Project Victory_Overland 08 LR3 Build Thread!

[TOUGE]

Just measured 2 of my packs both are 2-3mm bigger in every direction external and external. I'm an Australian living in LA so still learning to use freedom units haha.

I will go take some photos once this rain slows down.

When stacked they lock together very well, you have to lift the tops ones off, no sliding the bottom ones out. In the car they don't become unstacked even off road with out being tied down. Strong enough to be used as a seat or to stand on getting stuff on/off roofracks.

 

[Ray_G]

I would go with option 2 just because there may be times when you are on an angle, need something (tool/recovery gear) and don’t want the whole drawer coming out at you to then have to push it back in.

Will be a little more work, but if the Wolfpack’s fit in addition to something like some Blue Ridge Overland or some Springtail solutions bags can tuck on the back as depicted I think you’d have an excellent setup.
R-
Ray

 

[Victory_Overland]

Just measured 2 of my packs both are 2-3mm bigger in every direction external and external. I'm an Australian living in LA so still learning to use freedom units haha.

I will go take some photos once this rain slows down.

When stacked they lock together very well, you have to lift the tops ones off, no sliding the bottom ones out. In the car they don't become unstacked even off road with out being tied down. Strong enough to be used as a seat or to stand on getting stuff on/off roofracks.

Thanks @TOUGE; thinking about ordering two of each (Wolf/Cub) from Amazon and worst case I can free return if needed to get the full compliment on the ones I need for the entire build. I would not be stacking other than in the garage; the vehicle configuration would surely be side by side with a strap over the top. I mean if I need to stack in the vehicle for some reason, this does seem ideal to ensure nothing slides around so great info. Also helps for stacking at the camp site but my concern is weather proofing and sitting outside which is why I am considering dropping some cash on the Zarges aluminums; buy once, hurt once, enjoy for life.....lol

Keep up with those "Freedom Measurements"; I work international with metric and always have to pause and compute in my brain the conversions like an idiot and you would think by now I would have metric figured out but NOPE!......lol. FYI, we have partners in Melbourne and can't wait to get back down there once travel opens up.

I would go with option 2 just because there may be times when you are on an angle, need something (tool/recovery gear) and don’t want the whole drawer coming out at you to then have to push it back in.

Will be a little more work, but if the Wolfpack’s fit in addition to something like some Blue Ridge Overland or some Springtail solutions bags can tuck on the back as depicted I think you’d have an excellent setup.
R-
Ray

Agreed........my thoughts exactly. I am not sure yet what I would put in those pouches but their "quick-er-ish" access outside and not needing to pull the slide out and open boxes makes the bags a desirable option. I would most likely plasma table a molle type panel to screw onto the slider face or just use 3M HD Velcro on the face/bags. Leave the center open for a lock/latch or just stick with the slider lever latches if I go that route.

 

[Ray_G]

The Velcro route is a good one for any of the bags I noted (or any of the amazon collection of MOLLE tear-away style pouches).

Ordering a yard or two of black (or whatever color) loop side Velcro isn’t expensive and provides a good looking base to the back. For extra security just add some straps with fastex buckles and you are in business. Something I have done all over my trucks where MOLLE would be great but I didn’t feel like buying/making a panel for that specific setup.

That said, check the dimensions on Springtail, they have a lot of interesting setups. There is always Gray Man Tactical too but those are $. For good reason, but still, with Velcro and straps you really don’t need to the MOLLE.

As far as what to put into them, depends on the rest of the truck but what we have found is those things that you want to get to relatively quickly-like a coffee setup (jetboil), bug spray, or things for the truck like recovery gear (tree strap, soft shackles, pully block), etc.

R-
Ray

 

[Victory_Overland]

Great advice........I like it. Yeah would be a bad idea to just go with a tight loop carpet back too and then use the industrial hook on the pouches cuz we know that sticks to anything like that.

Molle is nice to hook up with ease but nothing quick about disconnect; velcro is fast and easy all around for initial and reconfiguring and grab and go type stuff. I think I made my mind up on that part.

FYI, I am in the works of designing aluminum gull-wing windows for the 3rd row rears on the LR3/4. I am starting with one side and will have an aluminum cut out and OEM commercial variant style for Phase I testing. I'll be looking for people who have the balls to remove their windows as well for crowd-sourcing reviews. wink wink, hint hint.

 

[Ray_G]

Start with the driver’s side on a LHD truck....will be very interested to see the price point there!

 

[Victory_Overland]

Thats the plan; LHD side first. Depending on this first mock-up goes, the access might be from the outside and inside. Weather sealing on the gull-wing door is going to be the biggest challenge. Gotta finish the slider first and then work my way to the overhead storage tray.

 

[purseon]

Great advice........I like it. Yeah would be a bad idea to just go with a tight loop carpet back too and then use the industrial hook on the pouches cuz we know that sticks to anything like that.

Molle is nice to hook up with ease but nothing quick about disconnect; velcro is fast and easy all around for initial and reconfiguring and grab and go type stuff. I think I made my mind up on that part.

FYI, I am in the works of designing aluminum gull-wing windows for the 3rd row rears on the LR3/4. I am starting with one side and will have an aluminum cut out and OEM commercial variant style for Phase I testing. I'll be looking for people who have the balls to remove their windows as well for crowd-sourcing reviews. wink wink, hint hint.

Did you make the full wing rear windows yet? Was thinking about that myself.

 

[WestHamPaul]

Did you make the full wing rear windows yet? Was thinking about that myself.

 

[Victory_Overland]

I have not been doing much with Victory mods over the last month or so; as a matter of fact there has been some significant changes in the way forward in my life with options and such that are spectacular. These changes have opened up some opportunities to me that have been something I have been waiting a long time for and require me to trim some of the other things in my life.

On that note, it is with great enthusiasm that I am looking to "potentially" put Victory up for sale and off to a new home!

With that said, most of you know the history of Victory's build and, how she started and where she is today; I have not decided on a number just yet that will make sense to me but if she does go up for sale, she's coming with every option and part I have available for her outside of my NL Fridge/Freezer and the camp gear I carry with her.

From the RTT to the tread touching the dirt/tarmac below you and all factory parts to return her to bone stock would come with!

******NO, I will not part out so if it bolted to her, it comes with the vehicle sale.

On that note, I have a few other trips lined up for her this year so I keep on driving her and as most of you know she spends a lot of time on the roads less traveled and is not a daily driver but could be I guess if you one wanted.

I have not decided 100% just yet as I have a great history with this vehicle and she is well built and surely has been the best vehicle I have ever owned; just last weekend was another spectacular trip to the mountains before winter season approaches.

Over the next few nights I'll post up a list of 99.9% of the condition/configuration; the remaining .1% is because I have too much to list and probably will miss something somewhere along the way!

TO BE CONT...........

 

[Victory_Overland]

Been a bit since I last posted but Victory is still running strong in Beast Mode! After some strong and welcomed advice from @Ray_G I’ve made the move to coils. Went with the AB HD kit and initial reviews are that it’s a solid choice all around. @Ray_G advised the addition upgrade to rear coils from another vender but at this time I am staying with the AB HD setup until I have the loads and trail time configurations dialed in.

Victory is significantly lighter in the ****** due to the removal of rear seats and install of the aluminum platform; additionally my CG is fairly close to neutral as all of weight is midline freeing up much needed gross weight for the trail equipment under the platform. I plan to put her on the aircraft scales for CG next time I fully configure for trail and see where she stands.

On that note, coils are definitely heavier compared to the bags but, the full EAS delete is estimated to equal out or be better than what the full compliment of EAS equipment installed. Quite possible the air reservoir will go back in once I modified it for onboard air valve from the ARB compressor to allow for higher, on demand flows that the ARB can’t produce; more to follow.

Now that I have full measurements and specs of the factory EAS and known spring rates, I’ll be able to work the coil-over upper mounts to open up options for additional brand coil overs such as King, ARB, Fox, etc...

Capped off the height sensors today and need to pull them off the truck before I flash the ECU for coils but that’s pretty easy. Anyone needs EAS parts, let me know and we can work out a deal; I believe the compressor has an internal leak or failure as it’s cycling all the time even with the bags capped off. Air bags have about 85k on them and no overnight sag



I can’t understand why anyone needs more full-time ground clearance and full suspension travel and specs than this. I usually ran +25-30mm (1inch +/-) for 95% of my trail use (almost never in off-road height) on the GAP; this coil configuration is near perfect ride height and possibly maybe even a tad too tall for my pref which may lose a bit of travel in the end. 25-50mm increase with the 17” wheel mod and LT265 allows for full compression in the wells and full extension; call me crazy.

As always, thanks @Ray_G for the sage advice!

Nuff said; here she is......Victory 1.5! Trail reports to follow.