GUMBY the 87 Rockrunner!

[zidaro]

Been around awhile without ever doing a build thread.  Thought i would start one since im getting to the meat of this truck instead of the mundane.
A bit about me.
Live in the Eastern Sierras so have tones of dirt trails to explore locally but with little challenges but, I have Death Valley, Rubicon and other Sierra trails, endless miles of E. Sierras and N. Nevada, as well as Johnson Valley only a few hours from my house.
Got a family, job, home, career, and a business with my wife.  Were busy.  My build is not at rocket speed but am trying to do this runner the way i think it should be and as best as i can- financially and physically.  I dont want to cut corners or save a little penny with sacrifices later.  That said, i am not $$$ and building this all myself and by myself.  No one around here has any interest in rockcrawling that i have come by.  Maybe this will stimulate someone in my area and i'll have a local wheeling bud?
I have had an 85 xtracab built for years, bought it in '89, and been thru the progression of desert/mexi truck then into a full-bodied crawler when All Pro hit the scene back in the late 90's.
some may recognize it, been on many roundups and to JV events.  Basic crawler with protection at each end and the sides, AllPro suspension kit, 35" tires, LC Eng. Street Performer 22re, Marlin R151 Dual Ult. tranny/crawler, winch, etc..
Stripped and sold it last year.  Kept the parts i wanted to use on this.











Glamis bowls




Ive had an 87 4runner with a rebuilt 22re for awhile.  Driving it tons of highway miles and spending time carcamping in along alot of desert washboard and mountain fireroads.
It started out a purdy cherry and very stock sr5 with a tired 22re. 
Added a detroit in the rear, a Marlin Rebuilt R151 with a 4.7 in the case, an all-pro front bumper and a Badlands rear bumper.  Drove it into the ground, blew and rebuilt the 22re. and that is how it stayed until now.

















Heres some other stuff for eye candy that will be part of my Build- sooner or LATER:

1UZFE aluminum block V8, 250+HP stock.  from '94Lexus SC400- this is gonna happen AFTER the 3 link front is completed with the 22re and dialed.  Taking up room in my garage till then.



along with a Full Manual conversion bellhousing/30lb.flywheel/clutch from CRS in AUS. (found it in the states- new but CHEAP)  Fits up my Dual Ultimate Tranny R151.



ORS Full interior front cage with rear cage tied in by yours truely

R151 Dual Ultimate from Marlin himself.  FROR crossmember and AP disc parking Brake all bolted up, ready to install.





Heretic Chromoly Links:
2 Lower Links @ 2 X 0.25wall 40"long, 1.25-12TPI, using Ballistic Forged Rod Ends 2.625 mount width
1 Upper Link @ 1.75 X .120wall 32" long, 7/8-14TPI, FK ends
! panhard @ 1-3/8 X 0.188wall 36.5"long, 3/4-16TPI, FK ends





massive



Diamond Axle Housing

4Wheel Underground front 3 link kit.  Designed specifically for our trucks.  Designed to haul ass in the desert and crawl like a demon!

On the floor and in somewhat of an organized pile.

[CrazyYota]

This is going to be a bad a$$ Runner!

[Toymin8r]

The story on your pickup sounds just like mine.      Looking forward to readiing about another 1uz truck, especially linked since those are my future plans as well.  

A couple of things.   With that FROR ebrake you may have to completely remove your horsecollar crossmember.    I'm not sure how much longer my automatic drivetrain is but I had to cut mine out just to fit it without an ebrake.

Also, make sure when you link it that the 1uz will still fit.  There is very little wiggle room for engine placement.  

Let me know if you have any questions on the engine swap.

[zidaro]

Started out late last summer, then it snowed...and snowed....and snowed (i skied alot instead of wrenching)

Rear end first.
Runner on stands, getting the rear cut off and ready for a set of AP springs and Frenched front hangers, 3" Ballistic Joint rear shackle hangers.  I'll be running my old IFS rear axle with AP disc brakes, AP perches, and 4130 inner axles - all poached off my '85 crawler that i stripped for parts.

















rear shackle hangers ready to tack- Ballistic 3.0 joint



Booger welds for sure!  But ive never had anything fall off my truck yet.  Still learning.













Rear hangers are Ballistic 3.0 joints with Nylatron races, on their frame mounts-  http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Frame-Ballistic-Joint-Mounts_p_1652.html .  
Ruffstuff 1/8" offset 5" shackle.  F911 bolts.

2x3x.25" rear crossmember






Now on the rack, IFS is lookin nervous




Hypertherm!!!  the IFS slayer!  
90minutes of Plasma cutting and down she dropped.
Havent cleaned anything up yet, but IFS is on the ground.  Had to cut the torsion bars off first seperate, but everything else came off in one piece.









Princess Powered- you might start out winning, but this will beat you in the end!!


PITBULLS and FORGED RACELINES.  37x12.5x17 Rockers.  17x9 RT Excess 4.5"BS
Mounted up easy, rear bead popped on at ~25psi.  
Added 10oz of 0.2Gm airsoft BB's for balancing, we shall see how that goes.  sounds cool rolling around though.



thinking i might need to trim the fenders a bit    

backspacing feels good.



recouped some cash by selling off most of my spring pack, using 2x4 spacers for a couple inches of lift.  Its pressure treated so it should be fine.

rear suspension cycled and all the shocks mounted up.  
12" stroke fox 2.0 with a 5/8"shaft.
Crossmember is fabbed from 1.75x.12 DOM
Mounts are slightly modded Ruffstuff
Resi holders are the cheap and shiny ones from Ballistic.
Shocks angled in as little as possible and at a 28* angle back- i was shooting for 20* but could not make it work without too much trouble.
Giving the "below axle" lower mounting a try cuz that is what the 4link 4WU kit will run, want to see what i think of the clearance sacrifice in advance.












Rear is done!!

except for some fender trimming and maybe some gusseting to the bumpmounts.

Ride height clearance.  I think it will settle an inch with some time.
Fox 2.5" travel 2.0's  mounts are angled out 8*.








and more frame plating......

now have the bottom of both sides from the front to the motor mount plated.
the top of the DSide from front to motormount
the inside at the steering box, DS
outside full length on PS from front to first body mount
outside DS 3/4 from front to past the motor mount
phew..









cutout the radiator support just a bit to fit the steering box forward as much as possible without too much work.  Snug fit.

[zidaro]

2 feet already last week in the Sierras!  Its that time of year again.
I love gamechangers!!  Luckily it has been nice since.



Thread is fully up to speed now.

I am now busy installing the LCE 22re that i pulled out of my 85 (sold the 22re from the runner last summer) and it has been refreshed again.  When i get a chance.  
Tranny install to follow- where i will get to see how much of that horsecollar will stay or go- thanks Toymin8r, and i will be taking you up on that 1uz help at some point
Once the engine and trans are in and happily functioning- i will begin on the 3-link.

Would love to hear any advice anyone has, or an opinion if you see something you like or dont like!  Everything helps and i live in a vacuum up here

[46&2]

Awesome build man. Love what you are doing with it and definitely going to be following this one. I would love to stuff a 1UZ in my Runner. Getting some great ideas here. 

[Peterbuilt84]

Looks like it should be a good build 

One thing I thought about when you mentioned setting up the 3 link with the 22re and then switching to the v8 is the additional weight going to have any affect on how the 3 link performs after the engine swap? I don't have any idea of the differences in weight or even if it's going to really be an issue, but it crossed my mind.

[TacoRunner]

From what I'ver heard, the 1UZ is only about 75lbs more than a 22RE. In the end thats NOTHING to worry about.

[zidaro]

Looks like it should be a good build  

One thing I thought about when you mentioned setting up the 3 link with the 22re and then switching to the v8 is the additional weight going to have any affect on how the 3 link performs after the engine swap? I don't have any idea of the differences in weight or even if it's going to really be an issue, but it crossed my mind.

the lexus 1uzfe is only 75lbs heavier than a 22re.  One of the beautiful things about that engine  It will certainly be an interesting fitment and i may have to fab some elaborate oil pan configuration for it- but i am hoping not.  The rest of the dimensions should work fine, though exhaust routing will be interesting.

Honestly the 1uz is not gonna happen till the rest of my project list is scratched off and i get a chance to enjoy the runner a bit.  I am jonesing bad to go wheeling!  Maybe by next Winter Ill be ready for the engine swap.

[zidaro]

From what I'ver heard, the 1UZ is only about 75lbs more than a 22RE. In the end thats NOTHING to worry about.

Beat me to it Brian

[TacoRunner]

 

[Peterbuilt84]

From what I'ver heard, the 1UZ is only about 75lbs more than a 22RE. In the end thats NOTHING to worry about.

the lexus 1uzfe is only 75lbs heavier than a 22re.  One of the beautiful things about that engine   It will certainly be an interesting fitment and i may have to fab some elaborate oil pan configuration for it- but i am hoping not.  The rest of the dimensions should work fine, though exhaust routing will be interesting.

I had no idea the difference in weight was that little, shouldn't be a problem at all  The thought just popped into my head when I was reading through, seems like you've looked into it though.

Honestly the 1uz is not gonna happen till the rest of my project list is scratched off and i get a chance to enjoy the runner a bit.  I am jonesing bad to go wheeling!  Maybe by next Winter Ill be ready for the engine swap.

I know the feeling. My rig has been sitting for the last two summers. It's starting to get close, I can almost see the light  Hoping to get it done for a New Year's run at the Hammers.

Keep up the good work taking pics/documenting the build, I wish I did that better on mine. Should be tons of good info in this build too.

[zidaro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttjw7_mPPcU   pronounced Schewing!

[Toymin8r]

I didn't notice any difference in ride height when I put mine in. 

[zidaro]

PROGRESS!!  alot for me in a day

first, heres a shot from last weeks testfit for the Flexalite 52000R Alum. radiator i will be trying to use.  Should be plenty of cooling power for the 1uz and fits right now.  I have a Flexalite 210 fan that will fit onto it.  This setup is a lower profile than what i have been running in front of the 22re- a stock radiator with a Flexalite Black Magic 165.  If the alum. rad/210 dont work out the 165/stocker can go back in, but this setup should be a great fit with the V8 (i hope)





Engine and tranny are in and bolted together.  Still have plenty of things to do in the engine compartment before its buttoned up and running, but its in.







Its an LC Engineering Street Performer 22re.  Basic power but cleaned up inside and built strong. 
6"underdrive H2O pump pulley
120AMP alt. from Downey OR
Downey intake with K&N
balanced/matched injectors
bored/honed EFI Throttle Body
PSC ps pump- just added
a few other goodies i cant remember



Now, i may be crazy and certainly cant figure it out, but it sure looks to me like this tranny is clearing the horsecollar by a solid 4".  Unless i am missing something.



tranny is not mounted up at all.  held up by ratchet straps.

Have a bit of a hiatus that i must take for a few weeks, then back into it.  so the plan goes.

[TacoRunner]

Wait till you get the CV bolted up.

[Toymin8r]

Wait till you get the CV bolted up.

Wait til you get the 1uz bolted up

[Zs Confederate Toy]

Bad ass build! You do some good work my friend

[Rockdad]

    

[83 Crawler]

im watchin this one!!! sick build

[chim]

Nice and clean!! Good job

[TacoRunner]

Aaron

you need to lay a nice big fat weld between your steering box plate and the frame plate. Otherwise you will crack the frame right between the two.  I know this first hand.

[zidaro]

Aaron

you need to lay a nice big fat weld between your steering box plate and the frame plate. Otherwise you will crack the frame right between the two.  I know this first hand.

I know this area you speak of!  Can i just use Gorilla Tape?  they say it will hold anything.  Really though, thanks for that tidbit of knowledge and experience.  Will Do!  That would have been an interesting day on the trail

[twistedtoy92]

Build is looking DAMN GOOD! Keep it up!

[zidaro]

Aaron

you need to lay a nice big fat weld between your steering box plate and the frame plate. Otherwise you will crack the frame right between the two.  I know this first hand.

OK, for discussions sake-

On my framerail bottom and top there are full length 5/16"? plates that bridge across the gap between the box and frame plates-  hope that makes sense. 
Wouldnt those plates be way overkill enough to keep the frame from flexing between the two vertical plates, thus negating the need for laying a bead between the two? 
Easy enough to do, just curious if its possible for the frame to flex with all that plating wrapping it.

[TacoRunner]

Hum the Jepardy Theme music. Hum Hum Hum.


Ok thinking back, I didn't have the top and bottom pieces that you were supplied with. I think thats why have those now.

[zidaro]

Finally out of the Dungeon.
Mounted the tranny at 1/2" lift from stock, hanging on a FROR t-case crossmember, non clocked.  highest i could go (with a little trans tunnel massage with sledge) without cutting deep into the cab.  AP disk has clearance, t-case will still be higher than the link bracketry so a belly skid around it will still be possible.
Horsecollar clearanced wit 5" OD square tube to clear the High Angle Driveline CV shaft.



I should be back on track with this build after quite the hiatus.  Happens 

[zidaro]

I'll burn it in and clean it up in the am

[Empire Fabrication]

This thing is going to be rad👍👍

[x250f23x]

Wait.. You're actually building a toyota!? Welcome back