Blackdiamond (Gup-C build-up)

[blackdiamond]

I don't know if your model is the same one they make for the first gens but a friend of mine just said that they are no longer making the bumper at least for first gen trucks.  Your bumper would fit the first gen trucks I think and therefore you might have one of the last ones they make?

I just got a reply to my email and I did get the last one of this design.  It sounds like they are planning to change the design and begin selling at a future date.  I guess my truck is now famous.

[gotrocks]

Cool!  I bet they weren't really to happy when you called up right after they had sold there last in stock and had to build another one.  HAHA kinda funny though.

[THK Matt]

I just got a reply to my email and I did get the last one of this design.  It sounds like they are planning to change the design and begin selling at a future date.  I guess my truck is now famous.

and i liked there HD design.

[blackdiamond]

Some pictures with the bumper bolted on.

[THK Matt]

im very jealous

[gotrocks]

I don't know if i like how the front looks.  The winch front plate should go across the whole front.  It looks like its crooked/off center to much.

[blackdiamond]

I don't know if i like how the front looks.  The winch front plate should go across the whole front.  It looks like its crooked/off center to much.

I think it looks cleaner in person that in pictures, but I didn't realize that it wasn't symetrical.  In reality, I'm sure most winches are not symetrical so it should work great in combo.  I guess the goal was to make sure the ends of the bumper were the same length.  I'm very happy with the way it looks, but it hasn't left the garage yet.  This weekend I need to get a tap so I can mount the license plate in the front, there isn't access to hold anything on the back (inside the winch mount section).

[gotrocks]

Don't drill and tap for the plate.  Go to the store and get the clips that are made to hold a D cell mag light.  Then screw those to your license plate and then it will clip right onto the rollers for the winch.  I like doing that because it allows you to take it off and not get all bent up.  I know you don't have the winch yet so just use one of the holes for the fairlead and bolt it to that in the time being.  It'd be sad to drill holes in that nice bumper.

[blackdiamond]

Don't drill and tap for the plate.  Go to the store and get the clips that are made to hold a D cell mag light.  Then screw those to your license plate and then it will clip right onto the rollers for the winch.  I like doing that because it allows you to take it off and not get all bent up.  I know you don't have the winch yet so just use one of the holes for the fairlead and bolt it to that in the time being.  It'd be sad to drill holes in that nice bumper.

It comes with holes already drilled for the plate.

[Yota87Truck]

that is a nice looking bumper

[blackdiamond]

The bdrunner is nearly complete.  I just got the word that the FROR frame brace install is complete, there rear bumper is stitched to the frame and the slider gussets are complete.  The only other planned future upgrades are ARP studs, Longfield hub gears and a winch.

I also have an Inchworm front transfer case on order and it is scheduled for the swap on the 26th.  I just can't risk having another bearing failure on the road to Moab and I don't have time to wait for Marlin Parts.  The trip is too important to not do everything I possibly can to be successful.

It's going to be somewhat sad to replace the Marlin Crawler shift nob with an Inchworm, but I told Jim I would give credit where credit is due and run an Inchworm shifter on his case.

Now I'll have to figure out what to do with the crawl box that is coming out and is quite possibly in perfect working order.  Any idea?

[THK Matt]

The bdrunner is nearly complete.  I just got the word that the FROR frame brace install is complete, there rear bumper is stitched to the frame and the slider gussets are complete.  The only other planned future upgrades are ARP studs, Longfield hub gears and a winch.

I also have an Inchworm front transfer case on order and it is scheduled for the swap on the 26th.  I just can't risk having another bearing failure on the road to Moab and I don't have time to wait for Marlin Parts.  The trip is too important to not do everything I possibly can to be successful.

It's going to be somewhat sad to replace the Marlin Crawler shift nob with an Inchworm, but I told Jim I would give credit where credit is due and run an Inchworm shifter on his case.

Now I'll have to figure out what to do with the crawl box that is coming out and is quite possibly in perfect working order.  Any idea?

triple cases

[blackdiamond]

triple cases

I'd have to redo the drivelines, get a different crossmember and be back to wondering when and if it was going to fail (the reason for the swap).  Plus I have 4.70 gears in the rear case and don't really need much more.

[blackdiamond]

PICTURES FOR BIGMIKE! 

I am currently working with Marlin Crawler to figure out my adapter issue.   

[blackdiamond]

PICTURES FOR MY DAD! 

[blackdiamond]

It appears that the transfer case repair/swap is back up in the air.  I have been working with Marlin Crawler the past day or so and they are working to correct my situation.  Due to time constraints I won't know for sure if the bdrunner will be all Marlin Crawler or if the Inchworm unit will be used.  I'm hopeful that everything will work out so I'll be back to 100% Marlin Crawler.

[blackdiamond]

Update:

Here's what I'm feeling currently about the transfer case: 

The reason is that I have an Inchworm unit being delivered tomorrow and the return policy is "store credit" or I'll have to pay a 15% restocking fee.  Understand that I'm not upset at Inchworm by this, just frustrated with the entire situation.  I ordered the Inchworm unit when I thought there wasn't any way for Marlin Crawler to get things corrected in time for my Moab trip.  As it turns out, IF my coupler is still in good condition I should be able to have a fully assembled Marlin Crawler unit.  If it wasn't for the couplers being out of stock Marlin Crawler would have corrected the situation even better than I would have hoped for, but due to my timing it isn't possible.

My options are the following:

(1) Pay the shop to disassemble the current case and inspect the coupler and IF the coupler is in good condition I could have them rebuild it will all Marlin Crawler parts.

(2) Have the shop pull the current until and give it to me to deal with once work slows down and have them just install the Inchworm that I all "new" parts.

As much as I would love to have Marlin Crawler parts installed, I like the idea of saving a little shop time and going with the new parts.  If the Inchworm were to fail on my trip I would assume that I had done everything possible, but if the Marlin Crawler had another unexpected issue I would kick myself all the way home.

My wife has voted to start again new and I'm leaning towards letting her make the choice since she has been such a great sport through the bdrunner build process.

Either way I'll have a case for sale at some point in the future.

[THK Matt]

thats a hard desicion...
but since they out of couplers or what ever you said...

try inchworm for now

[blackdiamond]

Some pictures of the finished front bumper install.  The bdrunner is cosmetically complete. 

[THK Matt]

BA Gangsta Lean!

[blackdiamond]

BA Gangsta Lean!

It may have a slight lean, but in the photo it's torqued a bit in gear and on an off camber driveway.

[THK Matt]

true.

[blackdiamond]

 I guess this will turn my "dual ultimate" into a "dual worm-ultimate" 

[Duffil]

have you pulled the other case apart yet?

[blackdiamond]

have you pulled the other case apart yet?

[THK Matt]

man those inchworn adaptors dont have very good oiling passages

[blackdiamond]

man those inchworn adaptors dont have very good oiling passages

If they work they work.  I don't recall hearing about any failures.

[gotrocks]

If you want I have my trailer in Kent right now and I can take it back down to Walla Walla with me and do the labor for cheaper than your going to pay.  Then you could just drive the Speed3 down and pick up the Runner on the way to Moab??  Just a thought.  I'm in Cabo right now but I will be back in Auburn/Kent Tomorrow evening.  Let me know.  I want to help you out anyway I can.  I know this has gotten expensive.

[blackdiamond]

If you want I have my trailer in Kent right now and I can take it back down to Walla Walla with me and do the labor for cheaper than your going to pay.  Then you could just drive the Speed3 down and pick up the Runner on the way to Moab??  Just a thought.  I'm in Cabo right now but I will be back in Auburn/Kent Tomorrow evening.  Let me know.  I want to help you out anyway I can.  I know this has gotten expensive.

Thanks for the offer.  I dropped the 4Runner of tonight between work (I had to go back and finish something up).  I may count on you to get the Marlin Crawl box ready for sale.

As it turns out, the parts from Marlin Crawler didn't get shipped so the choice for Inchworm wasn't really a choice.

[blackdiamond]

I believe all of the known "bugs" have been removed and I'll be leaving for Moab in less than four days. 

1,113 miles one way