My 1st build! '86 Runna

[SLIVER]

Hey man, I have welded with that same welder many times, (all using gas not flux wire), and it has the ability to lay down some good looking welds. I am on the tail end of building my runner, and I also work in draper. If you need a hand with something or just need some fine tuning with the welder, let me know.

))--SLIVER-->

 

[jdub]

I feel the same way as you do about the space issue. My wife and I use my scrambler so much more than out cj7 The difference of that extra space is amazing! Snowboards, bikes and even both when we are headed to St George, we'll head up to Brian Head on our way back, It's rad to have everything inside out of the elemets. Everyone bobbs their scrambler cause they hang up but when I went from 33's to 35's I don't have that issue anymore. I say do the minor stretches like you are doing and throw some 35's under it and you should be fine. That cargo space is too valuable.

 

[NoTrax]

taught the wifee how to use the cutting torch tonight and the grinder! showed her how to weld, too. she'll give it a try next time!

speechless.

 

[pELYgroso]

more progress! yay!

Last night I got a lot more done than I thought I would!

ground the frame smooth (removed old bump stops, shackle hangers)

welded up drivers side spring perch

re-mounted pass. side buggy leaf for better shackle angle

mounted drivers side spring, buggy leaf to match pass side.

slid in the axle w/ 5:29's, detroit locker.

not she sits on her own weight again! I think the lift/height is perfect!

here's some pics of ride height, and wheelbase extension (4.5")

to trim the fenders, I'm gonna steal the pattern off a brand new tacoma (I like the fender shape a lot) and cut out my fenders to match. maybe even get some stock new tacoma flares and retro fit them on somehow.

how do I post pics with text between each pic, so I can explain between pics what they are?

 

[Chevycrew]

After you have your text and the pictures uploaded, go to manage attachments.

Then if you click insert image it will insert to where your cursor is at.

 

[The Stranger]

This is going to be an awesome truck!

Trimming the rear fenders on a 4Runner can be a bit of a pain. There are inner and outer pieces. If you don't fill the gap you will get dirt and mud inside of the vehicle. On this truck we cut the outer piece then cut relief slits in the inner fender and bent it up and welded it to the outer piece.

And on my brothers 4Runner we cut both pieces up really high, taped off the bottom, then filled the fender full of expanding foam. He then smoothed it off with bondo and painted it. It is much stronger than I thought it would be and looks pretty good too. I was surprised.

 

[Corban_White]

I have a new Tacoma, live in Lehi and could give some welding pointers. PM me if you would like me to stop by.

 

[pELYgroso]

pm'd ya. Thanks!

Stranger, Thanks for that tech on cutting the fenders! I like the relief slits bent up and welded idea. prolly gonna use it!

 

[pELYgroso]

Sooooooooo........It's been a looong time since I've worked on my build but I'm finally on it again. A few months ago I prepped the crossmember and bumper and put it on. I'm not a huge fan of the bumper/stinger but oh well, it was free. I mounted the crossmember about 1" forward. I think I'm gonna box in the bumper with diamond plate and make a winch mount.....or something.

 

[pELYgroso]

I picked up this front axle for a great deal....'85 with truss, knuckle ball gussets, marlin (I think) hi-steer, TG hydro assist, FJ vented rotors with a stock third. Now i just need to put it all together! I'll use the longfields out of the pink thrasher. Anybody have a front axle rebuild kit they'll sell me?

I've been kind of intimidated by the task of cutting holes for frame tubes, as my cuts have been reeeeeally ugly in the past, but I just went for it last night and they actually turned out a lot better than I thought they would! I just played with the torch for a minute to figure out the right oxy/acetalene mixture and it cut just right!

 

[bennyboyraptor]

Lookin goood man, keep up the good work!

 

[Bart]

Nice to see this coming back to life. Good luck and keep the pics coming.

 

[pELYgroso]

I COULD NOT get the leaf spring off of the cross member that you see in the pictures. The bolt won't budge. I'd like to install new bushings all around so I need to get it off. any tricks to getting these frozen bolts out of the spring? my bfh didn't work.

 

[krany]

I COULD NOT get the leaf spring off of the cross member that you see in the pictures. The bolt won't budge. I'd like to install new bushings all around so I need to get it off. any tricks to getting these frozen bolts out of the spring? my bfh didn't work.

wd40 and heat? and a big ass breaker bar

 

[pELYgroso]

Well, at it again! I'd reeeeeeeally like to have this going by mem day weekend for some camping!

Thanks to Robbie's help, the fornt axle is all put together and ready to roll!

I cut the rear fenders a couple weeks ago to accomodate the 6" or so that the rear axle got moved back

Last night I got the front springs put together from a couple different packs (which included torching out a frozen front bushing) and mounted into the front perches, slid the axle into position, and am now realizing that my 8" shackles are WAY to big! So I need some 4-5 inchers!

DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY 4-5 INCH SHACKLES THEY CAN PART WITH??

Between me moving the front crossmember forward around 1", and the RUF, it looks like I might have some steering biindage. ( I may have to move the steering box forward after-all. Do people us the flat pitman arms so that they can rotate the bottom of the steering box a little more forward and be at the right height where the arm connects to the TRE?? I have one and I'm not sure if I should use it or use the stocker.

Has anyone used Gaylon Pugh's Drivelines Before? They're right down the street from me so it would be convenient to use them, but if Six states is way better, I'll just take them to them.

I'll try to get pics up tonight!

ANYBODY GOT THOSE SHACKLES?

 

[SAMI]

I'm interested to see photos of your cut fenders.. I'm saddened to think that you might've bastardized such a clean 4runner body.. Pics will tell I 'spose..

Here's what had been done to my old '85 4Runner. It looks bobbed if you were judging from the rear corner, but look closer and it's actually that the rear fenders were moved back about 10"s to retain the OE rear driveline with dual cases. It's a great idea, but a lot of body work.. Matt Ballard had a fun time doing it, just ask him. You'll also notice that the fenders were opened up a few inches and angled wider.

W/ 37x12.5x17

W/ 35x12.5x15

 

[SAMI]

In retrospect.. I wish I had kept it, lowered it 2"s, and still had it today.. That rig had everything - minus horsepower.. But it'd cruise at 80mph no problem down the highway, and climb like an SOB..

I'm glad you chose to not bob your 4runner. Most end up looking like crap because the owner doesn't clean up the cut and bring the body back to lookin good. Second, bobbing the truck does nothing for extended travel type trips except limit your storage capabilities - as you were worried about. One thing that you should absolutely 100% do is build a mountaineering rack in the rear. That will double the available storage space efficiently and easily. Then build a beefy rear bumper that you can come down on. Add some storage to the bumper for fuel, water, tire, tool boxes, etc.. Then, if you must have more space, you could look at a roofrack. You'll be blown away at how much you'd be able to safely pack in an organized fashion utilizing a mountaineer rack.. Do it..

 

[ricsrx]

why dont you just cut down your shackles.

Gaylons has done all of my drive lines, I would recomend them .

 

[Corban_White]

I highly recommend Gaylon's.

 

[ricsrx]

In retrospect.. I wish I had kept it

Now SamI tell us again why you sold it?