Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Ok so I’m thinking of tackling a rear buildout. Thinking of using 8020 and coated plywood. I’ve read through a lot of the thread and have a pretty good understanding of how to tackle it. My question is: did everyone go with 1” or 1-1/2”? I could save a bunch with 1” but would need to be able to use the buildout as a step to get into bed so want to make sure it’s strong enough

If anyone has any tips please send them my way, anything helps and I probably missed a lot when i read back in this thread. Might as well add - ifanyone is selling their buildout let me know as well

 

You could do something like foam insulation cut for the bed, glued to a 1" foam sheet, glued to 1/2" wood for the top sheet. That should be more than enough. And throw carpet or a anti-fatigue mat in the hallway. On page one there are posts of cutting the foam for the bed. You can make a template for your cut out of cardboard or posterboard.

For the setup into the bed, you could do something like end pieces of foam stacked and glued to help support the gap at the entrance. I can send you a pic with a measurement of my baseplate if you want and you can just chop off 1.5'.

I also think someone has their interior buildout for sale. I think his name is mcdellin, or bcmedllin? I can't recall.

 

Order mine in March want to start my cabinet build

 

I'm not sure if it is either, but I think it'll fit. They say 31" long on their site and that's about what I measure on my truck from windshield to the drifter. Maybe I'll just pull the trigger and report back, though it's kind of a long wait and big purchase to not be sure it'll fit.

 

martin off road told me he has a DCLB rack for the drifter - or that his SB camper rack fits

@gmartin284

www.martinor.com

 

Yes, I got the same info from him. I think both racks are selling for about $430 as well.

 

I’ve got a base plate ready to go, currently have a fridge on it that I’m gonna move to the back seat (going to do a 60/40 seat delete). I have a couple carpenter friends so may go that route. If I DIY I think I’ll take the plunge and go with 80/20 and then coat plywood for the paneling. Hoping 1” is strong enough to support body weight. I would use 3/4” for the top panels to help distribute weight so seems like I would be ok (I think?)

 

My top sheet is 1/4 or 1/2” birch. I think 1” is plenty, more than enough actually.

 

Sweet man! Thanks.
Can’t find that buildout for sale, if you come across it let me know! I’ll keep my eyes open

 

I think most people went with a 1/2” base plate and 10 series extrusion. The goose gear base is also about that thick (12mm) but coated with bed liner.

 

Whoever the guy was who bent his rear axle sending it, picked up a new truck, and swapped everything over. He had a buildout for sale. Someone knows who I’m talking about haha! @Iggy you know who I’m talking about?

 

Does anybody know the thickness of the side walls on the Drifter with insulation? Found these windows locally and thought they’d be neat on my Drifter once I get it.

https://www.expeditionupfitter.ca/c...ducts/copy-of-arctic-tern-cargo-doors-500x500

 

I think Phil might be able to help you out with that one! Screenshot off a post, but I saw Phils truck that had these style (don’t know if the same) windows.

 

Sweet! That looks really good. Thanks for the screenshot man!

 

@tacomgee , but he sold it already.

 

Damn thought I might get lucky!

 

I think the insulation is 1” thick. It fits flush with the columns in the front and back corners of the drifter. The factory holes hold it in place with a thin board material.

 

Yup. It’s gone.
And in regards to your questions about wood thickness i went with 1/2” birch for all tops and the baseplate. 1/4” for the verticals. It fits into the 80/20 perfectly. And used 1” for the frame.
I also double coated everything with MonstaLiner. Not cheap but very strong.

Couple pics for reference

 

I recently finished my buildout. I used the goose gear base plate (1/2" birch plywood with bed liner), 10 series (1") aluminum extrusion and 1/4" birch plywood for the sides of the cabinets. I ordered a majority of my aluminum extrusion and connectors through Tnutz.com. It seemed to be a little less expensive than 80/20, especially for the connectors. I ran a little short on the extrusion so I picked up some 80/20 at the local Grainger store and it fits just fine with the tnutz.
In hindsight, I would have probably made my own baseplate knowing what I know now. You could pick up a used bed mat for your template.

 

Or a refrigerator box.