1st Gen 4runner + Flip-pac

[ab1985]

I would love to hear any opinions on that.

There is certainly no shortage of opinions on this subject. As is often the case, you are the only one who knows what's best for you.

That being said, I'll share my experience with auto lockers. In my 4 cyl Tacoma I had a Lockright in the front and a Powertrax No-slip in the rear. Both are full time auto lockers - the Lockright being almost identical to the spartan. My only reservation would be driving on snow/ice. Beyond that it was, IMO, an acceptable tradeoff between convenience and price (both equipment and installation). The end result performance-wise is the same (minus the ease of turning if you go with the auto lockers). I will say the auto lockers are known to bind up and "pop" when taking sharp turns. I paid a little extra for the No-slip so I wouldn't have to deal with this. It can be a little scary the first time, but people seem to get used to it. I wasn't sure I would so I went the other route.

I would run this setup on my 4Runner in a heartbeat. I can't justify paying more for ARB's than I did for the truck.:snorkel:

 

[JasonRedwood]

I would run this setup on my 4Runner in a heartbeat. I can't justify paying more for ARB's than I did for the truck.:snorkel:

Yeah there's always that aspect of the build. Cost of vehicle to the cost of parts going into it. HA

Thanks for the input ab1985. From some of the reviews I read on yotatech the turning/popping noise was minimal with the Spartans. The only issues I found with them is that on occasion, splines or pins would give out. But those issues were occurring with people runnning 35" tires or bigger. Most admitted to stepping on it hard to when it happened.

The biggest tire size I ever see myself running is 33", that is way down the road. 31's seem like a happy balance for LA traffic and camping.

 

[InvisibleOne]

Very Nice. Impressed with your tenacity... and driving an hour and a half to work on your rig. You're dedicated, I'll give you that. Especially after an evening of grinding fiberglass.... Itch much on the ride home?

 

[JasonRedwood]

Very Nice. Impressed with your tenacity... and driving an hour and a half to work on your rig. You're dedicated, I'll give you that. Especially after an evening of grinding fiberglass.... Itch much on the ride home?

I was well protected most of the time but there were definetly a few itchy evenings.
Here's to a patient wife!:beer:

 

[SLO_F-250]

Saw your post on the pop-up camper forum. Great build! Nice work!

 

[ETAV8R]

Well done.
You've put a lot of hard work into this and it will repay you down the road. Can't wait to see some trip reports after you begin to enjoy camping with the flippac.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Headed up to the southern Sequoias this last weekend to our families property.
The camper stayed attached with out any issues. HA
Tapping up the back window with painters tape worked to keep dust out.
Still need to figure out a permanent solution.

My step dad's 1973 FJ40

Didn't get any pictures of my mom's 05 4runner or my buddy's 02 tacoma but it was an all Yota camping weekend.
It was nice up at the property, I believe at 6500 feet. Down at the Kern River it was in the 100's
Soon as I stepped outa the water I was dry.

 

[ab1985]

We need more pics of the flip-pac!:sombrero:

Do you feel like the zuk mod will be sufficient for the extra load or are you exploring other options for the rear suspension? I'm interested to see what you do with the suspension and interior...:drool:

 

[JasonRedwood]

We need more pics of the flip-pac!:sombrero:

Do you feel like the zuk mod will be sufficient for the extra load or are you exploring other options for the rear suspension? I'm interested to see what you do with the suspension and interior...:drool:

I know I know. I want to move onto more projects with the flip-pac but i have neglected things around the house. And the ol' Lady needs some attention too! HA
I might get time to finish up the front supports this weekend...

The 14" 100lb springs in the rear seem just about perfect for a temporary fix. I have some blazeland long travel going in the front and I plan on doing a 63" chevy spring in the back. Not sure if the coils will stay or not. Cant wait for the suspension and lockers so I can take it on some decent trips.:wings:

 

[tanglefoot]

This is the first I've heard of the Spartan locker but I've had a Lock Right in the back for about 10 years so far with no issues. It seems that the mind automatically adjusts to it and you usually forget it's there. I've got the heavier 85-140 gear oil in that diff and I very rarely hear anything from it.

The main difference I've found while driving is the tendency to get bucking while rounding a corner and getting back on the power. It only seems to happen with the clutch out. Using the clutch never seems to make it buck. Pushing in the clutch immediately stops the bucking when it does occur. You also do get a little side-sway when shifting on the highway. The locker's never been any kind of an issue on snow or ice though. I chose it for the reasons you mentioned--low initial cost and the ability to self-install. I've had no regrets.

I decided to leave the front differential open. That way it can still steer tight corners in 4wd without needing to unlock a hub. I also don't want to put the Birfields (or CVs in your case, I believe they are) under any more stress than necessary. Front lockers really increase the probability of over-stressing and breaking the weaker front drive line components, especially if the front tires are turned to the side. I've found it to be plenty capable with the rear locker. In my case, if it doesn't make it with the open front diff, I probably don't want to be on it anyway. :ylsmoke:

I may have to dig into that ZUK mod someday--that sounds mighty resourceful and interesting.

 

[JasonRedwood]

Thanks for the input Tangle.
Heres some more info on the Zuk mod.
http://www.gearinstalls.com/coilphilbert.htm
If you dig around Zuk's website you will see that there are tons of variations of it.

 

[ab1985]

I have All-pro springs on my 4Runner, and with the rear storage, tire carrier, and a gear it squats a bit. I have considered the zuk mod as a fix. I'll be interested to see how the chevies do on yours with the weight of the flip-pac and gear.

 

[JasonRedwood]

OUTGASSING advice

SO it has been a few weeks since the flip-pac was mounted to the 4runner. Ever since then I have been noticing the smell of outgassing. The smell, today, is less than the day it was mounted but still there. My wife and friends don't notice it. From what I have read on line is that it may go away and it may not. Also the smell may go away but the fumes can still linger with out odor. Anyone have any experience with outgassing of epoxy resin/fiberglass. My thoughts, that I'm dreading, are to dissect it apart and look for possible uncured areas.#$%!:yikes:

 

[lx450landcruiser]

I dont have a ton of glass experience but you could try closing all the windows and running a heater inside for awhile to build up the temp and see if it will speed up and fully cure all the areas?

 

[JasonRedwood]

I dont have a ton of glass experience but you could try closing all the windows and running a heater inside for awhile to build up the temp and see if it will speed up and fully cure all the areas?

hmmm might be worth a shot. I did have it in the high desert a few weeks ago with the windows up for 2 days. Outside temp was around 105° mid day. I have some jack stands on the way, Im going to perform surgery I think.