DIY GoFastCamper on Short Bed Ranger build

[Darnalle]

The massive lead time and cost of the GoFastCamper combined with an opportunity to take a break from work brought me to building this. I am not a fabricator/engineer/tradesmen so this was a steep learning curve; but it’s totally possible if you have the time and the desire to finish.

Having a Ranger Tremor, I don’t have a long bed and was limited to the 5’ bed. So had to make the build from scratch no CAD files … a lot of measure 4x cut once.

If you are thinking of building one of these some tips:

1) @ripcord Has a build list for these and CAD files/blueprints for Taco’s but you can use his suggestions as a starting point
2) Cost is about $3500 +/- $700 depending on the parts/panels, decision to powder coat space frame and shipping options for the 8020
3)Order 8020 first, they take forever to ship out.
4)This project feels like it takes FOREVER, the metal frame (depending on skill with welding, and cutting the panels without CAD using a router) will take time, but sewing the tent material takes even longer. So far it has required about 20 work days for building, but 3 months of waiting for parts and far more for planning the build, the tent will take 10 days at least to make
5) When picking a composite panel ignore the price and pick the option to get the thicker aluminum coating, the thinnest scratches very easily. Problem is, it can be difficult to find a company that will make the thicker sheets when you only require 3-4 panels. The lead time doesn’t seem to be as long as the 8020
6) when welding the frame, make sure the templet is level, and no warp in the wood, do not paint early. You will need to test out the heights for the placement of the nut that accepts the 10mm ball head socket, make sure you have your struts ordered before you start this
7) while I thought the additional support triangles would be great, they presented additional problems with the panel instillation and lock placement. Additionally the 8020 is very stiff and with good clamp placement I probably didn’t need the additional 1’ of support under the wedge
8) Put some additional T-slot nuts in the 8020 VS a dab of hot-melt before you try to mount it to the panels, if you have one T-slot nut move 1/2” that nut is lost. I also wish I had placed a couple more T-slot nuts on the cab-forward lower 4.5” 8020 beam, thinking of putting an air dam and lights there now that it’s on the truck
9) Don’t attach the side panel/doors until the frame is on the truck. Having the doors already installed will make positioning a ~500lb wedgecamper WAY more difficult. You will need about 5-6 guys to help lift and position it correctly without risking damaging the paint or the build
10) without an air dam there is an increase in road noise (slight high pitch whistle) and MPG dropped from the previous 21.2 MPG average (I drive with a heavy right foot) down to about 17-18 (now driving like a grandmother)
11) for the Jeep latches that hold the wedge down, I used x4 but the ones I have on the side are far superior to the ones on the back of the frame
12) again the tent takes forever, still making this, it’s a pain, recruit one of the fairer sex to help.. will have more updates after I finish the tent and get more miles / outings on the DIY GFC

I know the bed carpet will get filthy. But with rubber bulb seals all around the space-frame and panels it’s more or less water-tight. To be honest, I had extra, it is soft and my dog is a very good-boy who likes carpet and will not be sleeping in the cab/up in the wedge with me overnight.

Future plans for the truck:
1) Air dam, the whistling on the GFC at highway speeds will drive me crazy.
2) Getting a double set of A-pillar LED 3” ditch lights,
3) possibly 2” level on the front to put on 33”, but honestly I haven’t gotten the Tremor stuck yet with the 31.5” general grabbers yet.
4) in a year or two replace the Fox suspension; I am very happy with the control on rough roads thus far
5) Get internally mounted air-compressor
6) scrap nerf bars, when they come out with welded rock-rails
7) Solar panels for the top of the wedge

Happy Building

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[Darnalle]

This truck doesn’t get stuck.
Driving the Joshua Tree Canyon road, Mojave Desert rock tubes/sand trails the deep sand wasn’t an issue, it eats up washboard in NE Utah and rutted out dirt tracks in Wyoming.

Camper worked out great.

#rangertremor

 

[D Fresh]

Very cool. I applaud your work!​

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Happy Building

Great job.

You climb up to the bed from inside the cargo box through that hole, or is there also a tent door and exterior ladder?

Any photos from the rear with it open?

 

[myothercarizahearse]

AWESOME JOB!! I waited 427 days from deposit to install with a crap ton of BS from GFC in between. I wanted to build my own but decide busy life I didn't have time. do you have a seal between the 2 frames of the tent? have you camped below freezing?

 

[TopoRanger]

I will be starting my bed camper build over the winter. I am pretty pumped about it. I am glad to see you gusseted the front of the tent! I was thinking about that or having to run a roof rack over the cab for support, which I didn't want to do. The Spaceframe design will greatly change on mine. I'm not a huge fan of the cross bars blocking the side doors so I have a couple ideas I am working on now to eliminate those but keep the rigidity. I think it would make the side doors a bit harder to bust open for those unwelcomed two legged types.

Can you post up some pictures around the back corner and tailgate area? Id love to see what you did to seal all that off.

 

[speedczar]

Nice work!

 

[Rhino]

The massive lead time and cost of the GoFastCamper combined with an opportunity to take a break from work brought me to building this. I am not a fabricator/engineer/tradesmen so this was a steep learning curve; but it’s totally possible if you have the time and the desire to finish.

Having a Ranger Tremor, I don’t have a long bed and was limited to the 5’ bed. So had to make the build from scratch no CAD files … a lot of measure 4x cut once.

If you are thinking of building one of these some tips:

1) @ripcord Has a build list for these and CAD files/blueprints for Taco’s but you can use his suggestions as a starting point
2) Cost is about $3500 +/- $700 depending on the parts/panels, decision to powder coat space frame and shipping options for the 8020
3)Order 8020 first, they take forever to ship out.
4)This project feels like it takes FOREVER, the metal frame (depending on skill with welding, and cutting the panels without CAD using a router) will take time, but sewing the tent material takes even longer. So far it has required about 20 work days for building, but 3 months of waiting for parts and far more for planning the build, the tent will take 10 days at least to make
5) When picking a composite panel ignore the price and pick the option to get the thicker aluminum coating, the thinnest scratches very easily. Problem is, it can be difficult to find a company that will make the thicker sheets when you only require 3-4 panels. The lead time doesn’t seem to be as long as the 8020
6) when welding the frame, make sure the templet is level, and no warp in the wood, do not paint early. You will need to test out the heights for the placement of the nut that accepts the 10mm ball head socket, make sure you have your struts ordered before you start this
7) while I thought the additional support triangles would be great, they presented additional problems with the panel instillation and lock placement. Additionally the 8020 is very stiff and with good clamp placement I probably didn’t need the additional 1’ of support under the wedge
8) Put some additional T-slot nuts in the 8020 VS a dab of hot-melt before you try to mount it to the panels, if you have one T-slot nut move 1/2” that nut is lost. I also wish I had placed a couple more T-slot nuts on the cab-forward lower 4.5” 8020 beam, thinking of putting an air dam and lights there now that it’s on the truck
9) Don’t attach the side panel/doors until the frame is on the truck. Having the doors already installed will make positioning a ~500lb wedgecamper WAY more difficult. You will need about 5-6 guys to help lift and position it correctly without risking damaging the paint or the build
10) without an air dam there is an increase in road noise (slight high pitch whistle) and MPG dropped from the previous 21.2 MPG average (I drive with a heavy right foot) down to about 17-18 (now driving like a grandmother)
11) for the Jeep latches that hold the wedge down, I used x4 but the ones I have on the side are far superior to the ones on the back of the frame
12) again the tent takes forever, still making this, it’s a pain, recruit one of the fairer sex to help.. will have more updates after I finish the tent and get more miles / outings on the DIY GFC

I know the bed carpet will get filthy. But with rubber bulb seals all around the space-frame and panels it’s more or less water-tight. To be honest, I had extra, it is soft and my dog is a very good-boy who likes carpet and will not be sleeping in the cab/up in the wedge with me overnight.

Future plans for the truck:
1) Air dam, the whistling on the GFC at highway speeds will drive me crazy.
2) Getting a double set of A-pillar LED 3” ditch lights,
3) possibly 2” level on the front to put on 33”, but honestly I haven’t gotten the Tremor stuck yet with the 31.5” general grabbers yet.
4) in a year or two replace the Fox suspension; I am very happy with the control on rough roads thus far
5) Get internally mounted air-compressor
6) scrap nerf bars, when they come out with welded rock-rails
7) Solar panels for the top of the wedge

Happy Building

old thread but it came out great! what did you use for the canvas?

 

[Darnalle]

AWESOME JOB!! I waited 427 days from deposit to install with a crap ton of BS from GFC in between. I wanted to build my own but decide busy life I didn't have time. do you have a seal between the 2 frames of the tent? have you camped below freezing?

I did some camping below freezing and I felt it; inside a bag, under goose down, and a wool camp blanket. The keder rail and 600D poly backed fabric is tightened in but not well sealed in the four corner sections.. there can be a draft.

 

[Darnalle]

old thread but it came out great! what did you use for the canvas?

For the tent I used a 600 denier poly coated-waterproof. Blocks out the wind, held up to sideways rain. But some drafts of cold air came into the corners.

 

[Rhino]

For the tent I used a 600 denier poly coated-waterproof. Blocks out the wind, held up to sideways rain. But some drafts of cold air came into the corners.

Gotcha thanks for the reply! How’s the tent holding up?

 

[Darnalle]

used last weekend. No leaks. No smells. No wind. 600D Poly: it works!

 

[Rhino]

used last weekend. No leaks. No smells. No wind. 600D Poly: it works!

thats awesome! ive always wanted one of these but id have to sell my camping trailer to build one haha

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