Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Definitely get the fan with plate installed if you are not 100% sold on it. It gets super hot in the Drifter if the sun is beaming on it. Having the ability to go from no fan installed to fan installed, or even fan installed to no fan is a no brainer to get the optional top and lower plate with the fan. If one day I cut off the fan from a low hanging branch, I have the laser cut plate I can easily install.

I paid extra to get the plate color matched so keep that in mind.

 

found this headrest mod, could be helpful. i have found 3rd gen headrests in my second gen is much more comfy - for me

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ld-and-adventures.362772/page-8#post-10525266

 

Painted the wind deflector white to match the Drifter and will install tomorrow once the paint fully cures.

 

I gotta do that for my white roof as well. Was it screwed on or riveted?

 

Its held on by

$6 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 double sided tape.

 

oh dope! that'll be easy

 

Your white on white with the Gullwing door is SO sexy. That's the theme I'm going for too, so stoked

 

I’m thinking of ordering a new Drifter just so I can have it powder coated white and also have a fan and door... then I’d sell my raw aluminum one.

 

I miss my Drifter. I look forward to the Nomad.

My big takeaway is that the Powdercoat option is a must. I’m still struggling with ordering both FrontRunner doors, or just go with a single side FrontRunner. I loved the pass through on my Drifter. When it comes down to decision time, I’m sure I’ll still feel conflicted. But, the fan is a must!

 

Curious, why is powder coating a must for you? I just decided against it, so curious to hear your thoughts

 

One thing I have noticed with the uncoated is that when it rains or snow melts, the dripping onto my driver windows is leaving a film from the aluminum oxidizing.

https://youtu.be/Q6D_5nIqUoQ

 

For all those 3rd gen Drifter owners that were waiting for the new antenna cover from me, here it is: 3rd-gen-antenna-cover-replacement.685042

 

Today I installed an extra AAL to my HD OME Dakars. I gained about 1 1/4" in the rear. I am .5" higher on the drivers side which is odd, since the gas tank is on that side. I noticed the passenger front is lower than my driver front also. I think once I raise the passenger front little bit the rear passenger should go down, I think.

I do not have anything in the bed, probably wont do a bed build out yet since I want to use my truck as a truck still.

Here is a picture of my Tacoma, bed empty with HD OME + another AAL making them Heavy Heavy OME Dakars.

 

Finally figured out why my rear drivers side is 3/4" higher than the rear passenger side. Was bothering me all day.

I did not know the AAL should be installed a particular orientation. So the drivers side 2 AAL's are hitting the bottom of the rear shackle and the passenger side is not. So tomorrow I need to turn the Drivers 2 AAL's around and that should do the trick (I hope).

Luckily I can do this myself and takes me 1 to 1.5 hours... Glad I found the issue, but not happy I need to redo it! ahhh.

 

We all make mistakes. Sharing with others can be helpful, so others don’t repeat the same mistake you made. Truck looks super good!

 

anyone know what brand the handles are on the rear door? i need to get a key (havent had one) but just want to be sure the brand is correct

 

I forgot to ask Phil...

Mea Culpa.

I’ll talk to him tomorrow.

 

I'm finally starting the interior build with a floor. It's a few layers, using in-fill (gym mat) for the sheet metal corrugations, then 1" Foamular XPS board. The XPS is rated a 15psi. I milled channels into the foam to accept aluminum L-track. I milled it so the height of L-track is flush with the finish-layer, which is vinyl planks. The L-track is fastened through the XPS into the higher corrugations of sheet metal using plus nuts and 1/4-20 SS screws. I used PL300 adhesive to put the planks down on the XPS. I still need to finish caulking and adding a finished 90-degree edge to the rear of the floor where the tailgate is. The walls will also get 1" foam, and finished with white FRP sheet. The L-track will provide the mounting surface for the rest of the interior build, and allow the pieces to be removed or moved around in the future.

 

Bauer Products?
I purchased their covers. Not so much for dust but rather for lock freeze ups. That was on my topper. They helped a lot in winter. I haven’t checked yet but think the Drifter handles might be a different size. TBD.

 

FYI - You do not want to breathe in the dust from this pink insulation. The flame retardants and other stuff in them are pretty bad for you to hang out in your lungs.

Great idea with the construction though! This is much lighter than the typical marine plywood base coated in more weight of a bedliner. I will likely go the route like this to stay as lightweight as possible. Please keep us updated to how it holds up.