ArkMaster Build Thread

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Day 397 of IFS....

I'm a good chunk into research for the swap. Financially, i'm just starting. With my next paycheck, i'm going to be picking up a DD, most likely a early 2000's Corolla because 35 mpg sounds pretty good to me.
Next I get to source a reputable shop that will do the SAS for me because it is obvious I have neither the skill or the resources at this point. I will then start picking up parts. I've had my eye on a 79 Ford F-350 D60 locally. My buddy in Idaho can get me a good deal on a 14 bolt GM rear. After that, the cheap parts. We'll see how that goes and hopefully it will go in a timely manner.

Immediately on the runner, I'm about to pick up a few things just to keep her alive and well. Some light pods for the bumper, Rock lights, a gas tank skid, and then full skids. If things go as planned, they will probably be for sale within the year if/when I SAS or If I sell the truck for a old pickup.

I'm also wanting to go out to Moab for a weekend in October. I would probably leave Friday night and come home Sunday night. Anybody that cares to get away for a fall weekend, I'll hit any trail with you.
 
I think you're off your rocker. If you were doing the work yourself that'd be one thing, but for the money it will cost to have a shop do a good SAS on your truck, you could buy this monster and still afford a tow rig to haul it around with. Or pick up this sweet li'l thang and skip the tow rig.

Seriously built rigs are selling for pennies on the dollar right now. It doesn't make any kind of sense to pay a shop to hack up your daily when you can buy a better rig for half the money.
 
KidVermicious said:
I think you're off your rocker. If you were doing the work yourself that'd be one thing, but for the money it will cost to have a shop do a good SAS on your truck, you could buy this monster and still afford a tow rig to haul it around with. Or pick up this sweet li'l thang and skip the tow rig.

Seriously built rigs are selling for pennies on the dollar right now. It doesn't make any kind of sense to pay a shop to hack up your daily when you can buy a better rig for half the money.
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X1000

I did my own and look where that got me (still in the shop). Yes a good shop will be more "professional" but 3x the money. If I were to do it again I would buy something built and saved the money. There is no way I can get what I have into mine out of it.
 
TheArkMaster said:
After that, the cheap parts.
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No such thing. Everything costs money and it adds up a hell of a lot faster than you think!

Why do you want full width any way?? If you do go SAS, waggy 44s are a lot cheaper and they are the same width as stock. Full width makes no sense.
 
Why start with a clean, low mileage, heavily optioned 4runner when the plan is to chop the hell out of it, don't most chopped up crawlers start as basket cases?
 
With the money you'll pay a shop to do this. You can buy a welder, learn to weld, and buy parts for the same amount as the labor. The hardest part is going to be the set-up, but it's not that bad. I can lay everything out for you on the 3 & 4 link calculator. This will show you where your frame brackets need to be in relation to your axle brackets. Once that is done it's just finding the parts and mocking everything up.
 
KidVermicious said:
I think you're off your rocker. If you were doing the work yourself that'd be one thing, but for the money it will cost to have a shop do a good SAS on your truck, you could buy this monster and still afford a tow rig to haul it around with. Or pick up this sweet li'l thang and skip the tow rig.

Seriously built rigs are selling for pennies on the dollar right now. It doesn't make any kind of sense to pay a shop to hack up your daily when you can buy a better rig for half the money.
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All very good points.
Kevin, I am still considering this actually. Its all about waiting for the right rig for me. I want linked front and rear. I would consider that caged pickup if the cab wasn't chopped. I still want to winter wheel.

thardy said:
X1000

I did my own and look where that got me (still in the shop). Yes a good shop will be more "professional" but 3x the money. If I were to do it again I would buy something built and saved the money. There is no way I can get what I have into mine out of it.
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thardy said:
No such thing. Everything costs money and it adds up a hell of a lot faster than you think!

Why do you want full width any way?? If you do go SAS, waggy 44s are a lot cheaper and they are the same width as stock. Full width makes no sense.
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I really am debating bought. It would just have to be right. I agree though, all around, it expensive as hell. I want the one tons for the extra weight below and the stronger axle. If I were to go waggy 44s on a SAS, I would switch immediately to chromoly axles.

UnderFire said:
Why start with a clean, low mileage, heavily optioned 4runner when the plan is to chop the hell out of it, don't most chopped up crawlers start as basket cases?
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I just woke up one day and thought "A chopped 4runner would be badass", I found 2 that were chopped that I liked, I then thought "Well, might as well bob it, dovetail it to. Then I thought "At that point, I might as well rearrange the engine bay and ditch my fenders"... It was all down hill from there.....



Like I said, I think I would prefer to find a good built rig. It's all about waiting for the right one. And like I said, the SAS is a good year down the road so who knows what could change in that time.
 
MStudt said:
With the money you'll pay a shop to do this. You can buy a welder, learn to weld, and buy parts for the same amount as the labor. The hardest part is going to be the set-up, but it's not that bad. I can lay everything out for you on the 3 & 4 link calculator. This will show you where your frame brackets need to be in relation to your axle brackets. Once that is done it's just finding the parts and mocking everything up.
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Thank you. I still have a lot of thinking to do. Every day I think of it, I'm more and more tempted to find a linked truck or 1st gen runner. If/when I decide to go through with it, I'll let you know though. Thank you very much.
 
TheArkMaster said:
Thank you. I still have a lot of thinking to do. Every day I think of it, I'm more and more tempted to find a linked truck or 1st gen runner. If/when I decide to go through with it, I'll let you know though. Thank you very much.
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Craigslist if your friend! With winter around the corner a lot of guys are going to be getting rid of their crawlers. That all depends on how much you're willing to spend. I drove 4 hours to Kentucky with a buddy of mine to get this for $6k.

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Things I have learned:

Completely redo the front frame. Packaging a 44 was a pita. Packaging a 60 on my buddies runner was even more hell, and we ended up extending the frame almost 12". Also, I cracked my frame twice in two weeks in August (very badly, even with it plated with 3/16", I then re-did it with 1/4") and it's still sketchy til I get hydro assist.

Tons are very heavy and suck as a daily driver, but it's obviously a trade off for strength. Get used to 55mph on the highway and 25-30mph on hills.

The little stuff is what costs the most in the end.

Run an Atlas if you do a driver drop, or run marlin ultimates if you go passenger drop.

Don't cheap out on anything.

You're looking at at least $20k in parts and labor if you drop it off at a shop. Also for what you want to do (like graham's build - frontier), plan on $30k.

You're best bet is to have patience and scour pirate for axles already somewhat built. If you're gonna drive it on the street, run ARB's.

Swap your 30 spline 60 outers to 35 spline immediately.

Yukon hardcore hubs.

Stay away from an 84-85 14 bolt, the straddle bearing is half the size as all the others.

Might as well run 16's. Kings, Radflos, ADS.

Triangulate your links.

Your gas tank is in the way.

Gusset gusset gusset.

And I'm forgetting at least 15 other things at the moment lol
 
Just put an order in for one of [MENTION=52371]Gerdo[/MENTION] s Lil Skips Offroad Gas tank skids because I'm tired of my drive shaft making love with my gas tank skid :gun6:
 
KidVermicious said:
Best Offer For Sale: 1987 and 1988 Toyota 4Runner

I'm telling ya - built trucks. Dirt cheap. Silly to keep building yours and lose a DD in the process.
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I'm actually buying a corolla for a DD. Gotta get that 35 mpg :bat:
I am wanting a first gen though and after some thinking, I may do that. Now the only issue with that is I don't think I can justify owning 3 vehicles. A DD, a mildly built weekend warrior, than a trail rig. So I don't know what i'll do yet cuz I really don't want to sell the 3rd gen.
 
TheArkMaster said:
Now if I could pick something like this up for 6 grand, I'd be sold. Guess we'll see in due time.
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You willing to make a drive? He's going to sell it in about a month. I can get you the specs if you're interested. Pretty sure he'll take $5k for it.
 
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