Full Size Tundra Build with DIY Solutions

[PapaDave]

Deer damage repaired. Since they were painting I had the mustache surround replaced with a paint matched version.

 

[PapaDave]

Tent Heater-
the full diy write up Propex Heater Build to iKamper Roof Top Tent

Bought a nice 5lb propane tank mount for my rack off Etsy for my next project because now that my wife and I live up in North Idaho we decided to invest in heat for our RTT set up because it gets cold! I decided on a forced air propane heater due to nearly zero maintaince and I already carry propane. Now we have heat!

Camping Diesel Heater Rotating Dual Tent Vent Assembly - Etsy
This Car Accessories item by CounterCultureShop has 44 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Garden Grove, CA. Listed on Jan 26, 2024

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Propex HS2211 6500 BTU Exterior Gas Air Heater
The Propex HS2211 is a weatherproof, externally mounted gas air heater, perfect for keeping your van warm during cold weather while saving space!

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Workflow: pop the tent, open the ammo can, pull out attached hoses and tent window pass through, power up the heater from the master switch, select temp in the tent on the control panel and bam! Heat!

 

[PapaDave]

I installed an X2 AGM battery to replace my stock 75AH battery with 92AH. The X2 Group 94R fits nicely as a direct replacement and has 81AH 159 reserve minutes of capacity. I opted for the larger X2 27F which has 92AH and 190 reserve minutes of capacity. The 94R is 7.4” (about stock) in height whereas the 27F is 8.75” so I thought about getting fancy and making a new center bracket. But I didn’t.

There is a bottom bracket which secures the battery into place and the center strap is secondary. I reversed the bracket and bent it to fit. Isn’t too pretty but it fits nice and snug. The battery cables reach just fine and overall pretty easy.

Reversed the bracket then gave it some mallet love

The bolt is cinched tight

This screenshot is of my fridge when going about 60mph and it’s registering 14.3v which is enough juice to top off an AGM nicely

 

[PapaDave]

I added solid LED’s to my 270 awning, used a project box for my electrical junction box, and bought a dimmable switch that is fully waterproof. I put the LED’s on every other support bar so it wasn’t too much, it is camping after all……ha

I placed carpet tiles on my iKamper base, helps with the cold and the knees.

 

[PapaDave]

I added SDHQ ABS Guards. Simple mod that can save a lot of headache and repair if you off road. They protect the sensor from a broken branch or something catching the loop and ripping the sensor wire out which would cause a lot of problems trying to drive the truck. They don’t cost too much for the protection

 

[PapaDave]

I installed my 5lb propane mount and given the clearance of my KB Voodoo rack I placed it to the side of the slide out cargo tray underneath. It’s plumbed in and I just need to open the valve to run my heater, or remove it for my fire pit if there’s a regional fire ban in the summer.

5lb mount off Etsy

Extrusion mount I threw together

Regulator mount solution with quick connect

With the Rotopax locked on it‘s a little harder to steal

I made an ammo can fire pit, I added rounded lava rocks later. I made a mistake on the cut so I fashioned a fire emblem to cover it up

 

[PapaDave]

Such an amazing weekend at Hells Canyon Idaho

 

[CORam]

Since you actually use your truck I am curious to hear your impression of how the wescott lift performs when off-road. Would you be willing to share your experience with that?

 

[PapaDave]

Since you actually use your truck I am curious to hear your impression of how the wescott lift performs when off-road. Would you be willing to share your experience with that?

When I purchased my truck in March of 2022 there were few options at that point and it does the job but the ride quality did suffer. If someone is just cruising forest roads this lift is good enough, but it will be on the harsh side as the stock shocks can’t keep up. My previous build was a Tacoma that had a nice Kings set up that I used to haul through the desert with and honestly I miss that set up! I will eventually upgrade this truck as well but it is an investment to do so.

So I can’t begrudge Westcott as it’s good enough, but it’s been a stop-gap till I decide it’s time. As you can see I’ve decided to focus on other aspects of the build first.

 

[CORam]

Ok, that is good to know. It sounds like what you would expect I suppose. Thanks for sharing. And I really enjoy watching your build and your adventures. Good job!

 

[PapaDave]

Quick lunch at Whiskey Rock Bay on Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho

 

[PapaDave]

Contemplating a new build….

 

[PapaDave]

The North Idaho OLB group had a trip to Lake Pend Oreille and it is very satisfying to have all your gear work well and make sense for what you need to do!

 

[PapaDave]

 

[PapaDave]

Little day drive through the mountains and weather

 

[NOMAD5326]

What a thorough and visually minimalistic build! Love the thoughtfulness and aesthetic throughout, Dave. We just sold our 2012 Tundra, are building out a Sprinter 144, and are again considering another Tundra to replace my wife's Jeep GC. I'm guessing most of us wish you were their neighbor! Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[PapaDave]

What a thorough and visually minimalistic build! Love the thoughtfulness and aesthetic throughout, Dave. We just sold our 2012 Tundra, are building out a Sprinter 144, and are again considering another Tundra to replace my wife's Jeep GC. I'm guessing wishes you were their neighbor! Thanks for sharing with us.

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[PapaDave]

For Memorial Day I got up early to find Horse Haven back country air strip. Easy drive up the mountains but I like to air down for comfort and reduced wear on the truck. I made my own 4-way inflator a couple years ago, it’s a different design using Y connectors and zipper sleeves to keep debris out went you toss out the lines to the tires.

The Y connectors and sleeves make it very easy to roll up and the red line has a quick connect air chuck at the end so I can double the length if needed by connecting the blue line there if needed to reach a long ways.

 

[PapaDave]

With my rack off roading I was worried about the bedsides flexing from the weight. These are Rago Fab’s bed side stiffeners and the install is pretty straight forward. On the left side behind the tail light is the shock dampener for the tailgate which makes access to the bolt a touch difficult but not impossible. I trimmed my right brace to clear my PullKitchen

https://www.ragofabrication.com/col...roducts/3rd-gen-tundra-bed-channel-stiffeners

 

[PapaDave]

Finally got skid plates on. These are RCI aluminum skids, with 37’s I don’t hit much so it’s just a little extra protection.

I had to trim a little off the front so it lined up with my winch bumper.