Off-Road Ranger I
- 2,865
- First Name
- Donald
- Last Name
- Diehl
- Member #
0745
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- WRPN 506
Yes, it’s true- we are a year into this 5 year journey. Currently we are in South Carolina to assist our daughter and her health. Not to worry- she is doing better than expected by anyone. She has discovered that she is very much like her mom.
We’re headed out again in early July toward the UP and a swing up and around Lake Superior.
The first year has been a shakedown run. I think we finally have everything in order, including, dumping a lot of little things we have not used, re-arranging how we utilize storage space, added a winch, stepped up to super single 128 rated tires, finally upgraded our safety kit with a trauma bag and a medicine cabinet. I’m replacing my Mac Mini with an appropriate MacBook. I kept the mini, screen, mouse, mouse pad and other accessories in a pelican case. What a PITA getting it out and setting it up. I also picked up my first full frame camera, and pared my kit down to 4 lens and found a good daypack to carry it all in instead of the hard case Pelican. Last but not least- against my better judgement I gave airbags an honest shot. The very first time we were in off camber situations one of them tore open. I lowered the opposite side down to 5 lbs which then caused that side to collapse and pinch. As there is a pair of bags on each side all four ended up destroyed. We hobbled from Grand Staircase to South Carolina about a 1/4” off the bumpstops. Apparently I did not read the fine print “not suitable for suspension lifts of 2 inches or more”. I’m learning something new all the time. There is a truck rebuild, frame and suspension shop here locally with a large regional presence. Sheppards works primarily on the big stuff, but they are also well versed in 3/4 ton and heavier pickup trucks. They rebuilt my spring pack and added an additional long leaf to match. Finally, after a year, I’m quite pleased with the ride and the stance of our truck and I didn’t have to pay twice as much for the upgrade because of the Overlanding tax.
So yes, the year long shakedown run has been completed. I know there will be little things that we will constantly be fine tuning as we move along, but our learning curve is beginning to flatten and it’s time to start exploring again. We both have been taking a wild amount of photographs and some videos. I’ve made a couple of vids posted up on YouTube and hope to get good at it. With the break here in South Carolina I’ve begun writing again:
I’m hoping to see you’all out on the trail.
We’re headed out again in early July toward the UP and a swing up and around Lake Superior.
The first year has been a shakedown run. I think we finally have everything in order, including, dumping a lot of little things we have not used, re-arranging how we utilize storage space, added a winch, stepped up to super single 128 rated tires, finally upgraded our safety kit with a trauma bag and a medicine cabinet. I’m replacing my Mac Mini with an appropriate MacBook. I kept the mini, screen, mouse, mouse pad and other accessories in a pelican case. What a PITA getting it out and setting it up. I also picked up my first full frame camera, and pared my kit down to 4 lens and found a good daypack to carry it all in instead of the hard case Pelican. Last but not least- against my better judgement I gave airbags an honest shot. The very first time we were in off camber situations one of them tore open. I lowered the opposite side down to 5 lbs which then caused that side to collapse and pinch. As there is a pair of bags on each side all four ended up destroyed. We hobbled from Grand Staircase to South Carolina about a 1/4” off the bumpstops. Apparently I did not read the fine print “not suitable for suspension lifts of 2 inches or more”. I’m learning something new all the time. There is a truck rebuild, frame and suspension shop here locally with a large regional presence. Sheppards works primarily on the big stuff, but they are also well versed in 3/4 ton and heavier pickup trucks. They rebuilt my spring pack and added an additional long leaf to match. Finally, after a year, I’m quite pleased with the ride and the stance of our truck and I didn’t have to pay twice as much for the upgrade because of the Overlanding tax.
So yes, the year long shakedown run has been completed. I know there will be little things that we will constantly be fine tuning as we move along, but our learning curve is beginning to flatten and it’s time to start exploring again. We both have been taking a wild amount of photographs and some videos. I’ve made a couple of vids posted up on YouTube and hope to get good at it. With the break here in South Carolina I’ve begun writing again:
I’m hoping to see you’all out on the trail.
