Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Anybody thought of doing something like this type of build? Looks like you can remove it fairly easily if you need to use the whole bed of your truck. I've read through pretty much the whole thread now and haven't noticed it mentioned. Just a thought.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-diy-camping-drawers-pic-heavy-thread.554249/

 

It's discussed frequently enough on expedition portal and to a degree here.

it's generally a non issue for forced air furnaces when they're installed inside the vehicle. A lot of people use the Adventure Trailers "portable heater" box configuration and mount them to trailers or to use with their traditional RTTs. They run only the outlet into their tent and complain that it only brings the tents up to 60F on cold freezing nights and that it runs the entire time without stopping.

But it doesn't take a contractor to understand that if you're using a heater to heat up 30F air vs using a heater to heat up the air inside your tent, one is going to take a lot less f***ing energy than the other.

 

Sounds like you have most of the details worked out. Question on the cerakoting. I thought the material needed to get baked like powder coating?

 

Finding time to work on the Drifter has been tough with the baby, but I found some time for two small mods today.

Small red/white, dimmable LED for cooking on the tailgate:


And a bubble level in the cab for parking at camp:

 

I like the shift knob. Did you make that?

 

Yep. It’s basically just a widdled down, sanded, and sealed piece of scrap wood.

I do have about 23 more threaded inserts that should fit any 2nd gen auto shifter. Happy to share if anyone wants to make themself a shift knob...

 

dang, I thought that was a loaf of bread. Was thinking it'd be kinda handy to have bread for long trips within arms reach.

 

Cerakote makes their C series which is air cure. It is actually more temp and UV resistant than the H type bake series, but not as durable. I get that it won't be as durable as baked, factory automotive paint, but if dent or scratch my Tundra factory black now, I would have to take it to a body shop for repair. With Cerakote, I can do quick touch-ups myself if it gets any Arizona pin striping or other dings.

I started wet sanding it this weekend. Will post up pics when I start painting.

 

What material did you use to make your benches?
Also, how is that moveable box secured with the toilet? Or is it not secured to anything and can just be moved?

 

Ah yeah I thought there was something else I was missing here haha. Yeah that’s a no brainer.

my benches are maid out of a mixture of some sanded hardwood ply wood, a few pieces of birch, and some scrap junk I had at home. Nothing fancy really but I stained it and carpeted it with marine grade carpet.

the movable bench/drawer is secured to the top of the other bench when driving using a couple front runner strachets that run from the L track on the lower bench over top to the drifter wall. When it’s in its normal spot up front it stays in place with its eight and the Ltrack that’s on the two side benches. It’s snug up there

 

Has anyone made roof racks for the L-Track on top yet? I figure it should be easy to make some, just curious!

 

i mean.. once you have L track on the roof, it really depends on what you're trying to mount, but you can DIY with L Bracket, or Aluminum Extrusions.

 

A surfboard, lol. I've almost considered Yakima tracks instead since it's so easy to just throw on roof racks I have sitting in my garage, but the L-track pieces are more versatile I assume.

 

I mean, just use two 2" x 1" extrusions as cross bars on the L-Track and mount the supdawg on it.

 

x8
x2
x16

 

Wow, I over thought that so much. Thank you brother!

 

Well there's one minor thing. If you get L-Track stud, you'll need to check to see if the threaded stud fits into the Corner bracket.

$30 L Track Stud Fitting for L Track and Airline Track-10packs

https://www.amazon.com/Isafe-Track-Fitting-Airline-Track-10packs/dp/B07DJ75RVX/

$20 GRIPON (Pack of 6) L-Track Double Lug Threaded Stud Nut Fitting Tie Down (No Track Included)

https://www.amazon.com/Gripon-L-Track-Double-Threaded-Fitting/dp/B07V4WQTZ7/


Usually in M8 or 3/8".

You can always make your own custom end bracket with a bar of aluminum and a drill press.

$17 1" X 1" SQUARE ALUMINUM 6061 FLAT BAR 12" long T6511 1.000" New Mill Stock

https://www.amazon.com/SQUARE-ALUMINUM-T6511-1-000-Stock/dp/B01F80WM4S/



Stoner approved.

 

I made my roof rack cross bars. I’ll throw some pictures up in a bit. After it’s all said and done the front runner cross bars are a money option and they can be on your drifter when you pick it up

 

What Front Runner bars?

 

https://8020.net/14075.html

M8 compatible