Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Really it is the springs that are an issue. I was assured by ARB's tech guys that the OME HD leafs with two AAl's would support the weigh sufficiently. They were flattened before I even had the drifter on the truck, now they are w shaped/inverted. They cannot support the constant load ratings they claim. Too many others are having the same issues with them. Mine flattened with 450lbs constant weight in the back. Drifter I figured was 400 as i am a LB and i was estimating high on my weights to be safe and they should have held it fine, nope they are no inverted/w-shaped.

Springs I would go deavers which is what i should have gone with to start but I got talked out of it. Shocks/Struts, well I think you can go little less on these, depending on what you are planning to do. If seriously off roading and wanting to drive fast, get a set of kings with resies, if doing forestry roads, you will not need resies, bilstein 5100's should be fine. I am by no means a suspension expert far far from it. talk to some shops, avoid 4wheel drive parts like the plague for anything but parts, do not let them touch your vehicle. don't ask me how i know, i am still sorting out issues from them.

 

I’d say the 5100s should work for your uses as well. I run the B110s on my truck and haven’t had any problems with them. I offroad but not at high speeds that necessitate Kings and reservoirs, not that I’m not always looking for an excuse to justify upgrading to them.

 

Thanks, crazy, for chiming in.

Another random question. How wide is the top of the drifter in inches? We are getting a Yakima rack system and I'm not sure how wide the cross bars should be and hoping to cash in on a Black Friday sale at Rack and Road. Phil posted dimensions but I can't for the life of me find that post.

 

alldown, got it! Thank you!

 

Finally upgrading springs after a year of carrying the camper on the OEM springs w/ airbags. They’re a decent bandaid solution if you drive slow and stick to forest roads like I do. The biggest problem I had with them was limiting travel, can tell by the shock shaft that I was losing 2-3” of up-travel. The adjustability between when the camper is removed or mounted on the truck is awesome, but ride quality is shite.

 

Good to know! I may need to add a leaf or two then.

 

I know the drifter would be installed, not sure that camping gear and food/drinks/etc will be fully loaded all the time for everyone. Just curious if there’s anyone with heavy duty springs that isn’t always fully loaded.

 

ah you had them attached to the frame and the springs which is why you lost the travel. Daystar cradles are the way to go they still allow the articulation. But they are a bandaid solution.

 

Had the OME Dakar HD with 2 AAL's, and wasn't fully loaded, the drive wasn't terrible or teeth rattling, but it was stiffer in the rear end and it bounced just not a lot. Granted the springs were fucked at that point as well, they were flat.

Why is it that every other truck manufacture can get leaf springs right, toyota seems to drop the ball every time on the springs.

 

Anyone have experience with the Deaver expedition series springs (U402)? Was looking at the Stage II (400-600lbs constant load), but wasn’t sure if they’re worth the price premium over the heavy Dakars. Not planning on much of a buildout within the drifter.

 

I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone here who would recommend the Dakars.

 

Your also going to want stage III probably, If you have more then just the drifter on the back, armor, etc. you will need them at a minimum.

 

Just did this over the last 5 days out in Utah! Strong work putting that bad boy in @Iggy ! Anyone asking, for various reasons...don’t skimp on the fan.

 

Got the new Deavers on

 

Yea my bad. I know others aren’t going to use their Drifters the same way I do. Coming from a bed rack+RTT, I was never able to store things in the bed without it getting dirty/wet from the elements, or leaving stuff securely out of the open. Now, one of the things I love about the Drifter is my truck is ready to hit the mountains at any time (minus a few small things that I don’t leave in the truck). So my Drifter is always loaded

Edit: And IIRC, this is the difference between Deavers and Alcan. Deavers wont rake up your rear end when there’s no weight back there. Alcans, on the other hand, will lift up the rear w/o any weight

 

How do tou find the exhaust with it chopped like that? Loud? Droning?

Presume that was done from the install of the hangers and the increased droop causes the exhaust to be contacted?

 

Just stole a Drifter from @danneskjold and had a blast last week with the family. We've been using a ground tent for months and this makes everything so much easier. Brian already set this thing up pretty good, but first mod is going to be a light for the sleeping area and some velcro bags for the ceiling (earplugs, cables, contacts, etc). Thanks Brian and the Vagabond crew for the easy install and help.

 

Sweet! Congrats on the pickup of the drifter. Shame to see him sell it, but understandable from what he is attempting to do, and needs more space.

 

The aim downward is to help with the droning, but that's ultimately up to the muffler you pick. I have a Spintech so its not the obnoxious flowmaster-loud. And yea you want it shaped that way to create space so the axle doesn't hit it when flexed out, and to help prevent any water from getting in the muffler. This goes without saying, but general clearance is the primary reason why I've routed it this way. Before I got into offroading, I had dual exhaust tips behind the mud flaps. They will get destroyed there once you go up any trail

(circa 2007)

 

Thanks man! Good info