@Socalexpeditions Vagabond Drifter Build Thread and Trip Reports

But........

“Your rock rails got no scratches”

Poser

 

Looks so good man! Congrats.

 

VAGABOND DRIFTER INSTALL DAY (Interior and Polishing)

Today I had the goal of putting everything back inside the Drifter and setting it up identical to how the previous owner had it. I wanted to try out his setup and see what I like/don't like. So far, I'm in love with this interior build.

First, I know you guys wanna see it open...because wedge camper.



Alright, let's get started putting together the interior. Here is the empty shot of the bed. I considered running an empty bed like this, but I figured I would build it out anyways so I might as well purchase the interior from the previous owner. On the Drifter itself, he added carpeted foam insulation panels on both sides, as well as up towards the front of the cab.



First thing to do was get all the foam insulation covered in carpet in for the bed. In the pic above, you see a bottle of acetone and cotton balls. I used this to clean the bed before attaching 3M Velcro (hook side) to attach to the carpet. Front panels are in! Super nifty how everything fits with such tight tolerances. I was able to wedge everything in place and give it some up and down movement for the hook velcro to latch onto the carpet. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon.



After the front panels were in, I threw the base in and secured it to the truckbed using 6x screws. Just drilled straight in. The base is extremely light and consists of foam cut, slotted, and glued to another sheet of foam, all glued to a piece of 1/4" birch for the top layer. Feels sturdy under the feet and I don't imagine it being an issue in the future. P.S. thanks J for taking the time to slot all the foam pieces into the bed...That must have taken hours on end.



Another picture showing just how well everything fits. Here is the base next to my bed stiffeners. Fit perfectly like a glove!



Most of the foam insulation in + the base, along with the 80/20 cabinet on the drivers side. Again, it fits so well it blew my mind. The long foam that stretches the length of the truck bed is wedged tightly inside and needed only a few velcro pieces to hook onto. I wonder how well this insulation is going to work in the cold weather, since I find myself always in the 30-40 degree temps at night.

The cabinet is spectacular. It connects to the base with 4 screws, as well as 3 brackets holding it to the bed rail. 2 lids for different storage compartments. I can not move it even if I tried, so I know it will be sturdy enough to withstand my driving style easily.



Alright, right side cabinets. These also are screwed into the base and attached to the bed rail. This side offers a little larger storage area which is clutch. The passenger rear cubby stores the water tank that is the pump to the sink, grey water tank, and drinking water tank. I can also fit 2 of plastic bins stacked on each other. I will use this passenger rear cubby to store all kitchen and first aid supplies. The passenger front allows for me to carry another 2 bins stacked (or three honestly), as well as is the home for the battery. We'll get to the battery/solar stuff in a bit.



Now time to add what blew my mind...This additional top section for the passenger rear is a game changer to me. I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. It connects with 4 bolts and the inserts for them are glued into place on the lower 80/20 section. Removing it is as easy and undoing those bolts and lifting it up and out. RUNNING WATER



That wraps up the entire interior. Here are completed shots. I forgot to take a picture of the swing-out table using pipe fittings, but you can see it tucked in the cabinet. This is one thing I need to add a latch or bungee to because I can watch it swinging open and out of the cabinet while I'm driving. I'll take a video to show just how nifty this thing is. Oh, and I'm writing this entire thread sitting inside the camper, using the table...I love it. Threw on the fire extinguisher on the drivers side cabinet as well after raising the holes where it mounts too!



Solar stuff! I am horrible when it comes to electrical things, but I will do my best to explain this. Up top, there is a 160W panel. Gland in the roof and the wiring runs down the front left of the cabover portion and into the wiring track where it connects to this solar charger. Solar charger has wiring that runs down to the deep cycle battery, again, through the wiring track. From the battery, wires run to the fuse panel, which then has wires that run to all the other accessories (lights, charging ports, etc.). All the wiring is concealed and the attention to detail is quite spectacular.

I will be using the 12v cigarette lighter power socket to run the Dometic CFX40W I have coming, and store the fridge upfront against the cab to be out of the way. Previous owner told me he had no issues powering that fridge which draws very little (.6-.7 amp hours) with the solar setup. Glad to hear that.



Here's a shot of the fuse panel. I'll be using the extra slots for either interior LED strip lighting if I find it needs it, or exterior camp lighting. Still TBD.



So that wraps up the entire interior, minus some handsewn window covers and bug screens. I have yet to mess around with those yet but will get around to doing so tomorrow just so I know where everything goes. Now to move onto the outside.

I had this BRILLIANT idea to polish the entire exterior. WRONG. This took me 6 HOURS. I turned every buffing pad I had black, 10 microfibers towels black, and I even turned a darker shade! Quick snap to show you how much dirt was coming off the sides just by hand polishing...most of the dirt and oxidation was stuck to the pads/towels. I used my buffer wheel for 90% of the polishing.



In the end, would I do it again? Heck no, and I didn't even do the roof or front cab section. But...It ended up turning out so clean and shiny that it will literally blind you if the sun hits it. Here's me, covered in sweat and grime showing you just that. I will be sealing the camper with wax in hopes that I don't have to do this again anytime soon.



That's all I have to share with you guys for today. Again, I am super thankful for this opportunity and I give all credit to God for allowing J and I to meet and make this transaction happen. I can't wait to see the way this changes my traveling style and the ability to stay out longer without caving in and coming back home.

Some finished pics for now. In the next few days, I have to redo the camper seal to stop the corners from letting water in. Still unsure how what seal I will use and how I will do that being solo now, but maybe I can take a quick pitstop at the Vagabond Outdoors factory and see if the guys can help me do that. If not, I'll either ask a few people to come help me lift it or back to the forklift I go.

 

Thank you so much man!

I keep the clean just for you, don't want to scratch the beautiful paint job you have done

Thank you man! I need those gears ASAP! Truck is definitely struggling a little bit now, but my gas mileage somehow increased...

 

YESSSSS!!! Can’t wait for you to swing by so I can check this bad boy out!

 

The Drifter install looks great!

I'm so glad everything fit your 3rd gen with no issues. This whole deal really worked out smooth for both of us.

Safe travels, and remember, slow down and enjoy the journey!

 

Thank you Jerry! You know I'm infatuated with this thing...and yes, time to slow it down

I'll be sure to send you pictures in the future and will take great care of her. Have a safe trip home!!!

 

When he does you gotta let me know. I want to see it to

 

Got the new tailgate seal that Phil shipped out. This camper was off a 2nd gen, so I needed a new rear tailgate flap as well as a new seal around the whole camper. Ordered the new bulb seal for the camper and have to think of a way to replace it if I don’t get access to another forklift...Replacing the seal and adding L-track are my next “Mods.” L-Track will bd going up top and on both sides.

Here is where to tailgate flap will attach to. Held in by small torx bit screws



Forgot to take a picture of the actual seal. Well, then I got bored and decided to continue polishing and sealing the camper with some wax. Lets just say this thing will literally blind you. I am happy with the results! Everywhere minus roof has been polished and sealed. 10 hours into this cleaning job alone.



And passes the blinding test

 

Spent the last two nights in the truck to feel how it is. Even though I’m just on my driveway, it gives me a good idea on things I need and want in the camper. I’ll give it the first real test run on Friday.

Some notes:
1. I need to add a mattress topper to make the bed a little less stiff. Didn’t have trouble sleeping but I woke up a little sore.

2. Insulation works WONDERS. I was warm and toasty all night. Even a little hot. Sleeping this high is weird.

3. Still need to figure out the spare tire situation. Don’t know where I’ll put it just yet. A swingout is looking like the only way for the future

4. Battery draw. Charging my laptop off an inverter draws a ton of power, very quickly. If I plan on bringing my laptop with me, I’d benefit a lot from charging it via the outlet in the truckbed while driving. I will add the fridge in and see how everything plays together.

5. I debated making the drivers side cabinets larger, but after opening up a chair in here...I’m super happy. Table is at nearly the perfect height for me to work on.

I’m in love with this setup.

 

So cool........I hate you

 

I got a piece of you on here

 

Gangster! Rep it!

 

Some quality pictures I took

 

Congrats on the Drifter. The interior setup is pretty sweet. I need to make something similar.

How did you transfer the Drifter over to your Tacoma? Is it able to be lifted via manpower, or you used a forklift?

 

Forklift! There is noooo way I’d attempt lifting this unless I had 6-8 guys to be honest. It’s front heavy and just awkward. We had a forklift on it and 3 people holding it still haha!

 

Wow, it has been such a good last two weeks. Today was one of my favorite trucks days that I could have asked for: Regear day!

From the moment I left Flagstaff driving this truck, I dreamed of having a set of gears in it that would actually make it enjoyable to drive. The 3rd gen really is an annoying truck to drive on the freeway, and even more-so if it's hilly. I struggled everywhere stock, with 35s, and the most when I threw the camper on. Headwind with the camper on and stock gears was a joke. I would constantly shift between every gear from 3rd to 6th, then back down, and back up...

I set up this groupbuy with Premier West Gear a month ago and today was the first install day! I sacrificed my truck and it's internals for Nitro Gears 5.29s before anyone else could...just to make sure Premier knew what they were doing and I can officially say, they did a better job than ECGS did on my last truck with the third members! This is the first set of gears I've had (I have regeared 4 trucks now) that doesn't whine/hum on the freeway. Nitro's are notorious for humming, so I'm very impressed that they set up the gears perfectly. My truck is now bearable to drive and the break-in process is actually quite fun. I love driving slowly

I'll do a full review on the gears once broken in, but I love my truck now more than ever.

Pulled my truck into the shop. Lucky for me, they let me walk around the shop while they were working to check everything out and take pictures. Make sure you ask before trying this because they are responsible for you! Anyways, I sat down to read a book, finished 1 chapter, and the rear was already torn apart!




Made it look so easy. He had the rear of the truck done in 1.5 hours! Wow! It took me 3-4 hours on my own to just swap rear third members. While someone worked on the rear, another person was also working on the front. I personally HATE the front of a Tacoma, but they got it down to a science. Had it done in 2 hours...WOW! It took me 4x that doing it alone.

All I know is, I didn’t have to deal with any gross diff fluid and smell like booty for days.



Pressing in the new gear



In this pic you can see the contact patch for the front. Looks solid to me!



Overall, they had me in & out within 3 hours. I bought all the boys pizza for their efforts and because they have another 60 people coming their way.



Best differential/axle/gear shop ever. These are the guys I’d love to hangout with. Family businesses rule! Thank you Miguel and Carlos!

 

Drifting away...Little trip report tomorrow!!

 

Drifted away to San Bernardino Mountains for a two days.

I used this time away to feel out the setup and see what things I needed/wanted to add, remove, or change. I learned that 2 gallons in the water tank for the sink lasts about 2.5 days for 2 people. Lasts me about 4 days solo. All I have to do is refill it when it runs low and it's good to go again.

I need to carry more water on me though if I plan on being out for more than 4 days at a time. An extra 7 gallon tank, or 10 gallons on a swing out would make all the difference. If only I could get through to Billy @ Bruteforce and order a bumper...

First night we headed up the mountain to find a good spot. We were limited to how far on the trail we could go as my buddy brought his KTM on the back of his van. Also got to ride that bike on the 2nd day...



Forced my buddy to get in a picture with his van



The amount of room in here is awesome. We spent some time inside hiding away from the dang mosquitoes before cooking dinner and BS'ing around the fire pit for a while.



Slept great that night. Woke up and moved spots to meet @Asafarik at another camping spot closeby. Arrived to the spot and promptly left on a little adventure. All my friends have toys...mountain bikes, dirt bikes...I got bipedalism and a cool camper I'll definitely need to find some kind of bike before leaving on my trip to help me stay in shape/entertained!



Made it back to camp...It was in the 80s with clear skies, so I worked up a sweat walking. Reminded me how I need to figure out a shower situation for the camper. More on that later.

We decided to kick back and hangout for the rest of the night, both of us beat from the day and prior work week. Also...I'm still figuring out this whole awning-blocking-sun thing. Sun was low in the sky which meant I should have turned my truck sideways, but oh well. Sometimes when the stakes are in, it's too late



Pretty much just hung around and took some photos. I went around and picked up all the trash I could find near our site and took some pictures. Pretty ridiculous finding so much trash within 100ft. No wonder BLM land is getting shut down.

Just hung around the rest of the day, not much else to share. Was a good, relaxing time. I look forward to the upcoming trip!

 

Checklist of things I need to figure out before leaving on my trip:

1. Shower. Either throwing a road shower up on the drivers side or building one myself. I will probably end up building one myself this weekend, mounting it, and using it until it breaks down from the sun. According to my math, 4" diameter Black PVC that's 72" in length will carry close to 4 gallons of water. This should be enough just the right amount where it doesn't take forever to heat up.

2. Clothing storage. I initially kept my clothes inside of a box, but this became rather annoying. I'll need to reassess and find a solution.

3. Spare tire/Jack. I have no idea where these things are going. I can't get a bumper order in time. I may ask around to see if anyone wants to weld together a little drop-down spare tire hitch for me.