Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Anything can be broken into. Love the door and the solid hatches for security.

 

i have long had the idea to have a 'shelf' up front of the truck where we could stow our backpacks so we can have easy access from the side thru the frontrunner doors, or whilst standing in the back, and still have gear under it. i have looked at the various options out there to purchase, thought about 80/20 style, and the other week decided that i have some leftover 3/4 ply (russian birch brought on fb marketplace for like $30 a sheet) left over from a house project my mate did for me, so figured i would put my very limited wood working skills to the test. i cut it out and put some 'holes' in the middle for aesthetics , grabbed some L brackets off Amazon, and some 5/16 stainless steel marine grade eye bolts, finished it in a black semi-transparent minwax penetrating stain. i made a few mistakes near the end, im clearly not truly patient enough to be a craftsman, not so sure the stain is the best color, but pretty happy with the end result, and the price being like less than $100

 

I have plans of doing something similar out of the 80/20 I pulled from the outgoing work trash. I may put a hinge top to make it more of a big cubby storage for permanent items. But nothing is going to get built until I get out of this 3rd floor apartment life and have an area to work projects. Lease is up in 02/2022 and have plans for renting a room from a house, so hopefully that holds up

 

Can anyone with a long bed drifter tell me the measurement from truck bed to ceiling up against the back of the cab? And then the measurement from truck bed to ceiling near the tailgate?

Thanks in advance.

 

This will vary between Tacoma generations as well as if the stock plastic caps or flat metal ones are installed.

 

Good point. I'm asking about 3rd gen, long bed, with the stock plastic bed caps preferably.

 

In about 2.5 years I can

Lol jokes haha

 

I am thinking about getting a mobile ham radio. Been using a handheld for too long. Thinking of getting a ICOM IC-2300H.

Where do you guys mount your antennas? I was thinking of mounting it to the L Track but that might be too high. I have two antennas, one shorty and other one is longer.

 

Depends on whether you need to reach people with you or hit repeaters far off. I just have mine on the driver's hood opposite the radio antenna and it does fine. It's a good location for branches and tight stuff I get into. Ideal for range would be center of your cab. There are 90* turn down mounts that give you flexibility to avoid garages and overhead stuff.

Be sure to get the antenna tuned after you install.

 

My CB antenna is on the ditch-light bracket, and my HAM is on the roof of the cab, attached via magnetic base..

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlotBcv0gY/

 

What ditch light bracket you are using?

Maybe I will install my .94M Comet NMO antenna to the ditch light.

Would there be any interference if I installed the HAM antenna on the same side as the radio antenna?

 

Ditch light antenna-bracket: https://caliraisedled.com/products/hood-ditch-light-extension-for-cb-antenna-mount
Magnetic HAM antenna: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045EQUBK/

 

Thanks, I want to use this antenna which I have already.

https://www.amazon.com/SBB-5-Comet-Original-Mobile-Antenna/dp/B00QJ07D32

 

You might look into something like this:

$21 NMO Bracket L Shape Fender Mount W/M PL-259 UHF Connector RG-58U 5 Meter Cable

https://www.amazon.com/Bracket-Fender-PL-259-Connector-RG-58U/dp/B072XB5H4H/

 

I have a Kenwood TMV71-A. It's dated since I don't have the cool tracking function but it's been a stellar unit with really crisp and far range. I use Relentless Fab ditch light bracket on the driver side, since the passenger still has the AM/FA antenna. I paired the system with the remote kit so the unit is mounted behind the back seats and the head unit is on my review mirror and the mic is next to the USB port in the center column. Speaker is in the foot well. and I used a Diamond antenna that is tall enough for me to check clearance when entering parking garages or easily foldable/ hinges down if needed.

 

If your PopNLock gets miss aligned and won't unlock..... the buildout really gets in the way.
Got in with this torx bit ratcheting wrench combo and using a long screw driver to reach inside to actuate the lock after removing the tailgate cap.

 

How long have you been living full time in the truck? Do you have a build thread? Is your truck bed built out?

Sorry for all the questions. I always geek out when I hear about someone living in their truck/Van full time, as that’s my dream. I am currently en route to make this happen for me, as I live in an RV now. Just steps to see if I’ll be able to live in the truck or get a van and build it out.

Thanks in advance
-Edsel

Feel free to PM
And definitely would like to hear about the Mexico trip!!

 

*not me or my idea.

Thought this was pretty cool and could maybe help someone.

 

Hey All,

It's been a while since I posted but since then I've been working on the Drifter slowly trying to figure out how to make it better all the time. I live in an apartment so I don't have many tools which limits what I can do. O, I really don't have much craftsmanship ability. I'm actually working on an indoor/shower which I'll give you all updates on.

My build will reflect my limited craftmanship ability but damn it is all very functional. I've spend 100+ nights in this thing already. Enjoy

1) Must do!!! Upgraded bed to a Hest full size bed. Night and day difference that still allows you to easily close the drifter. https://hest.com/products/dually Thank you @badasbrunnette for the suggestion. Its $$ but it solves everything bed wise. Get the long

2) Webasto heater install! I went with a Webasto diesel heater. I went with diesel over gas because it handles altitude better. If I could do it again I would probably go propex but I just didn't want to cut holes into my truck except at the spots I could easily replace. I have an external diesel reservoir on the outside mounted by my maxtrax. In the photos you'l see a rotopax on the outside of my truck, that is connected to my heater. It works great but even though I have the insulation and tent insulation package really... on super cold 10's and below the truck does not keep heat in well. However the heater just runs all night and I sleep with a blanket and shorts. There is a lot to setting the altitude adjustment on these things and sadly I know one day it'll need to be cleaned but yea. I do a lot of things in the winter and this was a must after struggling with the buddy heater for a winter.

3) Shelving - dang this helped really clean up the truck and now allows 4 people to sit in it if we need to. The shelving that protects my webasto acts as a shelf for water. The nice thing about this is I can fill my nalgenes now without having to move a container to fill the water bottle. It's just a spout, put water under and fill up. The other shelf under my fridge stores my stove. It's a big stove but at one point I lived out of my jeep and have grown to love the stove real-estate. For everyone asking if they should get a stove slide out... I opted not to. I use strawfoots bug net in the summer and that would make a slide out difficult. Additionally, since I have a frontrunner door I can easily access it from that so no need for a slide out. This also allowed me to store a water rotopax between the frontrunner door and the fridge. So now, my water jug stays just to fill bottles and then I use the rotopax water container when I want to wash my face outside of the truck or have any outside water needs. I just grab and take it out from the frontrunner door. I put a gowesty water spout on the rotopax that works great.

4) Velcro shelves - $12 for two should have done this before

5) 270 Awning I finally got to try my plastic heat trapper for large groups. It worked great with my propane heater

6) I strapped all my heavy shit down. Goalzero, fridge, water jug. Nothing moves when I off road now.

O and I still love my toilet.

It's been a slow, never ending process. This week I'm beefing up the insulation which I'll share.

Also I'm putting in an indoor/outdoor shower but simple style. Geyser water shower, and just purchased an xplr shower. http://xplroutfitters.com/accessories.html
I'll pair that with a

Kundu Rectangular (31" x 20" x 8") Heavy Duty PVC Pets & Kids Outdoor Pool/Bathing Tub - Portable & Foldable - Small

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HS7GRSX/?coliid=I12JJK9TT8629U&colid=39PDFHOM5XIKQ&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it. and

$21 ZPirates Bamboo Bath Mat for Bathroom - Wooden Bathmat, Sauna Spa Steps Decor and Accessory - 24 x 16"es (L x W), Natural Color

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GZ9BXTG/?coliid=IU6WT3QZEQ0W5&colid=39PDFHOM5XIKQ&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it I have an indoor outdoor shower. For outdoors I'll just hook it up to the 270 awning. I usually shower in gyms/rec centers/rivers but a heated shower was always a nice thought so I'm giving it a try for the times a gym is not available.

My next and most difficult project is to make storage and a bench toward the cab section. I'm still trying to figure out the perfect set up for that.

Drifter still works amazingly I've logged over 300 off road miles to it. Still holding up like a champ.

Cheers all and thank you for all the ideas!

 

Here is another possible (budget) option for your rear suspension:

I bought some old used Dakars and replaced the overload springs with 3-leaf progressive AAL’s. I spent $300 total, and got a fully progressive pack without the harsh ride of overloads. Poor man’s RXT’s?

I get 2.5 inches lift in rear with a fully spec’d, lightly loaded Drifter. This gives me plenty of room for a heavier buildout, the option to remove the third spring for a more level ride, or install the OME AAL for more support.

The ride quality is both supportive and pleasingly smooth, due to having no overloads.

The rake in the lower photo is due to currently having only 1.25 inches lift in the front. 265/75/16s.

(Related question: How many people are running 600lb. springs instead of 700lb. springs in front? I bought some 700lb. springs but I enjoy the ride quality of the 600s well enough, and am ambivalent about upgrading. No anti-sway bar installed.)