'99 4Runner Build: Clara

sixstringsteve said:
Are you talking about the old model or the newer ones that look like Hancooks? I really like the newer ones. I've had 'em on 3 vehicles. I hate BFG ATs with a passion and I've been really impressed with my Big O A/Ts in the past: snow, light mud, sand, dirt, rock, it never slipped a tire.
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Hmm good question, I found the receipt showing they were purchased new in 2010
 
sixstringsteve said:
Are you talking about the old model or the newer ones that look like Hancooks? I really like the newer ones. I've had 'em on 3 vehicles. I hate BFG ATs with a passion and I've been really impressed with my Big O A/Ts in the past: snow, light mud, sand, dirt, rock, it never slipped a tire.
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I tried a set of the new Big O AT's on a work truck at the same time I put Toyo AT's on another truck, fall of 2011. The Big O's were trash in just a few months, (very disappointing) now both trucks have the Toyo AT's. I like everything about the BFG AT's except how fast they wore on my X. And when I shredded them (ouch$$) pulling heavy equipment to my cabin when the auto-locking hubs didn't lock. Loved the traction though. Surprised you didn't like them, was there anything in particular?
 
I didn't like them in dirt, mud, rocks, pavement, or snow/ice. Haha, i really didn't like them at all. I know a lot of people like them, so I won't try to sway you. I just felt sketchy on them, and I slipped tires like crazy when wheeling. Even my dreaded x-terrains were better than the BFG ATs.
 
ttora4runner said:
Ya, I got them installed (go to my build thread). The links are the length as the stock ones just thicker tubing and different bushings.
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It'd be easier to find your build thread if you linked it in your sig. :)

With my stock ones bent, I don't have a true eye-to-eye measurement. If you get a moment, could you measure from the center of each bolt?
 
Spork said:
The ADD/manual swap has confused me, I remember reading the only difference between the ADD and manual 3rd member was the tube section (basically unbolt the tube and swap on the tube that matches what your hubs are).

http://wwww.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?p=446316
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Thank you Scott! You just saved me at least $600 and a week working under the truck. I'm going to try to pull off the swap tomorrow. Thank you so much! I own you and your wife dinner.
 
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sixstringsteve said:
I didn't like them in dirt, mud, rocks, pavement, or snow/ice. Haha, i really didn't like them at all. I know a lot of people like them, so I won't try to sway you. I just felt sketchy on them, and I slipped tires like crazy when wheeling. Even my dreaded x-terrains were better than the BFG ATs.
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HAHAHA like how I feel about thornturds. Cool, just wondered. I mainly used them for pavement, dirt roads and snow / packed-snow in my X, and they performed well. Was impressed with them on others' rigs in the snow, including folks up on the mountain, and that played a big part of my decision (since that's where I needed them). You have probably "wheeled" with them a lot more than I have. I ran 3 sets: 295's, 315's and 305's. Once they were half worn down, the snow traction decreased a lot, and they weren't any better than the Toyo's that on the work truck. Have Nitto's on the X now. I'd like something more aggressive next time, but it has to RULE on hardpack icy snow, as well as deeper snow (though chaining up only takes 5 minutes).

Main interest in this tire tangent is cuz we'll need to put something on my son's YJ soon. Has 33's, but will likely go to a 31 or 32 to get some power back, unless I can find a budget set of 4.88 or 5.13 axles...
 
Mine must have been super old and hard. Mine were 35's with a lockrite and 4.7 t-case gears. It was a DD/wheeler. They weren't bad in the dry or rain, but snow and ice were scary. And I hated wheeling with 'em.

I have zero complaints about KM2s. If only duratracs were 3 or 4 ply sidewalls...
 
I drove it to work today. I haven't had it offroad or on snow yet. The guy I bought it from said the siping really helped in the snow. I've always thought my KM2s did fine in fresh snow, so I never saw the need to sipe them. Ice and hardpack on the other hand, not my favorite tire (though all M/Ts I've used suck in snow).
 
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it's tough to find a good MT that does well in the snow. I'm leaning towards the Km2 or maybe the Falkens. I'm still a few months out from needing new tires, it's just the cupping and noise is driving me crazy.
 
Steve, we've already established that I know jack-all about your 3rd gen, but lots of guys converting their '86-'95 IFS from ADD to manual intentionally don't swap that tube when going to manual hubs because it has a needle bearing on the diff side that the manual hub tube lacks. I've never had to do that conversion, but my understanding is they manually fix the actuator on the tube into the locked position and then plug the vacuum ports and ignore it. I don't know if you can do the same thing with your tube, but if the later manual tube is also missing that bearing maybe it's worth looking into?
 
jentzschman said:
When is your next wrenching party? Count me in.
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The goal is to swap both front diffs. With my newfound knowledge about the compatibility of the ADD and manual hub diffs, I won't be doing the manual hub conversion. :thumbs: I don't mind the ADD. The increased MPG and less parts to break on the manual hubs would be nice, but the cost and hassle of the manual hub swap isn't worth it to me.

Post up if you're interested in swinging by. Here's the plan:

5:30: remove front skid, axle shafts, diff from tacoma
6:30: remove front skid, shafts, and diff from 4runner
7:30: swap diffs
8:00: install axle shafts
9:00 button her all up and take it for a test ride

I'm happy to get pizza and drinks for anyone who comes, I'll just need advanced notice that you're coming. Even if nobody else shows up, I'll still be trying to get this all done tonight. My garage is nice and bright now, so we should be able to work without having to use flashlights. :D
 
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Kevin B. said:
I hear timelapse footage of builds is all the rage...
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No doubt, Kurt's build will be cool once it's all edited. I wish i had the energy, manpower, and cameras for that, but sadly I do not. Besides, it'll look identical before and after, so it won't add much to the build.

I'm struggling to stay motivated to work out in the the cold garage. Taking pictures just increases the amount of time I have to be in the cold garage, thus lowering my motivation. I'll take pictures of my trips once it's done. :)


Now that I look back, this is turning out to be quite the disappointing build thread.
 
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Don't get discouraged Steve, I was just razin you a little. While you might think this build isn't as impressive as some of your other ones I personally love it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are building the rig you want and need and it has taken you a long time of build-sell, build-sell, build-sell etc. to get to this point.

I can honestly see you being really happy with this rig when it is done, sure it's not over the top SAS on 35's, duals and everything else but it is going to be an awesome all around rig that serves your purposes very well, every build you do gets less and less flash and more and more practical for you and that's what is important.
 
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