My Build Thread and Retirement Plans

I got lucky my truck came with a smittybuilt when I bought it. Probably need to replace the synthetic line though. Going to have the shop do that when they install my C4 bumper and BD lights.

 

Very nice!

 

I've got a friend who wanted 20 degree RCI rock sliders, and I'm thinking about selling him these new ones and putting on 5 degree sliders so that my little legs will have a bit more of a step for getting in and out of the truck. Am I crazy? I'm not a serious rock crawler...I just want to be able to get to any trailhead that strikes my fancy. So I think 5 degree sliders would be fine.

 

Indeed, get the ones with the least amount of angle. Your camping with some wheeling involved. Not the other way around
I have a lot of experience rock crawling and I can easily say that the ones that are angled upwards don’t necessary offer more protection. I can say getting the kick out helps prevent back windows from being broken out. But the angled sliders don’t give you more rocker protection, just helps you slide thru things better being that they are angled upwards.
They started making sliders this way after crawlers began making exo cages, and creating sliders that came up the rocker and fender panels.
The Aussies don’t use angled sliders, and look at what they go thru!!!

Go with your gut Keith, remember not to drink all the coolaide! Lol

 

Hey @keith12 what type of pack raft do you have? Sorry but I’m stalking you on IG. Haha. I’m looking at getting a Alpacka Mule.

 

I have a step of White Knuckle sliders on the Tundra. It was actually the first real mod I did for the truck.

 

I’m glad someone looks at my posts! I have the Alpacka Classic. I love that boat. I used to have a Kokopelli Nirvana. It was a good boat, but I like the Alpacka better.

 

@keith12 congrats in the retirement!!

 

Thanks! It’s a little surreal!

 

Hells yeah, I retired this year! It’s been a ball! Made it a goal to retire by the time I hit mid 40s. I beat it by 2 years!

 

Damn all you guys and your adult jobs. I’m over here having to wait until I’m at least 50 to retire.

 

AT LEAST 50? I must be doing it wrong! I'll be 48 in March and realistically still have another 15 years ahead of me if I want to eat and have a roof over my head(I don't think I'm ready to full-time in a camper yet LOL!).

Seriously though, congrats keith12 on your retirement and thank you for the years of service in law enforcement. I've enjoyed reading your build/adventure thread and will just have to live vicariously thru you until I can stop 'working for the weekend'.

 

I haven’t lived/lead a common life. I was a bartender(while being in the army reserves)until I was about 34 then started going on active duty orders(currently 39 and deployed). I have never owned a home or been married. Have lived in an RV for the past 3 years(and I have loved it, wish I would have done it 10years ago) I am currently debt free but looking to buy an off grid property when I get back and build an A frame small home(not tiny just large enough for my needs). And in the next year or 2 want to buy a short bus and convert it into an adventure rig for when. I retire and travel through Canada, US, Mexico & South America.

 

Random question @keith12 : I remember you talking about having the awning brackets removed. Was there an issue with them? I'm close to locking-down my pick-up date for my Summit and I'm considering seeing if AT can add these brackets in case I want an awning later.

 

No, there was no issue. They are just kinda big without having an awning attached to them, so I didn’t want the big mounts hanging on there before I decided to cough up the money for an awning.

I think it’s a good idea to go ahead and get the mounts installed so they are doing the drilling, and then you can just take them off until you’re ready to get the awning. That’s what I’m doing.

 

Makes sense! I was talking to a person who sells the 270 shadow awning from Alu-Cab and he said the biggest issue with the 270 awnings is the stress put on the rear where the pivot is. You NEED something beefy to support the weight properly. Like you said, they probably look odd without the awning attached! Thanks!

 

Replaced the tailgate panel with this yesterday. I already like it a whole lot.



And, yes, that's stupid snow in Alabama.

 

Last night, with a lot of help from a friend, I got the 3/4 inch birch plywood base cut for the bed of the truck.



And then I spent way too much time today installing bed stiffeners.



But we're moving along after my two weeks of backpacking.

I need to put something on the base board to try to protect it from any water that may come in. I'm thinking I'll just paint it with interior paint and hope for the best.

 

Exterior paint!!! Bed stiffeners look great!

 

I have a better idea about joining the plywood, biscuits! I have a biscuit jointer and lots of biscuits.