Thanks bud, I’m running Sonoran Steel System 1.1, shaved arms and lower links. The SA guys take the cake

 

Wow can't wait to start talking to a local guy who builds mini trucks and see if he can fab up some bumpers and sliders.

 

After the better part of two months in and out of the shop my truck is near completion. When I say “completion” I mean the bulk of fabrication the truck will see in its off-road life. My fabricator, SMP, has gone beyond the call of duty in what started as a favor. Fender trimming, bumper hoops and sliders are all that remain. The driver side lower link bracket was replaced and both sides braced with future plans for a longer ramped skid. The ARB compressor was fit with the modification of ABS and CC brackets and installation of a platform over the wheel well, it was tight. Torching a set of Stubbs sliders with less than 100 miles was hard to do. Lesson: buy the right slider for the job; I could have saved time and money if I had opted for the severe use Stubbs slider. New sliders will be 3/16th square. Bud skids were straightened back to shape with an industrial press and fit once again. This weekend I’ll mark the areas of the wheel wells and fenders to be clearanced. 35’s ain’t easy folks!








Camping this past weekend allowed plenty of opportunity for metal on rubber contact.

 

I think i am going to strengthen my link brackets, I always seem to hit them.

Trucks looking good.

 

Those 35's look great. Congrats on a great build-up!

 

Sometimes I see a stock Runner and wish mine was still the road-tripper it used to be before the chaos began. I have headed down a road that’s rough and doesn’t return. I fully expect the vehicle to be rolled or turned into a buggy someday. Stock is King while you hold out for something better to come out or come along. In the meantime I’ll be wheeling.

Tomorrow I’ll post pics of my truck back from SMP. Almost done…

 

almost bitter-sweet huh

 

looks awesome!

 

The bulk of the work is done. I got the truck back today with trimmed fender/wells and sliders. The fender clearing was referenced from Sonoran Steel’s archived IFS pages. The diamond trim needs a few new rivets to support what is now loose. Wells need to be closed back up with plastic and sprayed. The sliders were constructed with 3/16 square, simple and straightforward. The truck is 100% functional now and only needs detail work. We’ll see this weekend how good this stuff works in combination. Overall I’m pleased with the appearance as function preceded form. Some things are going to need to be trimmed and reworked, but the base is done.

 

Sweet...looking forward to hearing how it all works out on the trail.

 

Nice fender trimming. If I only had a steady enough hand... :/

Do you know what they used to cut that? Id like to do that myself and drop my body lift.

 

A test run this weekend revealed slight rubbing at full stuff/lock on the flange starting at the pinch headed towards the engine bay. The 35’s rub the frame, not really any way around that unless I want to cut and plate. The sliders performed as they should and quieted my woes about having a single rigger set-up. I decided they could be a bit shorter and cut with a longer ramps at the ends. Fab guy is going to love that.

SC, the fenders were trimmed with a cut off wheel. I marked the cut with a silver Sharpie using the old fender flares to strike a good radius.


Saturday’s run

 

Nice to actually see a 3rd gen that goes OFF ROAD! props

 

Awesome 4runner right there. Looks nothing short of pure animal.


Aloha

 

thats a really nice runner, THe back bumper is sweet, how much that set you back, and do they make them for 1st gen runners?

 

one more thing, the trim on the fenders, where did you get it and what is it called?

 

Don't know if you're interested in running less backspaced rims, or wheel adapters, but, those spidertrax adapters/spacers and marlin's brand would probably help you with the rubbage on the frame. I have 1.5" adapters, no problems from them ... just use a generous amount of blue thread locker on their bolts

 

All the fab work was done by SMP of NM a local HVAC subcontractor that specializes in metal work such as copper trim and ornamental gates. He’s not in the business of building vehicle armor and would like to keep it that way after working on my truck for weeks on end. I was done a tremendous favor.

Read farther back in the thread for a description of the rocker protection.

My advice to those looking for custom armor: keep it local. Find a talented welder/fabricator, have an exact plan, have patience and get the price up-front.

SC, I’d go the spacer route if I had the room. At this point my wheels stuff in the wells w/o touching the inner fenders front and rear leaving little room to spare. I’ll just have to get my 10 point turn down a bit better. On a side note: I still need to get a set of Poly Performance axle shafts

 

wow that is beautiful

 

Ha.. yeah, I'd get those axle shafts! I'm suprised you haven't broken anything already... I drive like a grandma and apparently, thats not easy enough. Especially with those 35's, be advised!! heh.

I was saying with the spacers so it would stop your wheels from hitting your frame rail! Course, thats better than the fenders, so never mind.