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LWCG | Ranger Hybrid | Customizations

Pattywhacker

Pattywhacker

Active Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2019
Messages
124
Location
Vermont
I just received mine in the mail - I've put some silencing tape on the front of the stand where the post hits and I also taped up the ring for the seat push pin to include tethering it with some paracord - what's everyone done so far? I'm sure I will find other ways to customize it before I hit the woods this October.
 
bigcat93 said:
How do you like it so far?
Click to expand...
First impressions are that I like the stand. I like the shelf that the seat creates when packing in/out. It hasn’t bitten into a tree yet so I can speak to how it cams and bites into the tree. I can tell you I’m not a huge fan of the pin that locks the seat in.
 
Pattywhacker said:
........I’m not a huge fan of the pin that locks the seat in.
Click to expand...
I agree.
I just received a Ranger that I bought from SH classifieds. I had already watched some review videos and others felt the same way about that pin. I assumed that I'd modify it somehow so the pin wouldn't be needed.
Here's what I came up with...


I made a little hook from a piece of aluminum that I had laying around. And a made a continuous loop of 7/64" Amsteel. I'm not the most skilled Amsteel splicer so getting the loop to be the perfect size was a little bit of a challenge for me. I added a little zip tie for a grab pull.
20241220_141342.jpg

The Amsteel loop will slip on/off the hook for setting the stand or for travel mode. I decided to use Amsteel because it won't stretch. I tried some various cordage but the Amsteel seems to keep it's length. I've not used it yet but it seems like this mod will work.
This mod did not require any modification to the stand itself, no drilling or cutting.
I'm sure there's some other versions of this that would be as good or better. I Thought about using webbing instead of the Amsteel. That was gonna be "plan B" if the Amsteel didn't work.
I just thought I'd share this idea with you guys. It may spur some other concepts or variation of mine. I knew that pin just had to go. I can't believe LW can't come up with a better, more user friendly in the field, non-metal method of rigging that seat for travel mode.

I do intend to trash the LWGC foam and replace it with a slightly larger piece of plywood with 1/2" closed cell foam glued to it. I did that with my .5 and I consider it an improvement.
20241220_141258.jpg
 
Don’t think it would fit through slot to hold seat. I just took off the key ring and threaded paracord through it and tied to post. I take it off at height and it never makes any noise
 
Following along as I'm going to be adding one in the off season. Undecided on which LWCG sticks to run, probably going to have to go to a show to see in person.
 
Anyone have a good way to pack LWCG sticks on the ranger? Have compacts but haven’t found a good configuration yet that’s quick and easy.
 
I have 3, 20” LWCG doubles and I use 2 titan straps and strap them down to the seat post. They snug
 
@Pattywhacker - Would it be possible to swap the posts on a ranger and ambush? You’d end up with an ambush post on a ranger platform. Normal sized post with a huge ranger platform.
 
Maverick1 said:
@Pattywhacker - Would it be possible to swap the posts on a ranger and ambush? You’d end up with an ambush post on a ranger platform. Normal sized post with a huge ranger platform.
Click to expand...
What would the benefit of the swap be? The ambush post is so small comparatively. And the ambush by itself already packs a hell of a lot of real estate space
 
Finally got around to putting a belt on mine. Latitude one.

A bit much with the back pads built in but feels good.
 

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bigcat93 said:
What would the benefit of the swap be? The ambush post is so small comparatively. And the ambush by itself already packs a hell of a lot of real estate space
Click to expand...
Packability. End up with the Ranger’s extra large platform without a post sticking out the extra 8-10” (?).
 
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bigcat93 said:
Finally got around to putting a belt on mine. Latitude one.

A bit much with the back pads built in but feels good.
Click to expand...
I was looking at LWCG's belt - curious how you feel it sits on your hips seeing how the platform doesn't extend as far down our backs as their more traditional stands.
 
It feels fine on the hips, but I think the latitude one is a bit overkill for the ranger. Not about of options for attachment points.

I’ve moved that to a .5, probably will get a LWCG belt for the ranger.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I agree.
I just received a Ranger that I bought from SH classifieds. I had already watched some review videos and others felt the same way about that pin. I assumed that I'd modify it somehow so the pin wouldn't be needed.
Here's what I came up with...


I made a little hook from a piece of aluminum that I had laying around. And a made a continuous loop of 7/64" Amsteel. I'm not the most skilled Amsteel splicer so getting the loop to be the perfect size was a little bit of a challenge for me. I added a little zip tie for a grab pull.
View attachment 112577

The Amsteel loop will slip on/off the hook for setting the stand or for travel mode. I decided to use Amsteel because it won't stretch. I tried some various cordage but the Amsteel seems to keep it's length. I've not used it yet but it seems like this mod will work.
This mod did not require any modification to the stand itself, no drilling or cutting.
I'm sure there's some other versions of this that would be as good or better. I Thought about using webbing instead of the Amsteel. That was gonna be "plan B" if the Amsteel didn't work.
I just thought I'd share this idea with you guys. It may spur some other concepts or variation of mine. I knew that pin just had to go. I can't believe LW can't come up with a better, more user friendly in the field, non-metal method of rigging that seat for travel mode.

I do intend to trash the LWGC foam and replace it with a slightly larger piece of plywood with 1/2" closed cell foam glued to it. I did that with my .5 and I consider it an improvement.
View attachment 112578
Click to expand...
Why did you put the tree bracket on the wrong side of the post? Am I missing something?
 
jphillips97 said:
Why did you put the tree bracket on the wrong side of the post? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
Yeah I did have it on the wrong side, duh. I'd taken the hook on and off several times trying to get the loop just right. I lost track of which side it was on for that pic. In the end, this wasn't working out as well as I hoped BUT, I think I could have solved the issue but I'd need to slit a hole in the foam padding and since I was in the process of trading the stand for a set of One Sticks, I wasn't gonna cut into the seat foam.
So, on the subject of the pin. If I kept the Ranger I would have changed the metal pin for a hardwood dowel and gave the dowel a longer taper. Post I'd either paint a bright or reflective stripe around the hole of put a piece of reflective tape around the hole in order to see it better in low light.
I didn't care for the factory pin design but that wasn't why I traded the Ranger. The platform was just not deep enough for me and I have size 9 boots. I expected there would be a little more real estate to stand and turn. I like my .5 so much more than the Ranger. The .5 transports better too.
 
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