Squall Line's Frontier build

[Squall Line]

This is partially a copy and paste from club frontier, but I have added the fridge and winch line install. These were completed two weeks back.

Total Chaos upper control arms
Radflo front coilovers; 3"lift and the heavier springs
Sway a way rear resi struts
PRG adjustable shackles
Deaver add a leaf
DIY 2" Body Lift
Procomp MT 285/75/16 / Procomp 7089 in 16x8
Shrock front bumper
Superwinch EP9 winch
Viking delrin rollers and 3/8" winch line
In-cab winch wiring with arming switch for both inside/ outside
Cobra cb with radio shack whip antenna
Notched fenders
Relocated body wiring harness
Engel MR040 fridge

In a few of the pictures, I had the Maxxis Bighorns in 255/85/16 prior to the body lift. Future plans call for building sliders and a rear bumper. A rtt is in the future plan, but the rig dose just fine with ground camping for now.I am considering dropping the body lift, and getting a full replacement leaf pack. I am still undecided on which set of tires I would like to run long term. Aesthetically, I like the procomps, and I have a full set with a spare. The 255s are possibly more economical, but only a marginal difference. I do think they are more in line with overlanding, however (less noise and rubbing in extreme flex). I need to do some back to back tests on fuel economy...

the solenoid wiring had to be extended for the winch plug/ in-cab wiring

255/85 Bighorns on the left, 285/75 Procomps on right

prior to body lift and notching, rubbing was extreme.

after the 2" body lift

 

[Squall Line]

watertight gland at rear of cab for wiring (cb at the moment)

rivnuts for external speaker

relay for the driving lights

tapping for in-cab winch control

 

[Squall Line]

rivnut for body harness relocation

notched fender

Engel MR040 mount Fab:

The previous rear seat setup (please excuse the mess)

the fridge

mockup

not my best work ever, but it'll hold

drilled the holes to accept the 3" quick fist, or smaller ones stacked.

 

[Squall Line]

Brackets for the turnbuckles

In the truck. The carrier is notched on the left end for the power plugs.

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Viking synthetic winch line and delrin rollers.
Here is the 80' of 3/8" line going on. I painted the fairlead with plastikote spray on bedliner. If you look closely, the area I masked off is visible. I choose to leave the friction surface on the rollers bare for longevity concerns. I have a 3/8", 50' extension as well.

fresh from sierra

part of the reason for the upgrade-- stock roller damaged after a severe side pull to fix bad decision making...

Line going on

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AT fuel can mounts
I finally got these mounted up. It involved drilling two more holes in the mount. I decided on this location based on minimizing bed space lost, and due to the hump on the front drivers side bed for the fuel filler. I am planning on building a box to mount the second battery under the passenger side rack.

More to follow.I hope you all enjoyed the pictures. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Eric

 

[Squall Line]

I will post up some pictures soon with the fridge installed, of the switches, and with the Wavian fuel cans in (just received yesterday ) as soon as possible...

 

[articulate]

Niiiiiice.........

 

[Creek]

Sweet Rig!!!

 

[mcm4090]

Impressive truck!

 

[Streakerfreak]

Fantastic Frontier! I really like that bumper!

 

[CoastalDefender]

Excellent truck!!! :archaeolo

 

[Squall Line]

Thanks for all of the kind words. I know I have been following a few of your builds as well, and have gotten plenty of inspiration for this one. Here are some photos I have been meaning to add:

Cooler installed on mount:

I still need to make a canvas cover for the back wall. The mount is really a compromise in this truck, but the cooler and position was chosen so that the passenger could reach it when driving, and so that access from the door is just as easy. A 45 would have been a bit harder to open, effectively putting a wall between the user and fridge from one side when open... If I had known that the hinges on the 35/45 could be moved to the sides, I may have gone that route. They are slightly slimmer, and would afford more room for the seat. As it is, I am 6'0 and have plenty of adjustment in the seat. I just cant lay it back for a rest. I need to tweak the bracket a bit as it dos'nt seem to be sitting exactly level, but that is not a big deal to fix.

Wavian fuel cans in the AT mounts:

I am not 100% sure on the position, but I think they will look more at home when a RTT is installed on the reward section of the bed. I do like the upright mount for ease of refilling at the pump.

Switches:

I never posted a fished picture of these... The far left is a momentary in/out for the winch, the center switch is for the driving lights (the lower position is unused, but will be for back up lights with the new bumper), and the far right switch arms the in-cab winch switch and the socket on the bumper (over cautious, but to prevent vandalism). I separated the winch controls with the light switch to prevent accidental engagement of both at the same time.



The next step is the rear bumper fab. I will post in-progress pictures of that once I get rolling on it. The parameters are as follows: Integrated receiver, wrap around rocker protection, compact form, backup lights and recovery points.

I am still trying to decide:
-if I should remove the body lift, and go back to the 255s (or go 265/75r16 on the current wheels) -- this affects mounting height...
- if I should incorporate a carrier for the spare (dependent on tent mounting/ storage space desired)
- If I should make room for a rear winch/ fairlead
- If I should notch the bed sides for the wrap-arounds

The ultimate goal is a stronger rear end with better departure angles. The body lift amplifies the low hanging stock bumper and receiver as is.

'Till next time,
Eric

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Very cool build

 

[mcm4090]

I love where you mounted the fuel cans.

What are you using for a spare tire mount?

 

[Squall Line]

I love where you mounted the fuel cans.

What are you using for a spare tire mount?

you can see it is this picture : http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v107/RaceBred/PA070013.jpg

I ordered a bunch of brackets from McMaster for the uni strut system. I threw it together in about 5 minutes when I was heading out of town. I used metric bolts and a spare set of wheel locks for a bit of security. It is fairly stout, but dose flex the bedside on big hits. It is just a temporary thing until I get a tent/ camper. You can see the high lift mount on the left side in the image as well. That was made from the same type of brackets. If you want more specifics, I can take some closeups/ get part numbers.

 

[Squall Line]

A few random pictures of the truck from the last north GA trip I just remembered about...