A.J.'s Runner - "Please Stand-by"...Product Review

[CTENG in KS]

Haha, got out to enjoy the cool morning.
My planis coming together.  One floppy antenna stolen from the beastmaster and I am almost good for communication!

[CTENG in KS]

Check out the max angle on the driveshaft.  I won't be running it anywhere near that.  Got it all trimmed up on installed.  Looks like when I spin it by hand it is indeed a little off perfectly str8, but the CV seems to keep it as str8 on as possible and make up for any slop.  We shall see how it does at speed, but no diff oil yet so no testing.

[Willy Mammoth]

Is that CV a plung joint? If so what is keeping it from comming apart?

Single case or duals?

[CTENG in KS]

Single case, it is an outer CV from an IFS half shaft...much like a Birfield in there.  Didn't open it up, I assume it has a C-clip retainer to keep it from coming apart, cause I pulled on it and it doesn't come apart.

I filled the diff and took her for a ride in 4wd.  I got up to about 25mph, when on the gas you can't even tell it is in 4wd.  When I let of an coast the front shaft starts to vibrate a bit, but nothing I would consider catastrophic that can't be dealt with.  No high speed 4wd across the desert like this, but should be no problem for trail ridin.

Someone said they wanted to see inside the box?

[*** YELLER ***]

Someone said they wanted to see inside the box?

thanks AJ it was me    nice work cant waite to see that beast at the roundup

[CTENG in KS]

So here is what I am sleeping in!  Sets up in about 60 seconds.  Maybe less.  Johnny thinks we should set up tents inside everyday.

[Duffil]

is he coming along or what?

[CTENG in KS]

Nah, he ain't much for 4 wheelin.  He has a life of luxury to attend to.

I broke the sway bar driving around town.  Sheared the bar right in half.  I am guessing that when I shortened the bar I musta killed the temper and it is too brittle.

Probably will just take it off for now...but it sucks cause on the road that bar werked really well.

[Willy Mammoth]

Carnage and you ain't even hit the trail yet.

[Duffil]

[CTENG in KS]

Yup, I pulled it off earlier.  I will come up with a new design after MCR!

[fj40forlife]

how you liking does seats. I have them just setting in my room right now. Had them in my friends toy. but never been in them on offroad use

[CTENG in KS]

No wheelin in them yet, but for puttering around town they have been pretty comfy.

[Doof]

those tent/cots are so sick, i was looking at them in cabelas and after i SAS my shiz and get it trail worthy thats gunnabe my first purchase......your rig is looking real good so far, cant wait to see pics of her on the trial and hear about how it did

[CTENG in KS]

It is pretty nice...good quality and it sets up FAST.  Only thing is that although it folds flat it is about 3ft x 3ft so you wouldn't wanna have to hike around with it.  Great for wheelin style camping though.  I looked everywhere, but aparently the manufacturer sets the price.  it was $129 everywhere I looked.

[Doof]

yeah that would be a down side to take backpacking....thats not to bad a price, a little high but worth it to keep you dry and warm is you have the right stuff with you

[CTENG in KS]

I don't know what the logistics of strapping it to the outside of a pack would be.  Probably could be done, but a bit unwieldy.

[Doof]

yeah a little hard finding a good way for that thing...o well, i would just build a little shelter if i was going camping/backpacking for a few days if i had a lil basecamp

[CTENG in KS]

You could always pick up one of those $20 pup tents that fold up to the size of an unopened can of pillsbury cookies!

[Doof]

yeah ive seen those....id take my chances out under the stars or build a little shelter....last time i slept under the stars was on rubicon at lil sluice and almost got parked on at 130 in the morning

[CTENG in KS]

These two lovelies are just breathless with anticipation!

[Shamb]

you plan on running LS?

[CTENG in KS]

I hope so, why?

[Shamb]

I'd like to get some pic's of board members running the more famous obsticles.... such as Soup Bowl/Kitchen, LS... maybe get a few shots of old sluice.

[CTENG in KS]

I will happily put dents in the truck for photos all day long.

[Willy Mammoth]

Are you ready yet? we are comming for you weather you are ready or not.

[85yodaon33s]

man that is one nice runner it makes me want to go out and work on my rig nowi think i want to use two cvs for my front drive shaft when i put new springs in my truck but damn good work i like the out come post up on it it holds up on the trails noises any problems you may have with it

[CTENG in KS]

I think you would want to stick with one CV and one std U-joint.

[CTENG in KS]

The 4Runner has survived the Rubicon...barely.  Once we were able to get werked out all the ECU issues I commenced beating the crap outta the truck.  The lack of TC gears and my fondness to NOT going slow over obstacles gave all my welding and undercarriage a werking.  I will have to set up a seperate post for the CV front shaft...suffice to say it did not make it intact, although it held up almost all the way in to Buck Island.
Got some good rash on the diffs, the rear got a nice dent.  Time for an IFS rear axle replacement.
Check out the gas tank.  That is after hammering it back down to fit a shortened pump back in.  I wasn't getting any gas after the pump got squished and permanently closed the check valve.  The valve had to be removed during the fix so she starts hard now.

[Duffil]

Glad to see you remembered it's new name!