Recent Truck Mods

[Uncle Grumpy]

Finally gotten around to some additions to the Panther.
You can't see it in the photo but I got the Yakima racks installed.
The very nice jerry can carrier came from All Terrain Trailers and the AT logo looks cool on the All Terrain camper.
The box below the window on the right houses the propane tank.
I couldn't find a hitch box I liked so I made my own; The box is quality exterior plywood, glued and boat nailed together. It's bolted to a chunk of heavy C channel which is in turn welded to a heavy duty hitch extender. It sits at the same height as the bumper and provides another step and a handy seat. It only extends my departure angle about a foot and is easily removable.
It'll hold the Hi Lift and other recovery gear, out of sight and quite secure yet easily accesible. I'll have to move the license plate when I use it however.
As I type this a good buddy is finishing up the wiring for the solar power system.
Tomorrow the front hitch gets installed.
Just about ready to hit the road!

 

[simimike]

That is very nice work. It looks like a pro shop did it. Love the pics.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Like the way you did all that, UG.

Mind if I copy shamelessly?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Mind if I copy shamelessly?
Feel Free!

 

[brett13]

Very nice work!

Where can I get one of those jerry can holders? How did you mount it?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

It's Adventure Trailers who supplies the Jerry Can holders
http://www.adventuretrailers.com/fuel.html
It's screwed down to a heavy plywood shelf which is through bolted with SS carriage bolts, nylocks and fender washers through the bottom of the camper and also bolted through the reinforced wall of the camper at the top of the jerry can rack. Quite Sturdy.

 

[brett13]

Thanks Grumpy.

Think you could post a few pics of the mounting when you get a chance? I like what you've done.

 

[Tomas Tierra]

Just about ready to hit the road!

Where to first UG?????

Nice looking mods.!

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

In the second pic you can just see the washers padding the bolt that passes through the reinforced camper wall.
I bet if you looked at the original picture hard enough you could figure out where we are headed.

 

[benburnett]

Awning ends

Sounds like next Wendsday is you departure then. I hope to have the awning caps in by the end of this week and will send them out to you as soon as they arrive. Should be there before you leave.

 

[DLN]

UG,

Very nice work, looks clean and professional. I have the same problem with the license plate when I have the tailgate/back porch down. I'd love to have a third plate but I'm not sure it's allowed. I've tried contacting DMV about it but so far I haven't gotten past the automated phone system. Man do I hate those things.
Best of Luck and Enjoy.

 

[jimjxsn]

What about using a magnetic license plate mount so you can switch between the truck and box/rack?

 

[Alex]

Sounds like next Wendsday is you departure then. I hope to have the awning caps in by the end of this week and will send them out to you as soon as they arrive. Should be there before you leave.

Ben,
Is there reinforcement on the camper shell behind the jerry can holder?? I want to be able to do that.

Alex

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

In planning for the placement of the fuel jug holder I had ATC reinforce that part of the wall with extra aluminum and there is a large fender washer backing it up inside.

What about using a magnetic license plate mount so you can switch between the truck and box/rack?
Runnin' 4 screws in and out only takes a minute or two.........
And the box is wood.............

 

[DLN]

Jim,

Thanks for the suggestion, just how does that system work and is it strong enough to take an off road beating?

 

[erod]

uncle g, that is looking sweet! nice work, functional, clean, really like the jerry can mount. can't wait to see some pics of it out in the bush! thanks for posting!

 

[canterburyfour]

UG,

Very nice work, looks clean and professional. I have the same problem with the license plate when I have the tailgate/back porch down. I'd love to have a third plate but I'm not sure it's allowed. I've tried contacting DMV about it but so far I haven't gotten past the automated phone system. Man do I hate those things.
Best of Luck and Enjoy.

Here is how you get someone on the phone at California DMV.
Call 800/777-0133. As soon as you get a recording hit the fallowing keys as the message changes.1,3,4,0. Normally you will have a live person in under 5 minutes.

 

[DLN]

CBfour,

Thanks, I'll try it.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

can't wait to see some pics of it out in the bush!
We had a small family gathering up at my cousin's rancho this weekend so here ya go.....

 

[Kilroy]

Where to first UG?????QUOTE]

Nice job. More inspiration. Did you consider support to the brackets that hold the tail gate up? I saw it somewhere, but can't find the pic now.

Are you considering storage on your front hitch? It's in my plans.