I almost cried when I saw those pictures of the damage........ you're braver than most. You have a great looking 4Runner!

 

Nice work Jake...I see you're making quick use of the new parts .

 

Wow thoes trd wheels are never going to look the same....... Nice runner thoe. I have the same 4runner except mine is black.

 

thats awesome, way to use her. keep working hard.

 

You'll be throwing a SFA under there soon enough....

 

I had ordered Sonoran Steel’s Lower Links two weeks ago in anticipation of destroying the stock ones. The new links had been riding in the back of my truck ready for such an event. Today in Broad Canyon I bent the driver side enough to bring the rear driver wheel an inch forward and did the swap trailside. The rear of the truck seemed to be a bit more firm under articulation; no surprise looking at the old ones.




Replaced my damaged muffler earler in the week with a Magnaflow mounted a bit higher


Bumper construction began last week


4:88’s and ARB RD-90 going in Monday

 

Want to trade 4Runners?

Mines really cool; I promise.

 

Still selling those wheels?

 

The Sonoran Steel Links proved their strength Sunday on Amatista Ledges upon encountering a troublesome set of boulders. The links emerged victorious whereas the brackets folded. The ride home was interesting as my driver side wheelbase was an inch shorter (again) than passenger. I’ll have to have new beefy brackets fabbed. The tricky part is the angles that the links pivot as well as an offset from the frame. The smart thing to do is to beef the stock brackets before this happens.





Mod one thing, destroy the next.

 

Friday I finally got my truck back from the mechanic having fresh Yukon 4:88’s, ARB compressor and RD-90. ARB was just laying in the engine compartment as I decided that SMP would fabricate a nice platform for it to sit on next to the cruise . The gears sound wound going with speed but that was somewhat expected, the new pep felt good. Didn’t have much of a chance to get a feel for things as it went to SMP Monday for completion of the metal work. If I’m lucky I’ll get everything next week ready for powder. I ended up getting the MT Classic II 16x8 in a 3 5/8 backspacing as they accommodated 35’s nicely for a good price. I took the wheels in last week to get blasted and powered as polished aluminum is not my cup. The black sand finish is perfect, but the glory will be short lived. KM2 treads rolled in this week after the store searched high and low locating some in Iowa. Now, they sit in my garage and wait for the second coming of my runner.

 

Monsterous. This is gonna be good.

 

Yowzer's, I said I would never put 35's on because I just didnt need the headache of cockdieselizing my drive train. But it's going to look good no doubt.

Aaron

 

Those Mickey Thompson wheels look GOOD painted black. And, they are aluminum... I actually felt a good decrease in braking and acceleration simply by switching to the steel wheels. Since I use my truck as my DD I may switch!

Since I just did it, and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through it, I'd go ahead and start looking for some spare axle shafts, or go and buy some Poly performance shafts. The extra strain from those 35's might be a problem... Especially since the trails you are doing are pretty intense...

So you got 4.88's? If you don't mind me asking, what did that set you back?

I have to say it again, but, you may start saving up for a solid front axle here.... Plus, I'd love to see your rig with one riding on 37's. hehe

 

You actually wheel like many of us wish we could-kudos man.

I admire you guys not afraid to break something-but am not one of you, yet..... Heck of a buildup and good to see feedback on the Sonoran Steel pieces and parts.

 

makes me happy to see that some people still wheel around here

 

Man your 4Runner is gonna be a monster with those 35's on it.

 

Nice set up. I so can't wait to get back home and lift mine.

 

I picked up the truck from SMP for the weekend with the rear tacked and almost complete. All panels were cut on a computer guided plasma cutter with exception of the rear rectangle, everything 3/16th. This weekend I’ll figure out the rocker tube guard shapes and angles with PVC. Monday it goes back for the remainder of welding, support, armor and dress-up. The front bumper will be trimmed forward at the wells to clear the new treads. I’m thinking about adding a small hoop on either side similar to the AllPro set-up. I’m hurting to test all this stuff.







Gate for one of our new houses, they do it all

 

The pinch welds and panels need to be cut and patched at the rear of the front fenders. It’s hard to keep the wheel at full lock without a bit of spring back to visualize frame contact with the new treads. My indications are that contact is minimal without articulation. Hack and weld will commence Monday at the shop after I stuff the wheels in all possible positions. With the 4:88’s the 35’s get plenty of GO on the pavement. The KM2 tread pattern is a bit more forgiving on the road than it looks: time will tell with only 40 miles on the clock.

 

Man Iam speechless....Your 4runner is probably the most badass on here hands down. What do you have goin for the suspension?