Tacoma Camper Build

[North American Sojourner]

I have thought hard about posting this since I've sold the truck. Almost sad about it but excited for the new build too. So here we go. The camper/topper/cap/shell from hell.
LMAO.

Started on the shell within a few months of buying the 2019 Tacoma. Loved the truck, hated the driveline. I have no idea why I bought it and was actually glad I sold it. The shell was special though. Love it and still have it.

Started with a 1x1 frame on a 2x1 rail on the bottom.


Skinned it in aluminum (063) I think top and sides. The doors were made from .125 aluminum and attached using 351,811 rivets....Kidding of course. I did buy a HF (harbor freight) air riveter. I used cork as a gasket and it had adhesive on one side. It was wonderful. Cork has held oil in oil pans for a century, upsidedown. LOL





So then I started to skin it. I had the sheets precut but still had to cut in the doors and other pieces.



The doors were thick, and secure. I used stainless hinges and some cheap chinese latches. (should have gone with the good ones)

 

[North American Sojourner]

Now on to the other 5,921 things to attach to it..LOL.
Due to a major design fault by me, the back door sucked. Had a gap from the rail to the door edge that I could not cover and be movable so I just sucked it up and delt with the little bit of water and dust. I don't think the dust would ever be 100% gone. Just would not happen.
I did manage to put a light on it tho. LOL



Next was a command center. LOL. Yeah, I wanted to jump out of the drivers seat, run back and open the first door and grab stuff, charge stuff, look at stuff and just be cool at the gas station...ahahahahhahaha. Kidding.
So I made a sheet metal bender (brake) and folded up some scrap left over aluminum.





Of course I needed a battery in the back to charge all these toys I had, so I made a bench in the rear of the truck to hold the battery, and then installed the master switch, fuse box and charging ports with a battery, and aux battery monitor. Oh, I added a solar panel on the roof, and a MTTP solar controller in the command center too...



Boom, the cool stuff LOL



In order to mount the solar panel, I had to have a roof rack. The roof rack support stubs were added when I skinned the roof. It was the only good decision I have ever made, except the kids of course, but they don't like me so who cares..lol..........kidding of course.





At this point I'd like to let everyone know I lost all my radio stations and 60% of my radio reception for not disconnecting the truck battery before welding on the roof, 16" from the radio antenna.....so there. That's a damn lesson for the youngsters....and old people like me.
Zim

 

[1000Taco0001]

Nice work! That type of fabrication takes a lot of time and talent.

 

[North American Sojourner]

I had some lights from my old job at autozone, so I used those on the inside. There were 4 and they did a really nice job lighting up the joint. I also put 2 porch lights on each side for dark camp setup's.







I turned my attention to the inside and wanted a indoor light switch panel, some more charging stations and a place for my cheapo first aid kit that was accessible from the second door.







Also threw in the fire extinguisher. Also accessible from the other door. Setting a trend here...LMAO.
Now I needed air, but just not the typical air compressor set up. I wanted piped air at each side, with at least a two gallon tank of reserve air. Got the tank from HF and the Simtty from 4wheel and began the install.

 

[North American Sojourner]

Nice work! That type of fabrication takes a lot of time and talent.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I just try hard and that's all we can do. It's better than $40 nights at the bar. I know cause I've been there..LOL
Zim

 

[North American Sojourner]

Camping time. Had been out camping during the build but the real trial was this trip up to Mark Twain Lake. The camper did awesome and carried the gear with no issues.




Even put in a hanging rack for towels, suits, jackets that got wet.

I've always wanted a chuck box for the kitchen gear. I went a little overboard on that but it's very useful.




A little bigger than I wanted but better to overbuild than under and not be able to add on...lol
I had also built a kitchen rack I could swing out on the tailgate if I ever wanted to just stop and have a lunch. It worked great on several short trips.



I could put it on either side of the gate but it's neat, and less slippery than the tailgate.

 

[North American Sojourner]

Then there was the kayak. No problem right? Holy kayak crap batman. This was a pain in my ass. Picked up some brackets because I can't bend 1" tube for less than $400. LOL. So for $45 I get the brackets, did the modification and mounted them on the roof rack. A little tight because of the solar panel, but it fit. Only problem was when the kayak was up there, it cut power to the panel...ahahahahahhahahaha. Design error No. 933a. LOL



Also built the ladder to get up there and tie it all down.



So this little thing was a champ. It was just a guide "V" to get the kayak up there with the brackets. This was the second try at this. First one was a dumbass attempt with rollers....lmao. It was bad, really bad.



Even welded in a tube for our Flag. MERICA....

 

[North American Sojourner]

And this is me after posting all these pics. See ya soon.
Zim

 

[Sparrowmict]

That looks amazing. well thought out. I freely admit to unnecessarily getting into something in my bed drawer system at the gas station and or putting things into my fridge or getting a beverage. sparks quite a few questions.

 

[trail_runn4r]

Dave, really an amazing work!

 

[North American Sojourner]

That looks amazing. well thought out. I freely admit to unnecessarily getting into something in my bed drawer system at the gas station and or putting things into my fridge or getting a beverage. sparks quite a few questions.

I'll never admit to showing off Raymond. Cough, cough. LOL. I've opened my door a thousand times for nothing. Ahahahahahhahaha.
Zim

 

[North American Sojourner]

Dave, really an amazing work!

Thank you Carlo. I appreciate that.
Zim