Mystery Ranch Crew Cab Mods

[X-Force]

I have been toying around with the idea of reducing weight and improving function of my MR for a couple years. Tonight I finally got the courage to cut her up.

Items on the crew cab during and after the mods
OV load lifters
Kuiu belt pocket

Starting weight
CC w/ day lid 10.3 lbs
CC w/o day lid 9.0 lbs

Mods
Took all of the foam padding out of the crew cab and day lid
Removed the stays in the bottom of the load area
Removed extra webbing from OV lifter while still allowing 2-3" of adjustment
Removed unused webbing from nice frame
Removed unused buckles on nice frame (here I may have gotten a little ahead of myself and removed the 4 buckles that strap down the empty CC but I am able to put new ones back on if it becomes an issue and right now I can still strap around the frame and it sinches down just as well or better for empty loads)
Removed the day pack (lid) straps, padding and extra material... Being over 1lb it was hard strapping this thing onto my bag for extra ci but after the material loss I'm wanting to try it out.
Removed the material between the front pocket and the main pocket on the CC (without any real weight loss this may be the best mod. Now I am able to access the main bag area with a strapped down load through the back zipper. Before I had to loosen a couple straps to access the bag.
Removed all metal zipper tabs and tied on 325 paracord.

Final weight
CC w/ day lid 7.5 lbs
CC w/o day lid 7.0 lbs

The crew cab may go through another modification after opening weekend, it was built with the military in mind and has white plastic sheeting in both side pockets that should be taken out and the zippered area for a bladder isn't really needed for hunting situations or hauling meat. I think between those mods and removing excess webbing I can remove another 8-12 oz.

I will keep the stays, some of the multicam for patches and the frame sheet.

[X-Force]

Little update.

The weight of the pack is awesome. I was with Saylean when he packed out his buck on an unmodified crew cab and the difference in pack weight was night and day.

I will admit that the way I use the CC as a day pack I shouldn't have cut the buckles off the side of the frame. Fortunately, male and female slotted bucks are easy to make or purchase. Running the pack as it sits in overnight mode with the back pocket attached to the side pockets the pack worked flawlessly. I noticed the buckle removal was an issue when I ran my spotter in one pocket and tripod in the other while running the pack as a day pack. The depth was to much to buckle around the frame like I was anticipating.

Another plus is the reduced weight in the day lid doesn't make me hesitate to bring it on trips when its rolled up and out of the way.

After deer season the next mod is to remove the plastic panels inside the side pockets. This will require a little sewing to reattach the straps to the inside of the pockets. I will also be removing the sleeve that the bladder hangs in and instead run the bladder hanging from the loop on the top of the bag.

[jtw]

As much as I love MR they definitely overbuild for hunting packs. I cut enough webbing off my frame and metcalf to make another bag, but its also nice to have the option. I get rid of crew cab mostly because i found in day pack mode the pockets were a pain in the ass to manage. Never though to cut an opening between them.

[JoeE]

I sold my MR crew cab this year and bought a KUIU ultra. The MR is an awesome pack....if I was parachuting into Afghanastan to fight the Taliban all by myself. Way too much pack for me for a hunting application.

[X-Force]

I can definitely cut webbing off of the pack i just need to load it as full at practical and see how much webbing is left... probably feet.

Having the front access to the main back bag is awesome. Before, the straps would have to be loosened or unbuckled to access the bag. Now its as simple zip and complete access to the bag. With 3 Kifaru UL organizing pods Kill kit, Repair Kit and Lunch are all right there plus the pockets hold everything else.



I have 2 family members with Kuiu Pro packs and so far I havent been impressed. They are light but with any weight they arent comfortable.

[JoeE]

I agree with that. With 40 pounds the KUIU isn't very comfortable, I use it mainly as a day pack. For a load hauler I liked the MR better.

[MountainWalk]

Interesting stuff. I can't imagine putting out the coin for such a nice pack,  then chopping it up. But then again,  I think nothing of chopping up the two Harleys I had-have. Go figure.

 Tried on a Kuiu. No thanks.
I rock a bikini frame, one belt pouch,  a medium sized roll top pod, and a gen 2 meat bag.  Super light, quarter and head capable,  and just the right amount of space with more to spare, and lastly, super compress-able. Will be checking out the new Kifaru Tahr.