Bandit Runner's Build Thread

[lhsoulrebel]

So I have this issue with my rear bumper. When my dog jumps into the back of the truck, he uses the top flat part of the bumper as a step. Well his nails scratch up the paint on the bumper pretty bad. Also it is too slippery for him, and he sometimes slides and loses his footing.

In order to fix this, I decided to attach a piece of rubber to the top surface of the bumper. After looking online for a while I finally found some 1/8” thick rubber flooring that had the diamond plate pattern on it. I chose this because it would provide traction, and because it matches the diamond plate pattern on my sliders. It comes in a 48” wide roll up to 50 feet long, but can be purchased by the foot. I only needed one foot, which was like $10. It doesn’t come with an adhesive backing, so I decided to use heavy duty interior/exterior double sided carpet tape to hold it down.

Scratches:

Rubber flooring and tape:

At first I was planning on just putting it on the top flat horizontal area, but I realized I had enough to go up the vertical back section and also down the front chamfer surface too.

End result:

I think it turned out really good. The only downside is that section of the bumper is about 52” wide, so the 48” wide rubber didn’t quite cover the ends, but no big deal. I took the dog for a ride and he jumped in the back without slipping or scratching the bumper. Success!

Hey, do you have a link to the rubber and adhesive you used, I have the exact same problem. Simple and ingenious idea!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Hey, do you have a link to the rubber and adhesive you used, I have the exact same problem. Simple and ingenious idea!

Thanks, Here is where I got the rubber flooring.

"Diamond Plate" Roll Rubber Matting

The tape is just double sided carpet tape from the hardware store.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Thanks! Appreciate it!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Pretty much got the rear diff skid fabrication completed. I think it turned out pretty good.

Bottom side:

Inside:

Inside with the clamps:

Still needs some clean up work, but its all there. I'll wait to paint it until it warms up (in about 3 months probably).

I'd get some pics of it on the truck, but the truck is dripping with snow and ice right now. So I don't feel like crawling under it when its only 8 degrees out.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Very well made!! Looks sexy too!

 

[Quadsbc]

You have some serious fab skills! Looks great!

 

[Bandit Runner]

I’ve been wanting to make a phone mount to put in my 4Runner. I chose to mount the phone just behind the 4wd shifter. I wanted it raised up a little and sitting at a 45 degree angle for easy viewing. I built a “box” for the phone to sit on out of some scrap plastic chunks I found at work.

Cut out some of the pieces of the box:

Epoxied them together:

Cut out some 1/16” thick steel with a dremmel and bent it to shape. These hold the bottom end of the phone in place.

Screwed it all together:

The posts coming up the sides are snap-like features that hold the phone into place. You can’t really see them, but there are plastic screws protruding inward from the posts that fit into little slots on the sides of the phone. The nice thing about this is I can turn the screws to adjust the snap retention force that holds the phone.


The box is contoured on the bottom so that it matches the curvature of the center console. It can be used to store small items inside also. It will be held in place by 3M double sided tape. Here it is just setting in its place. (Yes, there is still room to move the shifter into 4-low.)

Then I tried to use my phone to take a picture of my phone in the holder, but I couldn’t quite figure that out. So I got out my old camera and took this one:

So it is basically done, I just want to paint it yet (probably gray to match the interior).

 

[Konkordmusk]

Then I tried to use my phone to take a picture of my phone in the holder, but I couldn’t quite figure that out. So I got out my old camera and took this one:

I've had that issue before too. Does anyone know the fix to this issue? Seems to be common.

 

[NHRunner]

I've had that issue before too. Does anyone know the fix to this issue? Seems to be common.

Bathroom selfies.

That mount looks awesome. Looks like the ideal location for a phone. And not flimsy like a flex mount.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Got any pics of the rear diff skid mounted? Looks stout a heck, can't imagine the number of times you must've gone under the 4Runner to get that thing just right. Well done!

 

[ranbar02]

Is there anything you can't make? I like the idea. That's where I set my phone when I'm driving anyway. Mount it up so we can see it and how much do you want for one?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Bathroom selfies.

That mount looks awesome. Looks like the ideal location for a phone. And not flimsy like a flex mount.

Thanks. Yes, I wanted something that would hold the phone sturdy, and I could push buttons on it without it moving around.

Is there anything you can't make? I like the idea. That's where I set my phone when I'm driving anyway. Mount it up so we can see it and how much do you want for one?

That is where I always set my phone down when I get in the truck too. So I figured I might as well make a mount that sits in that location. I will get some pics of the final product in place after I paint it.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Got any pics of the rear diff skid mounted? Looks stout a heck, can't imagine the number of times you must've gone under the 4Runner to get that thing just right. Well done!

Thanks, and yeah I spent a good deal of time crawling around under the 4Runner this winter. Kind of sucks in an unheated garage when its only about 15 degrees out, but we must make sacrifices!

Anyway, it was pretty nice out today so I finally did a final test fit of the rear diff skid. It fit fine, I just had to grind a little clearance for the parking brake cable.

Pics from the front:

From the rear:

Now to paint it and get it mounted for good.

BTW, Don't pay any attention to that rusty OEM gas tank skid. That's next on my fabrication list.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Thanks, and yeah I spent a good deal of time crawling around under the 4Runner this winter. Kind of sucks in an unheated garage when its only about 15 degrees out, but we must make sacrifices!

Anyway, it was pretty nice out today so I finally did a final test fit of the rear diff skid. It fit fine, I just had to grind a little clearance for the parking brake cable.

Now to paint it and get it mounted for good.

BTW, Don't pay any attention to that rusty OEM gas tank skid. That's next on my fabrication list.

I have caught my rear diff on different wheeling occasions and it's somewhat banged up ATM. Hmm, this could very well be a future project.

I really like how it extends past the pinion flange and covers part of the u-joint as well.. Well thought-out!

 

[Bandit Runner]

I'm currently sitting in the waiting room of the local tire shop waiting for them to install my new duratracs.

 

[Do-boy]

Why u no pictures?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Why u no pictures?

Don't worry. They'll be coming soon.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Oh bummer! Unfortunately, there won't be any pics of the new tires today. In addition to getting the tires installed, I was having them do an alignment also. After they got the truck on the alignment rack, the driver's side outer tie rod literally fell apart in the techs hands. The ball fell out of the cup it was so loose.

They called around town for a new tie rod end, but could only find cheap Chinese junky ones. I said I'd rather wait and get an American made one, but they won't have that until tomorrow. So hopefully everything will be back together tomorrow, and I'll get some pics then.

I guess it was pretty convenient that the truck broke down while it was at the shop already anyway. It could have been worse if it broke while on the highway or something.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Pics of the new tires as promised:

And a couple of "artsy" photos my son took:

Initial impressions of the Duratracs so far: Man, these things are smooth! I had so many vibrations with my old tires, but they are all gone now. I didn't realize how bad the old MTZ's had gotten. The Duratracs are E load, but I can't tell that they ride any rougher than the old D load tires.

The only downside so far: They are not quite as aggressive looking as the MTZ's, but they still look pretty darn good!

So far, I am very happy.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I got the phone holder finished and installed. I put a couple coats of gray paint on it. Then used double sided automotive trim tape to mount it.

Without the phone:

And with the phone in place:

It works great! The phone is held securely in place, yet snaps in and out easily.