The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Thanks for letting us know guys! We are bringing this up to FR to see what’s going on. I would imagine they would work on a fix fast since these windows are designed for a defender and the interior of this is less forgiving than a Drifter.

 

Can you please let us know what FR says about this? I have a Drifter on order and haven't selected windows options yet but the FR windows are high on my list to get once you guys notify me.

 

Hah yea, I was inside Arcangeli when you rolled by. My SO said someone checked it out and had a similar shell setup.

 

Yup, I have a Habitat. I was following my brother to his place, he lives down there.

 

Anyone in this crew have experience with Alcan springs? They're pretty close to me so I was thinking I'd go with them to handle the camper weight, but I'm reading lots of mixed reviews...

 

@Overlanerd has alcans

 

Being able to whip up some coffee inside the comfort of the Drifter really starts the morning off right. Some times we will slide the bed leaf up to the back window and enjoy the morning views from “upstairs”

 

NW overland rally in a few weeks. How many drifters are showing up? Seattle guys? Vagabond official making the trek up north again? Don't make me be the only one.

 

I’ve had them for a while. When I had a shackle flip and a Fourwheel camper, with the flatbed, when I switched back to a @JLee BAMF tension shackle. So far, I’ve had too much rake with every setup.

This isn’t an issue with Alcan, but probably because I spec’d them for more weight than I need.

They haven’t sagged at all, which is why I’ll probably stick with them. Maybe change out a few leaves.

Spring rate, spring length, and preload are things that are tangible and easy to form a baseline with front coil springs. For leaf springs, most generally tell the manufacturer the weight we want to carry and go from there. Alcan provided these specs on my springs:

7.5” of free arch
(5) - 9mm leafs
(3) - 8mm leafs

Based on that, I can contact Alcan and possibly replace some of the 9mm leafs with 8mm leafs.

In a nutshell, leaf springs are tricky AF.

It would be best to go to a CAT scale and get your truck weighed. Then contact Alcan, Deaver, or @Jon@Mule since he knows the different spring rates of OME Tacoma and Hilux springs that will work.

I’ll be there! We have a booth.

 

Just wanted to add that this is why I went with a shackle flip I the first place.



Bent stock hangers.

No one offered replacement shackle hangers 3 years ago.

 

I should be there as well if @Overlanerd figures out the plan

 

Hahaha, yea. I was hoping that driving my truck to Grand Junction and having Alcan get hands on would help get me dialed in just right.

 

Just you or the whole crew?

 

We’ll be there on Saturday!

 

Does anyone have any pics of a 1st gen xtra cab with a drifter? Also experience with that setup in regards to suspension, weight, ride, bed setup etc.

 

@SeekingZero has one. Maybe he has some pics. It’s looks killer on his rig

Edit

 

I will be getting one this Fall on my 1st gen Prerunner. Exploring suspension too because my stock is running 225K miles on it. Most likely going the complete OME kit route with Dakar leafs/881 springs as they seem to fit the bill and I wanna save as much for the someday in the future upgrade to a newer 4x4 tacoma when she dumps me and also wanna get a propex to make it our winter cabin. If anyone has 1st gen with the AAL on this kit I'd be curious on their build outs as that is my main internal debate as of late. Good luck with your build!

 

Is anyone using a Boot between a drifter and a second gen Tacoma? I’m looking for recommendations.

 

I remember seeing these on a lot of older first gens but haven't seen one on a second gen before.

 

If any Seattleites are wanting to see a Drifter up close and personal Saturday is your lucky day. Seattle Meet and Greet will be at Chainline Brewing Company in Kirkland at 3 on Saturday and I'll have my Drifter there and @Eazy.E MIGHT have his along as well. Plus just damn good beer!