Eastern Sierra Build and Adventures

Ya I agree the Icons are perfect for a DD. Kings I feel are more suitable for someone that is really dedicated to going out and being a weekend warrior. Icons are digressive while Kings are regressive as far as I know.

 

Well said buddy. I have a pretty good idea of what the truck will be getting into as it has been my lifestyle for a good amount of years already via Subarus or Family and Friends trucks. You are right though 100% and this will be kept as a daily driver and drive a ton of dirt roads and camp a ton of nights. The 4 wheeling I do is nothing crazy! I belong to a club that does a few trips a year but usually out in the desert and doesn't require much but ground clearance and some decent tires.

More than anything I want to have a smooth ride on road and off and enough gadgets to be safe in most predicaments and have the cargo room for multiple day treks and camping trips.

 

Also, trust me. I am so proud to live where I do. I worked hard to put myself here and now its time to set the vehicle up to enjoy it to its fullest. I will post some photos of my Thanksgiving Eastern Sierra style here in a bit.

 

I will keep that in mind. The Icon lift is sounding like a route I would be interested in. The camper shell situation is still up in the air but will be the first thing I buy. I camped this weekend and dealt with snow in the bed the whole time. I just need to decide if I want cab high or not. Obviously being tall plays into but, so does having a short bed. Cab high looks cleaner in my opinion, especially with plans for racks. I can't even sleep in it, so I would only be in it retrieving gear from the bed. I don't know. Pros and Cons, ha! Thanks for the input man, I really do appreciate it.

 

How are they on road compared to Icons in your experience or in your hear say? I obviously spend a lot of times off road and live in the mountains, but I make trips to SoCal every couple of months resulting in 5 hours of highway each way.

 

Thats me exactly haha. Usually loaded up with stuff that doesn't need to be bouncing around, and I don't want to blow something out hitting a dip going mach speeds. After all, it is my only vehicle haha

 

Hit the trails looking for a camp on Thanksgiving.



Everyone was full of energy after the apple pie dutch oven cobbler I whipped up.

 

Single digit mornings.

 

Got the Weather Tech all weather mats for the truck. I knew that would need to be one of the first things I got when I noticed it had normal carpet ones.

 

Morning soak.

 

I'm jealous...that looks like Hilltop if recall correctly.

 

Hill Top is a little bit further walk. This one is a different one a bit down the road. Easier to snag for yourself.

 

Sorry I just saw this but honestly I am not sure much about long distance highway stuff on Kings. I typically make drives from Flagstaff to Phoenix which is about 2.5 hours and I know my Icon setup is perfect for that! I know that when I would drive in my buddy's Chevy with Kings it felt like butter on or off the road. But then again he is completely LTed Also from what I have heard the internal portion of Kings are much sturdier than Icons but I am not the person to back that up at all it is just what I have seen and read.

 

Awesome truck and awesome area man! Was just doing Whitney last week. The Eastern Sierras are gorgeous!
Where were those hot springs?!

We went stopped by Keogh's but I wouldn't mind working for a soak either.

 

Thats good info. Thank you. You are rocking Stage 2's right?

 

Keoghs is cool, but I like the free ones and a little more out there. There are a ton up outside of Mammoth. Even Bridgeport.

You did Whitney last week? How did that go? Apparently you do some climbing and mountaineering eh?

 

Yes sir!

 

The last couple of storms have been good to usurp here in the Eastern Sierra.

 

While expecting a decent tax return this year, I will be throwing it all back into the truck. Wheels, bumpers, and suspension are the immediate goals. Although I might not be able to do it all at once, what should I be doing first? I know it might not look the coolest if I don't do it all at the same time, but gotta do it in steps for sure. Wheels might rub without lift, but lift without wheels might leave me looking silly for a bit. I think bumpers and topper can wait for the end. Thoughts? Ive been poking around quite a bit to try and figure out what I want to go with, and I am thinking either Icon or OME suspension. I really dig the look of the Stealth Custom Series rims per up with some Coopers or Toyos. I plan to keep the lift minimal but my tires tall as possible for some clearance. Advice and thoughts are appreciated.

 

Found an old flat track after the recent rain and couldn't resist.


Ripping across a lake bed near Death Valley.