Let me introduce my self and my rigs as this is my first post after practically living on this site for the last year. I live in Montana, and am part time faculty at Montana State University. I teach rappelling, advanced navigation, basic survival, and I do all the Leave No Trace training. I guide mountaineering, rock climbing, and backpacking trips during the summer as well as facilitating challenge course days.
Now on to the dodge that I just got rid of.
In the summer of 2011 I got a job guiding out of Minturn CO. Sadly housing was not included so I started checking out housing. Ha yeah right affordable housing in vail valley. Plus I was saving up for an engagement ring so I said to myself "colorado is full of public lands I will just live in my truck for three months". Thats what I did. It was awesome. Heres a little vid I made of my first set up. I have a lot more pictures on my blog from that summer but it it also has personal stuff on it so just FYI its not all about awesome truck living. http://thelongandwindingroad.weebly.com Another FYI I am not a great blogger.
I love/loved that truck, but it had to go. The front end was a joke, and where I live in Montana I NEED to be able to run my burly chains. Last Monday I snagged this bad boy for 7800 with 93,000 on the clock, super clean.
2006 Silverado WT. 4.3l v6 so I get more truck for the same economy as my old v8 dodge. I know I know, I already miss the V8. 5 speed standard, floor shifting t-case, vinyl floor and crank windows.
Then yesterday I scored a topper off craigslist.
Right now I am visiting my folks in Chicago but as soon as I get back to Montana I am going to get started on a platform, just in time for ski season.
My wife to be and I just finished a 3000 mile trip in our 96 subaru (also a 5 spd), but thats not exactly for the full size domestic board!
What I know for sure I want to do to this truck
Truck:
Get the under the hood dual battery system set up
winch bumper and winch
some aux lighting
possible steering upgrade? Still researching that
swap in 2500 torsion bars
get my CB wired up
behind the seat mounts for my 45-70 guide gun (grizz stopper) my AR (things smaller than grizz stopper) and a under dash mount for the XD. Now now before you scream GUN NUT! GUN NUT! behind the seat is super inconvenient and bring a long gun to bear in the cab just isnt happening, thats why I want a nifty mount for the XD up front. Also its montana, so going out with just two guns makes me feel underdressed.
Camper set up:
Platform
house battery/inverter
under platform storage
removable secure food storage (grizz precaution)
and... anything else the good people of expedition portal can convince me is necessary
I am going to try ad keep it as simple as I can with out it looking all redneck.
This is my first GM product so please chime in with anything I should be looking out for. I did my due diligence in researching my new vehicle, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss anything. (yes I realize it has IFS! haha). Also its my first full size, so much room! So any body with a clever set for a camper shell let me know. I have a few plans formed in my head but I am always looking for a new take on a project or new and better ideas.
Now on to the dodge that I just got rid of.
In the summer of 2011 I got a job guiding out of Minturn CO. Sadly housing was not included so I started checking out housing. Ha yeah right affordable housing in vail valley. Plus I was saving up for an engagement ring so I said to myself "colorado is full of public lands I will just live in my truck for three months". Thats what I did. It was awesome. Heres a little vid I made of my first set up. I have a lot more pictures on my blog from that summer but it it also has personal stuff on it so just FYI its not all about awesome truck living. http://thelongandwindingroad.weebly.com Another FYI I am not a great blogger.
I love/loved that truck, but it had to go. The front end was a joke, and where I live in Montana I NEED to be able to run my burly chains. Last Monday I snagged this bad boy for 7800 with 93,000 on the clock, super clean.
2006 Silverado WT. 4.3l v6 so I get more truck for the same economy as my old v8 dodge. I know I know, I already miss the V8. 5 speed standard, floor shifting t-case, vinyl floor and crank windows.
Then yesterday I scored a topper off craigslist.
Right now I am visiting my folks in Chicago but as soon as I get back to Montana I am going to get started on a platform, just in time for ski season.
My wife to be and I just finished a 3000 mile trip in our 96 subaru (also a 5 spd), but thats not exactly for the full size domestic board!
What I know for sure I want to do to this truck
Truck:
Get the under the hood dual battery system set up
winch bumper and winch
some aux lighting
possible steering upgrade? Still researching that
swap in 2500 torsion bars
get my CB wired up
behind the seat mounts for my 45-70 guide gun (grizz stopper) my AR (things smaller than grizz stopper) and a under dash mount for the XD. Now now before you scream GUN NUT! GUN NUT! behind the seat is super inconvenient and bring a long gun to bear in the cab just isnt happening, thats why I want a nifty mount for the XD up front. Also its montana, so going out with just two guns makes me feel underdressed.
Camper set up:
Platform
house battery/inverter
under platform storage
removable secure food storage (grizz precaution)
and... anything else the good people of expedition portal can convince me is necessary
I am going to try ad keep it as simple as I can with out it looking all redneck.
This is my first GM product so please chime in with anything I should be looking out for. I did my due diligence in researching my new vehicle, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss anything. (yes I realize it has IFS! haha). Also its my first full size, so much room! So any body with a clever set for a camper shell let me know. I have a few plans formed in my head but I am always looking for a new take on a project or new and better ideas.
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