Bandit Runner's Build Thread

[Bandit Runner]

Gas tank skid plate is complete and all cleaned up. Just needs to be painted next spring.

Inside:

Underside:

And on the truck:

Drive shaft clearance:

And a smooth transition with the flat belly skid:

 

[Scramble]

More parts to install:

I just received my parts from the electrical upgrade group buy from [MENTION=99491]Bumper2Bumper Auto[/MENTION]. Looks like high quality components.

High output 200 Amp alternator and the Big Three Wire Upgrade. (Why do they call it the big three when there are 5 wires? haha)

Awesome stuff going on here, do they make an alternator for the 2.7?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Awesome stuff going on here, do they make an alternator for the 2.7?

Thanks. Not sure about the 2.7

PM [MENTION=99491]Bumper2Bumper Auto[/MENTION] and ask him

 

[Scramble]

Thanks. Not sure about the 2.7

PM [MENTION=99491]Bumper2Bumper Auto[/MENTION] and ask him

I did thanks, there was nothing on his website about any alternators or wiring kits for sale, just hubs.

 

[Bumper2Bumper Auto]

I haven't built the thread yet here for the electrical upgrades. Just the Group buy. Working on that part.

Yes, they make 130A, 200A and 250A units for the 2.7 1st edition, and 2nd edition engines.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I worked on making the Prolink some more today. First I cut the sides off to make the right width for the shackle to fit onto:

Then I drilled the shackle pin hole and rounded off the end. And after a lot of grinding, filing, and sanding, it finally looked like this:

I used a set screw to hold the cross pin in place, instead of a retaining ring like the original uses just because it was easier to drill and tap a hole as opposed to creating an internal ring groove. I still need to paint it and add a rubber pad to the bottom so it doesn't scratch up the fairlead.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. It was a fun little project, and I saved $150!

 

[D Farms]

can you change your avatar?

 

[SIN-Japan]

Your rock light mounting pics

Bandit,
Did you ever get around to snapping a few pics of the mounting for your rock lights?
I would very much like to see these and how you mounted them.
Your rig is beautiful man, keep up the good work.

 

[Bandit Runner]

can you change your avatar?

Haha. I can't help it. I don't like hard corners.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Bandit,
Did you ever get around to snapping a few pics of the mounting for your rock lights?
I would very much like to see these and how you mounted them.
Your rig is beautiful man, keep up the good work.

I'll try to get some pics. And thanks!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Spent some time with my son today, practicing parking for his driving test next week.

He did pretty well. And yes, the truck is very dirty. Its all that salt and slush on the roads.

 

[Unner]

Nice. 3rd Gens are pretty easy to park with all the windows and tight turning radius. What's his first car gonna be? A smaller less amazing version of yours?

 

[Bandit Runner]

Nice. 3rd Gens are pretty easy to park with all the windows and tight turning radius. What's his first car gonna be? A smaller less amazing version of yours?

Well, its definitely smaller. We recently picked up a 2006 Scion xA with less than 70,000 miles. It should work well for a little commuter car for him.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Scion is a great choice for a first car. We recently traded our scion xb for a highlander but we really loved our little xb.

For a family of 4.....well it was too small for trips really but for a commuter it was perfect. Dirt cheap on gas, good ride, easy to back up, reliable, and most importantly it's a safe vehicle. If I would have known you were looking I would have brought ours out from cali for you. That thing didn't have a spot of rust on her.

 

[Unner]

Well, its definitely smaller. We recently picked up a 2006 Scion xA with less than 70,000 miles. It should work well for a little commuter car for him.

Nice, should do good on gas and have Toyota reliability. Not much more you can ask for with a first car.

 

[JD914]

xA is exactly what we're looking at for my stepdaughter's first car. Or maybe a xD.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Coming to an Art Gallery Near You...

 

[Bandit Runner]

Coming to an Art Gallery Near You...

Oh man, That is awesome! Nice job!

 

[Rock_Rat]

Oh man, That is awesome! Nice job!

Couldn't resist. All your work looks like art. :artist:

 

[Bandit Runner]

Had to do a little hauling last weekend. Had to move some stuff for my wife's work. It was a 7' x 14' trailer with a very light load. Like probably no more than 1500 lbs including the trailer.

(Yes, I know I need a new ball mount with a larger drop to level out the trailer)

I gotta say, I was very disappointed in the truck's ability to pull such a small load on the highway. First, I turned off the overdrive, but the truck was running at around 3700 rpms at 70mph. The high rpms scared me, so I turned the overdrive back on, but then it was all I could do to keep the speed at 70mph. The truck really struggled.

Luckily I only had to go about 20 miles, and made it there with no real issues. So would it have been better to keep the OD off and let it rev high? Or leave the OD on?

I always thought you were supposed to turn off the OD when towing, but how high is too high for the rpms? Thoughts?