2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2

[DaveInDenver]

You still have your '91 Yota? That's awesome! Didn't you have a flippac or a wildernest on that or something? It's been awhile, I have reduced my online presence a bunch especially forum time so haven't been on here a ton. Finding it fun though now again as a way to kill time on airport layovers.

Nope, I finally sold the old girl in Dec 2015. It did have a WilderNest on it. That was an unstoppable combination for us for about 15 years and almost 200K of our own miles. I went through 3 'Nests, repairing and selling them and accumulating a pile of parts. I pared down to one almost pristine 'Nest and still have enough parts to keep it going for as long as I'd ever use it.

I replaced Imelda the Wonder Truck with a 2008 TRD Tacoma Access Cab. The 'Nest doesn't fit on really cleanly so at the moment we're doing tent and topper style. I'll eventually get a WilderNest on it when I have time and equipment to make either a tray or at least a bed adapter. The shape of the rails means the old WilderNest only rides on about 50% of it's mounting surface.

While I could probably rig up a way to hold and stay water tight when closed for transport the main worry I have is using basically one bolt to hold the left rail down with it open and eventually cracking the fiberglass and having the bolt pull through or the bed itself fail. I've seen the stress with 3 x 5/16" equidistant bolts fracturing and distorting a metal double wall bed, I'd hate to see what it would look like with an asymmetrical 1 x 3/8" into a plastic bed.

 

[p nut]

It's all based on our own comfort level. I drive through the backroads of Utah and WY regularly. But never placed a value on having a bull bar. (queue the deer running in front of my truck next week :elkgrin. Along with some of the other "expo required" equipment. If I start down the "what if" scenarios, I'll be loaded down with 2 spares, full armor, CB, HAM, Sat phone, 20 gal of water--more in fuel, and a dirt bike in tow. That's 2,000lbs I don't need 99.9% of the time. I still carry recovery/emergency gear: first aid, tow strap, d-shackles, air pump, tire plugs and shovel. I'll probably add a hi-lift soon. But that's good enough for me. Again, my personal comfort level.

 

[Clutch]

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Clutch - Hopefully the Ford Ranger comes through with what you need. I'm not fond of the styling, but maybe the US version will look better.

They say the US version will get restyled, I don't mind the overseas model. XL model is right up my alley.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Indeed it is an individual comfort level running through risk-benefit analysis. I don't need 20 gallons of water so I carry a 2.5 gallon carboy and a filter. Two spares is overkill but one full size and tire repair kit makes sense to me. I do have a ham radio but that's a hobby of mine anyway. I don't have a sat phone but do have a SPOT. But again that's for other hobbies as well so truck utility is a nice benefit. Things like a tow strap aren't much good by yourself so, I dunno.

I have a Hi-Lift and the reason I bought a vehicle winch (which I've actually owned for I guess about 10 or 12 years) was due to trying to use it as come-along to get out of a snowy ditch I fell into driving away from a winter trailhead after skiing (Jones Pass, up by the mine if you know where I mean). I was shoveling and coming along for an hour before I finally just gave up and asked for help at the mine. The guard got someone on break to bring their Scout up and he had a 8274, done in 5 minutes.

That was a wake-up for me. Even if it's a 99.9% never used thing that 0.1% time can be a real difference maker. If that hadn't been a week day and not near a heavily traveled spot I'd have been boned. There are some things I figure I will work around but when presented with an actual situation I can't unsee it and ignore that I was lucky. That's how insurance works. You defer something else to buy it and hope you never need it.

 

[p nut]

For sure, you can go from a mundane outing to a life threatening situation pretty quick out there. I am especially more mindful of this during the winter time, and take more precautions if I am out of cell/people range. Preparation and know-how is important. But even with the "right" equipment, as you found, may not do you any good.
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Another point to consider is the diminished vehicle performance from all the weight. May be that the slightly shorter braking distance, ability to maneuver better, could be the thing that keeps you from being in a bad situation.
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But there are so many variables. So many things that can happen. Can't say "X" will result in "Y". Just prep to your comfort and have fun.
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EDIT:
Here is a good "reality check" article.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2152131/freezing-death
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Second edit:
This probably trumps all other recovery gear. Only 100 lbs or so. Throw that in the bed and ride without worry.

 

[p nut]

They say the US version will get restyled, I don't mind the overseas model. XL model is right up my alley.

That definitely has your name on it. Pending price and transmission options. Add a rear locker and you're good to go.

 

[Clutch]

That definitely has your name on it. Pending price and transmission options. Add a rear locker and you're good to go.

Yes sir.

As much as I like my Tacoma...getting really tired of fixing it. It is at the age/mileage it is in the shop every couple months. Think the rear main seal is going, totally forgot to do it when we did the clutch, dang nabit!

We will see what Ford does with the Ranger.

XL, diesel, manual trans...please Ford.

Yeah, no one ever needs a bull bar until you do....>snip<

It was a trip to CO driving the mountain roads in the wee hours of the morning witnessing all of the wildlife nibbling along the roadside, is what really got me wanting a bullbar. Came home and bought the ARB from a member on here.

Have come >this close< from a mule deer strike one day in AZ, would of hit it at 75 mph if I didn't swerve to miss it. Amazingly it stood there in the right lane as I passed it, looked and the rear view...then it ran across the rest of the 4 lane highway. Couldn't believe no one else hit it.

That said, doubtful I'll put one on my next truck.

 

[DaveInDenver]

EDIT:
Here is a good "reality check" article.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2152131/freezing-death

Thanks, I'd never read that one. Instructors in avalanche classes had us read similar ones when demonstrating that you have a limited amount of time to recover a buried person but to also never give up until you do. Even though it's usually either suffocation (the main reason for fast recovery) or major injury that kills a victim you can actually survive depressed temperatures for an amazingly long time. So the few percent that do survive beyond the 30 minute mark under the snow can generally last hours if they've created a breathing pocket.

 

[p nut]

It's pretty amazing what the human body is capable of.
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Which reminds me I really need to take Avalanche class and WFR. Just can't seem to find time, but I need to get it on the books.

 

[p nut]

Yes sir.

As much as I like my Tacoma...getting really tired of fixing it. It is at the age/mileage it is in the shop every couple months. Think the rear main seal is going, totally forgot to do it when we did the clutch, dang nabit!

We will see what Ford does with the Ranger.

XL, diesel, manual trans...please Ford.

Trust me, I'm pulling for Ford just to see you in a new truck.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Trust me, I'm pulling for Ford just to see you in a new truck.

 

[Martinjmpr]

We will see what Ford does with the Ranger.
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XL, diesel, manual trans...please Ford.

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Diesel seems like a decent possibility. I wouldn't count on a MT though. Does Ford sell any light duty truck with a manual option? Even if they do offer a MT what do you want to bet it will be only on the base model 2wd - a la the Chevy Colorado.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Ford has pretty much eliminated stick shifts in all their trucks. The Colorado stick is only available on 2WD extended cab 4 cylinder base trim. I'm not even sure you can get a WT trim with a stick.

 

[Clutch]

Trust me, I'm pulling for Ford just to see you in a new truck.

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Diesel seems like a decent possibility. I wouldn't count on a MT though. Does Ford sell any light duty truck with a manual option? Even if they do offer a MT what do you want to bet it will be only on the base model 2wd - a la the Chevy Colorado.

Highly doubt they'll offer it, a fella can hope though.

As much as I like them, I can live without it.

 

[Buddha.]

I've thought about adapting a tow bar(the kind made for towing behind a rv) to make something like this on my Forester, minus the receiver.