3 Tons of Fun! Littles' Build, Travel, and B.S. Thread

Very well. Nailed it. I was not on his pipeline of prospective candidates but he’ll put in a recommendation for me with the director of the other pro vertical. That’s the position I was really shooting for anyway. Great experience today. I appreciate all the support little brother.

 

Glad to hear it man! Crossing my fingers for you brother!

I did not know that was an option. Thanks for the tip!

 

Sure thing!
It’s a good read.

 

Got on the road at 4am this morning, put over 600 miles on the truck and over 12 hours behind the wheel today. Needless to say I am tired and ready for a drink.

But it was all worth it. Here is my new flippac!

 

So....
does this mean....
more winter camping?

 

Dont get you hopes up!

Although he did throw in a buddy heater. I actually told him I didnt want to take the buddy heater at first because if you all found out I have one you'll make me camp when it's cold.

 

The Flippac with the fly on is a 4 season tent in my opinion. It got real cold on top of FPK and I was nice & cozy in mine.

I don’t even have a heater.

 

Needs moar pics...

 

Any specific science behind determining the location of the pins up front?

 

Park on a completely level surface and open it up, you want the legs to hold the open lid level.
I would put a piece of blue painters tape along the edge of the hood gap on the fender so you can mark where they need to go from the top.
It’s kind of tough to have the hood open and the Flippac open at the same time...

 

I would also recommend removing the legs from their mounting point on the top of the Flippac. I’ve ripped them off too many times with tree branches so I just keep them off until setup requires them.

 

Lol! I will say the diesel heater wound be better as you can mount in in the corner of the bed and not worry about it. Total game changer for cold weather!! Just 2kw not the 5kw

 

Already bought quick releases to replace the connectors.

Heres some pics:






Some things I will need to address:

Not technically designed for a taco so I need to close those gap.


Awning mounts will get replaced and resealed with something different...ideally a more versatile mount for gear or an awning:


Some screens need love.


not quite up to my personal wiring standards



Window seals:



Also got a sink...wont quite work with the decked system but I will utilize the pump a d water tank at a minimum



Oh yea, and I need a mattress. The one he had was too thick and he said it was uncomfortable.

 

Still... You've got he unicorn of setups for the Tacoma. Welcome to the Flippac club.

@G.T. Check this out.

 

Looks like an awesome build! Add some shots when you get those DECKED drawers organized with all your gear!

 

I just realized you'll still be easily able to stand up in the bed even with the Decked system installed... Living up to your screenname little brother!

 

It sorta gets organized before every trip, and then quickly disorganized in short order. Some folks like to have dedicated places to store stuff, but I am constantly changing what's where. I do need to label the boxes better. I can only tell my electrical box without opening it because it has the least amount of grease on the latches. This was my last Moab prep.

Its honestly perfect for me like this. I have to tilt my head by the tailgate but have plenty of head clearance in the center. I actually need another step up to my sleeping quarters on the second floor of my mobile apartment. I can barely climb up even with the decked system.

You havent really done any build out on the bed yet, have you?

Our trucks are gonna look so adorable next to each other when you come out later this year.

 

Havent done much on the truck lately, but with spring around the corner I did manage a couple little things recently...

Upgraded the hardware for the support rods on the flippac so I can remove them and install them without a screwdriver. Much nicer than the plastic ones that are prone to breaking and won't loose them to a tree branch on the trail. For one set of poles it's about a $70 upgrade.

Quick Release Bimini Top Swivel...

$49 Accon Quick Release Bimini Top Swivel Hinge Deck/Side Mount 316 Stainless Steel Each

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016CMI4Y8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Amadget 2 PCS 3/4'' Bimini Top...

$14 Amadget 2 PCS 3/4'' Bimini Top Caps Tube Canopy Hardware, Eye End Top Fitting Marine 316 Stainless Steel, Fits 3/4" OD Round Tubing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073LTLY61?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share







A also bought a new mattress for the Flippac as well. The one that was offered to me with the camper was not original, and it was 4" thick, which is way too thick to fit in that shell especially if I am going to keep sleeping bags in there.

I purchased online from Foam and More, a company out of Michigan. 75x54x2 of their luxury foam with a cover was $175 shipped. Fits perfect. Just need to get some velcro sewn on the back so it stays with the top when it opens.



Started going through some stickers and selected a few to start decorating with:




I fixed my exhaust rattle.



I broke my window vent shade about 4 years ago. I bought a replacement off another member like 2 years ago that I haven't installed because I knew what a pain in the ass this would be to prep. For whatever reason I finally got a bug up my ass to clean off all the old residue. It took a little over an hour and a half of goof off and elbow grease. Just tedious mindless work.




Since I can't run a mag mount on the roof anymore with the Flippac, i am now running the big black dildo antenna on the hood lip. With a little patience I was able to squeeze the wire through the FM antenna grommet for a pretty simple, clean install.




I haven't gotten a chance to test the antenna yet because my dual batteries both mysteriously died on Friday. I have a feeling the culprit was a build-up of dirt and mud between the positive terminal on my fuse box and the inside of the engine bay that I haven't been monitoring as close as I should. I remember thinking this was a potential issue when I installed this thing and saw the orientation pelfrey had chosen for the blue sea panel on these mounting brackets. Would have made a lot more sense to cut the panel so that the negative was next to the sheet metal.

At any rate, I think all the moisture from snow kicking up in there created a weak connection through the mud caked in between, and trickled the battery charge into the sheet metal of the engine bay. Theres no evidence of a fire or excessive heat, but the batteries were both reading 7-8 volts and had no cranking power.

After running the truck all day sending 14.6 volts for like 6 hours straight yesterday, they are finally showing 12.8 and 12.5 volts again so all seems well. I will have to pay closer attention to the buildup here.




And in case you missed it...

 

I am trying to figure out what to do with my fridge and am looking for opinions. I want it in the bed accessible from the tailgate where I will be cooking. With the height of my bed and the decked system and the fact I am vertically challenged, I either need to put my 51L indel B on a tilting slider or, look at a shorter drawer style fridge.

Option 1

I am consider this Dometic 31L drawer fridge. What I like about the drawer fridge is the shorter height, and less complicated considerstions for mounting. What I dont like is spending more money for a piece of equipment I already have, with less capacity.

Dometic CD-030DC Drawer Refrigerator Black 31 Quart 12/24 Volts DC

Dometic CD-030DC Drawer Refrigerator Black 31 Quart 12/24 Volts DC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4HVJU8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fyfEEbP578J92

Option 2
Tilting, sliding tray for the indel B. Pre-made options I would consider are $350-$450 which to me is ridiculous for a slide. DiY I can probably manage for $250 or less but honestly I am just not that much of an engineer and most of the things I try to save money and make things on my own it turns out to be garbage and then I lay out the money for the pre-built stuff.

Currently I am leaning towards the new, smaller dometic, and selling off my indel B. If I can get $250 for it that strikes me as the best option albeit sacrificing the fridge space.

Option 3?

What do you guys think?