Lost Penguin

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

Good afternoon all! New to the forum, and hopeful to start a journey into the world of overlanding..... well, very light duty overlanding.... weekend worrier camping really! HA!
Based out of Wichita Falls, Texas (North Central Texas) my son and I are excited to start a year off with a slight build and get into camping and outdoor lifestyle. I have been out of the outdoor life/loop for some time as life happened with career, jobs, and family. But my son has finally reached a good age that we can start back up and he can enjoy it as well! (My wife is a little hesitant to the idea, but we'll get her sooner or later)
Okay, here is what I've got. Please keep in mind this will be a camp based rig, nothing crazy or really off road, but rather a rig that's ready to hit the road with necessary equipment.

2014 F150 Single Cab Long Bed 2wd () 5.0 with tow package. Of course I prefer a 4wd, but the deal presented itself to get this truck on the cheap.

What I have in mind:
-Leaving the engine & drivetrain alone for now. Maybe a level and upgraded shocks later on. I had some bad experience with a level/lift on my 2009 F150 2wd years ago, so i am still a little hesitant to doing it again.
- Some bed management solutions (getting rid of the side Boxes)
- Bed rack
- Eventually a rack top mounted tent
- Some lighting - nothing crazy, just some floods and such for late night set ups.
- Cooking solutions: DIY galley of sorts.
- Id love a Bedside, but thinking a DIY will be best, so I am not stuck with an 8 foot application if we change vehicles in future.
- Replacement bumpers - eventually.
- I am not against DIY, but spending money where it counts.

I hope I can slowly plug away at this project over the coming weeks/months. While the single cab isn't an Ideal Platform for this sort of build, with two adults and a 5yo (and German Shepherd) My secret plan is to use this to test the waters for our overall enjoyment of its use. I do believe Wife and Son will love it, and that means in the next year or so, My wife will be getting a new vehicle, that we can transition into our camping rig.

Anyways, I am excited to dip my toes into this lifestyle!

(as far as the "Lost Penguin," that's my Leather Goods Company name 'Lost Penguin Leather Goods' we can discuss that all later if anyone wants to.

Cheers all!

 

[Todd780]

Sounds like a good idea. Just thinking if you're just testing the waters with this truck, I'd keep it stock if possible.

Agreed with 2 adults and a dog, a reg cab would be tight.

Get a rack and tent (if one is required) that would be transferable should you change vehicles. Or even just a ground tent for now. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

Sounds like a good idea. Just thinking if you're just testing the waters with this truck, I'd keep it stock if possible.

Agreed with 2 adults and a dog, a reg cab would be tight.

Get a rack and tent (if one is required) that would be transferable should you change vehicles. Or even just a ground tent for now. Just my 2 cents.

Well, truth be told, I've been driving a real beater car ($1500)for the past 6 years, you know the kind where you don't owe anything on it and drive it until it dies, and getting back into a truck has me itching to do some modifications. I've long been a gear head at heart and haven't really had the chance to do any tinkering for some time now. I have also needed an excuse to start getting back outside.

 

[phsycle]

I’d also agree and just head out for now. Your truck is much more capable than my old Honda Civic I used to go camping in, scraping the oil pan and exhaust pipe all along the way. Maybe a come along and/or Max trax, if you’re going really remote.
And definitely a ground tent for now.

Go out a few times, see if your kid or wife even like it first. Then I’d find a 4wd then start modding that if you feel the need.

 

[jbaucom]

I don't think I'd ditch those side boxes, at least not initially. They're dry storage that you already own. Even if you wanted a rack, I bet there would be room to center those boxes between the legs of the rack, as well as clearance overhead to open the toolbox lids. Skip the vehicle mods until you find things that NEED improving, then focus funds and effort on those areas. Spend the funds, initially, on quality gear that will keep you dry, hydrated, fed, and comfortable. Comfort is often key for some family members.

 

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

I don't think I'd ditch those side boxes, at least not initially. They're dry storage that you already own. Even if you wanted a rack, I bet there would be room to center those boxes between the legs of the rack, as well as clearance overhead to open the toolbox lids. Skip the vehicle mods until you find things that NEED improving, then focus funds and effort on those areas. Spend the funds, initially, on quality gear that will keep you dry, hydrated, fed, and comfortable. Comfort is often key for some family members.

I have been thinking similarly, when it comes to the boxes. I am going to spend some time this weekend planning, getting measurements from everywhere, and really start to brain storm what I can do vs what Id like to do.

 

[greg.potter]

My first trip to Moab in the early 80's with my wife to be was in a 1979 F150 2WD with an 8 foot box and a high top cap on the back. There are a lot of places you can get to if you use a bit of common sense and don't over extend your vehicles capability. We hiked, biked and rock climbed our way south from Wyoming through Colorado to Utah and had a blast. Forty years later Moab is still one of our favourite spring escapes from our long Canadian Rocky Mountain winters.

 

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

My first trip to Moab in the early 80's with my wife to be was in a 1979 F150 2WD with an 8 foot box and a high top cap on the back. There are a lot of places you can get to if you use a bit of common sense and don't over extend your vehicles capability. We hiked, biked and rock climbed our way south from Wyoming through Colorado to Utah and had a blast. Forty years later Moab is still one of our favourite spring escapes from our long Canadian Rocky Mountain winters.

I think the excitement of what I can do, is still fresh, vs what I should do. I know a lot of places are accessible etc, but cant you get there easier if your ride looks cool too? HA! Joking of course.
I've been daydreaming a overland rig for a while, and having my junker car finally bite the dust, I got into the truck almost expectantly. I think its very easy to look at the pro built or just overly built rigs out there and getting lost in what essentials actually are. I am really looking forward to being able to do a little more now with a truck!

I have already started spending money on the inside; New touch screen stereo head unit, and a few other cosmetic items.

 

[Grassland]

I'd look at a modular contractor type rack, I don't know if one exists that can go from an 8' bed to 6.5 or 5.5 on the same body style truck at all
If so, and you can center the dry boxes between the posts as mentioned by others, you have a good start. And if the rack is modular you could keep it for a similar but 4x4 truck.
I'm an HVAC contractor and many of the doodads and gear "overlanders" use is also useful in trade. I have a roof rack on my topper because it held PVC pipe and ladders. I had Decked drawers because I kept parts in them. When I transitioned the truck to personal use, I already had "expo" gear on the truck.
Consider this in reverse, with a roof rack and side boxes, your truck would make an excellent starter truck for a small contractor starting out. If you try this truck out, the family digs it, and you want to transition to a 4x4, it makes it easier to sell your 2wd if you don't modify it too much.

 

[Todd780]

I'd look at a modular contractor type rack, I don't know if one exists that can go from an 8' bed to 6.5 or 5.5 on the same body style truck at all
If so, and you can center the dry boxes between the posts as mentioned by others, you have a good start. And if the rack is modular you could keep it for a similar but 4x4 truck.
I'm an HVAC contractor and many of the doodads and gear "overlanders" use is also useful in trade. I have a roof rack on my topper because it held PVC pipe and ladders. I had Decked drawers because I kept parts in them. When I transitioned the truck to personal use, I already had "expo" gear on the truck.
Consider this in reverse, with a roof rack and side boxes, your truck would make an excellent starter truck for a small contractor starting out. If you try this truck out, the family digs it, and you want to transition to a 4x4, it makes it easier to sell your 2wd if you don't modify it too much.

I keep thinking about those contractor racks too. Like the one below?


I was wondering if you could build a floor for them and also trying to figure out if you could use them to carry an aluminum fishing boat. Kinda seems like they'd have all sorts of uses.

 

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

I'd look at a modular contractor type rack, I don't know if one exists that can go from an 8' bed to 6.5 or 5.5 on the same body style truck at all
If so, and you can center the dry boxes between the posts as mentioned by others, you have a good start. And if the rack is modular you could keep it for a similar but 4x4 truck.
I'm an HVAC contractor and many of the doodads and gear "overlanders" use is also useful in trade. I have a roof rack on my topper because it held PVC pipe and ladders. I had Decked drawers because I kept parts in them. When I transitioned the truck to personal use, I already had "expo" gear on the truck.
Consider this in reverse, with a roof rack and side boxes, your truck would make an excellent starter truck for a small contractor starting out. If you try this truck out, the family digs it, and you want to transition to a 4x4, it makes it easier to sell your 2wd if you don't modify it too much.

All very good info and suggestions! I Really dig the idea of outfitting for quick sell later on. That is something have not considered.
I have certainly been considering a contractor style rack, Especially as a way to keep and utilize the existing side boxes. My biggest hang up on the contractor style rack and keeping the boxes is having a RTT over cab height. I know its a truck and V8 to boot, but I want to get decent mpg. I've been sketching up some ideas in my head on what can be done. Just need to get around to measuring and putting pen to paper to draw something up.
Than you again, for the suggestions.

 

[jbaucom]

I'd recommend waiting on the RTT and cross that bridge later, since they range from relatively costly to quite expensive. Start with a decent ground tent sized to hold your family +2 (for extra living space, my family of 4 uses a 6P tent). It's much less expensive than a RTT and gives your family a chance to discover what works best when camping. If your family likes to set up a basecamp from a few days and then explore from there, a RTT on your truck will have to be stowed before you can move the truck. If you realize that you like to move to a new site often, then a RTT may be more convenient. Even then, you may still find that you want a ground tent for times that you travel to a location to stay for a few days, so that your vehicle will be free to go explore.

 

[Lost_Penguin_Texas]

I'd recommend waiting on the RTT and cross that bridge later, since they range from relatively costly to quite expensive. Start with a decent ground tent sized to hold your family +2 (for extra living space, my family of 4 uses a 6P tent). It's much less expensive than a RTT and gives your family a chance to discover what works best when camping. If your family likes to set up a basecamp from a few days and then explore from there, a RTT on your truck will have to be stowed before you can move the truck. If you realize that you like to move to a new site often, then a RTT may be more convenient. Even then, you may still find that you want a ground tent for times that you travel to a location to stay for a few days, so that your vehicle will be free to go explore.

Very good points. Thank you!

 

[Todd780]

Even then, you may still find that you want a ground tent for times that you travel to a location to stay for a few days, so that your vehicle will be free to go explore.

This is the one thing that would always keep me out of an RTT or a truck camper. Nice to be able to leave camp with out having to take camp with you.