kjlewis

Thanks for all the help! Went to school on your build. Delivery should be in a few weeks...will post pics then. Love the Lone Star with the camo!!

Another question...on the Kohlpin Rhino XL gun clamps, it appears that you do not lose the use of the middle seat, so do you remove the gun clamps or is there room under the seat to fold it down without removing the clamps? Heading to San Antonio to order my custom tomorrow morning!!

Oh...which windshield did you get and what's the breeze like when it's tilted (or open)??

Thanks for all the information. I've been talking to dealers in the Houston area where I'm located and in the San Antonio/Kerrville area where the property is located. All seem to be about the same, but I'm trying to work some deals. I'm also talking to Big Country Outdoors about making some modifications (see photos from one of their projects). I'm OK with small repairs but not very patient with bigger projects! I'll probably go with a steel roof with a component audio rather than the AF/PB. I just think you wind up with an overall better product. On the lift, I'm only looking for 2-3 inches for going up and down the hills. Less body roll would be good in case I decide to add a high seat/shooting rail down the line. I do need to locate some good kevlar tires. The dealers and Big Country are telling me that the 8 ply tires are just as good as kevlar, but I haven't researched that yet. All I know is I've not had a single flat on the Mule with the kevlar...so why would I do something different?

So I joined today to follow your build. I'm in the market for a new Defender and probably going to go with the Lone Star. It will be running in the Hill Country as well. I currently have a 15 yr. old Mule 4x4 Trans and will keep it for doing most of the dirty work. Honestly, I haven't had any problems with the Mule, if you don't count the first week I had it when I had two flats and learned that I needed Kevlar tires. I had the Mule modified with a steel roof, a lift kit, winch which can be located on front or back, and lights. But I don't really like what Kawasaki has done with the current Mule and have decided on the Can Am. I'm now researching my upgrade options. I like the idea of the roof-mounted sound system (i.e. ProBox or AudioFormz) but have some concerns about them. The "Pro" for that kind of system is that with four (or more) speakers all around, you don't have to blast out the front row in order for the back row to hear the music (or vice versa). The "Con" are (i) I like having a more sturdy roof in case I need to stand on it to fill feeders (currently not an issue as the feeders drop, but you never know) and (ii) I have not heard great things about the audio quality...specifically of the ProBox. It also might be nice to have some kicker speakers facing out that could be switched on so we can hear music while not sitting in the cab, say, while shooting or hanging out in a creek. Thoughts? I'd like a lesson on the types of lift kits...pucks vs. springs. I'll search out a topic on the forum but am curious as to why you like one over the other. Without doing any research, I'm assuming that the spring lift would mean a smoother ride than the puck lift, but I also would think that the independent suspension might negate that issue. I also never thought about having a windshield due to the brutal summer heat, and I'm curious to see how you like yours when things get warm. What dealer did you work with to get yours? I've visited with a few in the Hill Country area...some I like and some I really didn't. Sorry for all the questions! I'm going to school on you...