Two seat Tahoe overlander build...

[Tozan]

My Tahoe is used as a daily driver but, is often used as an Over-lander vehicle on weekends too. So it is a build in progress. I guess I should have just done one big build thread on this... lol

I decided to remove the 2nd and 3rd row seats for more efficient storage and a more usable area for over-landing. For today I only have photos of what it looks like with the seats out and I will add more photos and information after I design and start building this out.

I seldom have passengers in the back and if I really need it we can drive my wife's car.

Sooo. I decided to remove the second row seats for more storage room. I put a level in the back area to see how deep the area is compared to the back. It is roughly 6.5 inches at the deepest point and 4 feet wide and 36 inches front to back.

I am thinking of installing a heavy lockable storage unit here that will be bolted down on it's inside with the existing seat bolts. This storage area would be 6.5 inches or as deep as 12 inches allowing for a lot of storage space. It will be carpeted to blend in with the original carpet.


The rear section is 4x4 feet.

For the rear section I can do a few things.
1. leave it empty or leave my platform on it. See thread " Installing a storage / bed platform. https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...mping-in-a-tahoe-and-window-insulation.96888/

2. Install a 4x4 by 6 inch storage unit in the back and build the front deep enough to match the rear so I will be able to maintain the same height for a bed.

Let the fun begin...

 

[willieboy240]

Look on the 4Runner sites. They have a lot of great ideas for overlander stuff.

 

[rroadkilll]

Updates?

 

[Tozan]

I can configure this several ways in this photo there is no second row seat.

Under storage area give a lot of room for essential items.

 

[Tozan]

I have added ton of stuff to this build... lol I will just post up some of the photos here. If you have questions feel free to ask. This is is a steel shelf I made it fits a full size 5 inch memory mattress on top.

I insulated the windows they are 1 inch thick foam with a camo cover for privacy and comfort.

This is my 270 degree awning great for off road adventures or anytime you want your own shade.

Camping out in the wilderness we traveled about 80 miles off road to get here.

Of course running water...

 

[Tozan]

Of course you have to have a refrigerator this one goes from -4 degrees to 60 degrees I keep my medical trauma bag right in front of it.

I built this fold up slide out table for cooking outdoors there is also a table that mounts to the left side and the running water posted above fits in the rack to the left... No water tank outside on this trip because the highs were 30 and lows only 8 degrees even the dutch oven needed gas to heat it up... lol

On board air tank it can air up all four tires in less than 5 minutes.

Air lines the red ones are installed under the carpet.

 

[Tozan]

SUV rifle rack also doubles holding water bottles, radios, carabiner s or other stuff.

Molle pouches easily attach to the shelf too.

You can attach all kinds of stuff under the shelf.

Better King shocks to be installed soon...

 

[992dr]

Love this build, everything is coming out great.
Those Kings are crazy. How much lift will they provide or is it going to be stock height just better performing set up?
What are your plans for the rear?

Nicely done man, looks killer.

 

[Geoffsfas10]

This is pretty kickass!!

 

[Tozan]

Love this build, everything is coming out great.
Those Kings are crazy. How much lift will they provide or is it going to be stock height just better performing set up?
What are your plans for the rear?
Nicely done man, looks killer.

Thank you, I run a 4 inch lift now and most likely will pick up another inch for a total of 5 inches front and rear. The kings will enable more wheel travel most likely up to 8 inches or more depending on how much the axles will take... They should preform better although I have no complaints about the RC 7000's on there now. The rear for now will most likely stay the same

This is pretty kickass!!

Thank you. I really like how it works... I just keep thinking of other stuff to do to it... lol

 

[Geoffsfas10]

Thank you. I really like how it works... I just keep thinking of other stuff to do to it... lol

There's always something haha. Atleast your'e getting out there and using it unlike 99% of the jeeps I see around here.

 

[Tozan]

There's always something haha. At least you're getting out there and using it unlike 99% of the jeeps I see around here.

Yea but, the best part about those pavement queens is they keep their rigs nice and clean and in good shape so when it's time for them to get a new one I can swoop up a rigged up truck for cheap... lol I have friends like that, I still like them..

Too many off roaders have very inflated fragile egos and think you have to have this or that stuff. Or in their small little minds if your rig can not do this or that trail it is not worthy who made them a judge? Only their little ego has appointed them an expert... lol

Who decides what you need to overland travel or to "get out there" Bottom line is just get out there go do and enjoy as much as you and your rig can, there is no competition no trophies (except in their small minded egos) I am amazed seeing stock Tahoe s doing what they do...

Sorry about the rant... lol

 

[Geoffsfas10]

Yea but, the best part about those pavement queens is they keep their rigs nice and clean and in good shape so when it's time for them to get a new one I can swoop up a rigged up truck for cheap... lol I have friends like that, I still like them..

Too many off roaders have very inflated fragile egos and think you have to have this or that stuff. Or in their small little minds if your rig can not do this or that trail it is not worthy who made them a judge? Only their little ego has appointed them an expert... lol

Who decides what you need to overland travel or to "get out there" Bottom line is just get out there go do and enjoy as much as you and your rig can, there is no competition no trophies (except in their small minded egos) I am amazed seeing stock Tahoe s doing what they do...

Sorry about the rant... lol

haha no no i get it. Its just the Jeep mentality that bothers me. They are all over here and its terrible haha. I showed up at a meet once with my solid axle swapped S10 and the dudes who actually built and wheeled their trucks were like oh sweet i wanna see it....the mall cralwers were like ehhh...its not a jeep so it will suck

 

[992dr]

Thank you, I run a 4 inch lift now and most likely will pick up another inch for a total of 5 inches front and rear. The kings will enable more wheel travel most likely up to 8 inches or more depending on how much the axles will take... They should preform better although I have no complaints about the RC 7000's on there now. The rear for now will most likely stay the same

Thank you. I really like how it works... I just keep thinking of other stuff to do to it... lol

Very cool. They don't get any better than King.

Curious, not very familiar with lifting our SUVs. How did you get 5" of lift out back? And does it affect where the rear wheels location? When I dropped mine it moved them off-center, does it do the same for lifting? I'd assume so.
How do you fix it? Lift links?

 

[Tozan]

Very cool. They don't get any better than King.

Curious, not very familiar with lifting our SUVs. How did you get 5" of lift out back? And does it affect where the rear wheels location? When I dropped mine it moved them off-center, does it do the same for lifting? I'd assume so.
How do you fix it? Lift links?

I have a Ranch 4 inch lift with over two inches of sag up front I plan to use the King shock to raise in up another inch in the front to total out 5 inches.

On the rear with the lift kit I have the rear wheel is re-centered with the Rancho lift kit and I am looking at putting King shocks and a little more spring back there to get a little more height.

To answer your question when dropping it you should be able get the axle in the center by replacing the arms with something shorter.

 

[Sparksalot]

I can configure this several ways in this photo there is no second row seat.

View attachment 225720

Under storage area give a lot of room for essential items.

View attachment 225721

As soon as I saw your pics I knew I’d seen you on Overland Bound.

 

[Tozan]

As soon as I saw your pics I knew I’d seen you on Overland Bound.

That is me. I do a lot of off road exploring in my rig.. I just went over 190,000 miles with it and it is still going strong. The weather is starting to cool down here in Arizona so I am looking forward to this camping season coming up.

 

[Tozan]

I guess this post needs an update... lol

This past year I installed 13 mm of sound / thermal insulation in all the side panels, doors, rear door and also the roof it drops the inside temperature at least 20 to 30 degrees when sitting in the Arizona sun. Combined with the tinted windows driving this is like riding around in a cave. The 13mm insulation is glass reinforced on one side and adhesive on the other and sticks really good to the sheet metal.

This is the roof insulation. It is amazing how much cooler it is with the roof insulated the cross member sections are also sealed off.

I added more storage space on both sides in the back. This is the shelf I made for the left side. It is mounted with two quick disconnect pins so it can be removed for access to the storage underneath. I made it out of 10 Gage aluminum with a carpet covering. You can also see my Co2 tank, magazine holders and Radios. Our 8 radios are encrypted so no one can listen in to our conversations.

 

[Tozan]

This is part of the load out I carry under the shelf I also have a weeks supply of food, water and stuff for sleeping.

We also have 7 gallons of running water.

This is the right side storage area. We normally have down jackets or other seasonal gear and / or sleeping bags.

This is what it looks like when camping. 270 degree awning full fold out kitchen and of course a blue changing washing or bath room set up outside. you can also see our bed with pillows from home in the back. It is almost glamping in this rig.

 

[Tozan]

This is the center of Black Rock city where they have burning Man.