PLANNING: TECORE IX - FUGAWI HUNTING - Sept. 20-22

[Trail X]

Ah, I didn't realize that was the way they fit the SSs. Seems like a roof rack is such a nice thing to have!

I think in order to fit it, you have to roll it in on an angle, then once it's fully inside the tailgate, you can stand it up and just brush the headliner.

[JorDaneeKey]

But didn't that include a roof full of stuff too?.

Nope! Well, 2 gas cans. We traveled a bit more organized this time than TECORE.

I'd like to see a picture of how JorDaneeKey got her's upright inside the truck!

I'll take a couple pics tomorrow and upload to show you what Mike did.

[drburke]

You could lay it down as well and ratchet it to the floor hooks. That's how I have mine atm.

[Moots1288]

If you just lay it down it won't slide anywhere

[HARDTRAILZ]

I think Barton has a hitch mount you might be able to use...or steal aj's for the trip.

[ErikSS]

If you just lay it down it won't slide anywhere

I'm a bit too agressive for that. lol Ratchet strap to the floor tabs might work though. I'll start looking for a cheap wheel and a tire rack.

Kyle, AJ sold the one he got from you to pay for the one Barton welded on for him.

[Moots1288]

If you just lay it down it won't slide anywhere

I'm a bit too agressive for that. lol Ratchet strap to the floor tabs might work though. I'll start looking for a cheap wheel and a tire rack.

Kyle, AJ sold the one he got from you to pay for the one Barton welded on for him.

ah to aggressive huh... Then just lay it down and live on the edge a bit

[mikekey]

I'm a bit too agressive for that. lol Ratchet strap to the floor tabs might work though. I'll start looking for a cheap wheel and a tire rack.

Nope, it will fall over if you do that. We tired it that way before our trip out west, and it fell over. When I built my first platform, my solution was to keep the tire closest to the vehicles center of gravity, this meant right behind the drivers and passengers seat laying down on my platform and strapped in. It kind of worked. Had it that way at TECORE, but the new problem is that the new 315 tire is just too damn big, takes up to much space laying down.

The solution for inside the vehicle is standing up. GM loves to waste space with cheap plastic BTW in the rear of the vehicle. Even the carpet and all the padding under it is a waste of about an inch of space.

First, throw away the plastic panels lining the rear of your truck. They're stupid and you'll be surprised to discover hallow space behind them.





First ratchet strap point


Second point is going to be the seat belt.


I've managed to stuff a bunch of things into these side walls. BTW, I lined them with Dynamat first, which cuts down on some of the outside noise.


Tire has been like this for a couple of months. I even removed my platform and installed the backs of the seats, not going anywhere.

[mikekey]

But didn't that include a roof full of stuff too?

Erik, I'd bet that you'd be fine with the spare inside or on the roof, one of those.

No, we've decided to use the basket less. Just for fuel and fire wood. Although, I like how it looks on the truck. Since the additional lift however, getting things in and out of it is a chore.

I would heavily advise against roof mounting. It's fine for you guys with smaller tires. I need a freaking step stool to get the gas cans off my roof, and they're heavy! The 315 is also HEAVY! 65lbs each tire. I don't think Erik wants to try to lift all that over his head and up into the air.

The way Anton has his rear area setup, is something I really considered doing myself. We'll see how things play out over the year.

[ErikSS]

"I don't think Erik wants to try to lift all that over his head and up into the air."

I'm short. My truck is tall. lol Good looking out Mike! Great pictures too. That is surely something for me to consider as the hitch mount scares me. Breaking a hitch mount on the trail requires me to revert to this style system anyway. Did much of the plastic break when you took it out? I'd like to take it out but retain the ability to put it back in because I'm not really looking to go the Expedition route at this time.

Now to think about my stupid SS rear bumper cover. lol Does anyone know if it's illegal to drive without the bumper cover?

[mikekey]

Your truck is going to get all scratched up, what are you worried about with the bumper, lol.

The plastic won't break, it pops off. I actually cut mine so that when the tire isn't there and the seats are in and up, the plastic that goes down by the seats over the seat-belts is in place. You can see it in this picture:



I didn't doe the greatest job because I was going to build two side storage boxes at the time.

[ErikSS]

I'm worried about it because they come down several inches lower than the regular bumper covers.... I don't want to rip it off on the trail.

[Moots1288]

[ErikSS]

Man, that looks good too Moots. Simple, but could move it not strapped down right. Didn't you get the transmission skid from v7guy? Where's that pic?

[Moots1288]

Man, that looks good too Moots. Simple, but could move it not strapped down right. Didn't you get the transmission skid from v7guy? Where's that pic?

my tool box is strapped down... But my tire doesn't move at all. Yea it's on my build ill post a picture though.

[NC_IslandRunner]

I'm worried about it because they come down several inches lower than the regular bumper covers.... I don't want to rip it off on the trail.

You mean like this.

[Moots1288]

[ErikSS]

I'm worried about it because they come down several inches lower than the regular bumper covers.... I don't want to rip it off on the trail.

You mean like this.

Now imagine if your bumper stuck down further! These SS parts sell for a fortune, so I'm better off taking it off and running without.

[mikekey]

If you're that much of a pavement puss, then yes, take off your rear bumper.

I'm going to be there, btw.

The In list:
JamesDowning(JD)
NC_IslandRunner(Rory)
onelow1ton(Kenny)-Colorado
V7guy(Jason)
Dvanbramer88(Dave)- Silverado
firefox2501(Mike#6)
James02(James)
Darring70 (Darring)
Dirty Anton(mike bossier and maybe daughter)
mikekey(Mike#4)

Yet to commit:
Regulator(Matt)
HARDTRAILZ(Kyle)
Gordinho80(Mario)
ErikSS (Erik)
Moots1288 (Matt)
Conner299(Ed)
DrBurke(Josh#2)
TBYODA(Robert)

Not gonna make it:
JorDaneeKey(JorDanee)+1
Navigator(Chris/Mike#5)
DirtyBacon(Bacon)
bartonmd(Mike#1)
Opeth(Cody)

[Trail X]

Hell yeah Mike.

my tool box is strapped down... But my tire doesn't move at all.

Yeah, until you roll the truck and the tire makes a beeline straight for your head. Don't get hit in the head with a tire, tie it down.