Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I only ever drove washboarded dirt roads before it broke.

 

I have an ez down installed in the conventional spot, i do not see a need to attach it to the surface like that

Definitely a good investment for opening the tailgate from the inside

 

People have noticed the steel cable getting caught up on things since there is little room in there and overtime fretting and damaging the cable. I do not want to get annoyed by having to move the cable slightly out of the way to close the gate as some people have reported.

 

About dual batteries I might go with a single Northstar Group 31M again as I did with my 4runner. That battery was 75-80 lbs. Still thinking if dual battery is really needed for my needs since I usually change locations every 1-2 nights starting the car up. I ran my ARB 50qt fridge for 3 days without starting my vehicle and the vehicle started up fine. I might run a single battery again but this time add a solar panel to charge my battery. My concern is during very hot days the fridge runs a lot more thus needing the solar panel.

 

I had a group 31 in my turd gen. Ran a fridge for multiple days over the summer like you said with no issues/need for solar. It was a heavy bitch.

And still snapped my oil filler neck off, but I went a little more extreme that wash board roads

 

I’m able to get you $30 off Mountain Hatch if you guys are interested. No skin in the game here just linking folks. DM me if interested.

 

You just need to adjust the filler neck position. Mine fell off oretty much immediately and they reepoxed it back on for me how i wanted it. Zero issues!

I k ow a bunch whom had it just falloff with single batteries systems.

 

What is the point in this mountain hatch? Looks like a large cutting board seems bloody pricey. Am i missing something?

 

I honestly won't even use it as a cutting board..really just need a flat surface back there... I just haven't found another product like it for any cheaper.

 

I think it keeps your knees from getting bruised, makes for a flat serving/working surface and I think it has a cup holder or two?
#notailgatenoproblems
Lol

 

Can’t u get a metal plate and stick a piece if carpet/bed rug on it? Seems like a lot of money for what it is.

 

I’m sure some can but to each his own. I had a bedrug myself.

 

Not going to mess with any carpet back there again. Too hard to keep clean. Had one before and at the end of any trip it was saturated in dust and mud, not to mention the occasional bbq sauce, spilt beers, grease from a roadside repair on an axle, and anything else that happened around that area. It lasted about 1 year before It was too grungy for me, and yes I cleaned it regularly.

A heavy thick rubber like material would be nice, but the materials I found all came out to over $100 after shipping and at that point id much rather buy the purpose built product. I have probably spent $300 on other work arounds that have all failed, at this point the mountain hatch is looking like a pretty good option.

The area does serve as my kitchen, not that a cutting board would be my main use for it (it does also serve as my workbench, seat, gun rest, bar and of course doorstep)

 

That was one of my first mods after getting my 2nd 2nd gen.
I love @Crom build. So organized and easy to learn about the why behind the mods.

 

Tailgate replacements are, in my opinion, the number #1 essential mod for a Drifter.

 

Relentless makes a great aluminum tailgate skin that make the tailgate nice and smooth. Having that space for prep and not having to worry about spilled beers because of the ribs on the stock tailgate is essential.

 

My concern with that one was this:

"Please note that these reinforcement plates are formed from sheet metal and therefore are not as thick as the factory molded plastic cap, tonneau covers and canopies may not seal the same as they did with the factory cap and adjustments are likely necessary to those seals"

 

You can double check with Eric but I think most people just run a little rubber gasket material on that top lip. @MJonaGS32 you have this right?

 

I have one and mine seals great with the back hatch on the Drifter. I have a strip of bulb seal going across the bottom of the hatch flap. No issues for me at all.

And no spilled CL Smooths or Jameson bottles which is the more important issue