I started by completely removing the bed and bumpers of this truck because I wanted to build in permanent storage areas to hold mission essential gear for a solo vehicle expedition in the most dangerous and remote areas of the world. The next step was fabricating the storage areas directly and invariably into the original design and flow of the vehicle itself in a manner that both acts as a roll cage/roof rack/protective exoskeleton, AND granted open and available storage space for quickly changing load-outs or environments. This is why i decided to keep an open bed space and a fully open roof rack. I can completely load down the bed with coolers and Pelican boxes containing items that are along for a temporary ride while leaving the roof rack open to pop a tent away from possible predatory animals, insects, dirt, and mud. We've built the custom bed of this truck around two 4'x6' aluminum locking storage boxes. These boxes are concealed beneath the plate steel platform of the bed, and they pull out from behind our fabricated tailgate. We've posted a full video to YouTube detailing the initial load-out of these boxes, and all the contents therein (which you can also view below). The roof rack is a fully functional, load bearing storage system in and of itself as is the bed of the truck. We recently completed one of the hardest overland tracks in the world through eastern Honduras, in the middle of rainy season (supposedly impassable), while carrying over 3,000lbs of gold, guns, and gear distributed between the bed and roof rack. The roof rack is tied into the steel bumpers, rock sliders, and directly into the chassis via the headache rack of sorts that sits behind the cab.
The custom center console we designed and built adds a bit more storage inside the vehicle for quickly accessible items. The front bumper carries our Hi-Lift jack (an absolutely essential piece of kit). Built into the bedsides and roll cage roof rack system are the "Jerry Can" holders (2 fuel, 2 water), and both full size spare tire mounts. The 35 inch spares ride above the rear axle to maintain good vehicle handling through proper weight displacement. It's important to mount large spares as low and as close to the axle's as possible. What we've done with the Bone Tactical Overland Land Cruiser represents the perfect balance of ability to carry essential gear for extended trips in harsh terrain while maintaining prime off-road handling.
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