Blcktpgsr's '97 transformation
- Thread starter blcktpgsr
- Start date
blcktpgsr
New member
Thanks man! I should be able to make that next time without struggles using a different line. You're right that's perfectly ok to use a winch in dire situations when it calls for it.
Funny because when someone yelled "winch it", first thing that came to mind was..oh! finally someone's pulling me out 'til I realized............I now have my own winch.
The loud sounds came from the guys Jeep, he's also the guy who spotted moi on the way down. Solid stereo system by the sounds of it.
The97Runner
New member
:lol:I'd hate to say it but it'll be the only one in existence....................NOT!
but you're more than welcome to imitate it...not like I have a patent on it or something![/QUOTE]
Haha Id like to imitate it but i dont think itll happen. One have one of the nicest 4runners ive seen and that bumper just made it better lol
but you're more than welcome to imitate it...not like I have a patent on it or something![/QUOTE]
Haha Id like to imitate it but i dont think itll happen. One have one of the nicest 4runners ive seen and that bumper just made it better lol
blcktpgsr
New member
I'ts only befitting to have a burly sound to match it's look...IMO
Thanks again by the way.
Haha Id like to imitate it but i dont think itll happen. One have one of the nicest 4runners ive seen and that bumper just made it better lol[/QUOTE]
Well the bumper idea is out in the open for everyone..it'll be my honor to have it duplicated or improved by anyone willing to fashion their ARB's this way......
As well...thanks!
By the way there are more photos of our last trip posted on Tacoma World, including
an alternate video angle of my 4Runner almost loosing it up on V-rock. geez already!........lol!
Vancouver Meet up/Trail ride - Page 10 - Tacoma World Forums
blcktpgsr
New member
First impression with the X20 after one use...I thought it to be a solid performer that possesses power and muscle to back it up. I have no previous experiences with any kinda winch so I have nothin to compare this to, but the line speed is pretty impressive as well, I thought. By that I mean as soon as the line becomes taut and the winching begins- hang on because it's gonna move and yank you with it--- You'll feel right away you're being pulled out and at a steady pace.
It feels real nice to know there's no lag in power and pulling action as well, instead it's instantaneous. Also, it's advertised with a 32 feet per second line speed, and it shows it with neither hesitation or signs of slowing, until you let go of the switch controller.
About free spool and I'm not sure about it's XRC predecessor, but pulling out the line off the drum is just a breeze, effortless and rather fast by setting the lever to the disengage position. Again, the clutch lever has an "engage" and "disengage" function which is nifty I thought. In case there is a bind or a rope pile up on the winch drum and free spooling the line is impossible, operating the winch in reverse comes in real handy, this is done while the lever is in the engage position. The speed rate of forward and reverse function appears to be the same, too.
The remote controller also is hefty and of good quality. It feels sturdy with a nice rubbery coating, it's also magnetized and can be mounted anywhere there is metal. It has a fairly long cable as well with the plug at the end that connects to the solenoid.
I was sold primarily on it's submersibility feature. It's just a good peace of mind to know the winch remains functional and can be relied upon in the event the unit becomes submerged in mud or water. These particular units have been tested while being underwater for 30 minutes in depth of 1 meter, (So Smittybilt claims) more than enough time to recover your vehicle and out.
This along with it's cool sleek look, good reviews solidified my decision to go and see the X20 difference.
Haha, although I would've preferred an orange rope, the one that came with it will suffice for now. I may go into the Viking lines eventually and just use the Smitty line as back up.
The sling hook I thought was large, and without a d-ring shackle it just wouldn't fit and lock nicely on the ARB bumper recovery points...Well bigger the better.!
Also, connecting the wirings from the solenoid to the motor is straight forward with good installation instructions provided in the manual. Oh yah, I hate reading manuals and the one that came in the package is concise and easy to follow.....I like!
At the same time, the terminals on the motor are color coded which I only learned afterwards to match the corresponding cables, so it eliminates the fear and confusion of improper connections...Nice in their part!
My overall assessment so far?
I'm happy with it's performance and when needed, I know I'll be backed up by a reliable unit, just like how it got me out as seen on the video. The motor didn't sound or show any strains as well. IMO, It's a serious contender that can rival any winch that are regarded as bests in the market today.
And although it came at a hefty price to my door, I'm sure I made the right decision and i'm certain this unit will serve it's purpose for years to come. I also took a 3 year no questions ask extended warranty (refered to as Smittybilts extreme warranty) for extra insurance..and that covers all imaginable damage you can inflict on it or that it may sustain.
I can easily commend this to anyone considering a winch in the future...soon or not!
Cheers:cheers:
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Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Excellent winch review. Thanks so much. I am definitely considering this winch when I have the money saved up.
blcktpgsr
New member
Dirtyfingers
Senior Member
Hey man sick sick sick build, i hope to do something like yours after i get my self out of boot camp, and have a somewhat stable place of work. Have you thought of supercharging the 3.4 for a huge power boost? or turbo, and what engine mods have you done if any?
blcktpgsr
New member
Thanks fellas...
I had the notion of supercharging at one time. but the dollar went somewhere else. :biggrin2
lus they're expensive too!I only have the deckplate and ISR mod done and no complains by far.
GottaBeTRD
New member
yeah dont supercharge it, cause then it would be the perfect 4runner and we cant be having that now, There is no such thing as being perfect.
I'm pretty sure if you slapped one on, that would cause the Apocalypse and all hell would break loose.
I'm pretty sure if you slapped one on, that would cause the Apocalypse and all hell would break loose.
4Running Daily
New member
Throw a corvette motor in it and call it a day.
CanadianTRD
New member
LS1 ftw
HedgehogOutdoors
New member
I've since installed my Cobra 19 DX IV CB radio as well as the 4 ft. Firestik antenna. Also routed the cable thru the rear vent just like everyone else.
That's an awesome CB setup, is there any threads on here on how to do it? Any custom bracketry? I've seen it done before, so I would like to know how to do it as well. Thanks, beautiful rig!
That's an awesome CB setup, is there any threads on here on how to do it? Any custom bracketry? I've seen it done before, so I would like to know how to do it as well. Thanks, beautiful rig!
HedgehogOutdoors
New member
Thanks!
blcktpgsr
New member
The one thing I've always wanted was to have a subwoofer just to better the sound quality of my stereo system....it's all factory speakers at the moment. I also wanted something compact meant for confined spaces per se. So to the electronics store I went and saw a shallow type sub in a small enclosure...Perfect!!!!
Only gripe is that the box only comes in a plain square/rectangular shape, the height is also perfect for my intended placement of it. Somehow this boxy sub enclosure just wasn't gonna cut it for me....Let's go custom!
So I went with a 5/8' MDF and went into building.
The box needed some shaping.
The joints were all sealed with an acoustic sealant to air tight the box. Furthermore where the curve parts are, I covered 'em up with another layer of fiberglass.
Guess by now you have a general Idea where the box is going?
For the cover, I went with an almost color matched wrinkled finished vinyl. This was one sheet to cover the box, and to adhere it I used a LePage pres-tite heavy duty spray adhesive meant for upholstery use. I also needed a heat gun to conform the fabric to the shape I made.
.......To vent out frustations
...I used some curse words in the process, what a relief! 
I wrapped the box with a saran wrap just to protect the vinyl from dirt, mainly from my dirty hands.
This next photo is a familiar one...yup that's where I wanted to incorporate it on. Let the imagination begin. This was an arduous process to get the right angle of the horizontal bars in relation with the sub box against the head liner. I didn't get a photo of it but what I did was jack up the box tight up on the head liner and tack weld the supporting metal structures to eliminate guessing.
And just to make sure that my welds were all good, I mocked up the box on the two horizontal angle mounts and I put all my weight on it..I really didn't need the additional angle bars sitting on top of the roll bar at all..but what the heck?
Ok so this next step is all part of my pre-planned idea while the roll bar is out of the truck, I wanted to do my own take on the roll bar mod that Dirtco started. It's not easy to think of a different design setup than he had when it's that nice and functional. So I added a sliding drawer system for my large and small tools and accesories. I went with the light 24 gauge sheet metal and reinforce them with some ribs. Dual heavy duty sliders for the large drawer.
Fishin' in the 12 gauge Stingers inside the roll bar. See Big Fish, I fish too, man. lol!
Only gripe is that the box only comes in a plain square/rectangular shape, the height is also perfect for my intended placement of it. Somehow this boxy sub enclosure just wasn't gonna cut it for me....Let's go custom!
So I went with a 5/8' MDF and went into building.
The box needed some shaping.
The joints were all sealed with an acoustic sealant to air tight the box. Furthermore where the curve parts are, I covered 'em up with another layer of fiberglass.
Guess by now you have a general Idea where the box is going?
For the cover, I went with an almost color matched wrinkled finished vinyl. This was one sheet to cover the box, and to adhere it I used a LePage pres-tite heavy duty spray adhesive meant for upholstery use. I also needed a heat gun to conform the fabric to the shape I made.
.......To vent out frustations
...I used some curse words in the process, what a relief! 
I wrapped the box with a saran wrap just to protect the vinyl from dirt, mainly from my dirty hands.
This next photo is a familiar one...yup that's where I wanted to incorporate it on. Let the imagination begin. This was an arduous process to get the right angle of the horizontal bars in relation with the sub box against the head liner. I didn't get a photo of it but what I did was jack up the box tight up on the head liner and tack weld the supporting metal structures to eliminate guessing.
And just to make sure that my welds were all good, I mocked up the box on the two horizontal angle mounts and I put all my weight on it..I really didn't need the additional angle bars sitting on top of the roll bar at all..but what the heck?
Ok so this next step is all part of my pre-planned idea while the roll bar is out of the truck, I wanted to do my own take on the roll bar mod that Dirtco started. It's not easy to think of a different design setup than he had when it's that nice and functional. So I added a sliding drawer system for my large and small tools and accesories. I went with the light 24 gauge sheet metal and reinforce them with some ribs. Dual heavy duty sliders for the large drawer.
Fishin' in the 12 gauge Stingers inside the roll bar. See Big Fish, I fish too, man. lol!
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blcktpgsr
New member
I also re-painted the roll bar and the the shelf/drawer with EZ liner bedliner for durability, the face of the drawers
with an aluminum finish replica..
Here's the finished product for your enjoyment.
The drawers slide out as far as the lift gate so no more over reaching here.
I like how the subs turn out. not obstructive to the view. Just need to connect an amp but that won't be 'til later.
Jack mounts.
My view from the mirror just in case you ask what it's like.
As always, I have a bunch more photos here.....this is a direct link to my Photobucket account. Please feel free to check
them out.THANKS GUYS.............Pictures by blcktpgsr - Photobucket
Don't mind this one as I'm sure you've seen this in the gallery section but just wanted to include this here.
with an aluminum finish replica..
Here's the finished product for your enjoyment.
The drawers slide out as far as the lift gate so no more over reaching here.
I like how the subs turn out. not obstructive to the view. Just need to connect an amp but that won't be 'til later.
Jack mounts.
My view from the mirror just in case you ask what it's like.
As always, I have a bunch more photos here.....this is a direct link to my Photobucket account. Please feel free to check
them out.THANKS GUYS.............Pictures by blcktpgsr - Photobucket
Don't mind this one as I'm sure you've seen this in the gallery section but just wanted to include this here.
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