Time To Showcase The Rig! New Front Stuff...

[TopStreet]

So I have been putting this off for the longest time now, and I figured now or never. So... Here it goes!

Im Jake and I live in Waukesha Wisconsin. I have been working on my truck now for nearly 2 years and I am going to try and summerize everything as best I can.

HISTORY: I originally bought my truck BONE stock with a blown head gasket. Its a 1990 std cab. I began taking parts from my old 4runner to make a killer offroad/street truck. I started by cutting the body to fit my 37" MTR's on all stock ride height. Its gone from that to what it is now... ENJOY!

[Duffil]

  What exactly are we supposed to enjoy? I don't see any pics here...what's going on?

[TopStreet]

Im working on that.

[TopStreet]

I've been wheeling it like this for a while now.

[TopStreet]

Here are a few more!

The one at the bottom is the donor for the new setup.

[Yota_Gotta_Krawl]

UHHHH any rub issues??? well at lleast center of gravity is on ur side 

[TopStreet]

This has been the last few weeks of my life! 

[Cheesemaker]

I see you got one of Infernal's steering setups!   

[TopStreet]

UHHHH any rub issues??? well at lleast center of gravity is on ur side 

I would rub the idler arm and the pitman arm, and swaybar. It was REALLY tight, but otherwise no rubbing at all.

[TopStreet]

I see you got one of Infernal's steering setups!  

Not sure I follow??? I made that setup as a low dollar solution for steering. 

[Tallchevy]

I see you got one of Infernal's steering setups!  

Thats what I thought but didn't want to be the first one    Don't be surprised if it shows up on a thread in chit-chat 

[TopStreet]

Wheeling pics!

[MiniSimp]

Really nice droop!
What spring pack did you build?

[TopStreet]

Really nice droop!
What spring pack did you build?

THANKS!

The pack is kinda slapped together. The basis is the 52" rear pack and under frame shackles. There are some leafs out of a ford pack (used because they are offset pin). There are 5 or 6 leafs and a hooked overload (big small one on bottom).

I hope I explained that well.

[Shamb]

nice rig, I love LCG rig's.

only remark is the steering as others have posted... i'd ditch that asap and get some Hysteer.

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/steering.htm   

[Cheesemaker]

Here's a link to what I'm talking about!
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=34557.0

I was just having fun, but we at MarlinCrawler forum take building rigs very seriously.  If we see something that we feel is not safe, we will point it out!  Just remember, that you are not the only person on the hwy!  Can you imagine driving down the hwy and have your steering fail at 60 mph, and you have no control on where your truck goes!  Just remember, you are not the only one on the hwy, my wife and kids are out there too!  I've seen too many people have stuff fail because they are getting things built on the "CHEAP!"

But, I do like your truck!  That's a cool green!

[TopStreet]

Please dont take me the wrong way here. I am usually the one GIVING the speech on safety. I am just not seeing what is unsafe about the steering. Yes I looked through the link and saw all of the god awful steering setups there. But those and mine look very different.

I based mine off of the Ford solid axle setups. If this is wrong and someone can explain it and not just say "thats wrong"... PLEASE DO! because I dont want anything dangerous on my rig.

[TopStreet]

Just remember, you are not the only one on the hwy, my wife and kids are out there too! 

Please dont assume that I am some ass that doesnt care. Thats a pretty harsh way to put things.

[Cheesemaker]

I didn't mean to offend!  Your drag link does look a little small!  At least brace it a little. 

[TopStreet]

I didn't mean to offend!  Your drag link does look a little small!  At least brace it a little. 

If I took you the wrong way Im sorry. I have just been very worried about this since its been brought up, and I definitely dont want to have something that is on my rig that is dangerous to anyone.

I used 5/8" tap tube from the local circle track shop. This is nearly 3/16" wall.

Just for example (for my own info) what size/wall thickness does Marlin use?

[Cheesemaker]

The true cross over design is alot stronger and better than the ford style, you modeled yours after.  Less of a angle on the drag link!  And no bends, which will weaken your drag link!

http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/steering.htm

[bigarms23]

looks awesome i like the flex and green paint but if i had to build a truck i would go for an extended cab thats cause i am a big guy

[DTB]

Just for example (for my own info) what size/wall thickness does Marlin use?

marlin is 1/4 inch DOM

[TopStreet]

The true cross over design is alot stronger and better than the ford style, you modeled yours after.  Less of a angle on the drag link!  And no bends, which will weaken your drag link!

Now Thats a Comment I can Use! Thanks!

looks awesome i like the flex and green paint but if i had to build a truck i would go for an extended cab thats cause i am a big guy

Thanks Man!

[gtoyonrocks]

nice truck, I thought your steering set up looked bitchen. It may not be as strong as actaul cross over steering, but I'm willing to bet it's a hell of a lot beter than the push pull stuff. I all about building my truck for functionality and on a budget. I bet your in the same boat. Nice ride.

[Shamb]

I all about building my truck for functionality and on a budget

It'll be "functional" up to the first real obsticle and bend into a pretzel and break...

seen it a million times on the trail.

[TopStreet]

Well ok now...

I get the point that everyone is trying to make here. I am fairly convinced with the durability of the steering setup, BUT... I am just going to have to watch it closely and if I come across some extra cash in the next few weeks, change it.

With the new washer/spacers I am putting on there, everything will be in double shear form anyways.

I never saw this setup as "perfect" but I also never saw it as dangerous. But, I dont mind overkill, so thanks for all the advice.

[TopStreet]

Time for more wheelin pics!!!

These are of the 4Runner I owned before this one. Long story short: 5.29 gears, Home made turbo setup on 24psi, 37" mtr's, and a very carefree attitute. May she Rust In Pieces...

[gtoyonrocks]

Home brewed turbo, I would like to see more on that.

[Shamb]

that last pic was to be expected eventually eh?


you massaging the firewall on your new rig to stuff the tire or.. ?