I have several Outriders and after using them numerous times, find they just don't reach as high a temp as a standard 18" kettle. Cooking indirect, I use the same amount of briquettes and apple wood using both types of kettles and find my cooking times are extended by 10-15 minutes when using the Outrider. Also, the skin on my chicken just does not come out as crispy when using the Outrider. My guess is it has to do with the side vents being on the side and higher than the bottom vents of a standard 18" kettle. May have to do with why they were discontinued by Weber.
Last week a snagged a free AA Code 18" off CL. It was used maybe a couple of times and kept in a garage. Perfect candidate for a shorty 18" mod. The locking metal carry handle and lid handle were from a thrashed Outrider I had sitting in the scrap pile. Added a new enclosed ash bucket and cut some 12" legs from a aluminum shower rod from Home Depot. Thanks to
@LiquidOcelot for his recent post on making his. It gave me the motivation to get off my ass and get mine done.