Cutting the Cheese

[Cheese]

This project is long since over. It took a long time, just tying up loose ends these days which is no small feet with school. Anyway, this should be a fun read along game, don't jump in until the pictures are done.

So this isn’t cool. Really hard to drive.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-06-10/1118466433_dsc00512.jpg

Neither is this actually:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2004-11-02/1099443636_wheeler_leg_up.jpg

But this is:

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-21/1127353846_dsc00699.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-21/1127353984_dsc00704.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-21/1127354124_dsc00700.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-21/1127354420_dsc00702.jpg

Now something is missing:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-18/1127087598_dsc00694.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-18/1127087931_dsc00695.jpg

Where does this go?
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-11/1126487363_dsc00687.jpg

[Cheese]

Then you get well hung:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-09-24/1127613464_dsc00706.jpg

Holy, holy, holy...
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-15/1129426831_dsc00747.jpg

Smooth like my bum:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-15/1129427207_dsc00746.jpg

Axle 1 Build 1:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-22/1130045271_dsc00753.jpg

Oh no, progress!
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-29/1130627811_dsc00761.jpg

With 33's, good shackle angle and decent clearance:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-29/1130628067_dsc00762.jpg

Custom rear links. Too bad.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-12/1131859736_dsc00775.jpg

Get rid of that crap...This actually made me tear up a little, kind of sad since it worked well:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-12/1131859879_dsc00777.jpg

All gone, fun grinding at night:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-13/1131932771_dsc00780.jpg

Dang there man, that is some tire you got...
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-30/1133413489_dsc00790.jpg

My sweet rear end!
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-30/1133413808_dsc00792.jpg

Link, it's what's for dinner!
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-11-30/1133413905_dsc00794.jpg

[Cheese]

Shaft! You're damn right.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-12-04/1133760017_dsc00796.jpg

Lots of stuff missing:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-12-15/1134709176_picture062.jpg

My bumps, my lovely shocking lumps:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-12-15/1134709322_picture063.jpg

It's for the extra juice:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-12-15/1134709428_picture064.jpg

Naked shaft, something is going on here:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-02-04/1139103164_dsc00867.jpg

Full test stuff. Tight like a tiger:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-02-04/1139103442_dsc00869.jpg

Yes, that is a 33. Yes that is almost completely outside of the fender
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-02-04/1139103777_dsc00874.jpg

[Cheese]

Then I had a little issue with the daily driver:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-03-13/1142276380_dsc00936.jpg

Issa big ti-ah:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-04-05/1144292253_dsc00963.jpg

The place for fuel, yeah I sanded and repainted:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-04-05/1144292955_dsc00962.jpg

Ghetto rigging to get it running. I cleaned up the lines and stuck them to the frame with tapped bolts. I also ran stainless feed from the filter to the pump. I hate that stuff!
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-04-10/1144728632_dsc00964.jpg

First time it drove was after this picture. Full droop on the rack, yeah!
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-04-10/1144728758_dsc00966.jpg

I will spare you the crack, but I am one heck of a plumber:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-05-27/1148788182_dsc01035.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-05-27/1148788329_dsc01036.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-05-27/1148788589_dsc01038.jpg

And I got dumped after this pic. Lots more work got hammered out without a woman distracting me, but dang this plumbing gets old.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-05-27/1148788669_dsc01039.jpg

Simply exhausting:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-06-10/1149996195_dsc01042.jpg

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-06-10/1149996442_dsc01043.jpg

Then I needed some more clearance in the rear for coilover stuff. I added wheel spacers and this is what I got:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-06-10/1149996683_dsc01046.jpg

Yup, still wide:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-06-10/1149996568_dsc01045.jpg

Then we went on a trip:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-05/1152151028_dsc01047.jpg

This guy had some links on a 90 Runner. Cool I guess:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-05/1152151983_dsc01140.jpg

Yeah bumpers and Poly Performance. I was getting so good I decided to take the front axle apart again.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-20/1153465267_dsc01146.jpg

Is this too big for my body?
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-20/1153465409_dsc01147.jpg

The Sky Pitman Arm:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-20/1153465494_dsc01148.jpg

I had to keep checking, thought it would shrink in the cold. No luck, still big.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-07-20/1153465575_dsc01149.jpg

Bling for the homies:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-09-08/1157742025_dsc01227.jpg

[Cheese]

So I needed to turn:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-09-12/1158108801_dsc01235.jpg

Late night testing in my friend's yard:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-01/1159755830_dsc01246.jpg

See, there is his house:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-01/1159756017_dsc01248.jpg

Important stuff thinking about adding a cooler, haven't worked it hard enough to know yet.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-13/1160791577_dsc01252.jpg

First trip out. Yeah.
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-15/1160971888_dsc01254.jpg

See the little ring in the middle? This was almost exceptionally awesome:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-18/1161227322_dsc01261.jpg

Why linked suspensions are cool:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-21/1161480225_dsc01268.jpg

Is-sah berry muddy:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-10-21/1161480316_dsc01270.jpg

The whole reason to SAS:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-11-21/1164175638_front_flex_moody.jpg

Are you looking at my bum?
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-11-21/1164175851_rear_flex_moody.jpg

Preparing to be attacked:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2007-04-08/1176086836_n8629431_33809835_2364.jpg

Big compared to Isaac's truck, not so much compared to the Super Duty:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2007-04-08/1176086931_n8629431_33300786_9263.jpg
And a parting shot:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2007-03-30/1175315468_dsc01498.jpg

[Cheese]

And a reminder to work safely:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2007-02-11/1171259329_n19225975_32553012_5367.jpg

Because stuff like this hurts:
http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2005-10-22/1130045145_dsc00751.jpg

[Cheese]

Isaac, I did delete you post, I am almost done.

Big thanks to Slee Off Road, Front Range Off Road and Diamond Axle, Xtreme Engineering, Ben Swain and my folks for letting me live at home during the summers in college so I could make money landscaping and undertake projects like this.

Interesting facts/stats to bear in mind:
-Two Diamond axles, mini truck based but 67" WMS to WMS
-I built the first front, put it one, took it off, built the new front, put it on and took it off twice.
-This project from first cut to driving reliably on road exactly a year
-All that is still 95 Runner is body, frame and front brake calipers
-This never got in the way of my relationships, but it did outlast one girlfriend

Still to do:
-Bellypan
-Gas Gauge
-Roll Cage inside
-Mess with rear spring rate
-Take some nitro out of the airbumps

Things I would like to do:
-Bigger fuel cell
-Punch the coilovers into the body and run 14's or 16's.

Still no hard wheeling on it, but that will change this summer. I have someone on my case who will look a lot better driving this than me. Early trail impressions are highly satisfactory.

[Casey Likes Metal]

Great build thread, Cheeseburger!

We need to wheel again together, with each of our trucks. Can't wait to see that bad motha' back in action again. No more pigeon toed front! :flipoff: (< I love using that thing!)

[AxleIke]

Eh, it was a pretty worthless post anyway.

Glad you finally got a thread done.

I'll just add this: as with all things, pictures don't do it justice. For those who haven't figured it out, this is how you properly SAS a truck. No more weak parts here, this is truly above and beyond what IFS can ever be built do.

Attention to details such as cromo everything, and selectable lockers, plus some of the best components on the market for minitruck builds.

Hats off to you sir.

If you feel like wheeling easy stuff, look me up, otherwise i'll look forward to your trail reports.

[Cheese]

No, that post was hilarious. That is a hat my bro sent my a couple months ago. It was a hot day, too hot for a beanie, but my hair was out of control.

You are welcome to hang, it will be a while.

Casey, things need to gather again. I am hoping for AZ over Christmas. School is a lot harder on me than I expected.

[DirToyBoy]

all i can say is WOW! nice job bro! :clap:

[AxleIke]

you should add in the rest of the mods you did pre sas.

I can't remember everything i wrote, but you should tell your brother that he has very nice taste.

We'll see about summer, i'm going to be getting a real job somewhere, so soon i might actually be able to aford my truck again, though possibly not here for a few years, gotta get experience.

[Cheese]

I will post a garage thread here in a while with just modification pics.

This thread makes me laugh. The board is new and growing, I posted it here because I thought it stood some chance of being understood and the responses are from people who already know me and knew what was going on.

You can see the 3.4 in the engine compartment pic and if you look close, you can see the dual cases.

Other than that, it is pretty plain jane. :lliar:

[waskillywabbit]

I want to hear about the fuel cell, fuel pump, and fuel line stuff...in detail...since I DID find your avatar...again! :D

:guitar:

[marko3xl3]

I will post a garage thread here in a while with just modification pics.

This thread makes me laugh. The board is new and growing, I posted it here because I thought it stood some chance of being understood and the responses are from people who already know me and knew what was going on.

You can see the 3.4 in the engine compartment pic and if you look close, you can see the dual cases.

Other than that, it is pretty plain jane. :lliar:


Who says we didn't understand it? :)

[garrett]

who made the front bumper?

[Albuquerque Jim]

Where did you get the lift kit? :rofl:

Seriously, I hope you are able to drive this thing to some events soon. Some of us haven't seen the Cheeseburger and the Cheesemobile in the same place for some time now.

I am glad you built it how you wanted to build it. :thumbup:

[AxleIke]

I too am puzzled by the lack of response. No one else thinks this is cool?

Suprising, because on threads where someone puts on a kit SAS, and a stock axle with 35's and no lockers, there are pages and pages of congrats and "looks good", "I hope i can do that".

Very strange indeed.

[bamachem]

awesome build cheese. so, do you have anything left of the original 95 other than the body and part of the frame? :D

have you had a chance to de-bug things yet, or is that still "in progress"?

[Cheese]

So part of that was tongue in cheek, but not intend as a look at me.

The cell is an aluminum box with a draw in the bottom front corner and a return in the upper corner. When I am low on gas and take corners on the throttle, some times it starves. Likely going to have to baffle or mess with an accumulator.

Pump is an E5000 from the parts store. Pretty standard off the shelf, Ford application external pump. Doing it again I would try to make the stock sending unit work provided it is a DD.

Yeah, it was a sweet lift kit. Special at 4Wheel Parts.

Cut wood yesterday afternoon, friend had it up to 80 on the speedo which has to be getting on 90-95 in the real world. She said the truck doesn't feel big at that speed. I just smiled. IT felt smooth. The tire vibe is at 55-60. That is the fastest it went and felt pretty dang stable.

Gotta grease my shafts and joints, trim a little steel, do some wiring and skidplate work.

I may be south for a weekend this summer. I have a weekday job and a co-pilot who is reliable. I think May is gone with school and half of June with tunes, but there is other time.

[DHC6twinotter]

http://pics.montypics.com/flygtenstein/2006-05-27/1148788329_dsc01036.jpg


Cheese, stupid question here--is there a benefit to running the coilover mounts in front of the axle instead of directly above it? Does this place more stress on the upper links?

Great looking rig! I don't think I've ever seen the up close pics of it. :D

[Cheese]

The bumper was built while waiting for fuel stuff at Xtreme Engineering in Fort Collins.

Benefit? You can cheat height by having them in front rather than on top. 12" travel coilovers are just short on 32" fully extended. Gaining a little height by mounting in front, like 1-2 inches is a big deal.

In part this has been intentionally hidden. What the heck can you say about any project once it is done? Yeah, great, cool. Or, stupid, silly, worthless. I have millions of personal man hours, friends favors and dollars into this thing, I like it and I did what I wanted.

[TMR]

Wow, just stumbled on this looking through the fab section and dang cheese!!!! The is a sweet build! I agree with Axle that its surprising there are not more comments on it. Out of my own curiosity what backspacing are you running on those wheels...I'm trying to decide what width D44's I want to get, and I like how wide your stance is...

[bigwapitijohnny]

Very nice...Not anywhere near this level of modification...GREAT JOB! :thumbup:

Regards,

BWJ

[slosurfer]

I forgot about this build. :tapedshut: How does it do cruising on the dirt roads? Can you get on the throttle some now that you have those kick ass bumpstops?

I really would like to see pics of it in action, especially pics of the rear flexing. Great build!

[Cheese]

Things that have changed:
-The sweet domestic fuel pump crapped out in traffic on the way to work, now I have a modified Taco sending unit, pump and consequently a working gas gauge.
-Baffle your cell or tank. When I get to 1/4 tank and rally corners is starves
-I have a leaky steering gear, not looking forward to that rebuild
-Coilovers still baffle me, I have not nailed the rate and other BS

The fuel stuff is in a thread about Deckplate Mods. I was being a wise guy.

My front axle is short on 67" WMS to WMS. My rear is a 63 with spacers, so 66 say.

Now that I took that fitting off the front ARB, it goes fast fine. If you have ever gone fast in a swapped truck, usually your kidneys will bleed. This truck goes fast, no worries, I just don't like going fast.

If I did it again, I would build a big Taco diff rear instead of the standard 8" V-6. I am worried about eating gears, I have lots of weight, power and gearing plus Chromo shafts.

[Cheese]

Sorry, the wheels are 15x8ish with 3 and 1/4 BS with OMF beadlocks.

[BruceTS]

If I did it again, I would build a big Taco diff rear instead of the standard 8" V-6.


I'm surprised you didn't go with the Ford 9", if and when I get a pair of Diamond axles, that's the route I'll be going, for the buggy that is..... still undecided on width and if I want open or closed knuckles.


So when you gonna cut those dang leafs off the front and link it to match the rear? :flipoff:

[AxleIke]

It so sexy. I can't take my eyes off of it. How much to make love to it? 10 bucks okay?

:love:

:flipoff: :gay:

:hump:

[Cheese]

Honestly, I think part of what makes it drivable are the front leaves.

I have also experienced axle-wrap up there and have thought about it. Still not sure I see the point of linking a full bodied truck. That compromises drivability too much and I doubt I would get the full benefit of links in a truck like this. We shall see.

On the rear, I was hustling, at the time, to get to Moab thinking that I could do the front first and then do the rear later. So, I thought I would keep the rear in tact. I could have used that locker for the front and bought a real diff for the rear.

As to Ford or not I could have had a really expensive rear end instead of a pretty expensive rear end.

[SD4runner]

Just wondering, how long did it take you to do all that? Its awesome, and looks like a lot of thought went into it. The first post with all the pictures makes it look like you did it in a weekend. :)

[AxleIke]

It took a full year.

[neliconcept]

I have friends here at CSU tell me
"DUDE HAVE YOU SEEN THAT FREAKIN AWESOME RED 4RUNNER ON FULL WIDTH AXLES?"

buf of course!!

love the runner Adrian!!

[Cebby]

Just chiming in. My feelings about this object of affection are well documented. Plus I just love the title of the thread...

[Cheese]

Thanks guys.

The funny thing is asking the people if they have seen the cute girl who drives it some times. It is amusing to stop at the light in the passenger seat, guys will check out the driver, see me and stare straight ahead.

Still putting some of the pieces together, spring rate and protection. Gotta get to AZ.

It drives nice, but I am eying 05 or 06 double cab Tundras after my thesis is done.

[neliconcept]

Thanks guys.

The funny thing is asking the people if they have seen the cute girl who drives it some times. It is amusing to stop at the light in the passenger seat, guys will check out the driver, see me and stare straight ahead.

Still putting some of the pieces together, spring rate and protection. Gotta get to AZ.

It drives nice, but I am eying 05 or 06 double cab Tundras after my thesis is done.


haha i had my model Julie drive the runner wensday, soooo many ppl were turning heads.

gotta love a girl in a lifted offroad vehicle (other then diesels, pfft)

[all_terrain17]

Are there still plans to do the roll cage?

[Cheese]

It needs a cage. Even without thinking about the wheeling stuff, if I wreck at road speed, it is going over and I worry about that.

Problem is down time versus performance and money. We shall see.

I have been over enough in other trucks to know when this truck goes, it will not be expected and it will not be cool.

[Tanto]

Nice.

[neliconcept]

thought id bump this, Adrian any news on the pressure problems with the fuel system?

[Cheese]

Still baffled on the PO450 code.

This is a fun truck to DD and wheel, although I haven't really gotten to stretch it's new legs yet.

I have 5 weeks for Christmas, some time in Wisconsin and some time here working thesis. The truck will not go to AZ for break, I think going that far would be better on a trailer just in case.

I have gotten some clarity on the rear spring rate. It needs to be firmed up as the front, with both leaves and air bumps is really a solid ride. Firming the rear to match could make this a real beast.

On the fuel cell, still some what bummed, but realizing more and more it is how things have to be. Hoping for some baffling to help, otherwise I get fuel when it hits 1/4 tank left.

[tacoclimber]

Adrian, when you cut the cheese, it ends up smelling pretty awesome! I've followed your build a little bit over the last year through some of your posts here and on YT, but this was the first I really saw of all the pics. Not sure how I missed it when you first posted.

Amazing work, dude, amazing work. I suppose however, that your build would be a good example of "delayed gratification"? :hillbill:

[neliconcept]

Adrian, if you ever need any help, let me know and ill do what I can to help ya out in anyway.

hopefully the 450 code gives you a little more then what it is now for some answers. I gotta fix my freakin speed sensor soon myself.

[Bighead]

Still baffled on the PO450 code.

What have you checked during your troubleshooting?

[Cheese]

Thanks guys, it has been a study in patience.

I have checked all visible/obvious related hoses, wires and similar. I have not changed anything and have no reason to believe anything is functionally wrong. The truck is still getting about 14 in town and no real road miles to speak of.

[kregg]

Holy Red x's batman... I was pumped to read up on this build... But like every other "reader" I need the pictures. pr0n man... pr000000n. lol

[Obi..]

Ditto,

Red "X" don't count, "Pics or it didn't happen!" :flipoff:

Besides, you're staff, you should have your own cell within the database for storage! :angel:

[BruceTS]

do you realize that this thread is nearly 3 years old?

[Obi..]

Yes, so what, that means there can't be pix? ;) It's sort of like reading old porn, you learn about older things! :laugh: