4banger Custom Wedge Build

Follow the build on IG @https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTA2NzUxMTk2MjQ0NzI2/

Truck
2012 SR5, 2.7L 4x4

Suspension
Icon Stage 2
SPC Upper Control Arms
Dakar Heavy Leaf Pack

Wheels/Tires
Relations Race Wheels, RR1 16x8
285/75/16 Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Misc
Dometic CFX40W Fridge
Home Built Wedge Camper (Post #2)

Truck Weight and Balance
*Since this truck is a 4 cylinder, I am trying to keep it as light as possible. Here are my results after each major modification.

Pre-Light Weight and Heights (3/4 Tank of Gas)
Driver Front 1150lbs Passenger Front 1150lbs
Driver Rear 880lbs Passenger Rear 850lbs
Total 4030lbs.
Front Ride Height: 34"
Rear Rider Height: 36.25"

Post-Lift, Wheels and Tires Weight and Heights (1/2 Tank of Gas)
Driver Front 1210lbs Passenger Front 1150lbs
Driver Rear 920lbs Passenger Rear 830lbs
Total 4110lbs
Front Ride Height: 37" (+3" per ICON)
Rear Rider Height: 38" (+1.75")​

 

Wedge Camper Build
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-you-want-to-build-a-wedge-camper.621150/​

 

Reserved 2

 

Super cool. Interested to see the wedge camper come together.

 

Interesting....

 

Update: Dropped off the deposit for the frame to get welded up. I was originally looking to do aluminum but the welder recommended doing a thinner steel for rigidity and longevity. We'll see how it turns out. Should have some pictures up end of next week. So the frame will be 1.5" Steel square tubing 1/8" thick. I am estimating the weight to be around 80lbs. Trying to make this camper as light as possible.

Also ordered a RTIC 45 cooler this week for the build. They were having a 20% off sale on all order over $200. So I ended up getting the Cooler, Divider and 2 baskets for $190.00 shipped. Anyone have experience with the RTIC? We used a YETI on our cross-country and were pretty impressed with the ice retention, but not the $$$$.

 

Update: Ordered a few swatches from fabricwholesaledirect.com, and ripspotbytheroll.com. Ripspotbytheroll.com recommended I go with their HyperD 300, which they said would be good against UV, it would be waterproof but no breathable. I also spoke to @sportsmobile in IG, and they said they basically used convertible top material for their builds. So I ordered some waterproof canvas as well.

My take on the material:
HyperD 300 (BLACK, GREEN, GREY) Looks pretty durable, I tried to put a paid of scissors through it under tension and they did not go through with moderate force. I don't know how durable it will be overtime, and I don't really want to replace the tent over time. It is waterproof, but non breathable. Overall a decent material.
Waterproof Canvas (TAN, GREY) This stuff is tough, but obviously its comes with the downfall, its non-breathable. When I owned my EZ-Topper Lift set up, the walls were made of this stuff, and it held up very well.
1.6oz RipStop: (ORANGE) Don't think I am going to even entertain this idea, it is very light, and basically see through. It would be good for other applications such as a hammock, but not a wedge tent camper. On the Brightside. It is breathable.

Let me know what ya'll think!

 

Well! The frame is almost done.....it was supposed to be done about two weeks ago, but the shop has been busy. And unfortunately when it comes to small jobs like this, they generally get pushed to the right.

Stopped by the other day to see fitment and it was all off. To narrow and to tall, so it’s getting redone. Hopefully not to much more of a wait.

In the mean time, I found a guy giving away a Leer topper from his 1998 taco, and lucky for me! It had an intact rear slider. So I ripper it out and scrapped the topper. Which was nice because that saved me about $350.00 in buying a new slider.

Also! The cooler came in, and we took it for a weekend bike trip to Santa Cruz, performed as expect.

Side note: if you own a rotomold cooler, always pre cool them (I use ice from the ice machine at work) and use blocker ice not store bought ice. Basically get a silicone or metal loaf pan, and freeze a block everyday until you have like 10 of them. I can fit 6 in mine perfectly at the bottom and it lasted all weekend. I was also able to salvage a few and refreeze then.

 

Rack is done!

 

This is awesome. Wouldn't mind building one of these one day myself. I'm sure you've thought about this, but some bed stiffeners might do you some good once this becomes a permanent setup for your truck. Hate to see the bed start to split on you.

 

Thanks man! It been a month since I dropped off the deposit. Feels like forever lol.

I’ve actually never heard of Bed stiffners, I am going to look into this.

 

There's plenty of variations on them out there and plenty of info here on TW. You'll definitely find some that fit the bill.

 

Some better pictures of the 80/20 placement and how far it will extended past the bed, and over the cab. Total 8’ by 56” wide. It’s not pretty (yet) but still will need the corners for the mounts rounded and use of some better hardware, and finally powder coating.

 

Also ordered these last night cause it was a killer deal. 16x8 RR1 w/4.5” backspacing. Was a total of $500.00 shipped to the house. Now gotta find a good deal on wheels around Black Friday. And eventually a lift.

 

I just ordered a set of RR1's too! Do you have any pics of them mounted up?

 

I don’t man, I honestly only bought them cause it was a good deal. I realistically won’t mount them until the topper is built. Mainly because I want to run 285’s and I need a lift for that and I don’t know what lift I will be using until I have the camper weight on the back, to see the rear sag.

 

Not to much progress in the last few weeks. My fiancé and I are moving into a home, so it’s taking some funds away from the build. On the bright side! Put the taco through some paces this weekend at Bowman Lake.

 

Badass lol

 

Little update;

Found a kick ass deal on a set of 5 wheels and tires. Purchased 04 Falken Wildpeak AT3W in a 285/75/16, 2 were brand new, 2 new slightly used. As well as a full size spare (off brand) all mounted on a early 2000's 4runner wheels for $350.00. The spare is some M/T wheel but it will be nice to have a full-size spare.

Also! Had a buddy who works for a "company" who got me a deal on a CFX40 Dometic Fridge for $260.00, soooooo the RTIC 45 is getting sold. anyone want one?

I will be ordering the lift probably from headstrong off road (they seem to have awesome reviews and prices) end of November. 3" OME with DAKAR springs. So that should be a fun project!

Also totally going to nerd out and weight the truck before and after all the mods on some aircraft scales, to see the weight difference I will see before and after lift/wheel/tires. Keep ya'll update!

 

Is this the CFX-40W (with wifi)? That's more than a deal. Dealer pricing is way way way more than that.