The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Does anyone have a black powder coat base with white top? Currently only coating the base but thinking of upgrading, wondering what it'll look like

 

Thanks for the pics! But I don't have the guts to try that (the extension).

 

Hi All, I checked out the awning gutter for the Alucab Shadow Awning. It currently doesn't work with a Drifter. It has a part (rail track or something like it) that attaches to their own camper that the Drifter does not have. Looks like I'll have to stretch my skill set to create our own. I also lobbied for them to make a universal gutter.

 

It looks just like an aluminum Keder rail - the same used to attach the tent body to the Drifter.
https://www.kedersolutions.com/what-is-keder/

 

Can anyone tell me how to access this screw?

 

With a wobble head.

 

Awesome, thank you very much!

 

Hi all, just finished reading this whole thread and wanted to introduce myself. I intro'd myself on the VO build thread and messaged a few of you with questions, but after reading this whole thing I feel like I know you all so wanted to reach out and say hi.


Order number 156, sold my van to start this build last July after discovering wedge campers and landing on the Drifter. Realizing I should have read this thread long ago since many questions I had were answered right here (sorry Phil)! Also seeing my Dakars I just put on won't be enough and you guys seem to hate on OME BP-51's, but I like them so far so we'll see


I'm based in Portland OR and happy to show anyone some good campsites if you're ever rolling through the PNW. Excited to meet and camp with you guys sometime!


My build so far:

 

Welcome to the Vagabond fan club! This forum is pretty active, so feel free to post any questions you have. Feel free to DM me regarding any of my posts, or anything electrical. You are going to love it!

 

Welcome!!! This is a fun group and very informative. I am order #129 and am hoping to get my Drifter in the next month or two. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

I like my OME leafs. They are HD with another leaf (added from the start), and haven't moved (measuring bottom of fender to hub center many times, regularly) after 20k miles through the length of Baja over a few trips with spirited desert driving (we'll call it). I'm at 6500lbs fueled and loaded (34G tank, 10G cans, 15G water). If you look at leaf packs in general, there is a tendancy toward a certain pack count and leaf thickness, with leaf length as a variable too. I think packs aimed at carrying a certain load generally end up near the similar place from vendor to vendor. So a 5 leaf pack of a typical thickness may disappoint while 9 leafs will work well in a general sense. What I've ended up with is 8 leaf pack, 2 thick load-carrying at the bottom and 6 thinner moving leafs., with the OEM pack containing 1 thick and 3 thin leafs. I have done the same over many years in the (<---- ) Land Cruiser with good results. I think it has two extra leafs in each corner.

Deaver does a similar thing with packs, though sometimes they will do a 10 leaf pack with thinner springs all the way through, or a pack with one or two thick leafs at the bottom. I don't think this is magic.

Front adjustable coilovers have converted me. I still don't have enough long-term data but the set of Icons I have in front were worth every penny, providing smooth ride on pavement, and a lot of control and predictability off pavement. Some will debate about brands, but it seems like using any of the top manufacturers using a larger housing are a leap forward over a fixed traditional setup.

 

That truck looks amazing! I moved out of Portland last year, would have loved to hang out once you got your Drifter, getting mine next Tuesday.

 

Welcome 156 I’m 157. Nice looking build. Here’s hoping we’re rolling out of that warehouse door in a few months.

 

Welcome to the party.

I have the BP-51s with the HD leaf pack. My build out is not as extensive inside as some of the other folks so I'm also waiting to see how the leaf pack plays out for me. Just been waiting to have the final major piece of this build in place so I can really begin testing the setup, and make adjustments where needed. Testing will begin soon now since my install is finally right around the corner.

So @Kclamer , I'll see you next Tuesday


I was really hoping to make a trip out of this install and see some folks on the west coast but with the whole 'rona' thing, I think a bigger trip at a later date will have to be in order.

 

Glad to hear you're liking the Dakars! I have the HD's as well and was planning to add a leaf once the Drifter is on there, sounds like that might work well after all, good to know. A lot of people run Icons up here and I hear good things. What shocks are you running in the rear? Right now I only went for the BP-51s up front and kept the cheap Nitrocharger shocks in the rear. I certainly notice the difference in the two, but not sure it's worth another $1k to match the back. Figured I would test it out and see how it feels once the Drifter is on.

Thanks and congrats on getting yours next week! Excited to see the roll-out video. Where did you move to? If you're still close by I'm definitely game for a Drifter crew campout this fall

 

Congrats on your purchase! I live just across the creek (Columbia) from you, in Vancouver. I picked up my drifter in February. Other than a trip to the Mojave Preserve right after I picked it up, I haven’t gotten to use it much because of stay at home orders, but I’ve used the time to build out the interior a bit. Looking forward to getting out there soon. Feel free to get a hold of me if you want to take a good look at mine to help you decide which options you do or don’t want.

 

I think for rear shocks that is a good way to go. With full load weight over the rear it should feel pretty soft from springs working and I don't think rear shocks make much difference. I've got Iron Man Foam Cell Pros on the rear, but like I said I don't think it makes much difference. If you feel like the rear is a bit out of control or gets too loose maybe look at other options (or deflate tires)? Front is where it's at for a driver. I also run Wheeler's super bumps, and have been thinking of something stronger like air bumps ($$$). When the rear starts oscillating over small desert whoops, or you come across and unexpected bump/hole at speed it can get dicey with the rear weight.

I'm still running a 650lb front coil, even with a bumper and winch and like it. Not sure what would get me to think about 700lb.. maybe Jerry's BAMF skids? His stuff runs pretty stout.

 

That and the first hard hit on the bumpstops with a loaded truck will start the process of the frame bending... airbumps FTW.

 

I have the BP-51's all the way around and they definitely make a difference, but we're upgrading again soon. When you put this much weight over the rear of the truck, and the rear suspension is already the weak link, it pays to upgrade the rear. My front is dialed but the rear still could use some more help.

We're adding Hammer Hangers and switching to Dobinson leaf springs. The Dakars are crap and are already overwhelmed. I've even added an extra leaf on top of it already being an HD pack.

Beyond that we may be switching to entirely different shock company, but we'll see if that happens.

 

Just bought Wheeler SuperBumps actually, that's the next mod I'll be installing. Good to hear you think this setup should work well. First truck build here so learning as I go and costs are already adding up quick haha