The Wallygator Chronicles

Thanks! It's a work in progress. Just need more money

 

The frame bars are 1" thick. The horizontal rails rest on the two that run front to back. You can see it in a previous pic. Also I bought my top without a rack and it may be designed differently than on one with a rack. The roof frame on mine was lacking and I was not happy so I have actually added bars to mine to support the solar panel on the roof of the top.

 

OK, I see it clearly here:
The Wallygator Chronicles

Has me wondering about the best way to insulate to maximize interior height because you actually have 53" of height for most of the width of the bed (where your head would be if sitting up on the edge of the sleeping platform). It only drops to 52" when you hit those front-to-back rails near each wheel well.

 

An it's only 52" where those two front to back rails are. Would put insulation on top of those front to back rails in between the side to side rails. 1" polyfoam

 

All wired up and ready to place in the truck. Noco charger works.






Then got nervous drilling a hole in the side of the top to install the shore power plug.





Then fixed the screens by rivoting the Velcro to the top. Shouldn't have any more screen falling off situations. It was a good day. Getting closer to being able to use it again.

 

I'd be nervous too but looks like it came out great! Interested to learn more about the specific components you're using in this system.

 

-Renogy 160w solar panel
-Renogy Rover MPPT 20A charge controller with Bluetooth monitor
-NOCO Genius genpro 10x1 charger
-NOCO GCP2 AC port plug
-Bluesea 100A thermal circuit breaker
-Bluesea 12 fuse block with negative bus
- 2 Bluesea accessory panels with one 12V plug and one 4.8V USB plug each
-Battle Born 100 amp hour LiFePo4 12V battery

 

What’s the specs on that shore power connector? Thinking about adding one.

 

I still can’t find the 160w with black frame like you got. Must be a 1 of 1 production run!

 

Sorry was out of town with no cell service....Here is the one I bought off of Amazon.

$30 NOCO GCP2 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with Dual 18" Integrated Outdoor Extension Cords

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GCP2-18...id=1668802404&sprefix=noco+plu,aps,175&sr=8-3

 

I think they quit making or carrying the 160 watt and went to the 175w panel which is comparable size wise. The black frame was my doing...I painted around the edges only.

 

I was looking for like 20mins for the black frame hahah. Maybe I’ll pick up the 175w and mount it under my cab rack. Debating removing the bed rack all-together but not haven’t quite pulled the trigger

 

...some do make black framed panels so your search was not in vain. Hard decision on the rack. What would you go with? You have a tent right (can't remember)???
I still have my bed rack. Tried for a little while to sell it but had no bites. Need to try harder I guess.

 

Probably would just go with an empty bed and toolbox like before. Not RTT yet, but the only one that’d fit my rack without looking too goofy would be the skycamp mini/2. The Ironman version of that would work as well but it slightly bigger. Not that it’d really matter, my truck looks goofy anyway

 

Just read through this thread, awesome build!

 

Thanks!

 

No way, your truck is sweet!

 

She's looking good! It's a lot of work and money to get these trucks perfected. So glad to see you got to get away and enjoy! Thanks for the inspiration

 

Thanks! I have parts waiting to be put on that are waiting on money for other parts so I can put them on.
Was able to get out this week to a pay site and test out the shore power. Lows around 20 degrees. Used an electric space heater and was very comfortable.

Everything worked well but I'm getting some condensation in the battery compartment. Not sure what to do? I think it's happening from low airflow and the metal bed of the truck is the front of the battery box. Maybe gonna buy a vent and drill a hole into the side of the sleep platform to see if that solves the issue. Any ideas?

 

Maybe reusable silica gel pouches??? Not sure what the rate of absorption is with them, but I have a few good sized ones that seem to help keep humidity down for a variety of reasons. They are a bit expensive, but rechargeable. Another thought would be like a computer cabinet cooling fan to increase ventilation. Maybe both. I totally understand the cost issues with mods and the need for parts to get things done. My own list is still quite long and I have spent a small fortune already so you are not alone. Hang in there!

 

Tore apart the topper power lock after it quit working. The power connection to the motor broke off so soldered that up and all is working again.

Have been having issues with condensation in the battery compartment of the sleeping platform. Placed a computer fan in there with a switch and that has solved that issue.

 

Great build!
I am about to order an ARE DCU myself and wondering what your thoughts are on the side windows. I noticed you have your side windows covered, do you use them at all, would you have rather got the slider windows rather then open the side panel?

Is there anything that you would have changed with the DCU, roof rack?

Cheers, J

 

Thanks!
Everything is a compromise. About the side windows. I do keep them covered but wanted them so I could look out when I wanted to, for safety and scenery. The sliders sure would have been easier then making the screens but I would still want access on the side. So maybe the Windoors with sliders would be the choice I would make other than what I have. However they are an expensive option.

If I get another DCU in the future I think I would want a rack on top which would allow me more storage and an easier way to mount the solar. I struggled with this choice when I bought this one. Now I find myself wanting more storage options for say traction boards or things you don't want to store in the cab or cap. The rack on the wedge is straight ugly IMO and that is why I didn't get one.

If I changed anything about the DCU next time it would be to get either a straight 26" with a rack or a 29" with the rack. I do love what I have but again everything is a compromise. Look at and write down how you plan to use your DCU then try and make a reasonable decision on the options. There are so many options and I still sometimes second guess things. It's hard not to.

However I do love this setup and it makes getting out there very easy. Good luck with your decisions and please post up pics. Hopefully my opinions sort of helped you and if I can help with anything else just ask.

 

Maybe not the best solution, but you could do a rack on the cab, front, rear, or both hitch cargo basket(s). With a swing out hitch contraption the basket can be loaded and swing out of the way. Maybe you can get something custom fabricated to get higher clearance as well. Just spitballing here! Safe travels!

 

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All great ideas, thank you. I do currently have an old hitch carrier basket thing I had laying around on there. Been using it to haul wood but it does hang off the back quite aways.
Something like you mentioned with the swing out will probably happen in the future. The rack on the cab idea has me thinking now. As always, just need more money. Safe travels to you as well. Hopefully we will all have a great year

 

Thanks for posting that. Looks to be very versatile.

 

No problem! Just a quick sample of something I envision would be great for what you described. I don't like roof racks for the change in center gravity, the wind resistance, the clearance issues, the risk of injury to the user and the items from a fall, etc. Different opinion of course for lumber, ladders, canoe, pipe, etc. Last thing you want is to be alone on some BLM spot and become injured and laying on the ground in pain in the presence of wildlife. Just my personal perspective though, and I will tell you having super bright lights mounted overhead is a game changer when the sun goes down. As for the cost of mods, I'm in the same boat with a list that won't quit growing. Sure is better than a gambling or drug addiction though! X2 wishing for a good year ahead!

 

Made some progress on the diesel heater project. Rerouted some of the fuel tubing to get the pump more vertical and to add a fuel filter. It works great.
Have not used it camping yet due to the need to get a CO2 detector.



The tubing going into the cab gets extremely hot. This is 3" tubing and I'm going to buy a section of 4" tubing to slip over it to protect the paint just in case, it gets hot enough that I'm not comfortable leaving it on the paint.



Routed it through the topper sliding window and used a sweatshirt to block the opening for now. It bumped the temp in there about 20 degrees in a short time running at 3.0 setting. Will probably have to run it on it's lowest setting or it may become a sweat box in there overnight. Lowest setting is 1.7. It sips fuel, especially on the low setting.



Have one issue I need to address after having it loaded in the topper for a few days of driving. It leaked fuel in the topper. Fuel came from the fill cap. I did fill it all the way up however so there is that. Will either put it in a plastic bag or on a tray for transport. I need to get out in the woods and try this thing out!