Thanks Mark! As most have mentioned in this thread, your rig and trips have been extremely inspiring to me. Maybe one day I'll post a trip the inspires you the same way!

I found the 2-dr thread, thanks. This thread made me start wishing I had bought a 4-dr, but since I come from a sea kayaking background, I'm used to packing light...the step up from kayak to Jeep is similar to backpack to kayak! Luxury. ;-) I think I'll be fine with a 2-dr for a while...I've already removed my backseat, since it will never be used; my wife and I are not only DINKs (Double Income No Kids), but also DILDOs (Double Income Little Dog Owners).

On to a question: since I read every post in this thread, and didn't see it asked...what is your opinion about aluminum bumpers? It will be a while before I will be able to afford dropping $1200-1500 for a front bumper, but that hasn't stopped me from window-shopping. ;-) One that has caught my eye is the Genright Offroad full width front winch bumper (I'd post a link, but I'm not sure if I'd get my hand slapped for that). Apparently they are super light compared to a steel bumper. Anyone run an aluminum bumper and/or have any thoughts?

 

I have no experience with AL bumpers. But any time you can cut weight is a good thing.

 

Finally got the MBRP roof-rack installed!!

 

Cool! Do you plan to get the front extenstion?

 

Don't think so, Mark. Don't even think I'd get it on without first removing the Safari snorkel?

 

Hi Mark,
I really like the awning.. Very good shade coverage and probably the easiest to deploy/store out on the market. The nice thing is that you do not have to put down the legs, if there is no wind. In the picture we have a little breeze, so we just put some rocks around the legs. It awning also comes with some stakes to more firmly hold down the awning legs. Nice thing about that, it there are no guy line to trip over :-)
I also like that the awning covers both the side and the rear of the jeep.. I have not used it in rain yet, but it's will be nice to have some shelter from the rain when preparing food out of the back of the Jeep while camping.
The awning is high quality and weighs ~29lbs. I mostly travel in southern Utah desert, so trees are not a problem for me.. but I would be worried about going some of the places you go where you branches hanging down.. I can easily imagine braches ripping the vinyl cover.
Here is some more detailed pics and even a video showing the deployment and taking down of the awning. It's not cheap You can probably get 2 ARB awnings for the same price.. I also think FoxAwning ?? have something similar at a little less $$..
Eezi-Awn Bat 270 Degree Awning Right Hand Side

 

It's not a tent, but rather an awning for shade.
Attachment 555292
We were stopped for a short lunch break and could see several miles each direction..
This specific 4x4 road is Poison Spring Canyon Rd towards the Maze district in Canyonlands NP. We had not seen a living soul since early morning and did not see anyone else until ~4pm later that day.

 

Yes. I had to modify the brackets. Friend of mine (owner of Expedition Outfitters) is a very good weldor and fabricator. He did the better part of the work.

 

Yes, I had looked at the Fox. I can get Eezi-Awn through a friend who is a dealer for them. So like to patronize him. Probably save a couple sheckles, too.

Good point about the trees. Maybe some Visqueen to protect it. Hmmm.

 

Yup, that's what I figured. At the moment the rack is big enough as is and I like the lack of noise so will run it as is for now and see how we go.