Found a FWC Ranger II!

[erod]

2002 Tacoma with FWC Ranger II!

Check out the new FWC! We are stoked, we only camped once so far, when we went to get it last week in WY. Very impressed with the quality of the unit and the amount of room it offers...we will start a new, detailed thread soon, once I get it out on an adventure and not in the fron of my house . I'll make sure to post lots of pics. Its a 1993 Ranger II model, used very little and taken VERY good care of, still has the original tank of propane! It also has an ice box, 2 burner stove, forced air furnace, sink, screen door and sliding front window. I am amazed how good of shap this unit is in...apparently these things last forever when well taken care of. Anyway, thought you guys would enjoy a pic. New thread to come! Cheers!

 

[calamaridog]

I thing of beauty, for sure. Looking forward to pics of it all set up.

 

[kcowyo]

Dude!?!? You were in Lander!

I saw your truck parked on Main Street in front of Radio Shack on Monday or was it Tuesday, afternoon. Of course a built Taco with a FWC is going to get my attention. I even said to my gf, whose car I was in, "Ooh, I should have gotten a pic of that outfit with my camera phone."

And a few minutes later you passed me on your way up the hill leaving town. We were parked on the side of the road under a shade tree next to an abandoned cabin in her black Honda Pilot SUV thingy, just sitting there (nevermind what we were doing there.....ahem) and you went by. I was watching as you rode by, hell, I think we even made eye contact. I know you needed to shave, you scruffy fool.

I even saw the Montana license plate, but didn't make the connection since I wasn't aware you'd found one already..... So did you find it in Riverton or Rock Springs or....? I haven't seen too many in Lander, so where'd ya get it?

But I'm so stoked for you. Congratulations!!

....and you're totally fired for not pm'ing me to meet up for a beer at the Lander Bar, so I could oogle your Tacoma and new FWC.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

Very nice find!

They do indeed hold up well. The only issues we had with ours over 100,000-plus miles was the door, which I had to reinforce after it began sagging. No other problems - zip.

A friend of mine with one built a whole new door with a welded steel frame. Not only more durable but more secure as well.

 

[Ursidae69]

Looks great and the rear suspension seems to be holding the weight really well. :clapsmile

 

[mountainpete]

Hey! That looks great!

 

[kcowyo]

Very nice find!

They do indeed hold up well.

And an additional tip - After several miles on some rough roads I noticed the camper kept wanting to slide forward, enough that it was crimping the front top rail of the bed box.

I had to cut two 2x4's, the width of the bed and nailed them together. I then placed them at the front of the bed, on the floor as a spacer of sorts. They prevented the camper from sliding forward anymore. I'm not aware of a better/store bought spacer solution but my homemade solution works well for now.

Another suggestion I received, that I may follow is to weld metal plates underneath the bed box, where the eye-bolts are placed, to add strength to those 4 mounting points. I have the camper off the truck right now and I've noticed a slight upward bulge where the eye-bolts are, as if they are being pulled up by the weight of the camper when off road.

RE the icebox - watch out how much you put in there. This was a gradual learning process for me. On my first major trip, I put a 2.5 gallon square water jug on the bottom shelf and off road when bouncing around, the weight of the jug was enough to push the icebox door open. When I stopped, all of the contents of the icebox were scattered on the camper floor. An additional snap strap might help. I wound up placing that jug of water, on its side in the sink. A perfect snug fit and a safe place to carry additional water. Keep a close eye on the drain hose too, so it doesn't get crimped or pulled away from the fitting on the icebox's top shelf. Mine popped off once when I'd wedged two blocks of ice against it and all of the melted ice drained into the icebox and through the door seal onto the floor of the camper.

Other than those issues, I think you'll find the FWC to be an ideal set up for getting out and about.

 

[erod]

kcwyo, thanks for the advice...i am sure i may be asking for more in the near future. thanks everyone for the nice comments. i will get a thread going very soon with more exterior pics and some interior photos and specifics on the camper. stay tuned, thaks again. cheers!

 

[erod]

2002 Tacoma with FWC Ranger II!

Decided to change the name of the original post. finally got some more photos for everyone (probably myself mostly ) to enjoy. my girlfriend did some painting and dyed the curtains to lighten things up inside...ahh, a woman's touch. features include...

35lb ice box
16,000 BTU forced air furnace
2 burner stove, sink, and 12 gal water supply system
roof vent
dual 12 v overhead lights
12 v porch light
110v system
sliding front window
screen door

i even got the original owner's manual for all the equiment...apparently these were priced at $5,495.00 back in 1993. man, how times change. the camper is in great shape, no mildew, everything works great...hard to believe its a 93', goes to show if you take good care of these they last for a LONG time. didn't get out this weekend but heading to beartooth pass on friday...maybe we will get snowed on! thanks for lookin'...cheers!

 

[Dave]

Very cool! It would be very hard for me to pass one of those up if I came across one for sale within a 300 mile radius.

Sorry if I've missed this elsewhere, but what are the specs on your truck? Supercharged, gears? I'm wondering how sporty the truck drives with the FWC.

Dave

 

[xcmountain80]

Decided to change the name of the original post. finally got some more photos for everyone (probably myself mostly ) to enjoy. my girlfriend did some painting and dyed the curtains to lighten things up inside...ahh, a woman's touch. features include...

35lb ice box
16,000 BTU forced air furnace
2 burner stove, sink, and 12 gal water supply system
roof vent
dual 12 v overhead lights
12 v porch light
110v system
sliding front window
screen door

i even got the original owner's manual for all the equiment...apparently these were priced at $5,495.00 back in 1993. man, how times change. the camper is in great shape, no mildew, everything works great...hard to believe its a 93', goes to show if you take good care of these they last for a LONG time. didn't get out this weekend but heading to beartooth pass on friday...maybe we will get snowed on! thanks for lookin'...cheers!

Wow thats pretty darn cool! I like it allot.

Aaron

 

[DaveInDenver]

Cool. What about about the 'Nest? You're leaving the enlightened few for the dark side?

 

[erod]

thanks guys...the truck has a trd supercharger, headers and exhaust. it also has an on board computer (still figuring that out), k&n, fabtech adjustable coils (front), OME springs with ride rite airbags in the rear, AM mojave wheels and 265/75R16 BFG AT tires. there's a thread somewhere but i think that about covers it. barely even notice the camper is on there (692 lbs dry wt.). i could tell slightly going up steep hills...now i actually have to downshift! i am comlpetely sold on these units...high quality, super light and very comfortable. hope this helps...thanks again for the reply!

 

[erod]

dave, i was waiting for you to chime in , not sure abou the nest' yet. now i have a 4wheel pop up and a great wildernest...seems a little excessive. its too bad i don't have a garage to store all this stuff. right now a friend is considering purchasing it...it will be hard to see it go to say the least. if he falls through i will offer it on the forum first, maybe crieg's list and the paper second. since its in such good shape i can't imagine it being that hard to get rid of...wish i could keep it though. i guess we'll see what happens...

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'd keep the 'Nest. After you work through these issues you have with being comfortable and all that, you'll be sorry you sold it. OK, maybe not, but speaking as someone who had and sold a 'Nest, finding another good one when you realize you made a mistake is like throwing salt on the wound... The FWC looks nice, though.