A.Wilson013's Build Thread

[A.Wilson013]

Fuq!!! God I hate thieves right along with child molesters... I know your pain, I've had a shotgun stolen and had my warn 9.5ti stolen as well as other things... Tools ect. Hate hate hate thieves.

I'll keep an eye open down here for some winches, and if I see a good deal on one I'll let you know so if you want I can snag it for you. -I'll only look at warn winches FYI.

Yeah man, what a bunch of scum. I cannot imagine feeling entitled to something that someone obviously put in a lot of work in order to be able to afford. But such is life, I suppose. I'll be keeping an eye out for a tweaker with my pack... You know they love carrying sht around with them. He'll slip, and I'll be waiting.

That said, not skimping on insurance is paying off finally. USAA is direct-depositing FAR more than I expected to receive, so I'll be purchasing a WARN synthetic line winch to replace it... and having money left-over.

Thanks, Thieves. I hope you try to pawn that thing in the NW Region.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Winch Install, Transmission Fluid Leak Fix

So two cool things happened today...

First- I went to Mule Expedition Outfitters to pick up my new winch.

I decided on the TJM Stealth 9000 which features:
- Synthetic Line
-Pre-installed wireless remote
-5.5 HP Motor
-Battery kill switch
-Ability to be fully submerged in water
-More stuff
-and a Lifetime warranty

Got it all installed this afternoon, will post pictures in the morrow.

Second- When I got back from picking up the winch I looked under my front end and thought, "Wow, my LCA sure do look clean, look how shiny they are!" and then I saw a drip. And another drip. And some more drips.

There was a pretty slick little show of ATF pouring out of my trans cooler. A quick diagnosis found that the leak was coming from a hose clamp that had worked itself loose. I imagine this was from the trip I took a couple weeks ago. I wasn't exactly going slowly, and the roads/trails were not exactly smooth.

SOOO took off the hose, trimmed it up a bit, re-clamped, and topped off the fluid. My skid plates were literally full (not literally) of ATF, so I soak up what I could, then pressure washed everything to be sure the leak is fixed.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Finished trimming up the grill to get everything looking right with the winch. I cut the whole bottom section off.

If the picture is crazy I'll fix it... Tapatalk does strange things sometimes.

 

[NateMob]

Your truck looks gnarly as hell man, that hood, those headlights and the IPFs in the bumper make it.

 

[derpiful]

I've got to agree with NateMob, I'm liking your truck a lot. The whole hood/lights/bumper/winch setup is just awesome.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Your truck looks gnarly as hell man, that hood, those headlights and the IPFs in the bumper make it.

I've got to agree with NateMob, I'm liking your truck a lot. The whole hood/lights/bumper/winch setup is just awesome.

Thanks a lot guys- I am pretty happy with where it's at right now. After I get the sliders welded on I am fairly confident that I'll be done with exterior bits, and be focused on suspension performance, and my "overland setup."

What that means, to me at least, is changing the rear shock mount location to the outside of the frame, aftermarket bump stops possibly front and rear, and getting the CDC valves front and rear while having my suspension rebuilt.

After that I'll move on to the "overland" stuff which will probably mean selling my modified TJM compressor to help fund a better on-board air setup with tank (to be mounted in the old spare tire area), re-doing the wiring of all my accessories to utilize this Blue Sea block I have had for over two years, installing a power inverter, making small modifications to my sleeping platform to maximize comfort when there is more than just me on it, and possibly purchasing a roof top tent next year.

And just buying a bit more camping equipment that I have noticed I am lacking over the past few trips.

Oh, and mudflaps. I need to make some of those. Suggestions welcome.

 

[GSPRunner]

Sorry bro, no true overland rig is without a RTT. So tell your wife that.

 

[the great him]

Sorry bro, no true overland rig is without a RTT. So tell your wife that.

Fact

 

[MyHigh]

Agreed, although if I had a few five thousand to waste I'd love to have a
x-venture trailer with RTT.

 

[GSPRunner]

You better have an RTT next month if we meet down in Oregon. I want someone to go overlanding with

 

[TheArkMaster]

1st: How have I never seen your build?

2nd: I have to agree with those above. That front end setup is sweet! Looking good!

3rd: Would you be open to grabbing a picture of your rear tire carrier from the side to show the angle it is at?

4th: Thieves have a special place in the world. It's called hell. They should all go there. Glad to see USAA took care of you!

 

[A.Wilson013]

You better have an RTT next month if we meet down in Oregon. I want someone to go overlanding with

Ha, I don't think it'll happen that fast. My wife is starting to crack down on all of this money I have been throwing around. Something about finding a job or something... =p

1st: How have I never seen your build?

2nd: I have to agree with those above. That front end setup is sweet! Looking good!

3rd: Would you be open to grabbing a picture of your rear tire carrier from the side to show the angle it is at?

4th: Thieves have a special place in the world. It's called hell. They should all go there. Glad to see USAA took care of you!

1st- I don't know man... Probably because it doesn't have the sexy stars on it like BFAD and COB's builds.

2nd- I appreciate it. I still haven't aimed those IPFs (don't tell...) but once that's done, I'll be set.

3rd- I would love to, but I don't understand what you're asking...? PM'ing you my number... It's easier to send pics through messages.

4th- I agree 100%. Going to grab a trail cam from my Dad next weekend and install it on this little trail that goes up behind our condo into the woods. I am sure that was their point of entry and egress... Once I have a face, I'll adjust fire and move the camera to monitor the walkway behind our garage and go from there.

They'll get what's coming to them. Even though the local Police told me this was the wrong way to handle this, they agreed that if nothing else it may help others from being targeted.

 

[A.Wilson013]

My brother in law welded up some custom rear shock mounts for me. Big thanks to [MENTION=74071]Brilliant[/MENTION] for the help with dimensions and explaining the concept.

Should be getting these zipped on tomorrow, and will report back.

 

[NateMob]

hit us with the dimensions on those bad boys. I think i am going to take another crack at outboarding my shocks when i am home.

 

[A.Wilson013]

hit us with the dimensions on those bad boys. I think i am going to take another crack at outboarding my shocks when i am home.

Will do. When about is your redeployment? I know you AF cats don't stay too long =P

 

[Hepar]

Ever thought about removing the bug guard?

 

[Brilliant]

My brother in law welded up some custom rear shock mounts for me. Big thanks to [MENTION=74071]Brilliant[/MENTION] for the help with dimensions and explaining the concept.

Should be getting these zipped on tomorrow, and will report back.

Those turned out well. Did you get a chance to check the piggy back clearance on the side triangles?

Ever thought about removing the bug guard?

I threw my OE on in the dumpster years ago, now I kind of want it back.

 

[Hepar]

I threw my OE on in the dumpster years ago, now I kind of want it back.

I think your front-end would look a little cleaner without one at all!

 

[Brilliant]

I think your front-end would look a little cleaner without one at all!

But then I see wilsons and others that look really good and have it installed. I think about it everytime I get back from a road trip.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Ever thought about removing the bug guard?

Not even once. I HATE a dirty windshield.

Those turned out well. Did you get a chance to check the piggy back clearance on the side triangles?



I threw my OE on in the dumpster years ago, now I kind of want it back.

They were awesome. However, did not get a chance to check clearance and the did not fit. At all. Chopped them up, flipped them upside down, and they work. Pics tomorrow.

I think your front-end would look a little cleaner without one at all!

Agreed, until you drive somewhere and your windshield is covered in crap.

But then I see wilsons and others that look really good and have it installed. I think about it everytime I get back from a road trip.

Thanks man. I love mine, and I never regret having it.




Shock brackets

They were awesome, but with the length of my shocks (too short) they didn't fit. We modified the mount and made it work, but it's not ideal and will be addressed if/when I upgrade to the CDC shocks.

Sleeping platform

It was awesome, but in order to have it able to fold out, it was made too narrow, and too short (obviously limited by the headliner). Noticing that I don't live in my 4runner I decided to just make the sleeping portion larger, and removable. Now I have a usable 72"x48" sleeping platform. Should be much more comfortable when my wife joins me on trips.

I ONLY TOOK PICTURES ON MY CAMERA, SO I WILL TAKE SOME WITH MY PHONE TOMORROW AND POST UP.