Tacoma + chinook

austintaco

Explorer
I think Martin made some really good points. Cody, do you already have a Tacoma? I would search all over for a Wildernest, and see if that fits the bill. You can do some custom work to your tacoma's bed if you wanted to make it more "camperish", or just load and go and enjoy having a tent in a few minutes.

If you have some more cash, get a flippac or a pop up camper, but the wildernests can be found for a good deal if you are willing to drive.
 

willb

New member
Very disappointed in this thread.

Reading the title had me thinking that someone was going to try to combine a Taco with one of these:

ch47_chinook.jpg


</offtopic>




Matto :)

No need to combine them, just park the Tacoma in the back!:)
 

tanglefoot

ExPoseur
I dunno, I think a small, Chinook-sized camper with 4wd and low-range has a lot of potential. I know the pop-up slide in on my 4runner has a lot more access capability than my parents' Toyota, 2wd class-C motor home. The 2wd motor home has been on sandy two-tracks and some places it probably shouldn't have been, but the pop-up 4Runner can get into the back-country sites on the forest-service roads that the motor home can't get close to. The lighter weight, low-range gearing, extra ground clearance and smaller profile make the biggest difference.

The pop-up 4runner is too clumsy and top-heavy to go where the less-loaded rigs go, but it has a lot of extra exploring capability compared with a 2wd motorhome.
 

codybutz

Observer
As stated above by somebody, my main concern would be where the cab and fiberglass camper meet. Welding on more mounts to the frame for the camper would not be much of a problem. The only solution I came up with, would be to use that flexible accordion material you see on like the extra stretch busses, or between the back and front of an ambulance, sourcing it might be the tough part tho.

I do already own a Tacoma. Its an 03 with the extra cab( no third door). So cutting into the rear of the cab, I would loose those folding down seats, if you even want to call them that lol.

I do really like the flip pac, I looked at a couple for a jeep comanche that I restored. My reason for eliminating those where the fact you still have to set them up. I know its only minutes, but I plan on ski bumming out of this truck and set up in below freezing, no matter how quick would not be fun.

I am a welder by trade so making something custom would def. be in the cards but that would eat into the recreation time. Not to mention the 6 week old son:av-7: we just had takes up a lot of time, in a good way lol.

I think my solution now is to find a used contractor top like the A.R.E. with the double barn doors on the rear. Build a fold door prison style cot and figure out a heating solution along with some type of cook up. I could cannibalize an rv/camper for that. The only other neg. would be the lack of a toilet.

I also keep hearing about some surfer that built a custom camper, but ever link I find says all the videos of it being built are removed???

I also love that chopper posted above but Id rather get my hands on an old Bell Huey. :smiley_drive:
 

codybutz

Observer
Hey thanks for the link, that is the first time I have seen the whole blog I found just random bits of it. I'll read through it and figure something out. Thanks again.
 

codybutz

Observer
Thanks, I actually did just see that. The biggest problem would be the distance, but i might give him a call tomorrow and inquire about it.
 

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
I think my solution now is to find a used contractor top like the A.R.E. with the double barn doors on the rear. Build a fold door prison style cot and figure out a heating solution along with some type of cook up. I could cannibalize an rv/camper for that.

Nice thing about 1st gen Tacos is that it's pretty easy to find used toppers for them on craigslist. When I had my Taco I got two of them and the most I ever paid was $300.

I will say that if you plan on living in it, go for the high rise. They don't look as "slick" as the cab-high, but if you are over about 5'9" you will appreciate the headroom. I started with a cab-high and after my first camping trip, I switched to a high-rise fiberglass.

There are lots of great ideas for how to construct a nice sleeping platform right here on this board - it all comes down to how much time/money you want to spend but there are some fancy rigs here!

The only other neg. would be the lack of a toilet.

Well, for us guys, 50% of your bathroom needs can be taken care of with an empty gatorade bottle. Ask me how I know that. ;)
 

codybutz

Observer
lol I would rather not ask you, I think I have a general idea.

I just read that blog about the super camper / surfer build. All I can say is WOW. That was one really nice build. They have it almost completely laid out, so it would not be hard to copy. But I do have ZERO experience with the resins and fiberglass. I could not do this type of project with as big of as a learning curve as I would need.

Here is an other idea I just had tho... What about building a platform for the rear on the frame and then building a box/ camper the same way that they build them for an UPS/FEDEX style truck with sheet and rivets and some ribbing for support?
 

NorthernWoodsman

Adventurer/tinkerer
lol I would rather not ask you, I think I have a general idea.

I just read that blog about the super camper / surfer build. All I can say is WOW. That was one really nice build. They have it almost completely laid out, so it would not be hard to copy. But I do have ZERO experience with the resins and fiberglass. I could not do this type of project with as big of as a learning curve as I would need.

Here is an other idea I just had tho... What about building a platform for the rear on the frame and then building a box/ camper the same way that they build them for an UPS/FEDEX style truck with sheet and rivets and some ribbing for support?

This sort of sounds like you want to build a flatbed and then build a camper to strap onto it. Correct? If so, I already have an image in my head of what it could look like.
 

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