moosehead1

As other's note, it's a mice problem, not a vehicle problem. IME, the bigger exposure to mice making a home out of the vehicle is that eventually it becomes an odor issue that cannot be remedied without pulling apart, replacing, and disinfecting everything. You absolutely, positively, gotta find a way to either (1) get rid of them, or (2) keep them out of the vehicle. There's many methods that are largely up to you including cats, poisons, traps, deterrents, sealants/screens, etc, but likely a combination of these things given they are persistent buggers for food and warmth.

TX, those are aluminum 54" channel rails that mount either with expander bolts or regular bolts to vehicle rooftops, caps, or tonneaus. I got these from Rack Attack, though both Yakima and Thule now have them. http://www.rackattack.com/base-roof-rack-systems/permanent-custom-mount-roof-rack-systems/yakima-54-inch-track-hardtop-kit/ These were bolted through the rail caps and steel truck bed tops, but in the future can be removed and covered by just replacing the plastic rail caps. These are very solid, and the rack towers/crossbars/gear racks can be removed from the rails with a matching keylock to the rest of the Yak/Thule locks. Would not recommend attempting some pressure clamps or mount only to the tonneau frame as you're asking for a blow off especially if hauling larger items like kayaks.

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^Thanks Mack, recall seeing something to that effect. I have the airbags coming, but may go ahead and just slap in the non-height adjustable Billys as well, gotta be an improvement over the stocker Ranchos.

Apologies if this is a repeat, I cannot possibly go back to read 33 pages. My local shop is suggesting the Bilstein's are not valved properly for the Max Tow/NHT and to wait until Billy or others come out with shocks specified for the NHT. MRT or others, is that consistent with your understanding? Please and thanks.

I am in.

Soooo, when are we gonna see this Unicorn?

Haul Arse Mode

^MikeNH, appreciate being able to have the open debate without drama. This forum rocks. You were right about the unit sales, looks like the twins combined take the unit sale win over the F150 in 2015. Outrageous truck volume and increases. http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2016/01/usa-best-selling-pickup-trucks-december-2015-year-end.html

^Bet you $20 it happens in 2017 for the GM truck twins. Hell, the relaunched Jeep Grand Cherokee did so in 2011, if Mopar can do it, GM can do so. Hardware swap is the ignition/key/harness for four door handles and a harness. GM already has the hardware. GM should also take the three off the tree, I'd rather have electronic manual shift in a more natural place for driving in the mountains. Can you imagine paddle shifters in a truck? Gasp, the horror. Completely understand the resistance, I'm probably older than most of the posters on this board. I've just been spoiled by other great vehicles, some inexpensive some not. IIRC, in 2014 the GM twins sold roughly 500k+ units to the F150's 700K+ units. Would be interested in seeing the unit data for 2015.

^Dunno about inability to PNP yet. These trucks already have the fob antennas to lock/unlock, and fob antennas to remote start. There's just the mechanical key override to drive away at the moment. Feels like the last inch is pretty easy and cheap.. I'll go ahead and say it, the F150 has keyless entry/ignition feature and they are moving more trucks despite first year alum body and eekobeater. The feature exists in a multitude of GM vehicles. It aint expensive or hard, it's evidently just that us Neanderthal truck people want yesterday's stuff.

On one hand, Billy's are in high demand because of their quality and advance testing. OTOH, seems like they are behind the 8 ball on this platform as they know the GM truck twins will have out roughly 500k units annually in a 2-4 year cycle platform. Odd that they are still short on 5100's and do not have the 6112's in production within as of now two MY's of this config. Come on Billy, make it happen.

Keys and shifters will all but be gone in vehicles - soon. IIRC, Edmunds reported something along the line of 70% of current vehicles offer keyless ignition/entry as either a standard or option. I get the push back on the needless arms race of vehicle upgrades, but certain improvements are dramatic and perhaps simple. For example, anti swamp-ass seats. Now when cars reportedly drive themselves, I'll start pushing back.

Subscribed. Once you have a vehicle with keyless entry/ignition, it's hard to go back. Horse and carriage stuff. +2, hard to believe GM keeps holding back on these already available features in the truck lineup. Hopefully a retrofit becomes feasible, heck with remote start and a keyfob it's gotta be close.

Per Fondupot's DIY video on the PNL install, note that installing the C-clip so the open part faces the hinges of the tailgate seems to do the trick.

In winter add an aluminum avy shovel, when handle is compacted it is short enough to fit under rear seat storage bin.

Forgot several other road trip essentials: audio books smart phone app, google maps for smart phone, spotify, smart phone dash mount (magnet mount to vents works well), large insulated mug with top

Similar to other guys, I'll always have the following in the truck: 1) Tow rope and dog bones 2) Jumper cables 3) Basic Tools, zip ties, duct/elect tape 4) Flashlights, Gloves If headed out on a road trip or somewhere remote will add the following: 5) Floor jack and 4 way tire iron 6) 2 cans inflate a flat 7) Possibly extra full gas can If towing distance or remotely add: 8) Battery powered impact gun and roll on trailer jacks Once you get stranded, your kit gets larger, but most of it fits beneath the rear seat or in a swing away other than the extra larger items.

^Snow, rain and muck will get into any truck bed without a gasket to seal the bottom and sides of the tailgate where it meets the bed. I'm using the one below, but any will work well. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/exg-1140?seid=srese1&gclid=CP3g4pzO9ckCFQMFaQodDPsHuA&ibanner=MobileSwitchNo

Truck has just over 1K miles, 400 miles with catch can produced just over an ounce of snot.

^Thanks for that posting on multiple settings. Up to now, I literally did not think the adjustable BS could provide stock height and had believed that +1 1/2 or +2" was the lowest setting allowed. Santa has a bigger list.