Ok, so I guess this is my truck project thread.

Background… bought with 25k miles, all stock. Sonic Blue XLT 4x4.
Exterior: STX Grill, Black headlights, LED Tails, front hitch, reverse lights under the bumper, Leer topper
Audio/Electrical: Pioneer AVH P4300DVD, 12" FI Sub with audioque AQ1200D, speakers and amp too. Big three upgraded wiring with 1/0, Optima bluets, Viper 5901 Alarm, Uniden CB w/ PA Speaker. Garmin GPS
Interior: Custom blue seats, a few LED's
Tires: Michelin LTX AT/2 255/70/16 tires (stock size)

The direction I'm going is MAYBE up, if not that then at least 32's, custom rear bumper, more aux. lights, roof basket and more lighting/accessories on topper. Black and blue's the color theme, but not "blacked out" per se.


I've been wanting to go camping lately... so been working on getting it more camping ready.

I'll be pickin up a new to me camper top for $60 pretty soon that will need a little fixing up, new shocks, rattle can, etc. Not looking to make it perfect as it's just going on for camping.

I'm working on designing a roof basket to go on the camper top.
(ex: https://www.ranger-forums.com/snapshots-69/yakima-roof-rack-mounted-topper-pics-108258/ )

I may end up buying one if the opportunity arises.... there are some cheapos on ebay for around $100 but I question their quality.

questions on the design... how thick of a bar should I use for the main frame? round bar or round tube? I'm thinking half inch for the outside frame/cross bars and maybe 3/8 for the floor.

and maybe 4" high?

anyway this thread I'd like to chronicle what progress I make, so I'll be looking for input on other things to get more camp-ready. wanting to optimize storage space and possibly make or buy some removable rear facing seats for the bed (http://www.bedryder.com/)

so there. input?

EDIT:
Thoughts on this? might go pick it up just for *****...
http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/2605462175.html

another
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2588710527.html

 

What quality are you questioning on the roof basket? If its just for camping I don't really see how it could be that bad. If it was for everyday use then maybe.

Were you thinking like maybe it falling off when driving or just not being able to hold the weight of the stuff you want to put on it?

You could always store the stuff in the bed and then put it on the rack when you get to the camping spot. That would give me a little reassurance if I bought a cheaper one.

You could always look into like a ladder rack to store stuff. If your going to use it just for camping trips. You have a big shop for storage right? (I remember the picture of your truck and the boat in one picture with a shop)

Something like this



Then you could cut the front part off and have it just over the cap or use it as is. Kind of like what Vonhanson is doing.

I think that basket you posted would be fine as well.

As for those seats, are they secured to the bed in anyway? Or do they just sit in the bed?

 

well I just never know what to expect from ebay stuff. You're right I'm sure it would be fine though. Who knows, I may decide to keep a spare tire up there at some point, which would maybe be heavier than my normal camping load

I also found this I'll most definitely pick up if I hear back from the guy though...
http://lexington.craigslist.org/spo/2595603021.html

I thought it may be cheaper to make my own but for the time/effort involved might be easier to just buy one of these on craigslist, somehow I didn't find these listings the other day when I was looking.


as for the seats, those in the link are attached to the frame somehow, but are removable... $800 really isnt TERRIBLE to pay but I figure I can get an old set of seats on craigslist and fab up a bracket. especially if I get more info on how they mount their seats...

 

I wonder if they make the bed tents that have been made for the full-size vehicles. An easier solution would be to pull a camper, that way you can put all your camping gear in the bed.

 

i've though of getting a pop-up, it would be the best option for me for sure. not in the budget though, where this will be under $200 (not counting the bed seat project)

they do make bed tents for the ranger though. I just don't know how well I'd fit in the bed laying down haha.

 

I think it would be better to buy one also. For the time it would take and the money in supplies it would be about the same price as a used one probably. But if you made it you can make it how you want.

As for the spare you still have the stock one right? So thats under the bed and without a lift and bigger tires theres really no need for one on top.

Do you have camping supplies or are you in the process of getting that too? If you check out Travis' thread (safaripacific) he has a ton of supply lists in there that are small and portable. Maybe good to get stuff like that and then not even need a roof rack?

Anyway just my $0.02. (I want to build an expedition rig someday so I have lots of thoughts on it lol)

Yes they do make them for rangers.


How tall are you? The tent keeps the tailgate down so if your under seven foot you should be good. lol

 

everything you said is true... however I too have aspirations to make an expedition rig haha and a camper top with a roof rack would look good and be functional hopefully. just want to maximize storage space. plus I already have these sweet single person cot tents so I dont really want to get the bed tent.

When it gets lifted on 33s I may need a different place to put the spare haha but yeah for now no reason to bring it out from under the bed.

 

Yeah I wasn't sure if you were planning a lift or not. I love this thread!

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...=675582&page=5

 

yeah... not anytime soon haha but thats just how i roll.

supposed to go check out that first basket probably tomorrow. dont like it as much as the second one but he hasnt emailed me back yet. may end up with both and selling one...

 

http://lexington.craigslist.org/pts/2598117589.html

found these on craiglist. seatbuilts are all inclusive in the seats which really simplifies that. just have to build a frame for them that mounts in the bed.

ideas on mounting securely? would the seatbelts have to be frame mounted for safety? like could I just use long bed bolts to attach the seat frame to the bed? and when i say seat frame, i mean the one i make to mount the seats on, not the factory ****.

 

You probably don't want to hear from me anymore haha but here is my opinion on the seats.

What about building a frame for them that bolts to the bed bolts. And then with that frame have a removable piece with some pins so you don't have to take the bed bolts out every time.

I'll try and draw something up tomorrow since that might not make sense. lol

 

That's a good idea. Are the bed bolts frame mounted? I guess they have to be. I thought of welding a bracket to the frame with a nut welded on there, and a few holes I. The bed, so bolts run through the seat mount frame and down the bed into the welded on brackets. I like your idea though, simple and should work.

here's my roof basket that I drew just for fun... picking up one tonight though.

this one's 64x44, so its pretty good sized.




I'm just posting a few links to save them for my own reference regarding legal issues:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...px?reg=571.210
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/KRS/189-00/125.PDF
http://accident-law.freeadvice.com/a...er_damages.htm
http://www.legalmatch.com/law-librar...accidents.html
keyword: vicarious liability

 

Bed bolts are frame mounted.
I was following this the other day, i just didn't have time to post in it. What basket are you going to pick up?

 

this one
http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/2605462175.html

never heard back on the nicer one... if i do might pick it up too.

and this topper... it's street legal........
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2566512769.html

 

Lol, Street legal! sign me up.

 

hahaha It's street legal. Is there a topper that isn't?

 

mmm...

 

That looks sick! I have seen those ones before but it has always seemed I am the only one who likes those so I did post about them. Thats one of my options because it has the storage and the doors.

 

yeah if I could find one of those cheap i'd go for it, im trying for low budget build though. topper is going to be $60, 40 for the rack. i really want to just buy the bedryder thing though, might try and see if my dad will help me out for my birthday or something. maybe have a bake sale.

 

here's how the bedryder installs... i could imitate that fairly easily... just need a good set of seats.
http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/1005...all/index.html

 

Good seat of seats, and make yourself a small box to put them on to make mounting easier.

 

I was hoping to have pictures of all my craigslist goodies but all i ended up with today was this roof basket, which actually kind of sucks.

copyright 1982. the screwdriver is for assembly, the pliers are for pulling your teeth once you realize thats a less painful use of your time.


classic olds


finished product, minus feet and plastic endcaps for every stick of aluminum. definitely going to have to get someone to weld it together for me because right now it just folds, terrible design. also gonna paint it black and maybe cut it down shorter or throw it in a dumpster. really feels like i wasted evening....





totally got blew off by the bed topper guy.... called and called no answer. went on my journey to the big city anyway to pick up the basket, called again while i was still in the area, nothing. so guess no interested in selling.... get back, have an email from him that he worked a 15 hour shift and didnt get my email...
hm weird cause i got YOUR email last night at 11pm saying you could meet me any day. f it i'll keep an eye on craigslist for a better opportunity...

 

Yea, Weld that up a bit and your good to go.
The real question(s)
What is that leaning against your wall in the background that looks like a bumper?
and, you sleep in that mess? man. i thought my room was messy.

 

Haha let's say I have a lot of projects going on. And that is a warn semi hidden winch bumper for a2005-07 super duty. It's for sale because I don't have a super duty, nor have I ever or will I in the near future. Came as a package deal with a winch for my dads jeep.

 

I have a lot of projects going on to man, but not in my bedroom. haha.