cdrewferd's build thread

FINALLY got the tires mounted last night. I'll take some better pics today once I get it back from the dealer.

Here's a before shot just for fun.



With new tires.









I hammered the pinch weld last night, and did some trimming on the fender. Didn't do enough though. Hopefully it'll be close once the alignment is done and they move the tire forward some. Hope to get to the rear tonight or tomorrow. Also should be getting my trans cooler today. Have to get that installed before wheeling this weekend.
 
Looks real good! I have always liked those tires as I have many friends with them on their trucks and they seem to last forever. The only thing I don't like is how heavy they are. BTW, did you get a little overspray on the sliders? I'd clean that up asap!
 
ARKRWLR said:
Looks real good! I have always liked those tires as I have many friends with them on their trucks and they seem to last forever. The only thing I don't like is how heavy they are. BTW, did you get a little overspray on the sliders? I'd clean that up asap!
Click to expand...

I did, but it's just primer and I'm going to be painting the lower rocker anyway so I'm not going to worry about it. I was in a bit of a hurry, and the wind was blowing a bit.
 
Got my B&M 70264 trans cooler installed last night.



Also did some trimming. This shot is of just a bit of fender trimmed on the drivers side.



Fully trimmed passenger side. I'm just shooting to get through this weekend, then will get to my brother with the welder to make permanent patch panels.



Still trying to get a good overall shot.

 
Well I went wheeling this weekend. Friend put together an event where the proceeds went to help stop human trafficking. Figured it would be a good reason to get out and get he 4Runner on it's first trail with the new lift and tires. I decided that I would run Chinamans Gulch as others I had talked to said it was good trail and that I wouldn't have any problems with it.

Well all my previous wheeling had been in the stock 4Runner. The trail was the hardest I had ever driven, much less the obstacles. It was a blast though. I do have more trimming to do. Had to pull the rear flares so they didn't get ripped off. There were 5 Jeeps and initially 2 Toyota's, then a 1st Gen 4Runner caught up and ran gunner so nobody got lost. I'll let the pics do most the talking.

Headed up


This Jeep had popped bead. We figured he did it the night before and just rode down with somebody else so he could sober up.


It as a great day for wheeling. Shot of Mt. Princeton.




Headed down this hill the guy spotting asked if I wanted to flex out or take the easy way. I said lets flex it out.


I couldn't see the hole he was dropping me into.


My sister was on the wrong side for the flex shot, but she did get a shot of the first time I hit my sliders.


Did get my flex coming off the bottom though.



This was a new JK Rubicon on 37s. Nice looking rig. Guy had his 37 week pregnant wife and 2 girls with him.


1980 Toyota that worked awesome.


The nice 1st gen.


I had thought about taking the bypass, but decided that the far right line was do able without breaking anything. Here's a few pics from that line.





That was a fun little obstacle. Was pretty excited a little up the trail.


The JK tried the far left line on the waterfall. He must have tried for half an hour with no success. He kept hopping to the left.

 
The Toyota pickup and 1st gen 4Runner walked right up it.



This JK was really clean. Ran on 37s, but he hadn't done a rear locker yet. He did have full aluminum skids though.



Then it was my turn. Again, I took the easier line, far right, as I didn't want to hammer on the 4Runner to hard.



Got through the other obstacles pretty easy. Took a bypass around a second rock garden. Then we came upon the last obstacle. The 4 door JK had problems, so I wasn't sure.



Couldn't quite get far enough to make it. Had to throw in the towel and ask for the strap. Good view of being crossed up though.




The trail overall was insane. I can't wait to get full skids, a few CV spares and then go hit it again and do some harder lines.
 
Chinaman's is one of my favorite trails, get some skid plates/bumpers and you will have a great time! :D
 
Dirtco said:
Chinaman's is one of my favorite trails, get some skid plates/bumpers and you will have a great time! :D
Click to expand...

Yea, I can't wait. I can see that becoming one of my favorites as well. We were out there on a Saturday and didn't see any other rigs. With some skids and bumpers I'm sure I could take all the lines that most the Jeeps were doing.
 
It was a fun trail for sure. Just be sure to either have a winch, or somebody that can make it up the last obstacle.

The 34's are stuffing great. Need to do a bit of trimming and then they'll stuff without rubbing. They performed great though. Aired down to 20 psi they flexed pretty good for a brand new tire.
 
So it's been a while since I updated this. I didn't do much for a while. I didn't want to go wheeling until I had the firewall fully clearanced. I finally got to do that the week before Thanksgiving.

Hole from the inside:



Hole from outside:



I'll get finished pics up soon. Haven't taken any yet.

With that done, I figured I'd repeat a flex shot I posted earlier.

Before with stock tires:



Now with the 34's:



Need to extend the rear bump stops a little. Thinking about getting some Land Cruiser coils and longer shocks, but not sure yet.

I started playing around with colors for the wheels.





The wheel would be black, but thinking of doing a different color on the center cap. I have some Hammered orangish paint that I'm going to try on another cap, I think it might be the winner.

I was also able to get my Christmas present from the wife installed:

Before:



After:



I love it. It's a Kenwood DVD receiver with full Bluetooth. Might be getting a screen for my 4yr old to watch movies while we go wheeling.

Also got started on my drawer build:



I'm going to try and integrate a sub into part of it:



That pretty much brings this up to date. I'm hoping to finish the drawers in the next couple weeks. Then maybe I'll be able to start painting the wheels. Going to do 1 at a time so I can still drive it if the weather gets bad.

I've also started working with [MENTION=55891]Bandit Runner[/MENTION] to design my new front bumper. Hoping to get that built before summer rolls around. If it turns out the way I see it in my head, should be pretty nice. Can't wait to get to building that.
 
Last edited:
Started on my wheels.

Sand blasted front and back, then hit with a high pressure hotsy:



Front and back in primer:



Back in black enamel. Didn't quite get full coverage. Need to do 1 more coat:



Hoping to get the wheels fully finished this weekend. Need to get the drawers done too since I got my slides in. My bumper is almost done in design. Can't wait, it's going to be sweet.

Big news is that the wife pretty much gave me the green light for a welder when we have the funds. My front bumper will probably be my first big project, but may do the skids first since those aren't seen as much. Can't wait.
 
I probably would have just clear coated them after sand blasting. That actually looks kinda cool. Like your runner survived a forest fire or something :D
 
white_n_slow said:
I probably would have just clear coated them after sand blasting. That actually looks kinda cool. Like your runner survived a forest fire or something :D
Click to expand...

Yea, they looked cool for sure.

I am basically done painting them, just finishing up clear coat. Love my insulated garage and my heater. I know the color isn't for everyone, but I love it.

After 2 coats:



After 4 coats:



After 6 coats:



I'm still thinking on the center caps. I may do them the same color, with the Toyota emblem in black. I think black lugs would look cool too.
 
Those wheels turned out awesome. The gold seems to be just the right shade and I think will look perfect with center cap painted to match with black toyota emblem and black lugs. Cant wait to see it all together and mounted! Nice job.
 
So how long do you guys think I should let the paint "cure" before having the tires mounted? The top coat said it was fully cured in 48 hrs, then the clear coat said that it could be polished and waxed in a week. I really want to get these back on my 4Runner so I can stop driving my 2wheel drive Tacoma during all this snow that Denver is getting currently.
 
I honestly would wait a good week, that's how long ive noticed it takes my paint projects to really cure and harden. Before that it seems soft and easily damaged, even by a finger rubbing across the surface. After its fully set and cured my finger will slide across the surface smoothly without looking like it is lightly scratching.


There is nothing more frustrating than spending a ton of time on paint and then to ruin it all by not letting it set properly. Tough it out and wait for it!
 
Temperature is a factor as well. If they are cured enough not to smell, bring them inside the house if your garage isn't heated.
 
1blink said:
Temperature is a factor as well. If they are cured enough not to smell, bring them inside the house if your garage isn't heated.
Click to expand...

Yep. I left them in the garage with the heater going for about 1.5 hrs after the last coat of clear. They didn't smell so they are now sitting in the guest room. I'll wait till probably next Monday or so to get the tires mounted. I'll wait as long as I can as I know that the longer they have to cure, the tougher they'll be for the tire mounting process.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 332 (members: 2, guests: 330)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,305
Messages
3,554,043
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top