I won't say I was one of the OG 3.4 swappers or anything, but I did my swap back in 08/09. Got 45k miles on it now, and still the best mod I've done on the rig. I think it still will be after the sas, too.

Have you ever driven one? If I was gonna be closer to you on my way up to Beacerton, I'd let you rally mine around a little bit, but the closest I'll get to you is Grants Pass, probably. If you drove it, you'd be switching to an engine swap instead of axle swap!

 

I've never driven a 3.4 before! Is it fairly simple? I know they are direct bolt to 3.0 trans and motor mounts. I need something....and taxes are coming! lol

I actually lived in Medford before here...was down there just this weekend. Most of my pics of wheelin are from GP and Medford.

 

I got a buddy that's trying to get on with Rogue River Hotshots, we were talking about the area. Really like the area, people I've come across there are mostly nice, and there's Dutch Bros in GP, of course, but I've heard that forest is just bass ackwards from too many people. One of the places that really gives the Forest Circus it's name, ya know? Just don't think I could deal with that, but I wouldn't mind getting back up to Crescent or Bend.

Anyway, if you wanna, pm me your number or something and I'll let you know when I'm coming through Medford/GP area. It'll be March 8th, just not sure of the time. If you want info on it, definitely check out the 3.4 swap section. Plenty of R and RE to 3.4 swaps to get info from.

 

Sup? Psssst, got lots done today! Woot! Lol. ... That's it, and seeing how ya is ;-)

 

I checked in on your thread Mark, looks freakin sweet! This weekend was actually productive for me, too.

In preparation for another trip to OR, and the eventual sas, I installed my extended braided rear brake line, cleaned all the gunk off the rear end from the slightly leaking fill plug, changed the gear oil and replaced both fill and drain with low profile plugs and new gaskets, and bled the brakes. With 255k miles on the chassis, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I have better braking feel now with the braided line. Can't wait to do the fronts, too.

So that was Sunday, Monday I changed the oil, greased the ujoints, and wiped down the oil pan of all it's sludge built up over the last 45k miles. Also, just for kicks, I put my wheel spacers for the solid axle on the front. Figured I have this big dumb 2wd now, better make it a SoCal prerunner now!
I tell you what, I got the itch to go wheeling, so I satisfied it with just some dirt road driving, mostly. Has never been out to the Manzanar Reward mine, so I went. It's actually a huge difference in handling on dirt with those wheel spacers up front! I was able to pitch it slightly sideways in a much more controllable manner and keep it through turns much easier than before. Being that I was on an unfamiliar road, I decided to try it on one I know really well, right behind the airport, and it's a night and day difference in stability and handling on dirt! Really making me want to get some more width out of the front after the sas, just gotta figure out how without using 3" spacers.

 

FJ80 axle? If yours is already built up perhaps you could get a trade done?

Other than that is there any other way besides spacers?


I think I'm going to have to get some spacers. I get some rubbing I hope some 1" ones will fix.

I don't want to spend too much on the truck now that I have an end goal with it.

 

I think it'd actually be cheaper to go with an IFS width with the spacers(still need some for caliper clearance anyway) or even Taco width housing from Trail Gear. That way I could still use my knuckles high steer arms, just need longer links. Seems like the Tacoma width comes with 30 spline inners only, so I'd have to upgrade to 30 spline birfields at the same time. IFS width still gives the option of using stock birfields as they can be had with a 27 spline short side inner.

The FJ80 axle is just so expensive for high steer, but would come with larger, stronger birfields, too. So, who knows. I got lots of time to figure it out, and can wait for some overtime to not have to worry about no cushion in the bank, ya know?

 

I do know all too well.

I need my back to heal asap so I can get back and do some OT.

There are only 2 scaffolders for the entire site. I never get turned down for shutdown OT. I've got savings to get into my bank account! I know you are much closer to your swap than I am. I'm really looking forward to watching yours.

Have you the final word on leafs or coils?

 

I have everything for leaf setup, though if I went for an FJ80 axle I'd probably consider links more. If a Trail Gear housing, I'll more than likely stay leaf, though it gives me the option of getting another e locker for the front, since you can get the housing in either pattern.

So many options! But I'm confident I can get it done this spring if I stick with the stock housing, summer if I do something wider.

 

Either way it will be a nice truck and a fun build.


I like this hobby.


So much so in fact I am giving mining another couple years before pulling the pin. I'm going to invest wisely so I can take the pay cut to get a mechanics apprenticeship.

I've got the missus full support too. She has not enjoyed watching me be in pain for nearly six months. Scaffolding is rough, fun though. It's like scarier monkey bars.

 

JonnyBoy, That is a good looking runner you have. I like the blacked out grill. I wanted to do a storm trooper runner. all white with black accents. Did you have to cut your hood just to get that 3.4 to fit in there?

 

Yes, either that or a body lift of 1 inch. Some, not very many, but some have not needed to do a body lift or cut a hole, and have gotten away with just cutting the bracing out of the underside of the hood. I think Tofer, another member on here, stacked a few where's under the hood at the hinges to lift the back of the hood and cleared it, too.

I hope nobody gets the idea that I'm totally against chrome, it definitely has it's place. I just feel like my little off roader(won't quite commit to calling it my crawler yet) isn't it. I feel like the looks of my Runner should make small children want to run and hide, and black does that better than chrome, unless you're thinking of Christine. There's always exceptions, ya know? I have a '70 Chevy Monte Carlo back at my parents, and that is definitely the place for chrome!

 

Yeah I like chrome next to anyone else, but as you said black is just sick and makes the runners look hella mean. I believe that all the older cars are the ones that look nicer in chrome. I really would like to do a swap but I am thinking of doing some type of diesel swap for towing and for off roading. I do not think I would ever call my runner a crawler because I would like to be able to make it a daily driver and a off roader. sounds better to me as well.

 

Well, not a vehicle update, exactly, but I'm gonna consider it related since it has to do with welding practice. And it's my build thread, I can do what I want, right?

In case anyone was wondering how we make custom fire tools(yeah, right. probably as interesting as watching grass grow), I have a tutorial for a "Reinhart" which was first done by a guy named Reinhart, I'm pretty sure.
First, take a shovel, remove handle, and cut it apart like so

Contort yourself in any way possible to hold the 2 pieces together sort of like this until you can at least tack it in place


One of my better welds


Then you paint it to hide the welds and fasten it to a new handle


Congratulations, you've made a really stout garden hoe

One of the first of this batch that I made, a few weeks ago with the flux core wire



Pretty sure this one was with regular wire and gas. Don't remember the exact settings, but they obviously weren't optimal



I feel like I'm getting a little more used to gas now, don't think I'll be messing with flux core anymore. This one


was done with the settings at
.030 wire
Argon/CO2 mix
wire speed a little under 60
voltage all the way up(4)

All while practicing Chef's safety tips and rocking out to metal on Pandora


And the 2nd Reinhart built today



Seems like I have more trouble with normal size gaps than the large gaps on the sides

 

Busy season for you coming up eh. Hope we get enough rain to keep them down.

 

Every year "they" say either 1 of 2 things

1 This winter has been so dry we're going to be in a drought by the end of May! We're gonna be so busy!

2 This winter has been so wet that all the vegetation is gonna grow up tall and thick so when August comes there'll be tons of dried up fuel ready to burn! We're gonna be so busy!

So I don't even listen anymore. In a couple weeks I'll be going to a class to prepare me for being a "helicopter manager" though, and our forest is hosting a Sky Crane again
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-64_Skycrane

Those pretty much just go to big fires, so I should get my turn to chase it this year for at least 1 trainee assignment, even if our main helicopter is kind of slow. Which it usually isn't, in all of Cali there's only 3 Type 3 Forest Service helicopters(the smaller, more maneuverable, and also usually smoother flying ships), and we have the most powerful because of how hot it gets here and our mountain flying conditions.

I believe I'll have a busy season

 

You a pilot then?

My buddy had to miss out on a party last night. He's training on a new chopper today. Nice bird I forget what its called. I'll ask.

 

Haha, no. My job is to sit in the ship and not touch anything. When we land is when we get out and do stuff. The crane nobody rides in except the pilots, the managers just chase in a vehicle.

 

Well, I told Chef in his thread to keep an eye on mine for suspension work this weekend, but he'll probably be let down that it wasn't on the Runner. Got my Forester a little lower!

Before


And after


I'm a little disappointed it sits so butt-low since these were supposed to be WRX wagon springs and they're to supposed to sag as much in the rear, but spacers aren't too expensive and not too difficult to install. Next will be 20" spinners and rubber band tires!

 

Wow man I don't know if thats work or home, but WOW. Makes me miss the mountains, living on the plains is so drap and dreary compared to that scenery!

I'd look into an adjustable air suspension w/ onboard air compressor for that ride. My guess is it might see some dirt roads once in awhile. I don't mind the look of a low rider so much as my knees to linke climbing in or out of them anymore

Looks pretty good. Can't tell where the low profile tires will set in the wheel wells, I'd prefer them tucked in a bit. We had an olds with the wheel well panel/covers it's just such a nice look.