1999 4Runner SR5-Baby Beast 2

[AxleIke]

I'm now toying with the idea of cutting the swing arm down based on some sage advice: Towing a trailer would make getting into the tailgate a beast of a job with the swing arm that long. I'm thinking cut it down so the lever is just past the tire.

However, I'm also trying to sort out how the gas and other whatnot holders are going to go on easily without the extra portion of arm.

More pondering to do...

 

[AxleIke]

I loved my ultimate, at least compared to stock. I had the heavy setup with a Shrockworks front and CBI rear (warn 9.5xp as well) the damping felt great and it definetely rode better than my 5th gen on OME

Yeah, I've often wondered how the ultimate compared. I wasn't sure how much this truck would evolve, so I went with a less expensive option to start. I may upgrade here at some point.

 

[AxleIke]

Been plugging away at it slowly, but a lot of other crap kept getting in the way, so I haven't had as much time to work on it as I'd have liked.

Most of the time I've been spending doing finish weld/grind/weld/grind to smooth out the surfaces, as well as a lot of little fixes here and there.

Here is where I'm at right now. I'm getting a different latch as the 90 deg one is just too hard to use efficiently.

Still have a few braces to put in, and I need to do finish sanding which will take a long time.

 

[Wildcat]

lookin good!

 

[AxleIke]

Thanks. I'm surprised there haven't been more "it looks like a frank and beans" comments Which it does, but it will get a little more bracing here soon, hopefully break that up a little bit, LOL.

 

[Kole]

Thanks. I'm surprised there haven't been more "it looks like a frank and beans" comments

Ha, I didnt notice that until you mentioned it. I like it! The top of the hoop (the frank?) leaves a perfect place for a utility/aux backup light. Great work.

 

[AxleIke]

Some more progress as I move along. It is almost finished now

The hitch in the carrier is for a bike rack, or other hitch mounted rack that would be a pain to deal with if it was in the bumper hitch. Most of the time it will have a cap in it. I will build a rack that bolts into it for jerry cans as well, so that I can carry gas.

I braced the tire mount and the main hoop some more. The tire mount now has tube welded behind the plate as well, so that the entire structure is fully welded to the main hoop.

Lastly, I upgraded my latch to a 2k lb one from McMaster Carr, as well as I got the option for a secondary latch to keep the handle from rattling open on washboard roads.

 

[toyotech]

in to see more. followed you on yotatech for a while.

 

[AxleIke]

Thanks,

I gotta update over there. I always forget.

 

[AxleIke]

I finally got it done enough for now. I have a couple things to add down the road, but this is where it is at, and I need a break for a while. I painted it, but i think I'll add in a few things in a week or two and then get it powdercoated. The paint has already chipped in a few spots

On saturday I removed my old man emu rear springs, and installed a set of FJ80 fronts to regain the height loss in the rear from the weight of everything. It sits about perfect right now, just a very slight forward rake, which will sit level with a full load of camping or hunting gear, and not butt sag (I hope).

 

[toyotech]

looking good. clean bumper design

 

[RogueFab]

Nice tube work on the swing out. And good choice on the super-beef latch ; ) destaco make a nice latch.

 

[AxleIke]

Thanks! So far, I'm discovering I really need a Stay, to hold it open when the truck isn't level. Working on some ideas for that.

I also have some LED licence plate lights on order, which will hopefully be here soon. We'll see.

 

[89s rule]

Which OME springs did you have? I swaped to 890s from 8 wraps because the 8 wraps do not hold weight well. It would drop at least 1 or 2 inches when loaded down with gear.
I agree on the stay to hold the swing out open, we have the same issue with out swingout. I would like to modify our swing out before I decide how to make it stay opened.

 

[AxleIke]

Ah sorry, I took the OME's out and stuck in FJ80 fronts. The OME's were really sagging, and they were the 890's.

I ordered up a stay pin from TMR Customs. I'm currently using a hood prop from an 86 truck, which I just pin against the back of the truck.

Got the truck out in the dirt this weekend, and discovered a couple of issues.

I don't have anything to block the spindle from mud, so when wheeling, the back side of the spindle gets covered in mud. Not a big deal, but I'll need to figure out how to make that not happen, as I can see it getting muddy enough to hinder operation (mud jamming against the body of the truck as the spindle rotates).

The entire thing is REALLY stable on the bumps and washboards, which is great.

I also need to get the plastic cover back in from the factory bumper. it just looks goofy with the hatch open. I'm planning to cut it down and use some weather strip to seal it against the bumper.