2nd Gen on the rocks

[BucknutBob]

Finally got the stubborn beast's fueling issue figured out (stupid ground connection--aargh!), and took it on a shakedown run in the Black Hills. They have some world-class crawling routes in the Hills, and we hit one that's about a 4 on a scale of 1-5. Tye (mytyeerinpie) was good enough to get a brief video at the start of the trail. The obstacle was a nearly-vertical ledge about 3-3.5 ft. tall, with a nice hole on the left side right after it. This is my first serious rockcrawling. I guess I'm on the right path with the truck, cause it worked very well out there. Now to get some armor, and upgrade the axles for tougher stuff! Here's the link: 2nd Gen 4Runner V8, 35"s crawling some rocks - YouTube

Also got a quick flex pose to show the droop of the Trail-Gear suspension.

EDIT: New video! GoPro camera mounted on the roof for my most recent run. Unfortunately, I didn't remember until we had been on the trail a while, so you get a little trailrunning, then repeated attempts at a mean double-ledge with mud-slicked tires--every time my front tires hit the second ledge, my rear tires would break loose. I'll go back when it's dry and kick it's butt! Here's the YouTube link (if I'm doing this right): http://youtu.be/3o6500dz2T4 (Yota on Jake)

 

[KidVermicious]

That's that same section Ty posted his own truck on, right? Boy, what a difference 35's and a 350 makes. Nicely done.

 

[BucknutBob]

Yeah, that was the same spot. Those open diffs were giving him fits on the rocks, plus the tires were still aired up (I was running about 15 psi on mine). Lockers definitely kick butt on rocks!

 

[combatmedic]

I liked your rig before Bucknut, but now I love it. Pure Awesomeness.

 

[Hyde802]

Nice vid. looks like some fun terrain!.

 

[GonOvr]

Wish i had fuel injection.... As soon as i hit the trail mine would die and probably every 100ft or so. Looks good though man!

 

[BucknutBob]

Thanks for the kind words, fellas! I still have a lot to do to her, but the foundation seems pretty solid. After many other so-so projects, this time I wanted to make sure the "guts" were taken care of FIRST--I didn't want all the flashy stuff that get you noticed, and not have the running gear to get me where I want to go. Now that most of the really expensive parts are done, I feel more comfortable getting armor, roof rack, lights, winch, etc. Oh, and Nate, I'm in total agreement about the injection--mine may have fought me initially, but I wasn't going to build it any other way. The minimum elevation here is nearly 4k ft., and the inclines can be very steep--not a great environment for carbs. Good luck on your new suspension!

 

[T?@\7]

NICE!
too bad its not a real yota!! if i had spare cash and trucks id definitely put a v8 in (be it a very FAR 2nd choice to a Toyota diesel). But not many motors cheaper than a 350, so for money spent you've gotta be winning. Maybe
I wanna see a chevy truck with a yota motor, you guys give us bad publicity....Bob-o. ;-) love ya

 

[KidVermicious]

But why the hell would you put a perfectly good motor into a crap-bucket like a Chevy? Cheap power is all Chevy trucks have going for them, but the motors are pretty good. Makes much more sense to put a small-block Chevy into a sturdy platform like a Yota.

If you're into crossdressing like that, I mean.

 

[T?@\7]

Exactly... why put a crap bucket american motor into a perfectly built yota.....
Just get a chevy, I had one when I was 16 and it sucked... 350 and all... the power it makes doesn't.offset its weight, TO ME

 

[jirehn]

Nice one dude and really great truck, Thanks for posting those photos.

 

[Hyde802]

Bob, How top heavy is it? Every feel like you were going to tip?

 

[BucknutBob]

Hyde, I haven't had it out on enough different terrain to know for sure, but on that crawling route, it felt fine. The suspension compensates really well, allowing the wheels to push further in, instead of pushing the vehicle over like an IFS rig would. And as for the detractors who think I've somehow "violated the sanctity" of a Yota, the answer is simple--if Toyota put an engine in their trucks that was this simple, that put out this much torque without modification, and didn't cost your left nut to buy, I'd go that route. My engine was a proven commodity four decades before Toyota even put a V8 in the 4Runner. People put WAY too much stock in nameplates, and get offended WAY too easily. When you build your suspensions, or change your axles and diffs, do you specify Toyota parts only? No, because they don't offer what you want, do they. You buy what does the job, regardless of the name. That's all I've done. It's the same open-mindedness that allows me to wheel with a guy in a Jeep (or any other vehicle) without a single negative thought, and even compliment him (or her) when they do well on the trail. Why limit what you're capable of with walls that don't need to be there?

 

[GonOvr]

Exactly... why put a crap bucket american motor into a perfectly built yota.....
Just get a chevy, I had one when I was 16 and it sucked... 350 and all... the power it makes doesn't.offset its weight, TO ME

My v8 weighs about 515lbs carb to oil pan. A 3vz weighs In the neighborhood of 460lbs. So for about 50 lbs I at least double my hp to the ground. How much power do you need to make for it to be worth it? Plus I don't have to worry about head gaskets.

 

[T?@\7]

Obviously i dont NEED or WANT to make that power, I love my 22re("plus I don't have to worry about headgaskets")! It's the little tractor motor THAT WILL. I have friends that need a lot of motor power, and this and that...... but they ARE THOSE GUYS. Just being honest, i would never ever put a domestic motor into my yota, not bashing. I like your work and knowledge, just hope you're not over compensating (& its still not a REAL toyota ;-))

 

[Benn1e]

Hey Bucknut - you make it look WAY to easy in that video mate! Your new Rig (or, updated rig) is VERY nice Well done!

 

[BucknutBob]

Obviously i dont NEED or WANT to make that power, I love my 22re("plus I don't have to worry about headgaskets")! It's the little tractor motor THAT WILL. I have friends that need a lot of motor power, and this and that...... but they ARE THOSE GUYS. Just being honest, i would never ever put a domestic motor into my yota, not bashing. I like your work and knowledge, just hope you're not over compensating (& its still not a REAL toyota ;-))

I'll tell you what--pick any 100 people you can find, from any background, and send them into the parking lot where my truck is parked, with instructions to find the TOYOTA 4Runner--I guarantee you they will point mine out EVERY time. Maybe you drive just an engine with wheels, but I bought a whole truck, and that truck is most definitely a TOYOTA.

 

[combatmedic]

Obviously i dont NEED or WANT to make that power, I love my 22re("plus I don't have to worry about headgaskets")! It's the little tractor motor THAT WILL. I have friends that need a lot of motor power, and this and that...... but they ARE THOSE GUYS. Just being honest, i would never ever put a domestic motor into my yota, not bashing. I like your work and knowledge, just hope you're not over compensating (& its still not a REAL toyota ;-))

Wow, he threw in the "over compensating" line.... I sense some jealousy.... If I had the time & resources I would happily drop a gm block in my rig and go to town.

Just because you get a kidney transplant, are you not A REAL human?

 

[KidVermicious]

Wow, he threw in the "over compensating" line.... I sense some jealousy.... If I had the time & resources I would happily drop a gm block in my rig and go to town.

Just because you get a kidney transplant, are you not A REAL human?

Not if it's a pig kidney.

*duck and run*

 

[4Running90]

What a d-o-u-c-h-e, I would love to have a Chevy SB in mine. Talking crap on a nice truck cuz yours is probably pathetic. Nice...