As a wellsite geologist in northern Canada, I get my fair use out of a truck. I do not usually modify them too much, but I built a 2011 Ram 3500 up with Carli gear years ago, and then drove an AEV Jeep Wrangler Hemi for awhile. Recently, after 2 years of year of back to back flops with new trucks. A 2014 GMC Denali and a 2015 PowerWagon, both electrical lemons with numerous issues. GMC was bough back by GM / dealership after 4 tows for failure to start, couldn't figure it out. Powerwagon was the replacement, after 34,000kms and it started throwing 40-50 codes at once, after 9 weeks in the shop driving the wifes Jeep to work, I got rid of it to, as it was costing me time and stress for work (field geologist), and they were going to need 6 more weeks to do a "cab off electrical replacement of everything". Nope. Traded it to Toyota and here we go.
Dealer had a RevTec levelling kit in it, TRD skid plate, flares, TRD grill insert, SR30 lightbar, 20x9 Vision wheels and 33" BFG KO2 tires. I had them fit a full size spare underneath, bedliner, command start and a tonneau cover and away we went. TRD grill is on version 2, as they are fairly cheap and do not suffer gravel and rocks well in cold weather.
I drove it like that for around 10k kms, then I wanted to add the Treeline Outdoors Redwood roof top tent. After searching for the right way to carry my work gear and camping stuff with the tent, I settled on the ARE CX-HD canopy, with solid windoors all around. I love this canopy for so many reasons, capacity, security, and the interior rack is great for mounting every day items like shovels or axes, first aid, and toilet paper. The tent mounted very easily and it was great dealing with the guys at Treeline Outdoors. Local Alberta shop with a quality product.
Shortly after I got the canopy I added a BedSlide with an elevated deck on it, as well as a Hitchgate tire carrier with another full size spare and matching wheel (I had one with rock rash sitting in the garage). I also carry 2 Treadz traction aids on the Hitchgate. Their proprietary mount is junk however, and I'll be revising it when the weather gets better this spring.
I had a local machinist I use for motorcycle stuff make me some HD brackets for the ARB awning, and there will be a simple cage/basket between the awning and tent for my 8 gallons worth of Rotopax built this spring. 4 - 2 gallon units. As well as space for the 4 gallon RP water container.
Weight is an issue. My work gear has been adjusted to careful overlap my overland / camping gear, so its all about the same volume and weight, mostly changing computers, sampling gear, safety gear, and a microscope out for adventure gear. Kitchen and sleeping are all the same kit. As loaded, I expect to be between 700-800 pounds of bed gear at all times. So leaf springs were a challenge.
I changed the front end out to a Fox 2.5 Factory rest with Total Chaos UCA, which got rid of the levelling kit. We also removed the sway bar while doing the work. I added airbags and Fox 2.0 in the rear but am not impressed with them, they are being removed in March.
Rear springs were tough to sort out with this much weight, but I have Icon RXT leaf springs ordered, paired with King 2.5 resi/adjust shocks for the rear. Also inbound are 17" Method NV, in Bronze, with 35" GY Duratracs, including matching spare wheel and tire, as I rotate all 5 if I can. I really want to get rid of the 20" wheels. I'm also installing Baja Designs Squadron Pro fogs when they arrive.
I am also removing the BedSlide to save weight, and will be mounting the fridge on an ARB slide on a fixed rear deck in the bed.
Power is all supplied with a GoalZero 1400Lithium, and 2 100w Nomad panels. I bought an ArkPak as well, but decided to sell the AP and keep the GZ for weight reasons. I may keep both and use the AP as a fixed until depending on final truck weight loaded. I will also be ditching the underneath spare tire to save weight.
I'll give a shout out to The Gear Shop in Calgary and Treeline Outdoors, who have been great to work with and have lots of info for a Toyota grom like me.
Dealer had a RevTec levelling kit in it, TRD skid plate, flares, TRD grill insert, SR30 lightbar, 20x9 Vision wheels and 33" BFG KO2 tires. I had them fit a full size spare underneath, bedliner, command start and a tonneau cover and away we went. TRD grill is on version 2, as they are fairly cheap and do not suffer gravel and rocks well in cold weather.
I drove it like that for around 10k kms, then I wanted to add the Treeline Outdoors Redwood roof top tent. After searching for the right way to carry my work gear and camping stuff with the tent, I settled on the ARE CX-HD canopy, with solid windoors all around. I love this canopy for so many reasons, capacity, security, and the interior rack is great for mounting every day items like shovels or axes, first aid, and toilet paper. The tent mounted very easily and it was great dealing with the guys at Treeline Outdoors. Local Alberta shop with a quality product.
Shortly after I got the canopy I added a BedSlide with an elevated deck on it, as well as a Hitchgate tire carrier with another full size spare and matching wheel (I had one with rock rash sitting in the garage). I also carry 2 Treadz traction aids on the Hitchgate. Their proprietary mount is junk however, and I'll be revising it when the weather gets better this spring.
I had a local machinist I use for motorcycle stuff make me some HD brackets for the ARB awning, and there will be a simple cage/basket between the awning and tent for my 8 gallons worth of Rotopax built this spring. 4 - 2 gallon units. As well as space for the 4 gallon RP water container.
Weight is an issue. My work gear has been adjusted to careful overlap my overland / camping gear, so its all about the same volume and weight, mostly changing computers, sampling gear, safety gear, and a microscope out for adventure gear. Kitchen and sleeping are all the same kit. As loaded, I expect to be between 700-800 pounds of bed gear at all times. So leaf springs were a challenge.
I changed the front end out to a Fox 2.5 Factory rest with Total Chaos UCA, which got rid of the levelling kit. We also removed the sway bar while doing the work. I added airbags and Fox 2.0 in the rear but am not impressed with them, they are being removed in March.
Rear springs were tough to sort out with this much weight, but I have Icon RXT leaf springs ordered, paired with King 2.5 resi/adjust shocks for the rear. Also inbound are 17" Method NV, in Bronze, with 35" GY Duratracs, including matching spare wheel and tire, as I rotate all 5 if I can. I really want to get rid of the 20" wheels. I'm also installing Baja Designs Squadron Pro fogs when they arrive.
I am also removing the BedSlide to save weight, and will be mounting the fridge on an ARB slide on a fixed rear deck in the bed.
Power is all supplied with a GoalZero 1400Lithium, and 2 100w Nomad panels. I bought an ArkPak as well, but decided to sell the AP and keep the GZ for weight reasons. I may keep both and use the AP as a fixed until depending on final truck weight loaded. I will also be ditching the underneath spare tire to save weight.
I'll give a shout out to The Gear Shop in Calgary and Treeline Outdoors, who have been great to work with and have lots of info for a Toyota grom like me.
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