Bandit Runner's Build Thread

[Bandit Runner]

Small progress on the inverter install. I got the remote control for the inverter installed. I put it in the empty spot under the cigarette lighter. I had to cut and hack it up quite a bit to get it to fit though. Not perfect, but good enough.

With it turned on:

Just need to install the AC outlets in the center console yet.

 

[Falonious]

I used to drive beaters when I was a young kid with no money. I don't care to drive them when I'm 45.

HA...oh man I remember those days too...well our (winter beaters) aren't like the ones of old my friend. Just not real nice vehicles but plenty safe and reliable.

I guess the best plan is to just move to a place where we can enjoy our (nice) vehicles year round and not watch them be slowly destroyed by rust or someone sliding into them on ice.
For us that would be Texas (been looking for a while) but to each his own. Never much cared for MI anyway :thumb3:

Anywho ....you Sir have major talent!

 

[coopakaskip]

Tried sending you a pm but I am not sure if it went through or not

 

[MattJakobs]

Saw you finished the swing out design for the rear bumper, any chance we'll be seeing it on your 4Runner any time soon?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Saw you finished the swing out design for the rear bumper, any chance we'll be seeing it on your 4Runner any time soon?

Probably not anytime soon, but you never know.

 

[Bandit Runner]

The final stage of the inverter install has been completed. I mounted a dual AC outlet to the side of the center console. I just made an aluminum bracket and attached the outlets with zip ties. Its not as integrated as I would have liked, but I don’t have time to redesign the entire center console. It is a convenient location and doesn’t get in the way of anything, so I’m happy with it.

I also had to cut out a “U” shape from my phone holder in order to be able to push the On/Off button on the inverter’s remote.

We have a family camping trip coming up soon, and I can’t wait to put the inverter to good use.

 

[Bandit Runner]

My son and I went kayaking for father's day.

Yes, that's him in the driver's seat. He has his driver's permit now, so he wants to drive every time we go somewhere together. I think he drives my truck more than I do now.

Also in the pic you can see I added mini quickfist clamps to the sides of the kayak racks to hold the paddles. That worked out really well, and was much more convenient than putting those long things in the truck.

 

[Bandit Runner]

So I finally made a cover for the positive battery terminal. I used some scrap plastic I had laying around. It was actually from an old broken mailbox post (I never throw anything away!) I cut it to fit over the terminal and cut out slots around the perimeter for the wires to fit through. I used some plastic weld epoxy to cap off the ends.

Painted it red:

To attach it I used glued some velcro to the bottom edges of the cover, and to the top of the battery around the terminal. This allows the cover to be installed/removed easily with no tools if I need to get in there for some reason.

Final installation:

Its not pretty, but it does the job! I'll probably make one for the negative terminal also at some point.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Finally got around to installing my rear lower control arm mount skids:

And my rear diff skid:

 

[fourfive]

So I finally made a cover for the positive battery terminal. I used some scrap plastic I had laying around. It was actually from an old broken mailbox post (I never throw anything away!) I cut it to fit over the terminal and cut out slots around the perimeter for the wires to fit through. I used some plastic weld epoxy to cap off the ends...

...To attach it I used glued some velcro to the bottom edges of the cover, and to the top of the battery around the terminal. This allows the cover to be installed/removed easily with no tools if I need to get in there for some reason...

Wow. I've been meaning to comment out of respect on several of your mods but this one pushed me to do it. I kinda laughed & was amazed at the same time b/c I would never have thought to come up with something like that. Impressive creativity. You've got some some serious skills man...the terminal along with a number of other mods i've seen throughout your build. I grew up watching macgyver...& I won't capitalize his name b/c you pretty much make him look like a B*. Not sure what you do for a living but hopefully it taps into this part of your skill set.

 

[MattJakobs]

That kayak paddle idea is genius, any chance you could post a few more pictures of how they mount?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Wow. I've been meaning to comment out of respect on several of your mods but this one pushed me to do it. I kinda laughed & was amazed at the same time b/c I would never have thought to come up with something like that. Impressive creativity. You've got some some serious skills man...the terminal along with a number of other mods i've seen throughout your build. I grew up watching macgyver...& I won't capitalize his name b/c you pretty much make him look like a B*. Not sure what you do for a living but hopefully it taps into this part of your skill set.

Thanks, I really appreciate the compliment! I enjoy the challenge of creative problem solving.

And I use these skills everyday at work. I've worked in product design engineering in the home appliance industry for over 20 years.

 

[Bandit Runner]

In my never ending quest to upgrade my auxiliary lighting, I recently bought a pair of these:

They are a 10 watt LED with a projector type lens. I got these to replace my backup lights in my rear bumper corners, which I was still using my old OEM fog lights. Since the fog lights were the last halogen lights left on my truck, I've been wanting to replace them with LED lights.

Installed:

They fit perfectly in the existing light openings:

Lights on:

They are much brighter (and whiter) then the old fog lights, and shine a good distance further too. I'll try to get some night time shots soon.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Preparing for a little preventative maintenance:

New Toytota OEM radiator with B&M 70268 trans cooler in series.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I celebrated the 4th of July by doing the most pointless mod ever. I took two strips of green LED lights and put them in the hood scoop.

The lights:

Pointless results:

It looks pretty cool though:

I was thinking about getting some green halos for the headlights to match.

 

[fourfive]

Preparing for a little preventative maintenance:

New Toytota OEM radiator with B&M 70268 trans cooler in series.

Would you mind sharing any specifics on the additional parts you puchased to install your B&M cooler (extra hoses types/sizes, clamps, etc.) and any potential issues you may have run into? Saw the write ups for the trans cooler install & wondering if you did anything different.

Just got my B&M 70268 this weekend & in the process of gathering all the additional parts needed to complete the job (my radiator is still semi new so will only be doing the cooler).

 

[Bandit Runner]

Would you mind sharing any specifics on the additional parts you puchased to install your B&M cooler (extra hoses types/sizes, clamps, etc.) and any potential issues you may have run into? Saw the write ups for the trans cooler install & wondering if you did anything different.

Just got my B&M 70268 this weekend & in the process of gathering all the additional parts needed to complete the job (my radiator is still semi new so will only be doing the cooler).

I probably won't be much help, as I'm having the radiator and trans cooler installed at a local shop. I just don't have time to do it myself before we leave for a weeks vacation. FWIW, I only bought the trans cooler, no extra parts.

 

[Chuckles89]

Looks cool!

Actually, the most pointless mod is the blinker fluid reservoir relocation mod :lmao:

 

[Bandit Runner]

Small (lame) update:

So I have been prepping the truck for an upcoming camping trip. My wife bought me a small electric chainsaw to use for campfire wood. The first order of business was to make a cover for the chain/blade so I didn't have sharp edges tearing everything up in the back of the truck. I traced the shape of the blade out on a couple pieces of scrap plastic sheet and sandwiched them together with a spacer in between around the perimeter.

It slides over the blade and I secure it with a quick release pin through a hole in the blade.

Next I needed a way to secure the chainsaw in the cargo area, so it doesn't go bouncing around on rough roads. I tucked it along the passenger side and secured with a single rubber bungee.

Then I had a 100ft extension cord that I needed to find a place for in the truck. I wanted it to be easily accessible without having to remove a bunch of junk to get to. I decided to hang it in the window area on the driver's side.

I just drilled a couple holes in the plastic panels and inserted two of these rubber coated flexible wire gear ties through the holes. One for the top of the cord, one for the bottom so it doesn't swing around.

I also replaced a couple of burnt out LED lights on the roof rack, and a few of the rock lights which stopped working. New radiator and trans cooler get installed this week, along with an oil change. Then I should be good to go.

 

[Bandit Runner]

That kayak paddle idea is genius, any chance you could post a few more pictures of how they mount?

Here you go:

Sorry it took so long. I was waiting until I had them on again.