Applejack's 3rd Gen 4runner Build

[Applejack]

Here they are! All "re-tefloned". I didn't get as many of the dings out as I would have liked but that's ok because there will be others to come.

I think maybe I'll get them mounted next week.
Also today I went ahead and did the "Gray Wire" or blue and red wire (4runner's) mod. Very simple but I had what seemed to be and extra 4WD drive computer that wasn't in any of the write-ups I've read. That left me a little apprehensive for a moment.

 

[Nathant78]

I always liked those rims, didnt know about the teflon fail tho. I guess at 200 a piece they used to cost i would assume they would last a long time with the finish.

And i love both buildups! sorry to hear about the first project build.

 

[soonenough]

Wow those wheels look awesome! Do you have any other info on the paint / coating you used? I found this page on DuPont's website; is this the stuff you used? Did it have to be baked after you sprayed it on?

 

[Applejack]

Yes, that's the stuff. I used the powder form (FEP) because I have a powder coating shop and it sprays right through the equipment I already have.
You just spray it and bake it!! From what I understand there are a couple of different variations even with the powder form. I went with what was cheapest since this was and experiment. If I really wanted to put it to the test I'd have tried the Tefzel ETFE or the PFA. Those can really build up on the mil thickness. But we'll see how it goes with what I used. My sales rep. told me to keep it around 2-3 mils but I managed between 7-10 mils on the wheels.

 

[tacollie]

Do you know if the teflon is anymore durable than powder? I ask because I have access to similar equipment and can't decide on a finish.

 

[Applejack]

I feel that a normal urethane or polyester based powder is going to be more durable, for at least 2 reasons. 1. Normal powders build much more heavily than the teflon I used, and 2. The teflon seems to be a bit on the brittle side.
I sprayed some of the teflon on a 4x7 inch sample chip and then bent it 90 degrees and it started to peel up. Normal powders shouldn't do this.

 

[tacollie]

Thats what I figured but wanted to check.

 

[Applejack]

**Nitto TG Update**

My friend Edgar and I took our kids out this morning for a little tire testing for me, and he wanted to test his recently purchased 62 on some trails.
I had mentioned before, the lack luster results of these Nitto TG's but I thought that perhaps they may have some kind of break in period. I think I may have been correct in assuming that too because this morning they fared far better than before. They were able to handle snowy roads that had been finely polished to a sparkling shine. I just kept it in 2WD and only once did they get a little squirrely, but I was pushing it a bit.
We took off up a slippery and rutted clay trail and thanks to the gray wire mod, I made it up that in 2WD as well. The only time they struggled a little was climbing out of the creek. But Edgar spun a bit too in 4WD. I only had a couple of options for pictures, the rest of the time we needed to keep our momentum.

He drug on a couple of the rocks coming across and that's really what caused more of his spinning than anything else.

I didn't hit anything coming or going but I think that I'd like to still be a couple of inches higher. This was really a pretty tame trail by comparison to what we usually encounter. Not having a winch anymore has made me a chicken, something I'll have to remedy soon.

 

[SafariRNR]

In regards to your tire complaints, all I ever hear as the "other option" is the BFG's. I personally run the General Grabber AT2's, they are better rated than the BFG's, severe snow rated, studable, and way cheaper. I've had mine on for a while now and have no complaint's through water, deep mud, gravel, hills, or street. I currently run the 265/70/16s, i'll be going with 265/75/16's next time and will definatly be sticking with the Generals. Just some food for thought.

 

[keezer36]

Note on the Nitto T/Gs which I liked a lot, somewhere between 30 and 45k miles (last winter and this) their winter traction went to poop. Unfortunately I found out about it at the first snow. I'm currently testing the Revo 2s.

 

[Applejack]

In regards to your tire complaints, all I ever hear as the "other option" is the BFG's. I personally run the General Grabber AT2's, they are better rated than the BFG's, severe snow rated, studable, and way cheaper. I've had mine on for a while now and have no complaint's through water, deep mud, gravel, hills, or street. I currently run the 265/70/16s, i'll be going with 265/75/16's next time and will definatly be sticking with the Generals. Just some food for thought.

Yeah, I've noticed those Generals before. I liked their tread design, though suspiciously similar to the BFG's, I wasn't aware that they too were severe weather rated.

 

[SafariRNR]

IIRC the sipping (sp?) is actually better on the Generals too.

 

[Rozzi]

Well here she sits now.

Installed the lift and put the tires on, being that these tires are 285's meant having to remove the running boards and will need a little fender trimming.
But that may be getting ahead of myself.
Here's a little story about being too trusting............
The PO gave me a CARFAX and it was clean, no accidents good service references and so on. I didn't even think to match the VIN on the CARFAX to the vehicle as the vehicle description was the same.
My friend who helped me with the lift noticed some things and to make long story short, we CARFAXed it ourselves and it's branded "reconstructed" I don't have title yet because SELCO the PO's lender has to send it to me.
This is going to get messy! I called the PO last night and he said "Hmmm......that's really strange." But seemed pleasant and helpful otherwise.
DAMMIT!!

Amazing. I am shocked the lender financed a reconstructed titled vehicle. Seems uncommon these days. I am sure there are a few out there that do it, but I would imagine it would be a very small number. I have seen several reconstructed 4runners/Tacomas out of Oregon. Several on CL. I'm almost expecting it when looking at ads in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR (assuming you did get it in Oregon). I believe WA law is very specific when advertising vehicles with rebuilt titles. It must mention "rebuilt" in ad (at least that's how it use to be).

 

[Applejack]

Amazing. I am shocked the lender financed a reconstructed titled vehicle. Seems uncommon these days. I am sure there are a few out there that do it, but I would imagine it would be a very small number. I have seen several reconstructed 4runners/Tacomas out of Oregon. Several on CL. I'm almost expecting it when looking at ads in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR (assuming you did get it in Oregon). I believe WA law is very specific when advertising vehicles with rebuilt titles. It must mention "rebuilt" in ad (at least that's how it use to be).

I believe, but may be wrong, lenders will loan on a dinged title but the loan must be secured by something other than the car, like borrowing against money that someone may have in their savings account.
In Oregon the seller must state that the vehicle has a marked title but that didn't happen for me, and that's why the transaction reversal went so smoothly. They (the seller not SELCO) did not want the hellfire they earned.
And I honestly believe that he didn't know that law. I think SELCO really was caught up in the middle.

 

[Applejack]

Mojave's On

I went ahead and had my Mojave's put on today. I went back and forth trying to decide which set of wheels to run as my DD set. I guess I decided though......

I may have to do a little trim job on that front bumper, or just let rub and force the issue of replacing it.:elkgrin: