Tremor package with upgrades...

THE RIG

The F-150 Tremor package offers a rugged foundation with enhanced suspension and traction for tackling tough desert terrain. It’s a durable build as a starting point… As for a custom BajaXL rig, well there are a few upgrades we are working on.

UPGRADES / KIT / GEAR
"Sandy Dufrane"

To make the F-150 Tremor ready for the grueling BajaXL Rally and Challenge, we put in weeks of work rigging the truck and reinforcing the truck’s suspension, ensuring it could handle the brutal desert terrain and off-road obstacles that lay ahead. The vehicle, team number eleven in the event, is getting outfitted to endure the toughest stretches of backcountry. It is more than just our rally truck; it will be our lifeline and home in the heart of baja.

The truck, which we have affectionately named “Sandy Dufrane,” is a nod to Shawshank Redemption—an iconic film that resonated deeply with us both. As a geologist, Derek saw the parallels between the journey of Andy Dufresne and his own pursuit of discovery, while Ryan, felt that the struggle to reach freedom as Andy crawled through the tunnels of Shawshank to find cleansing in the river, was echoed in the challenges he faced in the fire service. Like Andy, we are setting off on our own adventure to find freedom and a sense of renewal in the deserts of Mexico. The name “Sandy Dufrane” is a tribute to the grit and resilience it will take to survive the journey—a metaphor for our own aspirations to break free from the ordinary and chase something greater. A nod to the idea… “Get busy living. Or get busy dying.”

How this philosophy is woven into the film will only become known once we find our path, and finish the challenge. 

Truck Build
Vehicle Readiness 70%
Accessories and Gear
Contingency Readiness 55%
Cameras and Equipment
Film Readiness 60%
Personal Gear / Kit
Crew Readiness 45%
Adventure Awaits... and so does the rest of our build...

MAKING IT UP AS WE GO...

BUILDING A CUSTOM BED RAIL AND STORAGE SYSTEM

We are designing a bed rail and mounting system to secure storage boxes, tools, and other equipment for our rally. Follow along as we fabricate our own solution to prep maximize space between our donation material, our provisions and tools, and our camera gear. 

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All angles at all times...
Rigging an in-cab control center...

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We will tell you more about how we rigged our “control panel” and got everything mounted as soon as we get permission from the company to use mention their gear… If not, this text may not be here next time you visit this site. 

More About the Command Center / Mobile Camera Rig

Controlling multiple pre-mounted cameras on a moving vehicle during the Baja XL Rally presents significant challenges. From an in-cab control panel, operators must manage a complex array of hardware designed to capture unpredictable events in a dynamic environment. The vibrations, dust, and rough terrain of the rally demand ruggedized equipment and precise stabilization systems to ensure clear footage. Additionally, the real-time switching between cameras requires intuitive interfaces and reliable connectivity, all while the vehicle is in motion. The challenge is further compounded by the need for high-definition video quality, wide-angle coverage, and the ability to quickly adjust angles, zoom, or focus to capture spontaneous moments. Balancing power consumption, thermal management, and seamless operation in this high-stakes scenario requires advanced engineering and skillful execution.

Special thanks to Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions. Their unique solutions have helped us build a control system that can hopefully manage a multi-camera shoot, on the move, during an overland rally. Not easy tasks.


Coming soon… build videos showing how we decked out our control center, bed reck, and fabricated a custom bed rail system.

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