Igor: Double Cab 4x4. Frankenstein's Helper

True. Why I'm trying to get Jerry to make some.

But even 1/4" has it's limits.

Bud builts don't mount on the steering rack. They use all 7 stock points

 

This, mightve been on a Facebook page someone else was knocking budbuilt

 

They are an easy target but for what they are, a pretty good deal. The fact that they are readily available at a reasonable price adds a lot a value.

 

The thing I really like about Jerry's are the 'X' cross-braces on the mid-skid. That'll add a lot of rigidity.

I think that the mid-skid has a bracket that mounts to the bolts for the steering rack. At least, Mike's does - I remember we initially put it on backwards when we reinstalled it after doing his rack.

@Digiratus

Can see it hanging down below the rack in this photo...

​

 

Yes. This is correct. The front skid mounts at 7 points, the rearmost two are to a bracket that comes with the skid. That bracket mount uses two bolts that also attach the steering rack.

 

Forgot about that.

then it does mount to the rack. Don't think this is really an issue though. If I was designing my own Id mount there.

Was going to do belly skids and use the sway bar mount plates to hold a front cross bar.

 

Bud is a heck of a nice guy. Been Wheeling with him for many years. He is the OG of Toyota truck skid plates. All the others are copies of his .....

 

That's cool. Next tine you see hin, tell hin I said thanks. His skids have received plenty of love.

 

And doesn't have anything going up to the front crossmember correct? I really feel like I haven't seen an ultimate solution for the IFS skid. I like how skid row has the front crossmember hook up. Bud built has more coverage, but uses the steering rack mounts (not terrible but I think it's the reason @jberry813 needed to rebuild his, though we all know he put the RDP through some shit). I thought relentless made skids for our trucks, but I guess I was mistaken.

 

Relentless used to - I have a full set, but I don't see them on the site anymore. My guess is that Eric just didn't sell enough first gen stuff anymore. @RelentlessFab

I really like the Relentless - the IFS skid uses all stock mounts, and the mid-skid uses the cross-member rather than the steering rack for mounting. Lots of gusseting too, which is great for when you actually hit stuff.

Here were my write-ups for the skids:

• The last of the armor - Relentless skids for belly protection
• More belly protection - installing the mid-skid from Relentless

And, stock mount reinforcement for the IFS skid:

• Fixing the IFS Skid Mounts

In that last post, here's a pic of the mount points. I didn't label the rear two, which are to the cross member, and then directly to the frame.

​

 

I thought so and remembered it being beefy. If i were to get it again id go that route in 1/4". The majority of my IFS skid bends are the section between the front crossmember and rear ifs bolts.

 

The middle two (of the 7) on the BudBuilt front IFS skid mount to the front cross member.

 

This is why I'm trying to get @JLee to make us some of this beef BAMF 1/4'' skids.

The problem these days is people aren't building 1st gens like they used too. All these fab shops can't move their 1st gen inventory. Kind of sucks. Not standing the test of time like the original toyota trucks are.

 

If this doesn't come about soon, I will have to invest in another set BudBuilts before he stops making them too. Probably this coming winter some time. Certainly before the next wheeling season.

 

Yeah. I'll have to just build my own.

 

This. It's not too complicated to make your own.

I have a nice new sheet of 3/16" for a new IFS skid this winter. Might remake my midskid too. My current skids are bent to hell, but have done their job.

Don't think I need to bother with 1/4". It's just more weight and it'll get bent too.

 

I have like 8-10 sheets of 3/16s in like...4x4 foot sections or so. Definitely could make my own. But alas dont' have a garage for shit right now..

 

Trip Report: Goose Lake 2018 July 28-29

Few weeks ago I finally had a saturday off as well as Sunday. I work typically friday and saturday in the summer and Devin only has Sundays and Wednesdays off so getting out camping is almost impossible.

So with a Saturday afternoon lined up together and Sunday we made the most of it. I'd been telling Devin about one of my favorite places on earth for literally years but the stars hadn't aligned to let us go there ever until now.

Goose lake.

I spent the morning getting the truck read, mostly finishing modifying my new skid plate to fit, and packing. Devin got off work and we hit the road up the Beartooth highway to get to Cooke City.

I couldn't remember how long the trail would take us so by the time we got to dirt it was pretty late at least I thought at around 4:15 when I aired down. Weather was beautiful and it was nice and cool compared to the 90º temps below.

Goose Lake 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I'd never been here on the normal "weekend" and it was pretty busy in the area. Lots of people with campers in the early part. I new none of them would be where we would be. But still, I wondered if we would have the campsite to ourselves or not. Soon though we were in the thick of it. With lots of water on the trail, more than I'd ever seen.

Goose Lake 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

There were people back here camping as we went. But most were pretty setup already. I just kept going knowing the trail was harder the further we went and took in the gorgeous area.

Goose Lake 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not long after this we pass a mostly stock looking 5th gen t4r and also 4-5 offroad trailers pulled off to the side of the trail. Interesting..where were the other vehicles..No doubt up ahead somewhere perhaps at the end of the trail doing some exploring.

We pushed passed star lake nearing our destination. Trail went much faster than I thought it would and it was very clear would get to camp with plenty of time before dark.

Goose Lake 2018-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

There is a hard line after this point I like to take typically. But Igor wasn't having it and I didn't want to push it too much or tear things up too much. Made a nice poser shot.

Goose Lake 2018-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I've not been good to these wheels but they've been good to me..

Goose Lake 2018-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

With thoughts of a locker being added to Igor sooner than later in my head. We continued on to the major obstacle where we met a group of toyota guys in either 4runners or land cruisers. Few very built out and one stock. The land cursier decided to not take the obstacle though. Think he would have been fine though.

We didn't have to wait long and all made it to the trail end quickly. I was elated to see no one at the one fire ring there and quickly setup shop.

Devin and I prepared to walk up to the lake, which proved to be a bit more difficult as the water level of the river was higher than normal. I chatted with one of the guys from the other group while Devin scoped out the river.

"Why didn't you guys bring those trailers back here?" I asked.

"Oh we didn't want to push it, already tipped one over getting back here" he replied.

Wow. Wasn't even that hard before where they were parked. Not sure I'd ever want a trailer..

Devin had just waded across in here sandals by now so set off to find a spot to jump across taking lots of photos of one of the best places ever.

Goose Lake 2018-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

It was as beautiful as ever.

Goose Lake 2018-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Hungry though and with plans to hike around the lake tomorrow we returned to camp to make dinner.

Goose Lake 2018-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Evening lighting was awesome.

Goose Lake 2018-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

One thing was very clear though, the mosquitoes where horrible. I quickly set about making a fire with hopes they would die down as they swarmed around us. The fire helped a lot though thankfully and we could relax.

Goose Lake 2018-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Dinner was Hobo meals, a favorite of ours and specialty.

Goose Lake 2018-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

As the evening light got better I was constantly running around taking photos.

Goose Lake 2018-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And then ate sausage, tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

Goose Lake 2018-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We both wised we had remember potatoes but it was still quite delicious.

As we put away dinner I noticed we were in the golden hour.

Goose Lake 2018-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This peaked my interest and I decided to run up the hill to see the peaks, which kind of sucked to do a 9300'.

So. Worth. It.

Goose Lake 2018-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Heaven in a photo.

Goose Lake 2018-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

With that I returned to the fire where we stayed up a bit before turning in for a good nights sleep.

Goose Lake 2018-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The next day we had high hopes to make it to the Glacier on the backside of Iceberg Peak called Grasshopper Glacier. But we had slept in, so weren't sure we would make it.

I still jumped out to get photos before breakfast in the morning light..was not sunrise though..

Goose Lake 2018-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We were definitely going to walk to the far side of the lake though. We packed up the tent and headed off over the ridge.

This is going to be a massive photo dump..but can you blame me?

Goose Lake 2018-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The mosquitoes were bad. Like biblically bad. They kept us moving and at a good pace to try and keep them off. I left my sweatshirt on all day to keep them from biting me.

Goose Lake 2018-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

An old cabin. Bet that was hard to upkeep.

Goose Lake 2018-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Thankfully as we moved further from the lake shore the mosquitoes got less vicious.

Goose Lake 2018-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We also spotted some old..something and made our way towards that. A mining spot of some sort.

Goose Lake 2018-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

What the..

Goose Lake 2018-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

ha! An old camper trailer!

Goose Lake 2018-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Brought everything, even the kitchen sink

Goose Lake 2018-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Bet that was a fun haul back here..

40 years ago, you could drive all the way back here. But with the Beartooth Wilderness established it cut off the lake. Igor was parked right on the boundary. Still, crazy to see that.

We walked over to the mining spot. A pretty normal thing around here but this far back was cool.

Goose Lake 2018-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

the shaft was water filled. I thought it a bit odd to have it so close to the water. Especially with how saturated the ground got as it was now.

Goose Lake 2018-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not much left of the cabins. Winters back here are probably brutal and relentless.

Goose Lake 2018-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not a bad view though for a cabin..

Goose Lake 2018-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We continued north around Little Goose lake to start our climb up the pass.

Goose Lake 2018-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Ultimately though, we knew it wasn't going to happen. We had started too late in the day and wanted to explore the other roads and peaks in the area plus get home hopefully not later than 8.

So we just climbed up to the hill I'd been eyeing for years to peer over the other side towards Wolf Mountain.

Did not disappoint.

Goose Lake 2018-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Snowfall last winter was record high. To see this much still in almost August was amazing. Its a good though. Used to be glaciers everywhere around these mountains.

Goose Lake 2018-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The clouds had been threatening to rain on us all day. But never really did thankfully. In a very light sprinkle we ate lunch before descending down to the lake to take the other shore back to the truck. A decision I would regret.

Goose Lake 2018-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The ground over here was very marshy and water was everywhere. The least of our problems though. The morning had been cool so I'm sure the mosquitoes weren't totally at full force. Now though, they were. Clouds of them would erupt from the ground with each step. They were so thick I almost didn't want to breath. It now made perfect sense as to why no large animals were really ever around here. We literally started running to keep them off of us only stopping at snow drifts.

I snapped some photos as we went though.

Not sure what section 2 is..but this is it!

Goose Lake 2018-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-71.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-72.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

An Osprey flew over us while we caught our breath, running at almost 10k' is not easy. I'd seen a few of them the evening before and a bunch way up high by Fox Peak. Cool to see one closer.

Goose Lake 2018-73.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

By now the breeze had picked up which kept the bastard mosquitoes down for the most part which meant we didn't have to run the whole way back to the truck.

Goose Lake 2018-74.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-75.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-76.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We got back and a group of UTV's was at the pull out. We had passed them coming in as they were going out. Probably in campers towards the trail head. Not a bad way to spend the weekend I suppose. We headed out though sad to leave as always but ready to see more beauty.

At the main obstacle, I had traction issues again. This time though it was just the tires not wanting to grip the rocks well. Frustrating. Probably won't be getting these tires again. But did make it up with a little bumping.

Goose Lake 2018-77.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-78.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-79.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was around here I realized the lug a loo had lost a lid. We turned around and found it just before the main obstacle. Meh.

Hit the road out again loving the view despite the haze from smoke all the way from California.

Goose Lake 2018-80.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-81.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-82.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-83.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-84.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-85.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not sure how but the paintbrushes were beautiful and pink

Goose Lake 2018-86.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-87.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This lake was a popular spot with a lot of people around here. Cant blame them.

Goose Lake 2018-88.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-89.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-90.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The lone deer.

Goose Lake 2018-91.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We made it out with no drama other than missing Frankensteins much smoother ride in the rocks.

Headed up Lulu pass to go to Sheep mountain next. I had forgotten a big avalanche had happened here and wiped out a bunch of trees.

Goose Lake 2018-92.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Stopped to look at more mining operations. This one pretty big compared to the goose one.

Goose Lake 2018-93.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-94.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on FlickrGoose Lake 2018-95.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-96.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-97.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-98.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then up sheep mountain road.

Goose Lake 2018-99.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-100.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-101.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-102.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Flowers were out in full force right now. Was cool to see patches of them from far away. Wasn't even full on "summer" here yet.

Goose Lake 2018-103.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We then made the steep climb up Sheep mountain. And hiked up the short distance to the peak. Still take the wind out of you as it is super steep and 10,400ish feet. Plus the view.

Goose Lake 2018-104.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-105.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-106.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-107.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-108.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Its hard to not just sit here and take photos with the light changing. Its just awesome.

Goose Lake 2018-109.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-110.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-111.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The "owner" of this mountain peak.

Goose Lake 2018-112.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-113.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-114.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-115.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-116.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Satisfied we turned back down to get to Fisher peak.

Goose Lake 2018-117.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-118.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Alas a massive snow drift blocked our path. So we continued on the Henderson Mountain.

Goose Lake 2018-119.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-120.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-121.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-122.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Gotta pose for those glamor shots when you can though haha

Goose Lake 2018.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2018-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The valley below Henderson is awesome. The highway runs through most of that.

Goose Lake 2018-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The power of glaciers. Amazing.

Goose Lake 2018-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


With that, we headed down the mountain back home. Fairly uneventful other than watching a guy with a Dualie Dodge not pay attention to the narrow road conditions. Almost ripped off the bedside on a bounder. After that narrow miss sliced a sidewall on a rock by being too close to the edge. Was crazy to watch. Seemed like he was on his phone the way he was wandering around the road. Hope he learned a lesson, could have been way worse for him.


Anyways. Was great to get up there before the haze settled in from the fires too bad. And to take Devin finally.

 

Little Goose teaser action @Digiratus @turbodb @Speedytech7

 

Damn. Those are some amazing pics, Monte! That group of peaks is incredible!