3rd gen, four wheel camper, flatbed. (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Threads
2
Messages
27
Location
St. Augustine, Fl
Website
www.buildersstainless.com
So the time came to sell the outback

I got a good price for it IMO, and needed more towing capability. So I decided to venture to the tacoma

The requirements that led me to the tacoma:
Camping and motorcycle towing.

I dont tent camp, so yeah no.

I didn't want to load the bike in the bed and pull the teardrop

So Im selling the teardrop, getting a slide in, and towing the bike on a trailer i will be making this spring.

2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Current setup is:
Atturo Tires Trail Blade XT LT285/70-17
Ultra Racing 107 Extreme 17x8.5 1 offset
PA speaker
Pyle 2-Channel Compact Stereo Audio / Headphone Amplifier
Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio
FireStik FL3-B Three Foot FireFly Antenna
Old Man Emu BP-51 , Heavy spring, Dakar pack
Alucab Shadow Awning
Weathertech Floormats
CBI front bumper
CBI Sliders
CBI Rear bumper and swingout with table and single can holder
Ditch Brackets
Front Skid
Superwinch Talon 12.5 SR
Trail Kitchen
Hilift Jack
ARB Compressor
Air Tank
Air Horns
Shapeways switch panel
CH4x4 switches
Blue Ridge Overland gear:
Recovery bag
GOTreads Bag
Strap Bag
Kitchen Bag
Air Bag
GoTread Recovery Boards
MBRP Exhaust
IggyCorp wiring system
Renogy 100 watt solar panel x3: http://amzn.to/2vQJAkH
Victron BV-702 : http://amzn.to/2fWIkqw
Victron 100/30 MPPT: http://amzn.to/2vQGzkr



Past that, not much planned. The outback did everything terrain and capability wise i needed, so the tacoma is more than adequate for my region. But its going to be super awesome to camp on the beach in places that the teardrop wasn't able to due to grey water tank rules. Another reason we wanted a slide in over keeping the teardrop!

Got some mats
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr


Did a little offroading and experimenting in the truck.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

PLayed with crawl control and a few other features that were pretty cool. Overall its a great truck, ride a bit better through hte rougher stuff than the outback. Should get even better with the BP51s

Put a big order in with CBI this weekend also. I used their water can holders on the outback and trailer, as well, I have installed about a dozen bumpers or sliders from them for others and have been nothing but happy with them. Excited to finally have a vehicle I can put the full gear on!

Ordered a front bumper with grill guard
Rear bumper with swingout, jerry can holder and table
Sliders without kickout
Front skid
Ditch Brackets

Decided I wanted to mount my FoxWing awning from my trailer.

I had some aluminum tube around, and some other ****, so i made a rack and awning mount. Not sure why noone offers this as an option. I may suck the awning in about 1.5-2" but at this point, its the same exact height as an awning mounted to a roof rack, clears the door and fits the bed perfect to wrap around

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Decided to hit up the beach before i put the camper back in the garage. Love me some beach mornings! mid 80s and no wind. amazing
Broverlanding Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Ordered some yummyness yesterday! Should be here in a few days
BP51 kit with heavy front springs and dakar spring pack. Ill put the spring pack in when the camper comes in, leave in the AAL thats in there now for the lift.

http://ok4wd.com/shop-by-vendor/old...lift-kit-for-2005-toyota-tacoma-ometac16bp51b
arbome_ek2301b1tacoma2005onwards_final_copy_2__49302.1461962274.1280.1280_3.jpg


And an Alucab Shadow Awning
http://ok4wd.com/alu-cab-shadow-awning
436_4.jpg

I really wanted to get rid of the poles from the foxwing, so decided to upgrade

Foxwing and ARB awning are for sale!
 
So lots of fun today.
Alucab Awning happened to arrive today instead of monday! Installed that, the PA loudspeaker, and some other stupid things.

Alucab Awning by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Upon installation, i found out you needed to mount the hinge as well. So back into the shop i went
Alucab Awning by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Alucab Awning by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Got damn thing is supported now. To the beach tomorrow!
bp51 install by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
after loading the pallet in the truck, i got home and ripped into my new box from OK4wd.

BP51, Alucab walls, and an awning cover were among the package contents.
bp51 install by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Wasted no time. Rears are in and done, fronts will go in tomorrow after work and an alignment appt on sat morning
bp51 install by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bp51 install by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
took it for a spin around and down a little trail.

This is night and day. YOu can literally feel the difference front to back (5100 in the front). No adjustments yet, but something as little as exiting the driveway (we have a pretty big drop thing at the end) and its like it isn't there now. Insanity
All is done and put together!
BP51s on and SPC UCA on as well. Can't be happier. Smoothed out so much stuff and overall a great ride. Once i get the bumpers on, im sure it will soften up a bit with some weight on it. Gonna be great!
2015 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
2015 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
2015 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
BP51 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
BP51 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Got my Snomaster 60D in!
Will fit well in the camper as well (they use a national luna 6o in there now!)
KNOW I am ready for the weekends
Snomaster Fridge by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Snomaster Fridge by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Snomaster Fridge by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Went out to Ocala National Forest and had some fun with some Subie friends. Alot of hard parking and sunbathing (well under the awning)
But i did get to test out the BP51 pretty aggressively

[video=youtube;_FZzRp-4H7A]
33931229591_5f004928e8_b.jpg
Untitled[/URL] by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
watched a movie or two
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

overall successful win
The Snomaster 60d kept everything perfect!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

winning!
 
2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
So

LOTS of fun to be had

installed the ARB Compressor under the hood, just behind the fuse box (Insert photo when i get off the couch)
Put the air tank under the bed at the back
Air chuck in the rear bumper
Bumper Air Chuck by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Removed the stock exhaust
Old Stock by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
and put on the MBRP Stainless Black exhaust
MBRP exhaust by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Sound is mild, not really annoying at all. I will be doing a video once it breaks in.

Got me some Go Treads and a Blue Ridge Overland Gear Bag for them as well as some other bags that ill throw out in another post update about all the bags i carry and whats in them.
Go Treads by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The best part. They fit perfect behind the passenger rear seat!
BROG Bag by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
temporary tent!
James Baroud TENT by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
James Baroud TENT by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
James Baroud TENT by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
OK. Some people asked for some air picture ****.

Here you go
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
IMG_5028 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
You can see the new Iggy Corp relay box, and the compressor up there.
The wiring can now get cleaned up. Winch power wire shortened, Northstar battery ordered, And everything wired through the IggyCorp System! I hate a bundle of wires.
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Had to make a mounting bracket.
Started with some crap channel i had laying around
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
cut a side off, sanded all the edges round, and cleaned it up
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Notched for ground wire, and holes for mounting
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bracket installed
Iggycorp electical box by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
drilled two small holes and used 8-32 screws with rubber washers for vibration and locknuts.
Everything i use is either aluminum or stainless steel. No corrosion issues here!
Air compressor by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Built the compressor bracket from 1/4" stainless as well.
Been a little while since an update
 
Did some wiring, ditch lights, iggycorp wiring system and a few big changes.
But first, camping!

2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
2016 Toyota Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Also, a deal came up on a Fleet Four Wheel Camper I cannot pass up. Heading up to PA on the 19th to grab it. That wil turn into a 5 day roadtrip hitting Philly for a cheesesteak, onwards to DC for some museum love, and im going to try to do some exploring in VA on the way back. WE will see

The weekend after we get back will be going to Amelia Island to camp, then the weekend after that Ocala with a weekend camping in Disney sometime soon after that.
Tons of fun!


had to modify the CBI swingout to fit the camper

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Pretty damn satisfied!
 
And its all back together
an inch and a half to spare for the 81" i need for the Four wheel camper
Also messed up with not thinking about the latch. Fixed it tho.

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
We left on Weds the 19th of July to head up to PA.
We stayed in Easton PA at a small *** hotel that was super janky in anticipation of the next day. We woke up bright and early to a continental breakfast and headed out. We were about 20 minutes form OK4wd. Went and saw Rin and company over there to pick up a few things before heading down to West Chester PA To go to Mainline overland.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Made the two hour trip to Mainline Overland through some pretty awesome roads where we got the Fleet Slide In camper installed!
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

From there we made our way to Philly, with the pretty much exclusive reason to get a cheese steak at Dalessandro’s. Realized just how ridiculously awesome the truck looks parked on the streets.
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

After that we hopped back in the truck and drove a bit, then camped in a walmart parking lot for the first night.
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Wife super duper approves of the camper, which makes it all that much better

The next morning we headed into DC and had some fun.
But first we stopped by Baltimore for some coffee and foods
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The Zoo first, then the air and space museum, then a bus ride tour of the city!
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
From there we hit our camp spot for the night just outside of DC
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
So we left off with camping just outside of D.C.
We both really enjoyed the day in Washington, as we have been meaning to go for a while. very worthwhile trip indeed.

From there, we wanted to hit the blue ridge parkway. The wife was originally supposed to go to expo east with me, but she can't due to work. In that light, let's roll!

It was about 3 hours out of the way, but then we also got to stop by and see our friends Matt from Blue ridge overland gear, and Jason from Mountain State Overland. Well worth the drive
 
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
We were tipped off about a killer camp spot on the side of the blue ridge parkway, up some offroad trails off FS152 i believe. Turned out an outback had occupied the spot, so we were denied :/

Decided to descend into Bedford VA from there, and stay at Matts farm!
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

He was an awesome host and came out and chilled with us for a while. Jason stopped by after some white water canoeing and hung out for a couple hours. It was cool talking about the upcoming releases of MSO. I love those guys. I can always respect a hustler.

****ty picture, but we also found mini horses on the way out
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Last stop was a quick tour of the Blue Ridge Overland gear shop. These guys are an amazing company. Quality products all made in house with awesome people. Reaffirms why I love their stuff, and use a ton of it.
Broverlanding_Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

anyways. Thats about the end of the trip. Just 10 hours of driving back. Hell of a weekend!
Screen Shot 2017-07-29 at 8.02.15 AM by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
This weekend decided to go Beach camping (yeah, its a recurring theme around here)
We started the day out in Historic Fernandina Beach downtown area and grabbed some lunch and walked around. Cool little place we havent been before.
Wife had a Lobster Corn Dog. Said it was Heavenly.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Gratuitous beach pictures from here on out
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

The newly adapted Renogy solar suitcase, mounted with some aluminum angle to the tracks

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Storm started rolling in unfortunately
Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
The rain was off and on through the afternoon, but we couldn't just turn back with the awesome mid 70s weather.

Made some dinner on the trail kitchen setup
Amelia Island by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

And some propane campfire time in as well with peoples
Night time camp by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Bedtime met with the dog testing out his brand new sleeping space
Wife and pup by Grant Wilson, on Flickr


The storm got much much worse over the night. 40+mph sustained winds based on the local airport 1.5 miles away inland. Lots of rain.
Other than the sound of the rain on the rooftop, you would have never known. No wind noise, no real issues through the night other than some rain through the fans. Gotta find some covers or something else to do with it.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
this was everything that rolled through from west to east. this shows it just passing.

this video was about 9 am
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

and then the dog figured out he could jump to our bed
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

overall a win win. We will head out to ocala to do some wheeling and camping next weekend
As always, lots of stuff going on. We did some camping obviously, then did some more.
 
Wife wanted an AC unit, so i gave her an AC unit
Climate right 2500 is what i used in my teardrop, so i got another one for this.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I built a plexi window insert that fastens via velcro to the inside of the window frame. Brought it down to 72 degrees in a 90 degree day, and removed all the humidity. Win!

Went to disney campground for the last weekend of our season passes
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
But first, at the intersection of I95 and i4, i saw this lil guy off across the ditch, and could have sworn i saw someone in there. Turned around in the grass and checked it out. College aged gent that couldn't get a tow truck to help. So i figured i would.
He hooked a strap to his wheel and i janked him out off the other bank, through the ditch and back up to the main grass.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
He was able to pull the fender liner out and continue on his way. I assume with little to no issue. Got him out of the rain and back on his way. Happy days
 
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
start of something new

The Plot Thickens.

We took a bet to see if a sheet of 1/4 aluminum would work without any additional bracing for a flatbed and the FWC. I wasn't very convinced it would, coworker said it would.
Spoiler, it doesnt.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
countersunk the hardware for the air tank so it stays smooth
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Threw the camper on and it works.
I don't like how the mounts are there, so I will put in some stainless eye bolts to clamp the camper down and save about 4 inches of storage space
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

Set up at our campsite for the weekend near the Withacoochie river (i think its actually withlacoocihe or something). We went to see the mermaids at Weeki Wachee and grabbed some food as well

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

I have already pulled the camper again, and working on the substructure of the flatbed. Side boxes and rear plates with tail lights should be mostly done by the end of the weekend.
Forgot

Also had to pull this guy out.
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
 
Ive been a little lax in updating this, but alot of stuff has happened.

Old bed setup was just bolted to the frame. no structure. No bueno
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr

I built a frame for the flatbed consisting of three lateral bars and a few ladder bars to stiffen it all up
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Used 2 x 2 x 1/4" 6061 and 1.5 x 1.5 x 1/4 6061 to build the frame out. appropriate spacers for levelness.

Laying out tailights
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
bent the panels to make the rear tailight panels as well.
 
I wanted to put patches up, so I ordered some veltex from industrialwebbing, and got to work

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Turned out great!
Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Tacoma by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
IMG_5855 by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Then we had a hurricane.

Screen Shot 2017-09-10 at 6.46.07 PM by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
I was on the news

Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
Untitled by Grant Wilson, on Flickr
finished up the side doors and latches. 1/8 6061 aluminum with a nice bend in it so i can use the downward shooting lights on the camper. [/COLOR][/FONT]
 

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