Project "X-Max", Off-Road Expedition Style - The Ultimate Adventure Duramax

[Nor-Cal Nick]

We are happy to anounce a new project for NorCal Truck.

The idea behind the build:
Growing up in an environment where camping was a frequent activity and the basis for just about every family vacation, it’s only natural that it has carried over into my own family and I plan to continue this for years to come. Although loading up the wife and kids for a week-long trip to the sand dunes is always fun, I have become increasingly interested in traveling to unmarked and remote areas “off the grid”. As this interest continues to grow, I have come to the realization that the current camping set-up with a large travel trailer or toy hauler is not exactly ideal for the exploring and adventure seeking I’d like to do. This is where the idea for this build has come from – the desire to have a scaled down camping set-up that will not only get my crew and I where we want to go safely, but also be equipped to house anything and everything needed to survive in any territory we choose as our destination. Without a travel trailer or toy hauler to pack up, prepare, and pull, the ease and frequency of our adventure taking will increase and the destination possibilities are virtually endless. Whether the activity ahead involves motorcycles, UTV's, mountain bikes, boating, fishing, or hunting, the “X-Max” will be ready and rearin’ to go. Life’s short & I’m not getting any younger, so it’s about time to get out there and find out what these great United States have to offer!

Build Mission:
Create a Chevy 2500HD truck that has as many amenities as needed to survive the great outdoors, with enhancements throughout the interior, exterior, and all the way down to the suspension. Stocked with fresh clothes, food, water, and whatever extra equipment will be needed for the weekend activity ahead, once 5:00 on Friday evening rolls around, the “X-Max” will be ready to go!


Current rendering:

Here is a list of what we will be stuffing this truck with.

Exterior:

• Cab roof rack
• Bed shell
• Shell roof rack
• Roll out awning
• Roof rack storage compartment
• Dual spare tire mounts
• Mounted floor jack
• Shovel & Ax
• Mountain bike mounts
• Custom front and rear bumpers
• Cab rock sliders
• Dual Motorcycle rack

Cab Interior:

• GPS
• CB Radio
• Built in WiFi
• Dedicated satellite phone for vehicle
• Long gun and ammo lockable storage
• Hand gun safe
• Fire extinguishers

Electronics:

• Generator
• Lights everywhere of course
• Under body lights
• Portable refrigerator
• Extra truck batteries
• On board pressure washer
• On board Air with connections front and rear with tank

Servile Gear:

• Recovery equipment
• Winch front and rear
• Fuel jugs
• Complete first aid kit packed for every emergency
• Fresh water tank with water pump
• Plumbed for shower head, washing hands, food, dishes
• Water heater
• Propane Tanks
• Porta potti
• Changing room
• Foldable table & Chairs
• Custom storage slide-out drawers with bed top for sleeping inside shell
• Gas stove / BBQ
• Cooking supplies & eating utensils
• Tool chest

Suspension, Tires & Wheels:

• 4" lift
• Upgraded shocks
• Upgraded steering
• Front and rear sway bars
• Full leaf packs
• Long Travel helper bags
• Traction Bars
• 35" Mud Terrain tires
• 18" wheels
• 2 full size spares

Performance:

• Gears
• Upgraded lockers
• Turbo back exhaust
• Intake
• Tuning
• Upgraded tranny
• Larger fuel tank

Some product is already on its way and we should be getting started very soon on the build stages. I will be adding plenty of pictures as we make progress building this rig. This truck build is a new direction for me, and I may be missing some vital accessories or gear needed for any situation. If anyone would like to add their thoughts and/or personal experience, or if you just want to comment, please feel free!

Here is the foundation of the build in 100% stock form: 2008 Chevy 2500HD LT2 4wd Crew Cab Short Bed 6.6L Duramax Allison 6speed

If you would like to follow this build to see updates, feel free to comment or subscribe to this thread.

Thank you,
Nick




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[3500GMC]

Sub'd. Glad to see ya 'round again.

 

[tanman_2006]

Sounds good! Not sure what you have on the recovery equip list, i would add a high lift jack to my list.

Good to see someone not using a BRAND NEW truck to show "real world" possibilities.

 

[DieselSlug]

Cant wait to see the finished project!

 

[Nor-Cal Nick]

* UPDATE *

Ok so here is the first pictures of alot of the reason this build has been on my mind for awhile, I defiantly want more days and full trips like this! My son turned 4 years old on July 24th and leading up to his birthday I asked him what he wanted to do and he said "I want to ride my dirt bike!". So I took the day off work and we had a great father and son day at a OHV park, Hollister hills not far from where we live.

Sorry for so many pics, just a dad proud of his son

So many asked why the pressure washer, yes for the dirt bikes when we are out on larger trips or find ourselves in some muddy terrain, would be nice to have a way to wash filthy or muddy bikes off before heading home or if we need to service a bike on a long trip.

Also remember my plan is to run the dirt bikes off the back, not in the bed so getting more detailed on the build, after looking at tons of bed tops I have found these 2 manufactures to have some nice options, 4are & accessmfg have from what I found to have utility style tops with optional side access and barn door set ups.

I really like the side access to be lighted up and storage like this one:

Then I am really liking slide out storage draws like these:

I am looking into sleeping tent set ups to mount on top of the bed cap so if anyone has idea's and or suggestions feel free to post links, pics or info.



Thanks!






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[Nor-Cal Nick]

Sounds good! Not sure what you have on the recovery equip list, i would add a high lift jack to my list.

Good to see someone not using a BRAND NEW truck to show "real world" possibilities.

Still need to fine tune the recovery list but yes a HiLift will be included. I like you picked up on the year side of things, I had a hard time feeling like I was not moving forward on a newer Dmax but really I loved me last 08 so just changing up to a short bed to be more nimble was an easy change once I found a good truck to start with, damn these are hard to find.

 

[Edzzed]

For lights I recommend http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/StoreFront.bok I put two of them on my m/c and I can only say it lights up the road better than any vehicle I have ever owned. You can see the difference between the HID headlight and the led lights. Also put a remote dimmer with various functions on it and it came from http://www.xkglow.com/High_Output_4_key_Remote_Control_for_Single_Color_p/xk034rm-kg-4.htm The cops won't like the strobe function but I only use that off road.

 

[Ed HD]

Pretty sure all his accessory lights are going to be Rigid LED. Just a hunch.

Looks good Nick. I definitely can't wait to see where this one ends up. I bet you saved a bundle of cash by not getting a '11 or '12 as well.

 

[Nor-Cal Nick]

This project got put on hold due to a couple reasons, 1 I have my hands full with our SEMA trucks and 2 I am dialing in the suspension package to be used on this truck and that may change the style alittle but still staying within the concept for the most part and the 3rd reason will be announced in the next few weeks. All good stuff happening but I am 1 man and only have so much time during the day before I have my family to spend time with so I am just stretching it out and not jumping too fast because I want a very nicely built and thought out rig to use in the end.


I will add updates as I have them, this project is not dead by any means.....

Nick

 

[Ranger]

I like your rendering, but I would go so far as saying a under-topper bedrail interfacing lumber rack would actually provide you more real estate (and if you built it yourself, possible tie-in for an exo-cage) for storage and/or being able to tent camp above the truck... fab up a pull and drop-to-ground height ladder from the rear or side of the truck.

Other recommendations: Slightly extended bumper, ranch hand-esque. Since you're going LED for your additional lighting, you can put a center nook for a winch, and the left/right sides actually box in with a locking lid. This will give you storage for jumper cables, tow straps, spare clevises... and basically all the muddy stuff that you don't want to have to go too far to get... 6" further than where a ranch hand sticks out to will give you a ton of space for all the recovery stuff, mounting for fog-light-height lighting, headlight-level lighting, and then toss the above-cab height a bit forward so you don't have any spill on the hood from it (use a piece of sheet metal underneath so it has a hard cutoff of spill forward of the hood)... roof light spill on the hood is horrid if you don't either use a shield or mount roof lights far enough back to where they have the hood blocked by the roof.

At least that's my experience having had roof lights on work vehicles that were improperly, and properly placed. You want light on things in the distance, not your visual foreground (ie hood, or dash even)

Provided you properly place the bumper, it shouldn't have any negative effect on your attack angles for offroading, and will be a minimal overall length increase with a huge amount of utility. I love the "extra stuff" that you can stuff in a bumper like what we use them for in the fire service (Forward attack lines, rescue tools and hoses, etc)

Plus, you could put the hilift on one of their hard mounts on the top of the bumper's grill guard so you're not having to dig for it if you get "dug in" on accident. I also highly recommend one of the Rescue Hi-Lift's due to the additional utility built into them for worst case scenario use(and minimal cost increase compared to normal ones)

 

[Nor-Cal Nick]

Here is the reason I put this build on hold for a few months --> http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/sh...l-Nick%92s-Hauler-Project&p=443575#post443575

But now I am back on Project X-MAX and if all goes to plan the new suspension I have been looking at running will be in my hands within the next couple weeks and the truck will be torn down shortly after....I'm getting excited!!!


Nick

 

[Ed HD]

Geez it must be nice to be able to play with trucks and parts all day!

J/K, I know how hard it is to run a business, but glad to see you're doing it to help us all out, and doing what you love as well. Can't wait to see how they both turn out!