ArkMaster Build Thread

[TheArkMaster]

Well, I've done a bit lately, but haven't posted, so let's just start from the beginning i suppose.
First off, there are some badass toyotas at my work. I've seen 2 built tacomas and 2 built FJs. Here's one:

Icon suspension, tube bumpers, Allpro roofrack, SCS wheels, and other goodies. I also found out my boss drives a lifted FJ with a Demello front bumper.
Well, onto the real updates, I finally got my gas tank skid in place. I noticed it still barely contact my driveshaft but I'll just let it grind it away and clearance itself. It's only a millimeter or two.

And the flex test:

Also testing the new fender clearance:

While under there, I discovered three things. I need protection for the control arms and shocks, the need stronger links, and my shocks are getting beat.

My plan is to get the LCA mounts from lotus and Icon makes some shock guards for FJs. I'm going to get a set and make them work.
As I posted earlier, I have some light pods and 6" light bars sitting waiting to be installed. The plan was to do it a little while ago but on my way to Ben's, I got in a fender bender.
I hit her going 3 mph. The accident was my fault. I was not paying as much attention as I get to be.
The damage to her car:

To mine:

I think I chipped my paint :lol: when the insurance company asked if there was damage to my vehicle, I just laughed.

Just yesterday, I headed up Big Cottonwood canyon to Brighton to get my season pass for the season. While up there, I hiked the mounted and found some fresh powder to ride in, and a silly ford that thought he could make it. The runner easily walked up the hill to where he was and I pulled him out. It would have been easier if I had aired down as well.

And a quick video. Excuse my buddies filming:
https://vimeo.com/111173552
I have a few things to get done on Sunday, and hopefully I'll be picking up my new daily in the next month or two. Now, some artsyfartsy pictures

Thanks for reading!

 

[4Running Daily]

Those Icon shock guards bolt right up. They work great!

 

[TheArkMaster]

Those Icon shock guards bolt right up. They work great!

Awesome. I'm going to pick up a set. I'm overdo for them :hiding:

 

[AZ_Trails]

I've got the All-Pro FJ Cruiser shock guards, which are working great for me after a slight modification. Just another option for you to consider.

 

[TheArkMaster]

So, after some heavy thinking, i'm in the process of making a hard decision. The fact is that the 4runner no longer meets my needs. It's great as a overland vehicle, but the type of wheeling I do/want to do just isn't ideal for this setup. In a perfect world, I would park it, buy a daily, and a first gen 4runner or a 80s pickup, but money does come into play. Obviously I can't get what i've put into the runner if I were to sell it. That being said, if I sold it, I would sell the bumpers and gas tank skid individually, and put the stock bumpers/skid back on, unless somebody would pay for the whole package.

I haven't made a definite decision yet, but like I said, a IFS 3rd gen just doesn't meet my needs anymore. It's not a hardcore wheeler (obviously), it would take to much money to SAS the way I would want to, and it's not a economical daily. That being said, the plan is:

Buy a 1st gen t4r or a 1980s pickup, which is already SASed and built (because I don't have the resources to build it myself at this time). Buy a daily that gets at least 25 mpg or better. I do want AWD so I will likely get a Subaru WRX or Forester XT.

No decisions are made yet for sure, but I would love some input. Pros/Cons that you may see that I don't. I'm very open to input here.

Thanks all.

 

[4Running Daily]

Pros
Makes Logical Sense

Cons
4Runner


It's a tough decision.

 

[MattJakobs]

Living somewhere that wheeling isn't very accessible, I can't very well make good input on this decision, but I do have some things you may want to consider. You recently posted about an accident, if insurance companies were involved(which I'm sure they were), it'll show up on vehicle history reports and people may think you're selling because something is wrong with it now, which based off pictures, I don't think that's the case at all.
If you decide to part with the bumpers, they will sell for top dollar on here with no problem with all the hopeful buyers(me being one of them).
Whichever route you take, good luck and you have a very clean 4Runner.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Pros
Makes Logical Sense

Cons
4Runner


It's a tough decision.

So you see my dilemma.... :shrug:

Living somewhere that wheeling isn't very accessible, I can't very well make good input on this decision, but I do have some things you may want to consider. You recently posted about an accident, if insurance companies were involved(which I'm sure they were), it'll show up on vehicle history reports and people may think you're selling because something is wrong with it now, which based off pictures, I don't think that's the case at all.
If you decide to part with the bumpers, they will sell for top dollar on here with no problem with all the hopeful buyers(me being one of them).
Whichever route you take, good luck and you have a very clean 4Runner.

You make a valid point, which I haven't considered. You're correct. The accident didn't even scratch the paint on the bumper, but I can see how people could see that. Also, I will only sell it to somebody who is going to care for it and use it as much, or maybe slightly less, whatever, as I have.

 

[downpour11]

Just find a 2nd or 3rd gen pickup or 1st gen runner on toy axles and leafs and go play and beat the hell out of it.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Just find a 2nd or 3rd gen pickup or 1st gen runner on toy axles and leafs and go play and beat the hell out of it.

That's the plan. I'm looking at a 87 pickup right now that is bodyless, dove nosed, and on 37s. If i got it, I would redo the back end of it, truggy style, but i'm getting tempted. I'm just debating what to do with the runner.

 

[Rockdawg84]

how much is the 87? I would say SAS your Runner with leafs and 37's and buy a little go around car. Coils up front are killer but leafs do great and then you don't sacrifice all the work you've done on the Runner. Just my 2c's

 

[thardy]

What kind of wheeling do you want to do that your not set up for?? What specific trails do you want to do that you feel you can't? For what its worth, anything around here you can do with an IFS 3rd gen. Especially one set up like yours. The thing that I am coming to learn having done the SAS, is that it's not needed. All the trails that I run now, even the ones in Moab, I did with the IFS. The SAS is not near as comfortable especially on dirt roads. Obviously you're going to make your own choice, but if it were me in your shoes, again, I would stick with IFS learn how to wheel it with the IFS.

 

[thardy]

Hell have Sniv help you build it Long Travel!!

 

[TheArkMaster]

What kind of wheeling do you want to do that your not set up for?? What specific trails do you want to do that you feel you can't? For what its worth, anything around here you can do with an IFS 3rd gen. Especially one set up like yours. The thing that I am coming to learn having done the SAS, is that it's not needed. All the trails that I run now, even the ones in Moab, I did with the IFS. The SAS is not near as comfortable especially on dirt roads. Obviously you're going to make your own choice, but if it were me in your shoes, again, I would stick with IFS learn how to wheel it with the IFS.

I think my thing is rolling the runner. I really don't want to. I wouldn't worry about rolling an 80s yota that is caged. I agree. Everybody is shocked with what I can do with IFS. Ideally I would just buy a second rig, park this one and eventually go LT. I agree with you completely though.

how much is the 87? I would say SAS your Runner with leafs and 37's and buy a little go around car. Coils up front are killer but leafs do great and then you don't sacrifice all the work you've done on the Runner. Just my 2c's

I have thought about this as well. I'm not against it either. It wouldn't cost to much and my buddies and I could probably do it "quickly" haha. Again, my main concern is the runner is really pretty. I don't want to roll it, tip it, or thrash it. But leafs aren't out of the question.

 

[KidVermicious]

What kind of wheeling do you want to do that your not set up for?? What specific trails do you want to do that you feel you can't? For what its worth, anything around here you can do with an IFS 3rd gen.

Not Wayne's World. Not Eagles Nest. Not anything besides the first 100 yards of Sidewinder. And don't even think about Hanging Tree, not without 35s and several spare CV shafts. Not to mention all the stuff around Price and Moab and Saint George that you need a serious truck for.

Noah, I vote you get into the earlier truck to use and abuse, but hang on to your 4Runner for now. An earlier rig built for trail won't be usable for long distance wheeling, and if you don't have your 4Runner you'll have to buy a tow rig and trailer setup or you'll be stuck local. Now that I see it's already been mentioned, I'll third the suggestion to consider LT for the 3rd gen once you have a crawler set up how you like it.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Not Wayne's World. Not Eagles Nest. Not anything besides the first 100 yards of Sidewinder. And don't even think about Hanging Tree, not without 35s and several spare CV shafts. Not to mention all the stuff around Price and Moab and Saint George that you need a serious truck for.

Noah, I vote you get into the earlier truck to use and abuse, but hang on to your 4Runner for now. An earlier rig built for trail won't be usable for long distance wheeling, and if you don't have your 4Runner you'll have to buy a tow rig and trailer setup or you'll be stuck local. Now that I see it's already been mentioned, I'll third the suggestion to consider LT for the 3rd gen once you have a crawler set up how you like it.

Exactly my thoughts. Every last bit of it. I want a 1st gen runner. I have been looking at pick ups but they just don't do it to me the way the runners do. Well, If i keep the 3rd gen, I think I'll be selling off my bumpers and going tube to save some cash and to clean up whatever rig I do buy.

 

[TheArkMaster]

I've found a few rigs. One of which I almost pulled the trigger on, a 1988 Suzuki Samurai with a 109" wheelbase and a stretched bed, but it lacked dual cases and lockers, and if i'm buying built, i'm going to buy built. So for now, I'm looking for a late 80s pickup or 4runner, something with a windshield.

As for the 4runner, I'm going to keep her, but I think i'm going to change it up a bit. From the day I got my rear CBI bumper, I was never in love with it. It definitely looks good, and is very well built, but I am thinking of switching it up. I want a better exit angle and I really like the bumperless look for the rear end of 3rd gens, so I think I'm going to sell my bumper and tire carrier. As for a new bumper, I'm leaning towards the [MENTION=17736]AddictedOffroad[/MENTION] rear tube bumper. That thing is looking better and better to me everyday. I would debate a higher tire carrier but I may just leave the tire in the hatch. This may lead to getting a different front bumper, But I'm not completely sold on any tube front bumpers on the market. I may think about the Addicted front with full hoops. This would also put a few hundred in my pocket to go towards the new trail rig.

 

[TheArkMaster]

FOR SALE:
CBI hybrid rear swing out bumper
-triangular design
-tire carrier sucked in for more clearance
-hi lift mount
-rear panel protection
-license plate light (with wiring). Just tap your tail lights.
I paid $1350 with customizations and $175 for shipping, as well as $75 painting it. It's yours for $1200. Pm me for more details. Local pickup only please.

Also for sale:
(2) 9600 lumen light pods
7" diameter
Never used
Comes with
-switch
-harness
-clear covers
I paid $300 but they don't fit in my bumper so they are yours for $250 local pickup preferred. (pm me about shipping, we can work something out)

 

[AZ_Trails]

Curious about what part of the bumper had the most impact on your departure angle. Is it the swing out / spare that's the limiting factor, or is it the actual bumper portion?

 

[TheArkMaster]

Curious about what part of the bumper had the most impact on your departure angle. Is it the swing out / spare that's the limiting factor, or is it the actual bumper portion?

I actually had a fantastic approach angle for most everything. The only time the bumper was used was coming off a ledge. I had the tire sucked in towards the body of the vehicle because at steep climbs, the tire would touch and rub the ground. Not with this though.