New FWC Finch Shell Build (2008 Tacoma)

[specjoe]

Still buzzin' from a great road trip out to Reno last weekend to pickup my new FWC Finch Shell - and especially the "scenic way" back enjoying all of the comforts of my transition from sleeping in a cab-high camper shell to a heated full camper. Here are some shots of the truck/camper setup on the way back past Bridgeport, CA, Mono Lake, and Eureka Dunes in DV:

Also, some pics of my inside camping setup, thusfar:


I decided to just get the factory furnace and a 2 burner stovetop on the furnace/propane cabinet inside. The camp table seems to be the perfect size alongside my use of the wheel-well "humps" for bench seating. Other options were the swing-down front window (to access my ARB fridge installed in the extended cab of the truck), screen door, and 60" Yakima tracks on top.


The CBI swing-down tire carrier is working out nice in its new second use as a step up to the camper. A heavy lift up in the morning, but it works well for me and weighs less than a full-on new rear bumper and swingout carrier.


All electrical (FWC, ARB fridge) is directly attached to a reverse-polarity Odyssey 1500 aux. battery under the hood (passenger side, with the ABS moved) that is attached to an IBS intelligent solenoid.

Much thanks to all of the Finch posters I've been attentively following the past year or so: mtndog (the "original" tacoma/Finch guy), Overland Hadley, Northern Explorer, kcowyo,and many others! Your posts really helped me in my decision-making and that's why I'm starting my own thread!

-joe D.

 

[ersatzknarf]

Congratulations, Joe !
Looks like a great set-up.
Sometimes, less is indeed more :sombrero:
Looking forward to many more posts, please !

 

[Northern Explorer]

Your rig is looking great. I'm sure you will be very happy with if for many years to come.

 

[HMR]

Love it!

More pics please.

:lurk:

 

[specjoe]

Love it!

More pics please.

:lurk:

Heading out in T-1 hour to Lee's Ferry and the Paria Plateau for the weekend to fulfill that request!:smiley_drive:

 

[Overland Hadley]

Congratulations! Looks great.

Looking forward to some more photos. Could you also post some photos of the interior features.

 

[WASURF63]

Congratulations! Looks great.

Looking forward to some more photos. Could you also post some photos of the interior features.

x2.:lurk:

 

[specjoe]

Fuel storage under truck bed (old spare tire location)

Haven't forgotten about posting some new interior pics, as requested - just need to wait for some better weather to get some good shots.

So after a weekend of pushing through very deep sand in 4x4 most of the time, I'm realizing I need to figure a good way to carry some extra fuel. I've got an old military surplus jerry can and the yakima loadwarrior setup on top, but am wary about putting weight on top that I'll have to pop up in camp. I've also looked keenly at the rear jerry can mounts folks have done on their campers, but don't know if it will work with my spare tire carrier...so:
I'm thinking of some kind of mount for a fuel can under the truck bed

where the stock spare tire mount is (since I can't use it with my 33s). I found a link to a guy that did this on an older model tacoma:http://www.brian894x4.com/Jerrycanmount.html I've got no fabrication skills, so I'd be looking at getting a local outfit to try it out.

I'm leaning more toward the idea of trying out the Rotopax system with one or two 4gal gas cans (looking at one mount with two stacked or two mounts side by side under there if they'd fit). Here's the mounts I'm looking at (mounted facing upside down with some straps to second the Rotopax holders):http://www.rotopax.com/Universal-Mounting-Plate-Pack-Mounts.html
This setup, upside down


Please tell me why this is a crazy idea and why I haven't seen it mentioned earlier.

-joe D.

 

[bat]

What did you do with the ABS controller to fit the battery

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Haven't forgotten about posting some new interior pics, as requested - just need to wait for some better weather to get some good shots.

So after a weekend of pushing through very deep sand in 4x4 most of the time, I'm realizing I need to figure a good way to carry some extra fuel. I've got an old military surplus jerry can and the yakima loadwarrior setup on top, but am wary about putting weight on top that I'll have to pop up in camp. I've also looked keenly at the rear jerry can mounts folks have done on their campers, but don't know if it will work with my spare tire carrier...so:
I'm thinking of some kind of mount for a fuel can under the truck bed
View attachment 49781
where the stock spare tire mount is (since I can't use it with my 33s). I found a link to a guy that did this on an older model tacoma:http://www.brian894x4.com/Jerrycanmount.html I've got no fabrication skills, so I'd be looking at getting a local outfit to try it out.

I'm leaning more toward the idea of trying out the Rotopax system with one or two 4gal gas cans (looking at one mount with two stacked or two mounts side by side under there if they'd fit). Here's the mounts I'm looking at (mounted facing upside down with some straps to second the Rotopax holders):http://www.rotopax.com/Universal-Mounting-Plate-Pack-Mounts.html
This setup, upside down
View attachment 49782

Please tell me why this is a crazy idea and why I haven't seen it mentioned earlier.

-joe D.

Why not mount a second fuel tank there instead? You can get a fuel cell out of summit racing that will hold more fuel that those cans, and be far more sturdy...and with a 12v pump you'll never have to worry about spilling fuel or getting messy, just flip a switch and it tops off your main fuel tank.

 

[specjoe]

What did you do with the ABS controller to fit the battery

Had the guys at Sierra Expeditions install the IBS system and aux battery. They moved the ABS closer to the firewall to fit the battery and mount. I'll try to get a better shot of that setup tomorrow.

 

[CSG]

I think these shell set-ups are pretty intriguing. I may look into doing something for my next rig. Get what you want and not have to buy a bunch of stuff you might not need. For me, I like a sink and holding tank but not a built in water tank - I'd rather use a Reliance with a nozzle. I'd like propane for a heater but not a stove. I want dual batteries for a portable fridge, not a built in one. And I'm quite comfy in a chair and a Thermarest rather than a sofa and mattress.

I want counter space and storage and a spot for a porta-potti.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I think these shell set-ups are pretty intriguing. I may look into doing something for my next rig. Get what you want and not have to buy a bunch of stuff you might not need. For me, I like a sink and holding tank but not a built in water tank - I'd rather use a Reliance with a nozzle. I'd like propane for a heater but not a stove. I want dual batteries for a portable fridge, not a built in one. And I'm quite comfy in a chair and a Thermarest rather than a sofa and mattress.

I want counter space and storage and a spot for a porta-potti.

Sounds like you are the perfect candidate for a shell model.

 

[Flagster]

Great build...I had to cringe/laugh though when looking at the red dust in your engine compartment...I live in Tuba City just down the road during the week and "Red Dirt" is my main nemesis...that stuff finds its way into EVERYTHING...

 

[abeaudin1971]

Any updates on the shell buildout?