The Plan...

[RU55ELL]

Looks like it is coming right along. I have an M12000 myself and am about to put it in my ARB bumper. Do you what the difference is size is between yours and one for a 2nd gen Tacoma? Looking at it, it doesn't look like it will need any modification, but I don't know for sure.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Hi Russell,
The biggest issue is the size of the unit itself.. The M12000 is a lot bigger than a 8 or 9 or 9.5 in general.. Take a look at the ARB site to see if it will fit... It is about 3" wider diameter, but they all have the same mounting pattern so it can be deceiving. I thought mine might fit too but required all of that steel to be removed as the photos show.. Hope it helps..!

 

[Ryanmb21]

This is so awesome! Keep up the good work!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

WOW this is an awesome thread!! Fantastic work so far, I really can not wait to see how the diesel works out!! I'm a bit lost as to what you are doing to adapt the Toyota tranny to the GM adapter? Cant wait ot see it all as you post!!

I would love to have this engine in my 4runner!!!

Jeremy

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Hi Jeremy,
The way I'll adapt the GM to Toyota is an Advance Adapters bellhousing adapter. 4x4Labs is planning a Toyota pickup adapter but its a good question when if ever that will be ready so I decided to basically use this approach, which is actually two adapters...

GM is such a universal pattern and it also allows for a massive, super strong clutch so I should have no issues...

Also the flywheel is drilled for 10.5" or 11" GM clutch (your choice). I chose the smaller so I have more room against the firewall...

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

The paint turned out awesome. Your going to have to post a video of this thing idling/running when you get it fired up.

It makes it even better for the carbon neutral trip if you recycle parts doesn't it? Honestly, I'm glad I had a part you could use and be involved in this killer build. I think a lot of people are really enjoying your build. I know I am.

 

[Safaribound]

Awesome work Andre, it is turning out great man! :elkgrin:

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Thanks guys, it really means a lot to me...


Here is Friday's results which isn't a whole lot other than some little things not worth of documenting (putting windows back in, etc), installing that newer heavy duty drag link, etc...

Clearancing for the M12000 winch and all welded up. The bumper also doesn't fit anything with a custom cross member (for example an solid axle swap with leaf springs) so it needed some burning out. It will go to a sand blaster and www.UtahPowderCoatings.com, the question is what color to make it (black again or maybe a dark gray).

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Here is Henry Cubillan's FJ62 that was always a big inspiration for me cosmetically and technically as I was getting into Land Cruisers. For some reason he decided to have an extra bar welded on to his ARB bumper. He's also the guy who discovered a Satin Black paint matches ARB powdercoating perfectly. Anyway, for some reason I never really liked the look of ARB bumpers by themselves or perhaps particularly on mini trucks and tacomas. Not that there is anything wrong with them. Off the top of my head I remembered Cubillan's FJ62, felt like it needed something, and had this extra piece of DOM lying around that I was originally planning to use as the panhard/track bar. Just no bender, but I do have a press and some extra short pieces of tube lying around so I decided to give it a go. Let me know your opinions if you guys think this looks good.

The biggest aspect is the bends have "kinks" in them in the traditional sense. Anyone who's worked with tube may be turned off but honestly I think it looks pretty good and I actually like the hard lines of the bend on it. It's also definitely different and noticeable. Not really sure why I added it but I think it will also help with strength in an accident as well or possibly assist with keeping an animal for going on the hood or windshield.

Last pic also shows some clearancing I had to do on the roller fairleads (note the long rounded holes added) so I can slide the fairlead up and down and basically tuck the fairlead into the cavity for it on the bumper. For some reason my old one from the M12000 also isn't compatible with this bumper.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

One last thing I am really pleased with is ride height of the bumper. People call them "rock catchers" and with the newer approach of the truck being slightly more 'wheeler' than before I like it nice and high and tight as it is. Comparing this vehicle to the inspiration Tacoma first posted, look at how better the approach angle is. Removing the steel also helped a lot with improving approach angle as well. The bumper is still bolted on very stoutly and I might even weld some portions of it in place to the frame with these welds being designed to be easily ground out. This will also help with theft and winch theft as there is no way to remove the winch without removing the bumper with the radiator installed.

Versus this. Look at how much the diff is more exposed from the bumper. Which I think is awesome...

 

[Toyotero]

I have that same bumper and I'm going to encounter the problems when I do my SAS so I have been considering doing some modification similar to what you did. Your mods look great, especially fitting that big winch in there.

I have one question: how many bolts are holding it to the frame now? Did you add any new mounts to replace the ones you removed? It looks like you cut off some of the strongest ones that mount under the frame, so there should be some news ones in order. Where and how is what I've been thinking about with my bumper.

Regards,

Toyotero.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Good questions... Right now it is 6 but today I'm cleaning it up before I drop it down at Utah Powder Coater this afternoon.. I'll take pics of the set up. I may also add some 1" long welds here and there (so literally welding the bumper to the truck) here and there that are designed to be removed with a grinder with cutoff wheel. This would also make the winch fairly hard to steal as the bumper must come off to steal the winch...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Not too much to report but here are some pic with the door added. I think it looks great. There are some more pictures with more little things added but nothing too mind blowing. I love how it is turning out...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Big day for goodies that arrived...

The Marlin doubler, what a work of art if people aren't aware of these. Lots of other goodies from Marlin that will get some photos at some point that are also gorgeous... It arrived in a large Tupperware container (well padded), also awesome...

Also all of the adapter components. Still waiting on the transmission which should also be here any day. Bumper and wheels finally went to Utah Powder Coaters today and I am really really excited for this...

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Last little one is I decided to move the winch solenoid under the hood. My plug was rotted out regardless so I needed this little gizmo.. Pretty psyched about this...

More details here...
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=588466#post588466