The Slow Build: Long Bed Overland Build

How do you like the road shower in your bed vice the roof? Wouldn't the water always be cold?

 

Yeah, it’s cold, I use it mostly to rinse off my bike when it’s all muddy and muddy shoes. Haven’t actually showered with it yet...

 

Latest Build Updates
Oct 2020
Frontrunner Slimline “low profile” Roof Rack
Pelican Vault Case

 

Love the full FR rack - I am rocking it, too! I went for the front wind fairing add-on, and have been really pleased with the wind noise reduction. It also looks rad.

I look forward to seeing what else you put on the cab rack.

 

A little side shot action to show off new rack and pelican case.

 

Apologies if this has been covered before, but do you find the LB to be limiting at all when out on more moderate/hard trails due to the breakover and departure angles? I'm about to pull the trigger coming from a 4Runner and am so used to the nimbleness of the shorter wheelbase, but am not 100% certain yet if LB is the way to go. It feels like with a big enough lift and set of 33's it would not be as much of an issue. The SB to me seems way too small to really do anything with (bikes, surfboards, camping gear, etc all wouldn't properly fit). Thanks

 

The lack of utility was a deal breaker for me when deciding between the short bed and long bed. That extra foot is really nice on the long bed. I can fit my mountain bike in the bed of the truck and lock everything up tight. I don't think my bike would fit in the short bed without removing the front wheel. I can also fit my 7'6" surfboard (corner to corner), no way I could do this with a short bed.
I think the approach and departure angles are the same as the short bed on the long bed. The breakover is a little worse but with that said I'm running 265/70/17s (31.6 Inch Tires) and have only bumped the underbelly a couple times. With 33" tires you should be good to go unless your are doing some extreme rock crawling. The longer wheelbase makes things a little smoother on the fire roads but makes it a little tougher to turn around out on the trail if you are in a tight spot. The access cab has the long bed and the same wheelbase as the 4 door short bed if you don't need the 4 doors. I feel the short bed looks a little better when stock but I think the long bed looks better when lifted. I really like the look of the long bed especially when on 33"s.

 

This is possibly the most thought out opinion about this topic, ha! Super helpful. I'm 100% on the same page.

 

To me the SB looks too short, more than the LB looks to long! That extra 13" dramatically increases the utility of the truck! Sleep in the back with a cap! Store a mountain bike in the back!

 

Do you use the wind deflector with the camper shell Front Runner rack? I have the same one and wasn’t able to use the deflector because it would hit the top of the shell.

 

They fit underneath on mine, not a lot of clearance though.

 

Hey how are you mounting the road shower in the bed rails. I just got a topper and want to do the same can’t seem to figure out the best way. Thanks man! Awesome truck

 

I’m using Relentless Fab bed rail mounts.

 

Have you noticed any wear on the aluminum tank when you off-road? Did you just cut down the carriage bolt that came with the road shower and bolt it to the mount? Thanks a lot man

 

I didn’t have to cut the bolts for mounting. My Relentless Fab plates have a hole in the center that I used to mount my tank. the ones I’ve pictured above have holes only at the top and bottom but you could easily drill a hole in the center or just use the top hole. My aluminum tank has a ton of scratches in the paint from loading stuff in and out of the bed of my truck but the tank itself and its mounting points are sturdy and strong as the day I first installed it.

 

Thanks!

 

Installed a set of Total Chaos bed stiffeners today. Don’t know if I really needed them or if they are overkill but what the heck it can’t hurt right?

 

Picked up a set of Old Man Emu Medium Duty Dakar leaf springs.
The factory leaf springs with Icon add a leaf where starting to sag a bit after 90k miles.
Was on the cusp weight wise when it came Heavy Duty vs Medium Duty decided to go with Medium Duty.
Probably should have went with heavy duty but on second thought maybe I made the right choice with the medium duty.
IDK lol

Truck rides way better now and has the proper stance again

 

You got the waterport or the roadshower?

 

3rd post in a different thread bashing waterport.....