My '02 Turtle Taco

Joined a few months ago and ready to participate rather than being a lurker.

Here's my rig. Was pretty stock with a Leer camper shell until a few months ago. I lucked out finding the shell locally at a great price. Then I built the roof rack with 2x100w of solar and a cargo platform. I replaced the stock bumper with an ARB bumper and plan on picking up a Warn M8000 soon. The latest mod was heavy duty Old Man Emu suspension all around - coils, leafs and shocks.


Next up is tires and I'm interested in hearing suggestions on that. Don't want to go much bigger than a 265/75/16 as I have 4.10 stock gearing. On worn down 265/70/16's in the pic above. My mileage with the shell is 14-18mpg depending on terrain, type of driving and how heavy my right foot happens to feel.

Considering many options from trail oriented all terrains to medium duty mud tires.

Cooper Discoverer AT3
BFG AT KO2
Cooper S/T [reg or. Maxx]
Nitto Ridge Grappler
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
BFG MT KM2
Nitto Trail Grappler
Mickey Thompson Deegan 38
Cooper STT Pro
Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3

The most aggressive tire I've run in the past was a tall/skinny BFG AT KO on an '86 VW syncro van with a subaru engine (I sold it a few years ago as it was a PITA to maintain). They were great for most driving, but fell short in unpacked sand, any ice without snow on top, and any sort of mud. I live in Central California on the coast and have taken the truck from Baja to British Columbia and into the Sierras and as far east as Colorado. It's my daily driver besides an old Honda dual sport and we also take my gf's car for on-road trips as it gets better mileage. Sees ~100mi of pavement a week, mostly on coastal 60mph highway, with frequent trips to more remote western destinations year-round.

Anyways thanks for all the good advice and info in the past and hopefully I can be as inspiring and informative for others as this forum has been for me.

 

The solar platform you will benefit from and be able to make Tacos. I am still looking for a camper shell top myself with solar. Great rig!

 

Really nice top
You said you started with a leer shell. was it CAB height ? And than you added another foot plus the rack ? I ask because I'm Pretty sure Lear does not make a shell like this one
Anyway still really nice setup!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

I bought this tradesman shell used from a guy I met at the gas station (literally met him at the pump next to me) and sold my leer topper after I'd made sure this one worked for my truck.

 

Problem solved thanks.
Just for heck of it I will call tradesman and see what it would cost me. I have a hunch it's a least 3 maybe 4 grand. I also just noticed the pitch is perfect with your windshield.
Nice Job
Merry xmas

 

Nice setup.

 

how much does this hurt your mpgs compared to unloaded?