Poor man's "Earth Roamer" Tacoma.

[Telcobilly]

I'm starting a new thread because I'm changing trucks now and the title of the original thread is no longer relevant.
I had installed a Durashell 165 slide in utility body into my 2004 2wd XtraCab Tacoma. I'm keeping the truck, but moving the shell to a 2008 Access Cab 4x4 Tacoma. You can see my campershell in the background on the original truck.

The original thread was titled "'04 taco/Durashell build" http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/85428-04-Taco-Durashell-build


UPDATE
After getting the sleeping bag, I headed to Boulder with the intention of heading up in the mountains. As I was coming in on the main drag, I spied a white Tacoma at a dealership on my right. I whipped in and it was exactly what I was intending on buying next year, so I pulled the trigger right then!
It's a 2008 Access Cab 4x4, 4.0l V6 base model with steel wheels. It has suicide doors for rear access, power windows, locks, 5spd auto trans and the usual a/c, radio, cruise ect. It has 59xxx miles. It also has a quick release tonneau cover.
It's a family owned dealership and they have been letting me camp on their lot while I'm waiting for the campershell installation hardware to come in. They are going to store my '04 taco, tailgate and cover until I can come back to get it. Very nice people and a real easy, low stress transaction. It's Gebhardt Imports in Boulder.
Here are some pix:

Microwave behind the drivers seat and is connected to a 1000W inverter under the hood (weather sealed)

Coleman 12v cooler behind the passenger seat, soon to be replaced with a much more effcient ARB 50qt fridge/freezer which shuts off automatically on low battery voltage. Sucide doors make access so easy compared to flipping the seats forward on the previous Tacoma.

I figure a very average hotel room would cost $50 per night. 7 x 50 = $350 is what I have saved already and I have the convenience of parking anywhere and never wondering if the hotel is full. Now with this new rig, I can pretty much go anywhere and boondock.

 

[AxleIke]

Very nice truck!

I know just where that is. I work just a few blocks from where you are camped out!

Just a quick question, but did you modify the rear seats to fold down and make a platform like that, or did they do that from the factory?

 

[wingysataday]

Great work. Do you sleep under the tonneau cover?

 

[Rotorgeek]

Just a quick question, but did you modify the rear seats to fold down and make a platform like that, or did they do that from the factory?

That is from the factory. The seat bottom folds forward to make the platform.

 

[Willman]

The Microwave is a nice touch!

 

[Telcobilly]

Ok, here come a bunch of updates:

12/7/12

Installed a 1000W inverter under the hood. It's stored in the drawstring bag when not in use. I'm purchasing the part to install a circuit breaker to protect the cables, the unit has it's own internal protection. From what I have been reading, 100 amps will protect the #4 wire and handle the power surges of a 700W microwave? Sound about right?

Moved my ScanGuage 2 over from my '04 to the '08.

 

[Telcobilly]

12/10/12

Decided I'm going to buy the regular Mr Buddy heater, a hose, 20lb tank and a propane detector on Friday. The Little Buddy heater I have doesn't seem to put out enough heat, as well as going through a lot of 1lb bottles. I'm reading thoroughly all of the safety aspects of going that route.
Set up my glovebox as a central charging station for all of my telecom,computer, camera & shaver equipment. I have 4 USB ports fed by a full time fused line from the battery and a 300watt inverter to charge my laptop, camera and shaver. The inverter is plugged into a switched power outlet. Additionally I have a 12v extension cord plugged in to the glove box jack. It is run through the passthrough to give me a low wattage receptacle in the back for phone charging and a 12 volt light.

All cables are hidden by the dash or center console. It is all neatly stored in the glovebox and out of sight when it's closed.

 

[Telcobilly]

12/11/12

Will buying some kind of dessicant on Friday, along with the bigger heater, hose and 20lb tank. I'm assuming I DON'T use plumbers tape on the connections for leak proof connections? Going to triple check every connection and shut off the tank when the heater is not in use. It wouldn't be hard to install insulation in bands from the ceilings to the walls down to the floor, or maybe just the bed. I'm hesitant to glue it and have mildew/adhesion issues later. What do you think of closed cell foam with velcro attached to the shell and foam? It would allow me to remove it for future wiring and inspections..

Saw a HUGE REDUCTION in condensation. On top of that, it snowed in Boulder last night. I took off one of the 6" ports in the rear barn doors and reduced the use of the heater. I already had the 8" port in the front bulkhead open. I used the heater to get a warm spot near my face and to spot heat the camper. Once I was in my sleeping bag with a light zip up jacket, gloves, beanie and thick socks, I was very warm and comfortable. The small area of my face was the only part that was exposed. Maybe I should get a ski mask?
There was a light damp sheen of moisture in some area of the shell, but no drips

My two taco's under a blanket of snow this morning:

28th St in Boulder:

I'm using my camp stove to heat a small metal pot of water. It's almost as fast as a microwave.

Here it is being used to make some awesome espresso with my Brikka 2 shot pot:

 

[Telcobilly]

12/13/12:

Pretty productive day. I wired in a 150 amp breaker for the inverter to protect the cables. I wired in a 12v drop light in the camper to get away from the cold LED lights, plus not having to deal with batteries. The warm glow of an incandescent bulb is more comfortable.
Bought the Mr Buddy heater, a filter and hose, but no propane tank yet. I already like this heater a lot better, more heat, adjustability, easier to start and more stable on the floor.


I wanted input from the forum to calm my fears. I want to put the bottle under the floor towards the back but not all the way back. My thinking is the propane would leak out the rear doors in the unlikely event of a leak. Of course the bottle would be shut off when not in use. Should I use plumbers tape for a better seal?
Are there any detectors for propane? Just want to be as safe as possible.


50w bulb in the drop light. Bought the last one, would like another one for more light.

150 amp breaker, left in the off position when the inverter is not used.

 

[Telcobilly]

12/14/12:


Yesterday was a long day at 4WP getting new tires,rims & SuperSprings. It was definitely worth the wait. I drove the 20 miles gingerly on the bumpstops. What was finally done is the following: 265/75/16 Procomp A/T tires, Mickey Thompson black Classic Lock beadlock style rims, SSA 19 SuperSprings, add-a-leaf, 2.5" leveling kit in the front and 2" blocks in the rear. Wow! The truck looks tough like a poor mans Earthroamer.
The 4% larger wheels made the speedo match the GPS. Now I have plenty of spring in the rear, no swaying or bottoming out and the ride is decent, not harsh. Got the tires on a sale, buy 3 get the 4th free. They threw in the AAL for free because the truck wasn't level with the leveling kit. Very happy!

I'll post better pix, these were taken pretty early this morning.

Front

 

[Telcobilly]

12/17/12:
More creativity going on this weekend. I made a steering wheel holder for my iPad. May attach a small tray to extend its usefulness. Maybe $6 invested..

Got a bucket of Damp Rid as well to see how it will do. It's sitting by my head. NO condensation this morning at all. Will continue to monitor its effectiveness. It was $10 at Home Depot.

Finally on the propane front, I'm heading south tomorrow to see family in Texas for Christmas, so I'm going to use the green bottles I already have. I'm going to purchase a 12-15 ft line and run it through an access hole in the shell between the left bedside and shell. It will be right there with my shore power cord. When I need to use the heater, I'll lock the bottle outside and connect the hose. Additionally, I'm going to purchase the propane sniffer from Camping World.

 

[Telcobilly]

12/22/12:

Got the ARB 47L fridge/freezer today. It fit perfectly and is easy to access through the rear half door. Playing around with the settings and checking how effective it is. If its as good as they say it is, I'll be able to have whatever food I want with me.

 

[Telcobilly]

Very nice truck!

I know just where that is. I work just a few blocks from where you are camped out!

Just a quick question, but did you modify the rear seats to fold down and make a platform like that, or did they do that from the factory?

Sorry for the slow reply, the platform is stock in the Access Cab truck.

 

[fjatheart]

Enjoying the updates!

 

[Dave Bennett]

Use pipe dope on your propane connections, not plumbers tape.

How is your shell connected to the bed?