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Posts Tagged ‘truck customizing’

Expedition One builds custom bumper/winch rig for the official Wingshooting USA vehicle

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 12, 2011| 2 Comments »

What you'll see if I'm driving right at ya.

Check out the preliminary construction drawings on the first-ever bumper/winch rig for a 2011 Dodge Ram pickup … designed via CAD-CAM by our newest partner, Expedition One.

These guys know dirt, ruts, and off-roading. For a bird hunter who loves getting off pavement, there is no better supplier of gear, so naturally when our truck build “general contractor” Columbia Overland needed a bumper for the Wingshooting USA rig, they went to Expedition One.

Get down in front of your truck. Look at your own bumper, how it’s mounted to the frame, and what’s expected of a real bumper … from bumps, to load-bearing, to functionality on the road. Imagine the design factors in building a brand-new one, and you can then appreciate the engineering expertise of Expedition One.

Your view as we streak by enroute to the chukar hills, or the nearest tavern.

Looking toward a September installation, just in time for prairie grouse in Montana and South Dakota! Watch for the Expedition One bumper, equipped with Warn winch and off-road lighting package next season on Wingshooting USA.

And then, check out my exclusive interview with Gun Dog columnist Dave Carty!

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Ole’! Baja Rack adds cargo capacity to the new truck.

Posted in News, Truck build, tagged , , , , , , on June 16, 2011| 3 Comments »

My friends at Columbia Overland are hard at work, procuring great gear to outfit the new Wingshooting USA rig. One of their first recommendations? A cargo rack to supplement the capacious Gem Top canopy. After all, with two dogs, a TruckVault and assorted other gear inside, going outside and up makes a lot of sense.

So, who else but Baja Rack to provide the ultimate up-top cargo carrier? Tested and engineered for that legendary race, the Baja 1000, these guys know their stuff. Their “MegaMule” fits perfectly, and if I’d had an SUV instead would have mounted easily on the existing roof rails. Can’t wait to load it up!

Muy bueno, compadres. Gracias.

[PS: If you’re near Albany, Oregon next weekend, come to the Gun Dog Expo and say hello!]

Aluminum wind deflector.

Ax & shovel rack awaiting more stuff!

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“Furniture” for the new rig … from Mud River

Posted in Bird hunting, dog training, hunting dog, News, Truck build, tagged , , , , , on May 10, 2011| 2 Comments »

The first box from my friends at Mud River arrived today, and Buddy and Manny just knew it was for them!

Manny test drives the new Frisco. He hasn't yet learned to avoid obscuring the logo!

It’s a “Frisco” dog bed and I (er, they) love it! Unlike their other beds, this one doesn’t have “sides.” While many dogs cozy up to them like they do a couch’s arms and back, mine find those sides conveniently located to their teeth! The result is, well, a deconstructed dog bed. The Frisco is also BIG, so each guy can stretch out fully, luxuriating in the firm-yet-soft padding, durable waxed-cotton cover and reinforced edges.

The best part, it folds in half for easy transport to the new truck where it’ll soon be an integral part of the dog’s “backyard.” Get more information on Mud River here.

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“Trick” begins … TruckVault leads it off

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Okay everyone, the build-out begins! Here is the first item for the new rig: a TruckVault now under construction in Sedro Wolley, Washington. I’ve got on in our Chevy Tahoe, had one in the last pickup, and can’t wait to get this one into the new Dodge. That’s the blueprint for it, on your left.

TruckVaults are incredible tools: secure storage, beautiful to look at, and fully functional. They allow you to put your gear in one handy place, and leave it there, secure in the knowledge no bad guys can get at it. In fact, most times, they won’t even know you have one! I leave all my hunting stuff in there throughout the season, swap it out for fishing in the spring. This year, one drawer is devoted to dog training for Manny’s upcoming hunt tests. Learn more at my friend Al Chandler’s site.

The current model

You’ve seen my current TruckVault on the Buddy & Me segments of Wingshooting USA and the new one will make its debut during this fall’s shooting season.

Which reminds me … still looking for more great ideas to “Trick my truck!” Wheels? Rack? Electronics? Leave your suggestions, please.

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Trick my truck!

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , on March 27, 2011| 21 Comments »

Okay UPLAND NATION, time to get your hands greasy and your heads into a creative place. Let’s trick this truck.

It’s pretty basic now, but that’s how I like things – at least to start. My wife the painter first puts down a layer of white

Budget? Nah. The world is our oyster, at least for the moment, when it comes to customizing this rig.

gesso on every canvas, then starts splashing on the colors … lots of them. Like her blank canvas, this rig is white. Now the fun begins.

It’s a 2011 Dodge Ram (yes, that thing has a hemi), half-ton chassis, crew cab. Besides your great personalized license plate suggestions, what would you put on, pull behind, stack up, or otherwise do to this truck to make it the ultimate bird hunting rig? Practical, sure. Just plain cool stuff? You bet. What do you wish you’d spec’d out on yours? What have you seen that is now on your wish list?

You make the suggestions. Then I’ll start making the calls. We’ll all see the results next year on Wingshooting USA.

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