The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Any reputable shops to do the frame reinforcements? I've yet to find one in Canada I trust, and it looks like I'll be having this done in the us as well.

 

We all like these additions don't kid yourself. I'd love to get away from a lot of the senors and go back to a truck you can actually use. Miss my old school trucks in Africa. So easy to work on!

 

Comforts are nice but when 4 guys get in the truck we are already at 800lbs payload. Even without a canopy or goosegear, just typical weekend camping gear i weight in at 6700lbs. Im a little concerned that with the camper another 1000lbs will add on. Thats more than my F350 lol

 

That’s the thing man, I’m at 6500 fully loaded for camp without passengers. The camper and goose gear alone won’t put you over GVWR, so choosing what you bring is key.

 

People are overrated. Don't bring any.

 

Truest words ever spoke.

 

Yeah leave the wife and kids at home, lol

 

Sure, but I bet you don't miss the roads, or the malaria or hookworm (speaking from experience...). The beer and fanta, when cold, rocked. And there were other fine qualities that I look back fondly on.

 

BTW, CONGRATULATIONS!

 

Windows or not?
I could use some counsel! As I wait, I am second guessing my windoor choice. I wonder about no screen ( bug issues and will have to hack a screen as I am in Michigan), lack of insulation factor in window (second hack), lack of ventilation opportunity (third hack;some type of device to hold it slightly open).

Would any of you be willing to put up your choice and the pros and cons regarding that? As I do not think I will be needing side access, I am wondering if I need any opening on the sides. Aside from the loss of daylight and ventilation (could use the front, I suppose), what might be some other detriments for no side doors or windows?

Thanks for any

 

Coming from a camper shell without windoors, never again.

 

Toyota can't figure out how to design a transfer case for the Tacoma...that isn't a POS. Start there. Ditto the TC in the FJC and 4R. Crazy.

 

I’ll say I prefer the privacy/security of my Frontrunner gulling doors. The “door” aspect is a must in my opinion. As you are coming from Michigan(whole families from there) a screen is something to think of. I use my own custom made screen that uses 3M magnetic tape. It’s easy to store when not needed.

 

I can see the benefit of no windows/doors being that you can attach things (e.g. maxtrax) to the outside, but I wouldn't change our setup with two frontrunner gulling doors (also private). Getting in and out of the back of the truck is a lot more work than getting in and out of a van (out last outdoor rig), and we use the windoors all the time to get food out of our fridge and grab things without climbing into the back of the truck.

 

I’ll weigh in here too. I have had windoors and solid windows on previous builds and ended up covering them up most of the time (insulation and lots of winter camping.) I love the accessibility of windoors for sure and if you ever think you will want them in the future you are better off getting them now before your Drifter is built.

I personally did not go with any windoors options since we got pretty used to no windoors in our Flippac and also had plans to move some of our gear kept inside to the outside. Having said that, with a swing out and a dirt bike on the back often it makes it difficult to get in and out. I may add a small hatch style windoor later but it will be a DIY project.

The front runner doors are a great option and likely what I would go with if I could do it again. They are sturdy enough to mount things too them if you want, and you can still insulate them.

Either way as I said before. If you think you will ever want to access the bed from the side, you’re def better off to do it now and the Vagabond boys do a good job on install/fit finish.

 

I would at least do one one one side. I have a FR door on one side the we added later due to the fact the options weren’t available at the time my Drifter was built.
I have never wished I didn’t add it. If anything, i wish i had one on both sides.
It makes accessing stuff in the bed so easy. Having a swingout makes it a bit of a pain to get stuff from the bed when you have to open/close it every time you need to get back there. And crawling in the bed to grab something from the front is a pain as well.
The doors make it effortless. Just reach right in and grab what you need. Done.

You can easily make some kind of screen to put over your windoors or whatever you choose. You can’t easily add windoors later if you don't get them and wish you had.
And you will definitely wish you had them.

 

Basically the same thoughts here. The side access is so crucial in my opinion.
I got the transparent windoors on both sides because that was the cheapest side access, but I do keep them covered all the time.
The Frontrunner doors weren't an option at the time, but I would have done the windoors anyway (for the purposes of being cheap).

Though now in hindsight, I think the Frontrunner doors might be worth the extra money.
100% worth considering, at the very least.

 

Yup, get a dog and enjoy.

 

I loved it all, I was right where Ebola broke out in Guinea, was 30 mins from where I worked. I would go back in a heart beat, if they would pay decent now. All the mines shutting down in SOuth Africa and the Uk flooded the market with wualified workers who would work cheaper then a lot of us and the rates dropped, making it not worth it to go when you made less then you could at home.

 

They are totally worth it. I will never have a canopy on a truck without side access. COming from the back of the truck is a huge pain in the ass when the one item you need is buried at the front.