Big Booty Judy - 2014 w OVRLND Camper and other goodies

I switched from some factory 20s that came on the truck to the current wheels and haven't had any issues at all. Admittedly, I didnt check the weights at all, and once the lift is one/tires worn out, I'm going w different wheels entirely. For the $100 I spent on them, they are solid and worth the increased availability of less expensive tire options.

 

OK...after the big trip through MT and back, it was time for a lift...after much reading and reading and reading, I went with what I know best...Old Man Emu. I've run OME on my 95 XJ, 01 XJ, 01 WJ, 01 Mitsubishi Montero, 91 80 series, and now Judy. Regular old springs pack in the rear, still w airbags, and might add the OME AAL with some shackles at some point. I had the work done by Summit 4x4 in Prescott, AZ. First time I've had a shop work on a vehicle, but between covering three different clinics in NAZ, I zero time to do it myself...I'm definitely happy w the results and the customer service too. SPC UCAs went in at the same time...next is wheels and tires when these wear out.

Here is a before:


And a few after:



Around this same time, I became very tired of hauling my bike, and my kids' bikes in the bed, so I went in search of a set-up to address that issue. One of the folks on the AT FB page turned me on to RIGD, and after looking at their product, I bought the Ultraswing Megafit. I dig this one because the hitch is still rated at 10k pounds and this thing DOESNT move. I went w the Front Runner table too, but dont keep it on all the time, as you can see...or cant see...to be specific.


For the bike rack, I tried a used Yakima frame holding style, but needed top tube adapters for 2 of the bikes, and after testing those, it was a no-go...I'd lose a bike on the road in to my house, let alone off-road, so I found a used Kuat on CL and ran it through some paces over the weekend.

You can see how far it sticks out, but even with some decent climbs and off camber situations over the weekend, there was no dragging of hitch, or bike rack:



In these, you can get a good idea of clearance:



All of these recent pics are from our trip to the Kaibab and NR of the GCNP...more pics to follow...

 

Almost immediately when we got on the dirt, we came across a heard of buffalo:

We took a roundabout way to get to the edge of the canyon at our first stop, and were treated to views like this:

A sunset ride along a deserted road o the Kaibab, and views like this as the sun dipped below the horizon:



Camp set-up is always easy, and in the morning, we could see more of the features of the area:




I took the kids on their first bit of single track...7 miles round trip...and they were wiped afterwards!




It wouldn't be a trip to the area without at least one fallen tree...thankfully I learned and brought my Husq to make quick work of the pine tree:


Camp the second night was made late, but I chose an OK spot, if I do say so:




...and with that, we took off for home...

 

I like your bike rack setup. I have the KUAT as well and it has been solid off road but the swing arm is definitely needed.

 

The swing arm is solid too. Both the bikes that my kids ride currently are pretty damn heavy compared to mine, so once they stop growing, the overall weight may go down.

The swing arm table made cooking and meals a breeze.

 

Those are some beautiful landscapes. Glad you went the OME route, your build is coming together very nicely. Yet another build on here convincing me to get that ARB bumper that i defintiely DONT need. Just looks so good

 

Love it! Subscribed

 

Thanks gents!

Typically, aesthetics dont matter much to me and I'm very much about function, but I LOVE ARB bumpers.

Get this too, when I ordered the bumper, I was supposed to get an ARB Weekender recovery gear set, but never did. I emailed ARB about it, finally, and they sent me a better recovery gear set than I would have received normally, and apologized for the inconvenience...talk abotu stellar customer service!

 

No wobbling whatsoever. Even w the weight of the rack and bikes, that thing is solid as a rock. Its rated up to 250lbs' the rack is 99, and the bike are about 75-80. Washboards and rough roads at GCNP and it didnt budge.

 

There's a DJ on the local station here who's wife is Big Booty Judy...Lol

 

I stole it from a player on my grad school intramural soft ball team...she hit hard and was good at ball handling.

 

How are you liking the RIGD Ultraswing Megafit? First other person i've seen install on a Tundra and planning to buy for Spring 2021 with a FrontRunner table to use for my stove as well.
Quality good?
No swaying around with 3 bikes on back?
Solid hardware?
Did you have to buy the additional bike rack adapter from RIGD to work? I think its like $75.

Thanks!

 

So far I have been loving it. With my Kuat and the bikes, it comes in right at the weight limit, but it hand the weight well. There is ZERO wobble on this thing from the the RIGD to the Tundra's hitch, and the Kuat has a tensioner device the limits wobble from it to the RIGD.

The hardware is as good as any spindle mounted spare tire carrier I've seen, and I like the overall design better. I didnt use any additional adapter for the Kuat, and haven't had any issues. We're going to be camping for4 days over turkey day, so it'll get used hard again.

 

Any complaints on the AT?

ryan

 

Only minor ones...I bought the camper second hand, and it came off a Dodge PW, and is a 2nd generation version. The tent is upgraded, but the fit on the Tundra is a few inches short, which is addressed in later models...that about the only thing that I would change. Other than that, I wish I would have bought it sooner.

I've also known Martyn and Mario since they ran AT out of a single bay in Upland, CA, and have followed their developments over the years...bar none, they are some of the best people, and best business owners I've met, that stand behind their products despite the iteration of ownership.

The products are top notch, and any time I've had a concern, Janine has been quick to address it and just had me swing by the shop to figure it out, and the installers have paused their work to fix the issue.

 

I got rid of the Rago ARB mount, and switched everything over to the Bannock Mount; like the location better as it doesnt obstruct the fuse box anymore. Finally completed the in-cab wiring too w an SDHQ switch.

Original Rago Mount:


New Bannock Mount:


SDHQ Switch...lights up blue:

 

Moving on to a different camping set-up, so the Habitat is for sale:
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...d-in-flagstaff-will-be-at-ovex-in-may.231712/

 

GLWS

What setup are your switching to?

 

I'm going w a CampOvrlnd pop-up; wanted to be able to store bedding when not in use, and have a smaller footprint in general.

 

That was on my initial want list also, that’s the reason I went with the Summit. Wanted the option to ‘stealth’ camp if needed.

 

Got the new camper installed on monday. The dog approves.

 

Got my awning installed yesterday. I had some questions about the bracket install and after calling Jay, he had me come over to the shop to discuss options, and this was the solution we came up with.






This sucker made it a lot easier!





Also installed the PPW...cutting a large hole in a new camper is always fun. I located it here so I can access it via the side hatch.

 

How is the Steel-It holding up as a slider coating? I see a lot of positive reviews but nothing about how it holds up long term. Thanks in advance.

 

Frankly, not wonderful. The caveat being that we use a lot of cinders on the icy roads locally, and the highways are salted w mag chloride. It isnt flaking off, but it worn bare on both sides. I need to hit the sliders w it again, but not exactly sure of the longevity I expected.

 

Have done business with Paul May, he is good people. Build is coming along great! Love the trip reports.

 

Could not agree more. I've worked with him and been a patron of Equipt since he started w us at the first or second OvEx. Stopped by his shop a few times and he was always welcoming and his staff are knowledgeable.

 

Got the 200W Renogy panel mounted this weekend. I tried lots of different ways to mount it...yakima bars, aluminum L angle in different configs, and then came up w a very low-profile mount using some old aluminum signs and riveting the mounts to the panel, and then bolting it to the Yakima tracks.






The other project was the Bedrug...holy hell! I didnt know crawling around in the back of the truck could be so damn comfy. This thing is great. I installed the Mountain Hatch tailgate cover over the bed rug. Used an old screwdriver awl that I heated up to make the holes through the rug. Had to buy some longer lag screws, but it worked out just fine.






Still need to get the interior build going and get my second battery back in so I can mount the fridge and have it ready for a Steelhead fishing trip in a few weeks.

 

You planning some type of power panel in the bed with solar controller, outlets, etc?

 

Sure am. I had a second battery and fuse block set up in the Habitat, and am doing something similar here. Doing a bit more this time around too; interior lights; USB charge port and a few other random things. The second battery will charge from the truck when running, so this will be for longer periods of time when I'm fishing in more remote areas that I can hike in to and out of for the lakes and rivers.

 

The girlfriend and I took a trip to Yosemite and Redding this past week, and the first camping trip in the camper...it was sofa king cold...mid 20s overnight, but the park was clear of most visitors, so we enjoyed not having crowds. Gas prices in CA sucked, and so did the extra weight of the camper, so 4.88s or 5.29s are in the near future.

We stopped near Boron for a lunch spot....aero style to stay out of the wind.






Yosemite needs to fix this...


Breakfast was solid after the cold night....Mr. Buddy didnt do the trick.


And of course; a pic in front of the NP sign for proof:


We left after a few days and made breakfast on the road:



Then it was on to Redding for some Steelhead fishing. I caught a dozen or so fish total...mostly small ones, two chunks, and then this big male...24" or so. Thought the line had caught the bottom initial, but then it took off towards the main channel and the fight was on.



For the actual quick build out I did, this was just V1.0...beta at that...lots of improvements and tweaks needed.





The curtains are just old flannel sheets w a layer of reflectix sewn in between, w some hook and loop to attach to the windows.


Thats all for now.