DECKED Build of the Month: Shadow 2.0
DECKED Ambassador Edward Shin (also known as @KrokemOutdoors) knows a thing or two about building badass overlanding rigs. The Vancouver, Washington resident has built out Tacomas, Tundras, and most recently...a 2021 Ram Rebel named Shadow 2.0. If you attended Overland Expo Pacific Northwest this year, you probably saw Ed showing off his beastly rig to a constant crowd of people standing in awe of his creation.
Shadow 2.0 started as his daily driver but has evolved into a full-blown adventure mobile. There are few accessories, modifications, and brands that he hasn't used and abused, so we're highlighting Shadow 2.0 as our July Build of the Month because everything installed on it is top of the line overlanding equipment.
Every item on Shadow 2.0 is installed to make it the best overlanding/car camping vehicle possible. Ed opted for an Expedition One front bumper paired with a Warn Zeon 12-S Winch to drag himself out of sticky situations. Up top, he's running a 40" Frontrunner LED Light Bar for better visibility on the trail.
Extended trips on the trail require a lot of gear, so Ed installed a Leitner Designs ACS Forged Bed Rack to use their gear pods as extra storage. The DECKED Drawer System holds his stove, camp kitchen, mechanic's tools, and tow straps. The Expedition One Dual Swing Out Rear Bumper holds his spare tire, water cans, and fuel cans without interfering with bed access.
For his sleeping arrangement, Ed opted for a Cascadia Vehicle Tents Mt. Hood rooftop tent and an AluCab Shadow Awn 270 Awning. This setup deploys in seconds and provides shade wherever he goes.
Ed covered Shadow 2.0 in an Avery Denison Rugged Combat Vinyl Wrap. He installed it himself, and it took a total of 35 hours to complete.
Shadow 2.0 wears METHOD MR305 NV 18" wheels and BF Goodrich KO2 35x12.5" tires for extra grip, especially in the snow. Ed added Apex Valves for rapid deflation on sandier terrain.
Ed uses gear caddies in the cab of Shadow 2.0 to keep smaller items and a medical kit organized and within arm's reach.
What's the purpose of this build? Daily driver, working hard, or playing hard?
Purpose built Overland/Car Camping Vehicle.
What details or custom mods are you most proud of?
The wrap I installed myself. It's the second I've completed, over the course of 35 hours.
What aftermarket additions do you have that you can't live without?
BFG KO2 Tires, and the Expedition One Dual rear-swing out bumper to carry the spare.
How do you keep your gear organized?
I use gear caddies behind the driver and passenger seats, Leitner Pods, and of course, DECKED drawers!
How has DECKED improved the way you use your rig?
It's made organization much better. It's a permanent home for tools and camp gear, but also hauls my rifles to the range when I'm not on the trail. It's solved the problem of having to climb into the bed to reach for items near the cab, since access is blocked by the bed rack. Everything is secure since the drawers are locked, and the tailgate locks for another layer of security.
If you won the lottery, what would you add next?
I'd add an AluCab, Super Pacific, or GoFast style bed canopy with a pass-through to an attached wedge rooftop tent.
Full List of Modifications:
