The hinge is a pipe coupler and about a 3" piece of threaded pipe. The coupler is welded to the square tubing going across that the tire is mounted on and the threaded pipe is welded between two pieces of 1/4" that are mounted to the frame. I then put some paint on rubber on the top and bottom of the pipe so water doesn't get into the threads. Basically there is no bearings it only moves on threads.

 

That should eliminate the breaking problems that some others have had with some hinges.

 

SWEET RIDE!! So, the tire carrier is mainly supported by the threads on the pipe? or am I looking at things wrong. I have heard of plain old black pipe failing at the threads. Also experienced it at a gas station...with the freakin pipe breaking and falling over. Just curious...

 

i have a 96 runner with 37's as well but am still running the ifs, and relly would like to convert to SAS, what kit did you use if any? also what gears are you running? thaks

 

Sickest 4Runner out there. Nice work!

 

Smaller in body or smaller in height?

I beg to differ....that thing would suffer immense body damage on some of the trails I drive....

But nonetheless, a sweet rig for what it is...an SUV that can take punishment....without trees that are 4 feet apart. As sweet as it is, I say, keep the comments within reality

 

Smaller in Height, Ledges in the area like that one are impossible to climb without height you will run your front bumper or springs into it. I don't think anybody would say that a large body vehicle is better off road.

I build everything myself so no kit. I am running 4.88 gears because that is the last point where Toyota and Dana 44 gear ratios are the same. It drives great on the highway on the trail I could definately use a crawler, this weekend I think I killed it about 10 times trying to go too slow.

 

Comments within reality, hehehehe. He didn't build the thing to run tight trees like you have in WA. He didn't build the thing to be a hardcore rock buggy. It's just an all around capable 4 wheeler. That ledge was so big he took a major hit to his rockslider. That ledge was well over 3 feet tall. Anything smaller in height would have been pushing it's bumper against it and gone nowhere.

 

not to hijack, but got an pics? I would like to see that

 

Not to be picky but a vehicle with a better approach angle wouldn't have any problems even if it were lower. Not everything has bumper/springs sticking out in front (buggies). There is also not a 4 wheeling rule that says you have to tackle a ledge at a 90 degree angle...

Do you have a manual or auto?

 

A tree on one side and an impossible approch from the other side does mean you have to tackle it a 90. I have a manual.

 

I think this might be his rig- I've seen it once or twice on the freeway, but not really up close, hope he chimes in here...

 

ya that is my runner in the pic i would really like to do a SAS any suggestions? kit? or what axle, i have heard a lot about either the waggy 44 or a ford 44

 

In the case of a manual, you really need a crawler. Trust me, 109:1 is very, very nice...

 

Yea, he needs a crawler but for the price I'm glad a crawler will only cost me $400

 

 

it doesnt matter how tall or steep the ledge is, as 44runner mentioned its all about approach and departure angles...of course if your bumper sticks way out in the front and low to the ground then you'll encounter many problems.
im surprised you still have that factory bumper on there...especially with your fabrication skills...trash that thing.

In the long run the crawler will save you $$$, otherwise you'll toast clutches especially when you really get into the rocks.

 

look at the lower part of the bumper with the fairlead... it's not exactly stock.

 

Just because it has the stock bumper there doesn't mean that it has a crappy aproach angle. The front of the bar where the fairlead is is sitting on top of the frame and is flush with the front of the frame. The only way a better angle can be achieved is by cutting the frame and moving the bar back, but then a winch won't fit because it will be sitting on the radiator. I could gain some clearance on the sides if I tossed the stock bumper, about 3" at the far corner, but I have found that to be useless. My overall goal when building the front bar was to keep the factory look as much as possible, but have the best angle, and protection possible while fitting a winch.

As I said before yes angles do make a difference and if you can hit a ledge right hight doesn't make a difference, where we were 4wheeling there is only one angle. You may be able to wiggle your way to about a 88deg angle.

 

So I was in Boulder all day yesterday wondering if I would catch that thing running around.

Now I am moving to Longmont and will be about 15 minutes away. Either we need to drink beer or I need to see the truck, maybe both.

Looks huge, looking forward to seeing it in person.