First Alu-Cab Canopy Camper on 1st gen Tacoma Xtracab*

[lateapexporsche]

As it sit today. Working a bunch and haven't even had time to wrap the retrofit up. But, it's good enough to use.

Old setup. GFC V1 Build #172. I have nothing but good things to say, from an engineers perspective, it was Incredibly reliable and lightweight and no leaks.

The Alu-Cab owner and I had scheduling challenges but finally attempted the transplant. The big question was, will an Alu-Cab work on a 1st gen Tacoma Xtracab?

I'd say mostly yes. The bed height is lower than the 2nd and 3rd gen, so decisions had to be made. It's hanging 1" back from where it should be, and the barn door bottom is 1" below the bed (using the 2nd gen riser, otherwise it would be 2" below). Honestly, it's good enough to go camping this summer. I'd rather have a lower center of gravity because the vehicle dynamics are way different when driving this compared to the GFC. It's only partially complete, but it's good enough to use during the summer. Tidying everything up will be my winter project.

Happy with the upgrade! Vehicle dynamic are different which was to be expected. It's undersprung and underdamped with the Bilsteins, but I'm sensitive to that stuff. Probably will relocate the rear shocks, do larger fluid capacity shocks to replace the Bilstein 5150 and add the HD leaf back into the OME rear leaf pack in the immediate.

Cheers,
Ron

 

[MR E30]

Nice work! Here's to getting it all buttoned up, in a satisfactory manner.

I'm on a 3rd gen, but for the rear I went with tuned, relocated 12" shocks, custom Alcan's, and hammer hangers to tighten up the rear. It is a great setup and it all but makes the weight disappear.

Rear Towers plus Misc. by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

Best of luck!

 

[Groverland]

Why the switch? Not trying to be snarky or anything...I just like the look of the old set-up better! Maybe you needed more room?

Anyways...congrats on the new topper!

 

[lateapexporsche]

Nice work! Here's to getting it all buttoned up, in a satisfactory manner.

I'm on a 3rd gen, but for the rear I went with tuned, relocated 12" shocks, custom Alcan's, and hammer hangers to tighten up the rear. It is a great setup and it all but makes the weight disappear.

Rear Towers plus Misc. by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

Best of luck!

My plan is put 2.5 shock in back with some tunability on compression at minimum. Internal bypass would be nice but no external cause the noise they make. Outboard shocks seem to make sense but inner tire clearance is the issue. Currently, I've got King 2.5 Mid-travels up front with custom valving already. I had King 2.5 OEM in rear but had to remove them because the OME 3" HD leaf springs fully extended the shock at ride height . I'd like to eventually fabricate a rear blade sway bar, currently no sway bars.

 

[lateapexporsche]

Why the switch? Not trying to be snarky or anything...I just like the look of the old set-up better! Maybe you needed more room?

Anyways...congrats on the new topper!

Trust me, I like the look of the GFC too and more practical for daily life.
My plan is to do extended international travel, and I just wanted a more robust platform. It's either spend time modifying the GFC to be more like a Alu-Cab or just get the thing I really need.

Shower thoughts on why I upgraded:
Field repairs are easier internationally with commonly found parts.
Insulated/Blackout tent material. It could be high noon and you can't tell from the inside.
Full bedding can live up there so less setup and tear down time.
Easy to lift upper bed platform makes opening up the inside space faster
Accessing the top bed platform from inside without disturbing the partner.
Barn Door makes getting in and out easy, especially during ski Season.
Just overall more robust and refined.

Cons:
It's not the most attractive but has its appeal.
It gets a lot of attention
Weight and higher CG

 

[MR E30]

I am right there with you.

The wife and I leave normal life and are going full truck living here in 44 days.

I routinely adventure with well-versed guys with GFC's, and they are all in agreement that the AluCab Canopy Camper is the better choice all around, even including the slightly higher weight and the higher price tag. For full-time living and customization? It's not even close.

_MG_3810 by Brent Prater, on Flickr

Definitely a wise switch, in my biased opinion, to get the ACCC.

 

[rtwBound]

Coming from a fellow first gen owner, I actually like the look of the alu cab on your truck much better than the GFC; looks like a true adventure machine.

What do you mean by the bed of the first gen is 2-3 inches lower? and how does that effect the fitment? From the looks of it, the bed rails seam to line up perfectly... I'm not seeing a 2-3 inch gap or am I missing something?

How did you secure the Alu Cab to the bed? Did you have to bolt it through to the frame (like the FWC's)?
Any interior pics?

Sick rig!

 

[MR E30]

Coming from a fellow first gen owner, I actually like the look of the alu cab on your truck much better than the GFC; looks like a true adventure machine.

What do you mean by the bed of the first gen is 2-3 inches lower? and how does that effect the fitment? From the looks of it, the bed rails seam to line up perfectly... I'm not seeing a 2-3 inch gap or am I missing something?

How did you secure the Alu Cab to the bed? Did you have to bolt it through to the frame (like the FWC's)?
Any interior pics?

Sick rig!

I am not OP, but look closely at the back of his truck, where the camper and the bumper meet. His one photo shows it well.

Then checkout the fitment of the same CC on a 3rd gen. Notice the horizontal bar below the door? There is also a gap between the bottom of that bar and the bumper itself. That is where the 2-3 inch difference lives.

Towards Payson/Roosevelt by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

Looks like he got it incorporated well.

The Canopy Camper bolts to the T-slot tracks underneath the bed rails on the second and third gen. I am not sure how the OP connected his, as 1st gens don't come with these tracks (IIRC). The Canopy Camper does not bolt through the floor and to the frame, as it has no structure down there. The inside of your CC is just your truck bed/sides. This is mine prior to filling it with stuff.

Alucab CC Install Photos by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

On 2nd/3rd gens you do bolt that horizontal bar (it has some 'wings' on the side that go up the sides of the bed) and its other bits of structure to the back of the bed, on the bottom and sides of the bed. I don't know how OP attached his back there, but I'd imagine it wasn't too difficult to figure out.