Here we go again 2012 frontier pro 4x MT

Smileyshaun · Mar 24, 2023

Aaaaaaannnndddd I had a crazy idea in my head of making a camper for it sense I can’t find one I like . Like most people my evenings are spent looking at other peoples builds and gathering ideas

Smileyshaun · Mar 24, 2023

But at some point you just have to start and figure it out as you go . Picked up 10 sheets of plywood and just started working on the basic shape . I’m seeing if I can make a skeleton frame out of 2” and 3” plywood strips pocket holes and building them into glulams with a stupid amount of glue , foam in between the pockets to help with insulation and strength .

Smileyshaun · Apr 6, 2023

Things are taking shape

Smileyshaun · Jun 23, 2023

Whew some updates , camper is moving along at a snails pace but things are getting done , I cut 14” off the roof and made it a 2 person camper . Close to getting the shell all buttoned up then the long process of bondo and sanding .
I am trying something a little different and putting splines in all the edges to give it some extra strength without adding much weight .

Smileyshaun · Jun 29, 2023

Budget Titan swap is all done , still need to make new top hats to gain 2” more uptravel . It’s a little oversprung and bouncy on some bumps but a huge improvement over the spacer on stock suspension. Hoping the extra spring rate will help when the camper is on .

hovenator · Jul 21, 2023

Dang, very impressive build so far!

Smileyshaun · Jul 22, 2023

Fist test run with it on . Hardly know it’s on there . Will probably be adding another 100 lbs with the door and finishing up the interior .

Smileyshaun · Oct 8, 2023

Well as the only normal constant in life is that it’s inconsistent . Once again big life changes are happening. The other half is moving back to the east coast to be closer to her family and start a new life there so the camper has been sold my silverado is up for sale and unfortunately the frontier is going up for sale soon to simplify my life and eliminate debt . Not sure what the next vehicle will be but new adventures will be happening soon once the dust settles and life gets back to a bit more normality

Smileyshaun · Mar 27, 2024

Wellllllll it’s still here , decided to keep it.

But between work and moving life has been crazy so no adventures lately but I did step up on tires and go to 35s . Just a little work to the pinch weld and reshaping the fender liners was needed . Went with the geolander g015 these things are whisper quiet and ridiculously smooth . Only lost 1mpg so far . Oh and camper 2.0 may be in the works soon

Northern Tundra · Mar 29, 2024

Truck is looking great! I'm glad you decided to keep it, not enough Frontier builds on this site. Do you still have the original camper? What changes are you planning to make on v2.0?

Smileyshaun · Mar 29, 2024

Northern Tundra said:
Truck is looking great! I'm glad you decided to keep it, not enough Frontier builds on this site. Do you still have the original camper? What changes are you planning to make on v2.0?

No sold it off . Version 2.0 will be the same basic shape but I will be making it out of that purple foam with cedar 1x2 as the frame with 1/4” ply glued for tge inner and outer of the shell then doing the splines again to really secure it together. If my back of the napkin math is correct it should be in the 500lb range when complete . But that’ll probably still be a couple months off and they still have a lot of other stuff to take care of first.

Rolo1738 · Apr 17, 2024

Smileyshaun said:
No sold it off . Version 2.0 will be the same basic shape but I will be making it out of that purple foam with cedar 1x2 as the frame with 1/4” ply glued for tge inner and outer of the shell then doing the splines again to really secure it together. If my back of the napkin math is correct it should be in the 500lb range when complete . But that’ll probably still be a couple months off and they still have a lot of other stuff to take care of first.

Pretty epic, keep us updated when you do the new one!

Smileyshaun · May 23, 2024

Not much fun to be had lately between moving and work but have been getting out fore day trips . Put my canopy back on and put on a 270 awning , so quick and convenient don’t know why I waited so long to get one . Ordered a set of coilovers from carbon shocks . Not a lot of options out there for Titan swaps so I figured I would give them a try , I like that they called me to discuss my vehicle and driving habits to make sure I got the right spring rate and valving , nice to hear from a human and not a automated machine .