Blackdiamond (Gup-C build-up)

[blackdiamond]

Wheeling last weekend.

It will be interesting to see how the Pitbull Rockers break in, but they are enough of a different tire I am not sure you can really compare them to your MTRs. You might have to go even lower with the air pressure if the sidewalls are a lot stronger/thicker/stiffer. Sort of apples and oranges in my mind. Having said that, I would have expected the PBRs to clearly outperform the MTRs.

I may see if I can find the time to air mine down and go for a drive. I am curious about what they look like at 10 psi.

[SqWADoosh]

It will be interesting to see how the Pitbull Rockers break in, but they are enough of a different tire I am not sure you can really compare them to your MTRs. You might have to go even lower with the air pressure if the sidewalls are a lot stronger/thicker/stiffer. Sort of apples and oranges in my mind. Having said that, I would have expected the PBRs to clearly outperform the MTRs.

I may see if I can find the time to air mine down and go for a drive. I am curious about what they look like at 10 psi.

Mud Terrains have to break in before they start to hook up. This was the first time I had them below 30 psi and I only went down to 8. I agree I need to go lower with them. However they also need to break in. I was so upset about it that I came home right after wheeling and researched. I found a huge amount of people on pirate saying that they definitely have a break in period and then they are a dream.

[blackdiamond]

Mud Terrains have to break in before they start to hook up. This was the first time I had them below 30 psi and I only went down to 8. I agree I need to go lower with them. However they also need to break in. I was so upset about it that I came home right after wheeling and researched. I found a huge amount of people on pirate saying that they definitely have a break in period and then they are a dream.

I am not surprised that your sidewalls need some break-in given their heavy duty construction, but I am shocked that the performance drop off was that significant even with them being brand new.

I can't say that I noticed any issued with my new BFG KMs, but everything on the 4Runner was new to me that year so it's impossible to really make a good comparison to the following year.  I'm not really expecting to be blown away with a performance improvement or drop off, since I couldn't replace them with the same tires it really only matters how they would perform compared to the KM2 and I'll never know.

[blackdiamond]

A couple of pictures from the other day after I installed the soft top.

[blackdiamond]

Wheeling last weekend.

The good news is that every tire works well in Moab on the slick rock. Even if you only get 85% of max performance it will likely be the best traction you have ever experienced.

[SqWADoosh]

The good news is that every tire works well in Moab on the slick rock. Even if you only get 85% of max performance it will likely be the best traction you have ever experienced.

They were hooking up better as the day went on. I'm sure I'll be fine.

[blackdiamond]

I think my "To Do" list for Moab is down to one final option item:

(1) Replace o2 sensor

It should be delivered today and considering my last tank of gas calculated out at 16.3 mpg I don't think it would hurt anything to run the existing one for the trip.  It should be an easy swap so it's on the list.

I think pretty much everything else that I need to pack could easily be purchased at the grocery store in Moab so...

I did get the tires rebalanced.  The worst one was 4 oz. off and now they are all within 0.25 oz.  Discount Tire thinks they had a machine out of calibration around the time I purchased my tires, plus the tech that balanced them the first time didn't give me the same level of effort as the second guy.  This should smooth out the ride in the 60-65 mph range that was just enough to be slightly annoying.  I almost didn't go in again, but I'm glad that I did.

[Cheesemaker]

16 years ago when I was at the tire shop, Cooper Tires had a stiffer sidewall than other brands in its lineup.  Which made it work well when being abused off road.  But had a harder time flexing when aired down.   

[blackdiamond]

16 years ago when I was at the tire shop, Cooper Tires had a stiffer sidewall than other brands in its lineup.  Which made it work well when being abused off road.  But had a harder time flexing when aired down.   

CrankyCrawler has been happily running the STTs for several years so we'll see how the SST PROs do side by side in a few weeks.  I can't say that they seemed to be that much stiffer than my BFG KMs, but his 8 inch rims vs. my 10 inch rims makes direct comparisons difficult.

[blackdiamond]

The o2 sensor has been replaced.  I had a hard time figuring out exactly which part I needed because I kept seeing two different part numbers that seemed to be the identical other than the length.  The connector under my truck appeared to be closer to the shorter length.  A new friend hooked me up with the Toyota OEM part number and the cross reference had me purchase the longer one.  As it turns out, the connector under the truck was just a universal splice and the OEM connector was under the driver's seat/carpet.  One less connection and we'll see if the check engine light stays off now.

[SqWADoosh]

The o2 sensor has been replaced.  I had a hard time figuring out exactly which part I needed because I kept seeing two different part numbers that seemed to be the identical other than the length.  The connector under my truck appeared to be closer to the shorter length.  A new friend hooked me up with the Toyota OEM part number and the cross reference had me purchase the longer one.  As it turns out, the connector under the truck was just a universal splice and the OEM connector was under the driver's seat/carpet.  One less connection and we'll see if the check engine light stays off now.

I wonder who that new friend could be 

[blackdiamond]

I wonder who that new friend could be 

I didn't want to "name drop" for a non-forum member.

[SqWADoosh]

I didn't want to "name drop" for a non-forum member.

He has an account. He is just a lurker. He's probably lurking on us right now 

[blackdiamond]

He has an account. He is just a lurker. He's probably lurking on us right now 

Nope. 0 Members and 0 guests

[blackdiamond]

I took the 4Runner our for a quick test drive and everything seems to be working great.  It's really difficult to tell anything for sure since I've been running around on low air pressure quite a bit recently, but I could almost convince myself that it's a bit smoother and has a little more power.  Probably all in my head, but at least the only vibes are positive...that's good enough for me.

[Cheesemaker]

Cool!!  I need to replace my O2 sensor one day.  Its one of those, its working so why replace it?  But I need to swap out my exhaust manifold, I was given a 20R style and was told its better, but I think I was given BS.  I have a 22R/E style that just needs the surface machined smooth.  OR, I can go with the header I have, but I need to mod in the heated style O2 sensor in it.      More than likely I will go OEM, but until then, who knows!

[blackdiamond]

I just filled out the insurance mileage report for the year and the 4Runner has gone 7,690 miles in the past two years.  That includes two trips to Moab that account for at least 4,500 miles leaving about 3,000 for the other 102 weeks, call it 34 miles per week average.

The records show 8,798 miles since 2012 or 2,200 miles a year.

Hopefully, it'll get driven a bit more now that the kids are old enough to help getting themselves in and out.

[SqWADoosh]

I just filled out the insurance mileage report for the year and the 4Runner has gone 7,690 miles in the past two years.  That includes two trips to Moab that account for at least 4,500 miles leaving about 3,000 for the other 102 weeks, call it 34 miles per week average.

The records show 8,798 miles since 2012 or 2,200 miles a year.

Hopefully, it'll get driven a bit more now that the kids are old enough to help getting themselves in and out.

Need to make some more local trips with that pig 

[blackdiamond]

Need to make some more local trips with that pig 

I'd settle for some very local trips like to the grocery store just to keep it on the road.  I'd take it to the zoo today, but still need to get the soft top off so don't trust the weather or the security of it right now.

[Plainview]

Love your 'runner man!

Just skimmed the 21 pages in this thread - great work.

I'm especially in love with that front bumper and now bummed to see that company doesn't make them, or really any other bumpers any more.

[blackdiamond]

Love your 'runner man!

Just skimmed the 21 pages in this thread - great work.

I'm especially in love with that front bumper and now bummed to see that company doesn't make them, or really any other bumpers any more.

I got lucky with the bumper. It was either the last or next to the last one produced. I am not a fan of tube front bumpers and love the OEM look and it's pretty solid while still being fairly light compared to something like an ARB that would have been my 2nd choice.

[SqWADoosh]

Love your 'runner man!

Just skimmed the 21 pages in this thread - great work.

I'm especially in love with that front bumper and now bummed to see that company doesn't make them, or really any other bumpers any more.

Addicted offroad makes a great one that is very similar if not better: http://www.addictedoffroad.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=672

[Plainview]

That is nice... But $ouch$

The thing I like about Blackdiamond's is the simplicity of it.  The Addicted Offroad piece is nice, but I really don't need or particularly want the stinger.  It just seems... unnecessary.  If I ever get into a situation where my truck is in danger of rolling end-over-end, I've really done something wrong.   

[SqWADoosh]

I'd be willing to bet the FROR one that bd has went for about that much too. Nice bumpers cost money.

[Plainview]

Oh I get that.  It's just sticker shock is all...

Any idea why they specify '86-'88?  Shouldn't '84 & '85 be the same, or is there some difference due to the changeover to IFS?

[SqWADoosh]

Oh I get that.  It's just sticker shock is all...

Any idea why they specify '86-'88?  Shouldn't '84 & '85 be the same, or is there some difference due to the changeover to IFS?

The 84 and 85 have a different frame. I have reached out to Addicted about why they are not offering it for 84 and 85 and they said that there isn't enough of them around (not big enough market) to warrant them making them for that year. 

[blackdiamond]

I'd be willing to bet the FROR one that bd has went for about that much too. Nice bumpers cost money.

I am pretty certain that I paid a bit more than that but don't remember for sure.

The guy that built the majority of my 4Runner now owns DC Custom Fabrication in the Wenatchee area. He has a tube bumper that has a plate covering to give the plate look while keeping cost down.

https://www.facebook.com/dccustomfab/

[blackdiamond]

blackdiamond is in the town of Black Diamond for the first time.

[blackdiamond]

I did a little sticker upgrade tonight.  I wanted something different on my front fenders and with everyone advertising their swaps I thought it was appropriate to use the 22R-E valve cover sticker.  I think it really looks pretty slick.  I also finally got my new Moab sticker on from from my 2015 trip and a 

[:)bestgen4runner]