How to: DIY Wedge Camper

On Ripcords blueprints for the space frame, is there a height difference between 2g and 3g bed rails relative to cab height? Did the 3g owners have to adjust the height of the space frame to lower it? What clearance are you guys shooting for from the cab?

 

He specifies 19" I believe from lower to upper, but you can modify it to bewhatever you need. I have a 3rd gen and mine clears the antenna without a chop. The sides of the bed are slightly lower than the front (maybe 1/8"), enough to consider making replacement tops to close the gap. It's on my to do list.

 

Personal preference for me is to not clear the sharkfin. It just seems way too high and bad for windnoise and mileage. Did you use his plans as is?

 

For anyone wanting, I've published the 3D printed files I used to make corner bracket plugs, caps, etc. when building my camper.

Inside Keder Corners: https://www.printables.com/model/417846-keder-rail-corners

8630 Outside Corner Bracket Plugs: https://www.printables.com/model/417843-8020-outside-corner-bracket-plug

4332 Caps: https://www.printables.com/model/417814-8020-outside-corner-bracket-cap

15-Series Slot Plugs: https://www.printables.com/model/417804-15-series-8020-end-plugs

 

A true man of the people

 

Has anyone tried using 1" steel tubing and 1" extrusion profiles instead of 1.5" tubing and 1.5 extrusion? Will 1" profiles be strong enough?

 

ripcords v1 was made with 1 in square tubing 1.5 extrusion, a smaller extrusion means you downsize all your hardware to 1/4 inch but increase the number of drill points by half. its probably doable but you gain considerable strength with the extra metal that makes up the lip of the extrusion at 1.5 inches where most of the stress is at.

 

I think the 1" profiles will deflect too much on the roof and cabover portions. A 30" length (cabover) of 1030 deflects .4" with a 150lb point load. The same length and load on a 1545 profile only deflects .07". I have a 46" cabover, and 1030 would deflect 4" in my case.

 

Posted some jeep hood latches and south co latches in the for sale section.

 

Also, my Tundra wedge camper build, progress pic.

Tent fabric mock-up.

Tacoma got sold a few weeks ago.

 

Link? Why are you getting rid of the south co latches?

 

I didn’t do side doors and they wouldn’t work with my design

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/south-co-latches-w-locks.795772/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rugged-ridge-xhd-jeep-hood-latch-11210-17-model.795771/

 

That looks sweet, more pics

 

New guy here. Stumbled across this thread while researching DIY truck camper options. Just finished reading all 164 pages... and some of the other threads that are linked in this thread... and WOW! What a rabbit hole I have fallen down. Thank ya'll ! The info in this thread is priceless. Will probably save me hundreds, if not more, learning from you guys trial, error, mistakes, etc...

So now I'm obsessed and have started my planning stage to build my own version. I'm having a hard time finding the extrusion online.... in 10ft sections.

Tnuts only sells up to 96 inches. 8020.net has it in longer lengths, but for just four 10ft sticks (2-1.5x4.5 and 2-1.5x1.5) they want approx $780 for the material then another $921.66 Priority Freight LTL Freight to ship to the Houston TX area. That's INSANE!

There has got to be somewhere in Houston that has this stuff locally without the crazy shipping upcharge... But I don't know where to look. I found the aluminum panels at a sign shop for a decent price, but they didn't know where to get the 8020 stuff.

Any suggestions?

 

Might be a dumb question but are they all keyed the same?

I tried commenting in the other thread you posted but I havent posted 50 comments?

 

I had some trouble finding a vendor the extrustions as well. Not sure where you're at in TX but look for an automation vendor. I went through Heitek Automation out of PHX. They do have another location in Albuquerque which might be an option for you. They were super helpful at trying to reduce the shipping cost when I ordered.

 

yes they are keyed the same, I think you could take them to a locksmith to get a different key made, I think buried in this thread somewhere someone had done this.

If you were worried someone would use the factory key on your camper.

 

Anyone have close up pictures of the tent sewing the zippers for the canvas and the mesh? I am having a hard time figuring out how to sew mesh zipper. Thanks!

 

P1 Here is how I did it. Mesh is on outside of sides and inside of rear door.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/composite-80-20-wedge-camper-build.681480/

 

These were from earlier, waiting on my tent material at the moment.

Roof view - .090” aluminum

still going to cut in a roof vent, need to confirm she’ll still fit thru the door when I add 37” tires on the tundra. It’s gonna be close…




Rear window installed, this was before I mocked up the tent fabric, I just used an old shower curtain to get a pattern.