DTB's ANGRY TREE HUGGER (Now pulling an angry pop up camper)

[DTB]

Thought I would finally start my own build-up thread. Here goes nothing. 

Here's the only picture I have of it stock.  Kind of funny the semi-built Jeep in the background used to belong to Woody Williams, Cardinals pitcher, yet my stock toy could wheel right along-side it.   Bought her with 226,000 on the clock in 2003






OOPS. this was her first boo-boo.  Ever seen those crazy trees in the Harry potter movie? Well, they do exist.   More soon.

[Rocksurfer]

It looks like you've broke it in well.

[wa4x4]

Nice iPod, is that just sitting in the cupholder or do you have a special mounting place for it?

EDIT    I looked closer, it's in the cup holder.

[6.72:1]

Notorious body damage! At least you were the one having fun! Not a bad way to meet the neighbors! Over in my neck of the woods, there is this huge squirrel that causes body damage. At least, that is what all my friends say after they come out of the woods with there truck all beaten up and they are recovering from alcohol poisoning the next week.

[Rocksurfer]

Notorious body damage! At least you were the one having fun! Not a bad way to meet the neighbors! Over in my neck of the woods, there is this huge squirrel that causes body damage. At least, that is what all my friends say after they come out of the woods with there truck all beaten up and they are recovering from alcohol poisoning the next week.

So is that the line your brother fed you?

[6.72:1]

So is that the line your brother fed you?

There were quite a few. None of them were believable. He is trying to get out of this unscathed, but he is not.

[wa4x4]

"I hit a dog", that ones my favorite.

[DTB]

Nice iPod, is that just sitting in the cupholder or do you have a special mounting place for it?

EDIT I looked closer, it's in the cup holder.

Yes, the IPos is custum mounted in my cupholder. The stereo store only charged my parents $25 for the install.
After the bed came off, body damage became rampant.

[6.72:1]

That seems to be the latest trend.

[DTB]

i guess I need to catch ya'll up. The truck was wheeled for about a year with a downey IFS gusset and new 31" BFG all-terrains.  Soon though I found I was not able to keep up with my buddies on the trails.  Some 31" BFG muds, 2" Downey springs w/add -a-leafs were in order along with some A.O.R. Bonz trussed shackles (1.5" over), Pro Comp ES1000 and Tuff Country shocks, Downey 26mm heavy-duty torsion bars and low profile poly bumpstops.  My truck had ADD, which sucked big time, so Aisin hubs were tossed on.   Found a new door! Somehow, this ratchet strap failed on the highway and the door was just sitting on top of the spare when I got home. 

[Rocksurfer]

Yes, the IPos is custum mounted in my cupholder. The stereo store only charged my parents $25 for the install.
After the bed came off, body damage became rampant.

Now I am for sure not taking the bed off my truck.

[DTB]

The bed was sold for parts (mostly body panels I had destroyed) and replaced with a diamond-plate aluminum sheet and Knaack toolbox.  The frame was cut off up to stock shackle hangar. Tossed on some LandCruiser taillights for good measure with tabs welded around them.  Of course a 2" inch receiver and "d" ring to pull out those silly jeeps.    Didn't want another bent idler arm on my IFS  so I slapped a gusset on that mug.  I added a few barbell weights in the spare for extra weight.  It's a little rough on the street. 

[DTB]

I just picked up a cheap Cobra CB off ebay ($30) and a Uniden police/weather scanner from Wally world for ($35) on clearance.  In the city its like having a rolling live Cops show. I hear some crazy .    I'm just gonna install them temporarily until I get bucket seats and a center console, where they will reside.

[79coyotefrg]

still looks like you could notch that bed and sink your tool box down 6 inches or so

[DTB]

Last summer I decided the engine was on its last leg.  It had overheated a few times BAD!  The head gasket was shot and I was really slowin' down on the hills.  She did make it to 250,000 miles and still had power, considering. There's something to be said for that.  My buddy Semble and I put her under the knife for a few days. 

The block was bored .030 over and a low-end cam from EngineBuilders installed.

picked up a Japanese timing chain kit, new water pump, pistons, head, valves, springs, rockers, clutch, reman flywheel, exhaust, etc.





my friend Semble getting into his work.  hehehe 

[DTB]

still looks like you could notch that bed and sink your tool box down 6 inches or so

Ya know, glen, now that I really looked at it, you're right.    It would'nt be hard. There is a tube running under the diamond plate sheet that would have to be modified near the cab.

Also there is a tab, welded, holding up the gas tank filler. I would just move that too.

Oh, and remove the old bed brackets. I actually do have some visibility issues with the top of the toolbox. I can't see my tires or even the end of the bed. 

[DTB]

I love that Knaack tool box. I can't say enough about it. Thing is SOLID. I've bashed it into some trees and it's held up.  It's really thick, seals up nice and has some fat welds. The hydraulic units are very smooth. Never touched 'em.

[Rocksurfer]

Hey is that nut in the engine bay a lure to get the squirel to come back?

[DTB]

Hey is that nut in the engine bay a lure to get the squirel to come back?

There's actually 4 squirrels.  It takes a really big nut. 

Oh and I forgot to add that currently I am running 33" BFG Muds, Precision Gear 4.88's and a Detroit locker in the rear.    It works for now. 

[Trail-runner]

Trucks lookin' good.  If your up for some wheeling let me know.  My truck is comparable to yours. I just have 31s and lockers front and rear.  I also lifted the drivetrain 2".  I'm going to the Moroc run in March, its in semour, mo.

[unclejpl4x4]

 

[79coyotefrg]

hey guys theres talk of a run at Wheelin in the Country, in western tennessee  in maybe may or june

dtb,  i would sink it down to maybe a inch above the gas tank, then just weld some supports across the frame rail to support it,  run the gas filler out  onto the bed,  this way if you ever shred a tire on the highway it wonts slap that filler neck off,   and you could put some removeable diamond plate on the side to hide the tank and make it all blend together

[unclejpl4x4]

ya thats a good idea glen   armor zee tank    the squirel  army is coming!!!!!!!!

[DTB]

The springs on my stock seats were shot after 280,000 miles so I picked up some "new" ones at the local pick-n-pull for $20 each.  I plucked them out of a '91 Celica. I'm not really happy with the mounting method so I only have one in right now.  The seat rides low so I need to fabricate some brackets. 

[Rocksurfer]

I have 80's Celica seats in my truck, yours are sweet. My guess is you sit a little low now, I have a 1" spacer on the rear and front mounts. Would you like to see my mounts? I can post them tomorrow for  you it's really simple.

[DTB]

I have 80's Celica seats in my truck, yours are sweet. My guess is you sit a little low now, I have a 1" spacer on the rear and front mounts. Would you like to see my mounts? I can post them tomorrow for you it's really simple.

ya, thanks RS. That would be cool.  I was thinking the same thing about the rear. The front seems to sit high enough as is. i guess you made the spacers out of aluminum or something. show me watcha got. 

[Rocksurfer]

ya, thanks RS. That would be cool.  I was thinking the same thing about the rear. The front seems to sit high enough as is. i guess you made the spacers out of aluminum or something. show me watcha got. 

I did too until I bumped the rear up, even with the bowl seating you feel a little like you are sliding out.  I actually have my front side out right now but am going to put it back in so that it supports my legs better. The mounts are steel not alum, welded tabs for the floor and studs fo the seat bottoms.

[79coyotefrg]

use some old rocker arm supports

[Rocksurfer]

Sorry it took so long but here are the pics of my brackets.....

[Rocksurfer]

On the rear you leave the back open so you can tighten the nuts and bolts........