abeaudin1971
Adventurer
Hey folks,
I've posted up a couple of pictures on other threads but here's one specific to my build.
Truck is an 09 Tacoma 4x4 SR5 2.7l/5 speed. Only other mod is an ARB bumper on the front.
Fuel economy is only marginally affected by the top - over 40K miles of usage
Leer Topper average US MPG was 21.6mpg
Without Leer topper average US MPG was 22.8mpg
With Flippac topper average US MPG is 20 mpg - but this is typically driving at 75mph or so on the highway.
so there's a slight loss of fuel economy but that more than makes up for the usability of the top.
The weight on the back of the truck without gear is fine - if I add in my camping and rock climbing gear, food, water etc - the ride gets a little bouncy and I'll be looking to improve the rear suspension in the spring.
Wind noise is a little higher than before but that's to be expected. No real discernible handling difference in highway travel.
For clearance I haven't had any problems getting into parking garages etc - about 81" of clearance (6'7") does the trick.
The flippac came from Adventure Trailers and Mario was excellent in pre and post sale service. I'd highly recommend him.
The only mods I've done are minor - simple platform to place rubbermaid containers underneath for now - it'll hold 6 large containers, plus a cooler and my kitchen setup - plus it doubles at a sleeping surface for whomever is my road trip partner at the time.
The platform comes out in three pieces - two plywood pieces for the platform and a 2x3 ping frame that comes out in one piece so I can use it at a truck when need be.
I added in an LED third brake light just so I'm a little more visible - if you're doing this to yours, keep in mind that the over the top of the rear window is about 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" in thickness so I needed a couple of trips to the hardware store before I had what I needed.
As well I added in a Trucklite LED utility flood light and it's spectacular - makes seeing in behind you at night backing up simpler and I double switched it in the cab and again in the back so I can leave it on overnight and if I need to get see outside, I can.
The switch in the dash is an OEM toyota switch - needed a little trimming of the dash to fit but it looks like it belongs which I prefer.
Work to come:
Proper platform in the back - something like Tacodoc's (very nice job btw)
Dual Battery setup
Upgraded rear suspension - since I don't do much offroading - gravel roads to worst really I'm looking at either OME Dakars and if not Supersprings to help with the loading at the rear
and if the paychecks next year are good to me I might look towards an propex heater in addition to a fridge.
I've posted up a couple of pictures on other threads but here's one specific to my build.
Truck is an 09 Tacoma 4x4 SR5 2.7l/5 speed. Only other mod is an ARB bumper on the front.
Fuel economy is only marginally affected by the top - over 40K miles of usage
Leer Topper average US MPG was 21.6mpg
Without Leer topper average US MPG was 22.8mpg
With Flippac topper average US MPG is 20 mpg - but this is typically driving at 75mph or so on the highway.
so there's a slight loss of fuel economy but that more than makes up for the usability of the top.
The weight on the back of the truck without gear is fine - if I add in my camping and rock climbing gear, food, water etc - the ride gets a little bouncy and I'll be looking to improve the rear suspension in the spring.
Wind noise is a little higher than before but that's to be expected. No real discernible handling difference in highway travel.
For clearance I haven't had any problems getting into parking garages etc - about 81" of clearance (6'7") does the trick.
The flippac came from Adventure Trailers and Mario was excellent in pre and post sale service. I'd highly recommend him.
The only mods I've done are minor - simple platform to place rubbermaid containers underneath for now - it'll hold 6 large containers, plus a cooler and my kitchen setup - plus it doubles at a sleeping surface for whomever is my road trip partner at the time.
The platform comes out in three pieces - two plywood pieces for the platform and a 2x3 ping frame that comes out in one piece so I can use it at a truck when need be.
I added in an LED third brake light just so I'm a little more visible - if you're doing this to yours, keep in mind that the over the top of the rear window is about 2-1/2" to 2-3/4" in thickness so I needed a couple of trips to the hardware store before I had what I needed.
As well I added in a Trucklite LED utility flood light and it's spectacular - makes seeing in behind you at night backing up simpler and I double switched it in the cab and again in the back so I can leave it on overnight and if I need to get see outside, I can.
The switch in the dash is an OEM toyota switch - needed a little trimming of the dash to fit but it looks like it belongs which I prefer.
Work to come:
Proper platform in the back - something like Tacodoc's (very nice job btw)
Dual Battery setup
Upgraded rear suspension - since I don't do much offroading - gravel roads to worst really I'm looking at either OME Dakars and if not Supersprings to help with the loading at the rear
and if the paychecks next year are good to me I might look towards an propex heater in addition to a fridge.
