Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

That is wicked!! Care to share your plans of how to build one

 

I'll post up something this weekend.

 

SUB'D!!
This is the just the dark side/money pit I've been searching for!!

While I'm here..
I posted this in the 2nd gen thread, but never hurts to hear more opinions on the matter:

I am ordering 2.5 King shocks up front w/ new UCAs this weekend and plan on adding an ARE MX series shell by January. No plans for a RTT as I'll be sleeping in the camper, however I will be adding rear storage next year and I am interested to know if I can get away with just adding Dakar leafs to my stock rear suspension or if I really need to add new rear shocks right away as well?

Thank you all in advance for any input and for all the overland inspiration!

 

If you get the dakars get the overload leaf. Especially if you plan to add stuff down the road.
Before
afterThe stock shocks won't give you the travel and may be over extended at ride height as the dakars are going to lift the truck. Could always get billies if your concerned for price.

 

Very nice. Looks very well done!

 

Thank you @tacoma16 for the info and your speedy reply! After reading a bit more on the dakars and realizing I likely will not be towing a lot of weight often/ever, I'm reconsidering and thinking that perhaps I will be better served with a regular All-Pro or All-Pro expo leaf pack..? I just don't want to end up with a super stiff ride in the rear if I don't have it constantly loaded up.
Do y'all have 1st hand with comparison of these? Thanks again!

 

From what I hear the Dakars might be a good choice for you, but I don't have any first hand experience. I've read that they handle crappy unless you have a couple hundred pounds of extra weight, but you will. If you're planning a DIY drawer system from plywood those never turn out light, plus the topper, plus you'll probably leave a bag of recovery gear or tools etc back there all the time... I bet "empty" isn't as light as you think.

 

I have the AP expos and love them. They get flexy when wheeling and handles the weight of camping gear and stuff great.

When my truck is empty, it rides like a truck. When my truck is loaded, it rides like a truck thats loaded. Bottom line is...its a truck.

If ya want to be able to carry added weight, you are gonna have a stiffer ride when empty. If you want a smooth soft ride, you probably aren't gonna be able to handle the extra weight without sagging in the rear. Gotta make some compromises to get what your looking for.
Good luck

 

A guy around the corner from me rolls around with a bestop and the Dakar with the overload. He says it's not a stiff ride. @balljoint can you chime in on this? Even unloaded I found the leafs very comfortable to roll around on.

Compared to with cap


However, I do have the rear bumper. All I will say is to think long term. I am already considering up grading to a heavier pack as I am already sagging with the cap and all the gear back there.

All I can say is to continue with your research and think long term. Especially with a cap and platform. The weight can add up real quick lol.

 

^^All Great Points^^
I guess it adds up quicker than I realized and I will likely leave the shell on 90% of the year.. I also may end up with bumpers and/or a swing-out down the line so that would certainly contribute. Thanks everyone!

 

Good luck.

 

Can you pm me some details on this location?
Absolutely beautiful!

 

Thanks.

 

Would you be able to provide any details on parts for this?
Looks great!
How is this attached to the bed of the truck? Drill straight through?
New to this, thanks!

 

@golden_taco
Wow, very old pic. That rear bumber is from Badland Bumpers.

http://www.******************/rearbumpers.html

Current photograph of the truck.

M~D~U-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

What jack is that and how did you mount that up?

 

x2 on how you mounted the jack there

 

DMZ and C4 Fab both make floor jack mounts.

http://dmzfab.com/product/jack-skid-plate-for-harbor-freight-2-ton-racing-jack/

http://www.fourwheeler.com/project-vehicles/1405-2006-ford-f-150-project-fast-part-2/photo-20.html

http://www.c4fabworks.com/Jack_Mounts_s/1814.htm

 

I made a quick deck to fit over the back seat so I could throw the cooler and a few other things on a flat surface, easily remove it when not needed. Not shown here is the tie downs I added.