Gizler00's 1999 4Runner Build Thread
05-11-2017, 06:31 AM
#41
So I started tearing into the rear bumper. I knew that if I did not do something drastic, I would put it off forever.
So the one day at work, I had some time in between classes and decided to take the stock bumper off.
What a pain in the rear it was to get it off. Seemed like a 1000 unnecessary bolts and brackets.
Anyhow....Here it is sans bumper....
One of my Co-workers teaches digital media/Photography, and they also have a vinyl printer.....So I had him make me some of these.
I went off Assburns design and tweaked it some to my own liking. I am making the sides larger to incorporate a tire swingout.
Luckily, I also teach Fabrication and have access to a Plasma table. Makes cutting components out very easy.
Here it is mocked up on the truck the first day we started putting ideas together. I have two students in my Welding/Fab class helping me. I have let them take the reigns and make decisions as we go.
This is as of yesterday.. We started mocking up the sides. We have decided on a taper out from the tail light to the fender flare.
Hoping to get the sides completely mocked up, cut out, and tacked in place this afternoon when they come for class.
So the one day at work, I had some time in between classes and decided to take the stock bumper off.
What a pain in the rear it was to get it off. Seemed like a 1000 unnecessary bolts and brackets.
Anyhow....Here it is sans bumper....
One of my Co-workers teaches digital media/Photography, and they also have a vinyl printer.....So I had him make me some of these.
I went off Assburns design and tweaked it some to my own liking. I am making the sides larger to incorporate a tire swingout.
Luckily, I also teach Fabrication and have access to a Plasma table. Makes cutting components out very easy.
Here it is mocked up on the truck the first day we started putting ideas together. I have two students in my Welding/Fab class helping me. I have let them take the reigns and make decisions as we go.
This is as of yesterday.. We started mocking up the sides. We have decided on a taper out from the tail light to the fender flare.
Hoping to get the sides completely mocked up, cut out, and tacked in place this afternoon when they come for class.
05-11-2017, 08:38 AM
#42
Those vinyl TRD decals turned out sweet! Looks like you have a good start on the bumper, having the rear tire swing out is going to be awesome, I always wanted to build a back bumper for my 86' 4 runner, but never got around to it. Can't wait to see it all tacked together and mocked up! What thickness steel plate did you go with?
05-11-2017, 03:46 PM
#43
Contributing Member
Student input- that's so cool. Can't wait to see what they tweak it into.
05-11-2017, 04:00 PM
#44
Those vinyl TRD decals turned out sweet! Looks like you have a good start on the bumper, having the rear tire swing out is going to be awesome, I always wanted to build a back bumper for my 86' 4 runner, but never got around to it. Can't wait to see it all tacked together and mocked up! What thickness steel plate did you go with?
I decided to go with 3/16" steel. Hoping to get it mostly done tomorrow minus the swingout. Still waiting on parts for that end of it.
Thanks Hab! They are pretty excited and motivated.
05-11-2017, 04:04 PM
#45
Got more done today. The sides are tacked in place and now making top and bottom filler pieces. Then going to make a side braces for the side panels.
I also need to pickup some hitch tube and tube and cut out a center section just so I have that option.
Heres today's progress
I also need to pickup some hitch tube and tube and cut out a center section just so I have that option.
Heres today's progress
Last edited by Gizler00; 05-18-2017 at 06:00 AM. Reason: Picture issue See below
05-11-2017, 05:02 PM
#47
Got more done today. The sides are tacked in place and now making top and bottom filler pieces. Then going to make a side braces for the side panels.
I also need to pickup some hitch tube and tube and cut out a center section just so I have that option.
Heres today's progress
I also need to pickup some hitch tube and tube and cut out a center section just so I have that option.
Heres today's progress
05-11-2017, 05:55 PM
#49
I like your design, it has a nice flow that goes well with the body lines, it should provide some nice extra body protection, looks great! Can't wait to see what you come up with for the tire carrier!
Last edited by rustED; 05-11-2017 at 05:56 PM.
05-18-2017, 04:24 AM
#52
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Fender flares
what other fender flares could fit on a 98 4runner and will i need to modify amythimg for it to fit? also a rear door for the cargo area, will other 3rd gen 4runners cargo doors fit?
05-18-2017, 06:05 AM
#55
Contributing Member
That came out very nice.
05-25-2017, 06:02 AM
#58
Hitting some Road blocks with the tire swingout.
I ordered a Torsion style DOM bushing from Ruffstuff and although a great product, it failed miserably for holding the weight of the swingout. It's my own fault for wishful thinking that it would hold the weight when I knew in my head it would not.
Here are a few pictures from where I started to realize I was in trouble.
I needed a temporary hold for the swingout so I made this little T-handle and installed a sleeve in the swingout to accept it.
Here is where its was left at before I Cut off the DOM bearing and decided to start over.
I also scored some 285's on CL that had some dry rot cracking in the trad area of these Nittos. Must be something with these tires. I had the exact same tire a few years ago, and they did the exact same thing these are doing. But...... They have 90% tread on them and I only paid 250$ So I can live with the cracks for a while until I can save to buy what I want.
Here is a before and after.
Sooo..... Heres where things take a frustrating turn........ I am trying to finish this bumper up and just be done with it. But the swingout dictates when that will happen. I made the mistake of ordering some parts from Comp4x4.com and have not heard anything in a week. Called about 30 times, left voicemails, Emails, nothing.......Silence.......No Idea if my swingout bearing has shipped, on backorder, is being made.....Who knows. I then start to investigate their reviews (something I typically always do first) but in my haste.......I ordered first. They took my money and now nothing....
I am very pressed for time with this bumper because the wife and I are moving soon and it needs to get done. I really hate to do this, but I might just toss the swingout idea for a later date and paint the bumper and be done until I can get stuff figured out.
Not sure what to do. I keep calling Comp4x4 to see when this stuff is going to ship but its like a ghost town over there.
I ordered a Torsion style DOM bushing from Ruffstuff and although a great product, it failed miserably for holding the weight of the swingout. It's my own fault for wishful thinking that it would hold the weight when I knew in my head it would not.
Here are a few pictures from where I started to realize I was in trouble.
I needed a temporary hold for the swingout so I made this little T-handle and installed a sleeve in the swingout to accept it.
Here is where its was left at before I Cut off the DOM bearing and decided to start over.
I also scored some 285's on CL that had some dry rot cracking in the trad area of these Nittos. Must be something with these tires. I had the exact same tire a few years ago, and they did the exact same thing these are doing. But...... They have 90% tread on them and I only paid 250$ So I can live with the cracks for a while until I can save to buy what I want.
Here is a before and after.
Sooo..... Heres where things take a frustrating turn........ I am trying to finish this bumper up and just be done with it. But the swingout dictates when that will happen. I made the mistake of ordering some parts from Comp4x4.com and have not heard anything in a week. Called about 30 times, left voicemails, Emails, nothing.......Silence.......No Idea if my swingout bearing has shipped, on backorder, is being made.....Who knows. I then start to investigate their reviews (something I typically always do first) but in my haste.......I ordered first. They took my money and now nothing....
I am very pressed for time with this bumper because the wife and I are moving soon and it needs to get done. I really hate to do this, but I might just toss the swingout idea for a later date and paint the bumper and be done until I can get stuff figured out.
Not sure what to do. I keep calling Comp4x4 to see when this stuff is going to ship but its like a ghost town over there.
05-25-2017, 11:44 AM
#59
Hey Mark, I like the design of the tire swing out, looks great! I'm just curious how the Ruff Stuff bushing is failing, does the poly bushing allow to much play to where the swing out sags when it is swung open? I'm just curious, I've used these style bushings in the past on my trailer build and also thought they might work for a tire swing out application, don't want to go down that road if it won't work, lol.
That sucks about Comp4x4, hopefully your parts show up, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a company that either doesn't stand behind their product, or just plain swindles customers out of their money. I feel your pain, hope it works out!
That sucks about Comp4x4, hopefully your parts show up, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a company that either doesn't stand behind their product, or just plain swindles customers out of their money. I feel your pain, hope it works out!
Last edited by rustED; 05-25-2017 at 11:46 AM.
05-25-2017, 12:17 PM
#60
Hey Mark, I like the design of the tire swing out, looks great! I'm just curious how the Ruff Stuff bushing is failing, does the poly bushing allow to much play to where the swing out sags when it is swung open? I'm just curious, I've used these style bushings in the past on my trailer build and also thought they might work for a tire swing out application, don't want to go down that road if it won't work, lol.
That sucks about Comp4x4, hopefully your parts show up, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a company that either doesn't stand behind their product, or just plain swindles customers out of their money. I feel your pain, hope it works out!
That sucks about Comp4x4, hopefully your parts show up, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a company that either doesn't stand behind their product, or just plain swindles customers out of their money. I feel your pain, hope it works out!
Hey Ed! Thanks!
The bearing didn't technically "fail" per se, but it did not hold the weight. The swingout, with a 265 tire on it, drooped about 3-4" and was destroying the poly inserts on the bushing.
I have realized that the only way to go is a bearing sleeve that's machined out to accept tapered roller bearings then have a bolt or pin that goes through the center.
But.......me being the impatient person that I am......I cut everything else off and decided to paint the bumper. I figured that if and when comp4x4 decides to send my stuff, I can finish it later.
Im pretty frustrated about the whole situation and my oversight on the original bearing purchase.
