Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Why not just stick a sheet of stainless steel onto whatever aluminum surface you want it to stick to?

 

Not all stainless is magnetic, and the stuff that is isn’t as good as steel. But some PC’d or painted steel strips might work.

 

Online Metal Supply 0.035" x 12" x 12", 430 Stainless Steel Sheet, (#4 Brushed Finish)

https://www.amazon.com/Online-Metal-Supply-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B07WP76Q4F

 

Hey Drifter people, My camper is coming around March and I want to get my truck prepared before I pick it up. It's a 2015 double cab. I've seen various mods on this thread, but what is required?

I've upgraded my suspension. I have Bilstein 6112 up front and 5100 in back with HD OME Dakar springs. If I could do it over again I would get Deaver and not OME.

Do I need a low profile antenna cover for clearance? Do I need different bed side covers?

Let me know what you think. Thanks

 

Personally, I vote for the Bullet Cover Mod as the first thing to do ( that is of course, if you have a 2nd gen taco), but I have a personal interest in that suggestion.



In all seriousness, what’s the year/make/model of your truck? There are slight differences that make your options vary. One thing I suggest is to get the rear suspension in order right away.

evaluate your intended use of the truck and plan your rear suspension upgrade accordingly. What some would deem necessary (remote reservoir Extended Length Kings with Hydro Bumps for me please-not what is actually on my truck) may be completely a waste of money to others because of intended use.

Seriously. Sit down and start drawing diagrams. See where all that leads you.

oh, and try and adhere to “buy once, cry once” rule. Otherwise, you’ll cry a lot more...

 

@Anderson Thanks for the reply. I edited my orginal post. It's a 2nd gen and I have upgraded my suspension, but I wish I would have cried once and got Deavers! I'll check out the bullet cover.

 

I would recommend replacing the factory plastic bedrail caps with metal. The plastic ones will eventually “walk out” on you over time and use. Mine have on both sides. It forces me to keep a good eye on my bed cap clamps.

One other mod I genuinely like is the tailgate inner replacement panel. The factory plastic one is ribbed(but definitely not pleasurable), but that makes it a pain to use when cooking on or getting in and out of the truck. A smooth, metal replacement panel makes all of that nonsense go away.

I’m sure there are more little bits and bobs but it’s been a long day and my daughter keeps trying to get my attention.

 

"Required" but you can do later : Leaf springs

Things you should probably beforehand, and is a pain in the ass once the drifter is on : bed rail caps

 

@SenatorBlutarsky What brands are people running? I found Voodoo in a search, but damn they're expensive! Do you think the antenna delete is required?

 

Contact Phil, Vagabond can supply you with bed rail caps

 

What @tyfoon11 said.

They are expensive, which is why I didn't do it initially. I'm now wishing I had just bit the bullet cause I know it's something I'll have to do eventually.

 

My understanding is that the Drifter will clear the sharkfin on a 2nd gen if you leave the stock bedrail caps on. However, with the KB Voodoo caps, the camper is lowered another 3/4”. I think one of the early adopters found out that the camper can flex on a jump or whoop and hit the Sharkfin - denting the roof. So, required if you swap out the bedrail caps.

That is why I swapped my sharkfin out, yesterday. BTW, the job is a lot more work on an Access Cab. I will post some pictures on @Anderson’s sharkfin delete thread.

 

Oh, I know nothing about the sharkfin since my 2013 doesn't have one...

 

Every truck is different

@joeydurango has Relentless bed caps and had about a quarter inch clearance between shark fin and camper... had to take a hacksaw to it for clearance

I have the same setup and have over a half inch clearance. Pulled a bit of my usual dumassery on the trail with no contact (stock roof rack on the other hand took a beating)

ymmv

 

I liked the post-install hacksaw-n'-silicone approach... nothing like taking a saw to your perfectly good 2015 Tacoma while everyone watches in trepidatious anticipation of some sort of mini disaster. All's well that ends well, ended up with a decently straight cut. Going to clean up the cut with a file, level off the silicone, and leave it be. Had I been certain of that outcome ahead of time, I might have opted for Anderson's bullet cover.

Other truck mods pertinent to the Drifter: Relentless bed rail caps. Rago Fab bed stiffeners. 5100's with stock coils leveled to 1.75". Custom Alcan springs in the rear with OME shocks - the suspension setup was for my FWC, and I only had them built for 900lbs over. Used them with airbags and Daystar cradles with the 975lb FWC and it worked well. This setup seems even better with my ~400lb Drifter and a bed full of gear (at least a few hundred pounds). Will see how the buildout goes and might even remove the airbags for better ride quality.

 

I just happen to have a sharkfin, if you need a do-over!

 

Lots of good second gen info, any third gen owners had issues with the full length Prinsu rack making contact? I know the Prinsu fits under it, just wondering if anyone has had it contact at all when getting after it offroad.

I've found a used Drifter and we're scheduled to pick up in mid January. Pretty excited. We've been planning this for a while and I think we've got the truck prepped already for the install.

Factory bed rail caps
Bed corners stuffed with butyl rubber
Rago bed stiffeners
BP-51 kit all around with Dakar HD's +1 leaf

 

FYI- I have a bed rug and the side insulation panels as well.

We did two hot water nalgenes last night in the 20s and it was more than warm enough to sleep. The dew turned into frost inside the tent, so we pulled down the comforter, closed up and drove a few miles to the hot spring and then opened it up, opened all windows and let it dry out in the sun. I’m thinking of maybe a spare tarp or something to lay over the bedding when I need to close up with it wet inside.
Microfiber towels work pretty well to wipe down/wring out to speed up the drying.

i need to swing by Durango and do some brainstorming with you on some Drifter products.

 

Let me know!