You guessed it, yet another 85 4 Runner buildup!

[Shoyrtt]

[lilbuddy]

Awesome! That looks very clean too. Love it...

After seeing those beadlocks, I think that is the next thing after the motor, well, I have a locker after the motor and after the locker is longs... Then Ill get those bead locks

[Shoyrtt]

Final shot 8)

[Shoyrtt]

Awesome! That looks very clean too. Love it...

After seeing those beadlocks, I think that is the next thing after the motor, well, I have a locker after the motor and after the locker is longs... Then Ill get those bead locks

The one thing i was most impressed with was Marlin's Dual Ultimate t-cases. The crawl ratio with the 5.29s is unbelievable. My motor is pretty tight (it's been rebuilt, but it's not a powerhouse), but lockers and gears should be your first purchases.

[lilbuddy]

The one thing i was most impressed with was Marlin's Dual Ultimate t-cases. The crawl ratio with the 5.29s is unbelievable. My motor is pretty tight (it's been rebuilt, but it's not a powerhouse), but lockers and gears should be your first purchases.

Already got the Marlin Dual Cases (both stock) and its got to be the best upgrade for me. Got a rear locker already in, got a front one sitting in a box at Geno's house, and gears already in it. Enough of my truck though.

What size shocks are you running in the rear? They look like 14s to me.

[ZukIzzy]

Hey Jim it looks great, looks like you got the rear to stuff all the way. how are the bumps should they be longer? how is the wheel position in the rear do they rub at full stuff? One of the funnest project I have done with ya. can't wait to try to keep up at JV next weekend. Looks like we will be a Jeep only family at least for then.

Thanks
Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

Already got the Marlin Dual Cases (both stock) and its got to be the best upgrade for me. Got a rear locker already in, got a front one sitting in a box at Geno's house, and gears already in it. Enough of my truck though.

What size shocks are you running in the rear? They look like 14s to me.

I really don't know. I didn't measure them. They are whatever size Marlin includes in the kit.

[Shoyrtt]

Hey Jim it looks great, looks like you got the rear to stuff all the way. how are the bumps should they be longer? how is the wheel position in the rear do they rub at full stuff? One of the funnest project I have done with ya. can't wait to try to keep up at JV next weekend. Looks like we will be a Jeep only family at least for then.

Thanks
Wayne

We took it out again today across the freeway.  There is a ravine that allowed us to really flex it out. The rear bump stops are perfect. Full stuff = no problems.   The front rubs at full stuff, but nothing a BFH can't cure.   The only hair raising event took place descending a steep hill in low range. The range box shifter popped out of gear.   I just have to be careful until we can figure it out.



Other than that, I love it.  It climbs like a mule, I mean a turtle   and it is very stable.  Johnson Valley should be a blast. 8)

[ZukIzzy]

We took it out again today across the freeway. There is a ravine that allowed us to really flex it out. The rear bump stops are perfect. Full stuff = no problems. The front rubs at full stuff, but nothing a BFH can't cure. The only hair raising event took place descending a steep hill in low range. The range box shifter popped out of gear. I just have to be careful until we can figure it out.

Other than that, I love it. It climbs like a mule, I mean a turtle and it is very stable.  Johnson Valley should be a blast. 8)

Good to hear. I bet the boys were happy to have lockers and a lifted jungle gym again.

Wayne

[ZukIzzy]

I really don't know. I didn't measure them. They are whatever size Marlin includes in the kit.

They are 12" front and rear.

hope this helps
Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

Next on the agenda after practice wheeling the past few weeks, are a set of LED rock lights from Ultimate LEDs (pictures to follow). I also have a friend in the fire extinguisher business who hooked me up with a tank for CO2 (again more pictures). So stay tuned.

[alwayzbroken]

Have you noticed the DIY4x4 beadlocks "coning" like the Rockstomper kits are know to. What was the total cost of the beadlocks. I am trying to decide whether to buy the DIY4x4 kit or Rockstomper.

[Shoyrtt]

Have you noticed the DIY4x4 beadlocks "coning" like the Rockstomper kits are know to. What was the total cost of the beadlocks. I am trying to decide whether to buy the DIY4x4 kit or Rockstomper.

$260 for four (plus shipping) and $30 for the hardware. I haven't noticed any "coning" so far. 8)

[yotaboy79]

lookin good lookin real good

[alwayzbroken]

$260 for four (plus shipping) and $30 for the hardware. I haven't noticed any "coning" so far. 8)

Thanks. What did you torque the bolts to?

[Shoyrtt]

Thanks. What did you torque the bolts to?

We didn't use a torque wrench, but the tightening of the bolts is a PTA.   Basically plan on running around the circle three or four times to get them snug and then another time at least to check. One trick Zukizzy came up with is to run a little silicone on the welded bead to fill any pinhole leaks.

[ZukIzzy]

We didn't use a torque wrench, but the tightening of the bolts is a PTA. Basically plan on running around the circle three or four times to get them snug and then another time at least to check. One trick Zukizzy came up with is to run a little silicone on the welded bead to fill any pinhole leaks.

We used the Gutten system. Gutten tight. really they are at about 15 lbs and you have to do them again after the first run. They do cone a bit like all the DIY bead locks I have done but the only way to stop that would be a shoulder ring on the inner most part of the wheel ring. I don't have my circle cutter set up yet so I havent done any that way yet. Heloping Jim build that rig made me really want a 4runner. gonna have to clear some space to hide it from my wife. I was really impressed with Toyota and Marlins parts.

the right stuff was used once due to porr welding on my part and worked so good I will do it on every one I do just so I don't have to  unbolt oned cause of a pin hole.

Wayne

[alwayzbroken]

I don't have my circle cutter set up yet so I havent done any that way yet.

Does that mean you will be willing to offer these for sale when you get it set up

[ZukIzzy]

Does that mean you will be willing to offer these for sale when you get it set up

No, I have too much on my plate now for production stuff. If I build a rig for you then I would be happy to make some if you want.

Thanks
Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

Brief update
I finished my CO2 tank. I was given a 20lb tank from my fire extinguisher buddy that I painted yellow and added the large    sticker. Poly Performance provided the regulator, tank holder and handle. Good old Home Depot for the 200psi yellow coiled hose and chuck.   I figure I have about $120 in the setup.

LED lights are in also. I ordered from http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm. For me 4 lights for each wheel wasn't enough, so I picked 2 more for the center.

I also ordered 2 "turning lights" that are about 30 LEDs bundled together. I haven't mounted these yet, but I would like to use them to shine ahead of the Runner and down.


Sorry no pics for now. My camera took a dump.    

[Shoyrtt]

I finished mounting the 30 bulb LEDs last night. I'm not sure yet, but I think the little ones are brighter.

I also had my rear drive shaft re-tubed and balanced at a local shop. The jury is also out on the driveline work; I drove it to work today and I still start vibrating at about 60 mph.   Maybe it is just the tires not being balanced, but all of the vibrations seem to originate from the rear.

I am headed out to Truckhaven this weekend and the camera is working    so maybe I can post more pictures soon.

[GoaT]

Steering box 

so can u explain in a lil detail what u did here? i just see a flat plate welded onto the frame and, did u just drill hole threw the frame? there is nothing in the way right?

[MR_DIY]

you plate the frame on both sides and drill/sleeve each hole to mount the IFS steering box further forward. this helps the frame not twist/tear from the stress of turning bigga tires..... marlin sells the kit for it so you can see it but most folks make them. hth.

on the other hand.... really hot buildup shoyrrt!  I had no idea that you had gotten that far! I'm jealous and proud to say I know ya 

[GoaT]

you plate the frame on both sides and drill/sleeve each hole to mount the IFS steering box further forward. this helps the frame not twist/tear from the stress of turning bigga tires..... marlin sells the kit for it so you can see it but most folks make them. hth.

on the other hand.... really hot buildup shoyrrt!  I had no idea that you had gotten that far! I'm jealous and proud to say I know ya 

the kit marlin has are just sleeves... did he sleeve his? or just make those huge plates? also the sleeves marlin has they are to be welded in right?

[MR_DIY]

I don't wanna clutter his buildup thread with this.  I'll pm you

[ZukIzzy]

We used the sleaves from the marlin kit and a big 3/8" plate plus a tab for the top bolt sleave. you need to weld them to the frame on both sides so you can tighten the bolts without crushing the frame. that is an IFS steering box on an 85 4 runner which usually uses a push pull box. You do this to allow crossover.

Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

We used the sleaves from the marlin kit and a big 3/8" plate plus a tab for the top bolt sleave. you need to weld them to the frame on both sides so you can tighten the bolts without crushing the frame. that is an IFS steering box on an 85 4 runner which usually uses a push pull box. You do this to allow crossover.

Wayne

Yea, what Wayne said.

The plate also strengthens the frame a bit. My friend's 4 Runner with hydro-assist broke the frame at this location. It was sleeved, but it wasn't plated.

[MR_DIY]

don't hate the plate... it's great            

back to the hot 85 runnner build.

[Shoyrtt]

I finished mounting the 30 bulb LEDs last night. I'm not sure yet, but I think the little ones are brighter.

... maybe I can post more pictures soon.

I haven't updated this thread in a long time. Everything on the Runner works flawlessly. Last weekend I went on a run with a local club (mostly Jeeps) to Holcombe Creek. Here is a picture of the 30 bulb LED spots in place (temporarily). The ugly dude driving had a great time on the trip.


Next on the agenda is a front bumper from Zukizzy's shop. Also in the shop is a little gem that has been collecting dust for a while to mount to the front.

[MR_DIY]

keep it up... it looks like you are happy with it.  I am with mine as well.