Finally got out to the woods and put a few new things to use. I have not seen much review info on any of these so hopefully this is helpful.

Cooper Discoverer ATP:

I've had many different A/Ts over the years and these are the best. Off road the are at least as good as the others, and on road they are better by a wide margin. These are super smooth and basically silent at all speeds. Wet and dry pavement traction is also slightly better than all others. The only knock I have is the contact patch is on the narrow side so they dug in the deep sand a bit more (still did not need to air down though). That is probably also the reason my mileage is up slightly, about .5mpg. For a daily driver 4x4 I don't think these can be beat.

These tires are only available from Discount Tire. As always be sure to order them online to avoid paying sales tax. They ship free and will even send them straight to your local Discount. Mine are 265/75R16 and were $568 installed including a $100 rebate.

Sportz truck bed tent:



I am loving this tent. Depending on where you are camping it is not always useful but when it is it's nice. It is about 5 ft. tall inside, is well made and has lots of vents and other nice features. I can be removed in one piece if needed, and unlike the older version you can drive around with it at low speed.

It does have a couple design flaws. Some of the poles are too long, I ended up tearing some of the pole sleeve seems getting them in and apparently its a common problem. Also, the front door and screen cannot be moved to the side, so you end up sitting and stepping on them all the time and I'm sure they will get ripped soon.

I got it through Amazon for $227 shipped. There is one other brand of truck tent out there but it does not have a floor, a deal breaker for me.

Spare tire lock:

Never even heard of this until my spare was stolen. Looks like a factory accessory to me. It just plugs the hole for the tire winch, not fool proof but hopefully will make the scumbag move on. $7.50 shipped from E-bay.

BONUS joshp767 gas tank skid:

The one and only! Priceless.

 

Sweet, your truck looks great with that tire/wheel combo

 

Thanks man! I should have added that too. Those wheels are factory new, found of craigslist by wildechild. $340 for the set and sold my old ones for $225, so $115 total ain't bad.

 

A few pics from the trip. Camping at the Great Sand Dunes, over Medano Pass, and a stop at Bishop's Castle.

 

Nice pics! Diggin the gas tank skid.

 

Nice pics... and the truck is looking good too!

 

x2! Perfect fit!

 

Thanks all! Anyone know a good trail close to Denver?

 

http://www.traildamage.com/google_colorado.php

Going to have to drive about an hour, but as you can see there are plenty.

 

want to go there now... thanks

 

I can second the opinion on those tires bein great. I put up a post a few weeks back when I put the exact same ones on my FX4, and they are soooooo much quieter than my Firestone Destinations. Also, I can't complain about the traction so far, but I haven't had a chance to really test them out yet.

I'm road trippin to Alaska next month (not in the Ranger though) and your pictures have me stoked about goin west. Truck looks great! Keep it up

 

Nice!!!

WTF when josh start making gas tank skids???

Omg Im getting one!

 

Nice pics. What is that funky castle looking thing?

Josh, any plans to make that gas tank skid a production unit?

 

That's Jim's place (fun guy, but a www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDQsy7aiVD0... It's been years since we've been to visit.

His site has been down for maintenance for some time, but there's prolly still content on the .info site

Really a fun project to look at.

 

Neat place. Jim is a very interesting fellow.

 

I loved my bed tent when I had it myself

 

Wish they made a tent for a stepside bed

 

Its been a few months but I think the problem with the gas tank skid was shipping such an oddball shape. Mine is the one that came off his old truck. If you are local maybe he would make you one.

 

Tires look good but they don’t come in 15”, too bad.

The tent looks good, got the wife’s attention.

 

Since this started as a product review thread and my tires were new its time for an update. My gas mileage is way up, the last tank gave me 17.8, the highest I've ever gotten in ten years. Every tank has been 17.4 or better. Prior to these tires my average was about 16. For the first time ever I can easily get over 300 miles on a tank.

 

Hey you want to sell that gas tank skid yet?

 

How can you buy something thats priceless?

 

LOL man I want it!

 

i would love that gas tank skid! it would go so well with my t-case skid from Josh

 

I bet if you guys messaged Josh he might be interested in making one of the gas tank skids. When me and Kyle picked up his front skid plate we were discussing having a couple of other parts made.