Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

ARB could confirm but if I am not mistaken it is the leaf design and that the flattening if the leaf is by design...

I have the HD’s with an extra leaf and I ride with a bit of rake most of the time even with all my stuff. Even with a rack they still sit pretty “flat.” Ride and performance have been good. Squeak has been bad when dirty lol

 

For me the OME leafs have been silent even after 4 off road trips with deep water crossings.

Key is to take time and prep them before installing. I took all my leafs apart and I layered them with leaf liners and 3M tape all the way passed the isolators. The isolators start to make noise after a while and I used OEM toyota bushings as well. Poly bushings without greasable zerk fittings are a big no to me.

I have been happy with the Dakars. I have the medium and they are holding well. Once I get the Drifter I will buy the extra leaf and make them the 'heavy' version and see how it goes. I want to keep my build relatively light and simple. I had a rear high clearance bumper on order but canceled that recently. All I will have in the bed in fridge and misc stuff when going out camping.

 

I have had the HDs for about a year and they appear flat like the photos, but have since they went on. That said, I don't sit on my bump stops fully loaded and been getting good use out of them on trail. I too thought it's part of the leafs characteristic and have since forgotten about it. On their site they refer to a "Flat Axel Seat Area" as a benefit to the spring, although I'm no expert. Might be worth looking into the whole hub to fender measurements to see if you're getting the desired lift.

Curious how the warranty goes or they are deemed defective.

 

Here's what I got from Wheelers Offroad who talked to ARB and here's what I got from ARB direct. They both said it's good.

 

LOL I'm not buying it...crap I bought into the Dakar club years ago. Leafs should not look like that.

 

For the people that don't have Dakars and run Deaver stage 3 or other brand can you post a picture of your springs loaded with camper + gear? It just doesn't seem right to have that kind of shape in leaf springs...

 

This exact thing happened to me. MY only saving grace was I had the ARB tech at the time provide it to me in writing what leafs to use and AALs to carry the load with OME stuff. Turns out their leafs are junk. My deavers, not a single squeak.

 

Get a custom pack, the stage 3's are only good to 700lbs to 1000lbs if I recall. I would weight the truck with everything in it tally it up and add 10%. YOu think you need 1000lbs, get 1200s. we all know how the taco's like to gain weight.

 

On a side note, selling the Tacoma in a yrs time that includes the drifter. Upgrading to a bigger truck (tundra, f150, titan maybe a f350) and either a 4wheel camper or a Adventure camper in the back, will see. I'd sell the drifter this upcoming winter after my trip, then the taco in the summer time next year. That is the plan, miss having the room in the truck and driving around in an f150 for work has me missing the extra room/comfort.

 

Sounds like you need a tundra with a Nomad to go with it!
Like this.....i fuckin love this rig!
So much room for activities

 

yeah, thinking of that too, Just trying to figure out the needs for camping/future stuff. The 4WC may be the best option to go with for me. Will see though.

 

Are there any Drifter owners on here in CO or WY? My wife & I were just trying to find someone who own's a Drifter in CO that might be willing to meet up or show it off to us. Trying to make our final decision on one and would just really like to check one out in person first. We live in northern, CO area but are willing to drive wherever to check one out.

 

Thanks! I will look him up.

 

I’m in Denver. Would be glad to give you a tour.

 

@tdubd on here i believe

 

That's awesome and really appreciate the offer. I will send you a PM/DM.

 

So another "technical" question for current Drifter owners. Does anyone have one with only stock height suspension and would be able to give me what your overall height would be? Does the Fantastic Fan stick up higher than the top of roof? My clearance for the garage is only 82" so I am hoping to stay there or under once mounted, b/c I would hate to not be able to keep this beauty in my garage. Just trying to determine what some real world heights have worked out to be if some are willing to share. Thanks!

 

Use air bags and lower it to get in and out of the garage. That's what some FWC owners do.

 

Just another small update:

https://youtu.be/0WjBQnCR5RQ