Doc279

Anybody got any idea's for a replacement cross member. The 2 nd generation
runner has a cross member that catches on a lot of stuff.

Any way to move it higher ?

Fahrenheit 451

http://www.budbuilt.com/new/single_cross_members.html

seaflea

Bubuilt isnt too far away from you either.
I think Mike aka Mikeys87) is also getting one for his 87.

Doc279

Damn this thing is going to $300.00 me to death !!
I may have to live with what I got.

Doc279

Anybody have any other idea's for getting the transfer case higher ?
The 2nd generations seem to have a knot in the belly look !

NCSU-4runner

sky's skid plate is real nice and costs about $100 less. Too bad seaflea is buying the one i have off me or i'd sell it to you.


http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/

seaflea

I looked on Skys web site, but didnt find anything for the V-6 applications. I'm not sure they make anything for them. Is there any difference?

NCSU-4runner

ahh, didnt notice he had a V6, im not really sure what difference there is. As long as the rubber mount is the same you can always weld the side plates on since i imagine a 4cyl and 6cyl tranny have slightly different dimensions.

Doc279

I got down and looked at the cross member at lunch today. Even if the skid plate was made with 1/4" plate to replace the cross member - I would not gain more than an inch. The transfer case seems to have a knot on the lower side that is the problem. The factory cross member seems to be 1.5" thick at the lowest point - I'll try and get a picture posted tomorrow.

This cross member is my "get hung point" every time I wheel.
I am on 31 inch tires - it maybe cheaper to just get 33" tires for a little more height. That's more than $300.00 for sure !!!!!!

Robinhood150

Going to 33s could cost more than $3000!

If you're going to 33s you might want to re-gear. If you're going to regear, you might as well put lockers in there. To fit 33x12.5s you need new wheels, a 1" BL and either crank the tbars or get BJ spacers.

ARBs front and back and regear cost me close to $3000.

NCSU-4runner

that approximate inch of ground clearance you gain with that skid is the best you are going to do unless you do a drivetrain lift. Roger Brown makes motor mount spacers for some models, dunno about a V6 without looking it up, might be something to look into if you REALLY want to gain more underbelly clearance. If you go through that much trouble you may as well lift the gas tank too. Its not easy to gain clearance, theres no cheap or easy way, unless you do a 8in body lift and 44s

Doc279

WOW

Thanks for all the good news !

I was told that the 33's would fit on my 15 inch stock wheels - NO ?
What is the largest size ? 32's ?
According to the door sticker - I am running 4.56 gears

I have a 1" body lift and the Downey Rear coils - I actually do pretty good but if I'm gonna hang anywhere it's the transfer case cross member.

mytruck

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/budbuilt-crossmember-install-84-truck-37829/

Who said it was cheap to build a decent trail rig, anyway?
For the money, a Budbuilt hi-clearance crossmember buys you quite alot of additional ground clearance. Highly recommended.

Jim

NCSU-4runner

its generally frowned upon to put a 12.50 wide tire on a stock 15x7 wheel, but perfectly normal to do a 12.50 wide tire on a 15x8, which seems like a minor difference to me. If you dont want new wheels try some 33x12.50s on the stockers, if they start loosing the bead when aired down more than one would consider normal the worst case scenario is you get a set of black steelies for like $200 - whatever you sell the stockers for (i got $120 cash for my stock wheels but they were the nice alloy ones)


gaining TRUE ground clearance is never cheap. tires, suspension, and working towards a flat belly are the only options

4RunnerKid

I always get hung up on mine too... I'm going to fab up my own once I get some money. Well, my friend and I are designing it and he'll be doing most of the fab work. I'll be sure to post pics once I get it done.

Robinhood150

Yeah, it's kinda frowned upon, but people do it. The tires tend to wear funny. You can go with 33x10.5 or 33x9.5 with your stock wheels.

You don't have to spend 3 grand, I was just exagerating...it depends on how much off roading you want to do. You can just throw on 33x10.5 and be done with it if you want.

Doc279

I love to wheel this runner but it is also my daily driver - 70 miles round trip.
I may get a spare set of wheels with the 33's to take off and put on - as needed. Might be a little trouble but it would also save wear and tear on the tires and the truck. I plan on investigating a custom made cross member as well. This is an expensive habit !

But a hell of a lot of fun !

BudBuilt

[QUOTE=Doc279]I got down and looked at the cross member at lunch today. Even if the skid plate was made with 1/4" plate to replace the cross member - I would not gain more than an inch. The transfer case seems to have a knot on the lower side that is the problem. The factory cross member seems to be 1.5" thick at the lowest point - I'll try and get a picture posted tomorrow.

This cross member is my "get hung point" every time I wheel.

Sorry, I just saw this and thought I'd add some thoughts.
You are correct in your measurements. the tcase on a V6 hangs down 1.5" lower than it does on a 4 cyl tcase.
our crossmembers and skids give you more clearance ( a bit more than an inch) on the drivers side to the middle, then angle down around the tcase. But don't forget the most important part: The angled skid that will not allow you to hang up on stuff, but slide over it. This makes a huge difference compared to the stock rock and stump anchor.

So, there are a few things you can do to get more clearance. Convert to a 4 cyl case. Cost about $400 plus the tcase, but a bolt on setup. Gains you 1.5" and a $179 crossmember, instead of $289

You can keep the V6 stuff, and since you have a body lift, we can raise the crossmember up and take advantage of that extra clearance. Now, you are at 2+ inches on the driver's side, 1+ on the pass side, and a smoother belly. Still the $289 price
Here are some huge pics of it. Will be updating the site soon to include them.
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBV6S51.JPG
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBV6SA1.JPG
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBV6Srear.JPG

Hope that helps with some ideas.
Bud