Dog Friendly GX Build

[Littlehouse]

Did a little project today. I don’t want to pull the trigger on a bumper yet, but I did want more clearance. The trim line and wheel liner trim is where a Victory 4x4 blitz would be so if I go that route I just have to trim up into the grill. Pretty happy about how it came out.

 

[Littlehouse]

With the bumper cut, there are some components that are exposed, so I ordered the filler plate from AK Fab. I may have to get it powder-coated black though as it comes in unfinished aluminum and I don’t think I’d like that look.

At the same time, RCI had a spring sale today with 15% off and an additional 5% on purchases over $1,000 so I pulled the trigger on a full set of skids. Engine, TC, Trans, Cats, and Gas tank. I have always planned to do aluminum, but decided on steel. I think the additional weight over aluminum is something like 70lbs which isn’t insignificant, but I’m OK with the additional weight as it’s down low. This thing is our road trip vehicle and 2nd car so it’s rarely used. I’m new to wheeling and on stock suspension for now so I’m guessing these skids will get used more often in the beginning.

 

[Cold Iron]

I was going to PC my filler plate black but learned a long time ago to try some things first.

In my case it works as is because mine is white. Seeing how you are going for the all black look you most likely are correct and powder coating it would be the right move.

The bottom of the side steps had asphalt on them most likely from scraping on speed bumps where the PO lived. That low hanging fruit got removed next.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

I figured I'd post this here vs starting a new post.
My wife saw this and I'm wondering if anybody has one?
90# lab is a handful lol!
Twist step
Not sure if I need the "truck or suv" model. I did find more pictures of the step "the truck step is longer" so the SUV should work.

Thanks

Pic of her hasn't uploaded I'll try to fix later.....

 

[Cold Iron]

I figured I'd post this here vs starting a new post.
My wife saw this and I'm wondering if anybody has one?
90# lab is a handful lol!
Twist step
Not sure if I need the "truck or suv" model. I did find more pictures of the step "the truck step is longer" so the SUV should work.

Thanks

Pic of her hasn't uploaded I'll try to fix later.....

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You would want the SUV one, the truck one is extended for when you drop the tailgate on a truck bed. But that thing is spendy! Anytime you add the words pet, or overlander for that matter, prices get insane really quick.

I use folding steps for the dogs and the Polaris Northstar. It is a long ways up to the bed for them although when they are young they can just jump right in. Now that the oldest is 10 getting close to 11 he needs it and even though Tollers run ~50 pounds that is a lot of dog to lift.

I paid $50 for it 6 years ago and now it is up to $90. Seems like that is at least twice what it is worth to me. Is handy because it folds flat and doesn't take up much space to store it in the back but still likely better options out there at that price.

I set the Northstar up for shooting sporting clays in the summer and can carry 3 guys in the back for a full squad. I have the etrailer hitch mount step so they can get in and out of the back

It extends in length to clear the tailgate plus pivots to the side out of the way. But still would hurt ground clearance for hunting and off road. Of course etrailer no longer carries the exact model and the model that they do carry is cheaper on Amazon but lacks the pivot out of the way feature. Now the step just folds up.

You can get a Harbor Freight extension step for $35 that would work too. There are a lot of options out there, but to me that twistep for $300 for the SUV version and $400 for the truck one is crazy. Anytime you add a step or extension to your hitch it will have a negative impact on your ground clearance of course. And at night especially camping anything in a hitch receiver is a knee buster. Guaranteed at least one of my knees will find it LOL.

 

[Pennwestmechanic]

@Cold Iron. Thanks for the greet idea!

 

[Littlehouse]

AK Fab filler plate has been received and it’s off to powder coating! Hoping to get it on next weekend with the skids.

 

[Littlehouse]

Yesterday’s project was installing LED back up lights from Auxito, interior LEDs from Auxito, and continuing my fight against chrome with the Prado window trim from Garage Alpha.

The only chrome to be wrapped is the 3rd window trim, door handles, and body moulding.

 

[Littlehouse]

Little tinkering on Sat. Rad rubber splash guards.

 

[Littlehouse]

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Looks good! I really need to get a full set of splash guards. Mine are all disintegrated.

 

[Littlehouse]

Looks good! I really need to get a full set of splash guards. Mine are all disintegrated.

Yah, those before pictures are how my 2017 was sitting at 62,000 miles. Southern California car its entire life. Almost 100% gone. I didn’t even realize they existed until I started watching builds on Youtube. They were probably already gone at 32,000 miles in 2020 when I picked it up.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Yah, those before pictures are how my 2017 was sitting at 62,000 miles. Southern California car its entire life. Almost 100% gone. I didn’t even realize they existed until I started watching builds on Youtube. They were probably already gone at 32,000 miles in 2020 when I picked it up.

12 of 15 years of my 460 was spent in Texas parked outside. LOL So yea, they disintegrated.

 

[r2m]

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Something else to add to the bucket list... And on and on it goes.
I need to catch up on that list some day!

 

[Littlehouse]

I put on the RCI engine and transmission skids on Sat. “Steel”

I was sent the wrong tcase skid, or I ordered wrong, so that will be delayed. I want the tcase skid on before I do the gas tank skid so that will sit in the garage for a bit.

 

[Littlehouse]

Today’s project was putting on the Kaon folding traction board mounts. 10/10. You can’t tell they are there when folded down.

 

[Littlehouse]

OK, so I got bored and didn’t like the gas tank skid laying around in my garage, so I mounted it. Hopefully it doesn’t interfere with the t case skid install, but I’ll deal with that at that point.

 

[Littlehouse]

Well, the last skidplate was the biggest pain in the ass of all. It probably took just as long as all of the others put together. Tight spaces. Having to make spacers on both ends to space it away from the exhaust. Being in the middle of the SUV so the ramps didn’t help much…. So glad it’s over.

 

[Shredhead90]

Well, I went a different way. I went with TransK9 kennels to protect my babies. We did a trip to the mountains 2 weeks ago and the seatbelt harnesses tethered to the floor looked uncomfortable, and while they wouldn’t have flown across the car, the harnesses weren’t really designed to be used this way. I thought about racing harnesses, and them breaking backs if they weren’t attached to a horizontal bar rather than the floor.

I’m planning on mammoth trips this winter, and moving to Texas next year, which will require a long road trip. This should do nicely. So far no noises driving around, and the quality looks awesome. Ratchet straps will be coming tomorrow.

Once someone comes up with a reasonably priced plate system I’ll pull the third row, take out the shelf, and drop in a drawer system.
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Crash tested and an escape hatch should the other side be inoperable.
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This is an awesome setup!!! Is this the C19 TransK9 crate? I'm looking at doing the same setup for my 2 Golden Retrievers. Currently using 2 Roughland Kennels but it's a bit tight with the door. How are you liking this crate?