GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

New “official” thread for tips, tricks, and build outs for the GFC. Please contribute with pics/ links and descriptions of your GFC camper buildout’s and modifications you’ve done.


Try to use one post for Mods and update as your build evolves (in that same post) it’ll make linking to builds much simpler. Thank you.

 

Ok I was asked to edit a post and provide links here to save time reading through the hopefully 100's of pages that end up here someday... So here goes nothing.

If you have anything specific you'd like me to link please let me know.

@YOTA 4X4 Yours truly's build out, Decked Drawers, Tilting fridge slide, ARB 2500 Awning, Soon to be MicroSkiff (boat) holder.

GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

@ace7196 and his epic build: Home built mosiquito screens, lock jammers, onboard water, rear awning, bike racks, and so much more

GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

@gman36 Inside the Camper Bike build with sliding tray

GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

@rkam65 Review camera mod with more ideas to come

GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

 

GFC #41, as far as I know the last one built with the white inner panel rather than Bedliner OME HD suspension all around, Decked Drawers, Alu-Cab tilting fridge slide, ARB 63qt fridge, ARB 2500 Awning with 3 GFC Awning brackets, and Deluxe Room. Ordered Feb 2018, delivered Sept 19th 2018.


Simplest and one of the most useful mods, RV levelers mounted to GFC extrusion with GFC T-nuts.

 

Sub’d

 

Disclaimer

Not responsible for anything happening to you/your vehicle/others/or anything else if you do any of the below. It’s all for informational purposes only.


LED Lights

Finally something I'm happy with. 2X strips down below, 1 up top, and a adjustable flood. And a 3D printed control panel, of course.

$31 StarlandLed 10-PACK V Shape LED Aluminum Channel with Milky White PC Cover for Strip Lights Installation,Easy to Cut,Professional Look LED Strip Light Channel with Complete Mounting Accessories

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LL3S006

$6 JACKYLED Light Strip Connector 2Pin Conductor for 8mm Wide 3528 2835 Single Color LED Strips

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IB7ERBC

$10 LE 12V LED Strip Light, Flexible, Waterproof, SMD 2835, 16.4ft Tape Light for Christmas, Home, Kitchen and More, Daylight White

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSF66JO


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Mosquito Net

Feedback from the wife (who lived in in for a few weeks) said it needs to be better sealed around the edges for it to perform as it should...those little guys find any gap they can.





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Soft Frame Bag

I probably could have done it, but the wife’s better at the complex stuff than I. 3" thick, 2 compartments.
Perfect, out of the way, and stores our dry food/jackets/flashlights.
I went through a few iterations of the attachment methodology. You could do velcro on the diagonal and grommet up top, but it wasn't solid enough for my liking. The final design is this: sheet metal running along the whole top of the bag, with a bend in the middle to attach to the top accessory hole. The diagonal has 3D printed plates on the inside, with worm clamps attaching it. Could do a thin metal plate as well. Super sturdy. When not fully filled up the velcro attachment methodology left something to be desired. With this attachment system even Graeme chucking his Raptor wouldn't shake it loose.







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Partial Opener

Used Gear Ties to tie from GFC support to little holes on side of panels. Great for a small breeze. Can also not use this and just prop it open via the Southco Latches.



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Levelers/RAM Mount for stuff

Levels are priceless.

$9 Hopkins 08525 Graduated Level

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AA4RWM/




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Bike Rack

Yakima Roundbars/Highspeed Rack/GFC low profile mount



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Awning

Got some tubing, drilled some holes, and BAM! Super sturdy in wind and allows a nice view in. Used these clips and replaced with eye bolts, but you could always modify the GFC with grommets or similar.

$10 Tarp Klip Heavy Duty Tarp Clips For Fast And Easy Securing Of Tarps, Car And Truck Cover, Tents, Boat Covers - Weatherproof Canopy Clamps For Indoor And Outdoor Use, Safety Connecting Anchors

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D5H3CH4/

Used Yakima RTT spring rods. Spring rod length varies between companies, so make sure you get the right length for what you want.

Springs rods can go fly if you're not careful! I make sure my spring rods go through BOTH the slanted holes, and the clips are properly attached.








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Fluid Holder

3D printed a case and got some bottles to fill with all the necessities: chain lube, dish soap, body wash, and tecnu



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Replacement Knobs

Because I like tweaking stuff. Milled out of 6061 Al and painted black. Press fit the cap into the knob.



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Internal Netting/Battery-powered fan/upstairs lights

Keeps nice breeze circulating. Netting is for holding stuff while sleeping. LED lights up top to see.

$15 Efluky 3 Speed Mini Handheld Fan, Mini Portable Fan Electric USB Fan with LED Light and Rechargeable 2200mAh Battery, Mini handheld fan quiet for office, beach and camping fan,4.5", Black

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y1VZ00E




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Quick Deploy lower awning

For when you want to cook up something on the tailgate and it’s pouring rain. 48” ½” OD aluminum rods and silpoly fabric.



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RAM-mounted flood light

I never seem to have the lights aimed at the right spot (or maybe I need more). This fixes that issue. Bright light for tailgate work, campsites, or under the awning. Ball threaded right into the GFC, 6" arm, then ball mount. Made a little adapter plate for the Element Micropod to mount to.

$19 RAM Mounts RAM Long Double Socket Arm for 1 Ball Bases RAM-B-201U-C

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CU9BTKY

$8 Ram Mount 2.43 x 1.31"es Composite Diamond Base with 1" Ball

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006PK661Q



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Grab handle (non-awning side)

Added a handle to make lifting the bike/kayak up to much easier. I grab onto the awning on the other side.

$7 Plastic Grab Handle-Entry Door Assist Bar for RV, Trailer, Camper, Motor Home, Cargo Trailer, Boat-OEM Replacement (Black)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074SX596W/



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Various string things (rear panel limiter, large panel "air vent")




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Upgraded grab handle/puller.
Milled out a little tab and attached it to the extrusion. Sewed in a pulldown tab that I slip a carabiner + webbing into before I deploy the tent. Works great!



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Custom Cushion Covers
Modified the covers to allow access to the grab handles. Carefully cut a slot, hem the edges, and add some velcro between the webbing attachment points to take some of the load of the fabric stretching.



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Lower Insulation
Wear glasses and a mask, and cut it in a place that’s easy to clean after. The little bits fly everywhere and stick to everything! Also make sure your cuts leaves a smooth surface (you’ll get much better adhesion).

Used 1 sheet of 1-½” insulation (https://www.homedepot.com/p/R-Tech-...R-5-78-Rigid-Foam-Insulation-320817/202532855) and 3 yards of charcoal felt (https://www.joann.com/craft-felt-fabric-72-solids/prd10007.html). It was an iterative process of cutting/trimming the insulation, but once I was happy with it, I used some spray adhesive to stick the felt onto the panel. Once that was done I used some outdoor stick on velcro, and added a couple strips around the edge of each panel.








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King Starboard (HDPE) Tailgate Replacement
⅜” black King Starboard. Had to route the lower edge a lot to get it to close. The sides I took a bit too much off (width-wise). Also counterbored the 4 lower holes so the screw sit flush. Now I can get in and out of the bed easier, and cook on it too without fear of things falling into the ribs.

 

Yay! Thanks @YOTA 4X4

 

@campvibes

 

GFC 80 something, built a custom bike tray and storage solution. Easy in and out with the bike being on 52in slides. Mounted a waterport on the front rail as well (Part number is PT278-35100-BH, genuine Toyota part that comes on 2nd gen. It will bolt right up). Front runner tracks to strap down the yeti and some Wolfpacks as well. Sewed up a bag for my front wheel and strapped it down using some d rings from Amazon. Stick on lights and cargo net are some random ones from amazon. The rear window has a 40% tint, still can see out the back while driving but gives a ton of privacy.






Had an extra baja designs s2 sport, so I tossed it on for a chase light. I need to get a yellow lense.

 

Here's one... If you have a swing out blocking the rear camera and your view, I bought a camera that plugs right into the existing wiring harness. This thing is rock solid and gives a great image. No issues so far and I wheel every weekend and the truck goes swimming a lot. It is mounted to my bumper, but mounting it to the extrusion would be a great idea. Here is the link -> https://camera-source.com/2010-2015-toyota-tacoma-camper-camera-kit-plug-and-play.html

 

Ace....

 

@riz_atx

 

@ace7196 can you post up some more pictures of that frame bag? I’ve been itching to make one myself, but am not to sure how to secure it to the camper.

 

Bicycle frame bags use Velcro attached on each side. That way they fit to any size tube. BTW Ace is awesome. King of GFC mods so far.

https://www.blackburndesign.com/bags/frame-bags.html

This general idea....

 

I will have no time to do really any of these mods once I get the camper. Will shoot for doing some on the road I guess! I mostly want to do that mosquito netting one.

 

Great work!! Love the frame bag idea! I have made a few of these for bikes, and will for sure be making at least one for my GFC when I get it... in a year!

The jammers are a great call as well! I may have to figure a way to build some without a 3D printer.

 

I haven’t done anything fancy with mine still. I need to get that bug netting done before spring though.

 

Updated first post to try and prevent future people digging through a huge thread. Let me know if you want more pictures of specific parts!

 

@ace7196 would you be willing to make and sell those rear door awning mount pieces?

 

Not really. I did it all with a sawzall and drill. If I were to sell something, I'd want it to be (close to) perfect. I've added dimensions to the top post. The hardest part was drilling the angle. Start with a really small pilot hole straight down. Step up slowly until you have the angle you want.

 

Understood. Didn’t see the update and thought they were one of your nifty 3D printed parts.