Project "GB" 84' Toyota Crawler

[lostbuckaroo]

I was wondering the same thing. I really like the design of the exo but it does seem like there is a lot of space between the exo and top of cab.

LED light Bar Fits perfectly in that space.. Thank you I like the design too. There's a ton of compound bends and joints on there. 100% unique.

[HogCanyonHopper]

I wasnt sure how much I liked the cage design at first either but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me. The light bar added to the space on top will make it look better as far as that gap goes. Definitely unique. Nice job Carlos. Keep it up buddy 

[lostbuckaroo]

I wasnt sure how much I liked the cage design at first either but the more I look at it, the more it grows on me. The light bar added to the space on top will make it look better as far as that gap goes. Definitely unique. Nice job Carlos. Keep it up buddy 

Ha, ha! Yeah I understand.. Took me a while just to get used to the look of it cause I've had it for so long without the cage! But now I can't remember what it looked like before!! Your doing a great job on your build too! I'm been watchin! Like that little horse guy, whippin and spurin!!

[lostbuckaroo]

Engine Build time...first engine build for me.. learning process.. (I'm green as grass) so far I've learned despite contradicting info I've found here on the interWebs..

1. When replacing connecting rod bushings, you must have the new bushing honed to match the wrist pins.. Heating the bushings, and freezing the pins will not work (at least not in my case) 15min job at the machine shop.

(I'm sure there will be more)

Here's the brief engine build specs:

20r head messaged w/stainless oversized valves (from EngineBldr)
261 Crawler Cam (from EngineBldr)
Early 22r Block bored over .020
Complete Master rebuild kit (from EngineBldr)
20r Intake
LC Block off plate kit
Stock Exhaust Manifold, and down pipe (for now)
LC 20r/22r Carb adapter
Marlin 1,200LB Clutch/Flywheel Kit
Got Propane Kit

The engine build is underway now waiting on new rocker arms... hope to have the build finished by the weekend!

Here's a few pics.

[lostbuckaroo]

Well it's been a while but I've got allot of little things done... wiring, switches, seat belt bar, also setup my propane stuff.

Engine is ready to drop in!







My new shop supervisor


New custom tailights and mounts


Tank brackets mocked up but need to add reinforcement to the bed... it's pretty stout just bolted to the bed but I'm gonna add some more steel for piece of mind.


Seat belt bar for 3 point harness

[tgmaul88]

looking good!

[lostbuckaroo]

Got the engine, trans installed Tuesday and got her fired up and running... Video at the bottom.. I drove it around the yard and ran through all the gears.. Major check on my to do list... next is exhaust, rear shock, and on and on and on.







Out in the sunshine for the first time in a long time!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BC7Womn9rU&feature=youtu.be

[Nation]

Some crunch room

[HogCanyonHopper]

motor looks and sounds great Carlos!! nice work

[lostbuckaroo]

Thanks man! Shortly after shooting that video I found it was leaking coolant between the head and block.... Long story sort the machine shop installed a dowel pin that was way too long. I ended up pulling the head back off and pulling the pin and cutting it down. I won't be going to that machine shop again... this wasn't their first F up.. Anyway I'm learning a ton.

The truck is nearly done... I'm working on the front end now.. Stalling RCV axles and a spartan locker. Also working on mounting the Hydro Assist ram...

Will update with more pictures shortly.

[lostbuckaroo]

Finished welding and painting the cage..











Rear shocks mounted and installed

[HogCanyonHopper]

good shops are hard to find. when you do find one and they take care of you, thats one to stick with. I go to J&M in Grass Valley and Hust Bros in Marysville for machine shop stuff. they also have a good driveline shop and they are the store with a million parts!!

[HogCanyonHopper]

just noticed the blocks. interested to hear how they do on the trail

[tgmaul88]

turn your shocks around,  there upside down,  they wont work the same

[lostbuckaroo]

just noticed the blocks. interested to hear how they do on the trail

Yeah the PO had it setup like this... the shocks he had were too short limiting droop..(Thus the new setup). Not sure about the blocks... we shall see...

[lostbuckaroo]

turn your shocks around,  there upside down,  they wont work the same

Really? I wouldn't think it would make a difference... But I did notice the the front is setup the other way...Hmm

[84Flatbed]

Really? I wouldn't think it would make a difference... But I did notice the the front is setup the other way...Hmm

As far as Ive been told it doesn't matter with the bilstiens, the writing is upside down but they should perform the same. It does make a difference with some other types of shocks, like some ranchos.

Just found this..

Do I mount the shocks with the boot pointing up or down?

With the internal design of the Bilstein monotube gas shocks, it does not matter whether the shocks are mounted with the shock rod side up or down. There are some minor advantages in longevity and overall suspension effectiveness with the shock rod pointed down, and there are many instances where Bilstein has changed the orientation to take advantage of these minor improvements where there are no clearance problems.  If there is an option, we recommend mounting the shock with the shock rod and boot pointing down, but in the grand scheme of things, there is no noticeable difference.

[lostbuckaroo]

As far as Ive been told it doesn't matter with the bilstiens, the writing is upside down but they should perform the same. It does make a difference with some other types of shocks, like some ranchos.

Just found this..

Do I mount the shocks with the boot pointing up or down?

With the internal design of the Bilstein monotube gas shocks, it does not matter whether the shocks are mounted with the shock rod side up or down. There are some minor advantages in longevity and overall suspension effectiveness with the shock rod pointed down, and there are many instances where Bilstein has changed the orientation to take advantage of these minor improvements where there are no clearance problems.  If there is an option, we recommend mounting the shock with the shock rod and boot pointing down, but in the grand scheme of things, there is no noticeable difference.

Perfect thanks for posting.. I found that on the net too... I think since the the shocks are mounted on the front of my axle I'm gonna leave them as is... give a little more protection to the rod..

[BigMike]

Hey lostbuckaroo,

Nice build ya got going on here! Looking forward to some wheeling pics

Also nice info on Bilsteins, 84Flatbed, I'll see about getting it added to our Hoop Installation page, which briefly discusses shock orientation at the bottom: http://www.marlincrawler.com/tech/guide/shock-hoop-installation-guide

BigMike

[lostbuckaroo]

Hey lostbuckaroo,

Nice build ya got going on here! Looking forward to some wheeling pics

Also nice info on Bilsteins, 84Flatbed, I'll see about getting it added to our Hoop Installation page, which briefly discusses shock orientation at the bottom: http://www.marlincrawler.com/tech/guide/shock-hoop-installation-guide

BigMike

Thanks Big Mike!

I'm having a hell of a time trying to get these new RCV axles and birfs installed... I'm stuck on the drivers side and can't seem to get the short shaft centered in the spindle... I've removed quite a bit of material on the bottom of the housing the clearance for the new birf but bottom of the spindle is still rubbing on the bottom of the axle stub.... theres no way I can line up the hub without beating it on... I've read that it could be that my knuckle isn't centered but theres no centering problem with the stock axle/birf... what gives?

[BigMike]

I've read that it could be that my knuckle isn't centered but theres no centering problem with the stock axle/birf

^ This is what I was going to suggest, but if the stock birf goes in fine, then it sounds like you need to do some more grinding.

Try this. Don't worry about the hub for now. Focus on the knuckle's range of movement. Slap in the stock birfield and bolt down the spindle as you've done in your above pic. Then ensure that the knuckle can rotate left to right all the way to both steering stops. Then do this again the the RCV birf in there. You need to clearance not only for a straight-line fit, but also for fit during the knuckle's full range of movement. I think you'll see you have to remove more material for this, after which point the hub will probably go on

Regards,
BigMike

[lostbuckaroo]

Thanks Mike!

I got her whipped.. there was a hole lot more metal that need to be removed. Now on to the hydro assist ram mount!

[Nation]

Get er done!

[lostbuckaroo]

Got the Hydro Assist Ram brackets fabbed and welded... Also figured out a redneck Reservoir Mount.. with what little materials I had left around here.

[lostbuckaroo]

Truck is just about ready for a weekend of testing then the plan is to take it to the Rubicon next weekends... Still need to build a front drive shaft and add a few more finishing touches..

I'm seeing a custom tube type flat bed, and some suspension mods in my future...But.. these projects are never finished Right!?

[Nation]

Very nice! Good luck!

[lostbuckaroo]

Successful day of testing at my buddy's house... Discovered my front axle was not installed straight... it's back at least 1/2" on the passenger side... when stuffed it was rubbing the front of the slider... oh well.. little trim here, little "custom" body work there... Good to go..













Yosimite Sam mud flaps!!!

[hunmetal]

How did the 20/22r hybrid do? Was there a noticeable difference from a stockish 22r?

[lostbuckaroo]

How did the 20/22r hybrid do? Was there a noticeable difference from a stockish 22r?

Sorry dude can't answer that question cause this is my first Toyota, so I've got nothing to compare to..

[lostbuckaroo]

Successful first trip out on the Rubicon!