Whole buncha Mod's

[xcmountain80]

New additions to rig include a set of shackle mounts, 1st gen roll bar, BlueSea power distribution box , and a Icom V-8000 ham radio. To start a 1/2 “ hole was drilled for the shackle mounts. I knew right off the bat the winch was going to be a PIA. So I drilled the holes (the three I knew would work) and left the 4th untouched. I mounted the hardware and was pleased. I didn’t measure and one came out slightly off but you can hardly tell.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/DSC05441340.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P7103096.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P7103097.jpg
The 1st gen roll bar was sitting around begging to be installed. I found a roll bar pad from the 1st gen on ebay and picked it up. The bar itself was sort of interesting. I bought it yota tech and the seller cut it into pieces to ship it. I had my local shop weld it back together the best they could. I then sanded it primed and painted it using spray can bed liner (my favorite)I drilled ½” holes yet again 1 for each front mount and 2 for each rear mount. I came up with the non precise method for installation I 1. opened a brew 2. laid on my back and wiggled untile I could position the bar into an ideal looking location in comparison to the roof buttons that hold the headliner in place. I then got it perfect and drilled hole 1 then back on the back and so on.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P7113109.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P7113106.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P7113105.jpg
The Blue Sea unit was just to simplify my ever growing need for a nice internal fuse unit. The wiring was simple seeing as how I already had a large gauge + coming in to the cab. I fabbed up a bracket from stainless and mounted just to the right of the ECU.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/fuseblock_f.jpg
The V-8000 went in easy I have yet to hard mount it. I have the power and coax run (the coax had been run for the cb).
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/IC-V8000.jpg
I will run a new coax line once I figure out if a rear bumper will be going on.


Aaron

[Erich_870]

Looking good!  I like how the shackle mounts look on your TJM.

I was noticing the shackles on the Hummer H3 and thought they were the only thing from a Hummer I would put on a Toyota.  I think they'd look pretty sweet on a custom rear bumper. :hillbill:

Think you can snap a pic of the location and bracket you made for your fuse block?
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/fuseblock_f.jpg

Erich

[Lee]

the shackle mounts look good but PLEASE BE CAREFUL pulling like that through the tjm.

[Bob98SR5]

lee,

that's my thought too. i'd feel more comfy if it was reinforced in the back of the bumper which i think it is, but nonetheless, i have my reservations. just my uneducated opinion :)

x: love the other stuff as well. the roll bar is pretty cool. gotta find me one :)

bob

[Lee]

i have a feeling the bumper will be yanked, bent or folded.

id really recommend leaving them there for looks and looks alone. if you ever have to pull anyone hard (really any pull makes me queasy with that setup) do it with your stock tow hook.

[BruceTS]

I'd use the backing plates as a template and fabricate and angle bracket that bolts to the bumper/frame mounting points and add a few gussets. Why is there only 3 bolts?

[Lee]

i didnt even notice that, good catch.

i agree with bruce, if you can put some support to the frame and bumper mounts, then you can use them with less worry.

but id still use the stock hook :laugh:

[slosurfer]

NIce work, what size Engel do you have, MT 45? :thumbup:

[garrett]

Why is there only 3 bolts?

I knew right off the bat the winch was going to be a PIA. So I drilled the holes (the three I knew would work) and left the 4th untouched.

[xcmountain80]

Why is there only 3 bolts?

I knew right off the bat the winch was going to be a PIA. So I drilled the holes (the three I knew would work) and left the 4th untouched.


Thanks, first off I dont yank anyone and dont let them yank me. I hat e that I know I know it work but I would much rather utilize the winch. The shackle mounts have the backing plate shown in black in the picture. If the winch is pulling against the bumper even though its in the exact same position as is is being anchored behind the bumper. If it bends it bends, I didn't add them to be pretty, I actually don't add anything to the truck that doesn't have a function otherwise its just a waste of my time and money. I also have 2 snatch blocks that I utilize when I get the chance. Long pull when I have to but snatch blocks for sure to make it easier. I like the l bracket reinforce idea not bad. Though limited area due to the winch. The 4th bolt wont be able to be utilized the winch is where the nut would need to be. Then engel is a 45, same dimensions as 35 just taller. Love it! It hasn't been out of the truck since I bought it 2 months ago. I'll get some pics of the power box snapped.

Aaron

[Lee]

not trying to be a wiseass, i am genuinely confused. you'd rather spend a ton of time winching rather than getting a quick tug from someone??? then doesnt that very fact mean that the shackle mounts arent for function?

anyway, do whatcha want, i think tjm's are too weak and thin for that kind of use and for your safety and wallet, i think you should reconsider using them without some additional welded in support, which it sounds like you agree is a good idea :thumbup:

just tryin to help :)

[xcmountain80]

I see what your saying, as far as yanking, like I said not a big fan I have seen it go wrong to many times before. And for the winching portion yeah, I travel a great deal and most of the time there isn't anyone else around so I'm quite used to this and have it down to a pretty quick recovery assuming I'm not just totally screwed. As far as what I intended the mounts for was in my minds eye for routing the winch line back to me, hooking that damn OEM tow hook just sucks sometimes especially when its submerged. You know if you have had one or used a hook from master pull that damn funky hook that ha the opposite opening direction is a PIA. And yes I Like the reinforcement idea I was trying to envision it but on the tjm the horns come up, so to have it mount to the frame that ight be tricky I could easily mount/ weld a bracket that could utilize the top portion of the horn easy enough. But then it would just be pulling on the top portion with no additional support from the lower. What do you think. I do appreciate the ideas and help not to be confused with being an asshat.

Aaron

[Intrepidyota]

I see what your saying, as far as yanking, like I said not a big fan I have seen it go wrong to many times before. And for the winching portion yeah, I travel a great deal and most of the time there isn't anyone else around so I'm quite used to this and have it down to a pretty quick recovery assuming I'm not just totally screwed. As far as what I intended the mounts for was in my minds eye for routing the winch line back to me, hooking that damn OEM tow hook just sucks sometimes especially when its submerged. You know if you have had one or used a hook from master pull that damn funky hook that ha the opposite opening direction is a PIA. And yes I Like the reinforcement idea I was trying to envision it but on the tjm the horns come up, so to have it mount to the frame that ight be tricky I could easily mount/ weld a bracket that could utilize the top portion of the horn easy enough. But then it would just be pulling on the top portion with no additional support from the lower. What do you think. I do appreciate the ideas and help not to be confused with being an asshat.

Aaron


You realize that using a snatch block back to that will still put a TON of stress on that mount right? I also recommend against it without a ton of reinforcing inside and even then...

[xcmountain80]

Anyone else actually tried this? Carnage photos? something more solid than theory? Because I have my own theories, If the bumper is rated for 9k winch than supposedly a dead pull or more seeing as how the vehicle might be stuck than the bumper will hold up. If this mount was in the center of the bumper than yes given the size of it I could see it bend but being that it is closer to the actual horn mount of the bumper, if it bends then it will take the winch with it. So like I said before if it bends it bends but if it's between getting out or staying the night the bumpers getting bent. Like I said I'm not attacking anyones ideas and I appreciate the theories and help.


Aaron

[Lee]

let me just say... im on my 2nd tjm t-17, and i got my 2nd one for a reason: it failed in a way it shouldnt. it bent like a piece of paper when my tire caught the end on the drivers side and folded the entire bumper down.

i wrote to tjm and told them of the problem, it took them a while, but they basically agreed to give me a brand new one for free, but they did not admit fault. they simply said it was designed for light duty use on a STOCK 4runner. this to me says "as long as you stay on fire roads and dont actually have the bumper make contact with anything, youre fine."... which is horrible.

i cant wait to ditch my t17 for this very fact.

now as far as pulling with it, imo, it is very weak for that. the mounts can be bent with nothing more than a large adjustable wrench. imagine the force pulling a 5000 pound vehicle will put on it, especially if you have to give someone a good pull out!

with no support going from the paper thin metal to the frame, youre putting all that pressure on the outside bumper trim which WILL fold. just my opinion from my experience, i have never done what youre doing, but i cant imagine it would work very well unless you give it good support.

[MTL_4runner]

If you pull on your TJM without reinforcing those shackle attach points, I guarantee it will look worse than this:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1829.msg17636#msg17636

[Lee]

ugh. i hate looking at my own pics :laugh:

i cant wait to get rid of this thing.

[xcmountain80]

ugh. i hate looking at my own pics :laugh:

i cant wait to get rid of this thing.


I remember now you ripped that thing like oh yeah! Yes I do remember, so some bracing it will be. Cool I'll let you know how it turns out.

Aaron

[Lee]

here are the pics of it

http://www.ne4roc.org/bumperdamage.jpg

http://www.ne4roc.org/bumperdamage2.jpg

here is what it looked like when it was bent

http://www.ne4roc.org/bumperdamage_mask.jpg

[xcmountain80]

Now do you think a plate than spans the area inside the bumper rectangular shape say 1/8" steel. Or maybe 1/8" L shape not inclusive of the winch mounts.

Aaron

[Lee]

you need to brace it to the frame and bumper mounts. your strength is there :thumbup:

follow what bruce said, he is right, "angle bracket that bolts to the bumper/frame mounting points and add a few gussets." the support bars will keep it in place, and keep it from bending, and the gussets will take some of the stress off the bars.

[BruceTS]

The mounts on the TJM-15 are build much stronger than the 17, even then they aren't strong enough for winching. I originally added some bracing to mine, but recently went one step futher and added bracing to the frame and a few more gussets.
http://bruce.calrockx.com/4runner/bumper/frontmount.jpg
Added a plate to the top of the frame then welded the new brace in place
http://bruce.calrockx.com/4runner/bumper/frame mount.jpg


I'd seriously figure out a way to add the 4th bolt, your losing more than 25% of the strength, by not having it.

[Lee]

and putting more than 25% of the stress on the other bolts too.

[xcmountain80]

The mounts on the TJM-15 are build much stronger than the 17, even then they aren't strong enough for winching. I originally added some bracing to mine, but recently went one step futher and added bracing to the frame and a few more gussets.
http://bruce.calrockx.com/4runner/bumper/frontmount.jpg
Added a plate to the top of the frame then welded the new brace in place
http://bruce.calrockx.com/4runner/bumper/frame mount.jpg


I'd seriously figure out a way to add the 4th bolt, your losing more than 25% of the strength, by not having it.


Yeah thats kinda what I was thinking, very nice.

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Ok so some more mods to come. Aisin manual hub swap, aussie front locker, rear LSD, and 4.56 gears. I found the hubs on Ebay for $130, all the other parts will be sourced out through toyota part sales. The aussie locker was $240+ shipping, still waiting on the LSD and gear quotes. Probably around $1K, then there install for it all.


Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Well the aussie locker, gears and lsd, and new toyota parts will be here next week towards the end. I still need to find Taco cv's in the non add fashion. Hopefully I will have this installed within the next 2wks. I have been working on the Aisin hubs mainly because I have nothing better to do. Heres what I have so far.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P8313592.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P8313589.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P8313582.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P8313581.jpg

Aaron

[neliconcept]

just thinking, make sure you have enough space between the caps and hubs that you can take the caps off when needed to rotate your tires.

im just gonna leave the caps off my front and they can do whatever they want to when they rotate.

[xcmountain80]

I rotate them but a 2 5/8" hole saw with take the center out of the stock caps opening it up perfectly for the Asin hubs to come through. It will be beautiful.


Aaron

[xcmountain80]

You know it's always something. The LSD came to the office last Fri. I got to the office this morning around 730. I looked at the box and maintained composure. Where I wanted it to say 4Runner 8.0 it said Tacoma 8.4. SOB what the hell is going on? I emailed PORC to see what the problem was and am awaiting a solution. I might have to go to 4wheelfarts and see about getting it from there. The truck goes into the shop today w or w/o the rear LSD. Got a trip next week truck has to be done.

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Ok so the current situation is the truck is in the shop. I talked to PORC but they said theyd be happy to send the new stuff out when my old returns. Umm yeah well let me be the nice guy and I'll pay for you to send all the parts I need + overnight and then you credit me when you receive the 8.4 crap. Oh because come to find out they sent all 8.4 stuff R&P install kit and LSD. OMG then they said they most likely wouldn't cover my shipping it back, man you know I just ask that people do the right thing why is that so hard? I didn't say I wanted a rear end for a TACOMA, I said 4RUNNER I know same amount of syllables but the second one has a #. Then I spent on hour on the phone with them saying I had a 8.4. I assured them this wasn't possible, thank God I had the Taco and the Runner in the drive way. I quickly measured my diff 25 1/4"and compared it to the Taco 27" around the pumpkin like thing. DUHHHH so I'm a 8" like I said from the beginning. We got it ironed out so far at least getting the parts here or to the shop for that matter. I'll let you know what happens.

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Ok so dropped the truck off and this is where we are.... should be done tomorrow evening.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P9203850.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P9203848.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/P9203847.jpg


Aaron

[Bighead]

Aaron, what happened with PORC and the screwed up order?

[xcmountain80]

Well I still don't know if they are covering shipping going back to them, nor have I sent the wrong parts back yet. Kinda waiting for the dust to settle and make sure this will be done by Tuesday. The trip is nothing exciting but a break in period and some offroad tests with the new setup. The quick version of what happened goes like this.
8-30 Ordered parts holiday that coming monday tack on 1+ days for shipping
9-7 R&P arrive, read the label for master and R&P said tacoma. I called to verufy the right parts had been shipped and was assured everything was as it needed to be.
9-10 Called to track down my damn LSD. was told they were back ordered and one was on the way and would see it the end of the week. I explained my built in time was over and I was in the red.
9-14 Detroit LSD arrives at office
9-18 Arrive at office to read the label Tacoma 8.4. I'm pissed to no end by this point. I called and talked to my salesman Jason again (by now we know each other well)he spend an hour on the phone with me while we go back and forth looking up part numbers and exchanging information. He said that both the owner and mechanic are certain my 4runner has an 8.4. I told the there is no way, it's just not possible. So I said I'll tell you what I have a 02 Taco and an 02 4Runer in the driveway can you hold a second. So I went out with a alterations tape measure and wrapped it around what would be the rear of the pumpkin and took measurements on both. the Taco was 27" and the Runner 25 1/4" not to mention they look nothing alike. So I get back on the phone explain this is a 8" same thing that would have come up if you looked it from the beginning. He then tells me that if they sent the wrong LSD the R&P and install kit were also incorrect. OMG Jason I'll be in GA next week if you want me to stop by? So w/o needing to be capt. asshole just yet I said what can we do? He replied we would be glad to switch them out for you once they are returned. Haha I chuckled say what? I have to wait again? No thanks since I'm not in the worst mood just yet I will pay to have the parts overnighted to my shop seeing as how thats where the truck is now. Ok he responded. What about the shipping back I asked? You'll have to take that up with the owner he replied, ok whatever, are the parts I need in stock somewhere that they can be overnighted? Yes ok so we set it up and left it at that.
9-19 parts are expected, get a call at 9am and it's Jason and he sounds very frustrated. He said when he left Tues that he called the sales rep, sales rep ok 'd the inventory, then later realized he was an idiot and did't have the parts and didn't ship anything. Ooook I said so what are you doing? He replied I've talked with the owner and the rep and the parts will be at the shop tomorrow (Thurs) Ok thank you Jason. I left it at that.
9-21 I called to check up on things and the receptionist answered sounding very upset, now I've called a million times and we know who each other are. I asked Rhonda what was wrong and if Jason was there. She said no she was the only one there because they were moving stuff around and Jason got hurt and was rushed to the emergency room. Holy cow well is he ok, she wasn't certain as to the severity of the accident. Well I told her I'd say a prayer and to hang in there and take messages and just tell everyone you'll call them back. Now I'm no saint but I don't get to upset because you can only accomplish so much. I think my Toyota cursed this order and the poor guy got hurt. But it did remind me there are more important things in life to worry about, let the trivial things work themselves out and focus on what matters.

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

Now my mechanic tells me that the pinion splined shaft on the new pinion is smaller than the drive shaft flange. What should I do? There are 27 splines ans 1" on the pinion, and 29 ( I think) and 1.1" on the old. So much difference btwn the two you can stick the pinion into the flange and rotate it around.

Aaron

[neliconcept]

call Jim at inchworm tomorrow morning. that does not sound right at all

[Cheese]

Open rear 4Runners are not the same as open rear Tacos.

E-locked diffs apparently have something weird with the pinion, more splines?

Some times going with a place that knows your truck ends up more expensive but you don't have hoops like this.

Bummer. Also why ordering way ahead of shop time or trip time prevents hassles because stuff has more time to get there.

[Marc P]

My e-locker was the same. the old pinion was 30 spline and the e-locked one was 27 spline. Marlin has the flange you need for like $35.00

info-
http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/landcruiser_elocker/

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/landcruiser_elocker/hp33.jpg

[xcmountain80]

Problem solved Marlin 27 spline dealeo $35 + $50 overnight. And yeah the ordering started on the 30th of last month which is usually plenty of time for something as simple as a gear swap and a manual hub swap which isn't much more than a couple of hours. I ordered the right parts from the beginning. I operate on a professional level and expect the same in return. It really pisses me off when others don't seem to follow through. Especially when there are distinct differences btwn a Taco and a 4Runner. And who the hell knew the wrench in the works would be a darn pinion difference that started in 01. Most of the folks on here wouldn't even have known such unless I had stumbled upon it. And for those of you that did why the heck didn't you say anything? Haha oh well. Blake at least now you know! Oh well the part will be here tomorrow and the truck will be reassembled. And as for a shop that knows my rig, good luck. My Brit wrench is awesome and the only one who I will allow to touch the truck. Mark your thread over on Pirate was how I got to where I am now, it required some exhaustive searching but I ruled out the fact I might have wrong parts again.

Aaron

[neliconcept]

whats the news on the truck?

[xcmountain80]

Oh you know still waiting. It appears the gear set PORC sent for the front the second time was wrong AGAIN! So after some time trying to set it up the shop I had it at sent it into advanced drive line here in Orlando. The rear 3rd and front chunk will be installed tomorrow. I have to say I'm extremely disappointed with PORC and would not recommend them to anyone. I have not had so much as a call to say were sorry we were wrong and this is what we are doing to right it.

Aaron

[Cebby]

re: PORC - they've got issues and have gone downhill from what I've been reading. I bought two ARB lockers and two winches from them without incident.

PORC reading:


12 pages
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606915

He got caught using two different screen names on Pirate. One to sell and the other to vouch I believe.
page 5
post #121
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7183777&postcount=121

[neliconcept]

yeah after reading Aarons problems, another reason I went with Inchworm on a fully built rear end.

[xcmountain80]

And you know I'm not cheap so I went the route that I thought best suited me and seemed to get screwed so buyer beware.


Aaron

[xcmountain80]

So the truck is done! I didn’t get any info on whether or not there is a break in period, the shop that set them up is very reputable and I’m not sure if they have some sort of pre test run setup. Any how I’m taking it easy on the driveline for 500 miles, then I’ll drain the oil and fill er up again. I’m very interested to break the rear end loose , and have a itchy trigger finger on the front locker. Initial thoughts, well it’s like it revs up and never down shifts thus the higher rpm’s during highway cruising. Initial acceleration is good might be able to break it loose if I wanted (wasn’t able to b4). Also the Aisin hubs are hidden, since I’m running the wheel spacers so it sets the hubs in and the center caps snap in place. So do I have manual hubs or don’t I ? It’s a sleeper for sure.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA124018.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA124017.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA124016.jpg

Austin (my brother) has installed some Total Chaos UCA’s to his 6” Fabtech lift and whooooa, next up are a set of RaceRunner shock and springs.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/PA114015.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/PA114011.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/PA114008.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/PA114005.jpg

Aaron

[xcmountain80]

yeah after reading Aarons problems, another reason I went with Inchworm on a fully built rear end.


I would certainly recommend a pre-built rear just to alleviate such a problem. I also noticed some weird feeling that I can't describe, so I pulled the hubs that had been installed. Driver side I couldn't even turn from free to lock. WTF so I pulled it and remembered with my old truck you have to put them in in lock position. Prior to this so I could eliminate any suspicion I Lifted the front of the turck off the ground. Then removed driver side set to lock and re-installed, I repeated the same for the pass side. The pass side would turn but not all the way to lock. After I pulled both and re-seated them in the lock position I was able to turn them both from free to lock with ease. Yeah It works. Now I just have to find a place to test the lockers :)


Aaron

[xcmountain80]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA184109.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA184111.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA174093.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA154088.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/4RunnerMods/PA184113.jpg

ARB, Marlin Crawler flange adapter, Aisin Manual hub swap.


Aaron