Geomo’s Drifter Build

To prepare for the Drifter, today I trimmed the Shark fin satellite antenna. There are a few folks reporting fit issues when using low-profile bed caps with 2nd gens, so I figured it would be easier before the drifter obstructs the shark fin. I left it in place, and used a belt sander to grind it down.

The offending part:


It’s hollow inside:


I used Permatex Plastic Welder to fill the inside:


Then sanded it flush and gave it a quick spray with black paint:

 

Installed KB Voodoo bed caps and Rago stiffeners a couple weekends ago. The installs are pretty straight forward. I used the tape supplied by KB Voodoo, which stopped a little short on one side. Since I was using RTV, it was no big deal. Also, I left off the washers above the Rago stiffeners because I’m goint to put a plywood floor and wanted as much clearance as possible. Pics:



The nuts inside the tail light area for the bed stiffeners. Also, some RTV where dust gets in to the bed

 

Picked up the drifter about a week ago. 1.5 days out and 1.5 back. Wyoming’s roads were about as expected.

 

This weekend I worked on the plywood base for cabinets, installed l-track and solar, and started on my fridge slide.

I needed to make slots for the Rago stiffeners and relieve the areas with bolt heads. The ply is ~1/2” baltic birch.


I marked the bolt heads by hitting the ply with a mallet and then routed the area out.



Scabbed some pieces under the ply where larger gaps will be between the bed ribs.

 

Mounted l-track and solar. I used some RTV around the bolt holes and under the bolt heads. Probably not necessary, but won’t hurt either.

Finished the install in the dark, so no pictures of marking the holes.

Set the solar panels in 1.5” angle aluminum. Bolts up to the l-track nicely.

I sure do wish the bolts for the fasteners were all the same size! The undersized one will get traded out.



Still need to route cable, but here’s the idea:

Edited to remove duplicate picture

 

Also put a tray together for the fridge and started thinking about clearance to crawl in and out. It seems more real now.

Underneath:

Corner:

Sitting inside to get a sense of entry and exit:

 

I mistve missed the memo, what canopy is that?

 

There’s a whole lot more here regarding the Drifter:

 

Am I the only one who came here only to be disappointed in lack of pictures showing a Tacoma sliding sideways around a track with copious amounts of tire smoke, wheels turned at full lock with a chap wearing a helmet sitting, smiling, in the driver's seat while knowing he shouldn't being doing this is a Tacoma?

 

It’s my own creation with 22-inch full extension HD drawer glides. The tray is made with 1.5 inch aluminum angle and a piece if plywood. I plan to use a latch pin to lock it both in and out. I got the glides super cheap, so they’re not the locking variety.

 

I haven't come across these bed stiffeners before. What issue w/ the bed are they preventing or solving exactly? Drifter looks good! Can't wait to get one on order.

 

The bedsides can start to splay out over time with increased loads. Mine were tweaked outward some from a previous topper combined with heavy loads on the roof rack. There are a few different companies and options for bed stiffeners - you might look around and see what fits with your anticipated build the best.

 

Wow, thanks. I had no idea this was an issue & have been running a Leer topper for 3-4 years. I will have to keep an eye on that.

 

I ran a Leer too. If you’re searching to notice, look at your closed tailgate and inspect the clearance between the edge of the tailgate at the bottom and the edge of the tailgate at the top (along the taillights running vertically).

...Or there are other threads on TW that talk about identifying the issue.

Oh, and welcome to TW!

 

Cool slider, are those 8 screws the only thing holding the frame together?

 

There are two more - since they go into the edge, they probably don’t do much.

I was originally planning to brace the corners, but it seems stout enough without it... I’ve been wrong before though, so we’ll find out!

 

Nice, it looks solid. Ive thought about using something similar to make drawers eventually

 

Thanks again Geomo! So would you say the definite difference I have top to bottom is the splaying problem? I would say that it sure looks like it.

 

If I recall, there are worse cases. Mine looked much like yours and I had no plans to do anything till I started down the path of a Drifter. I really wouldn’t lose sleep over it if I were you! Keep an eye on it, and once you have plans to put more weight on the bed rails, maybe re-evaluate.

 

It’s been cold, but I did get some stuff put together.
Fuse panel:


Passenger side 80/20 compartment with fridge:


Battery monitor with pump switch:


LED strip lights:


And a shot showing the passenger side box, fuse/solar controller panel, battery box and pump: