Not how I planned to end my wheeling trip...

[YotaFun]

With the 4Runner lifted again, and me having a few bad weeks, I really wanted to get out in the woods for a bit...
I don't have much pictures of the days events I was riding solo in my truck (still with a group though)

we had just finished lunch and were on our way up a black trail
(green = mild stockish)
(blue = need some lift and tires)
(black = get ready for some dents)
(red = if you're not locked F&R on 40s don't try)

The begging of the trail is easy and then there is an 'S' turn before the real tough stuff, still has some intricately placed rocks.
Well I picked a bad line and this was the outcome:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_4976_zpsc868e9f6.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_4976_zpsc868e9f6.jpg.html)

That is the tire shoved into the body.....

This is what was the result of my damages:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_4978_zpscec02ef1.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_4978_zpscec02ef1.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_4982_zpse94fffea.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_4982_zpse94fffea.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_4984_zps486ce12e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_4984_zps486ce12e.jpg.html)

I don't have other pictures of the one other failure, I bent driver side rear shock housing and the bottom of the passenger rear shock actually split from the body....

I broke at the most deepest part of the park, and with the pinion sheared the truck would only roll in reverse cause when put in drive and go forward the pinion would drop and lock up the rear.

I backed my truck up 3 miles of up hill rough terrain, it was NOT fun...

Needless to say I have a LOT of work ahead of me

[Seanz0rz]

WOW! That's the new frame right? You'll have to do the spring/shock bucket mod that Bruce did years ago (unfortunately, I think pictures are long gone)

[YotaFun]

Yeah Sean it is the new frame, plus side, all frame side mounts held up *phew*

What is that mod exactly?

[toyotech]

you must have been going faster than you should. are you locked and geared at all? bending that arm that far up meant you had to had gone up and down pretty fast. i have taken wrong lines on big rocks before but when going slow, you can feel and hear that your rubbing rocks lol

i cant tell but is the 3rd picture showing that you ripped the drive line off too? that's some damage... how you get off the trail?

[YotaFun]

I was going slow till I got stuck, but the truck felt it would go with a little bump, well the little bump was a bad idea -_-
I think the arm was probably bent slightly earlier in the day and this was just the final let go.

I am locked, but stock 4.30 gears.
Yes the 3rd picture is showing the pinion sheared right off, that happen when the link gave out and shoved the tire into the body.

[Seanz0rz]

Sorry, I misunderstood. Glad you didn't bugger up the frame! as for the mounts on the axle, at this point, you are probably better off finding a new housing. I suspect that you bent it along with ripping off attachment points and bending tabs.

[Robinhood4x4]

All I can say is wow, that's a gnarly break.

[4x4mike]

Oh man. A little bump went a long way. You've got a lot of extra parts though right?

[toyotech]

that is crazy about the pinion... ekk
new stronger link mounts and DOM links???

[troyboy162]

gesh Avy! lol I'd tease you but dang thats gonna take a bit. Thankfully you have all the parts needed!

[YotaFun]

Sorry, I misunderstood. Glad you didn't bugger up the frame! as for the mounts on the axle, at this point, you are probably better off finding a new housing. I suspect that you bent it along with ripping off attachment points and bending tabs.

I am undecided what I want to do axle wise, I found mount online that are stronger, But I have to measure to make sure they fit.
I am leaning on getting a housing just to get it on the road, but if this axle is straight I might still get all the after market mounts and start beefing it up.


All I can say is wow, that's a gnarly break.

This is by far my worst trail carnage to date, its the sport but it does burn...


Oh man. A little bump went a long way. You've got a lot of extra parts though right?

I did...
The reason I lifted the brown truck again is because I had to get rid of the white one, I had no where to store it, no real way to move it easy, and my boss told me I couldn't keep it at work anymore so I transferred everything over as much as I could, stripped as much as I needed, and scrapped the rest, which included the rear axle -_-


that is crazy about the pinion... ekk
new stronger link mounts and DOM links???

This is the sad part, I have aftermarket DOM links but the joints in the are shot to hell...
I am in the process of trying to get them rebuild, but this wonderful rust stuff is making the simplest of tasks almost impossible


gesh Avy! lol I'd tease you but dang thats gonna take a bit. Thankfully you have all the parts needed!

I appreciate hold back on the teasing, this was a tough burn for me, Like I said above I really wish I did have the parts -_-
The one opportunity I gain from this, is finally I think I will be able to go 4.88s!

[troyboy162]

if you are keeping the axle maybe you can bend that back and tac it, then plate the outside? might be a easy ghetto way to get all the geometry right easily.

[YotaFun]

Troy, I think the link mount is pretty much toast, I will try to get a better picture sometime this week.
(motivation is just nonexistent at the moment)

The replacement idea for the mounts is these:
https://www.barnes4wd.com/mobile/Link-Tower_p_148.html
https://www.barnes4wd.com/thumbnail.asp?file=/assets/images/Link%20Suspension%20Parts%20%20Kits/Control%20Arm%20Brackets/Linktower.jpg&maxx=175&maxy=0

I just need to measure to see if they would work.
I will be making custom upper links as well, with some sort of heim joint or something similar, so the closest I get to the geometry great, hopefully the link will align the rest.

[CJM]

Ouch Avy...after all that work too :(

[YotaFun]

Yeah I know it definitely stinks.
Before winter she will be back to her good ol self, just one day at a time.

[YotaFun]

So I figured I would update this a little bit since I am slowly making progress.

First to more pictures of the carnage:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5047_zps5cb579e3.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5047_zps5cb579e3.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5049_zpsd400b544.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5049_zpsd400b544.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5043_zpsaec72eae.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5043_zpsaec72eae.jpg.html)

How its suppose to look:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5051_zpsec8407f0.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5051_zpsec8407f0.jpg.html)

This is a bad pic but dirty hands make it hard to take good pics, that is where the bottom of the shock is split:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5040_zps98bb49ae.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5040_zps98bb49ae.jpg.html)
When I removed the shock the bottom came right off:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5176_zps678b04da.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5176_zps678b04da.jpg.html)

Bent Shock and broken link (broke as I was trying to get it off the trailer -_-:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5055_zps36fdf54e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5055_zps36fdf54e.jpg.html)

Axles out:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5174_zpsabddc793.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5174_zpsabddc793.jpg.html)

So is the diff:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5175_zps631761d2.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5175_zps631761d2.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5184_zps4ff6cb84.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5184_zps4ff6cb84.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5182_zps2c82cc09.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5182_zps2c82cc09.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5186_zps0bb83158.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5186_zps0bb83158.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5185_zps24247da9.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5185_zps24247da9.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5187_zps1b88f59e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5187_zps1b88f59e.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5189_zps3b1a5e77.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5189_zps3b1a5e77.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5195_zpsc06d11ed.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5195_zpsc06d11ed.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5191_zps2752e74a.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5191_zps2752e74a.jpg.html)


So that is the carnage its insane I know....

Time to start fixing starting with the upper links
My plan of attack here is to try to keep my budget down on this rebuild but beef up.
So I am sleeving the upper control arms to beef them up and putting new bushings in, while yes I could have made adjustable ones, I really have no need as of right now, I don't plan to lift the rear any higher and the current geometry of the set up works well when I don't break it.
So this is what I did:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5206_zpsb1aa254e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5206_zpsb1aa254e.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5219_zps8dbd278b.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5219_zps8dbd278b.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5217_zps0544ca70.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5217_zps0544ca70.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5221_zpseb88d461.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5221_zpseb88d461.jpg.html)

Boom:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5209_zpsc9ced73c.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5209_zpsc9ced73c.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5210_zps08395114.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5210_zps08395114.jpg.html)

Comparison:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5212_zpsbee3f699.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5212_zpsbee3f699.jpg.html)

Done:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5226_zps1e3d0ffa.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5226_zps1e3d0ffa.jpg.html)

[troyboy162]

I gotta ask...were you drinking? lol

careful on that upper link. the stock rods will twist to allow more droop. You might bind earlier with that new tube.

[YotaFun]

With the upper links out of the way it was time to see what to do with the lowers,
Since rebuilding my old Rubicon Express links from Sonoran Steel was proving to be a major pain in the ass I decided to make my own, cutting off the end of the links and doing something my way:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5237_zps1b5a24bd.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5237_zps1b5a24bd.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5239_zps668b5c78.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5239_zps668b5c78.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5241_zpsfe2a7cd4.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5241_zpsfe2a7cd4.jpg.html)

What I am doing for one end is welding on the frame side is weld the stock link end to that side:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5257_zpsea1cf276.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5257_zpsea1cf276.jpg.html)

On the other end I am going to do as so:
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Forged-Chromoly-20-Ballistic-Joint_p_1966.html

Yes I know its adjustable, pretty much going against what I said for the uppers.
I just like the cool factor here.
This potion also saves me about $30 that I can start putting towards 4.88 and rebuilding my diff.

Its pretty amazing how flimsy the stock links are:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5259_zps467e74ee.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5259_zps467e74ee.jpg.html)

When standing on them they would bed very easily (that is 200lbs of pure fat -_-) which makes me wonder how much the stock links flex under normal circumstances, it has to have a good amount of stress on it.

[YotaFun]

I gotta ask...were you drinking? lol

No, but where did that come from exactly?


careful on that upper link. the stock rods will twist to allow more droop. You might bind earlier with that new tube.

I am going to throw so new bushings it, well see how it goes when they are in, If I find issue then I guess it will be time for put a flex joint on them.

And yeah they twist alright like a freakin pretzel...

[Robinhood4x4]

When standing on them they would bed very easily (that is 200lbs of pure fat -_-) which makes me wonder how much the stock links flex under normal circumstances, it has to have a good amount of stress on it.

Yeah, but you have to remember than normally they're never loaded in bending like that. They're usually a 2 force member, meaning they only see tension and compression and things are way strong in tension and compression. For example, did you know a single 1/4" grade 8 bolt can easily lift our trucks in the air. Toyota didn't exactly design those links to take the loads we subject them to.

Just doing some quick calculations based on the picture and assuming the round stock is 1" OD (which I think it's actually bigger than 1"), .125" wall, and mild steel, those things can each hold 10,000lbs in tension or compression (well, ignoring buckling failure anyway).

However, bending is way weaker so the second you land on a rock or somehow apply a bending load, it's history.

[YotaFun]

Yeah, but you have to remember than normally they're never loaded in bending like that. They're usually a 2 force member, meaning they only see tension and compression and things are way strong in tension and compression. For example, did you know a single 1/4" grade 8 bolt can easily lift our trucks in the air. Toyota didn't exactly design those links to take the loads we subject them to.

Agreed, they usually are not, it just still seems really flimsy to me.


Just doing some quick calculations based on the picture and assuming the round stock is 1" OD (which I think it's actually bigger than 1"), .125" wall, and mild steel, those things can each hold 10,000lbs in tension or compression.

You are right on the measurements.

[troyboy162]

Haha i only ask cause that looks like something i might do after a few too many. My buddy jason went with the ballistic end links too. They look like strong units! Glad to see tess is coming along nicely

[YotaFun]

No no, not any drinking, I have been on the health kick lately, my alcohol intake has dropped dramatically.
Normally though, I probably would have been about 3 deep....

I am looking forward to getting them and seeing how they preform they look awesome!

You and me both Troy, its sad seeing her in the drive way on jack stands agian....
But works been plucking at the last nerve I have left and finally the rage turned into motivation to work.
I am hoping 3 weeks or so she will be done, trying to steady my cash flow with bills and what not on top of these repairs lol!

[Seanz0rz]

Glad to see progress!

I don't have much to add, but I wish you good luck! On my phone it looked as if the carrier was damaged as well?

[YotaFun]

The carrier definitely has so metal missing, I am going to get it apart and see if there are any stress crack or sign that its not solid, it still functions beautifully so I think if there is any protruding metal that I will grind it down and should be okay.

Right now I am trying to decided on brand of gears and who can get the best deal, i'm looking anywhere between 200-250 shipped then I need a master install kit too, $$$ just keep piling up

[4x4mike]

Man you put the hurt to that rear end. Like the others I'm glad to see it's being rebuilt. Did you decide what you're going to do with the towers? What do the stock towers hit to fold them over? Any underside damage?

[YotaFun]

Mike, I had no idea I had till it was too late :-(
I ordered the towers I linked in this tread earlier, and modify them to fit, it was either those or the ones off Ballistics Fab website, but the name jumped the price up -_-
They didn't hit anything, I think it was just from all the force of the axle bending a way in never should have that caused the passenger side to bend over, the driver side was at full droop and the passenger just couldn't go anywhere anymore is what I gather.

There is no underside damage to the body or the frame, all frame mounts are good, but after this my next step will be upgrading the lower mounts on the axle and all the frame mounts.

[YotaFun]

Well, it has been a long time since I have updated this!
With gathering parts and changing jobs its been difficult, but with winter weather showing up in the forecast and me being on the snow team for work, its time to get this beauty back on all 4 rolling!

So I sourced a rear axle for $50 from a local u-pull, it was a little rusted, cleaned it up and painted it, and put a little truss in:
It is even, just the way this picture was taken make it look otherwise:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5415_zps0f7d99fd.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5415_zps0f7d99fd.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5419_zpsbd28300c.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5419_zpsbd28300c.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5420_zpsa7aed046.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5420_zpsa7aed046.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5417_zps1d6d2787.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5417_zps1d6d2787.jpg.html)

Finally got the parts from ballistics and the bushing off amazon:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5351_zps2c4cc49b.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5351_zps2c4cc49b.jpg.html)
I forgot to take pics of the bushings for the links but here is the link to the amazon page that has them:
Lower:
http://www.amazon.com/Febest-Bushing-Lateral-Control-48720-35040/dp/B00C6MYBAA
Upper:
http://www.amazon.com/Febest-Bushing-Lateral-Control-48702-35050/dp/B00C6MVPH2

New Links:
Upper:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5398_zps86d81787.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5398_zps86d81787.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5400_zpsb82d7fa7.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5400_zpsb82d7fa7.jpg.html)
Lowers:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/8888641c-16d3-42a0-82f2-b94efeec06cd_zps20eb682a.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/8888641c-16d3-42a0-82f2-b94efeec06cd_zps20eb682a.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/IMG_5402_zps3a538b2e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/IMG_5402_zps3a538b2e.jpg.html)

Now just have to clean them up a little, paint the housing and links with a good final coat and that part of the project will be done.

I have to now install the diff and all the brake lines and e-brake lines.
Order some shocks and re-install the rear and she will be rolling again.

I will be going back to just being open in the rear again till I can afford to regear to 4.88s.
Since I only have a 4.10 ope diff, I will have to switch the front back to 4.10 as well, a lot of work yes but I unfortunately do not have a time line as to when the funds will be available for the 4.88 and I would rather be open open and have 4wd then no truck at all.

[04 Rocko Taco]

rear 3rds are cheap, buy a spare 4.10 and weld it!! instant locker, and not all together unpleasant on the street. Although on ice it may be more of a handful.

[Good Times]

avy now that you'll be back on the road will we expect to see a warped rear axle this time instead of the links or how about the mounts? (sarcasm.. since you went bonkers on your stock links on the last run you did) :)

[YotaFun]

rear 3rds are cheap, buy a spare 4.10 and weld it!! instant locker, and not all together unpleasant on the street. Although on ice it may be more of a handful.

Chris, while 3rds are cheap for open 4.10s that is money that is more well spent for gears.
I still have to rely on this truck to DD till I get a tow rig and trailer.
That and if someone in the family has to to borrow it, I'd rather it be user friendly then have a truck on its side -_-

[YotaFun]

avy now that you'll be back on the road will we expect to see a warped rear axle this time instead of the links or how about the mounts? (sarcasm.. since you went bonkers on your stock links on the last run you did) :)

Nah I got that strengthened. Lol
I have broken a front diff and front suspension parts, I just took put the rear diff and suspension parts, trend is following up the drivetrain -_-

Honestly though I see the next break being either a transfer case or I'll end up flopping it on it's side.

[YotaFun]

So a little update is needed after the last pics:
First the day after I posted the other pics I started to go to town on getting her back together, not to many pics but something is better then nothing:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Progress1_zps1be6bed2.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Progress1_zps1be6bed2.jpg.html)

You have no idea how hard it was to do this job with only the factory bottle jack, with changing jobs and the holidays there was really no money to get a proper floor jack -_-

In that picture I was still waiting on shocks to get in the mail as well as get axle seals cause the ones I had sucked and would not go in right, pretty much note for the future its Toyota seals or its Toyota seals, everything else has a coating of some sort on the outer edge that prevent it from going it right as such:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/shitseal_zps3d85c7c9.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/shitseal_zps3d85c7c9.jpg.html)

But once that was sorted out:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Progress2_zpsc6a44f5b.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Progress2_zpsc6a44f5b.jpg.html)

No seal in that pic I know but they are installed because:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/sherolls_zpsb7e334f9.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/sherolls_zpsb7e334f9.jpg.html)

She is up and running finally!
She needed a few things though before I could take her down the road safety:
Brakes bled
All bolts tighten (actually have to go back and back them off then torque them since I just went good and tight and that was my mistake first time around...)
Oil change (I ran half a can of seafoam in the oil since prior to this she hadn't run since september)
Charge the battery (was stone cold dead but I was able to bring it back to life)
Test Drive it.

First initial test drive found the only two problems that needed to be resolved.
The issues came from and ass end that liked to pitch itself one way on acceleration and another on braking, making this a very scary rid especially if you had to panic brake.
This was a result of one of the links being a half a turn out of adjustment and the other, the bolts I used on the ballistics end-link side was too small. Half a turn and new bolts later and she is driving around beautifully.

Hopefully soon enough I'll have 4WD and the build can start to continue as normal -_-

[CJM]

Very good job Avy! Glad you got your issues resolved, sounds like a very scary test drive tho!

Been awhile, but you changed jobs? Where you working now?

[4x4mike]

Great job. I bet it feels great to get it up and running again.

I can't imagine working on it in the snow. I don't get snow at my house but it does get cold. Snow is a whole nother level. Kudos.

[YotaFun]

Marc, I did change jobs, said by to Toyota and Hello to Carmax

Mike, the things you do to get the feeling of a 4WD under your bum, especially after it sitting since September and me being stuck in my under powered base model Camry. But it was def cold -_- I'm surprised my ass didn't literally freeze off...

[CJM]

Glad your moving on up :) Ill bet its alot easier work overall, dealer work can turn into nothing but production and warranty bs.

[4x4mike]

Marc, I did change jobs, said by to Toyota and Hello to Carmax



The father of a friend works for Carmax and it seems to be a great company. I think he's a service manager type and he recently returned from Vegas for a company wide performance recognition. Nice to work for a place that rewards and recognizes hard work.

[YotaFun]

Mike, Its great so far, and they treat their employees awesome.
I def see myself developing a carrier with them.

[04 Rocko Taco]

I somehow missed the update that Tess was finally up and running again, congrats!

[YotaFun]

careful on that upper link. the stock rods will twist to allow more droop. You might bind earlier with that new tube.

So to Update this thread a little and answer this question:
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6419_zps23089488.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6419_zps23089488.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6411_zps4c498f45.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6411_zps4c498f45.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6410_zps015ab70e.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6410_zps015ab70e.jpg.html)
http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz219/Yota-Boy/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6409_zpsba732d7b.jpg (http://s829.photobucket.com/user/Yota-Boy/media/Rausch%2006-22-2014/DSC_6409_zpsba732d7b.jpg.html)

No binding at all, and to tell you the truth I think the stronger links helped keep the axle centered because I didn't hit my gas tank skid at all, and even with it bent out of shape I would still hit it hard when the drivers side stuffed.

And I never lifted tire all day long, the suspension set up to me is about dialed in perfect now.
Time to get a locker back in it, a set of sliders again, and the gas tank moved to the rear, after other To-Dos get done....

[Kryptoroxx]

Hey that's good news! Glad to hear everything is working well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[4x4mike]

Great to see it back on the trail.

[YotaFun]

Yeah Mike, I am too, I wish I got pics of it but I was to busy devouring the trail that devoured the truck.
Happy to say I made it up the trail without a locker. Honestly I think not having the locker has made me a better driver off-road, I got spoiled with it lol

[04 Rocko Taco]

I would agree with that sentiment, and it is the reason I love to see guys start out in a stock truck and build thier way into the sport over time, rather than build it up all at once and then wheel it.

I feel that by me starting with an open/open 4runner on stock suspension and small tires helped me learn to pick lines carefully and how to make the truck do what you want it to.

Then add in lift, tires, lockers, armor, cage, etc and I still pick my lines carefully, and make the truck do what I want, I just do it on way more hardcore stuff.

[CJM]

Looks like you had alot of fun Avy :)

[04 Rocko Taco]

Avy - I would sure like to get up your way sometime, see what some of this Northeast wheeling is all about.

[YotaFun]

Marc, it was long overdue....

Chris, little less mud and a bit more rock :-)

[CJM]

I hear ya Avy, I miss doing going out wheeling but it being my only ride lol.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Marc, it was long overdue....

Chris, little less mud and a bit more rock :-)

WE have plenty of rock here in TN and NC, but I would sure like to get a change of scenery from time to time.

[YotaFun]

Chris, just going from Dover, or the developed areas to up in the mountains is a huge change of scenery for me lol