Pluto, Spvrtan's Ultra4-inspired build

Got around to finishing my custom body lift by adding the pucks to the bed along with longer/stronger hardware..

 

And greased the 5 zerks on the driveshafts..

 

Climbing up Bald Mountain with absolutely no one else on the mountain was quite an experience; we'll definitely be coming back here again to explore more.

From not knowing our way around and trying to find any trail marker we could (especially on the way out when it was almost pitch black out), to almost nosediving down an incline into a 4-foot thick tree and using the winch to get out, to overheating the transmission a few times.. all while in 2WD for the majority of it.

 

one bad ass looking truck, if I may say so!!!

 

You are off road more than anyone I know Kris. With 40's on your truck, your trans would probably run cooler if you used 4wd more often off road. You're not working it so hard. Just a thought. I know you usually have buddies with you, but hate to see you pop a trans out in the boonies.

 

This thing is an absolute BEAST!

 

Dam homie copying me!? Ha jk I love my titanium grids I'm running 18s tho.

 

And it's done!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT1iKGGuLmM

 

@Spvrtan did you ever mount your air compressor? If so where?

 

Update the first post with the latest build info.

I recently added a Dometic CFX 65DZ freezer/fridge unit to the back row and it is one of the best decisions I've made for the truck.

 

Sold my RTT a few days ago (going back to a ground tent that sets up even faster and has more space); I got to say.. I love the way the truck looks without it up there.

Build info: http://buildprint.io/builds/3.pluto?v=m

Also, look at the cute Raptor.

 

@Spvrtan What type of ground tent are you going to use instead of the RTT

Kurt

 

pop up tent

 

Not anymore!

 

Finally got around to buying a spare tire/wheel. I've decided to just flat-mount it to the bed for the most stability versus a swing-out tire carrier (ie. they have leverage issues with all the weight). The tire is clamped down to the bed down with a J-bolt. The top plate is 6x6" in dimensions and 3/16" thick stainless steel. The bottom brace (ie. under the bed) is a 2x2" angle bar at 3/16" thick and 15" long. The clamping force alone is enough to hold the tire down. For extra safety, I put two more eye-bolts at the edge of the bed as sliding stops for the tire. I ordered a ratcheting Y-strap tie-down that will eventually also help secure the spare and anchor to the eye-bolts.

The spare kicks out past the edge of the bed about 6" but that's fine because I won't be running a tailgate anymore. I'll be fabricating a mid-level container carrier that will sit above the spare and connect to the OEM bed rails. Bed space was never a concern for me anyway because I have a roof rack and bed rack to strap shit to.

The next step for the rear of the truck is to fabricate a simple yet stout bumper to match my high-clearance bedside cuts. I'll also be relocating the hitch receiver higher.

 

I'll just leave these here..

 

Then what are you sleeping in if not RTT?

 

A little late on the replies..

Went great! Haha, yea the Woody has been with me for almost 7 years. It was first on my FJ Cruiser.

A regular ground tent that pops up faster.

 

Been doing a few things to the truck lately since I've been neglected it for a while.

Built a container tray for the bed. It can slide along the rails to adjust width for various container sizes. It holds 4 containers of the one in the photo below.



About to cut up my bedsides more following the outline of the tape in the photo below. For those that didn't know, the reason is because I smashed up the passenger side on a few rocks while crawling.



Also started working on a rear high-clearance bumper finally. Since I decided to flat-mount my spare in the bed, I no longer need a tire carrier on the bumper -- which vastly simplifies things.





The bumper is far from done and this is just the foundation. The things left to do are: corners that wrap just below the taillights, more gussets, wrap up the top of the bumper near the bed floor so it looks more complete, a bash plate below the bumper, tube supports from the frame to the corners, and tube supports from the OEM towing hitch to the new receiver.

Edit: I've gained about a foot of rear departure angle with the new bumper.

 

Did you remove the stock hitch? Without that and no tailgate that bed will flex a lot. I have already been down that route and went back to a tailgate and bed stiffeners. So make sure to stiffen up and brace as much as possible.

 

What tent did you go with. I am trying to narrow my selection down. I have not ruled out a turtleneck type trailer but I think a tent would give me more options.

 

Sick truck dude. Nice work. Looks like it would be fully capable!

 

Yea, we cut it out and welded the bumper onto the stock mounts that bolt to the frame. I do have the Total Chaos bed stiffeners already and the bed rack helps, too. I agree though on the flex issues. I'll figure out a way to brace the frame itself in the rear apart from the bumper.

I saw one dude on Instagram (Brandon at SDHQ) looks like he has a giant 3" tube just above the leaf springs. I think it's mostly for his custom sway bar but with that much beef it probably braces the frame good.

 

Added some rear auxiliary taillights..

 

Also working on some mud flaps and a roof rack for the bed rack..

 

This mod came in the mail, too..

 

Pluto has been dropped off this morning to get Nitro 4.88s front/rear and an ARB air locker for the rear!

 

No 5.29?

 

is it still gonna be CA legal as far as driving on the freeway with all the mods to the rear ?