P500 Uncle Chunga's bolt-on transformation

[ChungasRevenge]

Picked up a few things for the P5. I don't see doing any radical "mods" that involve reinventing anything already accomplished by the engineers at Honda. My main effort will be the cursory bolt-on additions that are designed to keep Ole' Chunga from getting (too) wet, stroking out or dragging another whitetail out of the "Holler" <<(it's a word).

Stock form (Dealer tossed in the tray and under hood storage)

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Found a "Moose" roof @Dennis Kirk good price and free shipping. Test fitting some "closed cell" foam as an isolation damper prior to test fitting the roof. Thought about an aluminum top. Scratched it as a course of action. The Honda OE roof IMHO doesn't quite appeal to me aesthetically enough to spring the extra $$$. So, "Moose" it was..

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Test fit the roof. I believe I'll mosey on over to Home Depot and upgrade the mounting hardware (clamps). Moose provides five (5). But, I think an extra mounting point here and there will help...

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Went with an OE bumper. Fair price and sturdy enough for my application. I looked at several different options to include Home fab, but in the end this will suit my needs..

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Found a TUSK rear wind screen for <60$ shipped. Test fit for suitability. Fits perfectly. "Glass" seems good, stitching is good and the mounting hardware is good also. Again, I'll add some closed cell foam to close it up.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Ordered an EMP winch mount.

Product is solid, but it did come with a chip in the powder coat, fortunately they did not charge me extra for that. And, it was missing 2 "nuts" for the mounting hardware.

I know it's not rocket surgery to add a winch plate But, there were no directions for mounting this finely tuned piece of kit as well...

No shock to you I'm sure, removing the front "bumperette" is a pre-req to installing the mount..Must have been in the directions.

Called Home Depot to see if they could have somebody run down to the local store and sell me some foam and a couple nuts...Man on the other end said I must already have "nuts" to call on Christmas. People get soooo touchy around the holidays!

 

[HUCK]

Test fit the roof. I believe I'll mosey on over to Home Depot and upgrade the mounting hardware (clamps). Moose provides five (5). But, I think an extra mounting point here and there will help...

View attachment 29428

What the roof comes with is plenty . Really

 

[ChungasRevenge]

What the roof comes with is plenty . Really

Well, I'll have a "look see" when I have it mounted..How is yours holding up?

 

[HUCK]

Well, I'll have a "look see" when I have it mounted..How is yours holding up?

GREAT ! It still looks new . The foam is a good idea . I added about 4 peaces in strategic places because without it the top vibrated (noise) but with it , it's perfect . Merry Christmas !

 

[Montecresto]

Well, I'll have a "look see" when I have it mounted..How is yours holding up?

Good job CR, looks as though you've had some affluence with the misses. What must you have laid beneath the Christmas tree with her name on it.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

some affluence with the misses

So far so good. I figure as long as she's not speaking to me I don't have to fess up to the "winch"

 

[Montecresto]

So far so good. I figure as long as she's not speaking to me I don't have to fess up to "winch"

Oh goodness lol.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Changing tactics for the remaining rear dust shield and the Moose rack. I used a rigid closed cell foam for the horizontal braces. For the remainder I used a softer more pliable closed cell foam that bends easily to the contours of the cage. >15$ for two pieces.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

This gives you a better idea of the two different types of closed cell foam. You can see how pliable it is.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Just a couple of shots to show pre-zip tie application/post-zip tie. This foam came with an adhesive that made the application very easy to trim around lateral braces.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

These shots show how "snug" the Moose top fits with the extra padding. Its not 100% water/wind proof, but now Ole' Uncle Chunga wont have to wear a wet suit!!!

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Shots of the Moose Rack installed (minus the center front mount). I did buy some extra brackets that I plan to install this week..I'm sure it's overkill but,...OK it's overkill.

I like the fit of the Moose Roof. It is/was easy to install and did not break the bank. I particularly like the low profile look as opposed to some of the other roofs I've seen..

 

[ChungasRevenge]

I used the "softer" foam for the headrest braces. I noticed that the rear dust/wind screen rubbed against the headrest down tubes. The softer padding should help alleviate some of the wear and tear on the back glass.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Started on the EMP winch mount. With no directions it took me a couple of attempts, a string of unrepeatable expletives and a bruised ego before I mastered the "zen" method of winch plate mounting. With the EMP, I loosely mounted the rear u-bolts using stainless washers and nuts. Then added the front u-bolts, also loosely mounted IOT adjust and align the "Bumperette". Tightened the rear plate then the front mounting hardware. This pic does not show it but, I switched out the factory nuts for stainless. I was out of M-10 lock washers. I was on a roll so I did not make the pilgrimage back out to Lowes for lock washers. I'll add those before I mount the winch.

 

[ChungasRevenge]

Winch plate mounted!! I have an "Engo" E10000 winch on my 76 TLC Fj40 (gratuitous shots included). It is a beast. There is a good write up in off-road magazine on the results of a head to head comparison of winches. Engo, IMHO was the surprise of that test. So, In that same vein I'm looking at the Engo E3000 or E4000 for the P5...