Why choose the Roofnest Falcon? Unboxing and Initial Impressions

Why the Falcon? We get the Roofnest Falcon off the truck, unboxed, and check it out for the first time in this video.

I was always interested in roof top tents but most of the tents that could fit the family took as much time to setup as our ground tent. Realizing that I would be taking as many trips solo, with friends, or just the kids and I, I decided to take another look. I know the biggest down side was loosing rack space. I was really interested in the Roofnest sandpiper due to its load rails that would allow me to get some items from the rack to the top of the tent. I talked with Roofnest and they pointed me to the Falcon. I didn't initially consider it due to the a-frame design but after looking at all the features I changed my mind. I am glad I did because this tent has now become the coolest piece of kit I have. We will be doing a more detailed initial workaround before we get it installed, an install video, and some sort of post install walk around and camping impression videos in the coming weeks. We also have a unique idea for getting the tent on and off the roof so keep an eye out for that too.

So here are the big reasons we chose this particular tent.

1. Profile - This tents profile is extremely low which means it will effect gas mpg less and well let's be honest it is going to look very cool.
2. Weight - The falcon is 135lbs. Tents get up to or even over 200lbs and that is more than I want on my roof. I have traveled with weight on the roof and less is better. Not only is it safer but the vehicle handles better.
3. Load Rails - The available load rails are going to allow me to get a few things that were on the rack to the top of the tent.
4. Accessory Channels - The roofnest's accessory channels take a standard M8 bolt just like the frontrunner and the possibilities are endless.
5. Fit - the dimensions of this tent fit my frontrunner perfectly. If my rack was a 1/2" longer the tent would fit down into the rack but due to the Alu-Cab Shadow Awn's mounting brackets I am going to have to mount with the Frontrunner brackets that elevate it 1.2". Most of the competition is a few inches wider and would have caused me to mount the tent offset from the middle. Roofnest also offers and XL version that is 10" wider.
6. Price - while this is no inexpensive item when comparing to similar tents like the Alu-Cab's Gen 3 Expedition, Go Fast Camper GFC, Eezi-Awn Stealth, and Camp King after you include the shipping costs (roofnest includes shipping in price) most of the direct competition cost $1000 or more over the roofnest.

Here are a few similar tents to compare:

Alu-Cab's Gen 3 Expedition

Go Fast Camper GFC

Eezi-Awn Stealth

Camp King

Getting Gear on Your Roof Just Got Easier - SUV Doorstep Overview

SUV Doorstep sent us one of these to review. I had seen these before and thought it would be nice ot have one of these for getting stuff on the roof rack. These are pretty great little items to have in your rig.

Here is a link to the site: https://suvdoorstep.com/ There are also several very similar if not identical products on amazon. This one can support both feet:


This one looks identical:

Voswitch Universal 6-Switch Relay Box Install - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

We just installed a voswitch 6 relay box and some round 7" LED driving lights on our Land Cruisers ARB deluxe bullbar bumper. I have been wanting to install a rocker switch panel and relays to power up some lights on the 100 series for quite a while. I really like the spod but it is very expensive. I considered other more economical models like the trigger and s-tech. During my search I ran into the apollointech voswitch equipment on a jeep forum. It came highly recommended by that community so I decided to try it out. I purchased the apollointech voswitch 6 switch universal kit for about $150. It is remarkable similar to the spod and has many of the same features. I really like the construction of the relay box. To mount the switches in the overhead sunglasses holder I needed to buy a switch plate. I also picked up my first set of sxma led driving lights to go on the arb bumper. This is going to be a fun project and can't wait to see the results.

Voswitch Universal 6-Switch Pod/Panel Features:

• Integrated LVCO (Low-Voltage-Cut-Off) circuit that detects the battery voltage and will cut-off at 11.0VDC and cuts-back in at 12.4VDC so there is enough juice to start your vehicle in case you left an accessory on!!!
• Diodes to protect sensitive accessories such as LED lights from "field collapse"
• One touch switch and six rocker switches,one touch on touch switch to turn on/off the whole unit,long touch to dim the brightness of the backlight
• 8 gauge power leads with crimped and soldered terminal for connection to the battery
• Plug and Play

Here are links to the stuff we are using:



Here's our installation video:

Overhead Console Rocker Switch Wiring - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

In this one we route our rocker switch wiring harness from the engine compartment through the A-Pillar and headliner to the overhead console. I also run an ignition power source from the kick panel. I broke this video out from the switch panel install since this is something that can be useful for a number of projects.

Hope you enjoy the video.

Here's a link to the piggyback/tap-a-fuse connectors.

Rocker Switch Sunglasses Holder Install - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

I wanted to install rocker switches in the sunglasses holder ever since I saw a thread on ih8mud. I finally pulled the trigger bought a some switches, a relay box and my first pair of led lights, videos coming soon. The initial installs I saw did not have homelink and unfortunately that makes the install a little more complicated but I made it happen. Hope you enjoy the video. Here's a link to the ih8mud thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/so-you-wanted-an-overhead-switch-panel.840370/ Here are links to the stuff we are using:



Here's the install video:

Here are some pictures of the install:

Picking a Switch Panel and Relays for our 100 Series Land Cruiser

I have been wanting to install a rocker switch panel and relays to power up some lights on the land cruiser for quite a while. I really like the spod but it is very expensive. I considered other more economical models like the trigger and s-tech. During my search I ran into the apollointech voswitch equipment on a jeep forum. It cam highly recommended by that community so I decided to try it out. I purchased the apollointech voswitch 6 switch universal kit for about $150. It is remarkable similar to the spod and has many of the same features. I really like the construction of the relay box. To mount the switches in the overhead sunglasses holder I needed to buy a switch plate. I also picked up my first set of sxma led driving lights to go on the arb bumper. This is going to be a fun project and can't wait to see the results. Here are links to the stuff we are using:



Here's are unboxing video on this stuff:

ARB Bumper Xprite 4" Fog Light Installation - 100 Series Land Cruiser

We finally installed some foglights in our ARB bumper. We diecided to go with xprite 4" led foglights based on some installs we had seen on ih8mud. So far we are loving these lights. THey are very bright and have a great cutoff pattern for safe highway use. Even though we ran into issues getting them in our final solution is holding up well. Here's a link to the lights:
Here's a link to the ih8mud thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/arb-4-bumper-fog-light-led-upgrade.929241/

Here's our installation video:

Unboxing the Xprite 4" Inch LED Fog Lights for our ARB Bullbar Bumper on our 100 Series Land Cruiser

We have wanted to get some fog lights in the ARB bumper for a long time and finally ordered some xprite 4" led amber fog lights. We will be installing these right away and have an install video and review in the coming weeks.

Here's our unboxing video:

Here's a link to the lights:

ARB Camp Chair First Impressions

We decided to try one of the ARB camp chairs around the house to see how we like it.  We ussully travel with cheap walmart chairs and they have served us well but figured a little extra comfot might be nice.  These are certainly very nice and everyone fights over this chair.  The only down side is it's a pain in the ass to set up.  Thanks for checking us out.

Here are links to the chair on amazon.
Our Tan version and the Black Version

Quick Overland Coffee with the Jetboil Flash and GSI JavaPress

We needed a quick overland coffee solution and decided to go with the jetboil flash. It has freed up a burner on our Coleman stove so big breakfasts get done quicker and when we need coffee before we leave town early we can have a couple mugs of coffee in about 5 minutes. Using it with our GSI Javapress french press is an absolutely perfect combo and we absolutely love making coffee this way. Hope you enjoy the video and let me know if you have any questions.

Here are links to the gear we used in the video.

Overland 12v Power System Overview and Enhancements - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

We decided to make a couple upgrades to our land cruiser 12v dual battery electrical system.

There are all kinds of pros and cons to different batteries, chargers, etc.  I am confident this will meet all of our power needs without having to worry about killing a battery or loosing power while we are remote camping.  There is tons of misinformation out there on this topic.  I am no expert and am always learning but have a pretty good handle on this stuff.  There is at least one well respected very well known individual that occasionally talks about this stuff and while much of what he says is accurate key points are just plain false.  Do your research, ask questions, and consider the source.
I still haven't installed everything yet but have at least tried it all out and things are working well.
Here are links to the new equipment we are adding.  Check out our dual battery videos/posts for links to all the rest.

Renogy Solar Panel:


Victron Solar Controller:


Powermania Turbo M220V2 Dual Bank Charger:


Blue Sea Systems ML-ACR Switch


HKB Electronics https://www.hkbelect.com/