Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR

[MTN4RNR]

What do these do for you- - Metal Tech 4x4 Offset lower links

I clicked on the link in Max's post and found the following information:



So it looks like they're designed to allow more articulation for the rear axle.

Hmmnnn, maybe I need a set . . . :eyebrows:

I highly recommend them, they're awesome.

They are adjustable lower links that can be tuned to match the flex of an extended travel suspension system. Their main benefit is that they are MUCH stronger than the OEM links that can bend with one well placed rock and put you out of commission. I have them adjusted to the "stock" position and they work perfectly for my application. Good insurance on the trail as they tend to be low hanging fruit for damage. One comment I will make is that their zerk fittings are a PITA to get to. I would highly recommend swapping the provided fittings for 90º nipples, you'll save yourself a bunch of headache. I attempted greasing them last night and couldn't get the job done, so I am trying another grease gun fitting designed for tight spaces. I'll swap them to 90º nipples next time they come off the rig.

 

[DallasStarsFan]

I added a more secure mount for the phone this weekend using the RAM X-Grip, a dual pivot arm and a female threaded ball mount. I removed the radio/trim center piece and secured the ball with a flange nut on the inside of the trim. So far the vibration has been minimal, and nothing more than I would expect considering typical road conditions. I have another idea for a sturdier mount that will happen in the future, but I am starting with this!


I have been thinking about a new phone mount and really liked what you did with the RAM mounts. What idea did you have for a sturdier mount?​

 

[MTN4RNR]

I added a more secure mount for the phone this weekend using the RAM X-Grip, a dual pivot arm and a female threaded ball mount. I removed the radio/trim center piece and secured the ball with a flange nut on the inside of the trim. So far the vibration has been minimal, and nothing more than I would expect considering typical road conditions. I have another idea for a sturdier mount that will happen in the future, but I am starting with this!​

I have been thinking about a new phone mount and really liked what you did with the RAM mounts. What idea did you have for a sturdier mount?​

Let me R&D the idea first because I have no idea if it will work. This mount works great in the mean time though, and if my upgrade works you would be able to change easily.​

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Love this whole build thread. I have a feeling I'll probably closely emulate a lot of your build in my 4th get build. First order of business is to build my sleeping platform. Saw your slide out tailgate table and decided to try to incorporate a more robust version in mine which can hold the weight of at least one person sitting on it a-la a real truck tailgate.

Perhaps I'm being too ambitious, but I thought I'd ask how your table slides out. Did you use slides?

 

[Bay_Runner]

They are adjustable lower links that can be tuned to match the flex of an extended travel suspension system. Their main benefit is that they are MUCH stronger than the OEM links that can bend with one well placed rock and put you out of commission. I have them adjusted to the "stock" position and they work perfectly for my application. Good insurance on the trail as they tend to be low hanging fruit for damage. One comment I will make is that their zerk fittings are a PITA to get to. I would highly recommend swapping the provided fittings for 90º nipples, you'll save yourself a bunch of headache. I attempted greasing them last night and couldn't get the job done, so I am trying another grease gun fitting designed for tight spaces. I'll swap them to 90º nipples next time they come off the rig.

Hey Max, Happy New Year. Were you able to successfully grease your MT4x4 links without taking them off the truck? I just received my offset links and asked the folks at MetalTech about swapping the zerk fittings for 90 degrees, to which they replied they do not recommend the 90 degree zerk because of it being a compression type fit that may make the zerk face the wrong way when fully installed. Just wanted to see if they are greasable with the straight zerks or if it'd be worth giving an angled zerk a go.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Love this whole build thread. I have a feeling I'll probably closely emulate a lot of your build in my 4th get build. First order of business is to build my sleeping platform. Saw your slide out tailgate table and decided to try to incorporate a more robust version in mine which can hold the weight of at least one person sitting on it a-la a real truck tailgate.

Perhaps I'm being too ambitious, but I thought I'd ask how your table slides out. Did you use slides?

Just buy a Land Cruiser! I hear that they have those tailgate things :lmao:

To have the capability to hold the weight of a grown man, estimate 200 pounds, you'll need to have a set of heavy duty slides to handle the weight. The problem with those is that they typically have a tall height (give or take 3") making a low profile platform difficult. Bottom line, if you want to have a tailgate, use the slides. They're just about the only thing that will take the weight unless you opt for a custom metal framed unit.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Hey Max, Happy New Year. Were you able to successfully grease your MT4x4 links without taking them off the truck? I just received my offset links and asked the folks at MetalTech about swapping the zerk fittings for 90 degrees, to which they replied they do not recommend the 90 degree zerk because of it being a compression type fit that may make the zerk face the wrong way when fully installed. Just wanted to see if they are greasable with the straight zerks or if it'd be worth giving an angled zerk a go.

Hey! I was BARELY able to grease the axle side... On one side... So I am trying another method before swapping zerk fittings. I will be trying out this guy:

Slide-On Straight Grease Fitting

A bit of a design flaw if you ask me, but it is what it is. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Bay_Runner]

Hey! I was BARELY able to grease the axle side... On one side... So I am trying another method before swapping zerk fittings. I will be trying out this guy:

Slide-On Straight Grease Fitting

A bit of a design flaw if you ask me, but it is what it is. I'll let you know what happens.

Sounds good! Definitely a first world problem but I know I'd love to avoid a PITA if possible. Keep us posted! :thumb:

 

[Jaydub514]

Did I miss the suspension upgrade writeup somewhere?!

Haha, just anxious [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] I'm sure it's going to be in depth and detailed when it's ready

 

[MTN4RNR]

Did I miss the suspension upgrade writeup somewhere?!

Haha, just anxious [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] I'm sure it's going to be in depth and detailed when it's ready

It's funny you mention that... (see post following this...) :tea:

 

[MTN4RNR]

The Suspension Upgrade --- Intro to "The Blog"

After many hours of writing, editing, rewriting, beer drinking, editing.... I have finished the first post in my newest series, The Blog. I will be posting things like product reviews, how-to's on preparing for trips in different areas, advice on purchasing products, and anything else I want to share! So, enjoy the first post that covers my suspension upgrade and some of the research that went into building my setup. I hope you enjoy and feel free to let me know what you think!

So you want to upgrade your 4Runner suspension...

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Just buy a Land Cruiser! I hear that they have those tailgate things :lmao:

To have the capability to hold the weight of a grown man, estimate 200 pounds, you'll need to have a set of heavy duty slides to handle the weight. The problem with those is that they typically have a tall height (give or take 3") making a low profile platform difficult. Bottom line, if you want to have a tailgate, use the slides. They're just about the only thing that will take the weight unless you opt for a custom metal framed unit.

Haha I've had all the same thoughts. Land Cruiser is outta the question now, just bought the 4Runner. I looked at the 3600 Series Ryadon Slides, but like you said, I don't want to take the height penalty. Was thinking of having 1.25" thick piece of solid baltic birch which would slide right out, but that is a huge weight penalty.

Starting to think that the only real way to do this is to have someone weld me a custom aluminum "frame" for the tailgate. That way it could be 0.5" thick and still long and stiff enough to support some serious weight. Perhaps slide on some roller bearings.

Does your table just slide on bare wood?

 

[MTN4RNR]

Haha I've had all the same thoughts. Land Cruiser is outta the question now, just bought the 4Runner. I looked at the 3600 Series Ryadon Slides, but like you said, I don't want to take the height penalty. Was thinking of having 1.25" thick piece of solid baltic birch which would slide right out, but that is a huge weight penalty.

Starting to think that the only real way to do this is to have someone weld me a custom aluminum "frame" for the tailgate. That way it could be 0.5" thick and still long and stiff enough to support some serious weight. Perhaps slide on some roller bearings.

Does your table just slide on bare wood?

Ha, that split tailgate/hatch is the best part of the LC IMO. Jealous every time I go on a trip with someone that has one and I have to wipe the bumper to sit on it and they just drop the tailgate.

The birch isn't a bad idea, but at most you'll have about a 12-16" piece to sit on, and without slides you'll have to have about 1.5x that length in the vehicle to hold the unsupported weight. Mine has no mechanical components. I'd say an aluminum or steel frame would be your best option. Or you could use something like a custom Bedslide unit. That might be feasible but definitely $.

 

[YetiX]

Haha I've had all the same thoughts. Land Cruiser is outta the question now, just bought the 4Runner. I looked at the 3600 Series Ryadon Slides, but like you said, I don't want to take the height penalty. Was thinking of having 1.25" thick piece of solid baltic birch which would slide right out, but that is a huge weight penalty.

Starting to think that the only real way to do this is to have someone weld me a custom aluminum "frame" for the tailgate. That way it could be 0.5" thick and still long and stiff enough to support some serious weight. Perhaps slide on some roller bearings.

Does your table just slide on bare wood?

Normally, this might be a thread-jack, but since MTN4RNR's platform was the inspiration for mine (thanks Max!) and I did basically what you're talking about . . .

I built a frame out of 2" boxed aluminum and then anchored it to the factory tie-down points. It's very strong. I went with the boxed aluminum since I wanted to have 2" tall drawers which I use for tools and spares, rather than slides like Max. My drawers just slide on the carpet and work great. You could easily build a similar frame out of 3/4" aluminum which would probably be strong enough to hold a slide that you could sit on like a tail gate. I also built a second half to the platform which gives me a sleeping platform when the back seats are folded down.

Here are a few of the many pictures I have to give you an idea what I'm talking about. PM me if you have any questions...

 

[MTN4RNR]

Normally, this might be a thread-jack, but since MTN4RNR's platform was the inspiration for mine (thanks Max!) and I did basically what you're talking about . . .

Well deserved thread jack! Always OK in the name of helping someone out, IMO! Very nice install job there :thumb3:

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Ha, that split tailgate/hatch is the best part of the LC IMO. Jealous every time I go on a trip with someone that has one and I have to wipe the bumper to sit on it and they just drop the tailgate.

The birch isn't a bad idea, but at most you'll have about a 12-16" piece to sit on, and without slides you'll have to have about 1.5x that length in the vehicle to hold the unsupported weight. Mine has no mechanical components. I'd say an aluminum or steel frame would be your best option. Or you could use something like a custom Bedslide unit. That might be feasible but definitely $.

Exactly. Hanging out in the parking lot at Alta and everyone else is sitting on real truck tailgates and I have to whip out a chair. Would be nice to just slide out of my platform.

1.5x the length in the vehicle you think? Currently, the way I have it drawn up in SketchUp is 14" of tailgate, with 14" inches inside. You don't think thats enough? I guess I should probably do this right and just have something welded up.

 

[monkeywrenchMoose]

Normally, this might be a thread-jack, but since MTN4RNR's platform was the inspiration for mine (thanks Max!) and I did basically what you're talking about . . .

PM me if you have any questions...

Well executed. Don't want to jack the thread anymore, PM incoming.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Exactly. Hanging out in the parking lot at Alta and everyone else is sitting on real truck tailgates and I have to whip out a chair. Would be nice to just slide out of my platform.

1.5x the length in the vehicle you think? Currently, the way I have it drawn up in SketchUp is 14" of tailgate, with 14" inches inside. You don't think thats enough? I guess I should probably do this right and just have something welded up.

Something like that. There is no science to it haha. That distance would likely be enough for gear/cooking, etc. But I am not sure it would support the weight of a person. That's just my speculation though and it could be wrong... I've been wrong before :lol:

 

[PauldF]

Camino Cielo is in my back yard! Nice thread and nice mods

 

[MTN4RNR]

Camino Cielo is in my back yard! Nice thread and nice mods

Thanks! That's a fun route, closed the last time I tried it due to fire damage. I'll be back again at some point!