Boden Build 2015 DCLB 4x4

Glad you like the story. It was a good day!

Thanks for the sub.

 

Found a used Flippac and bought it this weekend.

 

Love your truck bro! Very nice build, love how Expo it is!

 

Nice find on the flippac. Looks great!

 

Thanks! That's the whole idea. The more back-country and wild the better. I don't want to see any concrete or power lines if I can.

Yeah...I think I scored. It's an AT Overland version. So it's got win-doors, rain-fly, better tent and electrical. It also came with an awning. Very stoked!

 

I recently purchased a used Flippac for my 2015 Toyota Tacoma. Although it fit my truck, there was one detail that required modification, the XM radio antenna.

Had the Flippac been purchased new, it would have accommodated the "sharkfin". Unfortunately, the shell I purchased didn't allow enough clearance.


Therefore, I was forced to remove the antenna, but this left two holes in the roof. My choices were to cover the holes with something or reinstall a shorter antenna. My plan was to modify my current antenna and reinstall.


Once home, I began by disassembling the antenna. As shown, the electronics are limited to about 1/2" of vertical space. This allowed me to cut the antenna shorter.


With a plan in place, I marked a line about 1 1/8" up from the bottom.


I used a Dremel tool with a saw blade to cut off the top.


Using various grits of sandpaper, I smoothed the cut surface.


I used plastic epoxy to fill in the cut off area. To keep it level, I filled up the inside of the housing with epoxy while it was upside down on parchment paper. I smeared a thin layer of paste wax on the paper beforehand hoping it would prevent the paper from sticking. It worked.

You'll notice that the epoxy is cream colored. I wanted to use black, but I couldn't find any black plastic epoxy locally and didn't want to wait for it to be delivered. Besides, it didn't really matter, because it would only be visible from the air.


After the epoxy hardened, I sanded smooth.


Last, I reassembled and installed. Job done!

 

Do you get any XM radio reception with the shell on?

 

Ha! I don't pay for the XM radio service. I let it expire after the free two months. So I honestly haven't checked.

But with that said, I really needed to plug the holes back up. I thought that it would be better to do what I did and have a working antenna versus plugging the holes with something and not having an antenna at all.

So I'll have to sign up to accurately answer your question.

 

Very clean job on the antenna mod. First time I've seen it done.

 

Thanks. I've never seen it either, but I've heard of others doing it. In my case, it was a necessity.

 

Mike, hows your sound deadening / soundproofing project coming along? I'm curious to know which products you selected for your project.

 

I haven't worked on it anymore since I last updated you. I've had several things come up at home that have prevented me from working on the truck. So at this point, I've completed the back wall, rear doors, and floor with Raammat and Ensolite over the top. Not sure when I'll get around to completing, but hopefully soon. Also, I recorded decibel readings before I started the project. I plan to do the same when done, so hopefully that'll show a good comparison of before and after for general ambiance levels.

 

Here's some pics of the sound dampening. The first layer is RAAMmat BXT II. Over the top of that, I installed Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick.

The back wall was done first.




Next up was the rear doors, but I didn't take any pics. When I do the front doors, I'll take some photos, which will be done in the same manner.

So before doing the front doors, I decided to do the floor, but I ran out of material partway through the installation. This is what I was able to complete before ordering more.




Luckily, it allowed me to re-install the carpet and front seats before completing the remaining section in the far back. When the new supplies arrived, I was able to complete without too much trouble. I just didn't have as much working room.

 

I finally finished my detailed Bussmann RTMR Tutorial and published here on TW. This one took me forever!!!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...n-rtmr-fuse-relay-block.399454/#post-11086087

 

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday. Hmmmmmm? I see another project on the horizon.

 

Looking good Mike!

 

And more goodies arrived today. I've got a big trip in two weeks, and this one will need a better stove than my Jetboil. I used to own a Colman stove that used white gas, but after 20+ years of use and a crapload of frustration near the end, it was time to upgrade. If the stove is as good as everyone says it is, then this will be the last stove I ever buy!!

 

I installed a front rail seal yesterday. This molding seals the large gap under the Flippac at the front of the bed, which is caused by the bed side caps sitting higher. I'm not sure why the Tacomas are designed this way. I would think the bed should be flush all the way around.

The one I purchased was from Extruded Solutions, model # FRSXL5.5.

Sorry, no pics of installation. Maybe I'll shoot a pic later and add.

 

Made some progress today on my back seat platform. There's still lots to do. I want to make removable panels to access the storage underneath. I need to mount the L-Track and I still need to bolt the platform into the vehicle. Finally, I'll be covering it with carpet.

 

Platform looks good!

Mike, how would you describe the back side texture of the ensolite? From the photos it looks like a felt?