🛠️ Member Build GED’s ‘23 Braptor in NorCal

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3rd Starlink install:

Went with a new Starlink mini. I’m impressed by its low power draw : so far, 22 Watts on average.

My new Roof Top Tent is invasive (large), and so I needed to move the mini out of the roof rack, and onto the hood.

I need the mini to be able to have connectivity while driving because if the racing App Lead GPS.

I am using a hacked version of this mount:

https://a.co/d/91xeP68

It’s a great mount, but it uses average screws that I replaced by security Torx screws to reduce the risk of somebody stealing the mini.

I thought that 6 M6 mount points on the hood would be enough:

Drilled the hood which seems to be composite or fiberglass:

Added six jack nuts:

Covered it in heat shield as a preventive protection:

Wrapped the underside of the mini with Gorilla white duct tape to make it more weatherproof (mud & Rain resistant):

Bolted it with 6 x M6 Torx security screws, and ran the Starlink USB-C wire all the way to the trunk in the back where I have my power station:

 

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Shovel Install:

In California, as part of obtaining your Campfire permit, you agree to bring a Shovel to each campfire...

I used some Quick-Fists into the accessory mount on the tailgate.

The worst part was that the threads were completely gummed up with paint. I had to spend almost an hour with a M6 x 1.0 tap to clean the threads before attempting to screw in the rubber Quick Fists:

The shovel fit perfectly in the very limited space that is available between the tire and the tail light when the tailgate is open more than 90 degrees.

However I did not like how it look in regards to the Bronco, so I used a Sharpie to mark the line where the lift gate window starts.
I painted above glossy black (after having sharpened the blade's edge with a grinder), and the handle white. Looks much better to me: