Let’s start with the mechanical improvements.   There’s a small company out of Idaho called Northwoods Performance that manufactures the lift kit I installed. It includes a set of 1.5” strut spacers paired with high performance springs all around. T
 Attached at the front is a basic 3” steel tube bull bar for if I happen to hit a snowbank or need to push someone out, each of which seem to happen more often than I’d like. Northwoods Performance manufactured the high clearance front exhaust pipe a
 Upon opening the tailgate, my first ever attempt at woodworking is visible.   I took out the rear seats and built a platform substructure which I bolted to the frame of the car to keep everything nice and secure. The cabinet has seven sliding drawer
 I cut out a trap door above the spare tire well (now stored in the roof box), attached a piano hinge and a hook to keep it open. This is where I store clothes and detergent. The main lights are also strung under the door to illuminate the wardrobe a
 A keen eye will notice there isn’t any platform behind the driver seat, this is so I can sit upright inside with my legs in the footwell. So many SUV builds I’ve seen only allow you to sleep inside with no room for activities, and that just isn’t ve
 Up top I’ve attached high strength cross bars, a 16 cubic foot roof box, and custom mounted sliding solar panel. The panel is rated at 100 watts and flexible, though I’ve hard-mounted it to 1/2” plywood. This was then attached to heavy duty 40-inch
 A buddy of mine gave me the idea to switch out the gear shifter with a trekking pole handle. So I did! This is the pole I thru-hiked the AT with, and it still had a full season of life out west afterwards.  I got lucky and found the 8 x 1.25 nuts I
 The view from the captains quarters.  Here I can sit upright and stretch, cook dinner or in the most dire of circumstances, work on my computer. The mattress is a 4” trifold foam mattress with washable cover. At 76” x 24”, it’s the perfect size for
 The center console armrest got covered in velcro on the inside for easy access to camp and driving essentials. I have extra velcro up top for any additions to the kit.
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