The Red Dragon Build

Here's the dragon the day i brought it home.


First thing i did on the truck was replacing the chrome grill with a colour matched one found on ebay… while i was on there i saw blacked out headlights for cheap so i bought that too, they fogged up right away, i bought another set in the following summer and did the seal mod, and its good now.


i sold the tonneau cover a bit after i bought the truck so i could have some money for a sound system and put the dirt bike in the box without having to ask my friend to help me take off the cover.

Much better like that

i bought a kenwood DNX5190 double din wich has garmin sat nav and bluetooth hand free built in, along with a kenwood amp that i had in the basement for a while and a clarion 10" subwoofer.



Was finally time to get some wheels and tires. Got a sweet deal at 4wheelparts. Went for fuel formula aluminium wheels 17x9.5 on super swampers irok 285/70/r17


I had to go try those mud tires but needed some recovery point. Im a welder fitter so at work i took a few breaks and build my own off road bumper…i really liked the hybrid plate and pipe baja style but i wanted to put a winch in there eventually. Took about three hours all together and then i coated it with rocker guard. Its not the best looking home made bumper but it works great and i will later put a hoop for a couple of off road lights.




The 33" tires robbed a lot without lift and i had to do a lot of trimming, i eventually installed a 2.5" coil spacer in the front and that fixed the problem. Not the best lift choice but will do for now.

Before


After


Built a few other things at work.

Heavy duty tie downs in the box.


1" x 3/8" bed rail blocks with 3/8" bolt for D rings or other accessories.


Tow hitch clevis mount for rear recovery.


Center console switch panel with toggle switches…will probably change the toggles for otrattw switches and put a couple gauges on the upper part.


Suport plate for my Blue sea fuse box.


Bought the fuse box from OTRATTW with 3 switches. Wiring will be done when i buy lights,winch and compressor this winter.


Stickers


Got in a couple accidents this year.

Rear ended a woman that got scared of a bus 2 lanes further while she was merging and braked while i was looking back for uncomming traffic. i had my steel bumper so i didn't have much… broke the plastic trim under the headlight. Her CRV 7000$ in damage.


Was mudding at a buddys place and a drunk guy in a unregistered or insured farm truck backed into me. Not sure about the cost yet but that sucks considering he is a broke ass alcoholic and can't pay for it. I'm a good and chill guy I didn't scream or lost it at him causing a scene in front of everybody. i told him when he gets the money to pay me no rush. its a truck after all.



To do next:

Home made rock slider, rear bumper, roof rack
Icon suspension front rear
Onboard compressor
Off road lights
Bed lights
4.11 Gear
Cb radio
Winch
Offroad trailer with rtt

Tell me what you think

 

First! I'm digging the build and definitely the home made bumper, I wouldn't say it looks bad at all. Respect for doing it yourself! I hope you get your money back from that guy...

 

Thanks man... I hope so too

 

Love that front bumper

 

Good looking truck and really nice color to. I like the bumper and like your idea of heavy duty tie down spots.

 

I have some free time for the next few month so i can start working on my bed/roof rack… i decided not to build a trailer cause it seems to be harder to go off roading with one and can't afford another set of tires and rims.

I would like to build a bed rack that extends over the cab like a roof rack, access cab's don't have the roof rack holes like the double cab and I'm trying to avoid drilling thru the roof.Also would like some lockable storage box on the side for easy access and security.

Worked on a few design and these two are my favourite so far.



i have to find a cheap pipe bender and go buy a few length of pipe…then the fun will begin

 

Drawer system i also plan to make, bottom drawer has stove and sink, top drawer for cooking pot and plates etc and an other small drawer on the side, spot for the fridge and the side box for quick access to recovery gear. There is also a slide out platform on top so i can reach whatever is in the back of the bed. Will have onboard water tank and compressor with tank stored inside in the back.



Anyone knows a link to a website where they sell good quality ball bearing rails ? Thanks

 

Nice truck, where'd you get the bed rail blocks from? I'm building a bed rack but still need the blocks and bolts to secure it to the bed.

 

Sweet truck OP.

How do you like your wheels?

 

Thanks... i love the wheels great offset super light and i havnt seen another truck with them yet so im pretty pleased.

Its been a while since ive been on the site cause i moved and got a new job but the build is back on track... my most recent update is my leer shell.



Was looking for one because the hole bed rack idea was never gonna happend ( no time ).
So i went for a shell with a bed platform and drawers, the shell was a find on kijiji after months of looking for a colour match one under a 1000$ and i got lucky eventualy. 350$ with a set of rear leafs so i jumped on it.

As soon as i have some free time ill start the platform as i need it done before spring.

 

Looks awesome brother!!! I'm hoping to get a shell for my truck to keep bed stuff secured and away from the elements.

 

Bought my aluminum friday and got to work sunday afternoon.

First i cleand the truck and the bed



Got the tools and materiel layed out, Blue was there to supervise...

Started with the cross members


The platform design changed a bit as i was going but it went pretty smooth, the front of the platform is made stronger to suport the weight of the fridge and mine as i climb in, the back doesnt have to be as strong cause it has suport legs and my weight is spread as i lay down.



Left drawer isnt as wide as the other but is longer, it will have a stove and a sink, right drawer will be storage.

At the far end between the legs and the bed will be the 21 gallon water tank, the pump and battery.


Im at this point now.. will be getting the plywood and carpet this week.
Water tank and pump are on there way with led light, fuse block and switch panel.

The hole thing is very light, i can lift it with one hand easy but its very sturdy also. I was gonna finish all the aluminum work tonight but Blue's face suggested it was time to go home haha

 

Great dog. I just adopted 2 Blue/Red heeler female pups.

 

Theyre the best, very loyal and crazy smart. Im no dog trainer but she understands alot of words , climbs trees, plays freesbee. Good luck with your pups

 

Some progress, i cut the plywood for the bed and built the gear drawer. Also finished welding and cleaning the aluminum frame. Instaled the 21 gallon water tank and also made a plate for the Blue sea fuse block/ breaker. Next is painting the plywood and carpeting, building the kitchen drawer, plumbing and wirring.

 

Thanks they are growing like weeds. And yes very smart. They can already open gates believe it or not.

 

Gabriel, this is the best platform build I have seen on the internet. Congrats on your hard work, i'm a huge fan.

 

Some more work on the platform

 

Thanks man i put alot of work into it and I love the setup so far. Quick setup time and very comfy

 

Some picture of beach time this summer











This is Blue’s favorite space to lay down and enjoy the view



Making lunch at work is always awesome