I'm loving this build. Simple and purpose-built, like it should be. Looks great too!
🛠️ Member Build Kevin's 2025 1958 build, "Runt"
- Thread starter ovʀʟxnᴅ
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Does the awning give you any trouble opening the rear window or tailgate? I’ve been looking at them and everything seems to be incompatible with the liftgate.
OP
OP
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- #83
It doesn't open fully, but it opens enough to get situated. I open the rear window far more often than I open the whole door. The rear window still opens pretty much the whole way.
And you don't have to go with with a wrap-around awning, you could do just a side awning. There's some strong pros for something like this ARB awning: more useful coverage, lower price, and MUCH lighter weight.
I add my ancient Smittybilt awning in the summer when I'm in beach mode. It's more affordable than the ARB, but only 8x6, so it's considerably less coverage. No pics of it deployed for some reason, but it's on the passenger side.
*Edit - I did have a pic of it open. You can see the stains! I've had it for over a decade and destroyed it at least twice.
And you don't have to go with with a wrap-around awning, you could do just a side awning. There's some strong pros for something like this ARB awning: more useful coverage, lower price, and MUCH lighter weight.
I add my ancient Smittybilt awning in the summer when I'm in beach mode. It's more affordable than the ARB, but only 8x6, so it's considerably less coverage. No pics of it deployed for some reason, but it's on the passenger side.
*Edit - I did have a pic of it open. You can see the stains! I've had it for over a decade and destroyed it at least twice.
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OP
OP
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- #84
No major updates. My summer has found me playing with some new toys that will accompany some of the off-road trips this fall.
My 4-year-old Jackery 500 has given up on holding a charge. It has been problematic for at least a year, so today I ordered it's replacement, a Bluetti AC180. Coming from the Jackery, this new battery will have twice the watt hours, 3 additional 120v plugs, an additional USB A port, and the addition of a USB C port, MUCH faster charging, and a wireless charging pad on top. I'm looking forward to some fresh batteries with a significantly extended run-time. New, the Jackery was good for running the fridge for about a day and a half. This Bluetti should do 3 days, based on its larger capacity. That will also substantially reduce the number of times the batteries get recharged, so this should live an even longer life than the Jackery did.
My 4-year-old Jackery 500 has given up on holding a charge. It has been problematic for at least a year, so today I ordered it's replacement, a Bluetti AC180. Coming from the Jackery, this new battery will have twice the watt hours, 3 additional 120v plugs, an additional USB A port, and the addition of a USB C port, MUCH faster charging, and a wireless charging pad on top. I'm looking forward to some fresh batteries with a significantly extended run-time. New, the Jackery was good for running the fridge for about a day and a half. This Bluetti should do 3 days, based on its larger capacity. That will also substantially reduce the number of times the batteries get recharged, so this should live an even longer life than the Jackery did.
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