:)bestgen4runner's build page.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Here is a shot of the damage the new tires have caused to the rear wheel wells. 
Looks like the new tires with the 8" wheels are a bit taller. 
I am now hitting sheet metal at all four corners. 
I have added trimming to My list of before Moab items.
When We return I am planning to do the wheel well chop. 2" to 3"

[H8PVMNT]

This is not rocket science but I would like to make a case for doing it cleaner than the usual sawzall fender hack...

I just trimmed the back portion of my rear fender wells.  I don't really care for the total hack I think it spoils the body lines (my tube fenders did too ) and unless you run HUGE tires you probably don't need it anyway.  I trimmed off just where it would hit leaving about a 3/4" flange extra with a few notches in it to roll and tack back in so it wasn't all butchered.  Then used some seam sealer. 

Here is a pic:

[SqWADoosh]

This is not rocket science but I would like to make a case for doing it cleaner than the usual sawzall fender hack...

I just trimmed the back portion of my rear fender wells.  I don't really care for the total hack I think it spoils the body lines (my tube fenders did too ) and unless you run HUGE tires you probably don't need it anyway.  I trimmed off just where it would hit leaving about a 3/4" flange extra with a few notches in it to roll and tack back in so it wasn't all butchered.  Then used some seam sealer. 

Here is a pic:

He's planning on going with 37s. He's going to need to do more than that. There is a way to do it clean using the method I did and doing it with proper spot welding.

[H8PVMNT]

We all need fiberglass $$ .

[Rockcrawlintoy]

[:)bestgen4runner]

Good picture Drew, She looks good all Dirty. 

[:)bestgen4runner]

Switch panel is complete. Just need to start on the wiring.
So far I am very happy with how it turned out.
I am considering wiring my own in cab winch controls, still looking into it.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

Looks really nice. You need a light bar now.

[emsvitil]

What's the difference between 'winch isolator' and 'winch power' ?

Did you make the stickers for the switches?

[redneckcustoms13]

That's printed on the switch. I wonder what winch isolator is as well.

[:)bestgen4runner]

What's the difference between 'winch isolator' and 'winch power' ?

Did you make the stickers for the switches?

That's printed on the switch. I wonder what winch isolator is as well.

I previously had a multi mount winch with the intent of wiring it for the front and rear. Plans have changed and I now have a front bumper mounted winch. I am planning to wire in cab winch controls. I will use one of the switches as a master winch power switch. The other winch switch is just there to fill the hole until I receive the in/out switch.
 

[BigBluePile]

Dang, turned out sweet!

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

[:)bestgen4runner]

Here it is all installed and wired. 
Learned a few things about carling switches. There it a big difference in quality of the switches. 
And more wiring configuration options than you would believe.
Both switches to the far right are just there to fill holes or future use.
Amber color switch with no label is for the auxiliary cooling fan override.

I am stoked to have in cab winch controls. Cost me around $35 for switch and wiring supplies. (Just for the winch)
Total cost for the project including supplies? Maybe $125
I think it looks great and the gray color paint I picked matches very nicely.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Put in a hard days work on the 4runner today. Checked off several items from the pre Moab list.
Completed DIY switch panel with in cab winch controls, auxiliary fan override switch, and finished rock light switch wiring.
Remove the interior so I could route the Cb antenna cable to the right rear corner. New antenna mount location.
Changed the engine oil over to rotella t6. Changed the transmission oil, used redline NS. Full vehicle shake down and inspection. Greased all 16? Zerk fittings.
Adjusted rear brakes and bled the entire system. Inspected and topped off shock proof in the diffs and redline in the transfer case. Retorqued steering arms and all u bolts.
Made My first attempt to clearance the fenders. Appears I am good now with rear contact but the front still hits.
Found out I had no break lights due to a blow fuse.
My list is not finished but I made a big dent.
Progress feels good.
Took My boys and our puppy out for dinner.
Regan (puppy) apparently loves the 4runner.

[:)bestgen4runner]

During My full vehicle inspection I found that the passenger side front ubolts took multiple turns of the torque wrench. Something is wrong!
Well Moab is a long long drive, so needed to tear it down and see whats wrong. Here is what I found.
Passenger side leaf spring perch is damaged and the alignment pin was so close to snapping off.

[:)bestgen4runner]

With the Help of the shout box brain trust. I have made the decision to weld the original holes and redrill the perches one inch back. This will move the axle one inch forward and aid me with My tire contacting issues.
I also need to replace both front leaf spring center pins. Ordered up the Sky front flip kit to replace all the ubolts and upgrade the ubolts plates.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Pictures of the process.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Who would have thought that the Home Depot would have the perfect size gusset pieces to box in the damaged perch. I also welded one of the gussets I picked up under the new hole I drilled, this allowed the new spring alignment pins to be fully engaged with the perch. Originally the pin was only half in contact with the perch due to the thickness of the perch vs the depth of the pin.
Total cost of repairs and modifications at this point. $8.00 for new alignment pins and Home Depot gussets.
Sky flip kit upgrade was around $100 with shipping.   

[Gnarly4X]

.... I have made the decision to weld the original holes and redrill the perches one inch back. This will move the axle one
inch forward and aid me with My tire contacting issues.

Admittedly, I'm not a fabrication guru, but when you move the axle forward, does that change the distance between the t-case and the front driveshaft to 3rd member?

Gnarls.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

Admittedly, I'm not a fabrication guru, but when you move the axle forward, does that change the distance between the t-case and the front driveshaft to 3rd member?

Gnarls.

Yes it does. You also can run into issues with steering. The tie rod and drag link can hit as well

[blackdiamond]

Admittedly, I'm not a fabrication guru, but when you move the axle forward, does that change the distance between the t-case and the front driveshaft to 3rd member?

Gnarls.

He runs a square tube front driveshaft so this particular change is a nonissue.

[:)bestgen4runner]

I have checked the drive shaft and all is good in that area.
The steering is closer than I would like to see. I have ordered a new pitman arm from sky in hopes this will help out until we return from Moab. The new pitman arm is slightly shorter than stock with a 3/4 inch less drop. It's also made of billet and from what I have read is considered indestructible. If I run into issues with the steering after the pitman arm is replaced I will be forced to move the steering box forward. 
I measured the new wheelbase and I am now at 106", frame height is 28" with tires inflated for street driving.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Picture of the Esab Welder I have been using lately. Sadly I don't have a 220v outlet available so I have had to use it on 110v only. Its a nice little Welder, but I think There is better options out there for the Money.
I bought a couple of Items for My Welding needs. I absolutely love the Save Phase welding helmet. It is by far the clearest and brightest Welding Helmet I have ever used. I also picked up the same brand welding gloves. High quality and cool looking.
The other picture shows where the rear bumper has been moving up and down and making contact with the tail gate.
Credit to Little Steve for picking up on this when He last visited. Don't worry the tailgate was far from straight before the bumper got to it.
I repositioned the Bumper and it is now welded into place and ready for more Moab abuse.
I Managed to Burn My hair while welding the Bumper into place. Didn't hurt To bad but it sure smelled horrible.
Looking into a Welding hat next.

[BigBluePile]

That's a purty welder.  I've been trying to add a 50amp 220 circuit into my garage.  Apparently, the electrical inspector didn't appreciate it....

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

[joeyf]

Is your dryer close enough to run a cord to your garage.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Is your dryer close enough to run a cord to your garage.

I have a dryer outlet available. Going to require a long 220 extension cord. That's likely what I will have to do for now. 

[:)bestgen4runner]

New Sky Pitman arm arrived. Its Beefy 
3/4 less drop and 3/8 shorter. Original pitman arm was not on as tight as it should have been. I broke the lock nut loose with very little effort. Pitman arm puller was required to get the arm off, so I am sure I was fine. It should have been torqued to 130 ftlb. it was maybe torqued to 30 if that. 
Removed My bashed on steering dampner. Hydro in My future so no need  for it.
My steering box is in the original location, so I was concerned that the new arm would not clear the frame.
You can see from the picture that it was very very close. I loosened the bolts that hold the steering gear in place and moved the steering box the small amount that I could get from the holes in the frame. Nice and tight now. Clears the frame now and added just that extra little bit of clearance I was looking for with the tie rod and drag link. You can see they are still close but never make contact. Nice upgrade and cured My steering clearance issues. 

[emsvitil]

You have a pitman arm remover that works.........

I broke about 3 or 4 or them until I gave up and got my money back from Harbor Freight...........


Got a picture of it?

[mudmaster]

HF aren't good enough quality. Need a Mac, Snap-On, etc.

[Willard]

You have a pitman arm remover that works.........

I broke about 3 or 4 or them until I gave up and got my money back from Harbor Freight...........


Got a picture of it?

Watch bleepin-jeepins modified pitman arm puller video in youtube, guys the