JLink's Build

Smart, I own my truck and a forester lol. we'll see i'm some ways off from kids hopefully

 

That's what the wife's car is for!

 

so the tacoma is still for sale if I find the right buyer, but everyone i've dealt with so far has been far from the right fit. I don't want to just get rid of it, I need to find it a new home (if I were to sell it).

So as far as I'm concerned, its not going anywhere. And with that comes an idea of reinventing it. I'm sick of the soft roof top tent. packing it up when its on the roof is such a hassle, and if its on the bed rack its really a waste of the bed. SO I SOLD IT!!

Now I'm thinking a Go Fast Camper is the right option. I'm going to think about it for a week before giving them a deposit. Although it does mean I can't use the bed open for getting mulch or something like that, I use my trailer for stuff like that anyway. but having a cap that can open from all 3 sides makes it easier to get to stuff than the soft topper or bed rack. And the fact that the floor in the tent section is removable so you can stand in the bed really makes it different than just a hard shell roof top tent.

The only issue is that my current roof rack (thanks again Davis) won't work with the GFC. So now I'll need to sell it and get a set of thule cross bars again, or just cut this rack and make it fit under the GFC.


So if anyone is interested... roof rack is for sale.

 

I'm also using the GFC as a reason to finally take care of my bent tailgate. I ordered the Relentless fab tailgate reinforcement because it wraps around the top of the tailgate like the oem plastic piece, and extends all the way down the back of the tailgate, so I think it should be a lot stronger than the mob town flat piece, or top piece, or even the 2 of them used together.

I did order the mob town riv-nuts kit.

I'm hoping I can install the riv-nuts and straighten the tailgate, and have the reinforcement keep it straight.

 

I support this new plan!

If you can't find another tailgate, I might be able to part with my SWB one. It's in perfect shape.

 

Thanks. I've got a lead on a used plain black tailgate for $400, or I can order one from rock auto for $300 and then swap all the hardware over from mine. I'm hoping that the reinforcement is good enough and don't actually need to replace the tailgate, but we'll see.

well the outside has been bent for a long time from backing into a tree, but that hasn't affected it structurally. Then a couple months ago I tried doing a mock up to see what a Decked system would be like, and tried loading my 800lb polaris sportsman 850 in the bed on top of 12" of lumber (to simulate the decked height) and could almost close the tailgate. So I opened the tailgate and stood in the middle of it while picking up the rear end of the quad so my neighbor could shove some more lumber under the rear tires to see if we could get it high enough to be able to close the tailgate. Well as soon as I picked up the quad I felt my feet sink into the tailgate.

when you pull off the cover from the inside of the tailgate, there are supports that are glued in place.. everyone of those was loose, and allowed the middle of the tailgate to cave in. I'm hoping I can bend everything back, jb weld those back in place, and hopefully get the tailgate reinforcement to fit.

 

i might have a tube of that. good suggestion

 

Well I just paid a deposit for a Go Fast Camper. So it looks like the tacoma isn't going anywhere!

 

Prepping for the GFC, just installed total chaos bed stiffeners. Ordered Mob town tailgate hardware kit, relentless tailgate reinforcement. Hardware will be here tomorrow, tailgate reinforcement will hopefully be here by the time I get the GFC.. (tried calling multiple times, website says backordered 1-4 weeks.. seems like a generic response meaning they just don’t have any in stock... so we’ll see. Not stoked about spending $70 for shipping for a 13lb piece of aluminum that won’t even get here in a hurry.)

Also, sold my roof rack and awning to the guy who bought my rtt. Maineshiner on IG.

Got a Thule roof rack to use for kayaks and such, then it’s easily removed or adjusted for GFC.

Even bought 2 new kayaks (Wilderness Systems Pungo 120) since the GFC can hold weight on it. One of my biggest complaints with the soft rtt was not being able to bring kayaks or canoes. So now me and Nicole each have new kayaks with cockpits big enough to also fit a dog or child.



Ordered an ARB 2500 (8’) awning to mount on the GFC. Figured the more shade/dry area the better, and the guy really wanted to buy my old awning so might as well upgrade!

Ordered some goal zero light a life mini (quad set) led lanterns to hang around camp. They’re usb powered, so they can run off a portable power bank for a phone or usb off the truck.

 

Bling.

 

You know what all this means right?

We’re going to have to do another trip soon.

 

Out west I hope

 

I just bought this guy, wanna get one or two more. Solar powered, three levels of brightness, a flash mode, and inflatable so it can fold down flat and low profile.

 

North. Maine.

 

Finally on the GFC leaderboard.



And so far they have only built 42 units.

My estimated build start date is 4/22/19. We’ll see how that works out.


I got my new Thule bars and arb 2500 awning mounted up yesterday.



Ironically I discovered that Thule has redesigned the fit kit for the Tacoma. I had a Thule rack originally, and I don’t remember the number of the fit kit, but this one is different. It actually hooks under the door seals.

Makes me wonder if that’s how BGR’s Yakima rack mounted to his old truck, because the rack mount cut the C pillar open like a can opener when it clipped a tree.

I clipped a tree with my old Thule rack and it just shifted the rack and dented the roof.


I also installed the tailgate rivnuts from mobtown yesterday. Installing them with a bolt really sucks. I’d rather look at buying the right tool before I install anymore of those things. So now I’m just waiting on the relentless tailgate reinforcement. Which I’ll be surprised if I get it before October.

 

4/22/19, wow. I used to have a lead time like that...

 

Holy shit, apparently the GFC business is doing well.

 

Yea they seem like they’re doing well. Approximately 200 orders to fill as of now. I’m sure as more people get them and start modding and sharing pictures the business will just get even busier.

 

So I got the relentless tailgate reinforcement in aluminum and it is nice! What a huge difference in strength compared to the stock one. And I like having the flat surface too. I’ll have to take a couple pics to share.


I also just sound deadened the cab. (Well partially...I need to order more for the doors.) I went through 9 sheets of dynamat and 2 sheets of 1/4” dynaliner. I did the back wall of the cab down to the under seat cubbies, then the front of the cubbies down to the rear seat floor. Also I dropped the headliner and did the ceiling.

Dynamat makes a huge difference in taking out the tin-y-ness of the sheetmetal, and dynaliner makes a huge difference in blocking /absorbing sound.

I still want to redo my exhaust to make it quieter, but the cab is way quieter now.

Thanks Davis @chenbro for the help with install questions!