Arivalsend
Adventurer
taco chaser said:
Thanks much I have been watching the progression of your two rigs and its been great to have all those detailed posts to while away my winter duldrums over here with. Good stuff! :bike_rider:
U.P. First Gen 4Runner
- Thread starter Arivalsend
- Start date
Thanks much I have been watching the progression of your two rigs and its been great to have all those detailed posts to while away my winter duldrums over here with. Good stuff! :bike_rider:
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Noise
My tail gate supports (when its down) rattle like hell. There is a plastic piece that is suppose to keep it from happening but it long ago broke as the PO had wrapped some duct tape on the bars to shut them up.
Also check that your spare tire is tight.
That's going to be some tight clearance in there. I have my platform about 10 inches tall (just below the lower seat belt mount on the roll hoop) and I am considering pulling it out and putting in floor storage. Partly for my two dogs and partly to get some better cargo room when needed.
A idea I have come up with is using some window screen glued to magnetic sign material and putting that over the side sliders and sun roof to keep the bugs out. Could do close if over the doors as well to get them screened.
My tail gate supports (when its down) rattle like hell. There is a plastic piece that is suppose to keep it from happening but it long ago broke as the PO had wrapped some duct tape on the bars to shut them up.
Also check that your spare tire is tight.
That's going to be some tight clearance in there. I have my platform about 10 inches tall (just below the lower seat belt mount on the roll hoop) and I am considering pulling it out and putting in floor storage. Partly for my two dogs and partly to get some better cargo room when needed.
A idea I have come up with is using some window screen glued to magnetic sign material and putting that over the side sliders and sun roof to keep the bugs out. Could do close if over the doors as well to get them screened.
toyota_jon
Adventurer
:lurk: Looking really good. I like the maple you've been using i think thats a good touch.
Arivalsend
Adventurer
Grim Reaper said:
Yeah my tail gate supports do the same and I pulled them off and drove around a bit to see if that was indeed the problem. But the squeak goes on. I don't have any play in the back door and figure it must be either in the window linkage or something I am not thinking of in the rear bed area. My spare is actually fitted to my rear swing away bumper and so that is not an issue.
It would be a shame to lose your bed design. I really like the drawers and the overall fit and finish of the top and side compartments. I do understand the need for room when you have pups. Can they ride on the top of the shelf? Mine is a bit taller than yours, but I spent the night out in it last night and felt very comfortable. I am planning on picking up a 2" foam pad for the rear, but thus far have been using my thermorest. So I will see if a thicker pad gives me issues with space. I like your idea with the netting. I have been thinking of strips of light velcro, but the magnet may be even easier.
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Arivalsend
Adventurer
toyota_jon said:
Glad you are digging it so far. I still want your 85:safari-rig:
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
Arivalsend said:
The pups do ride on the top but they are a medium to medium large breed (female is 38lb and the male is 47lb). I have kids so I have to keep the back seat. That makes the space for them a little tough. I also worry about them being that high with the roof off.
Another problem being is the shelf doesn't go all the way to the wall because I have storage built into the walls and need the space to open that. My fear is they drop a leg in there and get hurt. I'm not giving up on it yet and looking at some flip up filler pannels but not had time to really work on it.
Arivalsend
Adventurer
Grim Reaper said:
Yeah with the roll bar in there it makes a platform interesting. And with pups even more so. Some filler pannels would be a good idea. I have a friend who took the time for in floor storage on his first gen. The process took some time to do right, and he ended up with about enough room for some fluids, coolant, and spares. Not saying doing go that route, but I would not give up that great set of drawers you are running without a fight. Although you are building a trailer that should fill that need as well. I look forward to some updates.
Arivalsend
Adventurer
Additional Fuel
Yesterday was another work day on the 4Runner. I have had the intention of building an addition onto my rear bumper to allow me to place at least two 5 gal fuel jugs. After months of lusting after the AT can holders and not being able to justify them, I decided to build my own. My upcoming travels will demand at least that amount of reserve and I will also have a rack basket if I have additional emergency needs once on the road. Although fuel on the roof is something I will try to avoid if possible. Here is what I started with after the removal of some unused brackets.
I wanted something that was bolt on in order to remove it when I am not traveling. And so I decided against welding it up onto the bumper swing arm. My other requirment was that it be locking and pretty secure from an easy grab. I have lost two fuel jugs already and I know I am not alone. I used grade 8 hardwear and good stought 1/8" angle iron and 2" strap for the build.
Slow going in my very basic garage and with my little buzz box. Here are some shots of the process and the results up until last night. The girlfriend came out to let me know my day of garage time was all well and good, but I was still cooking dinner:sombrero: More updates to follow today. Any suggestions are always much appreciated.
Yesterday was another work day on the 4Runner. I have had the intention of building an addition onto my rear bumper to allow me to place at least two 5 gal fuel jugs. After months of lusting after the AT can holders and not being able to justify them, I decided to build my own. My upcoming travels will demand at least that amount of reserve and I will also have a rack basket if I have additional emergency needs once on the road. Although fuel on the roof is something I will try to avoid if possible. Here is what I started with after the removal of some unused brackets.
I wanted something that was bolt on in order to remove it when I am not traveling. And so I decided against welding it up onto the bumper swing arm. My other requirment was that it be locking and pretty secure from an easy grab. I have lost two fuel jugs already and I know I am not alone. I used grade 8 hardwear and good stought 1/8" angle iron and 2" strap for the build.
Slow going in my very basic garage and with my little buzz box. Here are some shots of the process and the results up until last night. The girlfriend came out to let me know my day of garage time was all well and good, but I was still cooking dinner:sombrero: More updates to follow today. Any suggestions are always much appreciated.
toyota_jon
Adventurer
You've got a great looking truck, keep up the good work!
Arivalsend
Adventurer
And on it goes
Hey thanks for the encouragement guys. I got home to find posts from 3 different 1st gen members, very cool. I have checked out each of your builds and they have given me some good motivation over the winter months to stockpile parts and continue working away. The tire size I am currently running is the 255/85/R16. I am currently thinking about switching over to a alloy wheel if I can find something that is stout enough to trust south of the border. I like the steel but I am coming to them after having a full set of forged Weld rims that weigh like 5lbs per rim. These steel Wheelers are a bit heavier duty at 38lbs per rim. I can feel it on the rig and I am starting to think about maybe changing them out. Any tips on a good set of alloys to save for in the future?
Yesterday I spent working on the swing cage and lock for my fuel carrier. I started out with a lighter weight hinge and had it all tacked up and started to weld it in, when I realized that they were really flimsy hinges. I pulled on them and they just came apart. So it was off to find a set of door hinges. I am planning on pulled the stock alloy pins and putting in some grade 8 bolts in there stead. The carrier is just about finished and I will post up some shots of that tomorrow, I picked up a little suprise for the back of it and I am sure you guys will aprove.
Today I had the pleasure of pulling my intake manifold and replacing my valve cover gaskets that were leaking. But the fun did not end there, oh no. My engines front end has been awaiting some love. Today was the day, new timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, cam shaft seals/bearings, crankshaft seal, and all new belts. I am sitting here relaxing after a very full day that started at 7:00 and just ended at 8:00. I am sure many of you folks have been here. But I am content, with only a couple more weeks before I head out to the mountains. This project needed completion before I left and now it is set.
My current mission is sourcing some better rear leafs. I have a set of 4" All Pro's that are just no longer up to the task. My rear leafs measure 56" eye to eye and I am not sure that I have many good options other than a custom pack for what I am doing. I am just curious if anyone may know what OME offers in this length. I am carrying enough weight to warrant a HD set of leafs. I am currently looking at Alcan as they are one of the only spring makers I have tracked down thus far. Any suggestions would be great. I am looking for a set that has good ride quality, yet more importantly will carry weight and not ride like a haywagon. :rally_guys:
Hey thanks for the encouragement guys. I got home to find posts from 3 different 1st gen members, very cool. I have checked out each of your builds and they have given me some good motivation over the winter months to stockpile parts and continue working away. The tire size I am currently running is the 255/85/R16. I am currently thinking about switching over to a alloy wheel if I can find something that is stout enough to trust south of the border. I like the steel but I am coming to them after having a full set of forged Weld rims that weigh like 5lbs per rim. These steel Wheelers are a bit heavier duty at 38lbs per rim. I can feel it on the rig and I am starting to think about maybe changing them out. Any tips on a good set of alloys to save for in the future?
Yesterday I spent working on the swing cage and lock for my fuel carrier. I started out with a lighter weight hinge and had it all tacked up and started to weld it in, when I realized that they were really flimsy hinges. I pulled on them and they just came apart. So it was off to find a set of door hinges. I am planning on pulled the stock alloy pins and putting in some grade 8 bolts in there stead. The carrier is just about finished and I will post up some shots of that tomorrow, I picked up a little suprise for the back of it and I am sure you guys will aprove.
Today I had the pleasure of pulling my intake manifold and replacing my valve cover gaskets that were leaking. But the fun did not end there, oh no. My engines front end has been awaiting some love. Today was the day, new timing belt, water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, cam shaft seals/bearings, crankshaft seal, and all new belts. I am sitting here relaxing after a very full day that started at 7:00 and just ended at 8:00. I am sure many of you folks have been here. But I am content, with only a couple more weeks before I head out to the mountains. This project needed completion before I left and now it is set.
My current mission is sourcing some better rear leafs. I have a set of 4" All Pro's that are just no longer up to the task. My rear leafs measure 56" eye to eye and I am not sure that I have many good options other than a custom pack for what I am doing. I am just curious if anyone may know what OME offers in this length. I am carrying enough weight to warrant a HD set of leafs. I am currently looking at Alcan as they are one of the only spring makers I have tracked down thus far. Any suggestions would be great. I am looking for a set that has good ride quality, yet more importantly will carry weight and not ride like a haywagon. :rally_guys:
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adrenaline503
Explorer
Is that green Park grease? Ahhh, the memories.
Arivalsend
Adventurer
adrenaline503 said:
Yup sure is I love the smell of that stuff. I just cannot bring myself to use anything else. I just finished tuning the mountain bike up for a summer of fun and then brought the old tub out to work on all those dusty timing cover bolts. :sombrero:
toyota_jon
Adventurer
I would go with alcan or deaver both will make springs to your truck not generic off the shelf junk. when i go with new springs i will be calling up alcan. and will also use the order as an excuse to make a trip to grand junction maybe i'll just keep going on to moab! 