Re: 3rd gen 4Runner chop top /exo

[Mossyrocks]

tops on, didnt hardly leak sitting but it did in a downpour on the interstate.
only a little bit from the top corners. I've only got sponge rubber shoved in there right now though until I figure something out.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/choptopday5001b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/choptopday5004b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/choptopday5008b.jpg

[Mossyrocks]

The rear hatch does just unbolt and I had to turn the wiring harness for it around so that it connects at the top removal point. The headliner was just cut and is fine up front but I havent even tried putting the interior back on the top yet.

made some progress so far this week.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1003b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1007b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1008b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1011b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1014b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1018b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1022b.jpg

and heres the 4runners little sister that its trying to be like.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exoweek1005b.jpg

Im still trying to figure out how to do the X through the middle behind the front seats.

[Mossyrocks]

pulled it out earlier and hated the top so I cut where all the tubes connect, smashed it down about 2 inches, and rewelded it. But here it is fixed.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinal020b.jpg
The center support came out nice, it goes from one side roof bar through to the opposite slider. And I like the BTF yota emblem there.
I used a 1 3/4" hole saw top and bottom because you gotta have movement to get it in there. You cant go straight through either, it bends up from the x through the roof and back out again to clear the sunroof hardware. it also comes slightly backwards to the headrests and then back forward with the slant of the front seats. This way the back seats still fold up easily.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinal036b.jpg
seats still fold and the front seats are back where I've always had them.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinal012b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinal008b.jpg
and finished up the tail light gaurds
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinal032b.jpg

So all thats left for now is paint.....

and then tube doors, a tailgate, soft top frame, and soft top.... :D

[Mossyrocks]

got the camera back... finally

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinished001b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinished003b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinished006b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinished009b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/exofinished2002b.jpg

Ill try and get some on the tailgate progress this week.



What do you mean wheel it.................. Hell Its been a week and I've already had to repaint part of it.


workin on the tailgate. Taco handle and latches. I cut out the center of my hatch so I wouldnt have to redrill holes for the snaps on the license plate plastic crap. Then I cut a square out of the top-center of it and welded in the taco handle plate I cut from a tailgate.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate002b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate003b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate005b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate009b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate014b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate015b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate018b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate019b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tailgate020b.jpg

and yes it open and shuts.

[Mossyrocks]

Do not use a sawzall to cut off the top

there are too many funky layers that grab and when it does it destroys the outer sheel metal, then you have waste an hour fixing crap.

[Albuquerque Jim]

The whole build is awesome. I am curious though...since you built the tailgate does that mean you scrapped the roof and hatch?

[Mossyrocks]

yea, my dumbass dropped the top off of the forklift. and I cut up the hatch for the tailgate, gave away the glass for beer, and cant use the hatch because of the tailgate anyway.

[Albuquerque Jim]

Soft top in the works?

[Mossyrocks]

as soon as i finish the frame. hopefully

[Euphorickaty80]

I cant wait to see the finished product...this thing is lookin mean!!!!!

[neliconcept]

badass build brad! hopefully I'll be at the jambo to see it

[04 Rocko Taco]

Did It ell you how sick this thing is when were at Tellico? I like that tailgate... I think I might have liked it just tube better than with sheet metal on it, but still freakin sick!! I'm gonna drop off my truck soon...let Mossyrocks Fab do some work for me too....
See you at the Jambo if not before Brad!!

[Mossyrocks]

thanks everybody.

where did the 1st part of the build go?

[Mossyrocks]

here it is painted for the weekend trip but its not finished and Im not worried about the dimples because when its got the bedliner on it they wont be noticable.

my 1" die came in so ill be playin with that on my soft top frame.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tgate011b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tgate014b.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f35/mossyrocks/tgate010b.jpg

[neliconcept]

clean lookin tailgate. cant wait to see the softtop added.

[91ToyTrck]

This is an awsome build! I wasn't able to see the last couple of pictures. Could you repost some or fix the ones that are suppose to be there please? I would love to see that 4runner in person. She is a thing of beauty!

[TroysToy]

I think anyone(including myself) who have owened a gen 1 wishes their newer 4Runner had a removable top. It is an awesome build.

[Mossyrocks]

the pictures work for me.

[xcmountain80]

Im jealous! :love:


Aaron

[cleansr5]

now wouldn't it be a whole lot easier if our 4runners just came like this from the factory?

[4x4Fink]

Holy Moses that's sweet! Incredible job. That thing looks sick with a bobbed rear. Unbelievable!

Fink

[Jerm]

Right on, looks sweet wish I could do that to mine.

[cougarfreak]

Sweet rig Mossy!!!! If I ever make it out to Tennessee (Mom was born there) I'll look you up and we'll wheel the twins!!!

BTW how'd you seal up the tubes thru the roof and still allow the body to flex and move independent of the frame? Or does it? I've read a lot of people complain about the drastic change and rough ride when they welded their sliders to the frame AND the pinch welds on the body. I was wondering if you noticed the same (granted we're talking sliders and not exo, but the end result should be the same). I like your bravery in your fabrication decisions. A man after my own heart!!!!

[Mossyrocks]

They are welded to the roof where they go through, I was gonna try something else but considering its right in the middle of the cab, I didnt want it to leak. There is no way a grommet or caulk would stay sealed with that much movement, and if it did leak it would be filling up the roof and/or pillars. But to be honest, there was a more drastic change when I put in the fror x-member. And it really only vibrates at low idle, other than that I just a creak every now-and-again.

and speakin of bravery, how bout a 2-stage dove-tail keeping the back doors. and a bob.

[cougarfreak]

SICK!!!! DO IT!!!!!

[jmg4runner]

very nice fab work. I covet your shop. I'm doing about 90% similar with my truck, check for the thread.

[Mossyrocks]

shop doesnt have much in it. Its getting there though.

[jmg4runner]

i wouldnt call a reasonable amount of space and a LIFT not much. Try working out of a 1 car garage in a small townhome. My neighbors think I'm nuts, but at least they don't complain as long as I don't leave a mess outside the garage.

[Mossyrocks]

yea I guess your right. I always forget the lift because Im thinking of a brake for thick steel. Or a bigger plasma, atleast one that works.

[04 Rocko Taco]

Brad, always wanting what you don't have, any updates on the Runner?

[Mossyrocks]

updates are in the mossy runner buildup thread. Still havent gotten around to a soft top yet.

[04 Rocko Taco]

I'll check it out here in a bit. Hey, I know its a baby trip, but we are headin back to Prentice on the 22...wanna go? heres the thread.
http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78983