rick8282

I had some time to play in the shop so I fixed my spring clamps again. This is version 2.0 lol

NWTI

What front springs are you running? I trying to decide what to use on my 85 4Runner, I used wagoneer springs on the last 4runner I had and they worked well but I want to try something different this time.

Redeth005

Dang Rick you have one sick looking rig!. I'm sure if I was to ever have a strictly off road vehicle I'd do something similar. But for now I'm happy with my clean looking yet very capable 4runner. Hahah

Awesome work dude. Amd your cluster came out nice.

rick8282

Yea I had 44044 waggy springs on my last 4runner and they worked ok. This one has 1 ton 2wd rear with 2 sets of 85 4x4 rear packs mixed in cus I'm so heavy in the ft with 2 batteries and the winch and the cage.

rick8282

Thanks! I have always said the best and first thing u should do for your wheeler is get a tow ring and trailer!

rick8282

Well I think its time for an update! I have been so busy I havnt got on the computer to do this.
Mounted my High lift.

Also picked up a new toy. Works real nice!

rick8282

Whet wheelin and in one trip I bent the rear drive line, chipped 10 teeth off my rear ring gear, and bent the rear axle housing and spring pads. This is why I'm not happy with the 5k my truck wights. I'll let the pictures tell the rest! LOL!

rick8282

So I promised a buddy I would go wheeling with him the next weekend and I pulled a spare diff off the shelf put a spool in it. Temp fixed the rear axle and had a buddy bust out a rear drive line made out of schedule 80 pipe.

When U are by your self and need to tq the caps u have to come up with something like this!

My temp fix for the spring pad.

rick8282

Then on the next wheeling trip I broke the rear drive in 1/2. I guess u cant bent sch 80, but u can brake the slip in 1/2! The good news is it happened at the end of the day and 30 feet from the end of the trail. The not good news is I rallied all the way back to the parking lot in fwd and found some issues with that when I got home.

rick8282

So when I got home I found that my front end squeak was my 6 shooter arm had come loose. I haven't done anything to my front axle in over a year and at least 15 hard wheeling trips so I pulled it all apart and and found my diff was at like .050-.075 and the back lash! And almost every bolt and stud was loose (so much for locktite) and my long fields where hard to move, so I fixed the diff and put it all back together. Talked to tina at longfield and she said send her my birfields and she will rebuild them for $60 each. Ill do that this winter. Sorry no pictures of this.

rick8282

Now its time to fix the rear axle. Hopefully for the last time! Picked up a rear housing from a buddy. (NWTI on here)
Shaved the drain plug.

Truss the housing.

And I built a track bar. This should help with drive line vs rocks. Also with rear axle wrap. Its made out of 2" .250 dom. I don't think it will bend!

rick8282

When I built my rear bumper I had a tail gate. Now I don't cus the 4runner tail gates are like 150 lbs and I don't need it so it got sold. But that made my rear bumper look stupid and un finished cus it hung so low and it hit the rock a lot! It got moved up 5 3/4 inches and in about an 1"

rick8282

I'm going to Manastash Ridge or naches this weekend (aug 16-18) so if anyone knows the area and wants to show me and my buddies around we are going to try to camp at Manastash camp or riders camp. None of us have ever been there. Should be fun!

Redeth005

I hear ya with the rear heaviness. When my dad and I finished building my rear plate steel bumper/tire carrier I went ahead and weighed it. And it came out weighing at 110lb. Plus the weight of a steel rim and 33/12.5 mud terrain and jerry can.

Dude it had so much weight my brand new 4" lift rear springs were sagging baaaad! I had to call AllPro and have them exchange my rear 4" leafs and 4" shackles for 6" leafs and 6" shackles. That did the job in leveling everything out but I can totally relate. I guess going with mostly 1/4" steel wasn't the smartest idea. I should have stuck with 3/16" but whatever too late to cry over it. At least I know if I ever get rear ended my truck will be completely unharmed with the exception of a few paint scratches. Hahaha

'85 Yota

Holy update! Nice 4runner mang.

toyodaman8587

Dude nice job. I'm diggin the exo.

rick8282

I thought it was time for an update. Went to natchez, it was cool. A long weekend isn't enouf time so next time going for a week!

rick8282

Got a soft top made for my pig. Wild West Upholstery in Vancouver 360-695-6100 did the work. I think it came out nice. He charged $430 when it was all said and done. Everyone else wanted $800+! I just dropped it off and picked it up the next day. I really like the way it came out!

rick8282

I so decided I wanted to try out the ebay LED light bars. So I did a bit of research and it looked like CREE led are the way to go. So shopped around a bit and wanted it USA stock (didn't want to wait for shipping from china) $131.99 and 9 days later I got a 20" bar with 42 3 watt CREE LEDs. This this thing is bright as ˟˟˟˟! Look at the pictures. And for you people that think I should have put it up front I'm going blind and I needed a good back up light.


Light Off

Light On

Redeth005

Rick awesome job on the light bar. Many people are surprised on the quality of lights made available on ebay. CREE is definitely the best. I didn't get that brand but I know its a reputable brand. Also I totally agree with you. You definitely need a decent back up light. especially for the unexpected days when you stay at the trails later them you expected and it gets pitch black.

As for the front lights go. You should do just fine with some flood lights up front. You can get by without blinding the heck out of people by going that route. I like the LED flood/spot lightbar combo. But you can't turn off the spot lights for that option. So I went with two 4.5" LED 42WATT flood lights incorporated into my bumper. And I bought Chefyota4x4's old 8" Halogen Dick Cepek spot lights. Wired both pairs of lights separately with different buttons and relays. I know the people driving in front of me definitely appreciate this a lot.

So what's next on the list? Rock lights and side flood lights?

P.S. Hoping you have a great Christmas. Maybe you'll get some new goodies for your truck.