Tacofort's 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO Build with AT Habitat

So a couple of caveats. I had to redo the carpet in a couple of parts.

Here're the things I have hanging off it right now:

• Negative Terminal Block
• Blue Sea Breaker Block
• Harman Kardon Esquire Mini
• 3x Rip-Away IFAK Pouches (with various gear, and maybe a small first aid kit somewhere)
• XTAR USB AAA, AA, C, D, 18650, 28650 USB Battery Charger
• 5-Port 12v USB Charger

Too much weight, and the IFAK pouches come off too easily. If the velcro is too strong (I used 3m Stuff on the back of my HK Speaker, tried to take it off one time and the carpet came off along with it).

In retrospect, I should've cut some carpet sections off and installed stitched/permanently attached velcro loop on an aluminum panel and use a urethane sealant against the aluminum to hold it in place.

I've since added an amount of velcro on my fridge so I can attach some useful stuff to it like:

• Bamboo Backscratcher
• IFAK Pouch with 12gauge slugs, ear pro, and eye pro.
• Wheel lock key
• Tape Measure
• Allen Keys
• Spatula
• Tongs

I don't know if you need to put sound deadening material on the walls, I mean, the sounds comes in from the tent anyway. Honestly, when I was in the Grand Canyon dealing w/ 35 mph gusts, the only time I heard anything was when the rain was pounding extra hard on the rear hatch. The sleeping platform is insulated with honeycomb and foam, same thing for the passenger and driver side panels. The only spots that are not insulated are the trunk lid and the wall facing the cab.

 

Oh, I have four of these on the pillars. Two on each side. They light up the inside pretty well, but I might swap them out for other lights.

https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/powerlight-mini

 

Yeah, I don't really trust velcro to hold anything more secure than patches. My current thought is some type of insulation ( sound or thermal, mostly thermal. The aluminum box is hard to keep warm in the winter and just looking for an edge to keep cool in summer as well. Thinking about then using the spray adhesive to cover with the carpet. Over top of the carpet and separated by 1/2" to 1" standoffs, I was going to add a bolt in molle grid custom made to fit the wall. Now I can hang pouches for sunscreen or whatever and have them easily sorted and organized and not need to worry about the things flying off the walls.

good call on the harmon kardon. That seems great. I ordered these

$85 BOSS Audio Systems MCBK420B Bluetooth Speaker System - Class D Compact Amplifier, 3" Weatherproof Speakers, Volume Control, Great for Use with ATVs/Motorcycles, 12 Volt Vehicles

speakers to hard wire to a switch. I'll turn power on and off, but they wont get lost and will work off my battery easily enough (Dual batteries eventually).

I want a fridge/freezer bad. It is on the short list of purchases for this year, but need dual battery system first. Which manufacturer did you pick for your fridge? Would you buy from them or someone else if you had to do it over?

I like the idea of wiring everything to a panel in the bed, but sadly, I chose to wire everything to the front of the truck for now to a panel up there. (Lots of unneeded wire)

Also, I'm currently building my own annex out of a

$31 12x24 Multi-Purpose Silver/Brown Heavy Duty Dry Top Poly Tarp (12'x24')

tarp,

$40 QuickClip Pro J Clips Style Holster Under The Belt Hidden IWB Tuckable Kydex JClip for 1.50" Gun Belts, Black with mounting Hardware Made in USA (10-Pack)

hooks,

$9 General Tools 1265 Snap Fastener Kit with 6 Fasteners

buttons, and a

6.5Ft Tarp Zip Up Zipper Door 600D Cloth Peel Stick Doorway 79" Grow Tent

door zipper. With some duct tape/double stick tape to finish the cut edge. Should work. I'll post it up when I get it done. Might look like shanty town, but it'll work. Lol.

 

Yeah, I'm just waiting to see if AT comes out w/ a NEMO setup, but I don't really need an Annex. If you want some insulation, just cut up sheets of Reflectix. It's flexible, lightweight, cheap, and easy to cut.

The Harman Kardon sucks because bluetooth and big metal box. So if I did it again, I might just wire up a Bluetooth receiver externally to a set of waterproof 12v powered speakers. The HK was convenient, flat, and cheap for what it was.

As far as fridge. I have an Edgestar, it's worked pretty well for me, I got it in Dec 2012 and it still works fine. The bed getting hot does reduce the cooling capability though. One of my friends who has been on twice as many trips as me had his recently die, but I think he got a lot of life out of it and he paid ~400. He picked his up in 2011. Whatever you buy, make sure you do it with either an Amex or a Platinum Visa with Extended Warranty Protection. The Amex is still the best because they basically tack on another year after the Manufacturer Warranty plus any Extended warranty you have AND have a $50,000/annual claim limit.

Visa has a $50,000/lifetime claim limit.

You don't really need to upgrade your battery to something giant or even go with a dual battery system to run a fridge. I'm running an Odyssey Group 31 AGM, but as long as you have a deep cycle 27F w/ a solar panel for when you're stopped, you're fine. I suppose for me it's easy because I rarely go on trips where we're camped out for more than overnight so the battery is charged the 12 hrs we're on the trail. If we're in the same spot for more than a day, I just leave the inverter (Yes, that's right, I'm still using the OEM Inverter to run the fridge. ) on with the keys in, and a 40W solar panel plugged in.

I'll also freeze CapriSun and Water bottles in the regular chest fridge at home prior to a trip, and I run the fridge the night before a trip on Fast Freeze to bring the temps down.

Before we leave on the trip, I change the set temp to 33F and pack it to the gills with fresh food that doesn't require freezing.

 

I completely agree, if AT makes a nemo setup, I'd likely buy it, but for now, when it's cold out, a good wind break is great. (My thought is AT may never make one, because of all the different trucks and configurations, it might be difficult to get it right, and the cost will be $1000 easy. My prototype is less than $100 in materials and will keep me out of the wind for winter camp. )

I hung out with buddy that has a habitat with the awning, that thing is killer. I will need to get it.

 

Yeah, I feel like if you really want a wind break, you could just hang a single awning on one side, both sides, or all 3 sides. Get fancy and sew zippers in. You could also look into industrial tents and their materials. The kind they use for hosting special events, circuses, weddings, korean drinking/bbq tents. They use that strong impregnable marine canvas which is great for all weather, packs well, but is heavy as all F.

 

I ordered my habitat with no carpet, having the same intentions. My plan will be to use some Mylar coated insulation and build my electrical runs and relays into a part of it, then add the carpet. Alaska or similar areas, I am sure I will be leaving the tent collapsed on really cold nights, I don't want anything to do with even touching aluminum at that temperature! Subbed for ideas, I will be posting my habitat build as I get closer. Is there a Habitat thread yet?

 

That's great and thanks for the follow. I've included a few links where the habitat guys post stuff. You'll really enjoy your new habitat. Let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ws-ideas-aaand-bs.532519/page-6#post-17216498

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-habitat-at.471441/

 

So how cold are you guys planning to go to? I've been comfortable in 24 degree weather with a Little Buddy heater with an open tail gate and a closed hatch for ventilation, a wool blanket across the tailgate opening creating a breathable wind block.

Open top, I've been in 24 degree weather with an trillium electric blanket, zero degree bag, and have been pretty comfortable. When I have the cabinetry in place and my gasoline heater installed, I can't imagine there being anymore issues.

--
Likewise, this is the other Habitat thread you should be aware of.

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/154630-AT-Tacoma-Habitat-Official-Thread/

 

Thanks Matt, looking forward to it. Can't wait to see your beast as well. Still need to do the front, but it's getting a little better each day.

 

LBL was epic. I learned a bunch and met quite a few new faces. This community continues to amaze me with their generosity and openness. It's great fun and everyone is there to help. Can't wait for the next adventure.

 

Thanks. Shamelessly stealing this for the gram.

 

@TRD Tyler let me know your IG for Cred. Great pics.

 

TRD_Tyler_16

 

Lotus Development Rock Slider Adapter w/Locking pin for Hi-Lift Jacks

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F4HX9FW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with this one, but there may be cheaper out there.

Here is Mobtown's
https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/hi-lift-rock-slider-adapter/

Slee's option
http://sleeoffroad.com/products/products_jackof_detail.htm

I'm sure there are more

 

Also,
I bought this. (It comes with a patch of a samsquanch)
https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/products/high-floatation-steel-hi-lift-base
But this may be better. Unsure. I just didn't have a long bed to carry it.
https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/hi-lift-big-foot-base/

Or if you want to get crazy,
http://raptoworx.com/hi-lift-jack-base-1/

Though this may be my favorite.
https://safejacks.com/collections/h...ucts/universal-hi-lift-stabilizer-for-48-jack

 

Oh, and I like the idea of these for the Hi lift jacks.
https://jeepsneeds.com/products/jeepsneeds-sam-for-hi-lift-jack

I might have to buy one. I added it to my favorites to think about.

 

For reference.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-safari-snorkel-install-how-to-article.543067/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/

 

Snorkel went on Last night

 

Smoky Mountain Overland Rally Fun from 2 weekends ago.
Smorally

We were setup In Overland Mercantile (out of Atlanta)'s booth repping the Habitat and hanging out. Here are some pics setup. (Removed the giant box from the back, much better organization.




Did a bit of trail riding on a trail called English mountain with 10 other vehicles. Surprised the ride leader asked if we had radios, I said we have a CB. He didn't have CB radios and there was no discussion of an anchor vehicle. Not that it was a big deal. Smooth trail and the anchor vehicle ended up being a JKU on 37s, so not much worry there. The gf took the below images while we were riding around, but honestly, no big deal. Easy trail, but a lot of fun and some good technical breakovers. We had a blast. Also the gf was surprised trucks could go these places. LOL. It really was pretty tame. Definitely rocky and was happy I had skids and sliders, but nothing too crazy.


I was following the lead vehicle and it was a good time had by all. Definitely thought it was a worthwhile event.