A.Wilson013's Build Thread

[Hepar]

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

You drive through crap? That's gross.

 

[A.Wilson013]

You drive through crap? That's gross.

Mostly cow crap, but yes.

As promised, some pictures.

New shock mount. The bend in the middle is an illusion... Measured it 217 times.

Larger front part on the platform. So much better now.

 

[NateMob]

what are your uptravel and downtravel numbers with the shocks outboarded in that location?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Theoretically it should be right around 4.5" up and down, but haven't been able to really cycle them. Need to get some longer shocks now

 

[NateMob]

Theoretically it should be right around 4.5" up and down, but haven't been able to really cycle them. Need to get some longer shocks now

You'd have to cut the mount off then and re-weld if if you want any kind of up travel though. Eitherway, i am interested in your current shocks if you get to feeling froggy. :nod:

 

[TheArkMaster]

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.

How big are those IPFs in the bumper? I've been looking for a solid light to fill the space.

 

[A.Wilson013]

How big are those IPFs in the bumper? I've been looking for a solid light to fill the space.

They're the IPF 968's which have a 6.5" diameter and a 3" depth. Including the mount they're 7" tall.

Honestly, with how bright my headlights are I can hardly even tell when they're on. SLIGHT change of color to the overall output, but that's all.

 

[TheArkMaster]

They're the IPF 968's which have a 6.5" diameter and a 3" depth. Including the mount they're 7" tall.

Honestly, with how bright my headlights are I can hardly even tell when they're on. SLIGHT change of color to the overall output, but that's all.

Thanks man for the info! I love the size, Now I just need lumens :usa:

 

[A.Wilson013]

Another 1,100+ mile trip under the 4Runner's belt. Of course, without a hiccup.

A few years ago my wife and I drove all the way to Crater Lake from Dupont, WA. When we got there, the lake was covered in fog, so we headed to the lodge and waited. For hours. The fog never lifted, so we left without seeing the lake.

Well, we went back this past week.

Nothing too notable, other than getting STUCK in the Florence dunes. After getting too comfortable flying around the sand, my wife said I should drive up this big dune for a picture. Sure. Got to the top, got stuck in a spot with a 10-15ft drop-off on either side. Being in the dunes, there was not anything to winch from other than the trees well over 100ft feet away. Using my 100ft of winch line, 30ft of tow rope, and 10ft of tree-saver, I could BARELY reach a few trees on the edge of the dunes.

Hooked up, pulled a couple rather large trees out of the ground (sand) and finally on the LAST tree was able to yank myself out. GOOD experience from a BAD situation that could have EASILY been avoided through going with someone else, not stopping on top of a dune for a picture, and maybe having some maxtrax? I don't know.

Anyway, we left Seattle on Friday and headed to my parents house outside of Seaside, Oregon. Spent the weekend there, while my brother-in-law welded up some shock mounts for me. After that, we were on the road.

Seattle, WA - Seaside, OR - Florence, OR - Crater Lake, OR - Twickenham, OR - Ellensburg, WA - Cle Elum, WA - Seattle, WA.

Some photos from the trip... More on Flickr.

Exploring Battery Russel with my nephew...
DSC_0045 by awilson013, on Flickr

Anyone know this guy...?
DSC_0091 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0084 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0121 by awilson013, on Flickr

We saw a whale....
DSC_0148 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0169 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0179 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0254 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0359 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0410 by awilson013, on Flickr

DSC_0472 by awilson013, on Flickr

 

[TheArkMaster]

Looking good man. That's been on my mind lately. I really need a winch. I go wheeling alone to often. Glad to hear the runner is stronger than trees and you got out safe!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Looking good man. That's been on my mind lately. I really need a winch. I go wheeling alone to often. Glad to hear the runner is stronger than trees and you got out safe!

Yeah, it was just an all around bad situation.

Since it was a weekday I was the only person for miles, sun was going down, and I didn't have the proper "pass" to be out there anyway, I later learned.

It was still fun however, and a great way to pop my winching cherry. The ol' TJM Stealth 9000 never missed a beat...

 

[4Running Daily]

I have a serious love affair with your truck. It's become one of my favorites on this site.

 

[A.Wilson013]

I have a serious love affair with your truck. It's become one of my favorites on this site.

Thanks a lot for that!

It's a work in progress, but I really like the direction it has come, and will continue to go.

Next up: get these dang sliders installed.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Went out with a group from Tacomaworld, and a few guys from T4R came out to make it more 4Runners than Tacomas.

My camera is f-ed up... But here are a few pictures that came out alright...
Greenhatter... I had to park as far away from him as possible. Cannot look good next to that thing.
DSC_0009 by awilson013, on Flickr

At the top of Van Epps
DSC_0012 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0016 by awilson013, on Flickr

Camp for the night...
DSC_0033 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0031 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0036 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0029 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0042 by awilson013, on Flickr

Leaving Sunday morning... After repairing my fuel leak (thank God it wasn't something serious)...

DSC_0049 by awilson013, on Flickr

And finally back on pavement...

DSC_0051 by awilson013, on Flickr

Group shot at Lake Cle Elum
DSC_0066 by awilson013, on Flickr
DSC_0065 by awilson013, on Flickr

Anddddd Parked on I90.
DSC_0077 by awilson013, on Flickr

 

[the great him]

you come down to my neck of the woods and dont say hi!? unfrending time meow.

nice to hear about the winch working great for you. i spent the weekend with Bill Burke and doing a little wheeling but mainly class time and hands on recovery and practical application of 4wd theory. it was a blast learned a lot, i think you would like and enjoy his classes! great person too! maxtrax would be a great addition to the arsenal


your headlights are starting to sell me on the projector retrofit.... i have a spare set of 99+ headlights in my garage -reflectors are bad and pealing i think i might give it a shot.... your rig is sexy as ever man!

 

[A.Wilson013]

you come down to my neck of the woods and dont say hi!? unfrending time meow.

nice to hear about the winch working great for you. i spent the weekend with Bill Burke and doing a little wheeling but mainly class time and hands on recovery and practical application of 4wd theory. it was a blast learned a lot, i think you would like and enjoy his classes! great person too! maxtrax would be a great addition to the arsenal


your headlights are starting to sell me on the projector retrofit.... i have a spare set of 99+ headlights in my garage -reflectors are bad and pealing i think i might give it a shot.... your rig is sexy as ever man!

I wasn't ever in the Portland area. Stayed on the coast, then up the east side.

However, highly recommend the headlights... They're awesome.

Maxtrax... Cool, but not $300+ cool. Cold day in hell when I pay that much for plastic.

 

[NateMob]

Whats your impression of the shock relocation now that you've got some dirt and street miles on the new setup?

 

[A.Wilson013]

Whats your impression of the shock relocation now that you've got some dirt and street miles on the new setup?

I like it. I do plan on selling my shocks though and getting some longer ones.

On the street I feel like it's a lot more stable at freeway speeds. I don't know how to explain it, but by the seat of my pants it just feels more... planted? I guess?

In the dirt at higher speeds I feel that the OME 861s are able to keep up with the front coilovers a bit better. I used to be able to feel my rear responding to bump with a lot more rigidity than the front, but not anymore. I think this is due to being able to actual use the full cycle of the shock.

In the dirt/rocks "crawling" (I use that loosly... My crawling is just going slow over bowling ball size rocks. I don't care how big of a boulder I can drive over, so I don't try) I don't notice much difference, but I am told it flexes really well. I think my rear brake line is my limiting factor on rear suspension travel which is kinda scary. Without knowing, you just convinced me to order some extended lines.

ONE THING THAT REALLY BUGS ME is that when I hit a speed bump going 10 MPH (there are 3 of them within 150ft from my place...) I REALLY feel them. On initial impact (hitting the bump) it feels nice, but when I come over the other end it feels like my suspension is SLAMMING back down. I consulted with ICON about this and they recommended the 700lb springs as the cure, saying I had too much preload on the coilover with the added weight. Well with 1" of preload on the 700lb springs it's the same jarring feeling over the speed bumps. I am going to look into ways to mount my gopro under there and try to figure out what's going on. It doesn't feel right.

 

[NateMob]

Thanks for your input on the shock positioning. Theoretically they are more effective the more outboard and vertical they are in relation to the frame and axle.

Yeah that doesn't sound right about the front slamming down like that, I cant say that i have that feeling when i hit speed bumps or such. I also am running icons with 700 springs. Do you run a front sway bar? If so, take it off or disconnect it and see if you still feel the same harshness, i dont think its needed with our setup.

PM about those shocks!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Thanks for your input on the shock positioning. Theoretically they are more effective the more outboard and vertical they are in relation to the frame and axle.

Yeah that doesn't sound right about the front slamming down like that, I cant say that i have that feeling when i hit speed bumps or such. I also am running icons with 700 springs. Do you run a front sway bar? If so, take it off or disconnect it and see if you still feel the same harshness, i dont think its needed with our setup.

PM about those shocks!

No problem man, glad to help. I would recommend it.

I know that it cannot be right, just not sure how to troubleshoot. I am not running my front swaybar, no.

The shocks will probably have to wait awhile... Maybe ask my wife for the for Christmas or Black Friday. Spent too much money on the ol' 4Runner this past year.