trekker's taco and Melly's 4R

Those instant setup ground tents aren't half bad. We have one that the kiddo and dogs use while we sleep up top on the trailer. I think those days are numbered for us as well.

Crazy how you're already thinking about warm weather trips after the summer y'all had, but I get it. Summer just isn't long enough up here where the land is more inviting.

I'm hoping to extend our family camping season in the upcoming year. It's easier for me and one of the dogs to go off and brave the cold vs taking the whole crew.

 

Howdy. Also see what y’all post on FB. Looks like all is well.

 

And your family has grown too! Has Jack had any adventures yet?

 

That is all true. I have a quick setup tent and it takes me around the same time to setup as the RTT, maybe even faster since I dont have to climb all over the truck and walk around it several times. How old is Ranger now? He probably loves getting out in they winter like my pups. I dont handle the cold as well as they do, I'm always looking forward to warmer weather. Nothing beats spring and fall when its still cool out and not too hot. Sad I didnt make it out on any trips this year but my trucks finally trip ready again(almost). I kept putting off getting work done on it and focused on saving money since I dont drive much anymore. Just need to install new brake lines so I can flex out the rear without worry.

 

At least you'll be ready to hit it hard next season after those brake lines are taken care of. We've been saving money too in order to do more fun things. I think I'm about ready to pull the trigger on one of those fun things

Ranger will be 14 months next week and yeah... he's a winter dog. He wishes I was a better skier so he could get out more in the snow (lots of cross country skiing out here). He overheats easily being so fluffy and all, so I can't really take him backpacking very far in the summer. He wants to be a trail dog so bad though.

I haven't hit any hard obstacles with my truck in a long while. I feel like my rear axle housing isn't gonna make much longer it if I get rowdy. On my third gear set back there and I just know the housing has to be tweaked a little.

 

Always!

We’re in FL this week for his first trip to the beach. I’ll post some photos on FB.

 

Hell yeah. There are proper beaches out there ready for prime exploration. Have a great time!

 

It has been. This is our first big vacation since he was born, and my wife and I left our work phones at home.

Much needed time away.

 

Phase 1: Learn what the hell I'm doing with this truck. Basic mods for hunting and camping, tall skinny 33s, softopper, learn about 12v electronics
Phase 2: Supercharger install, sliders, plate bumpers, skids
Phase 3: Mid-travel, regear, 35s

Today begins Phase 4: Ditch the trailer and still be able to take the family camping. Looks like I'll have some winter projects to tend to.



A while back we went and checked out the Teton Overland show here in potatoland. The guys at Harker Outdoors set me up with a deal on their EDC, and I couldn't say no. Camper is paid for now. I'll pick it up in SLC in a month or so.

Later next summer remind me of when I just said I was worried about my rear axle not lasting too much longer so I can tackle that project too

 

Awesome!

 

Dang, that looks nice! No need to wait for next summer, go ahead and start looking for a ford 9"(or axel of your choice) to prepare yourself. If you decide to go custom there could be a long lead time you may want to get a jump on.

 

I really should. Need to let savings bulk up a bit to be on the safe side. I do want to go custom and potentially link the rear end. For now I'll get some AAL to help with the extra weight of the camper and gear. The fun part for me will be planning and building the camper interior. Solar, water, heat... and my fridge finally crapped out on me so I need to find a new one that fits the space well.

I have a good bit of work to prep the truck for the camper. It will be nice to have a blank canvas to play with again. For months now I've been forgetting to buy a new softopper since mine is old af and has started falling apart. Won't need that now!

 

Build the truck, then weigh it, and have the springs made.

Any other method is just a guessing game; manufacturers like to do a “x lbs over stock” game for springs, but they never seem to work out correctly.

 

Good call for sure. I know my well-worn dakars are getting pretty flat, and with the bed loaded down now it's close to bro status sag. I'll have to hit the scales.

 

Couldn't resist. Those 'shop skills are TIGHT

 

Spent the last few weeks getting the truck ready for the camper, with a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons mixed in. I removed a bunch of my early (shitty) wiring work in the bed, power washed the hell out of everything, and gave my truck a much needed detail.

Removed all of the stickers from my glass and rear bumper. Removed all of my bullshit from the Prinsu, and repainted it. Treated most of the armor scratches, scrapes, dents, and rust. Went over the entire truck with some compound polish to clear up a fuckton of tail stripes and buffed the aging headlight lenses. Then I finally painted my fender flares and mounting hardware, and took off my sun scorched wiper cowl and wiper arms to give them a fresh coat of trim black as well. For an eight year old truck, it cleans up pretty well.

 

I gotta go through my wiring soon. It’s been a long time coming and have had a switch panel waiting on the work bench for about a year

 

Man it was embarrassing pulling that shit I had stuffed under my truck all those years ago. Hey, it worked!

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks Jason