2018 Cement FWC Build

Decided earlier this year I was tired of tent car camping and needed a van or camper. Four Wheel Campers seemed like the best option as I could work from the road in one, didn’t have to worry about weather, and get out on trails that vans couldn’t.

Now, for the truck. Needed a quarter ton so it would fit in the garage with room to spare and needed a 6.5’ bed. Also plan on taking this to Baja. It was between a F150 and a Tundra. Ford transmission issues scared me off, so went with the dependable Tundra.

Had to be an SR5 in either Cement or Silver. I new I was going to redo suspension, wheels, interior, etc, so anything higher end didn’t make sense. Found one in July on FB and picked it up then. Here she is Somewhat stock the weekend I picked her up.

 

I love my FWC shell model. Check out my build to help make the right decisions the first time!

 

Next step was getting the camper. Easier said than done these days. Couple weeks of searching and I luckily found a little old lady in Portland selling hers on FB and I was the first to reply. Picked it up in early August and quickly found out that the Tundra needed help carrying an extra 1100lbs. Squat day...

Next day went to Mule and despite being booked, they took pity on me and installed some Firestone Airbags w Daystar Cradles that day. So much better.

 

I see you already did the thing. Cool. Welcome!

 

Noice!

 

I as actually looking for a shell to build out and ending up getting a front dinette Fleet. Probably shell on the next one.

 

Next step was new wheels and tires and suspension. Decided on the Method 702’s. BS is 4.75 and these do poke out a bit more than I like. May sell them get something with a more positive offset.

For tires, I went the new Toyo AT3’s. Live in the snow half the year so needed something snowflake rates. Lighter than KO2’s and we’ll see how they hold up. For size, I usually go with 35’s, but with all this weight of the camper, I wanted to reduce weight and drag in other areas. Went with the 285/75R17’s. I think I may regret my decision. 35’s look so much better.

For suspension, I went with Dobinsons HD 2-2.5” lift and SPC Control Arms.

 

Next step was to get this dated interior up to modern standards. Katzkin leather seats with seat heaters, new head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless center console charger, tinted windows (20%) and delete as much chrome as possible with Alt-J products. Also upgraded all the interior lights to LED as well as cargo and back up.

 

More chrome delete. Upgraded to the 2017 TRD Pro with bulge from Sparks Parts and retained the TSS with JoMax Customs sensor adapter. I dig the 2018 honeycomb grill, just think that the Cement needs a lot of black to offset all the grey.

Also went with the color matched side mirror caps from Sparks.

 

On to the electrical, my least favorite component to work on. Plan is to add ditch lights, a light bar, compressor, outdoor shower, and rear locker. Needed to pick a switch system. Had an sPod in the Wrangler with no complaints. Super simple. Decided to give Switch Pros a try this time as I liked the functionality of the app and the price. Dig that I my ditch lights and light bar are triggered to turn on if high beams come on.

Over a weekend, I wired in the S2 Baja Designs ditch lights on a Rago designs low pro mount and wired in the switch pros mounted on the SDHQ Mount. Be aware that you’ll need to get new hardware for the lights as the nut from the supplied BD bracket will not clear the hood on the low pro mount. Love how low these sit and don’t take away from site lines.

 

Next up, on board air. I used a portable VIAir compressor with the Jeep and I swear it took 30min to air up 4 35” tires. It made me never want to air down. Had to go with on board air. Don’t have room for a C02 tank with the camper. Best option is the ARB Twin. I’ll be adding a rear locker and figured this could work for both.

I mounted it on a @Bannock452compressor mount. He shipped quickly and it fit right. The regular ARB hose couple doesn’t fit under the firewall, so I got a 45’ adapter off Amazon so that I could use the quick disconnect easily. I have an extra one if anybody needs one as it came in a 2 pack.

Built a 2 tire deflator/inflator based on this video.



Super easy and parts totaled around $100.

 

Sweet build! Subscribed.

 

Thanks!

 

Sweet setup, keep them coming

 

Upgraded the exhaust. Previous owner had a short MBRP exhaust on it that ended under back seats. The highway drone was horrible and resulted me and the lady yelling and often saying “huh?”. The dogs were not digging it either. Had to go.

Dirty Deeds came highly recommended on this forum and went with them. Keith was awesome to work with. Did the 10” with resonator system. Got a OEM tailpipe through a sell and trade for my old exhaust. Cut the tailpipe right after the rear axle so i don’t have to worry about crushing it when off-roading. No more drone. Is loud and deep when you gas it, but quiet at idle and highway. Could not be happier. Install was easy.

 

Unfortunately for my bank account, I have more to come.

 

On to the most recent project. Front bumper.

I knew I wanted a new front. The OEM one was chrome and it I wanted steel. I’ve taken advantage of the steel on the Rebel and the Jeep and it would be a matter of time before I damaged the OEM one.

C4’s Overland with high guard bumper is the best looking but it would mess with my TSS and was out 12 weeks. CBI’s new bumper is good too. They’re somewhat close. However, decided to do with the ADD Stealth Fighter. 5 weeks out and the lightest by far. I believe it’s around 80lbs. Drawback is that the winch is not accessible unless you take off the grill. Also, there are less winch combos that work due to how low profile it is.

I wanted a winch that was dependable but didn’t want to brake the bank since they’re used so little. Read good things about the Warn VR line. Good reliability even though some parts are made in China. Did the VR EVO 12K w Synthetic line and cost around $850. Not much more than a similar spec’d Smittybilt.

ADD said it should fit as long as relocated the control pack. At first it didn’t. The sides hit the upturned sides of the bumper and it would rest cleanly on the bumper. Ordered some 3/8” mount spacers from Poison Spider. Still hit the sides. Added two more washers per corner and it finally cleared. Then I had to get new bolts as the Warn ones were either too short or too long. Finally fit.



Ordered some 2AWG cables from Amazon to extend the control pack to the engine bay. FYI, 5 feet per cable will get you exactly from the winch to the battery. Mounted the controller on the battery. Will fab a mount down the line to put on the passenger side, but this is good for now. Held there by zip ties and Velcro straps.

 

Luckily found a guy selling a used 40” Rigid RDS on FB for $600. Mounted easily in bumper w ADD supplied brackets. Wired it up and plugged into the Switch Pros system and done. I need to get some night pics this weekend in the desert.

 

That puts me up to date on the build. Items coming:

CBI sliders (on order)
Rear bumper swing away (Exp One, CBI, or Rigd)
New deep cycle battery
Maybe 2nd Battery?
Wheels w more positive offset?
ARB Rear Locker
Regear to 5.29
Rear passenger seat delete w/ platform and storage.
Front camera
Subwoofer?

Camper
New Solar
Drawer storage under camper
Maxx Fan Upgrade
WeBoost install
Bike/Snowboard rack solution on rear end.

 

Nice build. Give an update how the Toyo AT3’s do in real snow.

 

Will do. May get our first flurries this weekend.

 

Did the DC rear seat fold down mod. Hammered instead of cut. Not a ton of storage back there, but enough for skottle, tire inflation system, and pop up bathroom tent.

 

Have you gotten any snow yet? If so, how are those AT3’s doing?

 

Not enough to stick. Bigger storms are supposed to start on Friday night. They do great so far on the rock in Moab...

 

Before you changed front bumpers, did you have to do anything to get the tires to fit? BMC, push fender plastic forward, etc.?

 

No BMC. Had to push the front fender forward with a heat gun. There was still a slight rub with the wheel at full lock in reverse. If there was a more positive offset for the wheels, then there wouldn't be any rub.

 

Awesome. Thank you. I have +1 offset wheels so your fitment is pretty much exactly what I’ll be going with

 

Just got back after being out in the snow with the Toyo AT3's. They were fine for a bit, but I started slipping coming down hills. Slipping pretty bad in 4Hi. Had to get in 4lo to get going once I came to a stop. This was 2-3 inches of snow on asphalt. A bit concerning. Snow is a little wet, so that could be the problem. Never had similar issues with the Duratracs on my Ram or Jeep. I also have a camper on the back, so that should help with added weight. Another truck was having issues going up the hill, so maybe it was just the location. Something to consider. Definitely shook my confidence in the tires.

 

Thanks for the update. I know it’s not good to base everything off of one experience but that is a bit concerning

 

OEM Battery kicked the bucket. Replaced it with an X2 and some upgraded terminals. So much better.