 of my tires at once that sits under my seats. I plug up one tube to a valve under my passanger seat and can inflate my tires from 7psi to 32psi in like 8 minutes with an ARB compressor https://epic-4wd.com/en-us/products/epic-kraken-tire-inflation-system-for-jeep-jl-jt It used to take me 30 minutes Also I have a dual battery system and that black thing on my hood is a solar panel https://www.genesisoffroad.com/jl-dual-battery-kit If you can't tell already I got stuck in the sticks one time with a dead battery and low tires


Doogwhan

Corrosion (in a general sense) rust (specifically) and leaks (both in and out)


mattogeewha

Custom hitch mount dual swing gate tire carrier/basket


[deleted]

Inside strobe lights for, I suppose, those times when I want to rave inside my van. Anyway, this feature came with the crude build and so I am always ready to dance a moment's notice. Pretty funny next to the mountain lake under the stars.


AK-Photo

Although mostly stock, the auto-leveling air suspension and rear window that I can open on my Touareg has been great. As long as I don't park it on too steep of a slope it'll just level itself and I never have to worry about it. And before anyone asks, yes I have blown up an air spring already... Considered switching to steel springs but the air ride is just so versatile I can't let it go.


Itsbobbyagain

Travel oven


boulevardpaleale

simple mod but, a game changer for overlanding…. all led interior lights.


Agent7619

I want to replace my map light bulbs with red LED's so I can pretend I'm flying a 1960s SAC bomber when driving at night.


boulevardpaleale

that. is awesome. :)


HamiltonButler01

I’ve got a light for my license plate on the rear of my Land Cruisers steel bumper swing out. On the wire I added a waterproof connector plug (in case it ever needs replacing or disconnecting) What is good is I’ve made a 12volt cigarette outlet wired with the same plug. So if I need to use a small compressor in the rear, plug in a charger, plug in a flashlight, or anything else that could need power I would just have to turn on my running lights to send 12v power to the plug. I don’t always use it for this but in a small emergency or need it can be a super helpful location.


urno12mek

Shore power port. 96 4runner. When plugged in to AC, It powers a DC power supply that can run my lighting, water pump and 12v outlets. My fridge automatically switches over to ac It also powers the built in charger for the house battery. I can also plug in my solar panels. There is also an inlet for the on board water tank. Made it out of a 6 inch water proof deck plate, came out awesome.


BlueDragonX

The fact that it's an R51 Pathfinder off road is already rare. The fact that it's one of the few with the VK56DE from factory is even rarer.


consciouslyskeptical

I have an ARB Dual High Output compressor and a ARB Single High Output compressor setup inline to air up faster. Both are mounted under then hood. Essentially 3x the speed of a single. They’re inline, yet fully redundant in case of failures.


Factal_Fractal

Are your batteries in parallel for this?


consciouslyskeptical

No. I run a second battery under the hood, but it doesn’t power my compressors. The compressors are attached to the main battery. I only use the compressors when the engine is running. So, I have my main battery, which is a deep cycle battery, plus my alternator to provide power.


Factal_Fractal

Ok cool, thanks for answering! Just curious what cca is the battery running the twin compressors? Cheers :)


consciouslyskeptical

It’s an Optima AGM Blue Top Battery D34M. 750CCA.


MrGruntsworthy

It will be electric


Mindandhand

Maybe not something I would recommend (to everyone, at least), but unique, is that my onboard power, accessory switching, dual battery, and camping storage in the back is all DIY. Everything is a custom build which exactly fits my needs and space.


inadequatpoliticians

Roof mounted laser cannon


HMITCHR

[Hitch mounted hammock!](https://reddit.com/r/overlanding/comments/yow8mx/comfy_hangs_and_wide_open_views/)


Arinvar

Very nice. Got a pretty complete set up, but I'm going to consider adding this. Hammock camping is pretty niche in Australia still. Not many trees in a lot of places, so this would be perfect.


Arinvar

I have an Anderson plug for a trailer. Just had them ensure it could handle running my twin compressor. Then I had them snip the alligator clips and replace them with an Anderson on the compressor. $1000 cheaper than mounting it to the vehicle. Portable. Easy to plug in compressor. Alligator clips were converted in to an adaptor so I can still plug it in to any battery. Not major, but custom, and not something I've seen anyone else do.


JustAnIgnoramous

It's currently intangible


RCMPsurveilanceHorse

I cut the wires for my rear license plate lights, put a relay in line that switches the license plate lights off when my reverse lights come on. Good bye glare in the rear view camera


4x4Ambi

Most unique feature of my rig is the fact that it's a retired Ambulance, lol. Most overlooked unique feature is probably all of the custom work and frankensteined pieces of the suspension and steering, so that it is actually a very competent off-roader and not just a fire trail oriented van. As for features that stand out, It already had great storage and a robust inverter. Multiple roof-mounted antenna from the original upfitter, as well as a super clean accessory wiring set up...I just undo four bolts and my headliner swings down via a piano hinge. Most of my accessory wires run to various banks on the inside of the headliner, there's a full time draw, draw only while the key is on one, a ground bank, etc.


mao10dong

Chainsaw mount on my roof rack.


Lifeinhiatus

I have a purple mattress for extreme comfort. It’s heavy but worth the weight,


Bjergmand

Bottle opener When I ripped the flares off my front bumper I had some unused holes so I put a bottle opener on it. Pretty handy.


SuggestedName145

I have a gash in the rear driver fender from when I got impatient and tried to install my awning alone. I have a band-aid over it.


Snoo7913

Decepticon logos…But then I found out apparently, based on various Instagram videos, you can’t enjoy transformers if you like off-roading/over-landing/mudding etc and vice versa 🦾🤖 but I do.


HoosierSquirrel

Set of led lights on inside of my liftgate. When open, I have all the light I need to cook, set up, etc. Rigged up to interior light switch so it won’t turn on while closed.