SqWADoosh's 85 Runner Build Thread

[blackdiamond]

You might find that the rock light work great and won't blind everyone that is looking under your truck.

[H8PVMNT]

I just singed my retinas!

[SqWADoosh]

So I accidentally left my spots on for 14 hours with my truck off. Discovered this morning when I went to get in my truck and go to work. I was immediately filled with dread that I was going to be late to work as my battery wouldn't have enough juice to turn her over. She fired right up. Gotta love that low draw of LEDs. 

[SqWADoosh]

Just pulled the trigger on a Killer Toy Top as well as tube doors from 4xinnovations. Gonna be riding in style in Moab 

[Rockcrawlintoy]

That top will be sweet. You going to rock tube doors all the way to Moab?

[SqWADoosh]

That top will be sweet. You going to rock tube doors all the way to Moab?

I'm trailering to moab. I purchased the quick disconnect version as well so the doors can be swapped in a matter of seconds.

[SqWADoosh]

Hit a pretty big milestone this morning 

[OTO Phil]

No gas?

[SqWADoosh]

No gas?

No, early 80s toyota gauges. Theres another 50+ miles before its actually empty.

[blackdiamond]

That top will be sweet. You going to rock tube doors all the way to Moab?

That would be a horrible ride.  I run tube doors when in Moab and the mornings and evenings make for some refreshing rides.  I have learned to take my rain pants because they do a great job of blocking the wind.  My tube doors fit nicely behind the rear seat, but I store them in Colorado with CrankyCralwer so that he can use them when I'm not in town.  I don't have any practical way, or need, to run them in Washington.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

I'm trailering to moab. I purchased the quick disconnect version as well so the doors can be swapped in a matter of seconds.

Nice the only downside to gettin towed is that you will want to do it every time lol. Having the peice of mind of the trailer is awesome

[SqWADoosh]

Nice the only downside to gettin towed is that you will want to do it every time lol. Having the peice of mind of the trailer is awesome

I think its great that should any of us Washington guys break that there will be a trailer available to insure that we get everyone home with their rigs. My truck is obviously capable of making the drive back home if someone else needs to use the trailer. As was proven by the California trip. Can't thank Mark enough for offering the trailer and truck up for use. 

[OTO Phil]

It has indeed given me a sense of pride that I drove from Vancouver up to Elbe, wheeled the piss outta my truck and drove it back under my own power.. But I know with a trailer available I'd ta take more risks haha...

[SqWADoosh]

I witnessed a buddy blow up a ring and pinion at Walker last weekend. Luckily for him it was a trailer rig. Sure is a nice peace of mind.

[OTO Phil]

Yeah, good thing about trailering-you only have to make it back to the trailer.. It's just a huge investment unless you already have a tow rig

[SqWADoosh]

You can say that again.

[mudmaster]

Can't thank Mark enough for offering the trailer and truck up for use. 

NP, I can't wait to go!

[SqWADoosh]

So here is the latest. Worked out some deals today and sat down with the woman and put down our finances on paper. After the fact here is what is happening before moab.

At the least:
New power steering + hydro
New 37x12.5x15 Pitbull Rocker Radials
Tube from bumpers to sliders (fender tubing)
Reinforcing my rear bumper to fix sag and prevent it getting into the body like it did in Cali.

Strong possiblity:
Interior Cage 

[blackdiamond]

So here is the latest. Worked out some deals today and sat down with the woman and put down our finances on paper. After the fact here is what is happening before moab.

At the least:
New power steering + hydro
New 37x12.5x15 Pitbull Rocker Radials
Tube from bumpers to sliders (fender tubing)
Reinforcing my rear bumper to fix sag and prevent it getting into the body like it did in Cali.

Strong possiblity:
Interior Cage 

Put the bumper to slider bars at the bottom of the list for Moab, you shouldn't need them anywhere we're going.

My dad will be jealous of your cage, if you get it done.  He'd really like for me to get one.

What does she get? 

[SqWADoosh]

She's going to Sasquatch among other things. I assure you she does not go without. The majority of these upgrades are going to be funded by a loan out of my 401k as well as me selling some of my things.  Including my current tires.

[blackdiamond]

She's going to Sasquatch among other things. I assure you she does not go without. The majority of these upgrades are going to be funded by a loan out of my 401k as well as me selling some of my things.  Including my current tires.

My wife is going to Hawaii in exchange for my Moab trip. Her aunt is working there currently so it makes it an affordable adventure.

[SqWADoosh]

Good trade there.

[blackdiamond]

Are you wanting a cab style cage or a full cage?  Since you don't plan for passengers in the back I would suggest keeping the weight to a minimum and just doing a cage in the cab.  If it was designed to work with a full cage you could have that added when and if you wanted/needed protection in the back.

Cage plus tall guy equals bumping of head.  I'm always entertained to watch Zembalayan fold up into his 4Runner when we've been in Moab.  Between his cage and CB radio it's a NASCAR style squeeze to get in.

My biggest opposition to the cage is that I don't want to keep my 4Runner as light as possible.

[SqWADoosh]

Yeah plan is for just the driver and passenger compartment. No need for anything aft of that. Will probably have them put in a harness bar though.

[mudmaster]

The room in my first gen isn't too bad with an interior cage, but I'm only 6'2". I'm not a fan of exterior jungle gym either.

[OTO Phil]

Are you looking for a weld together kit?

[SqWADoosh]

Are you looking for a weld together kit?

I'm be having a local fabricator called xo-fab put in their weld together kit for me.

[blackdiamond]

Yeah plan is for just the driver and passenger compartment. No need for anything aft of that. Will probably have them put in a harness bar though.

Now you just need another vehicle so that you can feel comfortable pushing the limits a bit more.  We'll need to find a scale sometime and see how much more your 4Runner weighs compared to mine.  I have no idea how much mine actually weighs.

[SqWADoosh]

Its a few years out at the least. Leaning towards a tundra.

[redneckcustoms13]

Just buy an old cheap 12v cummins. Good fuel economy, it's a tow rig and dd all in 1.