Matthew Lieblong

I know this is years late, but regarding tools if you haven't seen them yet check out pass-through socket sets. They eliminate the need for deep-well sockets completely. As for radios, Baofeng's are fantastic for backup or emergencies, but not the best quality on a few levels. Yes you need a ham license to use outside of emergencies, but if you're just using it for emergencies, a $25 Baofeng UV-5R (HAM) is pretty good bang for your buck. The UV-9G is another model they make that is GMRS FCC legal (requires separate GMRS license), and it's waterproof for $45. Both also can listen to all the standard NOAA weather channels. GMRS overlaps with bubble pack FRS radio frequencies so you can listen and talk to them as well. Better radios are out there, especially mobile rigs up to 50 watts, as are better antennas, but for a backup, it'll do fine. My GMRS UV-9G with an external mag mount antenna hit a repeater 50 miles away the other day.

I second the request for your interior install pics. New to GMRS but used HT's non-stop on a recent work trip and am eyeing either the MXT575 or KG-1000G Plus, both have remote install/control via handset type features. I toy with 3d printing and CAD design and am tempted to make my own 3rd light spacer/antenna mount since Bulletproof hasn't gotten around to making one for the 19-22 Sierra yet. Where did you install the MXT575? After seeing numerous car stereo amps installed behind the rear seat that is my current thought to use that completely unused space and not lose console/glovebox space, but if not there then under a front seat.

Yakima Overhaul HD with or without Retrax XR tonneau/bedcover. I was concerned about the crossbar height above the cab too for hauling my canoe, but when I got it installed my worries disappeared. Hauled this 1100 miles to go help with Ian recovery recently. You can adjust the crossbar height anywhere from below the cab to level to the max height which is shown in the picture. You have to loosen and re-adjust the crossbar anytime you change the vertical height given the post angles. With the load stop brackets and without the add-on side bars the canoe did great at some ridiculous interstate speeds round trip over 2000 miles. Added a ladder later and it did fine too. Canoe is 16.5ft long ~70lbs used load stop T-slot brackets and wratchet straps and it didn't budge, ladder was ~35lbs. Overhaul HD claims 500lbs capacity on road, 300lbs offroad. All of this shite is overpriced, but it works. Like who would pay $149 for Yakima's 2-burner Coleman knock off camp stove when WalMart has a much better Ozark Trail for $32? Don't even get me started on their $800 "camp kitchen"... But the Overhaul HD ladder rack is fantastic and I highly recommend it.