Trowbocop's SR5 Build

Much appreciated! I'd echo @Dan8906 and say OEM.

Depends on your local dealership, but at one here in Nashville, if you order the part online for pickup at the dealership, it's about 40% cheaper than calling and placing your order over the phone. Not sure why- but check parts online, and call, to see if there's a difference- if you choose to go OEM.

You'll be able to return your old rack & pinion for a core charge, and they'll remanufacture a new one from that. That said, you can buy a "factory reman" rack and pinion for a better deal than a brand new one.

Another thread with chatter you may find useful HERE

 

Where did you ever find that CAMPER, any info. would be much appreciated! JUST LIKE YOU.......

 

You asked for it, so here's the story: After a 6mo search, I spotted it on RVTrader.com of all places. It's a 2007 Four Wheel Camper Eagle Model, with a 12gal h20 tank, sink, 3way fridge, queen & twin bed, deep cycle marine battery, 200w solar array, 500w inverter, port-o-potty & awning + roof racks. It was pretty standard, and we upgraded it with the last things mentioned.

It weighs about 1200lbs loaded up with a years worth of gear for my wife 2 dogs & I. We quit our jobs in LA pretty quickly after getting married & took off to dick around the US & Canada for ~1.5years & 45k miles.

Back to the beginning. I saw the ad, called the guy & he mentioned 3 people were going to look at it the next day- I immediately rallied to Thousand Oaks, CA from Culver City, CA. I had a shell on the truck at that point so I couldn't take it then, but came back the next day sans shell. But we got a steal of a deal from them, a very wealthy retired couple, who were just trying to get rid of it and a 2007 tacoma as a package to clear space for a class C motorhome. It was difficult for them to get up in the truck bed, so they'd used it maybe 7 times. At this point- it's basically brand new. I mentioned we didn't need the truck, and the man was stoked to keep his truck to haul his motorcycles. So they slashed the price for just the camper and I wrote them a check on the spot.

That was 2015. I kept it on the truck for 2 years as I commuted in LA 2hrs/day and just hoping nobody smashed me every day, because I was getting out of there. Fast forward to 2017, we sold all our furniture, stored our bikes, surf/snowboards, beer brewing equip, gave away a ton of stuff, but kept what we needed in a cube with Smart Box, because we knew we weren't coming back, and they could bring it to wherever we landed. Just like that it became our primary residence on a journey that would wind around and eventually lead us to Nashville, TN.

Met some kick ass people, had the time of our lives & can highly recommend doing it while you're young & not waiting to retire- when you can't hike for shit, or party with everyone you meet. It was a great way to visit with family members across the US & CAN too, for example, we spent 3wks with my fav aunt who had just retired, binging shows and drinking box wine in the afternoon.

Maybe more info than you wanted, but what the hell, I had fun writing it. Here's a couple pics I've posted, if you haven't seen em. Cheers.

 

Thank you for taking the time, and putting together the story of your adventure, I fully enjoyed it. I once had the plan also with a tow around camper, just out of High School. I purchased a used Apache pop-up camper, before I even had a good car/truck to pull it. But hard times came along, and I sold the camper, never even used it! Well I'm 66 yrs. young, and still full of spit and vinegar! If you ever come across a, or this one, and you feel the need to sell it look me up. I'm sure we have a lot in common. Thanks again, Steve Amthor (sdna_love@aol.com) My wife and I, most likely will be in another state also,..... North Carolina, Here's to you,.... You can have one on me, next time we meet, CHEERS!

 

Absolutely, it was a fun trip down memory lane. Cheers Steve! What part of NC are you in? We're just next door in TN. Next time we rally through we could meet up, share some beers and stories over a campfire. If you're on Instagram- keep your eyes posted on the UsedFourWheelCamper account!

 

We are checking out Pinehurst NC around March 21-26th, as retirement is next on our list. I plan to work P/T, so I have some money to live on. Our youngest daughter just moved to CARY, but she still is not fully settled in yet as where to live. I always liked the south, and the down to earth feeling you get from the people. After living in NY on LONG Island, you have to be very particular on who you associate with. It changes your whole personality! When we get settled in we plan to venture and see the rest of these UNITED STATES, and the beautiful country it is. You made the right choice years ago to see it while you were young. Not that I look at myself as being old I'm a 66 youngster, still full of spit and vinegar. But, some day, we will,...... have those Beers and tell those stories. As Good people, always find Good people! I'll keep my eyes open for used Camper, fits 2003 Tacoma. Here's to you, until we meet again, for those Beers. Steve A.

 

Been a year, nothing new to report. I'm alive, truck is alive.

Exhaust downpipe from the driver side header was loose, exhaust leak made the truck sound like a tractor. Tightened that & installed new coils/spark plugs/wires. 232k miles. Also threw a P2234 engine code half a year ago, new O2 sensor took care of that.

Summertime is here & the camper is going back on soon for road trips & disc golf tourneys!

Summer 2023 trips: Asheville, NC, Burlington, VT & Montreal!

Will post a pic when I get time to wash/wax the truck and get the camper back on. Cheers, y'all.

 

Finally got around to fixing my front end clunk. Finally got bad enough that the full OEM bushing fell out, and the other two were beat. Feels great now!

 

What jack is that?

 

my neighbor has a car lift, and that's the front end support, so it doesn't tip off. not sure the brand off the top of my head.