Originally Posted by samyinaz

Good advice...we get a lot of dust and dirt cruising around the trails around AZ. Thanks!

Any advice on a good bikini top? I found this from Axia Offroad...anyone have any experiences with it? I bought stuff from Axia for my RZR in the past and it was pretty badass.

Strapless Safari Top

Originally Posted by Mark Doiron

Mine is mounted on a rack I made that is attached to the OEM tire carrier nutplates. Right now I have a three footer. It just barely pokes above the rack. With over three decades of radio maintenance experience in USAF and before (technician ham license in the 60s and 70s--WB6MPD), I know that is terrible for performance. But any taller and trees slap it around and it quickly breaks internally. Though my range is limited to a half mile or so on the trail and I can't get seriously good SWR, those are better than no CB when it gets broken (as has happened several times). I also wrapped the antenna with F-4 tape (Google it) where it slaps against the trail rack.

Originally Posted by Mark Doiron

Funny you should ask, just used mine for first time in long time while driving last night headed back from shooting sunset at Font's Point. So fresh in my mind what those lights are really useful for: 1. Setting up camp at night. 2. Water fording when other lights might get splashed and crack (if glass), or are underwater. Note I didn't say "driving back from Font's Pt". LOL. They light up the hood and are too distracting. Of course, I have the shovel and axe. They worked great before I had them up front, when set back at front of basic MBRP rack (check old pics in this thread). Set back there, long range lights are best. At front, if 1 and 2 apply to you, I'd recommend floods. Oh, the trip to Font's Pt was worth it ... <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=631394"/>

Originally Posted by nhk19

OK....made me think of another question. What type light do I want up there? HID, Halogen or LED. I heard that while sitting at idle running 5 lights and using your winch simultaneously with anything other than LEDs can be a real strain on the 12 volt system. Thoughts? Was planning on HIDs.

Originally Posted by ScubaDude

I run halogens and yeah its a strain for sure. At some point I'm gonna add a second battery to just run my accessories. It's okay if you aren't running them all at the same time. I put in a kill switch so I can turn off all the accessories if I'm draining my battery too much.

Originally Posted by JeepDrum

OK, thanks Mark. Are you running a spring?

Originally Posted by nhk19

Thanks! I guess my SPOD would effectively do the same. Albeit, be a real pain to be winching and everything cut off due to low voltage. I'll save my pennies & look for LEDs. No rush.

NORTHRIDGE4X4

Originally Posted by Mark Doiron

I'm running dual-batteries, sPOD on aux battery. Not everything on aux battery goes through sPOD (e.g., winch, fridge don't). And I have sPOD controller with switch for dual-light toggles. I rewired sPOD so toggle indicias are controlled with dash lights, making sPOD light button unneeded. So rewired it as cut-off for all sPOD functions (which are all only needed off road). Gives comfort knowing if someone reaches up and asks, while pushing it as I'm cruising down the highway, "What is a 'Front Locker'?", that nothing will happen.

Originally Posted by Liveoutside

I bought a Best Top Bikini top so it would lock into the door surrounds. The problem was, the header on it sucked as it really didn't have enough leverage to get a consistent seal on the front end. In the end, I disassembled the MOPAR bikini I got from the dealer, and reassembled with the Best Top canvas. Been fairly happy with it for the last four years, but the straps are dried out and breaking now. AZ sun is fairly brutal.