That’s a pretty good summary. Just a couple points to add: Read more

Anytime you’re sleeping outdoors, you need to have uncrompressed insulation between you and the ground to prevent conductive heat loss. You also have to worry about this while sleeping inside a truck bed, as the vehicle’s frame and body will also suck the heat out of you. Getting up above the body, and on top of both… Read more

And this is my setup, for comparison: https://decked.com/blogs/decked/build-of-the-month-wes-silers-danger-ranger Read more

I think you’re vastly underestimating the cost of materials when it comes to doing it right. I get that not everyone beats up their trucks off road, not every Taco driver has heard the word “payload” and not everyone travels across borders, but all that is sorta the value prop here. Bolting a generic sack of Chinese… Read more

Im glad that works for him. I wonder what his fiberglass looks like. You should try and get an up close look at a gfc sometime, it's just a whole nother level.  Read more

A frontrunner slimline, which is what you’d need to mount a tent and awning etc, is like $1100, so that’s parity right there. For a fiberglass topper that can’t support the weight of the tent, and will fall apart over time. And a setup you can’t stand up inside. Read more

By far the most affordable pop top camper available, and on par with the price of a topper + rack + rooftop tent, but much, much stronger and more versatile. I basically run a pickup just so I can have a GFC on it. Read more

Traction is going to be an issue. Unlike the Taco and Ranger, the Colorado doesn’t have any brake-based wheel speed matching tech. So, without at least a rear locker, it’s going to get stranded every time it lifts a wheel, or encounters snow/mud/sand.  Read more

But imagine how much sleeker the truck is with that $2k wax job.... Read more

It’s not turbo lag, that doesn’t even really exist anymore. Ford programs its truck transmissions very, very far in the direction of fuel economy, which makes them very excited about shifting up, and very reluctant to shift down. You can correct this simply by putting the transmission in sport, pushing the tow button,… Read more

I’ll make it easy for you: https://www.dellanave.com/ Read more

I’d counter that truck’s really aren’t more than a payload figure. Trucks are designed to perform work. That work is carrying stuff. Read more

Car journalist like, care about, and know stuff about cars. To the best of my knowledge, I can’t think of a car journalist who goes camping, works with their hands,  owns a bunch of dogs, or has any vehicular needs at all beyond commuting.  Read more

Great piece Patrick. I’ll refer back to this in the future.  Read more

Yes, they work as advertised on snow and ice. Read more

Takes about 2 minutes and an 8mm socket to adjust headlight aim.  Read more

Make sure you get FX4. It includes Terrain Management, which is a deeply capable traction control-based system that replaces the need for mechanical diff locks, plus Crawl Control, which you’ll want for hill descent control. Seriously, this stuff is transformatively capable.  Read more

I’m sure I’ll drive one so-equipped at some point. But I’m already ahead of this system on my Ranger, and am planning more: https://www.outsideonline.com/2400766/ford-ranger-midsize-truck-build Read more

They do not. Nor does this kit appear to include new upper control arms. So, unless you really need to roll the suspension into your payment, you still want to go aftermarket.  Read more

D2 was first use I believe, but it's been heavily refined since.  Read more