Black798's 98 limited build thread

[Black798]

How did you wire the trans cooler fan with those set temperatures? Sounds like a good idea for slow wheelng

I have an inline temperature activated switch in the cooler return line that is set to turn on at 185 and shut down at 175. This temp switch runs to the kill switch in the cab and then to a relay located by the air box so that when the switch turns on the relay turns the fan on. I also tapped into the power line to the fan so that when the fan is active the ring around the kill switch turns on letting me know its on, I just did this because I dont trust automatic systems and like to know if they are working like they should.

Ill see about drawing up a wiring diagram to add to that post, would be good for future reference...

I was actually really surprised that in 4 low the trans temp parked itself at 140 in the pan no matter what I did. I have had the fan come on a total of 5 times since I installed it and they were all when I was driving about 30mph on some hilly roads in second gear.

 

[Black798]

Bumpers installed

Got a call on Wednesday that the bumpers were done a week ahead of schedule so I picked them up and installed them last night. I really like how they turned out, especially the front.
IMG_3736 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Front bumber by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_3741 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

When I went to put the front bumper on I took one look at the driving light wiring and decided to rip it out and start from scratch. Ended up with this, much cleaner with waterproof connectors
IMG_3716 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

Also picked up a set of plans from [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION] for a fuse box platform and cut it out on my school's laser. For those wondering Apollo is the name my parents have given the 4runner since the Moab trip. Now I just have to decided when I want to add all the blue sea goodies but Im really looking forward to cleaning up my wiring.
fuseblock platform (4) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
fuseblock platform (1) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

 

[4-Ripcord]

Looking good!

 

[Cuco]

Got a call on Wednesday that the bumpers were done a week ahead of schedule so I picked them up and installed them last night. I really like how they turned out, especially the front.

IMG_3736 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

Front bumber by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

IMG_3741 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr



When I went to put the front bumper on I took one look at the driving light wiring and decided to rip it out and start from scratch. Ended up with this, much cleaner with waterproof connectors

IMG_3716 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr



Also picked up a set of plans from [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION] for a fuse box platform and cut it out on my school's laser. For those wondering Apollo is the name my parents have given the 4runner since the Moab trip. Now I just have to decided when I want to add all the blue sea goodies but Im really looking forward to cleaning up my wiring.

fuseblock platform (4) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

fuseblock platform (1) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

This is so far my favorite front bumper, looks beautiful!


Cuco-TheOriginal
I am using Tapatalk on my Iphone

 

[jmferg]

That front bumper is a masterpiece


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fightman80]

Really looks clean man! Congrats on the new additions!

 

[Black798]

That front bumper is a masterpiece

This is so far my favorite front bumper, looks beautiful!

Really looks clean man! Congrats on the new additions!

Thanks! They arent perfect but there's also not many things I would change. Probably just some better finish work on the welds in a few spots

 

[Black798]

Went on a short evening run up Flathead pass last Friday with a couple friends, its about the only decent trail that is both open and close by. Not a very difficult trail but it was a fun time. Also had the awesome opportunity to meet the guys at Expedition Overland and tour their new shop and all the rigs. I saw their Tacoma sitting out front and couldn't help dropping in, sadly didn't get any pictures of it though.

IMG_3772 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
This was about the most exciting part. I was staying on top of the snow pretty well till right here where I ended up burying the front end and getting high centered on the skids. Then about 5 minutes later my friend did the same thing trying to get to where I was to pull me out so out came the shovels and an hour later we were out and headed back down.
IMG_3775 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
View from the top
IMG_3779 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
My favorite picture from the trip
Poser by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After airing back up
IMG_3817 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
All cleaned up
IMG_3821 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

 

[Black798]

Maintenance

So in about a week (seven school days left) I will finally be graduating from high school and making the move to Montana State to go after a mechanical engineering degree. After graduation I have a week long orientation but then I will be heading to the Denver area for a month to see family and hopefully run a bunch of trails,if there is anyone in the Denver area looking for another rig on a run in late June early July let me know.

That being said the 4runner was in need of some attention before this trip. The front transfer case seal was leaking, the front diff was leaking on the driver side, the steering rack guide is clunking really bad (has been since Moab), the sway bar links were squeaking real bad, and the oil was right at 5000 miles. So I spent a good bit of time this weekend filling my eyes with dirt and catching up on maintenance. Rotated the tires, painted the center caps, replaced a couple seals, new steering rack guide, greased the driveshafts, and changed the oil.

I also have another project that Im working on but it wont be done until later this week. But I can say this is all that is left of the 4x8 sheet of steel
IMG_3884 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

Painted center caps, look so much better
IMG_3826 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Old transfer case seal vs new oem
IMG_3878 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

 

[Unner]

Denver for a month sounds like a good time! I might be making a trip out in that direction early July. Still very tentative, but there's a possibility.

I also feel like there's a set of skids coming our way with what was left of that sheet metal.

 

[Black798]

Denver for a month sounds like a good time! I might be making a trip out in that direction early July. Still very tentative, but there's a possibility.

I also feel like there's a set of skids coming our way with what was left of that sheet metal.

I love the Denver area, I was originally born there and most of my close family lives there so Ive been making a yearly trip since I was 4. It will be nice to experience it in a different way though now that the 4runner is more built so I can go run some of the awesome trails in that area.

 

[Black798]

Custom Skid Plate

This last weekend I used up the last of my 4x8 sheet of steel and made a set of skids to cover both the area of the stock skids and continue back to the transmission. I was constantly paranoid about hitting the transmission in Moab so I figured that these will help put my mind at ease. Originally I was just going to reinforce the stock skids but after looking at it the time didnt seem worth the reward so I opted to just build a complete set and once again I was very pleased with the outcome. I can lift the whole truck off these and they dont even flinch at it

I am also offering the plans or these skids for sale here

IMG_3888 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_3890 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
skidplate finished (2) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
skidplate finished (6) by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

 

[AssBurns]

I'm diggin the skids man. Your the 2nd person this week that I've seen finish their skids. Definitely making me want to finish mine now.

 

[Black798]

I'm diggin the skids man. Your the 2nd person this week that I've seen finish their skids. Definitely making me want to finish mine now.

Thanks. They're awesome to have just for the insurance, Ill keep my eye out for when you do yours. Im really looking forward to see what you come up with for the front bumper

 

[Black798]

Denver bound

Today I washed, clay bared, and waxed the truck and then packed it up. Everything should be good to go and I'm planning on leaving for Denver around 5 A.M tomorrow.
IMG_4472 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_4478 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

Also have this box of goodies to take with me. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have the big 3 and aux fuse box done.
IMG_4480 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

And if there are any members in the Denver area looking for another rig for a trail run in the next month or so let me know

 

[Black798]

Fuseblock and big 3 mod

It took a long time but its done and I am really happy with the outcome. I started this morning and finished around 5. Big thanks to [MENTION=57546]4-Ripcord[/MENTION] for the wiring diagrams and [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] for his excellent write up on preforming the big 3. I also added a small 400 watt bestek inverter under the driver seat that has constant power to have some 24 hour usb ports and power for charging cameras and what not when I am out camping. Now onto the pictures

Before...
IMG_4409 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After...
IMG_4491 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_4492 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
New switches and panel in the dash...
IMG_4495 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Inverter...
IMG_4489 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

 

[Black798]

Yesterday I went up to toytec for their customer appreciation day/grand opening of their new building. Got to meet some cool people ad see some really cool rigs like the 5th gen on 40s that was built by rsg offroad.

Also picked up a set of OME 891 coils to replace the current 906 coils. I then headed to the nearest king soopers parking lot to swap them out. I ended up taking the shocks loose backing up the hill and then lifting the truck about an inch with the hi lift on the slider.

Before...
IMG_4515 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
After...
IMG_4536 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Old vs New...
IMG_4516 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Stretching the new legs...
IMG_4521 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
IMG_4532 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

My first impressions with these coils are good. They seem softer when unloaded than the 906s but arent too soft. Body roll increased slightly but I think I can correct that with a panhard bar lift, overall I am happy with the outcome.

 

[AssBurns]

Looks good! Glad to see someone paying attention to the panhard thread that went on forever. Or you just understand roll center works. I like the electrical setup you've done. Definitely looking to do the same thing soon.

 

[Black798]

I did watch that panhard thread for quite a while. I dont fully understand the roll center concept but I have a basic understanding of it and it makes sense. And I know thats why the body roll increased because it was totally fine without the rear sway bar on the old coils and now its feeling a bit more boat like, I could feel the difference within the first 500 feet. The electrical setup is for sure money well spent, its one of my favorite mods to look at on the truck. Makes my OCD happy

 

[Black798]

Yankee Hill Run

This morning I went on a solo run up Yankee Hill and had a blast. It wasn't a very difficult trail but had a lot of fun areas to play in.

Airing down, I got this thing off ebay for like 50% off and it's great. Makes airing down so fast.
IMG_4592 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
Stretching out the 4runner's legs early in the morning. Im loving these 891 coils more each day.
IMG_4594 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
I also let some more slack out into the limit straps to see if I could get a little more droop without binding the cv joints
IMG_4593 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr
On top of Yankee Hill
IMG_4601 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

I continued on down into the St Mary's area and decided to head down the road a bit and run Barbour Fork. This was a super tight trail but the last few obstacles I spent some time playing on were a lot of fun and really impressed me as to what the 4runner was capable of.

Creeping through the woods
IMG_4614 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

This was my favorite obstacle of the day. The line I took required I go around the rock my passenger rear tire is on with the front, then cut hard passenger and use the slider to push the rear end up onto the rock. Did it all with zero wheelspin.
IMG_4621 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

Also got to put the skids to the test, they preformed flawlessly. All in all a great day with no body or mechanical damage and I managed to only almost lean the truck over into a tree once.
IMG_4622 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr

In other news I picked up one of them fancy scangauges and put it in the usual spot on the steering column. Now that I can see my instant mpg Ive been consistently over 20.

Ive also been laying down a whole lot of these things at my internship that Ive been working for the past few weeks.
IMAG0732 by Phoenix Black, on Flickr