a new explorer

[toyrunner95]

ok guys, im 23 and i own a 84 toyota pickup longbed, i bought it off a guy who really had no idea what he was doing to make it a 4x4, i have built a new bed, it gets an internal cage this somming summer (07) and im still working thought mechanical quirks, i think i almost got them all out. it should be ready for the most part at the end of summer 07. from there i need help with accessories.

i have an old trail blazer light bar that just is awsome, i need a portable compressor, i have dual batteries set up. CB needs a little work, needs a snorkel and some minor motor work (tune up).

i want a ezi awn, and a fridge. but can the fridge be outside, i dont have room in the cab.

i cant decide if i should put the ezi awn on top, and make a can back system, OR keep it low for the center of gravity. if i keep it low, where do i put the fridge?

UG... help would be nice, here some pics of what it is.

 

[Willman]

Great looking rig!! Your plans sound great!

Welcome to the ExPo!!

:elkgrin:

 

[toyrunner95]

thanks, congrats on the dad.

 

[Grim Reaper]

Cool little truck! I see a Marlin sticker.. It have a Crawler in it?

I came very close to building a simular truck but with two kids I went with a 86 4Runner. I did a LOT of research on flat beds and I think if you redesign the bed rails you will find the space to get that fridge in up tight to the cab to help with the CG. Where the problem is you could have made some space right up behind the before getting into the area over the wheel. With the shape of the frame on the driverside you could actully lower the bed floor down to nearly the floor hight in the cab for a fridge spot.
Also I knew I couldn't live with an in cab cage...these trucks are small and I'm a big guy and anythiong in my head space would make me miserable. With a flat bed you can make an exo cage that is stronger at the B piller (back of the cab) then most in cab cages without eating up valuable room inside.


Now my two concerns with putting a Engle fridge in the open is A: dirt packing the condensor and wearing out the fan.

B: is water damage in the electronics and causing rust.

If it were mine and I was faced with the same situation I would build a box for it to sit in and rig up a filtered air feed to condensor fan to keep the silt from getting into it. You can't just lock it in a closed box because it does need to have freash air.


You been to Pirate4x4 yet?.....Its worth a look for the toy tech but lay low. No star Newbies asking the tuesday question generaly get an earfull to train them to search. Pretty well the first 100 posts you better have a thick skin because they do run off folks that whine....its basiclly cyber haysing....don't take it personal...

Its seems harsh but everytime a question gets asked again and then no answeres to the solution it makes the search feature more worthless because you have to wade through all the junk posts. That FAQ really does answer 95% of the questions you ever could have on your truck. Search using google by searching your question and "pirate4x4" and you can find what you want.

This is the Toy FAQ....It is mandadory reading for Newbies there.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=459180

In that thread is every peice of build info on Toy trucks you can think of.
Here is the Exo Cage thread.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95564

Good info on the carbs.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=165996

Very cool build with a really neat flat bed with and under the deck spare tire.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=447914

Flat bed threads to give you some idea on how to set yours up for optimum space efficency.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345186&highlight=flat+bed

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4682784&postcount=133

Here is a really good flat bed thread
This is the "official Flat Bed Thread"
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98472&highlight=flat+bed

Welcome to the site.

 

[toyrunner95]

oh yeah im all over the boards, pirate, wild yoats, nw wheelers, faith wheelers, snort. im on a bunch. um...

for the fridge, yeah against the cab is a good idea, i might raise it a bit or make it flush with the bed sides. i plan on making a tonneau cover for it like scott did. i can make a double hatch system one for the back portion and one for the front so it will be encased. the bed is actually only partially done. all the wood gets replaced with metal this summer and it will all be rhino lined hopefully. or at least sealed. the tire carrier was a prototype, it failed misribly. so that will be taken care of in december. infront of the tires behind the cab i plan on making truck boxes to hold recovery gear and spare parts to save bed space. i cant make the bed wider without makeing internal fenders and i dont want to do that, the tires are to wide and i cant afford new ones right now. im running 14s instead of the usual 12.50 or 13s. its such a pain.

no marlin yet, but i got the u bolt flip kit, i plan on getting one tho.

the new rear tire carrier will be much like poison spider customs jeep tj rear stinger, with some modifications. ill get pics up when i do it. it will be stout and kick ass.

does anyone know how to make an accessory plate? like where the battery connects to it, and all the accessories connect to that? i had one in my old nissan but i forgot how to make one.

 

[toyrunner95]

anybody?

 

[Dave Bennett]

Nice truck and... Welcome to ExPo!