You guessed it, yet another 85 4 Runner buildup!

[Jud]

Thanks. I wonder where my old Sami is now. I heard it was in Valencia, but I haven't run across any pictures of it.

I think i've seen it in pics before but they were probably from when you had it.

[ZukIzzy]

Here is the weekend update. We start with the 26" tailgate.  26" was selected as it would allow the corners of the taillights to be just inside the frame rails. The problem (that Zukizzy of course solved) was the fact the hinges ended up overlapping. Zukizzy relocated them, but it involved a lot of work. 

Holy crap I  need a hair cut.

Wayne

[Loosekannon]

Nice work guys, can't wait to see it 

[Shoyrtt]

Holy crap I  need a hair cut.

Wayne

Just a little longer and you will need this:

[Shoyrtt]

Nice work guys, can't wait to see it 

Thanks Chase. I can't wait to drive it.

[ZukIzzy]

Little more progress





Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

It looks great!!!!!

[ZukIzzy]

A little more progress just a little bending while fiberglass was curing. I have to get part of the EXO done before I can locate the dove tail sides.

[Yota4life]

Lookin good. So is the rear fender going to go flat across?

[Shoyrtt]

Lookin good. So is the rear fender going to go flat across?

Yes it does.  Zukizzy glassed it in. 8) I have been working on it to get ready for the night run, so i should have some pictures later on.

[Shoyrtt]

Getting ready for the 28th.


And here is a picture of what it looked like before last years run:

[ZukIzzy]

Looks good Jim. Wish I had the time to finish the EXO. see you on the 28th.

Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

Looks good Jim. Wish I had the time to finish the EXO. see you on the 28th.

Wayne

I am surprised to see the two pictures side by side and how much weight must have been shed. The old Runner was "sagging" and with the same gear in it (tools, air tank, spare parts, etc). Now it looks a lot better.

[46&2]

That looks sick!! I am digging the halo around the gas tank door, that is a nice touch. Were you able to keep the old tailgate handle? How do you open it/keep it shut? anyway, nice work. 

[ZukIzzy]

That looks sick!! I am digging the halo around the gas tank door, that is a nice touch. Were you able to keep the old tailgate handle? How do you open it/keep it shut? anyway, nice work. 

It does look good, wait till he gets it finished . The gas fill oval was a quick "wonder if this will work" thing. We thought it was alright  :thumbs:but we will probly cut it out and redo that tube when the tank gets moved but that is up to Jim. the original runner gate is cut up and welded on pemanatly where we shortened the body. The gate is a stock mini truck gate that we shortened and it uses the stock latch and handle mechanism although it is not finished it will be on the inside of the gate when finished but work like a stock one.

Wayne

[Shoyrtt]

I noticed a huge difference in the weight reduction this weekend. I have NO regrets cutting up the Runner. 8)

[Volcom]

Nice work!  Looks great!

[Shoyrtt]

Nice work!  Looks great!

Thanks. We need to run a little more tubing for the exo and I need bigger tires .

[MR_DIY]

awesome work man!

[Shoyrtt]

awesome work man!

Thanks. 8)

I have been tossing around the the plans on how to make the rear a little more presentable.  I was going to take into a buddy to have it painted. Instead, after weighing the costs and time, I decided to just get the rear (every body panel behind the doors) wrapped. I called around and got a few quotes and it is actually pretty cheap. I am not going to do anything wild like my friend Brent's rig, but it should be nice.
Here is Brent's rig:

[MR_DIY]

 

[DTB]

love the expanded metal floor in the rear.... the other stuff u did is cool too

[ZukIzzy]

Way cool on the wrap Jim. Can't wait to see it. Lets finish the Exo before you wrap so we don't the new wrap. Sure was nice to see all those runners working Big Johnson, I really need to get me one.

Wayne

[EarlKann]

What are you gonna get on the wrap?  How about you post some options and we will vote on it?

[Shoyrtt]

What are you gonna get on the wrap?  How about you post some options and we will vote on it?

This isn't a democracy. My quirky sense of style will probably be hated and/or respected but who knows. I'll have fun with and it will likely offend a majority of my very conservative neighbors.

The art work hasn't been started (it should be done soon) but the idea I had was to stay with the 80s theme. I remember when the Toyota trucks first came out, quite a few of them had a "Diver Down" sticker on the rear window. Now that either meant you were: 1. a scuba diver; 2. another type of "diver" ; or 3. liked Van Halen. I guess I kind of fall into all three categories so I am going to "borrow" the theme from a very famous guitar. 8) 

[Shoyrtt]

Way cool on the wrap Jim. Can't wait to see it. Lets finish the Exo before you wrap so we don't the new wrap. Sure was nice to see all those runners working Big Johnson, I really need to get me one.

Wayne

Sounds like a plan.  The "wrap guy" said he needs about a thumbs distance to install it and it can slide into place. I'll give you a call because I have this trailer that I just don't know what to do with.

[Volcom]

How does the wrap take to being scrapped against the rocks?  Looks like a cheaper route over getting the truck painted.  Plus you can get way more stylish with the wrap designs.

[Shoyrtt]

How does the wrap take to being scrapped against the rocks?  Looks like a cheaper route over getting the truck painted.  Plus you can get way more stylish with the wrap designs.

I would guess that it would scratch pretty bad. Brent parked his rig at the end of parking lot and some punk keyed it. The scratch on the wrap is a little more noticeable than if it was paint. That being said, you can always have a new piece of wrap put on at any time.  And for price, I am looking at $350 for the entire rear. I figure with the exo, the wrap should stay in decent shape so long as it stays out of the parking lot.

[ZukIzzy]

Sounds like a plan.  The "wrap guy" said he needs about a thumbs distance to install it and it can slide into place. I'll give you a call because I have this trailer that I just don't know what to do with.

I know a guy who is mising a trailer. I love the VH guitar theme for the wrap. Talk to you later.

Wayne

[EarlKann]

I like the guitar.  Keeps the red but makes it kinda wild.  Did you see the Bronco on the cheap on Trucks!  They did some kind of early naval camo that looked to be in the same style.  Can't remember what it was called now.