OverlaNERD's Home away from home

Hello TW! This thread is intended to document my build and hopefully show how much living space a DCSB can offer while still maintaining its ability to tackle tight technical trails. It could also be a resource for those aspiring to convert their trucks into mini RV's. I guess the preppers seem to like this sort of shit too.

Well, this is my 3rd attempt to transform a Tacoma into an off-road RV. You know, one that you can sleep, standup, and shit in. Also overnight in ski resort parking lots without getting cabin fever. Something that accommodates the family and can still tackle some challenging trails. Including the Scout, this is the 4th camper setup. I've learned a lot along the way, but forgot much of it. Just trying to keep things simple and versatile with this build. Indoor setup for the cold, and outdoor setup when it's warm.

I appreciate suggestions, but I'm fairly stubborn when it comes to stuff like this, and I've probably already thought about it. But there’s a lot of cool shit out there that I don’t know about, so please feel free to chime in.

Started building this thing in 2007 ish and sold it in 2012. Couldn't fit the car seat in it and the wife couldn't drive it. Fun rig that we planned to drive to Tierra del Fuego. Then life happened. Bought a house, had a kid... you know - American dream type shit.



Convinced the wife to trade in our 4th gen (2005) 4Runner for a Tacoma in late 2011. It was going to be her DD. I lobbied hard for a 6- speed. After 2-1/2 months of commuting (all freeway, reverse commute), she had enough. Wanted an auto. Apparently, there was a big miscommunication. She could "drive" a manual, but had never "owned" one. Huge difference. When a manual vehicle is all you have, you're forced to learn how to handle steep hill starts and traffic. She does not possess such skills. Since she knew this was my dream truck, she let me keep it and we got her a used Volvo wagon. Sold the Scout and my project 1991 Montero, and went all-in on the Tacoma.

The intent of this build is mostly recreational. It's my RV, wheeling rig, weekend runaround vehicle, ski cabin, and road trip machine. It's also a great hobby and gets me and the family into the backcountry more often. And, as all of you know, it's a money pit.

As she sits now:











Last weekend with pizza cutters:


First family outing in Tilden park circa 2012.


Got a cap for $500 a few months later.


Tried this out. 8 damn poles. 4 more than my ground tent.


Ordered a Flippac in August of 2012 Took delivery in December when my wife was 6 months pregnant with our 2nd child. Sat idle until our first outing with the 2 month old in April 2013. The 3 year old loved it. The wife loved it. The baby was not aware of anything. I was not happy that the torsion bar broke deploying it, but we managed to have a great time.

Good times in the Flippac. Zion in 2014. Kids had many nights in the camper at that point.


Got a bumper.


And some sliders.


Built out the interior.


Some steelies.


Dakars.


A big bumper.


Fox & SPC UCA's.


Fourwheel camper "Falcon" model. Also, ATO bumper and swingout.


4Runner wheels and Bighorn pizza cutters.


Bent the crap out of the shackle hangers and went with the Archive Garage shackle flip.



BAMF shock relocate kit (Installed by @Bentrodder), 12" Kings, ubolt flip, Superbumps, and custom Alcan pack.


Then sold the FWC and had a local fabricator build a flatbed.


Now this.



I’ll try to keep this thread organized, but probably won’t.

Camper:

• Custom popup.
• Steel flatbed (Severed Metals in Oakley, CA)
• On Deck:
  • 5 year old TF41 fridge
  • 1 year old Thetford crapper
  • Frontrunner Wolf & Cubpacks
  • Old on-board water setup from the Flippac
• Need:
  • Propex heater
  • Awning
  • Cabinets
  • Foam for a bed
  • Tent material (obviously)

Front Suspension:

• King Remote resi extended travel with 700# springs
• Camburg UCA’s
• All-Pro extended brake lines
• Wheelers Super Bumps

Rear Suspension:

• Archive shackle flip
• BAMF shock relocation kit
• King 2.0 x 12” RR shocks with custom valving from DSM
• Custom Alcan leaf pack
• All-Pro extended brake lines
• All-Pro U-bolt flip kit
• Wheelers Super Bumps

Armor:

• TJM “Kangaroo Killer” front bumper
• ATO high clearance rear bumper
• BAMF bolt-on sliders w/ DOM outer tubing
• Relentless Fabrication IFS, mid, & transfercase skids
• BAMF IFS skids

Wheels/ Tires:

• Goodyear Duratrac 315/75 R16’s
• @SCSPerformance Ray 10's - 16x8 Matte Gunmetal with black bolts

Electrical:

• Iggycorp dual battery tray
• Iggycorp switch panel
• Iggycorp 9” round LED lights
• RTMR
• Sears AGM Gold starting battery
• Sears AGM Platinum house battery
• Bluesea battery controller
• Viair 300P portable compressor
• On Deck:
  • $584 ARBCKMTA12 ARB CKMTA12 '12V' On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor, Ideal for Air Lockers Locking Differentials, Tire Inflator, Air Horn, Air Tools and Pneumatic Tools.
    ARBCKMTA12
  • Old Bluesea fusebox setup from the Flippac
  • Bunch of switches and outlets I've acquired along the way

Drivetrain:

• Stock. E-locker and ATRAC.
• Nitro 4.88’s
• ECGS bushing
• @Bentrodder / Total Chaos spindle gussets

Recovery:

• Mile Marker 8000 lbs. Craigslist winch
• All Pro recovery strap
• Bunch of shackles
• 60” All-cast Hi-lift jack with accessory (winch) kit.
• Smittybilt snatch block
• Some older straps that are probably dangerous
• On Deck:
  • Smittybilt 9,500 lbs. winch with synthetic line

Inside:

• Techdeck RAM mount
• Salix glovebox organizer
• Console vault
• Weathertech front & rear floor liners

Other stuff:

• jeffz0rz frame plates with windows

Gone but not forgotten:

• Flippac with custom plywood interior
• Fourwheel Camper “Falcon”
• 1st Gen Tundra steelies with Cooper ST 255/85 R16 pizza cutters
• 3rd Gen 4runner wheels with Maxxis Bighorn 255/85 R16 pizza cutters
• Prinsu cabrack
• Fox 2.5 non-resi extended travels with 14” 700# King springs
• Dirt King UCA’s

Gone:

• Bilstein 5100's w/ 885's
• Bilstein 5100's rear shocks
• Fox 2.0 rear shocks
• Ironman rear springs
• Dakar rear springs
• SPC UCA's
• Body Armor rear bumper
• Custom bumper from another TW member

Special Thanks:

• @Iggy for electrical sorcery and camper collaboration.
• @Bentrodder for cutting and welding.
• @jberry813 for advice and digitally prodding me to start a build thread.
• Everyone who helped me at mod days: @tyfoon11 , @Gply, @Basikbiker, @916TacoTruck, @tacomgee, @2015whitetaco
• To my wife and kids who put up with this shit.

 

The Camper

I'll put more info here as I add home furnishings.

Pics for now.

 

Another one.

My favorite gif as a placeholder.

 

This one is for something.

 

Uh oh.

 

That Scout II...want. Nice rig, since I have two little ones I need something like this in my life.

 

Sweet! Another thread full of BS. In for the newds!

 

Looking forward to camper completion!

 

Where da pics wit da dirty fives?

 

Truck is looking great Phil!

 

Very cool build. Sub'd for sure.

 

#neversatisfied

 

Looking forward to see what's in store for the interior of this custom "doohickey".

 

It's up there... looks bigger in person.

Great question Jason!

Flippac was light, really spacious, and huge when it was deployed. Also had the full use of the bed. But it leaked. When the rain fly was treated and seam sealed, it was fine... if it wasn't raining the next day and had time to dry out. But if you have to bail in the morning, and put it away in the rain, water got inside and soaked the mattress. Then you have to stuff a wet rainfly in a bag. If its raining at the next site, Re-attaching a wet rainfly was not fun and water would get in. For 2 or 3 season camping, in the southwest, it's awesome. Does not work with snow very well.

4wc was fully weatherproof, well insulated, and easy to deploy, but too small inside for a family of 4. Again, great for summer when you only sleep in the vehicle, but rough in winter when the kids go to sleep earlier and you have no place to hang out inside. Storage space was lost between the bed and the bottom slide- in portion. It also stuck too far out at the corners for off-camber sections next to trees or boulders. Again, a great setup for a 1 - 2 people who don't frequent technical trails or carry a crapload of gear. It was really solid in DV.

The new one has the hard roof benefits of the 4WC, the space of the Flippac, and is narrow for tight trails. Also lighter than the 4wc. The full use of the fender areas more than makes up for the deceased width. So much storage space. Plus, it's EAF. The downside is that it attracts attention. Especially when I'm in the Raleys parking lot trying to browse TW.

It was a staged question. All part of the plan.