Simple yet Satisfying DCLB

After a few nights of testing, I can say that the in cab sleeping platform is the best idea I’ve had yet. Plenty of room, super comfortable, and EXTREMELY well protected from the elements. As an added bonus, on a cold morning I can reach over and start the truck (and heater) without getting out of my sleeping bag. Eventually I will add Velcro attached curtains and screens. I recently bought a sewing machine, I have been learning how to use it.

I am sometimes really bad at taking pictures, but here’s one from last weekend at my favorite beach camping place.

 

Outstanding!

 

I bought the truck a new sibling today. It’s a 2013 Paloris RZR 900.

 

I have been able to use the in-cab sleeping platform several more times. It is the best camping set up I have ever had. Removing the front seat takes about as long as it used to take to set up my old rooftop tent, and it can be set up days before I actually go camping. Sooo comfortable and protected from the elements. I am keeping the camper shell though for those times that I am camping with a “friend”.

 

A couple people have asked me about how I sleep in the cab and I now just reference them to your build for all the reasons you listed. It's the $0 cost, hard camper option with super stealth built in!



Congrats on the new bumper!

 

Nice! I just wish I’d figured it out before spending so much time and money on previous setups.

 

Man you have a nice clean build I like it an subbed

 

You sir are crazy, like a fox

 

Your truck looks good. I’ll have to take a look at your build.

Lol.

 

Thank you sir
There is a lot of nonsense in there beware lol.

 

Yay painting!

A tip for anyone that decides to paint their front bumper themselves, I found a cool trick that makes it super easy. Just screw it down to the pallet it came on with a few shims to get the angle just right. I have obviously painted the underside and the back before setting this up.

 

I changed the transmission fluid today. I used this right up for a fluid change without doing a flush, and it worked flawlessly:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/
This was my truck’s first transmission fluid change at 60,000 miles. 3 quarts came out and it took almost 3 1/2 quarts. I think I will be doing this again every 30,000 from now on, since it’s not a full flush. This is how my old fluid looked compared to the new.

 

Here is a fun little side project report, in case anyone still watches this ghost town. My firewood pile is constantly wet when I want to use it, so I was definitely in need of a firewood shed. I was also wanting to put a little more party atmosphere in my backyard. I can’t think of a better way to do that then with an old car. Those polls go 3’ deep, and there is a good bit of rebar in there. It was important for me not to have an ugly post holding up the rear end. I still need to build the the back wall and the tire swing out gate. Never mind the tiny wheels on blocks of wood. There is a plan. There is also a lighting plan. I will definitely update.

 

So does the wood go under it or in it? Love that it looks like it's crashing through the fence!

 

The firewood will go inside. There won’t be much, since it just serves a fire pit. I plan to leave room for a work bench mounted inside as well. The plan is to let the bamboo grow on both sides nice and close, so it looks like it is parked in a bamboo patch.

Also, here is an update. I have started the “suspension” work. I want it to look like it is flexing on a rock trail. I obviously need to bring in some more rocks.

 

Very creative!

 

I love it!