@Socalexpeditions Vagabond Drifter Build Thread and Trip Reports

Yup...After the 25k mile service I’m done.

 

I found this free alignment check place (even though I have a lifetime alignment). Decided to move my SPC’s to position D and eyeball an alignment myself. Been unhappy with my low caster numbers and how the truck drives on the freeway.

Dropped it off here and the sales guy is pretty dang mad I wouldn’t buy into doing an alignment through them for $129.99

Sales guy: “How are you going to do an alignment at home buddy? String?”

Me: “Prepare for me to blow your mind...”

Thankfully, I read Jason’s alignment writeup just last night and explained the whole process to the sales guy...He probably didn’t listen a word but he thought I was crazy for wanting to do it myself haha! I’m bored during quarantine, might as well learn everything I can!

 

How do you like your SPC? I've had Total Chaos on for 4 years now and even after replacing the uniballs and bushings once I decided I was fed up with their awful squeaking and groaning. Have some SPC's in a box waiting to get thrown on.

 

Love them!!! Man just finished the alignment myself and had my buddy at Firestone double check. Nailed it minus toe myself!

Leave them in setting D. Shoot for .6 caster split. Torque that 32mm nut down tight. Pump with grease. Woop woop!

 

I’ll have a couple big updates for the truck the next few weeks. Very excited to share them!

Until then, I’m dealing with health issues. Dropped 22lbs this month and still rapidly losing weight, 7lbs being the last week and a half. Going to get my vitals taken tomorrow and see what’s wrong. Diet has been pretty consistent, only thing that’s changed is less lifting. I’m 5’10 and 132lbs now. Been experiencing a huge drop in energy the last 2 days and fainted a few times today. Hoping all is well. Keep me in your prayers guys! I gotta have energy if I want to keep this build going!

 

Really enjoy your videos and how good that access cab is coming along, hope they get you back on your feet and feeling healthy again

 

Thank you man!!! I tried filming a tire video yesterday but the heat + my shape wasn’t working out. Time to go get a checkup!

 

Blood test results in, everything is normal. Just need to start freakin eating!

Side note, went to a tire shop and saw they have these SCS’s sitting. They want $125 a piece for them and they have 2!

Here’s a 305/70/16 vs. my 35x12.50x17’s. Definitely like my wheel/tire setup more.

 

Watching calories and feeling a lot better. ~3,200 calories yesterday and 2,400 today.

Had the energy today to work on my truck and my buddies. Did a little snip-snip!

 

Glad to hear you’re starting to feel better man! Now let’s get more info on the snip! Haha. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while but don’t want a janky cut, yours looks OEM w the trim and everything, super nice! Are you planning to do a video about it or anything?

 

Thank you brother!

I didn’t film anything about it! Super easy to do. My buddy is better with a grinder than I am so I masked it off and did one side, he finished it up for me. The cut line is pretty easy to see and follow!

 

QUARANTINE TACOMA MOD DAY

Feeling so, so much better. Decided to put on these bed stiffeners today in preparation for the future! These are Cali Raised Bed Stiffeners and they went on..somewhat easy. I would suggest drilling the hole slightly larger than 3/8th and making sure you are dead center for the 4 holes. If not, you'll have to wallow out some of the holes (*cough* me). Oh well, they are on!

Removing the bed bolts and checking fitment. Make sure you keep downwards pressure as these strip out pretty easily!




Put up the bed stiffener to mark my holes. Bed did pull apart, not by much though!



Alright, got the holes drilled out. I definitely need sharper bits, mine really sucked. Tried cleaning them up but somehow lost my file, so I used the abrasive end of my punch since the metal tore every sandpaper sheet I had.



One thing I notice people never doing is PAINTING THE HOLES! Super easy to do! Avoid rust problems down the road and take a few minutes to dab on some paint. I just used a Q-Tip and snapped off the cotton end to avoid the strands getting stuck on the freshly cut metal. Here is the paint I had laying around.



Bolted everything up after wallowing out 2 of the holes a little bit and good to go! Make sure you tighten the 4 bolts for the newly drilled holes before tightening the bottom bed bolts. Use that last large bolt towards the inside of the bed to pull the bed back into shape.

 

Also...new center cap stickers! I like the contrast

 

So why Cali and not TC brackets?

 

Price. The TC ones are super expensive for what they are. I need to save as much as possible and the $60 difference helps!

 

I need to do This next. I have to send a few things back to TC. So maybe I’ll just do a swap. Agree $$ for what they really are.

nice build.....

 

This next week is about to be so crazy awesome for the truck and for me, can't wait to share it with you guys.

Also scored a Dometic CFX40 and slide today for an INSANE price! Will post pictures of it once I receive it! I don't need the fridge slide so I'll probably be selling that to recoup a little bit...so if anyone is looking, I'll save you $55 + tax and sell it for $200!

 

Thanks man!

 

Today...today was a very big day. I've kept my mouth shut about this just to make sure I was the one to buy it. A huge thank you to the owner for driving 1,900 miles to deliver this to me and being such an awesome guy. He has done all the work you see including the interior. I will continue to add more things to it as I go and find out what works best for me.

Well anyways, today is the day I took possession of a Vagabond Drifter.

 

Stoked for ya! Looks clean