The Drifter - Specs and FAQ

Thanks! That is the Merlin 220. A couple of people before me got it and I really like the look. It isn't cheap, but longterm, the perfect amount of solar for our setup and such a low profile, I figured it was worth the investment.

 

I just checked out the Guzzle. I ordered a Doulton Imperial Sterasyl and Carbon Block to basically do the same thing but at higher pressure loss. Kind of worried a standard RV pump might not have enough PSI to overcome the Sterasyl. Been looking at the Seaflo 31 but not sure on the reliability. I got a 15-gallon tank from the National Tank Outlet. Going to use 8020 like you did to lock 'er in.

 

Yeah, I understand your concern with the water pressure with the Sterasyl. Without knowing a lot about that setup, it does seem similar to a Berkey filter, which is what we use at our house for water, and it is gravity fed and fairly slow. All that said, it is totally worth a shot! The Guzzle Stealth reduces the water pressure a bit, but not bad. It just isn't shooting out of the nozzle at the end anymore... more of a medium-low stream.

 

How long was your wait if you dont mind me asking?

 

Order #146 reporting in. got an emily a few days ago that somehow only showed up yesterday. But mine is due for a late November/early December finishing date! The timing is perfect for me! as I am moving to Vancouver BC Jan 1 (from NY) and am driving over to the west coast in November/December then heading up once i get it installed! Anyone else in BC? Going to be looking for adventure/bowhunting friends up there!

 

I placed my order April 30, 2019. So the wait was just shy of 17 months, but who was counting ;-) That said, I am fairly sure the batch I was in was the one that was directly affected by every delay they encountered. From talking with Phil, it seems like they are going to be ramping production and used the past couple of months to dial in their shop and process even more.

 

Sweet truck! I've got my Drifter coming this winter and it's also going on a white first gen. What did you do for suspension and what bed stiffeners did you get and do you think it's 100% necessary? Is it just a pair in the back?

Also, what size fridge do you have on there how well does it fit being the wheel well? I'm going to be doing an 80/20 build with a spot for the fridge like below, and I'm trying to be cheap and not do a slideout. Anticipating the fridge wont fit well behind the wheel well so contemplating mounting it at an angle.

 

Thanks! I went with the Old Man Emu suspension and the Rago bed stiffeners. The suspension is needed and the bed stiffeners are more insurance than anything. That is the Dometic 55 IM on the Socal Teardrop fridge slide. Unfortunately, for my setup it doesn't fit flush behind the wheel well, so we had to position it off to the side. I thought it would bother me but it ended up creating a great little cubby for my small propane tank and tool bag.

 

I had a Drifter on my 2003 DCSB for just over a year and the OME Dakar leaf springs with add-a-leaf/greasable hangers were great and handled the weight perfectly. This was with no interior build. Now that I took the Drifter off, the bed is sky-high in the air...

I didn't notice any issues without running bed stiffeners on my 1st gen, but I don't off-road hard.

 

I’m on Vancouver island! Order 167. Would be sweet to have a Drifter meetup! I believe there’s another person in Vancouver waiting for one too.

 

Rad. Awesome setup. How's the weight feel? I'm trying to get info on whether a re-gear is necessary. I drive 2-5000' canyons regularly.

Okay sweet. I threw on OME stuff last year and am planning on adding the add-a-leaf either right before or after I pick up the Drifter. Not sure which will be better for the drive to/from California?

 

Once you guys let us dirty Americans back in, a Tofino-Port Hardy trip is on my mind. Love that island

 

If you have an automatic, I'd probably regear. If you have a manual, you'll probably be fine. Assuming you have the 3.4L V6.

I'd say just put it on before and try not to drive at night or your headlights will be pointing down.
Here's a before/after I took off my Drifter - with the AAL still installed.

 

Cool cool. Makes sense. I've got a V6 automatic and will likely plan a regear. Damn I'm excited. Overwhelmed with the build and how deep to go but thankfully getting mine in winter will a lot of captive time and no need to rush.

 

that's insane!! when I emailed them back in April they said it was 11 months so I ordered one this past summer to get one next summer since ill be driving down from Alaska. but if it goes into next winter I wont be able to drive down. that being said I might have to refund my deposit because I cant afford to wait close to 2 years to get one. Hopefully they can knock that time down

 

I was told mine would be ready in July or August. I expected to be able to catch the last half of the warm season. Now it looks like January based on quick math with the most recent deliveries. But obviously they’re trying to ramp up again after the delays, so we’ll just have to see.

More importantly, people do sell their spots occasionally. That’s how I got mine. Especially these days people have changing life circumstances. Maybe send an email to VO asking if there are any earlier spots for sale, then sell yours if you snag one. Just a thought.

 

What number are you?

 

RangeRick is 157.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-Adf_gdp2qHn6fBcosQyigwRp7VkawwSyyAHIbQgOh4/edit#gid=0

 

Yeah thats the thing haha, I sent a few emails about a month ago. Nothing but crickets

 

Just to be clear, when I contacted Phil I put “Build spots for sale?” in the subject field to flag that subject. I don’t think they answer emails that aren’t directly related to current builds or pending sales.