corbin8or
Adventurer
I just thought I would start my own thread about the build up of my rig, a 2003 Dodge Dakota.
When I started with DE I thought about getting something else but after driving it offroad on a few trips with Lance and Wil, I have found it to be a great platform for this "hobby" we all share.
First of all it has a lot of room inside the cab for my girlfriend at least one of my wheelchairs and my horse of a dog!
Next its still a truck with a bed so I can still go out and pick up a couch or whatever! I can also carry my offroad bike/trike (pictures to come).
Styling is nice and reminds me of the curves of an 80 series (I've owned 2 of those!).
Driving it cross country a couple times has given me a great feel for how it drives... I love it! it handles great has nice tracking as a longer wheelbase vehicle.
Really the only thing I don't like about this truck is how much I pay per month to own it!!! oh well, live and learn right?
Things I have done already;
1.I have removed the rear seats for room, mainly for my dog. Astro is a 200+ pound great dane that even when standing on the floor of the truck has to duck to stick his head out of the window! Man does he love going for rides!!
2. I purchased a thule cargo basket with extension on CL and welded it to some yakima crass bars in such a way as to lower the rack coser to truck roof.
3. I fabricated (my job) a custom rack for a RTT (provided by Camping Lab)
so that it was high enough for my "bikes" to fit under it but not too high that I can still use it. It also is under the wind profile of the fairing that the rack has so I don't notice any difference in MPG.
4. Last week before a 3 day trip I took the useless center seat out of the front seat assembly and made a center console that is huge and usefull. room enough for two nalgene bottles and then wired for power for laptop and radios and a switch panel for lights and such.
5. Just came inside after my girlfriend and I removed the rear bumper and hitch stuff. Cutting the rear quarter panels off the truck for better departure angle. Planning on making a swing away rear bumper with a fold out kitchen for an "L" shaped counter area including the tailgate.
I will have more about my truck and what we are doing as Zebra Sports Adventures soon... I work as a consultant at the local VA and am planning some demo days and ride alongs for newly injured Vets, as I am a Vet too.
More later... pictures too
When I started with DE I thought about getting something else but after driving it offroad on a few trips with Lance and Wil, I have found it to be a great platform for this "hobby" we all share.
First of all it has a lot of room inside the cab for my girlfriend at least one of my wheelchairs and my horse of a dog!
Next its still a truck with a bed so I can still go out and pick up a couch or whatever! I can also carry my offroad bike/trike (pictures to come).
Styling is nice and reminds me of the curves of an 80 series (I've owned 2 of those!).
Driving it cross country a couple times has given me a great feel for how it drives... I love it! it handles great has nice tracking as a longer wheelbase vehicle.
Really the only thing I don't like about this truck is how much I pay per month to own it!!! oh well, live and learn right?
Things I have done already;
1.I have removed the rear seats for room, mainly for my dog. Astro is a 200+ pound great dane that even when standing on the floor of the truck has to duck to stick his head out of the window! Man does he love going for rides!!
2. I purchased a thule cargo basket with extension on CL and welded it to some yakima crass bars in such a way as to lower the rack coser to truck roof.
3. I fabricated (my job) a custom rack for a RTT (provided by Camping Lab)
so that it was high enough for my "bikes" to fit under it but not too high that I can still use it. It also is under the wind profile of the fairing that the rack has so I don't notice any difference in MPG.
4. Last week before a 3 day trip I took the useless center seat out of the front seat assembly and made a center console that is huge and usefull. room enough for two nalgene bottles and then wired for power for laptop and radios and a switch panel for lights and such.
5. Just came inside after my girlfriend and I removed the rear bumper and hitch stuff. Cutting the rear quarter panels off the truck for better departure angle. Planning on making a swing away rear bumper with a fold out kitchen for an "L" shaped counter area including the tailgate.
I will have more about my truck and what we are doing as Zebra Sports Adventures soon... I work as a consultant at the local VA and am planning some demo days and ride alongs for newly injured Vets, as I am a Vet too.
More later... pictures too
Last edited:
