Bimrunner Build Thread & Pics

[wfo9]

No trimming of fenders on a +2 kit. On a +3.5? Yes.

LOL

Maybe with 33s.

I'm fully expecting some issues with 34/35s. Bump stops will probably solve it for trail use, but if you really want to get out and take advantage of the full up travel.. (even with 33s) I think some cutting will be required.

It's really hard to know until you try it.

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], there is a pretty easy method to check it with IFS as a starting point. Pull out the coil over and compress to the bump stops in the air and try all the different steering angles. Hard to know for sure until you get an alignment... + there will be additional bushing and tire defection in the real world.

I plan to stick to 34s for a while, but will at least go to a 315 next set.

 

[LawnDart]

Walt at TAV LLC has done a few long travel 35" tire builds, it's not needed. And I trust his opinion because it's not his first rodeo. Difference between 'think' and 'know'

Will report back when my setup is done next month.

LOL

Maybe with 33s.

I'm fully expecting some issues with 34/35s. Bump stops will probably solve it for trail use, but if you really want to get out and take advantage of the full up travel.. (even with 33s) I think some cutting will be required.

It's really hard to know until you try it.

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], there is a pretty easy method to check it with IFS as a starting point. Pull out the coil over and compress to the bump stops in the air and try all the different steering angles. Hard to know for sure until you get an alignment... + there will be additional bushing and tire defection in the real world.

I plan to stick to 34s for a while, but will at least go to a 315 next set.

 

[Chillydawg]

Back ladder

Whathe back ladder do you have? I'm looking for something that I don't need a full board roof rack basket for. Any suggestions?

 

[bimrunner]

Whathe back ladder do you have? I'm looking for something that I don't need a full board roof rack basket for. Any suggestions?

4x4 labs. I have the ladder on my 80 and if I feel like having one, I put it on my 4Runner. Because I have bumpers on both by 4x4 labs, I can swap back and forth accessories. Normally I leave that side open for visibility and I think it looks cooler.:biggrin2:

 

[bimrunner]

LOL

Maybe with 33s.

I'm fully expecting some issues with 34/35s. Bump stops will probably solve it for trail use, but if you really want to get out and take advantage of the full up travel.. (even with 33s) I think some cutting will be required.

It's really hard to know until you try it.

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], there is a pretty easy method to check it with IFS as a starting point. Pull out the coil over and compress to the bump stops in the air and try all the different steering angles. Hard to know for sure until you get an alignment... + there will be additional bushing and tire defection in the real world.

I plan to stick to 34s for a while, but will at least go to a 315 next set.

Walt at TAV LLC has done a few long travel 35" tire builds, it's not needed. And I trust his opinion because it's not his first rodeo. Difference between 'think' and 'know'

Will report back when my setup is done next month.

I'll be surprised if I don't need it. I have rubbed my fenders pretty good without LT on the more challenging portions of the rubicon. I'll keep everyone in the loop! I know jumping it would definitely eat fender. MetalTech had issues with theirs. They went through a full set of fenders driving fast in Moab running TC +2 and 35s. I am moving up to 35s my next set of tires. All the LT and gimme the 35s! [MENTION=104049]marshal[/MENTION] shouldn't be allowed to have all the fun for himself!

 

[LawnDart]

I'll be surprised if I don't need it. I have rubbed my fenders pretty good without LT on the more challenging portions of the rubicon. I'll keep everyone in the loop! I know jumping it would definitely eat fender. MetalTech had issues with theirs. They went through a full set of fenders driving fast in Moab running TC +2 and 35s. I am moving up to 35s my next set of tires. All the LT and gimme the 35s! [MENTION=104049]marshal[/MENTION] shouldn't be allowed to have all the fun for himself!

I've never rubbed even totally aired down, all twisted up in Moab.

You're never really going to jump a 4Runner, you're getting some better articulation and comfort on the trail, but it's not a pre-runner. Sorry it just won't ever be that.

As for MetalTech, eh, honestly, I'll hold off talking about their builds, but I don't doubt for a second they had issues. That's all I'll comfortably say on record.

We're going really full retard on my build, especially with our new axle, re-gear, and 35s. But I've seen Walt's other long travel build and it defied all the hangups that prevented me from wanting to try long travel.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I rubbed pretty bad with my 34s when I was in the Mojave. That was high speed hard hits though and I think my alignment was out of wack. But then all twisted up in the rocks I rubbed too.

Keep us posted Ben. Can't wait to see the final product (and then get mine so I am not jealous).

 

[bimrunner]

I've never rubbed even totally aired down, all twisted up in Moab.

You're never really going to jump a 4Runner, you're getting some better articulation and comfort on the trail, but it's not a pre-runner. Sorry it just won't ever be that.

As for MetalTech, eh, honestly, I'll hold off talking about their builds, but I don't doubt for a second they had issues. That's all I'll comfortably say on record.

We're going really full retard on my build, especially with our new axle, re-gear, and 35s. But I've seen Walt's other long travel build and it defied all the hangups that prevented me from wanting to try long travel.

Not trying to debate but my rig has been airborn. It wasn't anything worthy of YouTube, Instagram or even more than a chuckle at how little air I got, but all 4 wheels left terra firma ...briefly and I did rub up top enough to need new retaining clips. However, that was before the Timbren bumps I just added... And probably will wish for air bumps...

I get it and don't disagree with what you are saying. Setup of these is an art. I also have come to realize that some folks that sell products do not share information about what they are selling to appear to have special sauce so they can sell something... I'll be tickled pink if I can run as is. The guy doing mine has done quite a few and says similar things. I'm just going to see how it is after he installs and tweaks it and gets it all dialed.

 

[LawnDart]

I get it and don't disagree with what you are saying. Setup of these is an art. I also have come to realize that some folks that sell products do not share information about what they are selling to appear to have special sauce so they can sell something... I'll be tickled pink if I can run as is. The guy doing mine has done quite a few and says similar things. I'm just going to see how it is after he installs and tweaks it and gets it all dialed.

That's why we're doing one week for the build. One week for suspension tuning in New Mexico. We're rushing to get it done to have the vehicle on display for Offroad Expo in California. But trust me I asked a lot of the same questions about trimming and fit as you mentioned.

In our cases the bypasses act as the bump stops. But it'll all be tuned to work great on the street and trails.

 

[jrandom]

You're never really going to jump a 4Runner, you're getting some better articulation and comfort on the trail, but it's not a pre-runner. Sorry it just won't ever be that.

After some one rips out two thousand pounds of shit out they will :madgrin:

 

[LawnDart]

Not trying to debate but my rig has been airborn. It wasn't anything worthy of YouTube, Instagram or even more than a chuckle at how little air I got, but all 4 wheels left terra firma ...briefly and I did rub up top enough to need new retaining clips. However, that was before the Timbren bumps I just added... And probably will wish for air bumps...

Not trying to be a dick here, but that really doesn't mean much. Timbren bumps are nice, but they won't prevent you from stuffing your tires.

I took a 'gotcha' doing 45mph through the river beds from calico to the start of the Mojave Road (errr....well technically the end of the MR if you run it the E->W route like intended), and stuffed my front tires so hard it ripped nearly all my fender liner clips out.

"You weren't supposed to be able to do that" - Timbren
"Okay would you like a photo of the tire marks on the inside of my wheel well, I can get one for you if you'd like!" - Me.

Enough force and speed and you can make anything touch. When there's a wheel there's a way.

 

[wfo9]

I've never rubbed even totally aired down, all twisted up in Moab.

You're never really going to jump a 4Runner, you're getting some better articulation and comfort on the trail, but it's not a pre-runner. Sorry it just won't ever be that.

As for MetalTech, eh, honestly, I'll hold off talking about their builds, but I don't doubt for a second they had issues. That's all I'll comfortably say on record.

We're going really full retard on my build, especially with our new axle, re-gear, and 35s. But I've seen Walt's other long travel build and it defied all the hangups that prevented me from wanting to try long travel.

MetalTech has done some decent stuff and have been around a while. I've met Mark H and he seems like a stand up guy... I'm sure they are far from perfect...but Don't think we need to bash on vendors. Nobody is immune to the experimentation and learning process, which I feel we are all a bit under here playing with out big boy toys...

I really hope it is as easy as you say.. but I think those of us who have been around the block a few times are skeptical for good reason. What can go wrong will go wrong... Builds rarely ever follow the original map. You will get there.. just might not be a direct flight.

 

[LawnDart]

MetalTech has done some decent stuff and have been around a while. I've met Mark H and he seems like a stand up guy... I'm sure they are far from perfect...but Don't think we need to bash on vendors. Nobody is immune to the experimentation and learning process, which I feel we are all a bit under here playing with out big boy toys...

I really hope it is as easy as you say.. but I think those of us who have been around the block a few times are skeptical for good reason. What can go wrong will go wrong... Builds rarely every follow the original map. You will get there.. just might not be a direct flight.

I'm aware, but I'm also someone concerned with quality results, literally rubber meeting off/road. I'm keeping things polite. I've said all I'll say on the matter in public. I like Mark, I like his staff.

No one is immune on projects, and it's not easy, which is why most people in here are relying on their shops to help them. It's why I opted to drive to the SW to have TAV LLC do the work, so I could leverage his experience. Everyone does these things slightly different. And there's a tremendous amount of bullshit about secret sauces and whatnot. I've physically seen his last long travel 4Runner build with 35s, and poked around it, as trust me...I was the one trying to find excuses NOT to do long travel based on pages and pages of reading about how it was like trying to divide by zero, or discover cold fusion.

We're gaining slight improvements on our vehicles for what really should be called extended travel. I could post photos of "Rampage" aka BJ Baldwin's truck and we could all collectively cry together at what real long travel looks like.

So I'm not saying it's easy, it's hard if you start from scratch. But this isn't rocket science. Especially if you deal with a good fabricator and offroad shop who can identify the issues and address them all. Certainly it's not a cheap endeavor or else more people would be doing it. My god, I just wrote the check for the project today. I'm eating ramen for the rest of the damn year!

 

[marshal]

Cutting your fenders won't net you anything unless you're running a +3.5 kit, and the reason that is is because the steel inner fender/apron is the same height as the well opening plus or minus half an inch. You have to get the tire OUTSIDE of the apron to start getting usable upward travel, and this totally negates when you're turning because you just shoved part of the tire back into the ass end of the well again.

If you guys want to cut your fenders up by all means, go so so - but sit down and actually look at how it will effect your truck. I cut mine up because at the time the job I had meant the sky was the limit and I was going to run a +3.5 kit with 37s - but it's been almost 3 years and there won't be much progress on LT on my end.

And as soon as you cut that lower bolt mount off that sits behind the mud flap, you can't go back, unless you have a body guy weld one back onto the body.

 

[Sfjphil]

Nice to see another page taken over by LawnDarts commentary..

 

[LawnDart]

Smart stuff.

So smart. Oh ferris bueller you're my hero.

Nice to see another page taken over by LawnDarts commentary..

Cheers!

 

[wfo9]

Cutting your fenders won't net you anything unless you're running a +3.5 kit, and the reason that is is because the steel inner fender/apron is the same height as the well opening plus or minus half an inch. You have to get the tire OUTSIDE of the apron to start getting usable upward travel, and this totally negates when you're turning because you just shoved part of the tire back into the ass end of the well again.

If you guys want to cut your fenders up by all means, go so so - but sit down and actually look at how it will effect your truck. I cut mine up because at the time the job I had meant the sky was the limit and I was going to run a +3.5 kit with 37s - but it's been almost 3 years and there won't be much progress on LT on my end.

And as soon as you cut that lower bolt mount off that sits behind the mud flap, you can't go back, unless you have a body guy weld one back onto the body.

IDK, I'm seeing quite a bit of difference between the steel inner height and the outer edge including the flare. Its a few inches. Hard to know how +2 will arc the wheel without mocking it all up, but initial though is it will make contact on the outer edge pretty easy.

All speculation at this point.... I'm not going to cut anything until I have everything installed and tested.... wait... why am I doing this again. Starting to feel like a waste of time and money again :boom:

 

[bimrunner]

Ok. Back on track. I should have it later today!


And comparison between LT and extended. Um, yes, there is a difference!

 

[rochmpr]

Alright, I'll say it. I have Long Travel envy!

 

[wfo9]

I can't wait to hear the review and see more pics.

I'm in a holding pattern waiting on your results.