I made a thread a while ago asking if I was getting hosed on a used p500. I ended up finding a brand new one for about 10K OTD (not really that much more than used) and went for it. Very glad that I did, saving a lot of wear on my vehicle with this little buggy and nice to know that it's not abused by a previous owner.
Have about 500 miles on it now; I take it on very rough """roads""" usually in central AZ. I mostly predator hunt (called in a mountain lion earlier this season, in an area I would never have gone had I not had this little buggy) and that involves a lot of driving into gnarly stuff. I get around 20mpg (maybe more?). I rotate to a freshly oiled and cleaned air filter about every 10 hours/100 miles; it's dry here and the rear panel probably keeps the intake in dust.
I have been reading a lot of the build threads here and appreciate all the knowledge sharing and ideas spread around.
Things I did:
Things I need to do/ looking for ideas
That's about it, hope to contribute more!
Have about 500 miles on it now; I take it on very rough """roads""" usually in central AZ. I mostly predator hunt (called in a mountain lion earlier this season, in an area I would never have gone had I not had this little buggy) and that involves a lot of driving into gnarly stuff. I get around 20mpg (maybe more?). I rotate to a freshly oiled and cleaned air filter about every 10 hours/100 miles; it's dry here and the rear panel probably keeps the intake in dust.
I have been reading a lot of the build threads here and appreciate all the knowledge sharing and ideas spread around.
Things I did:
- Windshield + rear panel
- Rear ASB removal
- Roof
- 56" aluminum (weighs 30lb) tool box on back with some conduit clamps and wood planks. Massive, can hold all the provisions I need for 2-3 days away from the truck and into the backcountry
- 2" spacers all around. Absolutely neccesary given the state of the areas I ride in. It's still not great, I think I'll get offset wheels for another 4" width.
- 20$ side mirrors
Things I need to do/ looking for ideas
- Think I need to install winch, would make hoisting up critters easier
- Better gun and gas storage. Right now I just stick them on the passenger seat/floorboard. I'm thinking of bolting a flat gas tank to the outside of the toolbox, but not sure about the rifle. Don't want it covered in dust either; especially when I use my AR or semi shotgun it gums up the action so I'm trying to think of a way to keep it in the cab but out of the way. Or maybe in the toolbox, if I can come up with a non-rattley way to mount it in there.
- Lighting, the stock lighting is not enough IMO. I think a light bar down low and a light bar on the roof will do the job.
- Fenders, think I'll make something DIY. Even with the 2" spacers river crossings are a lot more wet, once I get offset wheels I imagine it'll be really neccesary
- When these tires wear out I think I'll get radial 26" or 28" tires. probably 9" all around, I don't have much mud to go through here.
- Storage under driver seat? I heard you can put a wastebasket there
- Storage under the front hood? I think I can bungee a tool bag in there or something from what I've seen
That's about it, hope to contribute more!
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