IM A HORSE - Definitely not a build.

[Moose737]

There are a couple hobbies I have in my life that occupy a lot of my time. Most of it is wheeling, adventure travel, hiking with the fam, riding dual sports, and snowboarding. The Tacoma has slowly evolved over the years to accomplish all of those things very well and I wanted the Bronco to be an additional tool in the chest for similar experiences. I had a dual sport in August I wanted to use the Bronco for to camp in so the first thing I did the night I brought it home was test the bike on the hitch hauler.

I found that the OEM tow hitch will not work with the hitch hauler I have, and I needed extra space to clear the 35" tire on the back.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

After scratching the brand new wheels on the back of the Bronco with the bike's foot pegs literally hours after I brought it home, I found a solution for more clearance.


The drawtite 76527 is longer and gives me more space without needing to add an extension that will add more wobble into the setup.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

The downside is I need to be more careful with shin placement, but otherwise it looks good.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

It will also negatively impact departure angle, but that's future me's problem. For now it solves the problem very well.

Bonus points for the bike having a place to rest while I prep the straps.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

With that I was able to load the bike up and take it 2.5 hours away the next week to test how it felt having this weight hanging off the back. Honestly aside from it being a little nose high, I barely felt like the back was there at all.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

So now I knew the bike part can be done, the next part was figuring out how to setup my sleep situation and fridge. Also I was concerned about ventilation being that it would be the middle of August in the north east, aka sticky humid nights.

I got the idea for vents from this thread:


https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/cheap-diy-5-window-vent-option-for-in-vehicle-camping.32555/

But put my own spin on it.

I changed mine a bit by taking another one, cutting it, and gluing actual window screen on it which netted me smaller holes. Not bad for $30 in stuff.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

By doubling the vinyl material it makes the entire piece more rigid. I might also line the edges with fender trim for extra rigidity and durability.

Here is a comparison of the screen that came on it vs the window screen from home depot.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr


Then all that was left was to figure out how to pack the truck. I got the @deepsleep Overland mat to sleep on so that was the other thing I was basing the setup around.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr


I put the fridge behind me because I noticed once the bike is loaded up I can't access the fridge so now I can get it from the drivers side rear.

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One case was my riding gear, another my camp kitchen that came from the Tacoma setup.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I added 2 12v fans that I also already had to push air through the cabin.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Overall the setup worked awesome and the event was one of the best one's I have done so far.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
[/QUOTGreat thread….exactly what I needed to see for my Husky TX300i. Thanks for posting!

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[Johnny Vikes]

Took both rigs out 2 weeks ago to do some local camping and hanging by a creek. I drove the Taco while my wife drove the Bronco. The plan was to have my wife hang out by the creek with us, then come to camp with us, hang for dinner and smores and head home around his bed time. She gets a quiet house to herself and I get a quiet campfire to enjoy beer and a cigar.

At the creek:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

And then to camp.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

This was her first time on actual trails and she killed it navigating them.

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This place is one of my favorite places in NJ and the first time I took her to see it.

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My pup has been my ride or die camp buddy since we got her.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Stoked to now carry that on with my son too.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Dude thats SIIIICK!!!! Thanks for sharing all of that - beautiful family. I’m from NJ as well - what park was that with the watering hole?
Also, you mentioned needing or wanting to get a “high lift” - what exactly is that? Sorry, new to offroading. I want to make sure I have everything I need (reasonably) before I go out. Thx!

 

[cynicalrider]

Great pics! I too put my dirtbike on a hitch carrier and had the same issue. I just used a receiver extension and it worked great. It also works with my bicycle carrier as well and when not in use it doesn't bang up my shin.

Do you end up running 2 anti rattles for a setup like this? I was so worried about excessive movement and hate relying on one anti rattle already for movement reduction.

This pic is terrifying.

I like this behind the scenes one better:

But def not as epic.

Great thread! I’m in a similar situation where my wife doesn’t drive my Bronco and I just got her a Ranger (33” Falkens going on it Thursday). I’m currently recovering from shoulder surgery, so I can’t drive stick). We still have our favorite season to enjoy some camping and the outdoors. Just no fishing for me. Womp Womp.

I’m gonna ask - where’s that spot in NJ?

They also make those bolt on hitch stabilizers that bolt on with a U-clamp. Solid option after a few shin blasters.

Cheers!

ps, I don’t drink anymore, but nothing beats a Blanton’s next to a campfire. Certain moments like that I pine for.

Yeah i have a stabilizer that secures the hauler to the hitch which definitely helps but I didn't want to run two.

I have really been looking into the te300's, I'd love it as my more technical bike.

Dude thats SIIIICK!!!! Thanks for sharing all of that - beautiful family. I’m from NJ as well - what park was that with the watering hole?
Also, you mentioned needing or wanting to get a “high lift” - what exactly is that? Sorry, new to offroading. I want to make sure I have everything I need (reasonably) before I go out. Thx!

Unfortunately I can't share the spot, but I can tell you it's down in Wharton. A lot of the spots we hang out at/ride get blown up so when we have a nice slice of heaven it's hard to want to share unfortunately.

So a high lift is a farmers jack. It lets you lift a vehicle either by the bumper, rock sliders or even a tire if you use their tire attachment. Let's say you bury a truck to the frame and are solo with no winch. You can lift the truck one corner at a time and stuff sticks and other shit under the truck to break suction and dig out. It's invaluable if you know how to use it.

Or for getting off stumps you get hung up on.

I have also used it in a situation where I was trapped on a trail in the dark in the snow, jammed up my chain saw not thinking through the cuts to get through the trail. Was able to get under the log and free the chain saw. Lot's of great uses.

 

[ManSquatch]

Do you end up running 2 anti rattles for a setup like this? I was so worried about excessive movement and hate relying on one anti rattle already for movement reduction.

Yes, I used one on the carrier and one on the hitch. I bought one on Amazon that was heavy duty (grade 8 bolts) and it did a really good job keeping it secure.

 

[Johnny Vikes]

Do you end up running 2 anti rattles for a setup like this? I was so worried about excessive movement and hate relying on one anti rattle already for movement reduction.



I like this behind the scenes one better:

But def not as epic.




Yeah i have a stabilizer that secures the hauler to the hitch which definitely helps but I didn't want to run two.



I have really been looking into the te300's, I'd love it as my more technical bike.



Unfortunately I can't share the spot, but I can tell you it's down in Wharton. A lot of the spots we hang out at/ride get blown up so when we have a nice slice of heaven it's hard to want to share unfortunately.

So a high lift is a farmers jack. It lets you lift a vehicle either by the bumper, rock sliders or even a tire if you use their tire attachment. Let's say you bury a truck to the frame and are solo with no winch. You can lift the truck one corner at a time and stuff sticks and other shit under the truck to break suction and dig out. It's invaluable if you know how to use it.

Or for getting off stumps you get hung up on.

I have also used it in a situation where I was trapped on a trail in the dark in the snow, jammed up my chain saw not thinking through the cuts to get through the trail. Was able to get under the log and free the chain saw. Lot's of great uses.

ahhhh nice man - i think ive seen high lifts/jacks attached to wranglers over the years next to a battle ax hahaa... and i totally hear you on the spot - hold on to those places man - ill do my own exploring. Believe it or not, cape may NJ used to be one of those hidden gems. Crazy to think that a whole town could be hidden, but it was before social media. Place will never be the same.

 

[cynicalrider]

Well it's official.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Actually I'm not really a horse, I'm a broom.

And for those who don't get it:



Yes I based it on an obscure Family Guy reference. #worthit

 

[cynicalrider]

Not even 5k on the odometer and I'm already ruining it.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Took the bike and truck up to VT for a riding trip. We ran a bunch of these trails 2 years ago in the Toyota's seen here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX7MDKw

So this was re-running some of it as well as running some new stuff we never got to. I have 300+ miles of tracks connecting class 4's up there I have made over the years.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Sunrise at camp:

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And sunset at camp:

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And when in VT you grab some Alchemist.

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[cynicalrider]

ALSO WHY IS THIS SITE SO FUCKING TERRIBLE WITH PHOTOS

 

[joell king]

Looks nice ! Great photos

snaptube vidmate​

 

[cynicalrider]

Actual truck mod. Snagged a set of OEM rock rails from FB marketplace for $100. I don't plan on leaving them alone either, I already have this ordered but it's currently backordered.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/13042_3200_07.htm

I was going to get a stick of tube and get my buddy to help me bend it as my cheap option (prob would cost $60-80) but for $210 this will save me at last 2 hours of driving to get to him, plus another couple hours of figuring out proper bends.

I got the idea from @Tricky Dick and @broadicustomworks in this thread:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/fabricated-own-rock-sliders.63006/

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Still deciding if I want to try to find an interesting sheet metal to use for the step or buy a dimple die kit to make my own.

 

[cynicalrider]

Took the family out after heavy rain. Got stuck once and managed to recover with a heavy foot and some back and forth action. After that I played it safe and walked the deep stuff to make sure the bottom was solid.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Nothing like walking puddles barefoot in low 40 degree temps.

Then this morning I broke it's snow donuts cherry.

 

[cynicalrider]

Took my son sledding.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr



I've def been enjoying be able to always have a rig ready to go with this truck. The Tacoma is in the garage while I repair/re-tub the firewall since the work I did in 2015 rusted out.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

It blows my mind I need to do ^ for 35's on my Tacoma while the Bronco came like that.

 

[cynicalrider]

Finally finished fixing the Tacoma, I love it when both are in the driveway together.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Finally sold my soft top and made some purchases.

First up on board air to go with the morr flate air hose system I already had for the Tacoma. The Tacoma has a 10 LB CO2 tank with a CKMA-12 as backup. I went with the MORRflate TenSix psi pro because of how fast it can inflate with the air hoses and I really liked the auto set function.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Next up was some shock skids from Lobo.

The HOSS 3.0 setup is very exposed and last I heard aluminum and rocks don't mix well.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Had some help on this install.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

[cynicalrider]

The current next project is getting this RC hidden winch setup installed. I spent the majority of the time so far fabricating mounts for the solenoid and isolator, as well as finding a solution to actuating the free spool clutch without opening the hood.

Brackets in design/testing:

And the completed products:

I am really trying to think through my solutions and not rush anything. Half the work on the Tacoma I am redoing came from not knowing better or rushing before a trip.

 

[NVCowboy]

At least the motorcycle riding pants will keep that receiver hitch from breaking your leg too awfully bad. In all seriousness, great thread.

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