Modifications to First Gen JX3 Hybrid

[gcr0003]

Wait did you say baby on the way??? Congrats!!!!

I thought he was dropping subtle hints in other threads but wasn’t sure. Congrats @kyler1945

 

[Plebe]

If you have a gen 1 hybrid. And you want it to be a meat hauler. Stope doing anything else, buy an exo k3 belt and shoulder harness.

I bought the entire k3 4800 pack system, and am selling the popup and kifaru systems. I can only afford one with a baby on the way. Space mostly.

Melted 3 holes in the k3 belt, drilled 3 holes in molle frame. Done.

Have to figure out how to get lineman’s belt, and leg straps incorporated. Have some ideas.

But my hybrid now can’t be beat in terms of load carrying. The DIY stuff I did worked good. This works great. Simple. Then, I can just unscrew 3 nylock nuts and reattach to the exo pack.

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Congrats Kyle.

One thing on the K3 belt, I don't think it comes with a lumbar pad, does it?

I've eyed their setup(s) for a couple years for treestand use but it seemed to lack that component. (They do sell a lumbar insert set, so with a sewing machine it'd be easy enough to cobble something together.....Seek Outside sells a softer pad that could be modified with velcro).

Also, seems something is up with ordering a K3 harnesses. Says in stock, add to cart and price is $0.00. Been like that for weeks.

 

[Plebe]

If you have a gen 1 hybrid. And you want it to be a meat hauler. Stope doing anything else, buy an exo k3 belt and shoulder harness.

I bought the entire k3 4800 pack system, and am selling the popup and kifaru systems. I can only afford one with a baby on the way. Space mostly.

Melted 3 holes in the k3 belt, drilled 3 holes in molle frame. Done.

Have to figure out how to get lineman’s belt, and leg straps incorporated. Have some ideas.

But my hybrid now can’t be beat in terms of load carrying. The DIY stuff I did worked good. This works great. Simple. Then, I can just unscrew 3 nylock nuts and reattach to the exo pack.

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Sorry to double post, but what you have going on is pretty awesome.

I'be been looking at the Initial Ascent belt too, and it has a lot of structure behind the lumbar pad so it may be a good candidate for your mod.

 

[kyler1945]

Congrats Kyle.

One thing on the K3 belt, I don't think it comes with a lumbar pad, does it?

I've eyed their setup(s) for a couple years for treestand use but it seemed to lack that component. (They do sell a lumbar insert set, so with a sewing machine it'd be easy enough to cobble something together.....Seek Outside sells a softer pad that could be modified with velcro).

Also, seems something is up with ordering a K3 harnesses. Says in stock, add to cart and price is $0.00. Been like that for weeks.

Thanks!

I bought a whole pack system, so I robbed belt from that.

But you’re right, you need the pad/piece that attaches to bottom of their frame. They will sell it but you’d need to email them.

Once you have this set up it will work with the hybrid, a hang on, and I hope to eventually see about the pacseat.

If you get a price and a “how to order the belt system” from them, please share.

Also, I have an extra small belt,(as you mentioned, neither include the middle piece needed). I paid 60.00 for each shipped. Will sell either for 40.00 shipped if that helps.

 

[kyler1945]

Sorry to double post, but what you have going on is pretty awesome.

I'be been looking at the Initial Ascent belt too, and it has a lot of structure behind the lumbar pad so it may be a good candidate for your mod.

Exo’s K3 is superior to the popup for hauling. More comfortable than the kifaru frame I have(but not quite as rugged). Having said that, the exo may prove to be a winner all the way around. I’m betting on that, because I’m selling the popup and kifaru. It only weighs 6 more ounces than the popup with the 4800 bag. With the hybrid bag system (big bag and two small pouches), it’s break even.

Build quality of exo is great. I’m sure there’s other stuff that will work well. I’m very happy with the system now.

 

[Plebe]

Exo’s K3 is superior to the popup for hauling. More comfortable than the kifaru frame I have(but not quite as rugged). Having said that, the exo may prove to be a winner all the way around. I’m betting on that, because I’m selling the popup and kifaru. It only weighs 6 more ounces than the popup with the 4800 bag. With the hybrid bag system (big bag and two small pouches), it’s break even.

Build quality of exo is great. I’m sure there’s other stuff that will work well. I’m very happy with the system now.

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I regard EXO highly. I didn't realize they'd consider selling a lumbar pad separate which is why I've looked into some alternatives. I don't have a sewing machine or this wouldn't have been hard at all.

Anyway, seeing what you've come up with so far, I can't wait to see your Baby Beco mods.

 

[kyler1945]

I regard EXO highly. I didn't realize they'd consider selling a lumbar pad separate which is why I've looked into some alternatives. I don't have a sewing machine or this wouldn't have been hard at all.

Anyway, seeing what you've come up with so far, I can't wait to see your Baby Beco mods.

Haha I’m already shopping marketplace for baby carriers. Rokslide already figured it out - carry baby on front till 2years old. Then buy used deuter baby frame pack carrier for half price. Cut the harness off and throw away. Strap to your quality frame pack.

My dad streak already bleeding through

 

[Plebe]

Haha I’m already shopping marketplace for baby carriers. Rokslide already figured it out - carry baby on front till 2years old. Then buy used deuter baby frame pack carrier for half price. Cut the harness off and throw away. Strap to your quality frame pack.

My dad streak already bleeding through

There was a long running Kuiu review by a non-hunting dad who modified a frame for child transportation. I admire that level of commitment.

I never did anything very innovative, but was quite impressed with my wife's adaptation of fine doilies into baby wipes when we were up against a major blowout in a very nice restaurant.

I guess that's akin to all these guys tearing their First Lite sleeves off when they had too much coffee.

 

[ryansean]

Haha I’m already shopping marketplace for baby carriers. Rokslide already figured it out - carry baby on front till 2years old. Then buy used deuter baby frame pack carrier for half price. Cut the harness off and throw away. Strap to your quality frame pack.

My dad streak already bleeding through

Congrats on the baby, it's as awesome as you can make it! I just dug this out after reading about your incoming dependant to tell you that now you'll have even more pack options. Of course you're already on it.

I got this a few years back used for $100 and now it's time to see what I can make fit onto the pac seat.

 

[kyler1945]

Update - As modified, the hybrid currently weighs exactly 10lbs.

I tried to weigh just the molle frame/harness/belt, leaving the seat on the ground. It looks to be roughly 5.7lbs. That leaves the seat/fork/bridge loops/bridge/biners/etc. weighing in at about 4.3lbs.

My Popup frame is roughly 3lbs.

Exo Frame roughly 3.5lbs.

Most soft saddles weigh 2lbs or so.


Looks to be a weight penalty of about 4.5lbs. IF, IF you are frame packing.

So some advice - if you intend to carry a frame pack, and want to be really comfortable, I would be in the market for a first generation Hybrid.

 

[mtsrunner]

Haha I’m already shopping marketplace for baby carriers. Rokslide already figured it out - carry baby on front till 2years old. Then buy used deuter baby frame pack carrier for half price. Cut the harness off and throw away. Strap to your quality frame pack.

My dad streak already bleeding through

First, congrats on the baby
Second, why worry about how to carry the child after two? He/she should be hiking and carrying his/her own pack by 18-20 months, tops.
Third, do I need to mention 40-13 or just leave you to lick your wounds and rest knowing that Brian Kelly is a terrible fit for you guys? Go Vols.


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[kyler1945]

First, congrats on the baby
Second, why worry about how to carry the child after two? He/she should be hiking and carrying his/her own pack by 18-20 months, tops.
Third, do I need to mention 40-13 or just leave you to lick your wounds and rest knowing that Brian Kelly is a terrible fit for you guys? Go Vols.


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Weirdest football season I've witnessed live.

Thanks!

And good point - I'll make them pull their weight...

 

[kyler1945]

Here’s a video breaking down how I have the hybrid set up. Many of the modifications are covered in this thread, but a few are not.

It’s an efficient, quiet, and most importantly, incredibly comfortable way to spend lots of time in high leverage deer hunting situations.

 

[Hardly_Hangin]

Bump

 

[jbogg]

Here’s a video breaking down how I have the hybrid set up. Many of the modifications are covered in this thread, but a few are not.

It’s an efficient, quiet, and most importantly, incredibly comfortable way to spend lots of time in high leverage deer hunting situations.

I just picked up a used Gen 2, so now I feel better about trying to modify my Gen 1 since there’s a great chance I will screw it up. After reading this entire thread again, and it has been a while, I now feel fine about losing the mesh. What I really want to do is:
1. Add Load lifters.
2. Add EXO hip belt and shoulder straps.
With that said, can this be done without a sewing machine? I don’t mind drilling holes in the Molle frame, but sewing is above my pay grade.

 

[kobudo]

Following this thread. With my generation 1 I feel like I am tipping over backwards all the time. I think removing the mesh from the back of the pack frame would really help that out quite a bit. I think the load lifters would help also. It might be just my body style, but that bugger does not fit me very well in pack formation. My pop-up mystery ranch is like a glove.

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[Hardly_Hangin]

Following this thread. With my generation 1 I feel like I am tipping over backwards all the time. I think removing the mesh from the back of the pack frame would really help that out quite a bit. I think the load lifters would help also. It might be just my body style, but that bugger does not fit me very well in pack formation. My pop-up mystery ranch is like a glove.

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I agree. Im going to try removing my mesh as well for this reason. I made some load lifters once but have missplaced them.


Im ordering standard molle frame pack shoulder straps and waist belt to try before jumping to something like an exo, hoping it will be an easier fit and require less destructive modification. It will likley not be as comfortable as the exo harness, but i think will be better still.


If i can figure out how to better pack in cold weather clothes, pack out 50# of meat i cant think a reason i would ever stop using it.

 

[white03]

Doesn't removing the mesh reduce the comfort when sitting of the seat back? When in use and seated up a tree, what supports your back if the mesh is gone?

 

[LAKY]

Doesn't removing the mesh reduce the comfort when sitting of the seat back? When in use and seated up a tree, what supports your back if the mesh is gone?

Personally, I like the mesh and have done everything possible to keep it. I think I have it where I want now without getting rid of the mesh. The mesh helps spread the load across your back, offers added suspension, and provides ventilation. Several hiking frame packs offer this type of system for those reasons.

 

[Plebe]

Personally, I like the mesh and have done everything possible to keep it. I think I have it where I want now without getting rid of the mesh. The mesh helps spread the load across your back, offers added suspension, and provides ventilation. Several hiking frame packs offer this type of system for those reasons.

I too like the mesh, but see you can have your cake and eat it too…





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