The Build-Up Begins...

[84Toyota4x4]

Thanks. I also ordered some exhaust pieces I need from Summit, as well as all new tie rod ends, inner axle seals, and a new rear bumper for Ashleys 4Runner from Marlin Crawler last night. I hope to have that stuff by next weekend so I can work on those things as well.

Right now its just the little things to do. I need new front brake lines (the ones I have work, theyre just too short now), it needs a little grinding here and there, the shocks installed, and the rear spring perches changed. I also want to clean and paint a few things, and do a little re-wiring for the winch. Other than that, its pretty damn close to going out for its maiden run. I also need to come up with bumpers eventually, and further down the list I will look at the OBA system I have planned again as well.

~T.J.

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Well, I had the day off today. I didnt really plan on working on the truck, I just planned on taking some measurements for the front driveshaft and such. That is, until my exhaust stuff showed up.

I went ahead and tacked the exhaust together and got it temporarily hung back to the muffler. I'll buy a new piece of tube for the rear section and tail pipe this weekend. So far, it looks like it will work out fine. Its the same basic system I had before (2.25" pipe, Flowmaster 40 series), just getting replaced since my header reducer flange broke and was leaking bad. So, here are a couple pictures, nothing too special.

Once that was on, I went ahead and ran the truck around the streets, and got it up to 60 MPH or so. Im impressed, my rear driveline I built is WAY better than it was before, almost no vibration. So little in fact, I think what Im feeling is actually just the unbalaced bias tires, haha.

~T.J.

 

[2pwrlftrs4u]

TJ any chance you'll end up bringing the toyota down here for a few days?

 

[84Toyota4x4]

I dont think so. I have a couple times, but honestly, I dont like driving it on the highway (especially I5) if I can avoid it. That, and at the rate Im going, its not going to be ready to make that kind of drive for a while anyway. I still have to come up with something for the rear shocks, mount the front shocks, install the Longfields, etc.

Heres another picture of some kind of flex on a rock in the neighborhood I decided to drive on. I was out testing the driveline after I got the exhaust on and spotted it. Nothing special, but still emesely better than what I had before. Photo credit to Ashley and her cell phone.

~T.J.

 

[War-Jeeper]

Lookin good man!

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Did some more work. I went ahead and bought some 1/4" plate steel to tinker around with and make a winch mount out of, and also got one of my boxes from Marlin Crawler today.

First I used my friends plasma to cut out all the pieces. Not bad cuts for my first time using one even if I do say so myself.

Got the main backing plate fitted to the truck.

And finally got it all tacked together and ready. Still have to do some final touches, as well as a fairlead mount and such, but its a "learning" project right now to practice before anything "major". So far, so good.

Also, since I got my box from Marlin, I went ahead and started messing with my front driveline. I got the stock slip yoke cut off, and the new one pressed in. It has 3" of compression, and 5" of extension.

I installed the driveline and spun it to make sure it was aligned, and after a few smacks with the deadblow, it spins nice and true now. I will be welding it up, cleaning and painting tomorrow most likely.

I also started to work on the exhaust a little. I bought the rest of the pipe I needed, but I forgot I needed two 45 degree elbows, so I will be going back to get another tomorrow. Once I have that I need to install one more hanger, then it will be getting welded up and I can call it done. Heres the new rear section and hanger minus the actual tail pipe section. Nothing amazing, but it works well.

Thats all for today. I should be able to mess around with the Longfields, tie rod ends, and other stuff this weekend as well. I still need to install the front shocks and figure out the rear shock mounting also. So many things, but getting closer!

~T.J.

 

[84Toyota4x4]

I did some work on the truck today, but then I realized it was WAY too damn hot, and took it out for a pseudo maiden run instead.

I welded up the front driveline I started last night and called it good. Didnt even clean it and paint it yet. Instead, I headed up to Reiter with Ashley in her newly lifted 4Runner along with her friend. Good times. Found out the truck flexes and drives way better than it ever did offroad. We got held up A LOT more by people stopping Ashley and her friend in her 4Runner trying to hit on them than "difficulties", haha. Oh well, good times none the less.

Ashley crossing the creek

Checking out the new flex at one of the switchbacks on the way down Izzy

Ashley in the same spot, haha

Ashley and her friend with Ashleys 4Runner

Small muddy Hillclimb in the 4Runner

Trying to break a birfield so I can install my new Longs sitting in the shop

And last but not least, playing on the rocks in the main parking area

Sure was a fun day! Now I need to find a pressure washer so I can work on it tomorrow :haha:

~T.J.

 

[Boonie Buster]

Nice nice!!! Glad you stopped by. The trucks are definitely looking nice!:awesomework:

 

[2pwrlftrs4u]

much better... good job :awesomework:

 

[London Gentleman]

I like it!

 

[War-Jeeper]

is it an illusion or does that front brake line look a bit stretched?

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Its an illusion...ish. Theyre not stretched, but they are close. You can move em side to side about an inch still like that, but I plan to get longer ones simply for the "just in case" factor. They need to be replaced anyway actually.

~T.J.

 

[War-Jeeper]

Its an illusion...ish. Theyre not stretched, but they are close. You can move em side to side about an inch still like that, but I plan to get longer ones simply for the "just in case" factor. They need to be replaced anyway actually.

~T.J.

Sounds like a good plan:awesomework:

 

[84Toyota4x4]

No pictures, but tonight I got the majority of the exhaust tack welded together, and installed a Marlin Crawler rear bumper. Also took off the fender flares too. Looks pretty good. I will be getting pictures soon.

~T.J.

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Well, here are some pictures from the other days progress I took today. Notice the lack of fender flares and such also.

This is how the exhaust ended up. I still need one more piece for a turn down to exit just outside the body line, but no one had one in stock I could pick up. I still have to finish all the welds since its just tacked together.

Here are some pictures of the new Marlin Crawler rear bumper installed. Yes, its on a long bed which they say they dont make a bumper for...

Also a picture of the shock towers tacked in place.

For today, I got both sides of the frame cut clean and ground smooth for the shock towers, then I went ahead and welded the shock towers on. I still need to do the gussets for them. Im also building new lower shock mounts, and once those are done, the shocks will get mounted and the front suspension will be "done". I also ordered a rear shock hoop kit from Sky Manufacturing which should be here next week. Once that goes in with the rear shocks, I can call the rear suspension "done" also.

Still have to install the new tie rod ends, readjust all the steering links since the axle was moved forward, clean and paint the hysteer arms again, finish the front driveline, fully weld the exhaust, get the rear shock hoop installed, rear shocks installed, and get the Longfields installed. So much, yet so little at the same time...

~T.J.

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Once again, didnt take any pictures. Not really anything to take pictures of anyway. I got the steering arms off and painted, got the steering studs torqued again finally, new chromo hub gears installed, Longfields installed, all new tie rod ends installed, toe set again, and readjusted the drag link since the axle was moved forward.

The plan now is to get the lower shock mounts cut off, and the new ones finished and installed tomorrow so I can at least get the front shocks installed before taking it out for the weekend after the 4th.

The rear shock hoop is in the mail and should be here mid week next week. I should be able to get that installed the weekend after it gets here, and it should be one of the last things I need to do aside from finishing the front driveline, and putting the finishing touches on the winch mount and getting that bolted on. Getting damn close now

~T.J.

 

[Brian H]

Your exhaust is close enough to the outer edge of the bed to put on a chrome go fast exhaust tip!!!!That would be pimp!!!!:awesomework:

 

[zukkev]

Your exhaust is close enough to the outer edge of the bed to put on a chrome go fast exhaust tip!!!!That would be pimp!!!!:awesomework:

I've got a 3.5" dia. stainless(?) angle tip (take off from a 4" exhaust job I did on a diesel) that's about 16" long you could cut down to fit the length you need!!:redneck: it's :bling:
On a side note, and not to critique someone's hard work, but don't you think the muffler's hangin alittle low below the frame? Couldn't you put it closer to the original muffler's location (that way it's protected somewhat by the springhanger) Just my .02 Looks good otherwise.....

 

[84Toyota4x4]

Your exhaust is close enough to the outer edge of the bed to put on a chrome go fast exhaust tip!!!!That would be pimp!!!!:awesomework:

I've got a 3.5" dia. stainless(?) angle tip (take off from a 4" exhaust job I did on a diesel) that's about 16" long you could cut down to fit the length you need!!:redneck: it's :bling:
On a side note, and not to critique someone's hard work, but don't you think the muffler's hangin alittle low below the frame? Couldn't you put it closer to the original muffler's location (that way it's protected somewhat by the springhanger) Just my .02 Looks good otherwise.....

You know whats funny, Ive actually been looking for a turn down tip for the end, but I dont want a chrome one. Anyway, while I was looking my friend and I were joking around about using one of those big ass chrome ones, haha. I was going to buy one and post a picture of it installed being completely serious as a joke to see what you guys said, then return it, lol.

As for the muffler, yeah, its a little low below the frame (about 3" when you look directly from the side), but Ive ran it there for a couple years before the revamp and never had a problem with it. I dont wheel the truck all that hard really. Ive never even hit the stock crossmember on anything. Ok, once I got high centered on it, haha.

~T.J.

 

[2slow4you]

Looking good, other then the Muffler. I loved my MC rear bumper on my runner and im in the mist of getting one on my 85 standard cab. Did you get the 4runner model of the P/U one. Because the P/U your supposed to have to cut the roll pan.