I haven't updated here in a long time.
I finally cut the wire for the stupid key chime. Now I can leave the key in the ignition and not have it dinging non-stop. In a Dodge you can just pull the key out 1/4" and the chime stops. Why can't Ford do the same?
I also took out the driver's side second row seat to make more room for changing and sitting up. My biggest complaint about a sleeping platform setup is headroom. There is never enough of it and changing clothes can be difficult. This allows me to sit on the edge of the bed and get dressed a lot easier. It also makes getting into and out of the truck a lot easier. I like having the passenger seat there as it allows for sitting in the back in a comfortable spot, maybe for working on the computer or eating inside when it's cold or rainy. My next rig is most likely going to be a ujoint van with pop-top roof.
I have also cut some Reflectix for the windows. I wanted a little more privacy at night. Even though the truck is so tall that you can barely see into it (especially with the tinted back windows), if I were to watch a movie or if someone shined a flashlight in, they could see everything inside. When camping at night I can toss these panels into the windows so that no one can see in. As an added bonus they also provide a huge amount of insulation from the sun in summer and a thermal barrier in winter. I've heard people rave about the results in the winter. They should also provide a bit more sound insulation but, honestly, I've never been bothered by noise in this truck. I'm used to sleeping everywhere in vehicles. I cut panels for both rear kickout windows, the back hatch glass, and both rear door windows. I normally hang a black blanket between the grab handles right behind the front row seats, so I didn't want one for the windshield. For discreet camping, this makes it look like the truck is just parked there with no one in it. Someone can look in the front and see the empty front seats but it just looks dark in the back, you cant tell there is a blanket hanging.
Some action shots:
Roof rack: The rack was built for me by a local fab shop - Third Shift Fabrication. I left the design and everything pretty much entirely up to them. We had originally planned for a couple of things to be different but I ended up getting pulled into the Vermont Overland Trophy with about a weeks notice so we had to shave some things off to get it built in time. In the end I am happy with it and I will probably go back at a later date to finish things up. Originally I wanted a ladder on the side and the MaxTrax off the sides but after wheeling this truck so much, it is already too wide. The first photo makes it look like the LED light bar is sticking up over the rails. It isn't. It is pretty well protected. I've been through a lot of branches and trees and there isnt a mark on it.
Awning deployed:
I've certainly been enjoying the truck. I feel like a lot of it has been thrown together, but I'm too busy using it to spend the time to obsess over building it. I just got back from a nice little weekend trip up the Maine coast.
I love the ability to discreet camp in this truck. Anywhere you can park a truck for the night turns into a place to sleep. Just put up the reflectix to block the windows and go to sleep.
