3wbdriver's 2014 TE build thread.
- Thread starter 3wbdriver
- Start date
2014 Warthog
New member
3wbdriver
New member
I haven't been able to play in the woods since my last trip in July. Whenever this happens and I think about it I take a 12 mile county dirt road coming home from the rig. This allows me to do the recommended 10 miles per month in 4wd, and if I have made any changes it also allows me to take a couple shameless flexing pics to see what affect they have had. This is my first time since the minor spring changes last month so I made the requisite stop and click. I'm really about ready to look for some sort of quick disconnect links for the front sway bar because I just don't think that really good factory one allows the front end to "work" as well as the rear over uneven terrain.
Attachments
fattire
New member
There aren't any quick disconnects for the front of our vehicles, only for the rear. The geometry and linkage up front makes it way too complicated for a simple disconnect to work.
At least one guy on the FJ forum tried and made some progress, but it was complicated. A friend of mine here is trying to build off that work but needs a donor front bar to help with the fab work. He might end up buying one but was trying to avoid that route.
I'm personally running with no sway bars front or rear. Took some getting used to on the road but it's great. As you mention, the front just opens up without it off road. That being said, I don't have a bumper or winch up front yet. Adding those is sure to change things up (and I may want it back at that point).
At least one guy on the FJ forum tried and made some progress, but it was complicated. A friend of mine here is trying to build off that work but needs a donor front bar to help with the fab work. He might end up buying one but was trying to avoid that route.
I'm personally running with no sway bars front or rear. Took some getting used to on the road but it's great. As you mention, the front just opens up without it off road. That being said, I don't have a bumper or winch up front yet. Adding those is sure to change things up (and I may want it back at that point).
3wbdriver
New member
Got to go play with the folks from Louisiana Offroad yesterday. It was at Catahoula Off Road Rec area. It's a small park (400 acres), but they've really done a great job getting a large variety of trails in there. I managed to get the White Whale stuck twice so I got to try out the winch for the first time. And I did a couple of very interesting trails. The video below titled Flat rocks is about 11 minutes long, but I really couldn't cut it shorter. You need to watch it to the end to see why I was having so much trouble on it. Here are a couple pictures and videos.
Last edited:
3wbdriver
New member
Short vids.
This is 2 short videos spliced together of a damp leaf strewn gully going uphill. Those damp leaves with soft damp clay underneath really made traction interesting. The true mud tired vehicles had less trouble, so maybe I need to look into a dedicated set of M/T's for these rides.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S1iZevG5oXc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This was a Class 1 lead in trail to a Class 3 called Flat Rocks
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/x5sLt_zTy50" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Flat rocks.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/g1EzlN2L7S4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This is one of the oldest and shortest trails there. It's a fun Class 3 called Ole Number 1.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MZlpwZrSaUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This is 2 short videos spliced together of a damp leaf strewn gully going uphill. Those damp leaves with soft damp clay underneath really made traction interesting. The true mud tired vehicles had less trouble, so maybe I need to look into a dedicated set of M/T's for these rides.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/S1iZevG5oXc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This was a Class 1 lead in trail to a Class 3 called Flat Rocks
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/x5sLt_zTy50" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Flat rocks.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/g1EzlN2L7S4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This is one of the oldest and shortest trails there. It's a fun Class 3 called Ole Number 1.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MZlpwZrSaUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited:
2014 Warthog
New member
After Toytecs.
Springs AND spacers in that bottom photo?
I'd try just the springs, especially if they are already stiffer than stock plus 2"...
Especially since I learned that the higher the back end sits the greater the body roll. Very noticeable.
3wbdriver
New member
No. I had the spacers removed when they put the springs in. I had Toyota do it during my 25K service. I noted about a 3/4" gain in the unloaded pictures above that post and before I had the springs installed. I was hoping I'd only get another 1" or so out of the swap, but I ended up with +2". Hopefully putting the gear back in there will drop it back down a mite.
Or maybe I could fill the spare tire with water? Lol
There's a CBI probably non swing out rear bumper in my future. I know that will settle it some. But I have to wait for oil prices to go up again. The slow down on drilling is going to hurt for the next several months......
Keemonrunnin
Member
With a CBI non swing out and all your gear inside your rig, you may be just around at leveled maybe a little sagging. I had the 2" coils with just the CBI bumper without the swing out installed pretty much made it almost leveled out.
Keemonrunnin
Member
This was from CBI.
The weight of the bumper is going to be right around 130 lbs and the swing away will be around 70.
3wbdriver
New member
Thanks. I know the SSS bumper came in at 60 and the winch was about 95. Which still comes in under the additional recommended weight for the 885 front springs I used with possible room to spare for a 2nd battery under the hood. I was hoping the CBI weighed in at less than 150.
3wbdriver
New member
No trimming required. Honestly the Nfabs I had initially installed were more convenient as steps. But I do a little more intense off roading than I had expected so the Shrockworks work better for my needs. But the wife does miss the Nfabs. The Shrockworks are actually a little too close to the doorsills to be convenient as a step. Even my 5' 6" wife just slides in over them now and complains about getting her pant legs dirty of they're not clean. Lol
3wbdriver
New member
Played in the East Louisiana Piney woods with about 150+ Jeeps. We had 2 4Runners and an FJ40 show up. Other than that and an old Blazer it was an all Jeep show. But it scratched my itch for eating some dirt. Lol.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kXLAOZwc1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-kXLAOZwc1E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Last edited:
3wbdriver
New member
There is enough room to get the ball of an adult's foot on them, but they are so close to the door level already they aren't really practical as a step. My 5' 6" wife definitely preferred the Nfabs as pure steps. Check your PMs.
Similar threads
