The Canuck Truck buildup!
- Thread starter p1michaud
- Start date
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
The shake down run.
Well I just got back from the official shake down run for the new configuration. A total of five rigs went out. We were doing some pre-scouting for an upcoming trip more details about that one later...
eepwall:
I've got some tweaking to do... The list:
1-Re-organize and re-pack. I ran out of time some just tossed most of my stuff in and it bugged me the whole trip.
2-Find/build a proper mounting location for the Hi-Lift and Shovel. For this run I just tossed them in the tool box but they use up too much valuable much room in there.
3-Re-locate the 2m antenna. It's in the way of the Eesi Awn awning pole thingy.
4-Beef up the rear suspension. With the rig fully loaded, I managed to find the bump stops a few times too many. I'm running Deaver 9 leafs now.
It was not all bad. Here are the things that worked great:
1-The new tent. Dry, confortable and off the ground. It started to rain after we wen to bed but I did not find any evidence of water ingress in the morning.
2-The Cook Partner stove. Performed flawlessly.
3-2m communications. Right up untill a branch decided to "remove" my antenna. :littlefriend:
4-The Pelican cases. Kept the essentials dry and clean.
5-The Donahoes up front. I just wish the rear of the rig could keep up now!
6-The Cooper S/T tires. Handled everything from sand, rock, mud and grass. Excellent tire.
Enought rambling for now. A thread is not worth too much without pictures so here you go...
Did I mention that I spent 30 minutes at the car wash getting the first layer of mud off :yikes:
Cheers,
P
Well I just got back from the official shake down run for the new configuration. A total of five rigs went out. We were doing some pre-scouting for an upcoming trip more details about that one later...
eepwall:I've got some tweaking to do... The list:
1-Re-organize and re-pack. I ran out of time some just tossed most of my stuff in and it bugged me the whole trip.
2-Find/build a proper mounting location for the Hi-Lift and Shovel. For this run I just tossed them in the tool box but they use up too much valuable much room in there.
3-Re-locate the 2m antenna. It's in the way of the Eesi Awn awning pole thingy.
4-Beef up the rear suspension. With the rig fully loaded, I managed to find the bump stops a few times too many. I'm running Deaver 9 leafs now.
It was not all bad. Here are the things that worked great:
1-The new tent. Dry, confortable and off the ground. It started to rain after we wen to bed but I did not find any evidence of water ingress in the morning.
2-The Cook Partner stove. Performed flawlessly.
3-2m communications. Right up untill a branch decided to "remove" my antenna. :littlefriend:
4-The Pelican cases. Kept the essentials dry and clean.
5-The Donahoes up front. I just wish the rear of the rig could keep up now!
6-The Cooper S/T tires. Handled everything from sand, rock, mud and grass. Excellent tire.
Enought rambling for now. A thread is not worth too much without pictures so here you go...
Did I mention that I spent 30 minutes at the car wash getting the first layer of mud off :yikes:
Cheers,
P
Seeker
Adventurer
Wow, this truck looks a lot different than when I first spied your posts on 4wdtrips.net. Looks really good.
P, it looks, from one of your photos, like you installed an Engel fridge behind the passenger seat of your Xtra cab. Do you have any shots?
I picked up a Wedco CF-35 which appears like it may fit in the bed of the pickup (leaving all of a hair between the lid and the bed-cover (once I build one) but my backup plan is to take away a bit of the back seat from the mutt and mount the fridge behind me.
I've seen Baja's install but his is just about the only one out there in the interior of an Xtra cab that I've been able to find photos of. Just curious if you'd be willing to share a few if you have them. Anything to get the creative processes flowing on what I'll have to do in mine.
Thanks!
(again, the build really looks nice)
P, it looks, from one of your photos, like you installed an Engel fridge behind the passenger seat of your Xtra cab. Do you have any shots?
I picked up a Wedco CF-35 which appears like it may fit in the bed of the pickup (leaving all of a hair between the lid and the bed-cover (once I build one) but my backup plan is to take away a bit of the back seat from the mutt and mount the fridge behind me.
I've seen Baja's install but his is just about the only one out there in the interior of an Xtra cab that I've been able to find photos of. Just curious if you'd be willing to share a few if you have them. Anything to get the creative processes flowing on what I'll have to do in mine.
Thanks!
(again, the build really looks nice)
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Found the fridge mounting picture.
They are not the best shots, but they should give you an idea.
The first thing I did was removed both back seats and all the plastic from the back of the cab. No pics of this but it's relatively simple. Then I used a piece of plywood that was left over from another project and placed it roughly where I wanted the fridge to go. From there I build some steel brackets that bolt to the same location where the seat would go.
Left bracket.
Right bracket.
This picture shows the layout.
Afterwards, I also removed the flip up cup holder that sits behind the passenger seat. I made another bracket up from some angle iron that bolts to the same location where the cup holder would bolt to. This same bracket bolts to the front of plywood for additional support. No pictures. After all that, I used a Slide Lock. Excellent product. All together it looks like this.
I then put the fridge in place and tested things out to make sure everything fits in place.
This mounting solution does have some drawbacks though. First, you loose the ability to recline the passenger seat. Next, you can fully open the lid and this makes it difficult to load the fridge or search for something. I just remove the lid to do this work now.
Since these pictures were taken, I've trimmed the mounting platform back and pushed the fridge as close to the back of the truck as I could. I've also painted it with DIY bed liner. Came out nice.
Cheers,
P
Seeker said:
They are not the best shots, but they should give you an idea.
The first thing I did was removed both back seats and all the plastic from the back of the cab. No pics of this but it's relatively simple. Then I used a piece of plywood that was left over from another project and placed it roughly where I wanted the fridge to go. From there I build some steel brackets that bolt to the same location where the seat would go.
Left bracket.
Right bracket.
This picture shows the layout.
Afterwards, I also removed the flip up cup holder that sits behind the passenger seat. I made another bracket up from some angle iron that bolts to the same location where the cup holder would bolt to. This same bracket bolts to the front of plywood for additional support. No pictures. After all that, I used a Slide Lock. Excellent product. All together it looks like this.
I then put the fridge in place and tested things out to make sure everything fits in place.
This mounting solution does have some drawbacks though. First, you loose the ability to recline the passenger seat. Next, you can fully open the lid and this makes it difficult to load the fridge or search for something. I just remove the lid to do this work now.
Since these pictures were taken, I've trimmed the mounting platform back and pushed the fridge as close to the back of the truck as I could. I've also painted it with DIY bed liner. Came out nice.
Cheers,
P
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Demello Frame Re-inforcements
Found some pictures of the Demello Frame Re-inforcements that were installed to help mitigate any potential frame issues, not counting rust I guess...
Started with this:
Spent a good two hours cleaning up the frame with a wire wheel and grinder for proper welding. It's all in the prep work...
Test fitting of the frame re-inforcements:
Welded up:
Fresh paint:
A must if you plan on adding significant weight to your rig and include a swing out style bumper.
Cheers,
P
Found some pictures of the Demello Frame Re-inforcements that were installed to help mitigate any potential frame issues, not counting rust I guess...
Started with this:
Spent a good two hours cleaning up the frame with a wire wheel and grinder for proper welding. It's all in the prep work...
Test fitting of the frame re-inforcements:
Welded up:
Fresh paint:
A must if you plan on adding significant weight to your rig and include a swing out style bumper.
Cheers,
P
Hey P, the rig has come a long way since I last checked in. Its funny how we tend to think along the same lines as to mods on the trucks. How to you like the access to the fridge behind the pass seat? Is there room for the seat to be moved rearward, or does it sit all the way forward?
Again, looks great!!:victory:
Again, looks great!!:victory:
jim65wagon
Well-known member
Love the setup, Pierre. Looks great. I really dig the platform for the tent, nice work as usual. Looks like you had a fun shakedown!
:26_7_2:
:26_7_2:
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
erin said:
Erin,
Great to hear from you. With the fridge in the back seat, I can put the seat all the way to the back but it just fits and the seat angle is too straight up and down. If you move the seat ahead by one notch, you can lean it back a bit to get a better seating position. So far so good as far as location goes.
jim65wagon said:
The shakedown run was amazing but too short as usual. I'll have to head out again shortly.
Cheers,
P
heeltoe989
Explorer
P
To bad we don't live a little closer, do a bit of wheeling together! :camping:
To bad we don't live a little closer, do a bit of wheeling together! :camping:
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