Juddrussell’s build

Figured I would start a little thread to track some of the stuff I get done.

2016 tundra TRD Pro

Current picture:


The day I picked it up.


This won’t be much of a build thread but we use the heck out of the truck and anything we do to it serves a purpose.

I certainly made quite the upgrade from my old ‘94 pickup with Wildernest camper.

 

MGM CRÜE

 

After selling the ‘94 Wildernest setup i instantly ordered a full BAMF bed rack from Jerry and a TEPUI Autana sky roof top tent.

Jerry had a several week lead time to build the rack and we had a trip to Colorado planned. Made up some me simple bed bars to throw the RTT on and we headed out!







We went to an Avett brothers concert at red rocks and ended up camping up jones pass. It was snow capped the last 200 feet So we couldn’t make it through but we were still able to get a great camp setup.

 

The BAMF bedrack came in and I got it mounted up and ready to camp! We headed out to the Ozark National forest for a weekend trip to break it in.



I love the height of the full bed rack. It makes the perfect combo with the internal ladder on the tepui autana and there’s so much extra space for gear, extra sleeping cots and a place to get out of the rain.



Going through some trails I ripped the steps straight off the passenger side aluminum piece of crap side steps.

So they instantly came off and I will hopefully get either the Pelfreybilt or the BAMF sliders. Will not be anytime soon but they are on the list!

I love the BAMF rack so much even without the tent on it.

 

We found a simple little camping spot about 10 minutes from home that we stay at some nights when we can’t make longer trips.







For anyone looking for a RTT I would highly recommend TEPUI. They make an incredible product and have even better customer service. We use the thunder out of this tent and we like it more and more everytime!

 

How many people comfortably inside, pics of inside?

 

The autana has a queen sized bed up top. They claim 3 people but it’s a comfortable two and not bad with 2 + a dog. The annex easily fits two cots but we usually have most of our bags/gear down there.

I don’t currently have a good pic of the inside but can get one

 

I've seen quite a few of these tent deals on here they look like fun but the area I live in not much seen and we just put tents on the ground

 

The rack is badass! So torn if I need it just hate to lose the bed cover but want the rack I could neatly haul the yaks and the bikes. Seeing your rig creates real world issues with mine lol
Looks great

 

Totally understand. It made it easier for us to get out more often and has been well worth it for us. Texas I would say the benefit would be getting up off the ground away from the snakes and in a little bit better of a breeze to get out of the heat. Nonetheless we still use our ground tent on some trips and definitely use one when backpacking.

 

Thanks Okie I appreciate it! I agree that the bed cover is the biggest drawback of the bed rack. I’m still weighing my options as there are a few things I could do. Still torn on what I will end up with but I have been very happy with the rack. I also have a bedslide that makes it super easy to load and will be doing drawers sooner than later.

Debating if I will go with a canvas cover for the bedrack, build a solid cover or see what RETRAX would charge to make me something that would fit with the rack.

I have a RETRAX on my company truck and could not be happier. It would limit my load out capabilities but it’s all a give and take

 

looks great !

 

Looking good. More and more these days I'm thinking, "it's not what you do to your truck it's what you do with your truck." I like to see people who own 4x4s use them off road like you're doing.

 

Thank you!

I appreciate that! I absolutely love following your guys builds on here and love the look but I personally really don’t need a mid or long travel truck running 37s. It would be sweet to have and look incredible but honestly the truck in its stock pro form is plenty capable for what I use it for. For now we just really want a capable, cross country road trip ready truck that’s setup for remote camping on BLM land on those trips.

*disclaimer, I am sure in due time you guys will convince me of all the things I need but for now those are the needs the truck fills.

 

Talimena scenic bypass trip (we consider ourselves lucky to be a few hours away from 2 national forests in Arkansas but man I am so jealous of some of you guys and the incredible trails you have right around your home!)

On our way we ended up having a quick night stay at Robbers Cave State Park to meet up with our friends. Clean park and almost no one was there when we visited and we were able to find a very secluded spot with its own private pond.







Once we met up with them we drove portions of the Talimena Scenic Bypass and ended up taking different back roads and trails off of it looking for a good lunch spot. Found a good little bank on the river and setup.







Later we headed out to find a camp spot for the night and stopped a few times to let the dogs out to run around, taking pictures along the way of course.






The storms picked up like crazy that night and there ended up being tornadoes in the area. We ended up killing camp around midnight and getting out of there. We later found from some others camping in the same area that ended up sticking it out that most of the low water crossings were so flooded the next morning, they couldn’t make it back across and we’re stuck for an extra night.

 

Once we had the bed rack on, I was climbing in and out of the bed constantly. I wanted an easier way to load up gear for trips. So I started searching craigslist for a bedslide or cargo glide. I didn’t wanna spend $1000-1200 for a new one. After months of searching I came up with an older used bedslide local and picked it up.
This thing makes loading up gear 1000x easier and comes in handy all the time. I’ll buy something small at the store and pull the bedslide out and put it on there just because I like it that much

 

This post is mainly going to be a pic dump. We took a roadtrip September ‘17 for our 5 year wedding anniversary.
Tulsa - Lake Powell - North Rim Grand Canyon - Zion National Park - Arches - Durango, Co - Home

We camped the entire trip on BLM land and had the best time exploring all the parks.

Lake Powell









Lower Antelope Canyon



Horseshoe Bend



North Rim Grand Canyon











Outside of Zion National Park






Heading up Angels Landing


At the top!




The Narrows



Heading to Arches





We finished off the trip renting a RAZR in Durango and fell in love. Definitely on the wish list.



We had the best trip ever and the truck performed so well. I lost several pictures transferring phones but we stayed in the Dixie National Forest and got 2 flats on the piece of crap Michelin stock tires. Coming back from the trip we decided tires were getting replaced instantly. Other than that we made a list of some of the things we wanted to modify/figure out to help our setup better.
• Dirty clothes hamper/segregation
• Better toilet access/privacy
• Net to secure gear instead of tarp (Raingler possibly?)
• Shower situation (we did rag baths lol)
• Fridge instead of cooler (A MUST)

We also know that we want to build a camping trailer. We really want to be able to disconnect and have a base camp setup so we can drive the truck in town if we need to pick something up and have more gear hauling capacity.

 

Got new tires, I really wanted the Toyo Open Country RT but they don’t come in 295/70/r18 so I ended up with the
general grabber x3’s. I have been very happy with them and they come at a great price!

 

Stubby antenna and YODAGAN stickers, thanks @boardude !!

 

Love the truck and everything you both are about!!! #goals

 

Badass setup. One day I'm going to buy that bed rack and tent.

also, awesome photos. what camera and lenses were you using?

 

Thank you very much! We love to get out and explore anyway we can

Thank you sir! We absolutely love the BAMF bed rack and the tepui RTT. They both help make it easier to get out more often so that helped us justify the cost a little bit.. As far as camera it was either shot with an Iphone 8 or a Canon 70d with various lenses.

 

Drawer system:

I search Craigslist like crazy and I’ve been after a drawer system forever. I could never justify paying new prices for a Truckvault and was seriously considering the decked system Or building my own setup but there’s other things ahead of it on the priority list. So, perusing Craigslist like usual I came across an older Truckvault setup with terrible pictures for way to cheap. Instantly called the number and the person said they had no idea what I was talking about and people keep calling asking him about some “Truckvault thing.”

Disheartened i figured I would email the canned email on the listing for a shot in the dark. Later that night the guy emailed me back!!

He had it and gave me a few more pictures. I told him I wanted it and instantly setup a trip to get over and buy it (5 hours round trip).

So, it is certainly going to be a project as it’s not a weatherproof Truckvault and it’s old but I’m working on figuring out the best way to make it work the best I can in my setup.

End goal will be bedlined drawer system with the bedslide mounted on top and a water tank (for showers) mounted in the dead space between the back of the drawers and the front of the bed backside.

**dont blast me for picking it up in the ram, my company truck

 

I agree with you LT and 37’s are not needed as well as most mods to explore the country but mid travel is fun and cheaper which I plan on getting. When I retire from the Army I will travel state to state with my son overlanding, you got an efficient build and badass truck. You should make videos, I watch a lot of overlanders on YouTube

 

Those are some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen! Beautiful rig set up too!

 

I know my needs will change down the road, so right now I’m hoping to make the mods that will stay even if I do decide to go mid travel at some point (I.e. sliders, lights, storage, etc.)

Man that sounds like a heck of a plan! So many incredible places within the states to explore I think that’s awesome. I appreciate it! I’ve never thought of doing videos but I may consider that! Do you think more of trips or of build aspects/mods?

 

Oh man I appreciate the very kinds words!! My wife is pretty good with a camera and the iPhone makes it pretty easy nowadays. Thank you I am very happy with it!

 

Amazon lightning deal for $79 bucks this week! I am very impressed with this thing and it’s capabilities. Will be very handy for camping for that extra peace of mind.

 

If there is a moderator listening there are several pics you have that should replace this forums main pic....just my 2 cents.

 

Yeah buddy!! Looks good