Alan Alda’s Build Thread

I’m starting documentation of me spending money I shouldn’t so I can be comfy at work and camp my fat ass off with my amazing and tolerant wife.

Starting with a 2022 TRD Off-road DC LB in army green named Alan Alda. Had the Territory A/T’s swapped out at the dealer before pick up for SL rated Wildpeaks in stock size. I am a landscape designer/installer so this truck will be set up for work during the week, play on the weekends (and most Fridays…). The SL’s should be a little better for what I need than E’s. C’s we’re not available. There wasn’t much info on the Wranglers yet so I went for it. Time will tell if I made the right call.

Thanks for checking this out. I’m headed to a friend’s garage tomorrow and starting to get some additions in place. A lot of pieces are on the way. In the future is:

-bed rack and basket I’m bringing from my 2003 Frontier XE DCLB (may he find happiness in his future)
-seat jackers for the passenger seat
-rear seat delete
-group 31 battery, tray, and solar install
-fridge
-on board air
-seat covers

I’ll post my work and camping set up. I have 2-3 different camping setups for lean, comfy, and super comfy camping trips. Share your camping setups and lemme know your thoughts and suggestions.

 

Threw my old bed rack on this afternoon. For the price, modularity, and weight, this Yakima rack is one of my favorite purchases. I have a set of ladder mounts on the passenger side of the 78” bars and a Skinny Warrior basket on the driver’s side.

This rack was primarily a work purchase. I have 3 sets of mini Quick Fists mounted on the towers to hold 2 leaf rakes and a line trimmer. Shovels, hard rakes, and other long tools ride in the basket. It leaves my bed free for debris at work and let’s me leave my trailer at home for maintenance days. Small tools ride in the back seat.

On weekends I have an Oztent 270 awning that is passenger mounted and a lifesaver jerry can on the driver’s side cross bar between the towers. Canoe paddles mount to the Quick Fists and the bars themselves are wide enough to carry 2 full sized canoes (16’-17’) comfortably. The Oztent sidewalls, floor saver, and Tagalong 2.5 tent ride in the basket. The bed is wide open for a cooler, chairs, etc.

An Iceco VL45 was delivered today. I need to have a more competent friend help me with a seat delete after delivery of a Lensun hood panel, CBI battery tray, and a Group 31 AGM battery to run the fridge full time. A bed extender was delivered yesterday too, but so were a bunch of beers to my face so I stopped today with the bed rack so I could be hungover in peace.

 

A very small addition yesterday, but I got my bed extender attached. This simple tool makes a big difference for me at work. An extra foot of bed space is super handy. When camping, I pull it off and set a large cutting board on top of it, swivel point down, and get some extra counter space to my kitchen. It leaves the tailgate free for the stoves and whatever else needs staged there.

 

Made a few quality of life additions today.

Seat Jackers from Desert Does It were first. Easy install. Immediate happiness. They make a big difference and will correct the only real gripe I have with the truck so far.

I also installed Escape Gear front seat covers, console cover, and dash cover. They’re Charcoal Grey in poly cotton canvas. Super durable, really comfy, and way overbuilt. I chose these due to the fact they’re all built to work with the airbag system in the seats and dash. And they’re indestructible. And they look good.

I also ordered the shifter cover from Escape gear (called the transmission cover on their website), but in test fitting it didn’t work out. The seats grabbed and pulled it out of place when adjusted and the fit was off in a couple of spots. I have a great neighbor who’s mother is a seamstress. I think I’ll have her make some alterations for a better fit. I’d really like it to work out. The extra pockets and protection are really great.


In reference to Escape Gear, I highly recommend them. Equipt sells the same stuff in the states, but has a little higher pricing and 6-8 week leads. I ordered mine from Escape Gear in S. Africa directly and got the 2 front seat covers, console cover, dash cover, shifter cover, and a small duffel bag for $600 with shipping and that shit was on my porch in 2 weeks exactly!

 

Here’s a couple of quick shots of my work setup with what I needed for today. The tool set varies some, but this is fairly typical.

I use quick fists to hang the trimmer and light rakes. Shovels, hard rakes, and most long tools fit in the basket on the rack. Small tools are loaded in the back seat. Everything travels safely and is easily available for use. It’s a super efficient and clean system for me. Still plenty of room in the bed to load plants and debris so I yank my trailer around town less and park easier.

It also looks good enough as is that I don’t sweat wrapping my truck with any advertising BS or signage like most of the kids do these days.

 

I have the same truck...or will in a month. Following for ideas. Truck build looks great so far!

 

Had a fun weekend putting some of the final touches on the truck I’ve planned for this year.

A great couple of friends with better heads for it all helped me knock out the following this weekend.
-a 40% seat delete
-built an oak veneer mounting panel for an Iceco VL45
-installed a Blue Seas 12v panel with 2x 12v plugs and 1 dual usb
-a battery swap, oem battery for a 27f AGM
-mounted a Lensun 85w hood panel and vinyl
-mounted a mppt charge controller

The only snag was a shitty plug that came with the fridge. I’ve read these Iceco plugs suck. This one surely does. Hope to have the new one soon and have it all in use for work and weekends.

Everything was much easier to do than I’d expected. It ended up looking super clean, runs great, and ends the first phase of work I’ve planned for the first year of having this fine truck in my possession.