You guessed it, yet another 85 4 Runner buildup!

[Volcom]

How many inches off the ground is the rear tire?  Looks like 35-36"!!  That's quite a bit for a leaf sprung truck!

Did you take care of your rubbing issues (rear tire on the frame)? Any pictures of the passenger side tire stuffed into the wheelwell?  Any rubbing issues in the front? 

Sorry for the 20 questions, I'm just trying to figure how to fit mine

[DeadlyPeace]

How many inches off the ground is the rear tire?  Looks like 35-36"!!  That's quite a bit for a leaf sprung truck!

That looks about right, but I'm sure he could get it even higher then that at long as he's not rubbing.

Here's a pic of my DD/trail rig when I first started building it. The bed on the tow truck is at least 48".

[Shoyrtt]

when you gonna make it to norcal? asked befor but dont remember. we got hella snow the last couple weeks!

It looks like I am going to try and make it up to the Rubicon this summer. I'd like to do some snow wheeling (we have some local white stuff), but I'm a wimp and need to have a top made and get the doors back on before I go.

How many inches off the ground is the rear tire?  Looks like 35-36"!!  That's quite a bit for a leaf sprung truck!

Did you take care of your rubbing issues (rear tire on the frame)? Any pictures of the passenger side tire stuffed into the wheelwell?  Any rubbing issues in the front? 

Sorry for the 20 questions, I'm just trying to figure how to fit mine

I don't know how far up the ramp I went, but it didn't seem like much before the other tire lifted. When I put in an IFS rear axle (probably with spacers), I can decrease the bumpstops and it will flex like it did with the 35s. It does rub up front too, but again, a massive dose of bumpstops was the cure for now. If I tub the front fenderwells back to the body mount it should be better.  

Here is the best pic I have of a passenger side tire stuff. It is probably on the bumpstop here  :

That looks about right, but I'm sure he could get it even higher then that at long as he's not rubbing.

Here's a pic of my DD/trail rig when I first started building it. The bed on the tow truck is at least 48".

Nice truck! 

[Shoyrtt]

I picked up a Kenwood Ham Radio and antenna today from Rock Buggy Supply. Now I need to get it in the Runner before the next trip to the Hammers in a couple of weeks.

[Goose]

I picked up a Kenwood Ham Radio and antenna today from Rock Buggy Supply. Now I need to get it in the Runner before the next trip to the Hammers in a couple of weeks.

Ooooh dats perrrrty!
How much it all cost you?
Is ham alot clearer than cb?

[ZukIzzy]

Its what we use for race radios in desert racing and they are much clearer with huge range compated to CB

[Shoyrtt]

Ooooh dats perrrrty!
How much it all cost you?
Is ham alot clearer than cb?

It does look nice. I paid $250 for it. It is a bit of an upgrade over some of the basic models and some internal modifications were made to it to "open it up". It has a lot more power than a CB so it should be a better unit.

I posted this thread up last month when I was looking into getting a ham radio.  http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=40887.0;highlight=ham+radio It has some good info in it.

[bajamil]

did you have to cut away any metal in front of the IFS box in that rig, any more pics on that?  nice clean runner i am swaping trucks due to rust

[Doof]

you can pick up emergency frequencies with that cant you? kinda like a scan mode type of deal?

[topar]

First time I have seen this thread  Nice truck  I use the same gun locks for my high lift.

[Shoyrtt]

did you have to cut away any metal in front of the IFS box in that rig, any more pics on that?  nice clean runner i am swaping trucks due to rust

Yes we did, but not much. Zukizzy and I were talking about your post today, but it has been over two years since the box was mounted we had to think a bit. I'll try to take some pics soon.

[Shoyrtt]

you can pick up emergency frequencies with that cant you? kinda like a scan mode type of deal?

Yes you can pick up the police frequencies ect. but I don't think of it as a traditional scanner. It is more like a CB but with a lot more POWER.

[Shoyrtt]

First time I have seen this thread  Nice truck  I use the same gun locks for my high lift.

Thanks for the compliment.
BTW: I don't have those locks, just the Hylift aluminum mounts.

[Shoyrtt]

We did some work on the Runner today in preparation for the King of the Hammers event on 2-22 in Johnson Valley. I'm not a meteorologist, but I have this funny feeling we will be getting another rain storm for that weekend (I hope not ). So the work centered on sealing off the the cab for inclement weather.

Pics later but I'll try to give a brief explanation on what we did.  We used some electrical conduit, angle iron, the front three inches of the stock hardtop and various nuts and bolts to construct a "Canback" frame. Once again, thanks to Zukizzy's "McGuyver" skills, it turned out great.  

I'm going to take it into the upholstery shop this week for the top and then take the new frame in for powdercoating. Even though it has been close to two years ago, I  also need to check if the stock doors will fit after my flop. Pics tomorrow.

[Goose]

Sweet...
Ive been thinkin of making a "can-back" style top over the bed on my truck, mainly for summer time heat, and maybe for the snow too i guess...
Are you going with a black canvas type material?

[DeadlyPeace]

Any luck getting that radio in?

Pics would be sweet. I want to make a fully removeable canvas top (cab and bed) for my trail rig some day. Might get some good ideas from yours.

Nice truck! 

BTW thanks for the comp.

[Shoyrtt]

Sweet...
Ive been thinkin of making a "can-back" style top over the bed on my truck, mainly for summer time heat, and maybe for the snow too i guess...
Are you going with a black canvas type material?

The plan is for a black top and sides with a clear rear window.

Any luck getting that radio in?

Pics would be sweet. I want to make a fully removeable canvas top (cab and bed) for my trail rig some day. Might get some good ideas from yours.
BTW thanks for the comp.

I haven't had a chance to get the radio in. Hopefully this week depending on the time in the upholstery shop.

[Shoyrtt]

I snapped a few pics of the "CanBack" frame this morning with the cell phone.

Here is the wide shot:



Here is a closeup of the remnants of the stock hard top.



The rear hoop:

[DeadlyPeace]

Looks good. You planning on making the canvas removeable too, maybe via snaps or tiedown straps?

[Shoyrtt]

Looks good. You planning on making the canvas removeable too, maybe via snaps or tiedown straps?

I'd like it to be, although I will probably leave it on all of the time. I'm going to have the shop make the sides and the rear window able to be rolled up and secured which is the way most of the people I have seen with Canbacks run them in dry weather. With the top material, I figure the total weight of the new top is under 20lbs.

edit: Here is my friend Howard's Canback with the sides and rear window up:

[skipnrocks]

With the framework just under the cage it looks like it would be a pita  to get off, but if your going to leave it on it will be cool cause it will be safe when wheelin.

[Shoyrtt]

With the framework just under the cage it looks like it would be a pita  to get off, but if your going to leave it on it will be cool cause it will be safe when wheelin.

There is only one area where it is close to the exo (in the rear corners), but again, the top will probably be on all of the time.

I went to the upholstery shop over lunch and took a picture and diagram of what I want for the top. I am taking the Runner in tomorrow and was told it should be about two days in the shop and around $500.

[Shoyrtt]

I have been looking around for tops to borrow ideas from. Here are a few. 8)

[Shoyrtt]

This one is close to what I have in mind, but without the side windows.

[skipnrocks]

I like the white top and the one on the orange truck! 

[Doof]

sounds like a ham might be the way to go.... in over my CB its a pile of

[DeadlyPeace]

You planning on a full side windows for good visability?

[Shoyrtt]

sounds like a ham might be the way to go.... in over my CB its a pile of

We shall see. On Pirate 4X4 they are planning a webcast of the King of the Hammers with the ham radio transmissions. I'm helping out with the logistics. Maybe you'll hear me say oh shi$#.  It should be fun.

You planning on a full side windows for good visability?

The reality is I probably won't wheel much in "true" inclement weather to have the sides down much. The one problem with the "plastic" soft top windows is they sure get scratched easily, so there might not be much "visibility" to them a a few years anyway.

[EarlKann]

Hey!  That's mine now! Sitting in my driveway at home as I type.   

The top on it is showing it's age.  Starting to get some tears where it rubs against the framework.  If you can, have them stich in an extra piece of material as a rub guard where it will be in contact with the framework.

[Shoyrtt]

Hey!  That's mine now! Sitting in my driveway at home as I type.  

The top on it is showing it's age.  Starting to get some tears where it rubs against the framework.  If you can, have them stich in an extra piece of material as a rub guard where it will be in contact with the framework.

I thought that looked like the F-Toy donor, but the hood scoop threw me off. Thanks for the advise on the top. I am a little concerned with this corner of the old hard top being a problem spot.