BTBT: Brown Thunder Build Thread

[OregonLC]

The rack is 92" overall which - to my knowledge - is longer than any rack currently offered for the 100. The tent shown in my sig is a CVT Mt. Rainier. There's room for it plus 18" of storage in the back. Having the storage at the back is a big plus as you can access it with the bumper arm ladder. The rack has about 1/2" clearance from the rear hatch (sans wing) and aligns with the top of the windshield in the front.

The main hoop is 1-1/2" x 0.065 domestic A269. This rack has 13 (!) cross bars that are 1" x 0.065. The bars are 8" on center under the tent and 5" on center in the storage area. Admittedly a bit overkill. If I were to do it again I'd go with 8-10 bars and some heavy wire grid over the cargo area. Mounting plates are 3/16". As configured the rack is about 85-90 lbs (roughly). All welding was done by ASME certified welders. This is a very stout rack!

One thing I may add to it is a bar that rolls up in front of the tent, both as a protector and as a potential mounting point for lights.

The above is a prototype... we're half thinking about going into production. If there is interest in a 304 stainless product we might be game for doing a run.

 

[SmoothLC]

Boom is right! Nice work.

 

[OregonLC]

Let the trailer era begin.

 

[SNLC]

Dig your overhead switch set up. Good solid build overall. I was just in PDX last week, picking up my new to me 2000 100-series. I grew up down in Eugene.

I like your order of mods, be similar on my truck. About the DT headers, you like them? Worth the money? Do you just have the headers or cat back too? I had DT headers on my Taco and loved them, thinking about putting them on my 100.

Cheers

 

[OregonLC]

I just have the headers. Got in on the original group buy. Honestly didn't really notice that much of a difference.

 

[OregonLC]

Stay tuned...

 

[SmoothLC]

Nice . . . looking forward to seeing how things turn out. Good luck!

 

[OregonLC]

Coming along...

 

[SS100]

That looks very nice and tidy! Great work.

 

[SmoothLC]

Nice job!

 

[OregonLC]

They did turn our really, really nice. I'm halfway thinking of offering them up for a production run. I think I could do them as shown for around $1200. The prototype is completely functional and surprisingly quiet (no rattles, can't even here the stuff inside move around) but it gave me some ideas on how to make it more efficiently (and maybe add features) on the next round. If there's an outpouring of interest I'll look more into it. Tentatively planning to be at Expo West in Flagstaff if anyone wants to check them out. Still need to complete the side wings.

Using the galv steel buys 4.5" of extra usable width (or about 10%) over the plywood style drawers.

A few more pics.

 

[OregonLC]

Old girl got some new shoes and is feeling quite pretty.

Cooper ST Maxx 295/70R18

Previous was Nitto Terra Grappler. Good tires, but wanted something more aggressive. The Maxx is a good intermediate between AT and MT. The Nitto lasted from about 77K to 115K, so 38K total miles. High percentage was off road as it's not a DD. The Nittos had chunked out pretty badly over last summer from a run on a trail that had lava rock on it. Plus they were cracking between the tread blocks from UV, age, and heat. Still had about 6/32 left. OK for continued highway use, but beyond what I consider acceptable for trail use.