Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I've seen some people relocate one or both of their latches on their Drifters. I am thinking of getting an Overland Vehicle Systems Awning. I will need to move one of the latches to the rear.

These are riveted, what rivet tool or tools are needed to accomplish this. Any write up out there?

 

Drill out old rivets. Remove latch handle and clasp.

Place on rear, mark, measure twice, drill holes to match the rivet size.

Install rivets. Peace of mind if you put a dab of silicone on there as well or some other type of sealant.

You just want some blind, closed-end pop-rivets.
https://blog.baysupply.com/the-difference-between-open-and-closed-end-blind-rivets-and-their-uses

 

@JasonLee covered it for you. Here are some crappy pictures of my camper, not sure if it’ll help you. Rivets to fill the holes.

 

Thank you!

Issue is I dont have a rivet tool. Maybe I can borrow one from a friend.

What size rivets do I need, or VB uses for their Drifter?

 

Harbor Freight to the rescue.

 

3/16 rivets
https://www.mcmaster.com/97525A685/

or without a rivet tool you could go with something like this
https://www.mcmaster.com/92210A242/
plus
https://www.mcmaster.com/91831A011/

 

I got a rivet tool from Ace for $13 when I was moving my latches to mount the awning.

 

Sweet, that's perfect. Thanks man. Whats good to use for waterproofing with any holes drilled?

 

For L-Track, you can lay down 0.6mm 3M VHB tape on the back that will both add adhesion and seal. I'm not super familiar with the full VHB product line, but this one seems about right. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-VHB-Tape-4929/
It may be different tape depending on bare aluminum L-Track to bare Drifter compared to bare L-Track to powdercoated Drifter.

 

I use paracord and loop it around the “arms” of the hatch handles on the inside. It wouldn’t keep someone from turning the handles on the outside of course, but they’d have a hell of a time pulling it open and by that time I’d had have plenty of time to “prepare” for their entry, after a stearn verbal warning of course. For the tailgate, I installed an electric locking mechanism that works with the trucks key fob.

 

Well, after my first base has been sitting out in the weather since February, I decided to tear it out and take some of your guys advice. T-Nuts and extra bracing for all the structural aspects. Peeled up the floor and re-adhered it with stronger construction adhesive.

If anyone is using sheet vinyl for floor, steer clear of spray glues, mine wrinkled far too easily when I pulled a cooler across it.

 

What "electric locking mechanism" do you use for the tailgate?

 

Imma take a wild guess here

$120 Pop & Lock PL8525 Power Tailgate Lock for Toyota Tacoma (Power Lock Add-on Kit)

https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Lock-PL8525-Tailgate-Toyota/dp/B004TONSNO

 

OK, thanks. Seems like I've seen another brand people are using also, but can't recall the name of it.

 

Another attempt to seal the Drifter so water doesnt go inside when using a carwash. Used a string of flexible rubber like material to go between the bed rail and the Drifter. From the front all the way to the back and around each corner. Definitely not 100% but should be an improvement.

 

Have you considered the metal bed rail caps? I have no leaking issues.

 

Too late now, was told in the beginning that the 3rd gens dont have a problem with the plastic bed caps so I sealed and taped under the plastic ones and had the Drifter installed but have had water intrusion problems every time it rains or i get the car washed.

 

It’s from a member of Tacoma World, but I don’t recall her name. She was selling the kit with wiring that you run up into the cab and tie into the door locks. I think Toyota is actually selling this as an add on now too.

 

I got that same kit, its from Katie in Oregon KTJO? Its been working great for over a year now. I get in close the hatch and lock the door with the key fob.

 

the 'leading edge' of mine sits further forward than yours does - to where the front 'flap' on mine goes straight down, could it be related to that, there isn't much to the front of the bed.