A Little Unorthodox, New Mod. Tell me what you think...
- Thread starter Kurtis
- Start date
Kurtis
New member
I am going to paint them black either way. I plan on using spray on bed liner. I think the mad max look would be a bit much. I really don't think it would get that much attention where I live. Washington state (especially where I live) is well know for offroading and I honestly think that on a regular day good guys and bad guys will just look at it as an offroad mod. As far as **** hits the fan time, anyone that is not running around in panic is going to attract attention. In a vehilce, on foot, or other wise.
Kurtis
New member
3/4" .065 wall steel. Expanded sheet metal is 3/4 raised steel.
Ironback
New member
I will be attaching it to the C and D pillars using 4 bolts. Here:
Let me know what you think. I will be painting with bed liner since it's easy to touch up if needed.
I'm an avid prepper myself. If I may make one suggestion...
I noticed that the front and back ends of the grill work are unfinished/open. They may catch on trees, shrubs, zombies... what have you. I'd suggest placing a thin sheet of metal over it so that the ends are covered.
Just my .02
Kurtis
New member
Yes, I thought of this also. I am thinking a small piece of sheet metal will give it a more finished look as well.
Ironback
New member
Been thinking about this mod of yours.
Might it be benificial to place the bracing under the mesh? If something were to strike it as is the mesh had nothing to hold it in place. If the mid support bar is behind it, supporting it, then it will not bend inwards. Might also help with the cosmetics.
Once again, just my .02
Might it be benificial to place the bracing under the mesh? If something were to strike it as is the mesh had nothing to hold it in place. If the mid support bar is behind it, supporting it, then it will not bend inwards. Might also help with the cosmetics.
Once again, just my .02
shadow247
New member
I'll be the third. I like to be incognito, especially if this is an SHTF vehicle. You want to look like every other joe-schmo trying to get out of town. A heavily modded vehicle will get you noticed in a hurry.
My 4Runner is my bug-out vehicle as well, although I haven't done much other than install the lift and make sure it is running well. I plan to do sliders, and build front and rear bumpers, but my plan is to make them using the factory bumpers and beef them up on the backside, this making it look like I have nothing modified. Think tube bumper with the stock bumpers as "covers". If I really have to use the bumpers to push someone out of the way, my last concern is worrying about the cosmetics after it is hit.
A.Wilson013
New member
Honest question...
What in the hell is a Bug Out Vehicle? Or is this one of those things where you go out on the weekend with your buddies and stockpile thousands of rounds of 7.62 in the woods for the day that the Chinese invade? A little bit of playful mockery, but honestly curious.
OH! As for the mod in question. It's an interesting idea... But why those windows, and not the other 6?
What in the hell is a Bug Out Vehicle? Or is this one of those things where you go out on the weekend with your buddies and stockpile thousands of rounds of 7.62 in the woods for the day that the Chinese invade? A little bit of playful mockery, but honestly curious.
OH! As for the mod in question. It's an interesting idea... But why those windows, and not the other 6?
T4R2014
Elite Member
The sheet metal is thin as stated above. Even if it does protect your windows, whatever hits the cage will push the thing into your sheet metal. Basically any hard impact on it will damage the body.
That is more expensive and harder to fix than a broken window. It also gives unwanted attention as said before.
That is more expensive and harder to fix than a broken window. It also gives unwanted attention as said before.
I'd like to echo the concern over the strength of the mounting. For the off road protection, your C & D pillars could get extremely tweaked. Any thoughts to extending the support up and possibly using the roof rack as an upper mounting point? I'm thinking partial exo-cage style, keep it away from the body a little to allow for some give when it gets hit.
Really curious to see what you come up with.
Really curious to see what you come up with.
downpour11
New member
That's exactly what I was thinking. Partial/rear exo with mounting points at the roof rack and back down to either the tow hitch or the frame. He could even make it removable. Sounds like it would be pretty cool to me. If he decides to get a rear bumper he could also integrate it into that. Many possibilities.
Nelsonmd
New member
I agree as well, You can make it kind of look like a bug out vehicle with this widow cover, but the ultimate bug out vehicle is purely functional, and this isn't really adding any function. It looks like a damage multiplier to me.
In all honesty, a real BOV is probably going to look more like an Expo rig than a rock crawler. You have to be ruthless about what is functionally advantageous in case of a bug out need. Think about it, you are talking about being able to survive in your rig, well, that's what expo rigs are designed for.
Check out Mr Leary's rig, or head over to the expedition portal forum, and model your bug-out vehicle after what you see there. Don't aim for the mad max look.
downpour11
New member
Exactly ^^^ and yeah, it seems like it could be a damage multiplier especially if you're going through the pillars for support and mounting. I'm not really looking at it as a "BOV", I'm looking at it as protecting those rear windows. And if you are going to protect the rear windows, which is a great idea especially off road, you might as well protect the body panels too. All in all I think it's a great idea, just needs a little tweaking.
