The Lumpskie Build - '96 5-speed

Sounds super comfy. As of right now I'm definitely leaning towards a softopper. I'm not sure I can justify an RTT/bed rack setup that will cost over $1500 and that will only get use a few months out of the year. They're super awesome but who knows maybe I'll change my mind by the time the next CVT group buy comes around. I like the idea of having dry storage as well as being able to fold it down and out of the way since I haul a dirtbike or two on occasion in the summer. Thanks for the input it's very helpful, nothing beats first hand experience!

 

the thing i didn't like about the idea of topper camping..is having to unload EVERYTHING to sleep in it. After watching Ben do it on our first week long expedition..i was SO happy i had the RTT.


But...can't argue with total dry storage....

 

Yeah I've definitely been thinking about that too. When I do go camping it's usually only a night or two so I don't think I'll have too much of an issue. However, longer trips will be another story lol. I'll probably end up getting a couple storage bins to keep everything fairly easy to unload. When the time comes for a rear bumper I'll get one with a spare tire carrier so I don't have a big old spare to worry about taking up space either.

 

Yeah Blackdawg, I hear you about unloading to sleep. What Wifey and I do is lay down the bed, then fold it forward (in half) leaving the back half of the bed open. Then we use two storage bins (One for tools/spares and another for dry food) and a cooler back there. We have a camping picnic table and benches that fit back there as well. So, when we unpack, we just pull the bins/cooler and put them under the truck. Then we setup the picnic table and we're done. Overall, it takes about 10 mins for a full camp setup, which isn't too bad. My main motivation for the RTT was for if/when I do the double cab swap and the bed is too short to sleep in.

We use this 24 gallon bin and it works really well:
http://www.rubbermaid.com/category/...x?CatName=Storage&Prod_ID=RP091427&Redirect=1

 

If i could fit all my parts/tools and that into that bin..it would be a miricle...and weigh like 300lbs..haha

okay not really..

but i don't think they would all fit in there..

But it sounds like a nice system


From my experiance, having bins actually makes stuff more of a PITA. Cause to fit it you have to get everything right in the right spot. And of course the ONE damn thing you always need at that odd moment is at the bottom..so you have to unpack the whole thing...haha i hate that! haha

So i just have stuff laid out more...But my main OSK is usually buried..which sucks..but makes it live up to the name even more.

 

Yeah, I'd probably still use the bins, even if I got the RTT. But, I could keep them all in the bed when we stopped to camp.

Blackdawg, how you keep your tools and spares if you don't use bins?

 

Hey lumpskie how do those action packers keep all the dust/water and stuff out? and are they pretty durable?

 

I have one big box for big stuff. The OSK.

But tools I leave loose in their cases for easy access...as I tend to need them daily..lol

 

Did you make slide out took drawers for your small stuff? I've been considering that in my long term plan...

When new, the action packer kept dust out no problem as well as water in the form of rain or splash. Obviously, it would keep the water out if you submerged it, though. As for durability, I think they're awesome. They do have limits though. I put a out 150 lbs of tools/spares in mine and didn't strap it securely enough in my truck. When I went wheeling, it got tossed around really hard. Everything stayed together but I did warp the container a bit. Now the lid doesn't click into place as cleanly. That being said, I was really impressed that it didn't just fly apart with all that weight. Like Timmy, I think they're a great product.

 

thought about it...but just not worth it IMO. only one point of access. We will see what i end up doing though after links.

 

^Wait. When are you planning on doing the links?

 

Not for a while...not a cheap investment...haha

 

^Hey my buddy and I were thinking about this the other day. Could you take the rear setup from a 3rd gen 4Runner and weld it under your rig?

 

mmmm....

I guess i could be possible..

Be a PITA to get it right. But its the same frame basically.


But if you gonna do links, might as well do a real beefy ass setup IMO.

I'm thinking of doing a 3 link with trail arms with the CO on the trail arms right behind the cab.

 

That sounds like a cool idea. I've never seen a setup like that, but I bet it would flex like crazy. Are you going to SAS your front too?

 

Nope. LT man im going for a Go fast setup haha

 

Ah! That's why you're going with links and the coils on the control arms... max droop for both wheels when the trucks off the ground?

 

Yep. So be like a sudo 4 link setup, just with 1 link off the center of the diff and a panhard link.

plus keep the CO out of the center of the bed so i get to keep most of the bed space. The CO towers will be part of the cage to the cab and the bed rack/roof rack.

 

^Man, I can't wait to see this.

On another note, I just applied to a Polaris Product Safety Engineer job. The first line in the description is "Performs hands-on Product Safety reviews". That could be a fun job!

 

Looks like I've got a phone interview for the Polaris job! But it looks like the job is in Minnesota... is there any wheeling in that part of the country? (I'm thinking not in the U.S., but what about in Canada?)

I've also got in interview that involves taking an expedition to Antarctica! That one might be pretty fun too!