Camper shell mods

So,

I'm in the middle of a camper shell resto-mod. Some may remember I got a steal on one at a junkyard for $63. I'm going to be selling my softopper that isn't even 6 months old and using some of those funds to sound deaden and insulate the shell for winter camping along with lights and maybe a pulley system for the bed so I can raise it to store stuff under it and lower it back down. Was wondering if people had any 'unique camper shell mods' they are willing to share or are interested in maybe seeing.

Thanks.

 

I have a long list of camper shell mods for camping that i'm hoping to do.
The only ones i've done so far are:

• Cut out plywood and harbor freight foam tiles to cover the bed floor.
• Changed out the locks so each door is the same key.
• installed interior led strips on roof.
• created a poorly made, poor performing, screen door for mosquitos. Will revise in the future.
• Added few pieces of string and rubber to attach an ipad to the interior roof for watching movies.

My cap is a construction one, with dual toolboxes.
I'm planning on adding a couple more things down the line, such as

1. A legitimate fuse box and 12v power source
2. Shelf for phone and water when camping.
3. work lighting on the side doors activated by opening the doors or a switch.
4. 13 gal skinny water tank to hug cab, and 12v pump.
5. A better screen door.
6. A small fan for airflow in the summer.
7. Electronically actuated locks, to be mated to a fingerprint scanner via arduino and relays.

 

I went to the local U-Pick-N-Pull type place and found a cheap roof rack off of an old Ford Escape. The yard had dozens of Escapes and only cost me $25 for the rails and crossbars! Installed on the camper in no time, and I made sure to use some butyl tape around the bolts up top and used large fender washers on the inside of the camper to hold them in place.

Then for added fun bonus I went down to Harbor Freight and got their cheapest Winch for around $100, created an "H" shaped frame out of construction lumber, and use it as a hoist for the topper when I need to either clean out the bed or haul something taller!

https://imgur.com/a/b85T245

 

I can share a few. I built a bed frame with sliding drawers out of 3/4" plywood. Sanded, coated with urethane on wear surfaces. Drawers run on 500 lb heavy duty slides:



I have a 12 V Dometic fridge on a pull-out slide from DFG Offroad with a 1,000 Wh Goal Zero. The Goal Zero is charged by my alternator when the vehicle is running (120 watts/10 amps) and by an 85 watt max hood-mounted solar panel when it's sunny. The panels covering the wheel wells are removable and can also be used for gear storage.





All of the house wiring is run off of a Bussman panel that I mounted under the hood, rather than tapping the OEM fuse box. I've got a thread out there somewhere that describes how I fabricated mounts for it in my specific truck.



For bedtime, I use a trifold 6" memory foam mattress with cot sheets and a sleeping bag. Works awesome. I added a rubber tailgate seal kit to keep dust and water out of the topper as well.



I also recently blacked out the topper windows to keep my gear away from the prying eyes of crack heads (and to not get woken up by the sun when camping!). I used static cling blackout film and spent a very long time getting it to match the window contours, but it was well-worth the time.



My topper has Yakima rails and I use a Yakima and 7 gallon Road Shower for longer trips that require more gear. I'm more of a highway traveler and less of an overlander, so the Yakima works better for me than roof racks.

 

Oh man, I love that!! So many questions!

1. I must have a link to that hood-mounted solar panel that is genius.

2. What are those metal drawer rails for your Dometic?

3. Does the Goal Zero charge on the stock Alternator?

4. Last one, any suspension upgrades for the rear with the added weight? Add-a-leaf?

Thank you and sick build!

 

reflectix windows

i put in a rear dashcam

Co2 and smoke detector

memory foam

i added ditch liights on my roof rack on the shell

rear camera

 

Thanks! It's been a year or two in the making!

1. Here's a link to the Lensun panel I used. Expect a few weeks for shipping, mine came from Shanghai. Instructions were rather poor; familiarity with installing automotive vinyl will help you out a bunch. Happy to answer questions for you if you decide to buy one. Cascadia 4x4 used to sell this panel in the USA for 1st gens, but is no longer on their website. I have always suspected they are rebranding/kitting the Lensun panels, they look very similar.

2. The aluminum slide is from DFG Offroad, link here. It lets you pull the fridge out of the topper so you can open it (otherwise the door runs into the topper roof!). A lot of the fridge manufacturers offer their own slides but Dometic for whatever reason does not have one for my fridge (the CFX28). DFG was the only place I could find one that had the features I wanted.

3. Yes, I have it set up to draw off the alternator when the vehicle is running. I use a 10 amp charger, but there are "fast" chargers that pull up to 40 amps. The wiring job is more complicated, and you'd probably have to upgrade the stock 70 amp alternator.

4. Yes, I am running Nitrochargers plus Dakars with the extra leaf in the back and Nitrochargers with 880s up front. I'd say I achieved about 1" - 1.5" of lift after settling. Been on for a year now and have settled nicely with no sagging. I regularly haul 500+ lbs of gear/platform around with no issues. Stock suspension sagged like a MFer with my setup.

 

CitizenSnips, I really like the frame and winch to lift off the shell. Nice job.

 

Nicely done!

$780 Dometic CFX3 45 -Liter Portable Refrigerator and Freezer, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

Dometic CFX3 45 paired with a Yeti 1000 here. 100w panel on the cap roof. Still waiting on DFG for my slide. Order placed on the 9th and status only shows "payment received".

Used the same blackout on the back window/door of the cap - awesome stuff. Have blackout curtain cut to fit the side windows attached using velcro. Also still trying to find the time to work up an L shaped platform. Similar to this -
https://youtu.be/7MJar-6v_bk?t=31

@Rastopher - this might give you some ideas,
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-aux-fuse-panels.308677/page-50#post-22048046

 

Thanks! Yes, I had the same issue with DFG. They do great work, but take a long time and their order communication isn't the best. It took over a month to get my slide.

Wish I could run a panel on the cap...but my Yakima would just cover it up

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-topper-rebuild.694546/

I rebuilt one I found on Craigslist.
I built a custom internal framework similar to an ARE CX HD topper.

 

thanks, i have a bluesea waiting on my desk, I’ll be looking forward to reading through all that. I’m still trying to decide what crimpers to buy.

 

This is a super-nice, well-done build!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Thank you!

 

Can I get some info on the camper shell? Model number? I am looking for one for my regular cab as well. Very hard to find.

 

Mine is an A.R.E. CX Classic. Bought it brand new about 1 year ago. A.R.E. only continues to manufacture two options IIRC for my 1st gen 6' bed.

The truck came with a Century on it that was junk; every window seal was leaking and it went straight into the trash. A.R.E. or Snugtop are your best bets for new, IMO. Or find a used one, but expect to spend some $$$ restoring it.