The ZR2 SPEC-R3

[DukeCanBuildit]

How did you secure those Plano Boxes?

I want to steal your idea for our setup. I like it and it looks like it provides a lot of storage!

You aren’t the first to be inspired by Jack’s work. ? I have two Plano rifle cases on my Rhino Rack similar to his setup. They’re awesome.

I drilled holes into the bottom of my cases for t-slot bolts and nuts with fender washers inside the cases. Each of my cases sits over two t-slots and I have six anchor points per rifle case, three for each track. It’s not going anywhere.

If you have a platform with t-slots, this works. If you do not, you might need a different solution.

Yep, tons of storage…

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[imapseudonym]

You aren’t the first to be inspired by Jack’s work. ? I have two Plano rifle cases on my Rhino Rack similar to his setup. They’re awesome.

I drilled holes into the bottom of my cases for t-slot bolts and nuts with fender washers inside the cases. Each of my cases sits over two t-slots and I have six anchor points per rifle case, three for each track. It’s not going anywhere.

If you have a platform with t-slots, this works. If you do not, you might need a different solution.

Yep, tons of storage…

That is great too! We just finished installing our Xtrusion Rack. So we do have some top storage. I ended up buying some harbor freight cases and extra extrusion to mount the cases a little recessed to keep it flush with the truck.

 

[ppfd]

Duke,
you carry all that stuff daily?
Can you feel the weight driving?

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Duke,
you carry all that stuff daily?
Can you feel the weight driving?

Nope - I’ll explain more in a PM.

 

[9zero1790]

Just waiting for the day GM comes knocking on your door. You're probably the first to mod the next-gen Colorado to this extent. Who knows, they might pay you as a consultant!

You should have a YouTube channel recording each modification you make.

or just steal it lol

 

[OFC Ranger]

So still lots more to do, but built to the point I could take it out on the road to listen for odd squeaks and creaks. Standard protocol with these builds, you always miss some sort of tolerance on a bolt or nut or doo-dad. However, gave me a sec to get some more clear pictures taken. Yes the rear overhangs to the rear of the bumper, not the tail gate. This was done on purpose because eventually there will be paneling up top and some deck lighting is going to go here for if you are cooking on the tail gate or whatever. The entire thing still looks a bit odd-ball at the moment with the construction incomplete and all the topside gear missing, but gives you a general idea.

What do you guys think - should I shift the rack forward more or does it look OK with the rear overhang? I can re-adjust it by loosing certain nuts and bolts and ratcheting it forward.

Better photo to show how pronounced it is;

Also considering going with composite deck planking for the platform instead of the duraslat grated flooring like I used before. Any opinion on that?

 

[bsr956]

Tough call. Maybe split the difference?? At first I thought move it as close to flush with the rear but I also like the symmetry of the windshield slope. Great looking truck either way

 

[Dr. Zaius]

JMHO, but I'd bring it in to where it doesn't overhang the bumper.

 

[LaBalbe]

I can see where you're going with the ideas for the overhang, and that should offset the oddball look of the incomplete setup. I'd see it through to the end and see if the finished product matches what you have in mind. You could always decide "Nope" and shorten it up, but if you don't see it through, it's going to nag at the back of your mind until you eventually do. I'm excited to see the "finished" version.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

So still lots more to do, but built to the point I could take it out on the road to listen for odd squeaks and creaks. Standard protocol with these builds, you always miss some sort of tolerance on a bolt or nut or doo-dad. However, gave me a sec to get some more clear pictures taken. Yes the rear overhangs to the rear of the bumper, not the tail gate. This was done on purpose because eventually there will be paneling up top and some deck lighting is going to go here for if you are cooking on the tail gate or whatever. The entire thing still looks a bit odd-ball at the moment with the construction incomplete and all the topside gear missing, but gives you a general idea.

What do you guys think - should I shift the rack forward more or does it look OK with the rear overhang? I can re-adjust it by loosing certain nuts and bolts and ratcheting it forward.

Better photo to show how pronounced it is;

Also considering going with composite deck planking for the platform instead of the duraslat grated flooring like I used before. Any opinion on that?

It’s lookin good Jack.

Just a caution on the composite deck planks - while they would provide you with a comfortable shooting platform, they are quite heavy and are slippery AF when wet.

I’m not sure about the overhang but if helps with awnings or an annex, then I get that.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Tough call. Maybe split the difference?? At first I thought move it as close to flush with the rear but I also like the symmetry of the windshield slope. Great looking truck either way

I can manipulate the front optical illusion a bit by cutting new "fins" at the front. I just had some old ones on hand from an old build to toss on. If I shift it forward I can just make shorter ones with a steeper angle.

Or I could be not lazy and get some cardboard and literally trace the same slope dimensions of the roof rack fairing to use as a template to make new fins. lol The only problem is if I make the fins too pronounced or long, they are basically free floating off the paneling and may jiggle back and forth in the wind unless I get some heavier gauge steel. Aluminum just too light weight at that thickness.

 

[imapseudonym]

It’s just my OCD talking but I think flush would look cleanest ha!

beautiful build though. And Chevy really did A good job with the new ZR2! If our ranger wasn’t paid off I would consider getting one of those!

 

[OFC Ranger]

Nothing major to report, just working on small tid bits at this point. I did end up shifting the whole thing forward so they rear is flush with the gate vs rear bumper, same as old setup on Ranger.

I also attempted to some vinyl work to match my Ranger, but the body lines are very... odd on this truck and it was giving me hell due to various angles in all directions so I scrubbed that idea for now.

I ditched the long plano cases up front and opted for 4x Apache 4800 cases from harbor freight for a little bespoke touch. Also got the spot ligh junction box in and the speaker re-installed.

As you can see I also got the rear rack lighting back up and running in perfect order. The tail lights on this truck are WAY less finicky than the Ranger's all LED's were. The only thing LED on my tail lights are some LED tubes (you can see in photo) that are the running lights. Everything else is straight halogen connectors (which I have also already swapped out for LEDs)

 

[ppfd]

I really want a ZR2 ?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Started getting flooring in place.

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