Ripcord's Spruce Mica Build

|April 7, 2019|


Over the last 6 months I have gone through the long process of designing and building a DIY replica of a GFC wedge camper. There was WAY too much information to just throw it in this build thread, so I made a dedicated thread for the camper.

Link: DIY GFC Wedge Camper Replica

Please try to direct as many of your construction-related questions as possible to that thread, to keep the info centralized.

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Here are a few choice pictures from the building process.














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And some completed pics.



















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After it was done, went camping with a local friend, Mike, that runs a YouTube Channel: Last Line Of Defense and his friend Brad.


Driving out








All set up!






It is incredible how liberating it is to be able to set up instantly without having to fumble around setting up a tent, especially in the dark. I can see it changing how I plan trips. Not to mention the ability to pack up and leave just as easily.




During this trip I noted a few things that should be addressed. First, the rest of the exposed holes on the bed rail are still allowing mud to fly up through them (thanks to my lack of a wheel well liner).




And the second is that I definitely need a wind deflector of some kind. Drove through some snow and it accumulated some on the front. Also would help with the MPGs.







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You are a talented guy. Awesome build.

 

I can definitely see how some people would benefit from 4.88s on 35s. If you have a lot of weight or drive a lot of hills and don't do a lot of flat highway driving.

Thank you!

 

Went out this weekend and camped along the Arkansas river and also wheeled Chinamans gulch












Saw some buggies finishing up Carnage canyon













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_DSC5071 by Will Oliver, on Flickr

 

Good job on the camper and nice wheeling photos.

 

Thanks!

 

Got out for some solo camping this weekend. Found a great spot that overlooked the Jefferson valley .

On Sunday I met up with some Colorado Tacoma people to run Hackett Gulch trail, but did not get any pics on the trail.








Saw this sweet side car bike on the road to the gulches

 

|May 18, 2019|

Made a few changes to the truck in the last few weeks.

• Added Timbren bump stops (F&R)
• Trimmed Leaf springs
• Got another set of fender flares to make a better cut.
• Added a WaterPort

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First the bump stops. I never had bump stops on the rear (shameful I know) and was frequently bottoming out on the shocks, which do have a small rubber puck but that doesn't do much.

Before I got the bump stops, I made sure that they would work with my suspension height and my relocated shocks. The rubber bump stops are about 5" tall in free state and compress to about 2" tall at full bump. So there is 3" of suspension travel while they are squishing. For my setup, this meant that the bump stops would be fully compressed when the shock still had 1/2" to 1" of travel remaining, which is quite ideal!

Here is what you get with the Timbren setup. Rear U-bolt flip (will replace my existing flip kit) with Active Off-Road bump stops front & rear.




Old stuff.






New stuff in.




From a trail run the following day, at full flex.




While I was in there I trimmed my Dakar leaf springs. One issue with the BAMF HD shackles and the Dakar leaves is that the 2nd leaf interferes with the shackle (see witness marks in pic). I always meant to address this and never did.




One other issue I had was when drooping, the 2nd spring would occasionally get stuck under the shackle hangar!

So in addition to trimming the corners off of the leaf, I also took about 1" off the length of it.




Much better!




And the front bump stops are in also.




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Next up is the WaterPort.

Really handy water container that can be pressurized and holds just under 4 gallons. Costco currently has great prices on them.




Using the bracket shown in the first pic, and some included slot nut fasteners, I bolted the mount to the bedside over the wheel well.






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Lastly, I got another set of OEM fender flares and made a much better cut line than before. I really like it now! The old cut always bugged me because it was too high and I cut too deep into the corners.

I also used black bolts this time.

 

Nice work as always! For the waterport, I used one of their hardware and plastic pieces with some mastic tape to the bottom of their plate. I was finding that if only attached the bed rail, it moved on trails more than I liked, so adding an additional way to transfer the load helped a ton.

Here a pic from THIS thread:

 

Good tip! I have that piece still and will definitely add it.

 

Have you noticed any residue from your Waterport? It seems that everytime I fill it directly from the tap on my sink, and pressurize it with a pump, the water comes out like a milky white. I was told to clean it with a little bit of bleach but wanted to see if you were having the same issue.

 

Only used it once so far and no it has been normal.

 

Those wheels are legit!! Does FN still make them?!

 

They should be! Just aren't listed on the website because it is very out of date. Best bet is to call them.

 

Your build is absolutely insane! As well as your photography!!!

How much are your KING shocks cranked up?

 

Thank you! Are you referring to the fronts? I keep them pretty low, about 0.60" of thread showing.

 

Yes, Ok sweet.

 

Been on a few trips since last updating this thread. Enjoy!

Wheeling pics are from Chinaman's Gulch, CO
Camping is near Valle Vidal, NM or Estes Park, CO

IMG_9778 by Hayden Deatherage, on Flickr

IMG_9758 by Hayden Deatherage, on Flickr

FLEM3213 by alex fleming, on Flickr

FLEM2999 by alex fleming, on Flickr

 

You have a really sweet rig sir.
Absolutely Awesome Build & great photos as well!

 

Thanks!