Hondo Garage's New Thing

Does anyone know why GFC doesn't offer the lighting package anymore? Really liked the look of that solution.

 

No i was bummed i ordered mine with it and it just wasn’t available. Like everything GFC if it’s not perfect they don’t use it, and now they’re so busy they haven’t been launching accessories.

 

This is exactly what Graeme told me. Apparently they didn’t like that the original kit wasn’t waterproof. Their philosophy on their accessories is that if it can’t be pressure washed, it doesn’t belong in the camper.

On the roof, how were the original light mounted?

Oh, and here’s another Moab pic. GFC featured me on Instagram today!

 

That is such a rad pic

 

Just passed this southbound on the 15 shy of the CA border.

 

7 very happy people this weekend!

 

I only wish one of them was mine !!!!

 

Hello All,

Thought I'd add to this monster thread. I've gotten so many ideas here, it's about time I returned the favor. I bought a '16 Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed last summer with the purpose of creating a backcountry family camper that would also be a daily driver. Looked at importing a Troopy, outfitting a van, and even some of the VW Westfalias, but nothing offered enough reliability while also being able to handle non-paved roads. (And I had just sold my 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, after owning a 1995 Defender 90, so I was looking for something I didn't have to fight all the time.) Kicked around lots of ideas of a Tacoma with a camper shell, but nothing seemed like it would fit a family of four in any real way. Then I found the GFC.

Put my order in on April 30, 2018 (actually before I bought the truck), order #155. Status changed to "ready to ship" on November 29th. Coordinated with the folks at GFC to do the install in Bozeman as part of a family New Years trip from Indiana to Colorado. Drove fifteen hours to Denver, dropped the family with the relatives, then drove ten hours to the GFC shop for the install the next morning. Many have said this before on this forum, but the crew was incredibly accommodating, doing the install at 7:00am two days before New Years while the shop was technically closed, so I could get back on the road and make the return trip. Pics of the install below.














Ok, that's it. Lots of things still to do--d-ring fasteners on the platform for attachment points, more permanent lighting, organizing all the supplies in the Wolfpacks, etc.--but this should get us out camping in relative comfort and with not a lot of prep time. Happy to hear any improvements people have in mind. And thanks to everyone for posting all their ideas and builds--I unabashedly stole as many ideas as possible. It almost makes wading through all the sh!ttalk posts worth it!

TJH

Update: Couple things I forgot.

The slides on the underside of the trays are fit so the outside one sits right behind the bed stiffener. It creates a stop so that the tray won't bang around. You lift slightly to clear the stiffener and then the tray slides out.

Using the Wolfpacks (there are room for six of them) mostly because the truck gets used for so many things--daily driver, camper, tailgating, etc. I have labeled Wolfpacks for different stuff, so they can be swapped as needed; they sit on shelves in my garage when not in the truck.

Sealed the wood with a few coats of varnish. I'm hoping that's enough. There is always a little water in the bed, but with the varnish, the trays on slides, and the T-shaped backbone of the platform up on a ridge of the bed liner, I'm hoping the wood won't take on any real water. If it does, I'll have to repair it and figure out another solution.

 

tjhaugh that looks great!

Where did you get those extra thick yoga mats? I like that idea.

Spencer

 

Sweet! Moved into powder coating today!

 

On Instagram I saw that kodastacoma runs his moveable panels upside down. So, I put the large pad in the bed and flipped the two smaller panels upside down. Doing this makes the tent close super easy. This also allows me to store a zero degree down bag, normal home pillow and a snug pack jungle sleeping bag. Plus, it still closes easier than running it normal.

 

This is nice! I'm going to try this out

 

Thats nice to not always have to pack up the sleeping bag.

 

I got this setup today using a $15 toolbox from Home Depot. I modified the wiring harness to have an SAE connector on the end. This opens up a lot of options for using it as a portable heater. I can use alligator clamps, a cigarette adapter or plug it directly into a battery wired with SAE connectors (like my motorcycle as pictured). The controller has a long harness and can be run into the truck with the heater outside without problems.

It fired up easy, just smoky for the first few minutes. After that the exhaust has been clear almost immediately on startup (I'm using kerosene) and it's pretty quiet. Heat starts flowing within a couple minutes of turning it on. I forgot to get a picture of it all setup but it's pretty straight forward. Exhaust pipe slips on, intake pipe slips on, heat outlet duct slips on. Run the wires for power and controller out the hole on the upper right side and the fuel line out a small hole on the front upper right corner. Plug in the controller, SAE connector and stick the fuel hose in a can.

 

@Quadabaum Any word on if Kinsmen is going to be producing more of those awning mounts for sale?

 

Ermahgerd! i am going to try this...my little girl hands are really struggling. needed help at their shop even when we did the install. Thanks for posting

 

This..... I actually looked at the Kinsman website today there stuff isn’t even for sale yet... I’ve been checking almost weekly... wish they’d update us on things. Shower stall/ privacy shelter looks cool too.

 

Got the email yesterday. My camper is in production!

 

How’d you get that mini ARB on the back of your GFC? Got any pics of the brackets you fab’ed up? Looks very sweet.

 

literally just a 12x12 L bracket. Just make sure you have enough space between the bracket and the rear extrusion to be able to still close the camper.