Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Hell yeah! My focus will be on baby "mods" here soon to get the back set up for our little Cowgirl. I removed the driver side rear seat and made an 8020 platform there that utilizes the factory seat mounts that holds our fridge most of the time and it can still tilt forward. we plan to put our car seat on the passenger side anyways so the platform will most likely stay even if the fridge is in the back. We tend to only run the fridge in the back during winter tho.

Nice Work! the soft white is really nice on the eyes when you are spending a lot of time back there. Did you use the adhesive backing that came on the light strips? I don't think that adhesive is very robust, over time ours peeled off so I removed it and replaced it with some .250

$8 3M VHB 100x200mm~ (4" X8") Double Sided Foam Adhesive Sheet Tape 5952 Automotive Mounting Industrial Grade Very High Bond 5952 (1 Sheets 100x200mm)

3M VHB and haven't had a problem since. You can also use that lighting underneath the hidden wire track for some low light options

 

I left it on (had 3M labeling on it), but using VHB might work better long term. We'll see how this holds up adhering to the mounting tape I used and redo if needed.

 

Don't know how tall you are, but there's no way I could fit the car seat behind me when I'm driving. I'm not even comfortable in the passenger seat with the car seat behind me. Those suckers take up a lot of space! We move ours to the middle on long trips so both front passengers can have more leg room.

 

Newer, updated information here:

https://youtu.be/GLERehtm4VA

and yes, they will work with MaxTrax now...

 

Thanks! I can't get over how clean it looks!

 

Hey guys I just got my camper installed last weekend, question v/ rear springs. I am currently on regular medium dakars and they're definitely inadequate as they're pretty much flat and starting to invert. I'm not planning on running a rear swingout and hoping to keep my camper pretty light with maybe just some pull out drawers and a fridge later on. Would deaver stage2 springs rated at rated for 400-600lbs be enough? The camper I got has the front runner doors and an awning so I'm guessing its pushing 480-500lbs.

 

Deaver U402 Stage 3 or custom. I had AllPoo expos and they flattened out instantly. Actually, they went straight to inverse. I run custom rates. Super stoked on them. Caveat emptor being that I have a full bed build out, awnings, Frontrunner doors, rear dual swingout, water tank, etc...

 

the awning is <50lbs and the two doors are ~25+ a piece. So ~400+~100 and you're at 500. Those dakars are meant to lift your truck w/ no real weight in the back (just a camper shell for example), not a constant load. I would consider stage 3 minimum. But even then those would only take into account the camper itself. If you're planning on building out the back, to any degree, they won't last long.

You can consider air bags with the Stage 3s, that's certainly an option for additional load carrying capability. That would give you some flexibility, but they'll become a maintenance item long term where you'll have to replace them with some level of requency.

 

I have Deaver stage 2, alucab shadow awn, one front runner door, and no rear swing out. My interior isn’t built and the stage 2s are holding up great.

One thing to keep in mind is future plans with the Drifter. If you ever consider building out or going with a swing out, I’d go stage 3. The Deaver stage 2 springs are a thinner composition than the stage 3. If you’re set-up gets heavier, Deaver can adjust the stage 3 pack to the weight. As far as I know, the thinner leaves on the stage 2 cannot be adjusted beyond their set capacity.

 

Is anyone running the Archive Garage hammer Hangers with Deavers? I was thinking about running this setup when I pull these crappy Dakars this summer.

 

I’m running the BAMF rear shackle hanger replacements with my Deavers. Some trimming was required. But I enjoy factory geometry on my shackle hangers.

I don’t know about the “hammer hangers” being any different. But, the fact that they(hammer hangers) alter factory geometry might be a cause for concern for some people. Maybe someone else can chime in.

 

I've been running a Deaver U402 custom pack and love them. has handled all the extra weight of the drifter and stuff in the bed flawlessly so far.

As far as camper weight, you're pretty spot on. My drifter powder coated with fan, 2 fr doors, sliding front window, and a 6ft awning was 485lbs (weight truck before and after installation at the scales down the road).

 

To me it looks like the BAMF and Archive hangers are essentially the same, Archive just has some other options. I have not read anything to say that they are changing the factory geometry.

You're just running the shackle, correct? Not this...https://bayareametalfab.3dcartstores.com/2005-to-2020-Tacoma-HD-shackle-hanger_p_82.html ...combined with the shackle?

 

Here’s my experience with that combo.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bamf-hd-shackle-hangers.496200/page-22#post-18506907

 

Thanks for the info. I guess BAMF it is. Although I'm not sure I have enough droop but definitely don't want to have to deal with the shackle locking out since it seems to be possible with the Archive hangers.

 

I’m running both the shackle and the hanger replacement. Someone beat me to an explanation it looks like.

 

I have the same issue right now. I'm taking delivery of my Drifter within the next 2 months. I have medium OME dakars now. I am keeping my build relatively light weight. I'm a minimalist when I camp and venture out, I only bring the stuff I need plus tools etc. That said I will go the cheaper route and buy the add a leaf from OME and make them the 'heavy' version and install it prior to taking delivery of the Drifter. I do not really feel the need to spend $1k on a new leaf pack from Deaver. I'll see how the 'heavy' Dakar's do when I convert them.

If down the road I need a more beefier leaf pack i'll sell the Dakars and buy Deavers. I've been happy with the Dakars so far, I spent a good amount of prep work to keep them quiet. 1 year later, they do not squeak at all.

 

I’m going to butcher the details, but I think we have a hilux leaf springs with ome kit. The Mule is SEattle did them, about a year ago. They have held up fine so far and were a lot less expensive than deavers. Seems deavers are preferred here, but this is an option. I’d search the drifter thread for me and you should find the correct details.

 

Looking into this on the ARB Australia Site.

The EK406C2 OME kit is good for 880 lbs to 1300 lbs of weight in the bed.
The EK406C4 OME kit is for excess of 1300 lbs weight.

https://www.arb.com.au/toyota-hilux-2011-2015/old-man-emu-4x4-suspension/

This is for the suspension kit. Trying to find individual part numbers for the leaf pack.

 

I have Alcan custom leaf springs built for 900lbs over stock, with OME shocks, and I've been stoked on the results so far. Used this setup plus airbags for my FWC; I'm hoping to drop the airbags and just run the springs once I get the entire buildout finished. Ride quality with airbags is marginal - certain types of suspension hits (especially both rear wheels at the same time) are just wretched.