Moon Landing's Mods

Westcott Designs 2"F / 1.25"R

Stock 265 Terra Grapplers



Angles



On to the next project.

 

Interesting. Hardly any(if any at all?) axle weight change after the lift(2"F/1.25"R) - no equipment was added or removed - same half a tank of fuel(+- a gallon or 2 at each weigh in).

Front - 2,600
Rear - 2,360
Total - 4,960

 

Very clean... how was the install? did you have to move your AC line and power steering lines? I'm curious b/c I'm leaning towards the C4 bumper but don't like the idea of having to 'nudge' some of the malleable lines out of the way....

 

There's one line that gets in the way, a little. I think it's power steering? If you pop the punch pins and ogle the 2 brackets that keep it in place you'll note there's a top clamping bolt(for the line) and a lower bolt that is the other half of the clamping bracket(that one gives it its height). What we elected to do was make the main brackets a little taller(when I say a little - maybe a 1/4 inch. Then, for my personal satisfaction I split some clear hose and tie wrapped it to the line for additional protection. I'm happy with the install and am pretty damn particular.

 

Leveling deck installed. Waiting on mounting hardware and placement before any type of covering is added. Still unsure what I want to use.

Took a little different approach in its design and didn't use any 2x2' or 2x4 center supports. Instead I used one sheet of 3/4 ply married to another - the top piece is 41" x 43" and the lower is 39.5" x 43". The 1.5" hold back is to miss some plastic pieces to the rear of the rear seat backs(on both sides). Married the two pieces with 1.25 wood screws from the under side. Predrilled the front mount points and attached it to where the OEM tie down loops were(stock)with 2 each 6mm x 70mm bolts. To add the extra 1" for 2.5" total I used 4 trailer drop down door bump stops(2 front & 2 rear). Pictured.

The front bumpers are on top of the where the OEM tie downs were originally attached. The pieces of plastic that the hold back was for, are pictured top of this pic just left of center.


Hold back.


Held the back bumpers in 2.5 inches from each side to clear all the plastic on the outer side of them.


Last minute design change. Instead of placing the bumpers deeper in(towards the front) where they would land on the carpet. I decided this would be better.
The closed cell foam they are setting on will collapse in time but add protection between the bumper and the back gate sill(no need to mar it up). Will be adding a tie down strap across the top of the plate, using the rear tie down points. That strap and the additional hardware it will run through, would hopefully, slow the platform down were the unthinkable to happen.

 

The deck is anchored w/1.5" #14 wood screws.
L


R


Fit a section of 3/4" clear hose between the platform and each wheel well. Which added stability and the deck shouldn't mar the wheel well plastic.


Added tie downs for the Frig and Jackery too. Ended up with 28" in width x 6' 4" in length for sleeping area, before leaning the drivers seat back forward - if need be.

One day at a time

 

Nice build!

I worked with guy in Iraq who was in his early 70's. He had a young (20 something) Thai girlfriend.
He frequently stated... "There is no luggage rack on a hearse."

 

Thanks!

I've never seen a hearse tugging a trailer, either

 

Good call tying everything down! I have had my whole platform seem to go airborne on whoops. I might steal your idea with the straps.

 

that ain't stealing

 

Well it took seemingly forever to find someone to tint the truck. Because tinting is so common place here in 'The Skillet' all the good ones are booked for weeks. Thanks to the guys who wrapped my truck we're doing it at their shop...in the morning. 75% for the windshield and both front windows, 40% for the entire back half. None too soon either. We're already breaking the 100 degree mark and as anyone in the desert will tell ya....that's a cool day!

 

It's a BIG boost!

Was a shot in the dark when purchased, but it works so well for 'my setup' it's officially part of the kit. Currently undecided 'where' it's going to be stowed? Inside for now, but perhaps it'll end up attached to the Ultraswing?

$80 HitchMate Truck SUV Tire Step Attachment Black

https://www.amazon.com/HitchMate-Tr...k+TireStep&qid=1619282102&s=automotive&sr=1-7
.

 

Next step. Have spoken with a fabricator/welder to turn my idea for a MaxTrax mount into reality. Hopefully that'll happen one day this week. He's doing it as a side job which was suggested and okayed by his employer. Very generous of both of them.

 

Sharp! Nicely done!

 

Thanks. We're getting there.

 

Game on. Tomorrow afternoon. One day at a time. Soon, I'll be packing to go. Where first? That's the question.

 

Start with what do you want to see/do and how long you want to be gone?

 

Traction board mount - done.........except for paint.
Will hold 2 pair

 

DONE...
for now lol
Lookin good!

 

Thanks, very happy with how the mount turned out, and you're right. It never ends

 

YES, looking GREAT mate! You know, I've discovered as well, that once you start, it's a never ending financial black hole! We always think of something else to "complement" any upgrade just done. But it's FUN!!! Nice work!

Cheers,

Sean

 

Hi Moon Landing.

Looking good.

I'm curious, thinking of getting a RIGd UltraSwing also. I'm want to modify it, to hold a dual jerrycan carrier, it's about 15 inch wide ( https://c4fabrication.com/collections/accessories/products/dual-jerry-can-carrier ) next to the tire on the driver's side. Having not seen one in real life, do you think it would fit ?

Thanx Didzer

 

In RIGd's pictures you'll see he has an extra 2" receiver to mount a bike rack to. You could use that as your mount point, but it would take some fabrication. Note: If you go that way? It will be very important for you to use a wedge design hitch insert like he has on the main unit(unless you weld it on permanently). Otherwise you'll have far to much play and the cans will not sit still.
EDIT: Something to consider - the main pivot bolt he uses isn't the largest...when it comes to load bearing. However - if you added a fixed adjustable rubber bump stop to the top of the main hitch insert, that would take up a lot of the shock in the closed position.

Food for thought. I'm still debating but leaning towards this system to carry either 6 or 12 gallons of extra fuel. There are pros and cons - so just throwing it out there.

https://www.trailedonline.com/product-page/spare-tire-auxiliary-tank
.

 

@Moon Landing, wonder why you didn't consider mounting on the roof rack. I was thinking to move the traction boards and hi-lift jack to the roof. Wonder if there is any safer mounts out there.

I was thinking to a way to mount like this. Not sure how safe that would be. Right now they are in cargo area.

 

Every available pound of capacity for my roof rack is spoken for . Won't be long until I post pictures and you'll understand why that's out of the question for me.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/mo...t-for-my-wants-needs.18527/page-3#post-241964
.

 

Last update was the traction board mounting system. Seems like that was forever ago.


Here's the latest accomplishment.

2 shelf molle panel install. The top shelf holds both solar panels for recharging the Jackery. The lower shelf contains kitchen needs - pots, pans, coffee, etc(total shelf weight is around 20 pounds each shelf). The middle box lower shelf is a Whisper Jet camp stove for those times when breaking out the big Coleman isn't practical. The Frig and Jackery aren't strapped down in the photos, but all straps are installed and ready for use. It's a work in progress, still lots to mount, but we're getting there.

 

If interested?

A link to the edge protector used on the shelf edges. Soft, pliable and all around perfect grip.

$20 Black U Channel Edge Trim, Fits Edge up to 0.34", Length 20 Feet (6.10 Meter)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DG4JT41?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

Link to the orange & white bungees. Extremely adjustable - which allows you to control the amount of tension being placed on whatever is being secured.

$7 Keeper - 10 in. to 54 in. Adjustable Flat Bungee Cord, Multicolor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044FPNIG?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

 

Very efficient looking!

 

Love this set up. Clean and functional. Thanks for posting your deck anchoring system. I just built mine out and needed an idea for anchoring. This is perfect.