EatonKyleH's Build Thread
- Thread starter EatonKyleH
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EatonKyleH
New member
Haha wow small small world! I live on Elm in the old part of town we really enjoy the small town thing, good people.
Ya after getting through Chinamans we hung around the exit of Carnage Canyon and watched the buggies. I wish I had taken pictures of it but I guess I was too mesmerized. Looks like a blast of trail and would love to have a rig capable of doing it... I don't think it will ever be this 4runner however. Not on IFS anyway.
Any pictures/link to info on your CJ? I'm curious what you were driving that trail in.
I don't want to clutter up your thread, but it's basically a CJ5 with the wheelbase extended 12", Dana 60 front 14 bolt rear, locked at both ends on 40" MTRs with all of the other necessary parts for tires that size.
The body is tearing away from its mounts due to overuse and it's about to be dismantled for parts to use on a '63 CJ6 build.
My grandparent's were on Park Ave. less than a 1/2 block south of the high school. My grandfather was a metal shop teacher there in the '60s and 70s and my grandmother ran the cafeteria.
The body is tearing away from its mounts due to overuse and it's about to be dismantled for parts to use on a '63 CJ6 build.
My grandparent's were on Park Ave. less than a 1/2 block south of the high school. My grandfather was a metal shop teacher there in the '60s and 70s and my grandmother ran the cafeteria.
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EatonKyleH
New member
Not the biggest update in the world but hey!
I got some new headlight bulbs...neato.
Then I took to relocating my washer fluid reservoir. I broke it hitting the pump with the tire recently and needed to get everything out of the fender well. At first I wanted to move a big tank somewhere close to a gallon or reuse the stock tank but there really is no good location for that. After seeing Dirtco's one quart unit in his front bumper and being that I carry extra fluid anyway I figured something similar would be a better idea.
So here is what I've come up with.
Mishimoto MMRT-CA:
With stock pump fitted and the mounting bracket it comes with:
Pressed mount flat and mounted in stock washer fill location:
BAM! Fits like a glove and works good as new...just prettier.
I got some new headlight bulbs...neato.
Then I took to relocating my washer fluid reservoir. I broke it hitting the pump with the tire recently and needed to get everything out of the fender well. At first I wanted to move a big tank somewhere close to a gallon or reuse the stock tank but there really is no good location for that. After seeing Dirtco's one quart unit in his front bumper and being that I carry extra fluid anyway I figured something similar would be a better idea.
So here is what I've come up with.
Mishimoto MMRT-CA:
With stock pump fitted and the mounting bracket it comes with:
Pressed mount flat and mounted in stock washer fill location:
BAM! Fits like a glove and works good as new...just prettier.
EatonKyleH
New member
This lovely thing just showed up. I'll probably install it tomorrow. Build quality looks top notch, anodized base and even painted the shift lever with all new bushings to top it off. Sweeeeet.
Marlin Crawler Short Shifter:
Marlin Crawler Short Shifter:
EatonKyleH
New member
Thanks man. The pump is resting on the air box. Its fine right now but I will be extending the hose from the bottle and mounting the pump to the fender well. The bottle is secure with the mount it comes with but I could see it flexing when the vehicle is being pounded on and the bottle is full. I plan to build a little mount for the bottom and hose clamp the bottle to it on the bottom.
I'm happy with it and seems to be one of the more functional yet convenient ways I could do it without looking wacky. Just will need to fine tune and beef it up a tad to really trust it not moving or snapping the nipples of the pump.
EatonKyleH
New member
Installed the short shifter a few days ago.
I'm very satisfied with the results! I never liked the very long throw of the shifter before and it was very sloppy in neutral. Selecting reverse always felt like pulling a giant cartoon lever way to far. First world problem kinda stuff.
On the first afternoon with the short shifter I found myself trying to pull and push the shifter "further" into gear. My mind refused to believe it was in gear with such little movement. Reverse like all the positions is accomplished with a very short and precise almost "click" into place. The shifter is firm in neutral and feels similar to what it did only when in gear before in gear it feels solid. It also took me a few times to believe it was in neutral.
The unit added about 1/2inch to the overall height of the shifter. It is barely noticeable and the shift knob is at least to me (being fairly tall) is in a more natural position to grab. You can see where they cut and lengthened the lower part of the OE shifter and manufactured a taller shifter base. The original design is kept entirely they have basically just changed the pivot point and fitted the unit with their bushings. I really liked that they kept the same simplicity and robust design of the OE unit unlike the other short shift kits around that add numerous pieces to the assembly.
Sweet.
And to keep this post more interesting.
Here are some pictures from over my labor day weekend backpacking time spent in the Rawah Wilderness not far from where I'm at in beautiful Northern CO.
I'm very satisfied with the results! I never liked the very long throw of the shifter before and it was very sloppy in neutral. Selecting reverse always felt like pulling a giant cartoon lever way to far. First world problem kinda stuff.
On the first afternoon with the short shifter I found myself trying to pull and push the shifter "further" into gear. My mind refused to believe it was in gear with such little movement. Reverse like all the positions is accomplished with a very short and precise almost "click" into place. The shifter is firm in neutral and feels similar to what it did only when in gear before in gear it feels solid. It also took me a few times to believe it was in neutral.
The unit added about 1/2inch to the overall height of the shifter. It is barely noticeable and the shift knob is at least to me (being fairly tall) is in a more natural position to grab. You can see where they cut and lengthened the lower part of the OE shifter and manufactured a taller shifter base. The original design is kept entirely they have basically just changed the pivot point and fitted the unit with their bushings. I really liked that they kept the same simplicity and robust design of the OE unit unlike the other short shift kits around that add numerous pieces to the assembly.
Sweet.
And to keep this post more interesting.
Here are some pictures from over my labor day weekend backpacking time spent in the Rawah Wilderness not far from where I'm at in beautiful Northern CO.
EatonKyleH
New member
Thanks man!
Right at 19 miles in 2 days. All the pictures were from the first afternoon as it rained and hailed for most of the trip. Still had a great time as always.
EatonKyleH
New member
Not a whole heck of a lot going on right now just collecting parts and refining what I've got.
Axle seals started leaking:
So I took care of that after work. Not very exciting really.
And installed the Sonoran Steel Poly rear body mounts to hopefully limit body/bumper contact on the hard hits. I've hit a few times and luckily no damage has really happened yet. Figured I'd give them a shot and see it they will help prevent contact in the future.
Rear 4Runner Polyurethane Body Mounts (Pair) - $75.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
Old vs. New
I need to replace my clutch, finish a bunch of odds and ends, and get ready for dual cases..... but the wife mobile got rear ended and banged up pretty good so I've been commuting in the 4runner. Everyone is just fine and the other driver was at fault. Just waiting to see what options we have with insurance. Hoping to get some money and just fix it myself with cash leftover. It's a 02 Jetta with more miles on it than this 4runner so its pretty up in the air at the moment.
Axle seals started leaking:
So I took care of that after work. Not very exciting really.
And installed the Sonoran Steel Poly rear body mounts to hopefully limit body/bumper contact on the hard hits. I've hit a few times and luckily no damage has really happened yet. Figured I'd give them a shot and see it they will help prevent contact in the future.
Rear 4Runner Polyurethane Body Mounts (Pair) - $75.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
Old vs. New
I need to replace my clutch, finish a bunch of odds and ends, and get ready for dual cases..... but the wife mobile got rear ended and banged up pretty good so I've been commuting in the 4runner. Everyone is just fine and the other driver was at fault. Just waiting to see what options we have with insurance. Hoping to get some money and just fix it myself with cash leftover. It's a 02 Jetta with more miles on it than this 4runner so its pretty up in the air at the moment.
EatonKyleH
New member
Spent the last 5 days and 4 nights traveling and living in the 4Runner with my wife and [MENTION=109684]heyoceanfloor[/MENTION]
We put together a sampler platter of Western and South Western Colorado and just a darn chilly good time of a little bit of everything.
Sept 30th-October 4th
Trails completed in no particular order.
Poughkeepsie Gulch/Mineral Creek (Ouray, CO)
(Did "The Wall" in the snow. Will post the video soon. Beautiful trail, not as challenging as I expected but a lot of fun and the snow and running water made some parts a bit sketchy.)
Andrew up "The Wall"
Tincup Pass (St. Elmo/Tincup, CO)
and
Cumberland Pass
(Incredible scenery, it was neat to be up at 12,000+ feet days before it would become impossible to drive due to the snow. Snowing on the way up. Lots of mines, awesome ghost towns.)
Got a burger with John Wayne in Ridgeway, CO (where the original True Grit was filmed) The place is basically a giant shrine to John Wayne inside.
The Devils Punchbowl, Crystal City, Schofield Pass, Lead King Basin (Marble, CO)
(My favorite area of the trip. Incredibly scenic. A bit scary on the wet and snowy shelf roads)
I know Andrew [MENTION=109684]heyoceanfloor[/MENTION] got a lot of great photos and videos as well which I'm sure we'll get up here soon.
We put together a sampler platter of Western and South Western Colorado and just a darn chilly good time of a little bit of everything.
Sept 30th-October 4th
Trails completed in no particular order.
Poughkeepsie Gulch/Mineral Creek (Ouray, CO)
(Did "The Wall" in the snow. Will post the video soon. Beautiful trail, not as challenging as I expected but a lot of fun and the snow and running water made some parts a bit sketchy.)
Andrew up "The Wall"
Tincup Pass (St. Elmo/Tincup, CO)
and
Cumberland Pass
(Incredible scenery, it was neat to be up at 12,000+ feet days before it would become impossible to drive due to the snow. Snowing on the way up. Lots of mines, awesome ghost towns.)
Got a burger with John Wayne in Ridgeway, CO (where the original True Grit was filmed) The place is basically a giant shrine to John Wayne inside.
The Devils Punchbowl, Crystal City, Schofield Pass, Lead King Basin (Marble, CO)
(My favorite area of the trip. Incredibly scenic. A bit scary on the wet and snowy shelf roads)
I know Andrew [MENTION=109684]heyoceanfloor[/MENTION] got a lot of great photos and videos as well which I'm sure we'll get up here soon.
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Loud Runner
New member
Very nice 4runner. I really like what you've done to it.
EatonKyleH
New member
Definitely worth the trip man! Marble is a really cool town and the whole area is just incredible. It will most likely be closed within the next week and even when I was there stopped at the punchbowl because the next ledge was covered in a sheet of ice and has a long history of fatal crashes from sliding off. An area I'd really like to return too. A lot of jeep tours of the Mill and Crystal City going on on the weekends...even some going on when I was there on Friday afternoon. I'd recommend a solid weekday since there is no room to pass on most of the trail and its extremely popular.
Thanks man! Sounds like you'll have plenty of new places in CO to check out after moving up here haha!
Thanks man! I appreciate it and yours is coming out dang nice too!
