NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

Hello Ranger owners. I am UK-based, but keep a 2000 Ranger in the US... tired of paying Avis's payroll. The truck will probably get only 5k a year use until it is kitted out as an expedition vehicle for a three-month outing to Prudoe Bay and back, visiting all those beautiful North American sites we never had a chance to see before our careers called us overseas. That trip is scheduled for summer 2019 or 2020 to allow for planned, affordable, mostly bespoke mods and outfitting. Been gone 40 years, but coming home still preferring to push a Ford than drive a Chevy.

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Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

Welcome to FRF.. Details fine Sir... Build Details indeed ; )

Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

A fantastic vehicle – well done. Just one short look at your details, and I'm already getting a sense of direction, especially that all-in-one tent-camper as an option. Thanks. One thing I will do for sure, which it appears you have done: take it easy and think things out before taking action. I'm not particularly interested in looking pretty. I just want simple, dependable practicality.

New B
 

Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

We just took our 2009 ranger up the Dempster Highway to Inuvik. We have a topper and just put all of our tools and camping equipment in large Tupperware bins to protect from dust. The only mods we did to the truck were new tires and shocks.

Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

Yea, the Flip-Pac has some really cool features but yet at the same time I've made some upgrades to it and still yet to be performed. I actually have one of the older units [20+ yrs old] and I have less problems than the guys with units less than 4 years old.

Unfortunately they went out of business around 10+ months ago and the best you could hope for is to find an older unit being sold as they do kind of move about OR hoping someone over at AT gets a wild hair in their arse and decides to make a more universal version of "the HABITAT" which in honesty I think is a better design of something quite similar. Unfortunately all they cater to is the Toyota Taco fanboys and as of my last communications with them a couple months ago, only thoughts have been given consideration, no defined plans. Why they would not be interested in market growth either I dont understand their business model. My Flip-Pac is more universal, fits in anything with a 6' ft bed. Doesnt matter if its my Ford, a Nissan, Toyota, or a Mazda based platform. THAT.. Flip-Pac did have going for them.

They actually used to be a Flip-Pac dealer, the largest I beleive at one time and through a falling out because Flip-Pac likely wouldnt make any changes that were crucial to not only market growth but actual annoyances that could easily with revision changes made a lot more people happy than irritated. Their customer service severely lacked. AT I think struggled with it and finally said they would make their own and with the necessary design changes to make a better unit.

I personally don't know many people there other than Paul or deal with them directly but I do with Norweld from Australia. They make more of a All aluminum flatbed with a [removable] aluminum canopy if you like but again.. all three units come in well near the $6k mark and a serious investment as well a commitment to that vehicles use.

I like the fact that I can camp anywhere I can park my vehicle.

I take a little more of a SHTF approach and self preservation, with sustainability to my mods.. -minus the car audio aspects but sanity is dear to me. My days of trendsetting I think are beyond my days unless you come from or understand a preppers mindset and see that within my build purpose.

They laugh, point, some just shake their heads but I'm actually prepared for more than just adventures.. ;)

Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

bob, welcome to FRF.

Re: NOLA-based Ranger being prepared for expedition
 

Probably will be difficult to look for Flip-Pac or similar from here in the UK. Don't get back to the US more than twice a year. And nothing here similar. Toppers are only just beginning to be regularly seen, and generally just on new vehicles. Modified ones will be some time in coming, I reckon, but pickups are becoming more visible in suburban driveways, so even if it is slow, it will happen. Looks like I'll be back in November/December, so stage two needs to be planned. Bob

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Thanks - I get the feeling FRF is going to provid a lot of help for my project - Bob