GUMBY the 87 Rockrunner!

[zidaro]

Pulled it off at the 11th, no 12th HOUR!!  MCR12 happened.  Sorta

Really never even tested the rig until my and my buddy Brad, who drove up from SanDiego 7hrs to help out for 2 days wrenching, and I pulled into Poon Lake Staging Area and unloaded it from the trailer.  Before that it literally drove 2 miles to the gas sta. and back into my garage with the battery floating around in the bed on a long power cable cuz i hadnt cut the DS fender and made a battery box for it yet.
2 days of cutting, welding, wiring, wrenching until 3am and we still hadnt fabbed up/mounted a rear bumper.  At 11pm Fri night i threw in the towel!  At midnight Brad had picked it up, shook the sand out of it and wiped my girl thingy clean, and we decided to pack up and leave in the am.
Out of Mammoth by 9:30 and at Loon Staging area off the trailer by 3pm.

in the driveway, stoked!



and in the staging area, More Stoked



Flexed the rear out finally on a parking lot granite rib and realized it WAS going to rub on front of fenders -so out came the high lift for a little trail clearancing, little leverage and problem solved- cleanup to follow someday later.

MCR12 pics-  tons of them, cuz i can 





couldnt pass up soupbowl, cruised right up smoothly first try!!












Didnt cross the path of ANYONE headed to the Springs on Sat afternoon, cuz everyone was already there.  Pulled in at 7:45 just in time to miss all the TriTip Dinner and half the raffle.  Ate a bag of tortilla chips and salsa for appi, then after the raffle hooked up with Shane and Gabe from Marlin Forum (GarlicGabe and Shamb), camped with them and borrowed Shanes stove to heat up our emergency dinner can o'soup (since we planned on TriTip    ) 
Then some SierraNevada and bonfire!

[zidaro]

Pulling into Old Sluice- now what i would consider the challenge area of the 'Con











swallowed!!!

[zidaro]

next AM, headed back up toward Big Sluice.  Pulled outta the Springs early enough to beat the crowds so we could spend tons of time playing and watching along the trail.

[Wainiha]

Looks like that 3 link works.

[zidaro]

Looks like that 3 link works.

Dude, word up!

[zidaro]

Buck Island, purdy aint it!!

a little suspension and steering bolt check.





on the slabs, had to pass on old sluice to preserve my rear sheet metal atleast a little bit, still no rear bumper.  What a girl thingy, huh









Sadly, this is Little Sluice.  Gravely modified by some bureaucratic lobby group.  still fun, but VERY easy.  Im sure, over time it will return to its proud, challenging, fun self

[Wermz84]

I saw this rig sitting this weekend and thought it looked really good esp with the fender flares going on.  Didn't see this thread until today, otherwise I would have had to come over and pick your brain on a few things.   Looks real good, and I just read the thread.  Awesome build.

What exact model race lines are those?

Are you happy with the 3 link?  Have you driven it much on the street yet?

[HogCanyonHopper]

awesome pics Zidaro and from what I can see there, the 4WU did not disappoint. The rig looks fantastic man. Saw you pull in Sat night but did not catch up with you. See ya next year 

[John Doe]

Have you driven it much on the street yet?

Start reading the words as well as looking at the pictures
He only has about 4 miles of street driving so far. This was the shake down run after a 2 year build up.

Progress looks great, I was very happy to see that you made it. Let me know if you need that throttle cable and tail gate still.

[zidaro]

ran up the SoupBowl again on way out, cuz its fun!! 
Not as smooth this time, but that was due to my refreshments having all been consumed and i was getting dehydrated.  Took a bad line, spun my tires searching for traction till i found the groove and then it creep'd right up after hanging on the rear diff.  Not the smoothest ive pulled that one off, but whatever 





as luck would have it, to keep my ego in check, that is the only video we took.  so humbly here it is-



2 stoked and freshly washed up guys back at the truck!  great 24hours on the Con!



No issues whatsover with the 4WheelUnderground 3 link Suspension.  It performed flawlessly and i felt very confident running it under me.  No weird behaviors, it didnt feel like it was lifting my front on wall climbs, and flexes like a b*std.  Nothing felt loose or had any knocking on its maiden voyage.
I will get out and put it to some speed and whoops testing here very soon, didnt get a chance to take it up over crawl speed on the 'con.  I did mob thru some bowling ball size boulder sections and the front felt very compliant, soaking up some nice hits at say 25mph.
More reviews to come on the 4WU link, of course!!

My rear suspension worked very nice too.  AP 5" springs frenched into the frame in front with 12" FOX 2.0 RR shocks at 75psi N2.   Nice flex, but there is NO QUESTION that my front is WAY outperforming the rear.

All the work i did on this thing and no test runs till the 'con!  My issues-

i crushed my throttle cable when the transmission had no rear mounts and was hanging off the engine mounts- causes the rear of engine to push on firewall, well all the wrenching and bouncing of an engine that was apparently resting on the throttle cable is not good for it.  sliced the cable housing clean and pinched the cable.  I jimmy rigged it and it worked ok- 0 sticks on the run.   Dont crush your cable, the doc says

Brakes are super mushy.  didnt have a chance to bleed them AGAIN before the run and they worked fine, but mushy.  Maybe theres more air somewhere? or maybe the ElDorado rear Discs AND the TACO front calipers are too much for the stock master?  I do run a rear proportioning valve.
Anyone have an opinion???  bigger MC needed for this setup?  I ran the eldo's, IFS front, and proportioning valve with no issue before.

30 min. into the 'con on the other side of the granite bowl, a huge cloud of white smoke blows up out of the engine compartment!  We jump out with fire extinguishers in hand ready for the big one.  Luckily it was my hydroram blowing massive amounts (think drinking fountain) PS fluid up into the fan and onto the engine (really EVERYWHERE) and smoking.  A quick look easily revealed a loose fitting and 2 twists of a 17mm wrench and 1.5QT of PS fluid had us back on the trail smelling like a garage.  LUCKY

that was it.  stopped and tightened a few bolts throughout the run just to make sure, but no BIG problems. 
Not done, by any means!  Just through most of the initial build of my crawler and a very nice shakedown run.  Now to ENJOY some wheeling.  Winter in the desert is coming.


BTW, MCR was a BLAST and really glad to have met a great group of Guys and checked out a bunch of unbelievable rigs- big and small.  Nide to put faces and personalities with screen names.  Love seeing all the wrenching and camaraderie getting rigs off the trail (or back onto it).  Note to self- carry extra leafspring center pins, hydro assist port caps for your steering box, a high lift, and extra gas ( i always have a high lift, caps, and a can o' gas- but others sure dont that needed it)  rear inner axles and an extra third member were seen as needed, but that might be more weight than im willing to tote.

the Con is such a great trail

[zidaro]

I saw this rig sitting this weekend and thought it looked really good esp with the fender flares going on.  Didn't see this thread until today, otherwise I would have had to come over and pick your brain on a few things.   Looks real good, and I just read the thread.  Awesome build.

What exact model race lines are those?

Are you happy with the 3 link?  Have you driven it much on the street yet?

thanks, been fun and GONNA REALLY be fun now that it is up and running again.
they are Raceline Forged RT Excess  - they dont make them anymore but if you call up and talk with Greg the owner he might custom build them for you like he did for me

awesome pics Zidaro and from what I can see there, the 4WU did not disappoint. The rig looks fantastic man. Saw you pull in Sat night but did not catch up with you. See ya next year 

Nest year it is!!!!!!!  Or somewhere in the Desert this Winter- JV is a beauty till end of April

Start reading the words as well as looking at the pictures
He only has about 4 miles of street driving so far. This was the shake down run after a 2 year build up.

Progress looks great, I was very happy to see that you made it. Let me know if you need that throttle cable and tail gate still.

Only 2 miles before the Rubi.  --  not the smartest way to test run a full build, but worked out and seemed like an exciting way to end my last couple weeks of build marathon ive been working thru.
Def. need a throttle cable, and tailgate, AND now i also need a left and right corner panel for 1st gen 4runner  

dont go and think you can run the Rubi. without a rear bumper and not get a few REAL kisses on your ass!

[Shamb]

Zidaro wheeled out with us to Buck I can say first hand this rig is badass and performed very well. You walked lines where I was pulling a tires 3-4' in the air... lol

Thanks again for helping get the spring back together and finding a bolt.

We went out little sluice as well, crazy how much different it is. One of the easiest parts of the trail now..

[zidaro]

Zidaro wheeled out with us to Buck I can say first hand this rig is badass and performed very well. You walked lines where I was pulling a tires 3-4' in the air... lol

Thanks again for helping get the spring back together and finding a bolt.

We went out little sluice as well, crazy how much different it is. One of the easiest parts of the trail now..

THAT was a sick pic though Shane, and you pulled thru that spot in hair-raising fashion!

[zidaro]

was reminded about those badass tires i am running and what i think of them---

Pitbull Rockers-  LOVE them.  way better tire in the rocks than my old style MTR's were and never felt like i could come close to damaging them (sure i could if i tried)  they REALLY hook up and i only aired them down to 9.5psi on a new tire, should have dropped them down to 4 or 6 and im positive they would have been insane, but didnt even have enough time to play with that given we hit the trail at 4pm and missed out 7pm dinner.
Have not run them on the highway so cant comment on their speed comfort or noise, i didnt balance them but used 10oz. of ceramic bb's inside.  Have run them to 40mph on road and they were smooth as butter so far? 
have no idea what type of lifespan they would yield if i ran them DD like i did my MTR's, the MTR's put out great mileage and behavior on the street/highway and i dont expect the Rockers to be that good, but they are for trails not highways

I'll post up more when i know them better.




Please, ask away if there are any questions or pieces/parts on my rig that you are curious about or think i blew it and have better ideas.  I did this thread so others could see and help me with what i am doing, and i thank everyone for their opinions and advise- whether i take it or not

[Wermz84]

Start reading the words as well as looking at the pictures
He only has about 4 miles of street driving so far. This was the shake down run after a 2 year build up.

Progress looks great, I was very happy to see that you made it. Let me know if you need that throttle cable and tail gate still.

Exibit A below sir.        I knew it was the shake down run, but I had wondered how much around town he had done.

IT STARTED!  over 2 years since last run.

Not surprisingly, the engine is running perfect.  Its a good one.  Got the e-fan dialed in no prob., need to bleed the brakes again- super squishy.  Steering seems tight.  Front suspension feels good at 35mph, rear is WAY too stiff with NO weight in the rig.

took it for a spin to the gas station and found a rock on the way.  Took some token crappy cell phone shots.
Very conservative driving so far- the battery is just floating around in the bed.  And im cautious as hell considering everything from Fr/Rr suspension, steering, engine swap, brakes, axle, electrical of all sorts, cant remember whatelse- all fresh and untested.

thanks, been fun and GONNA REALLY be fun now that it is up and running again.
they are Raceline Forged RT Excess  - they dont make them anymore but if you call up and talk with Greg the owner he might custom build them for you like he did for me

Only 2 miles before the Rubi.  --  not the smartest way to test run a full build, but worked out and seemed like an exciting way to end my last couple weeks of build marathon ive been working thru.

Thanks. I had two screens up, one with your picture and one of all their models trying to figure it out. 

Definitely a successful test run.

[Shamb]

Too bad no one got a pic of it, lol...all good

The guys in the buggies that we passed just said "that was badass dude!"

That's actually where I crushed in the passenger door. I have no clue how you made it out with such minimal damage.

[zidaro]

I have no clue how you made it out with such minimal damage.

4WU   

[garlicgabe]

It was great time hanging out with you guys Zidaro.  I'm glad I didn't use that porta at Buck after you!   

[zidaro]

It was great time hanging out with you guys Zidaro.  I'm glad I didn't use that porta at Buck after you!   

woulda felt like a little kitty lick lapping at ya!

[4XFlyin]

Great pics. Way to get it done.

[Wainiha]

4WU   

This was what I was hinting at, saying your 3 link works.

Maybe I should cash in my IRA and go 4WU...

[zidaro]

clearly, amazing driving skills have something to do with it.     Sadly, i have fresh dents to prove otherwise

[twistedtoy92]

Awesome pics! Mad props to you getting your ass in high gear and making the run!!! Maybe one day I'll make it to MCR in my runner.... The con is definately on my bucket list, right along with Moab!

Oh, and piece of advice, I think you should try pulling one or two leafs out of you rears and see how they perform... I think it would do you major justice!

[zidaro]

Awesome pics! Mad props to you getting your ass in high gear and making the run!!! Maybe one day I'll make it to MCR in my runner.... The con is definately on my bucket list, right along with Moab!

Oh, and piece of advice, I think you should try pulling one or two leafs out of you rears and see how they perform... I think it would do you major justice!

My wife is pissed and barely recognizes me! 
I did some serious powering out there at the 11th hour to make the MCR.  It was a great motivator to have an event to define my timeline.  Not to mention a GREAT event to make.

Im definitely planning on playing with my rear a bit

Need to move my axle back an inch and would like to soften it up a bit, not sure if its removing leafs or playing with the valving/N2psi

[zidaro]

Have not had much of a chance to get out and wheel lately.  But.....

Lots of winter driving up here from Nov- june.  Roads are icy or covered in snow.  Also lots of great wheeling in my area that is more along the lines of fireroads and desert trails, highway driving to them.  Pitbull Rockers are not what i want to be wearing out and driving on in those conditions, would rather save them for the good stuff  ;D

So, i had 33" Duratracs on 15x10 Forged Alcoas.  Great wheels, too small of tires.
Sold them off when a set of 17x9 Forged APP wheels popped up at an insane price.  I love forged alum. wheels.  Light, strong, and you can hammer them back to round if ever needed.  Unlike cast alum. that will just crack and you are SOL.

Only issue with the wheels--   Chevy center bore at 78mm does not fit over our hubs.



prob. solved!   8)  needs 5/8" routered out all the way around.  dont try it all at once or your router is gonna buck and take an ear off.



Viola'



Mounted up a set of the New Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 tires in a 37"x12.5X15 flavor with 10oz of BB's to balance





now i just need some time to take them for a spin!!

[pumkin toy]

I like those tires, must be a new offering from MT?  rims are cool too!

[Shamb]

Whats the latest with the rig? 

[zidaro]

Its heading out to the Hammers to watch some KOH and hit a few trails on Wed.   Hopefully i can dial it in a bit

Ive been working on a few things.

Have driven it quite a bit on the street.  its handling very nice, does have some body roll on fast corners, but it is manageable.  Can hit 45mph freeway onramps at 60 comfortable.

Moved the rear axle back another 1.25" to get it better located in the fenderwells that i moved back 7".  What i really need to do is 4link the rear and push it back ANOTHER 3" to get that wheelbase to 112" where i want!!  but thats gonna have to wait for $$$$ and time.  Till then, i think it will not rub the front of the fenders now.

Tightened up all the links and steering from its initial run.  Nothing major was out of spec., my hydro steering was not attached to the drag in the correct spot so my steering was dragging, now it feels much more to speed and confident.

Hacked up my super nice Badlands rear bumper that fit a stock runner.  Now it fits a rear boxed frame and a body with fender openings 7" closer to the rear.  Should support the truck landing on it easily.

Dialed in my interior.  Still need to build a cage.  Coming soon.

Lots of little stuff still needs to happen before i consider this stage mostly complete (thats vague enough ehh?).

I'll get photos up in next couple days before i head out to the Hammers.




anyone want to meet out there for a trail or two at the end of the KOH week??           look for my truck and grab me for a run

aaron

[zidaro]

heres my simple soln. to moving the axle back another 1.25".
just redrilled the AP mounts.




Modified the rear Badlands MFG. bumper that i had to fit the frame (boxed the rear frame in and capped the framerails) and fender relocate (shortened the rear quarter by 7")

fit it up a bit tighter than it was




shortened the wraparound




tied it in much stronger than original.  now held in at 6 points with 14 bolts.  And still REMOVABLE!!






Interior with the mastercraft RS WIDE, and the Tuffy box




I'll post up some picks of the rear with the bumper and tires on tonight.  Its starting to really come together, looking forward to the Hammers this week!!  Tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wainiha]

I need one of those seats!