what is the experiment?

 

Hmmmmm..... looks and sounds.......intriguing!

I'm gonna have to get around to doing your blinker mod for the rear spoiler so thanks for the idea.

 

Roof rack?

 

Bingo We have a winner!
so had some some to put the pile of 8020 to use
had to redrill the mounts to get the strut as low as I could
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
if you go slow you can save some time and effort and tap aluminum with a drill. it worked awesome with a 1/4-20 tap
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
went this route as an experiment since after 25 years the factory cross bars are brittle,also wanted the crossbars to sit lower for my eventual roof basket. saved a ton of $$ over what some vendors charge for racks.

 

Low profile, it looks perfect, nice job!

 

I dig it!

 

Ahh I see. Yes, I don't like it when the racks are 20 inches tall and 5 inches above the roof line.

Looks pretty good

 

Thanks guys!
If my planned tweak to the roof basket works out the top of it will end up being about 3.25 to 3.5" above the roof line.

so i have been trying to come up with a storage solution for the back of this thing.
i probably haul too much crap on a daily basis with some tools, basic spare parts, fluids and some recovery gear.
I had 3 rubbermaid totes that have been around since i first got the Trekker. Great, durable etc but they weren't that great. A lot of wasted space both internally and externally. Not stackable etc.
I contemplated making a drawer system out of some 8020, the strut is stupid easy to work with and not priced bad. Some companies get crazy prices for their storage systems, great stuff but I am not gonna spend over a grand on a permanently mount drawer unit.
One of the guys I follow on instagram uses his truck to play on weekends and a full blown work truck during the week. I saw that he was using some Rigid Tool boxes. Googled them, found them at home depot. Lockable, water tight, stackable with integrated latches that allow them to interlock. And the killer part, they aren't all that expensive.
So i figured I would give them a shot
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
The smaller case come with an organizer deal for bolts and has an inner piece of plastic. I popped that out for a little more room
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
i need to add a center tie down point but you get the idea.
by https://www.flickr.com/photos/42814812@N06/, on Flickr
It is nice to have the majority of the back of the truck back for costco runs and crap. They make some milk crate style cases too. Thing I like about it since it's modular you can pull or add a case when budget allows or you don't need some stuff and just pull the case off the shelf when you need something.

 

I like the rigid box over the canvas bags and totes I've been using.

 

thanks Muddpigg. I have some tool bags I was using over the years.. pros and cons to both systems. I like the stackable ease of these boxes.
I do need to inventory my tool rolls. I am sure I am hauling a few extra pounds of junk I don't need

coming soon to a store near you

 

Added another tie down track for tying down the tool boxes. Also picked up a couple of self retracting ratchet straps. Push a button and they take up the slack and than ratchet to desired tightness like normal. So far I like them.
it's nice not having a strap go to the other side of the cargo area.

 

a friend of mine saw me driving a few days ago
click to play
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maybe one of these days it will see something besides pavement

 

Link isn't working for me, but yep, hopefully you and me both!

 

The video isn't working for me either.

The web address at the bottom of the grey box lead me to the Flickr page and I can see it there.

I recognize that intersection! I haven't been over there since I took classes at PCC Rock creek.

 

Looks like a UFO sighting video, haha.

 

wierd, dunno what is going on with Flickr..it either looks like it double posts stuff or doesn't work at all
Yep, It's a UFO

 

I have always liked black rims. Nobody had them in stock when I ordered the wheels and tires last year.
took a gamble and used some black monstaliner on the rims today. Saw a post a few years ago where someone used a desk of cards to mask the tires. Worked awesome.
it worked as a good experiment to let me know how monstaliner sets up. Not perfect but it will do

 

I read those paints, Line-x, U-pol Raptor and Monstaliner in the rims could affect the wheels balance, I don't know if that's possible but it's something to think about.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/ti...ck-wheels.html

 

it makes sense that it could impact the balance.
I didn't put on heavy coats, both were fairly light.
I'll find out when I drive it. Gonna let it sit today to let it cure. If it did impact the balance I will remove it.

 

Looks good. I like the black wheel look.