1" BL with 33's finally hits home...

**rocket** · 12-26-2005, 03:36 AM

Well i just got back from some night time Christmas wheeling and i jacked up my 4runner pretty bad. I hit a nice sized unexpected ditch that brought my rig it to a complete stop...myself and passenger bonked our heads on the windshield...i ended up driving away but not realizing what damage had occurred.
I continued on with more wheeling in some of the tightest spots i've ever been....where i think (but didn't hear) more body damage happened.

When we finnaly got out, the doors were "hard" to open and they made sounds like somebody was dying. Both wheel wells are literally caved in. The drivers side has lots of new dents with deep scratches which i'm not sure how/where/when they actually happened during this short time off road.

I'm now mixed between being really mad at myself and seeing this as a wake up call to building a dedicated trail rig. :cry:

My point for posting this is what can happen to your 2nd gen with 33's and a 1" BL if you wheel really hard. I'll post pics later today.

JamesD · 12-26-2005, 06:31 AM

Yeah have done crap like that too. I hate to say this but it is a part of wheeling, breaking something, fixing it and then going out their just to beat on it again!

I was waiting for you to post pics for your finished result.

James

**rocket** · 12-26-2005, 07:53 PM

Yep, stuff happens but it still sucks. I never thought this much damage would happen just from droping into a stupid ditch.
Its kinda weird how much my wheel wells got crushed in considering i've wheeled a "level 5" trail that included some difficult obstacles where my front end was getting fully compressed from bouncing off these rocks

Now for the damage. Drivers side...

Passenger side...

The part that i never felt or heard. Its hard to tell but my rocker panel also got dented the entire length.

I wonder if BJ spacers would of prevented my fenders from crushing? I'd be surprised. I also have rock sliders that i haven't welded on yet...guess thats what i get for being lazy.

Lesson learned? Be more careful off roading if your running 33's with a 1" BL on stock suspension.

calrockx · 12-26-2005, 07:58 PM

that sucks man.

the only other damange i've seen like that is when JR at pismo jumped his 2nd gen 4runner like 10 feet in the air and the back of the front fenders were damaged like that.

guess you'll be getting those sliders on real quick now. maybe go fiberglass fenders?

on the bright side, your rig now has some more "character".

JamesD · 12-26-2005, 08:25 PM

This is one thing I dont like about the Japanese trucks, the wheelwells are part of the front end. This pushes everything back and makes a mess. Make sure you check your radiator to see if their is any damage since it is bolted to the core support.

Do you have any pics of the whole truck after the BL?

James

Robinhood150 · 12-26-2005, 10:04 PM

I think you were going too fast.

suprathepeg · 12-27-2005, 12:02 AM

The fenders themselves are not a big deal, new ones are cheep but it looks like you hit pretty hard. I'd start checking everything else to make sure all is well. How is the alignment now?

tc · 12-27-2005, 06:59 AM

You've got me all nervous now ... what width are your 33's?

Cebby · 12-27-2005, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robinhood150

I think you were going too fast.

I agree with Robinhood.

van7559 · 12-27-2005, 05:21 PM

Maybe it is just me but when I wheel I go slow. As for the marks on the side of your rig, if you didn't notice that happening, you need to turn down the music, and pay a little more attention to what the hell you are doing. Good luck in getting everything fixed. Hopefully you didn't bend the frame or anything serious.

**UKMyers** · 12-27-2005, 07:16 PM

So your saying that you didn't hear or feel when you mangled that quarter panel? How loud did you have the stereo cranked. That sucks about the damage. Please do tell the rest of the story there's gotta be more to it then dropping into a ditch

***waskillywabbit*** · 12-27-2005, 07:52 PM

Sorry to hear/see your misfortune.

Several things I noticed...

Wheeling at night and obviously not knowing the terrain or going to fast or both.

A hammer/dolly will fix 95% of that easily...except the paint.

Sliders woulda stopped a lot of that.

I just wonder what "really" happened too.

Giraffe · 12-27-2005, 08:29 PM

That sucks man I hope everyone is alright.

91Toyota4x4 · 12-27-2005, 08:34 PM

I always get body damage night wheeling

BAZ · 12-27-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giraffe

That sucks man I hope everyone is alright.

Nice avatar.

I too would like to hear what really happened.

**rocket** · 12-28-2005, 03:49 AM

Ok, sorry i didn't tell most of the story but now i basically know everything that happened. After going back to where i was wheeling, i found the "culprit".

I know how the fenders got crushed (the ditch) but the rest is what i couldn't figure out. Yes, i was playing my music kinda loud (factory front speakers only) so that explains why i never heard the rusty 55 gallon drum that i drove over while in a tight ravine...the drum ended up somehow fliping out from underneath my Runner and was then drug/crushed all along my body...the drivers side rocker pannel, both doors, and quarter pannel all got dented and scratch. It basically rolled inbetween a wall of dirt (the ravine) and my 4runner. It did more damage than what the pics even show. Honestly, I was more focused on how much i was leaning rather than my music playing. There was red paint all over the drum.

The worst though, was the fender damage which happened first. They got caved in while i was in 4-Low, 1st or 2nd gear, and on a flat road. If i was driving fast, i probably would have not even posted this.

Plus i'm against fast wheeling unless you have a rig built for it or know what your doing.

The ditch was very grassy so i never saw it coming. At the most, I estimate that i was going anywhere from 5-8 miles per hour...and BAM! A complete stop. The ditch was only 12-16" deep/steep...enough to stop 33's at a slow speed. Like i said, i can't believe how much it crushed my fenders...ESPECIALLY after wheeling the crap out of it with the same set-up. I think the ditch was just the perfect angle and depth for it to slam my wheels into the rear of my fenders but now that worries me...

I have (yet to be installed) O.M.E. T-bars/shocks, and BJ spacers but i can't see any of it preventing the same fender damaged in the same situation. So if I replace both fenders, it just seems like a question of when will it happend again?

Something else i should note: I was not aired down...i don't think it would of made a difference anyway since my fenders were crushed in 2-3".

I fully agree that wheeling at night can be bad...but its also fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc

You've got me all nervous now ... what width are your 33's?

10.50 BFG A/Ts on 15X8 (4" backspaced) rims. After what happended to me, i'd be nervous too...lol

Is it AT ALL possible that IFS suspension can compress/flex at an angle? ...like when i hit the ditch? I'm just really stumped on how hitting that ditch did so much damage with 33's and a mild lift like so many others have...

**rocket** · 12-28-2005, 03:55 AM

Ok, sorry i didn't tell most of the story but now i basically know everything that happened. After going back to where i was wheeling, i found the "culprit".

I know how the fenders got crushed (the ditch) but the rest is what i couldn't figure out. Yes, i was playing my music kinda loud (factory front speakers only) so that explains why i never heard the rusty 55 gallon drum that i drove over while in a tight ravine...the drum ended up somehow fliping out from underneath my Runner and was then drug/crushed all along my body...the drivers side rocker pannel, both doors, and quarter pannel all got dented and scratched. The drum basically rolled inbetween a wall of dirt (the ravine) and my 4runner. It did more damage than what the pics even show. Honestly, I was more focused on how much i was leaning and navigating rather than my music playing. There was red paint all over the drum when i found it.

The worst though, was the fender damage which happened first. They caved in while i was in 4-Low, 1st or 2nd gear, driving along a flat road. If i was driving fast, i probably would have not even posted this.

Plus i'm against fast wheeling unless you have a rig built for it or know what your doing.

The ditch was very grassy so i never saw it coming. At the most, I estimate that i was going anywhere from 5-8 miles per hour...and BAM! A complete stop. The ditch was only 12-16" deep/steep...enough to stop 33's at a slow speed. Like i said, i can't believe how much it crushed my fenders...ESPECIALLY after wheeling the crap out of it with the same set-up. I think the ditch was just the perfect angle and depth for it to slam my wheels into the rear of my fenders but now that worries me...

I have (yet to be installed) O.M.E. T-bars/shocks, and BJ spacers but i can't see any of it preventing the same fender damaged in the same situation. So if I replace both fenders, it just seems like a question of when will it happend again?

Something else i should note: I was not aired down...i don't think it would of made a difference anyway since my fenders were crushed in 2-3".

I fully agree that wheeling at night can be bad...but its also fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc

You've got me all nervous now ... what width are your 33's?

10.50 BFG A/Ts on 15X8 (4" backspaced) rims. After what happended to me, i'd be nervous too...lol

Is it AT ALL possible that IFS suspension can compress/flex at an angle? ...like when i hit the ditch? I'm just really stumped on how hitting that ditch did so much damage with 33's and a mild lift like so many others have...

Intrepid · 12-28-2005, 04:22 AM

For future reference, I don't think that the body lift or the 33's are at fault here, I think that if you did the same thing in a stock truck on 31's you would get the same damage.
I would start looking at other components and make sure nothing is broken.
Personally, I don't listen to music when I wheel because I prefer to listen to the truck, that is just me though.

12-26-2005, 03:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,333	1" BL with 33's finally hits home... Well i just got back from some night time Christmas wheeling and i jacked up my 4runner pretty bad. I hit a nice sized unexpected ditch that brought my rig it to a complete stop...myself and passenger bonked our heads on the windshield...i ended up driving away but not realizing what damage had occurred. I continued on with more wheeling in some of the tightest spots i've ever been....where i think (but didn't hear) more body damage happened. When we finnaly got out, the doors were "hard" to open and they made sounds like somebody was dying. Both wheel wells are literally caved in. The drivers side has lots of new dents with deep scratches which i'm not sure how/where/when they actually happened during this short time off road. I'm now mixed between being really mad at myself and seeing this as a wake up call to building a dedicated trail rig. :cry: My point for posting this is what can happen to your 2nd gen with 33's and a 1" BL if you wheel really hard. I'll post pics later today. __________________ under construction: '96-'02 gone: '92

12-26-2005, 06:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
JamesD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,547	Yeah have done crap like that too. I hate to say this but it is a part of wheeling, breaking something, fixing it and then going out their just to beat on it again! I was waiting for you to post pics for your finished result. James __________________ 2nd gen power mirrors for sale http://www.yotatech.com/f109/2nd-gen.../#post50746877 New Tacome V6 transfer case http://www.yotatech.com/f107/sale-br.../#post50755569 Various Toyota truck/4Runner switches for sale http://www.yotatech.com/f109/various...trucks-148139/

12-26-2005, 07:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,333	Yep, stuff happens but it still sucks. I never thought this much damage would happen just from droping into a stupid ditch. Its kinda weird how much my wheel wells got crushed in considering i've wheeled a "level 5" trail that included some difficult obstacles where my front end was getting fully compressed from bouncing off these rocks Now for the damage. Drivers side... Passenger side... The part that i never felt or heard. Its hard to tell but my rocker panel also got dented the entire length. I wonder if BJ spacers would of prevented my fenders from crushing? I'd be surprised. I also have rock sliders that i haven't welded on yet...guess thats what i get for being lazy. Lesson learned? Be more careful off roading if your running 33's with a 1" BL on stock suspension. __________________ under construction: '96-'02 gone: '92 Last edited by rocket : 12-26-2005 at 07:55 PM.

12-26-2005, 07:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
calrockx Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Santa Clarita, California Posts: 4,746	that sucks man. the only other damange i've seen like that is when JR at pismo jumped his 2nd gen 4runner like 10 feet in the air and the back of the front fenders were damaged like that. guess you'll be getting those sliders on real quick now. maybe go fiberglass fenders? on the bright side, your rig now has some more "character". __________________ [2002 4Runner 4WD]

12-26-2005, 08:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
JamesD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 1,547	This is one thing I dont like about the Japanese trucks, the wheelwells are part of the front end. This pushes everything back and makes a mess. Make sure you check your radiator to see if their is any damage since it is bolted to the core support. Do you have any pics of the whole truck after the BL? James __________________ 2nd gen power mirrors for sale http://www.yotatech.com/f109/2nd-gen.../#post50746877 New Tacome V6 transfer case http://www.yotatech.com/f107/sale-br.../#post50755569 Various Toyota truck/4Runner switches for sale http://www.yotatech.com/f109/various...trucks-148139/

12-26-2005, 10:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Robinhood150 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wandering around Phoenix Posts: 6,048	I think you were going too fast. __________________ Steve. '93 4Runner V6 Auto 4x4 Robinhood's Lair. \|\| Gettin' Off 4wd Club member Lots for sale:5.29 ARB IFS third member... Click Sierra Club policy: [A reason to close trails] ...Physical soil damage, often readily visible, resulting in: a. Erosion, causing soil loss and damage to stream banks, streams, and fish habitat... Lesson...Stay on the TRAIL!

12-27-2005, 12:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
suprathepeg Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 789	The fenders themselves are not a big deal, new ones are cheep but it looks like you hit pretty hard. I'd start checking everything else to make sure all is well. How is the alignment now? __________________ 89 v6 SWB truck PROJECT "BLACK BEAUTY P&P heads, EB's OS SS valves,30 over on the bottom and deckedto zero, taurus fan mod.

12-27-2005, 06:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,881	You've got me all nervous now ... what width are your 33's? __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

12-27-2005, 05:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
van7559 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 279	Maybe it is just me but when I wheel I go slow. As for the marks on the side of your rig, if you didn't notice that happening, you need to turn down the music, and pay a little more attention to what the hell you are doing. Good luck in getting everything fixed. Hopefully you didn't bend the frame or anything serious. __________________ 1994 Pickup- 22re w/ 70k original miles as of 10/10/05 All Pro front winch bumper, Marlin rear bumper, Marlin sliders, 31" Bfg m/t, K&n filter.

12-27-2005, 07:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,506	Sorry to hear/see your misfortune. Several things I noticed... Wheeling at night and obviously not knowing the terrain or going to fast or both. A hammer/dolly will fix 95% of that easily...except the paint. Sliders woulda stopped a lot of that. I just wonder what "really" happened too. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009 WabFab Off-Road Salvation Army Online Kettle

12-27-2005, 08:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Giraffe Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Calgary AB Canada Posts: 23	That sucks man I hope everyone is alright. __________________ Hatred fuels my blood I'll burn ya down

12-27-2005, 08:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
91Toyota4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 220	I always get body damage night wheeling __________________ SASed 91 V6 Extracab

12-28-2005, 04:22 AM	#18 (permalink)
Intrepid Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ashburnham, MA Posts: 2,719	For future reference, I don't think that the body lift or the 33's are at fault here, I think that if you did the same thing in a stock truck on 31's you would get the same damage. I would start looking at other components and make sure nothing is broken. Personally, I don't listen to music when I wheel because I prefer to listen to the truck, that is just me though. __________________ www.toyotacrawlers.com '85 4runner: 4.7's, FoxFab sliders, custom bumpers, 1" body lift, F-150 springs rear, lockright, welded third, IFS rear axle, 1.5" wheel spacers, high-steer, rears up front, Longs, 38" SX's on steelies, 12Voltguy dual battery, soft top, BMW seats. NO LONGER lacking an engine. :D :D