Build Goals
- Max reliability
- Fuel efficient
- Subtle/sleeper, looks like just a truck, capable of stealth camping
- Keep with the GFC mantra: light, durable, just enough
- Place for dogs/rear seat delete
- Locking interior storage
- Prioritize utility/cargo space over comfortable living space. So, no dedicated couch/table in the truck bed, but still able to have makeshift seating/working surface if I end up having to live in the camper instead of out of the camper.
Intro
Basically I want an adventure machine that can take me across the country comfortably and efficiently on the highway, and then “overland” to places that RV’s, and most vehicles can’t get to, like up in the mountains, or down narrow primitive forest service roads. Not a rock crawler, but the stock Tacoma is plenty capable off road with rock sliders, skid plates and some basic recovery gear. If I really want to get off the beaten path, I will just backpack, and the truck becomes a luxury base camp.
Documenting my build
After living with the GFC for 2 years now without a real build and getting lots of ideas on the forums, and using the GFC for camping, I am finally ready to commit to going with extruded aluminum. (Still happy with the GFC too, it’s the best in its class by far). There’s no way I can justify spending thousands on custom builds like goose gear, and most of those are heavy and bulky, and have some dead space just by the nature of the drawers and sliders. Plus, I do consider myself to be an engineer, so I pretty much have to DIY this.
Step 1: Framing the bed storage
Just installed framing in the bed of the truck, and pretty happy with how it came out. It’s going to be a bed height wall at the edge of each wheel well, and for now, a sliding shelf that rides on the rails. This lets me fully utilize the dead space the wheel wells create, and instead of just tossing paddle boards or whatever on top of all the other gear, can can set it on the shelf. I could also add in more panels to have a fully flat surface at bed height and use that for stealth camping if needed. The shelf is currently not sliding, the 4 rail slides are $120 total, so I figured I’d make sure everything is looking good before I order them.
