Whole buncha Mod's

[xcmountain80]

New additions to rig include a set of shackle mounts, 1st gen roll bar, BlueSea power distribution box , and a Icom V-8000 ham radio. To start a 1/2 “ hole was drilled for the shackle mounts. I knew right off the bat the winch was going to be a PIA. So I drilled the holes (the three I knew would work) and left the 4th untouched. I mounted the hardware and was pleased. I didn’t measure and one came out slightly off but you can hardly tell.

The 1st gen roll bar was sitting around begging to be installed. I found a roll bar pad from the 1st gen on ebay and picked it up. The bar itself was sort of interesting. I bought it yota tech and the seller cut it into pieces to ship it. I had my local shop weld it back together the best they could. I then sanded it primed and painted it using spray can bed liner (my favorite)I drilled ½” holes yet again 1 for each front mount and 2 for each rear mount. I came up with the non precise method for installation I 1. opened a brew 2. laid on my back and wiggled untile I could position the bar into an ideal looking location in comparison to the roof buttons that hold the headliner in place. I then got it perfect and drilled hole 1 then back on the back and so on.

The Blue Sea unit was just to simplify my ever growing need for a nice internal fuse unit. The wiring was simple seeing as how I already had a large gauge + coming in to the cab. I fabbed up a bracket from stainless and mounted just to the right of the ECU.

The V-8000 went in easy I have yet to hard mount it. I have the power and coax run (the coax had been run for the cb).

I will run a new coax line once I figure out if a rear bumper will be going on.


Aaron

 

[Nullifier]

Looks good. WHere are you mounting the radio?

 

[xcmountain80]

Looks good. WHere are you mounting the radio?

I'm going to mount up a flat steel type of thing that imagine if you will, it will bolt to the interior passenger seat bolt then bend to follow the tranny contour up then be welded at a 90 deg. to another piece of flat steel that will act as the bottom attachment point for the radio mounting bracket. I was going to put it into the center console and add some air vent holes but figure a some what temp but permanent install when I need it to be would work.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

Ok so some more mods to come. Aisin manual hub swap, aussie front locker, rear LSD, and 4.56 gears. I found the hubs on Ebay for $130, all the other parts will be sourced out through toyota part sales. The aussie locker was $240+ shipping, still waiting on the LSD and gear quotes. Probably around $1K, then there install for it all.


Aaron

 

[jeffryscott]

very nice Aaron, I just added a Blue Sea fuse block as well, and have a roll bar that I'm still deciding whether or not to install.

I think it would be nice for attaching stuff, but am concerned about losing that extra little bit of space it eats up. Need to cut it, then test fit it.

Are those the Expedition Exchange shackle mounts?

 

[xcmountain80]

I don't seem to have lost much I did gain a cool spot to put my folding camp chairs, and it holds bottles of gear oil well against the side the fridge is on. To be honest the install was highly technical, since the cutting had been done and you lose to original bearing of the feet. I laid on my back and moved it until it was perpendicular to the 2 headliner buttons. And yes those are the EE shackles, I'm supposed to reinforce my bumper mounts before I use them though. The roll bar makes it easier to do a frontal tie down on tall gear, you don't have to access the front tie points just the seatbelt bracket hole on the bar.


Aaron

 

[offroad_nomad]

Aaron,
I'd be interested in hearing more about your Aisin manual hub swap. Are you putting something together similar to the ORS kit? Thanks.

Ian

 

[Ursidae69]

I have that same Blue Sea box, where'd you put yours? I'm replacing a cheesy fuse box with the Blue Sea. It will be on the firewall, about center of the windshield in the engine compartment. I think I'll have to mount it horizontal to make it fit right though.

 

[xcmountain80]

Aaron,
I'd be interested in hearing more about your Aisin manual hub swap. Are you putting something together similar to the ORS kit? Thanks.

Ian

I've been in touch with someone about the make up of the ORS kit and decided the components would be stronger if they are OE toyota products. So yes it is similar and wil cost near the same just with Aisin hubs not Warn. And I figure no point in putting manual hubs in unless you lock the front end somewhat so that where the Aussie comes in. Then I've been itching for a while not going to put lockers in until I put gears in so theres that.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

I have that same Blue Sea box, where'd you put yours? I'm replacing a cheesy fuse box with the Blue Sea. It will be on the firewall, about center of the windshield in the engine compartment. I think I'll have to mount it horizontal to make it fit right though.

My blue sea is to the right of my gas pedal, anchored to the fire wall. I run all my interior acc. off of it. I just got tired of re-siliconing the fire wall everytime I added an acessory, not to mention this is so much more simple, and the unit can be grounded and act as a ground on the specified terminals.

Aaron

 

[Box Rocket]

Where'd you get those shackle mounts?

 

[xcmountain80]

expedition exchange.

Aaron

 

[Box Rocket]

Thank you sir.

 

[xcmountain80]

Gettin there. Today almost all the parts arrive in the toyota order less the wheel bearings that were on the sheet but not in the package () also shorted me 4 washers (2x). I picked up the new cv's from the local auto store. The gears and rear LSD should (God willing) be here tomorrow. The aussie locker has been here since the beginning of the week. So I've packaged it all up and left room for the gears and diffs in the box. The silver fox (catchy name) is headed to the shop tomorrow assuming the arrival of the gears is a go.

Well the aussie locker, gears and lsd, and new toyota parts will be here next week towards the end. I still need to find Taco cv's in the non add fashion. Hopefully I will have this installed within the next 2wks. I have been working on the Aisin hubs mainly because I have nothing better to do. Heres what I have so far.

Got the quote back for the gears, masters, truetrac LSD before shipping is $1K. Kinda thinking about having all the work done at one time as apposed to manual hubs 1st then diff's and lockers/LSD. The hubs will be here in a few days along with the aussie locker (Front). Total for pats and shipping for all the other parts I need to make the swap go easy $670 shipped from toyotapartsales.com. Not sure where the money is coming from but I guess I'll go and stand on the corner.

Aaron

 

[xcmountain80]

Did run into a snag though the bearings I ordered were on the pick list from Toyota of Dallas but they never arrived. I emailed yesterday and called today, asked about UPS's insurance on the package covering me being out of parts, but they said they felt like it was dishonest. Hmm I'll keep ya informed I hope this works out for the better. The LSD and gears didn't show today with my brown santa so The truck is on for parts install mon. or tues. depending on brown santa.

Aaron