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Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

Discussion in 'Bay Area Metal Fabrication' started by MTNHABITOVERLAND, Mar 27, 2018.

  1. Apr 27, 2022 at 10:19 AM
    #6361
    4wdExplorer

    4wdExplorer Well-Known Member

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    Thats in the ball park. Ohms law, simple calc. 600/12
     
  2. Apr 27, 2022 at 10:26 AM
    #6362
    snwbrdr852

    snwbrdr852 Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, wasn't trying to correct you. Just a heads up for those who may not be aware, so they can plan for the appropriate draw.
     
    4wdExplorer[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. Apr 27, 2022 at 10:44 AM
    #6363
    TomHGZ

    TomHGZ Well-Known Member

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    Partial list: Vagabond Drifter OR rear axle 4.10 gears Bilstein 6112s and B110s. Dakars with OL leafs replaced by Deaver 3-leaf AALs 265/75/16 Ultraterrains eBay front bumper (I hit a deer and needed a fast cheap replacement) 3rd Gen TRD Pro clone skid
    104*F from what temperature?
     
    Twizted likes this.
  4. Apr 27, 2022 at 10:48 AM
    #6364
    xplorn

    xplorn Well-Known Member

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    Nice! It is good to see another plastic setup and the Reliants are so common. They just take up space. Yeah the system is good for about 1200W. I built it to charge some batteries at 600W rate.

    TBH I am waffling on the electric approach. A simple 4pt heat exchanger in the engine bay with hoses to a 2G Scepter (when stopped) could be a pretty simple setup too. I would use the Scepter in the cab as a water supply for the dog when we make stops for breaks.
     
  5. Apr 27, 2022 at 11:21 AM
    #6365
    4wdExplorer

    4wdExplorer Well-Known Member

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    It was in the low to mid 40F's.
     
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  6. Apr 28, 2022 at 12:25 PM
    #6366
    Miggypac

    Miggypac Member

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    Two questions. 2nd gen Tacoma.
    1. Those who have had VO install bed rails, does VO prep and lay down the special aluminum foil tape before installing the rails or should that all be done by me prior to the install date? I'll also email Phil but was curious what folks here have experienced.

    2. Like many, I'll be storing a fridge, mountain bikes, gear, Goal Zero, etc. in the bed of the truck. Most of the time I'll be around the truck when all the goodies are inside but there will inevitably be times when we leave it for a day hike, long mtb ride or leave it in a city environment for a while. I remember reading about someone getting their fridge and other belongings stolen in Seattle after a thief pried open the rear window panel. Has anyone come up with a way to more securely lock that back panel aside from the two stock locking turn knobs? I'll be getting a pop n lock type device for locking the tailgate. Will also have a dark screen cover so nobody can see inside.

    I'm thinking about asking Phil to add a small (6 inch) vertical L track on each side of the back window panel so I can make some sort of locking bar that prevents thieves from prying it open. Super high tech prototype photo below. And even if they did smash the glass there wouldn't be enough room for much to fit between the bar and tailgate/top of drifter. Preferably the bar would be on the inside of the drifter so it's less conspicuous and it doesn't look like I'm actively trying to protect valuables but I know that's where the electrical control panels go. So I imagine having it on the outside is just easier.

    Thoughts? NOT my truck. Photo taken from VO website. I will not have a rear swing out bumper.
    upload_2022-4-28_12-15-25.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
  7. Apr 28, 2022 at 1:19 PM
    #6367
    SliMbo4.0

    SliMbo4.0 Well-Known Member

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    BP51, BAMF hangers, BruteForce HC, SCS, Vagabond Drifter
    1. I can't really answer that one as I installed the rails myself prior to pick up.

    2. I would maybe suggest locking your swing out since that prevents the tailgate from opening. Also something else I've seen and will be doing myself soon is extending the back window latches so it would be harder to pry out. I will be doing this as well as adding a pin of sorts for when you're in it sleeping(effectively locking it from the inside without using a key).
     
    rob1208 likes this.
  8. Apr 28, 2022 at 1:40 PM
    #6368
    Miggypac

    Miggypac Member

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    Edit: NOT my truck in the photo. That's a photo from the VO website. Thanks for the latch extension idea. I'll look into that when I finally get my drifter, just not sure if I should go the Ltrack route or not.
     
  9. Apr 28, 2022 at 2:18 PM
    #6369
    SliMbo4.0

    SliMbo4.0 Well-Known Member

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    Oh yeah. Haha. My brain didn't catch that, it's focused on leaving work soon while trying to get these parts done(my Friday today).

    Just another thought that I've seen on here is putting perforated vinyl on the back window to make it harder for people to see inside. I don't know much about the tailgate pop locks but if they get the tailgate down the bar across the window won't do anything unless it's low enough.
     
  10. Apr 28, 2022 at 2:22 PM
    #6370
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    I also worry about thefts, but at the end of the day if they want in, bashing a window is all they have to do. A stolen fridge or Goalzero isn't hard to replace, but bikes are. I made a locking mount for mine and in risky spots I'll chain mine up inside, but even then with time and tools anything can be defeated. I worry about overall vehicle theft more, I put a GPS tracker in my truck for a little piece of mind
     
  11. Apr 28, 2022 at 2:44 PM
    #6371
    Miggypac

    Miggypac Member

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    Yup, I'll have a heavy duty chain or two that locks the bikes, fridge and goal zero either together or to the bed stiffeners. True if somebody wants it bad enough, they'll get in. Just want to make it a PIA for anybody that scummy.
    GPS tracker is a good idea too!
     
  12. Apr 28, 2022 at 4:09 PM
    #6372
    trashrose

    trashrose Well-Known Member

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    Also been thinking about that. Live in the city, park on the street. Have a garage but the truck is too long :(. I would for sure be interested in something like what you drew up - I intentionally didn't get any side windows for the same reason. If it is visible that they can't get into the back, then people might be less likely to try.
     
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  13. Apr 29, 2022 at 10:27 AM
    #6373
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    Anyone had experience with Alcan? Chose them over Deaver for proximity.
     
  14. Apr 29, 2022 at 10:28 AM
    #6374
    ns7i

    ns7i Member

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    I've been wondering the same thing given proximity. I don't think I've heard anything bad about them but Deaver kinda seems like the gold standard.
     
  15. Apr 29, 2022 at 11:35 AM
    #6375
    ChaCha

    ChaCha Well-Known Member

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    I was very pleased with Alcan's service and don't have any complaints so far. Just my $0.02.
     
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  16. Apr 29, 2022 at 11:52 AM
    #6376
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    Cool cool. Just ordered some.

    If all goes well I'll have 1/2" clearance in my garage :oops:
     
  17. Apr 29, 2022 at 11:56 AM
    #6377
    ETAV8R

    ETAV8R Out DERP'n

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    Just the basics
    In regards to the Alcan queries and comments I'll share this post:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-and-adventures.484602/page-222#post-27214352

    Lots of good information on his thread. I'm going with Deavers because they are fairly local to me. If I lived closer to Alcan they would definitely be an option.
     
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  18. Apr 29, 2022 at 12:06 PM
    #6378
    d.shaw

    d.shaw Well-Known Member

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    Vagabond Drifter, King 2.5 coilovers, King 2.5 rear, Pelfreybilt front / rear bumpers and skids, rock sliders, Safari snorkel, Smitybilt winch, Baja designs 20in, wide cornering spots, S2 rear. Deaver expedition series stage 3 rear leaf.
    yup agreed on the Deavers vs Alcans, deaver is closer to me so went that route, but alcan i have heard nothing but good stuff too.

    my truck fully loaded as much gear as id take for a trip on deaver stage 3 expedition. no buildout etc. truck is 6100lb with me in it full of fuel in 'daily driver mode.....the deavers have handled everything i have thrown at them at least

    IMG_0953.jpg IMG_1006.jpg IMG_1110.jpg
     
  19. Apr 29, 2022 at 12:31 PM
    #6379
    cobes

    cobes habitual line-stepper

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    That was a good read. Lew at Alcan seemed super helpful and Im excited to see the place. It's been kind of a pain trying to decide what to do with my leafs. Between accommodating the 550-580lb new constant load, plus the additional 250ish trip load, matching the front lift, all while trying to make sure I fit in the garage has been tricky. But thankfully leafs are the last bit of mandatory things I need for the truck. And generally feeling pretty good with the truck in general, I'm sometimes a little nervous driving this 22yo truck so much and getting tucked away when I'm also not the most mechanically savvy person. But it's only got 175k miles, and I've replaced most of the common failing items in the last year. Radiator, water pump, engine gaskets, even new steering rack. So once these leafs are in I'm gonna be ready to boogie. BC trip this summer, lots of desert time, and hopefully a rip down to Baja if I can make it work.
     
  20. Apr 29, 2022 at 12:31 PM
    #6380
    Unresolved Taco Issues

    Unresolved Taco Issues Well-Known Member

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    FINALLY off the island!
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    I chose them over Deaver for location more than anything else. Talked to both Jeff at Deaver and Lew at Alcan and both were very helpful! Lew got me set-up with 500# over stock for my topper and I wanted to maintain stock height which was no problem. Either one would be great!
     
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