2023 XLT Journeyman edition w/ homemade packout shelf

[Dirtyernie]

My goal is to get out of a “walk in” ram 2500 promaster; as much as possible…..and merge a daily life vehicle into a hybrid work truck / commuter. Also I would love ideas and can answer any questions for those similarly interested. The promaster is great. Decked out, it’s like a workshop on wheels. But it eats gas, is hard to park and back in comfortably at customers houses, always having issues, super heavy and slow to stop.

Two mechanic friends said the same thing over the years.

“Don’t buy a van, they’re all terrible they’re all expensive. Get a truck and a trailer”


this is a hybrid engine in Area 51 color, purchased in late November.

current mods

small stuff:

Mabett mud flaps
Tailgate assist
Rhino liner
Wireless CarPlay adapter
Mabett center console

small stuff future:

tailgate mounted step (advice requested)
Yakima ladder roller (advice requested)


big stuff:

home made packout shelf for back cab. MDF painted and clear coated. The packout drawers are great. Easily fit two and I could get a slim parts organizer on top. There’s enough space on this platform to do three packout sections.

there’s also a large rolling packout chest in the bed. I was going to get something like the swing box (I got it with the ford points) but it wasn’t as rugged as I’d like.

I’m going to be playing around with the bed and packout a lot. But the chest gets me up and running for now. Between work, the cold and lack of daylight or a garage some things are taking longer…

tonneau and rack

bak x4s cover with ts rails and angry elephant racks. I’ll be putting up a rhino roof rack or something similar for full coverage.

Want to mount a conduit carrier, to live up there, and in a secure way.

For ladders im planning on mounting a jet rack on the underneath; for a 4’ ladder, on top: a 6’ ladder and a little giant conquest 2.0 22’ multi position ladder (6’ storage height that goes up to 10’ A-frame and 20’ extension. That will likely be the end of anything roof mounted because of weight considerations. I’ll update here as I progress.

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[FischAutoTechGarten]

subscribed. interested in seeing how this develops.

 

[Maverickman74]

Im suprised you havent looked at the ARE DCU toppers. They are like half of your van with heavy duty racks built in. They have other racks than this style that are more built in type. Like the 2nd picture.

 

[fossil]

here's to hoping the top pack out doesn't want to share your front seat in an accident

 

[Maverickman74]

here's to hoping the top pack out doesn't want to share your front seat in an accident

Cut up a junk kids car seat(arent they all junk) and use its straps to secure it to the anchors points.

 

[Bwicka]

Awesome job , I think your on to something good!

 

[Dirtyernie]

Im suprised you havent looked at the ARE DCU toppers. They are like half of your van with heavy duty racks built in. They have other racks than this style that are more built in type. Like the 2nd picture.

I did look at those. The price and semi-permanent-ness is what kept from buying in. But if what I’m doing now is too limited for my needs I’ll go that route. I think when I configured it, it approached $4k+…

Cut up a junk kids car seat(arent they all junk) and use its straps to secure it to the anchors points.

Thanks for the tip. Until the guy above said something; I hadn’t thought about the safety concern there, but top heavy weight with a sudden impact is very real…. I will address this’s and post my solution.

 

[Dirtyernie]

Awesome job , I think your on to something good!

Thanks! Learning a lot as I go. The mileage and ease of getting around in this thing is great. I’m definitely missing the capacity to throw everything in the van and clean up the next day; sort of feel…But with some cleverness and organization it’s doable.

I think one way to make this system really work is to marry it to a walk in trailer (mothership) bring when you need it, or keep it stocked and professional: pull out or put in what you do and don’t need for the next day; Avoiding the basement and shed for ease and speed.

 

[AUTiger83]

My goal is to get out of a “walk in” ram 2500 promaster; as much as possible…..and merge a daily life vehicle into a hybrid work truck / commuter. Also I would love ideas and can answer any questions for those similarly interested. The promaster is great. Decked out, it’s like a workshop on wheels. But it eats gas, is hard to park and back in comfortably at customers houses, always having issues, super heavy and slow to stop.

Two mechanic friends said the same thing over the years.

“Don’t buy a van, they’re all terrible they’re all expensive. Get a truck and a trailer”


this is a hybrid engine in Area 51 color, purchased in late November.

current mods

small stuff:

Mabett mud flaps
Tailgate assist
Rhino liner
Wireless CarPlay adapter
Mabett center console

small stuff future:

tailgate mounted step (advice requested)
Yakima ladder roller (advice requested)


big stuff:

home made packout shelf for back cab. MDF painted and clear coated. The packout drawers are great. Easily fit two and I could get a slim parts organizer on top. There’s enough space on this platform to do three packout sections.

there’s also a large rolling packout chest in the bed. I was going to get something like the swing box (I got it with the ford points) but it wasn’t as rugged as I’d like.

I’m going to be playing around with the bed and packout a lot. But the chest gets me up and running for now. Between work, the cold and lack of daylight or a garage some things are taking longer…

tonneau and rack

bak x4s cover with ts rails and angry elephant racks. I’ll be putting up a rhino roof rack or something similar for full coverage.

Want to mount a conduit carrier, to live up there, and in a secure way.

For ladders im planning on mounting a jet rack on the underneath; for a 4’ ladder, on top: a 6’ ladder and a little giant conquest 2.0 22’ multi position ladder (6’ storage height that goes up to 10’ A-frame and 20’ extension. That will likely be the end of anything roof mounted because of weight considerations. I’ll update here as I progress.

Still waiting on my Maverick. In shipping now. But I'll definitely be doing something similar with Packouts in the backseat.

I have a Sport Trac now, with the backseat completely removed, and a plywood base BOLTED into the old seat anchors (prevents shifting).

You might consider removing the backseat. I think you'd pick up a lot of extra room for more Packouts. I realize you have the hybrid battery on one side, but a revised base could stairstep over it.

I also have a Wolfbox G900 LCD rearview mirror waiting, so I'll be able to see behind me, even with high obstructions in the backseat. View attachment 137223

 

[Dirtyernie]

Still waiting on my Maverick. In shipping now. But I'll definitely be doing something similar with Packouts in the backseat.

I have a Sport Trac now, with the backseat completely removed, and a plywood base BOLTED into the old seat anchors (prevents shifting).

You might consider removing the backseat. I think you'd pick up a lot of extra room for more Packouts. I realize you have the hybrid battery on one side, but a revised base could stairstep over it.

I also have a Wolfbox G900 LCD rearview mirror waiting, so I'll be able to see behind me, even with high obstructions in the backseat.

when you reference removing it, are you referring to the bench seat, back rest area, or both? I think with bench seat gone It could easily fit the two packout drawers and a deep organizer in one vertical row.

Is it a permanent alteration you’re planning?

 

[AUTiger83]

when you reference removing it, are you referring to the bench seat, back rest area, or both? I think with bench seat gone It could easily fit the two packout drawers and a deep organizer in one vertical row.

Is it a permanent alteration you’re planning?

I removed both the benchseats and the backrests. I also mounted a 12" wide piece of plywood to the rear wall with additional pack outs there (first aid kit easy to access).

Permanent? More semi permanent. The base plywood and cleats are always there. The pack outs can be removed easily if I need empty cargo space (carting dogs, a camping trip, etc). The seats can be reinstalled, but probably won't be until I sell it, because it's not a quick task. It would likely take a few hours for disassembly, cleanup, and reinstallation of the seats.

 

[Luthinator]

My goal is to get out of a “walk in” ram 2500 promaster; as much as possible…..and merge a daily life vehicle into a hybrid work truck / commuter. Also I would love ideas and can answer any questions for those similarly interested. The promaster is great. Decked out, it’s like a workshop on wheels. But it eats gas, is hard to park and back in comfortably at customers houses, always having issues, super heavy and slow to stop.

Two mechanic friends said the same thing over the years.

“Don’t buy a van, they’re all terrible they’re all expensive. Get a truck and a trailer”


this is a hybrid engine in Area 51 color, purchased in late November.

current mods

small stuff:

Mabett mud flaps
Tailgate assist
Rhino liner
Wireless CarPlay adapter
Mabett center console

small stuff future:

tailgate mounted step (advice requested)
Yakima ladder roller (advice requested)


big stuff:

home made packout shelf for back cab. MDF painted and clear coated. The packout drawers are great. Easily fit two and I could get a slim parts organizer on top. There’s enough space on this platform to do three packout sections.

there’s also a large rolling packout chest in the bed. I was going to get something like the swing box (I got it with the ford points) but it wasn’t as rugged as I’d like.

I’m going to be playing around with the bed and packout a lot. But the chest gets me up and running for now. Between work, the cold and lack of daylight or a garage some things are taking longer…

tonneau and rack

bak x4s cover with ts rails and angry elephant racks. I’ll be putting up a rhino roof rack or something similar for full coverage.

Want to mount a conduit carrier, to live up there, and in a secure way.

For ladders im planning on mounting a jet rack on the underneath; for a 4’ ladder, on top: a 6’ ladder and a little giant conquest 2.0 22’ multi position ladder (6’ storage height that goes up to 10’ A-frame and 20’ extension. That will likely be the end of anything roof mounted because of weight considerations. I’ll update here as I progress.

Love it! I am more of a Ryobi guy myself. I love the green and never had an issue (knock on wood).
You did a great job very functional!! My one suggestion would be to get the subby antenna so you rip yours off with a ladder or something up top. Where sis you order the rack from? was it hard to install?

 

[Dirtyernie]

The rack and tonneau came from tonneau factory outlet. They list out rack and tonneau combos, but you can message them to build and price out something to your needs. They were friendly and easy to work with.

The rack was easy to install actually. It can be a little confusing because it comes with so much hardware. I think it took me 2.5 hours, but I don’t have a garage and it’s been super cold and dark where I live; so I was head lamping it with hands that can’t handle the cold; made it harder than it would have been normally.

the harder install was the bak x4s. Again because of how cold and dark it was getting in my area and when I could work on it, but also fitting it properly.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Cut up a junk kids car seat(arent they all junk) and use its straps to secure it to the anchors points.

Most are:
Car seats and booster seats typically expire after six years; however, check under the seat or on the frame of your particular model to find the specific expiration date. Try to always buy new a car seat when your current model has passed its expiration date or after any car accidents.Apr 3, 2022

 

[JBryant]

How does the Mav loaded like you have it do on gas in your real world work driving?

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