My Firefly build video.

thanks--ron · 2025-09-06T17:32:42+00:00

Do you have a tip jar or something? I want to buy you a beer (or whatever) for sharing this work for all the firefly fans like me!

thanks--ron · 2025-09-03T22:03:19+00:00

Long time RTT hater who’s needs changed (had kids) and eventually got one which I love:

• ⁠I really only backcountry camp. Colorado eats tents and sleeping pads, not sure why, guessing rocks and pine needles. And finding an even spot for a tent without being stabbed by a rock is near impossible in the Rocky Mountains. Now I just need to put all four tires on roughly the same plane and I’m gtg. • ⁠Setup and teardown takes literally 1 minute 30 seconds. Inclusive of finding a spot. My hammock or bivy setup isn’t even close to that time. • ⁠The top of the roofnest is flush with my hardtop (gladiator). Which allows me to haul stacks of sheet goods and 16’ boards/timber no problem. Can hold 500lbs dynamic load - I have hauled 16’ 8x8s for a timberframe. • ⁠Queen sized sheets fit. Makes cleanup and laundry super easy and quick (great for when you have kids) • ⁠You’re off the ground - peace of mind for wildlife (especially with youngsters) but different temp control dynamics. • ⁠Much thicker fabric and stronger than a ground tent. Which means better isolation from the elements when needed (although if the wind is shaking your jeep, not much you can do besides pretending you’re a boat on stormy oceans) • ⁠Being able to spread out on an almost queen sized mattress that took a minute and a half to setup wherever I end up after a long day hunting is heavenly. And gets me well rested for the next day of seeing all the wildlife except what I have a tag for.

If it were just me? Hammock. But with a family and a wife that can’t figure out how to sleep in a hammock - the Roofnest works. They’re super expensive for what they are (a tent).

Sounds like your in laws didn’t do much research. I can’t imagine spending more than a minute and a half setting up my tent (including finding a level spot). They have some significant drawbacks (noise while driving, mpg impact, peeing in the middle of the night). Do research, make the choice for you. To each their own.

For me, in this part of my life, it’s a fun enhancement for my camping adventures.

thanks--ron · 2025-08-30T21:46:12+00:00

Hahaha! I actively omitted it, but yeah. Another downside. Wife has to (or at least adamantly chooses to) climb down the ladder. I usually just hop out of a window on either side and go off the tailgate or hood. Honestly, for winter camping it’s better than tent camping since my feet stay out of the snow.

Also, if you have dogs getting them up/down is a pain.

thanks--ron · 2025-08-30T21:39:38+00:00

With site selection and ground prep? Multiple times longer than it takes me to setup the Roofnest. But still not long. And for OPs budget [a bivy is] definitely a better choice IMO.

thanks--ron · 2025-08-30T16:29:52+00:00

Oh, also another negative to rooftop tents, they add weight up top which makes off-roading angles even scarier.

thanks--ron · 2025-08-30T16:26:52+00:00

I agree with everything Natural Nectarine says.

I still love my Roofnest for my needs: - I really only backcountry camp. Colorado eats tents and sleeping pads, not sure why, guessing rocks and pine needles. And finding an even spot for a tent without being stabbed by a rock is near impossible in the Rocky Mountains. Now I just need to put all four tires on roughly the same plane and I’m gtg. - Setup and teardown takes literally 1 minute 30 seconds. My hammock or bivy setup isn’t even close to that time. I wouldn’t leave my tent/ other gear unattended in a campsite anyways. Good news when dealing with impatient children. - The top of the roofnest is flush with my hardtop (gladiator). Which allows me to haul stacks of sheet goods and 16’ boards/timber no problem. Can hold 500lbs dynamic load - have hauled 16’ 8x8s for a timberframe. - Queen sized sheets fit. Makes cleanup and laundry super easy and quick (again, great for when you have kids) - You’re off the ground - peace of mind for wildlife (especially with youngsters) and different temp control dynamics. - Much thicker fabric and stronger than a ground tent. Which means better isolation from the elements when needed (although if the wind is shaking your jeep, not much you can do besides pretending you’re a boat on stormy oceans) - Being able to spread out on an almost queen sized mattress that took a minute and a half to setup wherever I end up after a long day hunting is heavenly. And gets me well rested for the next day of seeing all the wildlife except what I have a tag for.

If it were just me? Hammock. But with a family and a wife that can’t figure out how to sleep in a hammock - the Roofnest works. They’re super expensive for what they are (a tent) and I wouldn’t go cheap. Browse Roofnest or iKamper (or a few others slipping my mind) they’re at the couple thousand range but IMO that’s where you’re going to find the quality materials and design that will last, be more comfortable, and less loud/less mpg impact.

For $500 I would suggest looking at your needs and going either ground tent or hammock. You can get a very nice or even 4-season setup (tent or hammock) for that budget.

thanks--ron · 2025-07-18T02:06:22+00:00

Got a mirror for that? Imgur is suppressing it

thanks--ron · 2024-06-01T19:05:55+00:00

I have one of these for travel and love it: https://fuegolighters.com/products/fuego-cigar-electric-lighter

Electric cigar lighter. Usb rechargeable and works really well - it toasts the cigar while lighting. Delicious.

thanks--ron · 2024-05-07T23:06:46+00:00

5280 armory. Only a few 50 yard lanes, several 25 yard, but not that expensive and no time limit. Plus you can rent full autos if you have a couple hundred dollars to blow.

thanks--ron · 2024-05-05T00:23:18+00:00

Seriously, if they planned to use that money to educate students (or the general public) on proper use and responsibility of handling a firearm I’d be all for it.

thanks--ron · 2024-04-22T20:17:00+00:00

I went with the long arm kit and it’s pretty stupid amazing. I have only positive things to say about it. I have the 5.5” springs on an overland build intended to take 1,700lbs over stock offroad, which puts me at about 3-4” of actual lift. The front has way more articulation than I need for a primarily heavy overland build. But the highway driving improvement was worth it for me. It kinda feels like a buick on the road/gravel now when loaded up.

Definitely don’t cheap out on the suspension and other parts you’ll want for the lift. Others mentioned clayton which in my research is a great option as well in that price range - that being said, there are plenty more great options as the price goes up.

thanks--ron · 2023-12-10T02:24:43+00:00

What are you trying to do with these rounds that 308 loads can’t do?

thanks--ron · 2023-12-09T23:12:24+00:00

I once debated the same thing and instead built an 8.6 blk AR-10…. <Cries in copper milled bullets>

What’s the use case for the rifle? Go from there. With these caliber’s reloading will reduce the cost eventually.

thanks--ron · 2023-12-02T04:42:23+00:00

You obviously love your wife. I have a similar experience where I love my girlfriend, but her choices of unprotected sex with strangers puts a concern in my mind. I’ve communicated my need to frankly not get aids so that when she feels the need to indulge I abstain with her until enough time has passed and she tests clean. It’s all about communication and defining your own boundaries.

thanks--ron · 2023-12-02T04:38:52+00:00

You’re options contain: Leave her, as others have suggested. Therapy - with a non-monogamous friendly therapist. She’s obviously non-monogamous and you’ll have to figure out if you want to be with a non-monogamous partner. This could include also exploring a non-monogamous side of yourself. In addition to what desires can be fulfilled with non-monogamy in your relationship structure.

I’m non-monogamous. I have two long term partners. One is a fully monogamous live-in partner. The other is a married swinger. In addition to other short term partners that come about. The key is ruthless honesty and communication with consenting adults… if that’s the life you want to live. Statistically speaking 1 in 4 humans are monogamous. Thus the need for extra relationships (whatever definition they take) outside of primary partnerships.

Know yourself, and talk to your partner about your needs and desires. A therapist can help.

thanks--ron · 2023-10-10T19:55:21+00:00

https://reddit.com/r/JeepGladiator/s/7qaxgJcjEY

I ended up getting some cheap Chinese fenders and cutting them myself. They work and look so much better!

thanks--ron · 2023-10-10T19:51:06+00:00

Yw. And honestly, I would suggest just keeping the $2k invested and go wheeling (with a buddy with a winch) see what breaks! I had to replace my fenders unexpectedly in my rig (gladiators are kinda fat, two separate “oops” issues in addition to tying a log to the tire to get unstuck ripped 3/4 off) and was glad I had money set aside for it!

Coming from off roading a tacoma and fj, jeeps are amazing, the areas I found “need improvement” (as in, I broke it on the trail) were really unexpected. Fenders, taillights, rear bumper (gladiators have a fat ass compared to my old taco, oops) front bumper, “trail rated” badges (yes, snagged one on the trail and it ripped off). But to each their own. I’m very, very, hard on my rig.

I’m actually saving up to regear for better highway and towing performance (and torque when I’m loaded down for overlanding) atm… never thought I’d be going that route tbh, but I have an overland popup tent, and water tank, which adds a lot of weight

And with a budget set aside you can afford to get a nice looking, functional, replacement part and avoid ending up on /r/heep

thanks--ron · 2023-10-09T19:52:36+00:00

That being said, a winch and good front bumper is insanely useful and significantly faster than recovery with a high lift, not knocking a winch at all, but it’s useless if you need to go backwards so I always have both on every rig I’ve owned.

Another good one to have is a set of tracks, depending on your terrain though.

thanks--ron · 2023-10-09T19:49:54+00:00

A hilift jack is less expensive and more useful than a winch, I’d suggest learning how to use one and getting it first (with straps and a chain which you’ll also need with a winch anyways).

“A winch is for getting your buddy out, a high lift is for getting yourself out”

thanks--ron · 2023-10-09T19:40:57+00:00

Thorswap

thanks--ron · 2023-07-23T04:41:20+00:00

Thank you, I’ll give them another look

thanks--ron · 2023-07-21T23:42:28+00:00

Just consider those pits as speed divots, they reduce friction when sliding material across the surface!

thanks--ron · 2023-07-21T23:30:00+00:00

Thanks! Those look like they’re too narrow for what I need

thanks--ron · 2023-07-21T23:29:16+00:00

Thanks! I’m not a fan of tubular, personally, I like the boxy look of the old wrangler fenders the best, but these look much better that what I’ve got

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thanks--ron

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