HULK Build Thread

[ameining]

I am still alive

So, I found a few of the rescued photos!!! Starting with this upgrade: Increased the size of the Yakima Load Master....

Parts: Yakima Provided
Tools Needed: Allen Key

Not a challenging upgrade, here are the parts as shipped from Yakima:

And here is how she looked prior

So all you do is yank the old one off and install the extension

And now installed back on!!

Main motivation was for the limb risers....BUT is also increases the storage ability whilst the spare is up top.....

 

[ameining]

Clear Corners

I also did the Corners...I like the look.

No need for install instructions, as this is so simple a 3 year old can do it.

Let me know your thoughts!!!

 

[TCMach]

Badass as usual! Loving the clear corners and limb risers always look pretty dang cool. If I had a longer rack I would run them. Are you going to try and run the 35s without a body lift then? Better get out the hammer!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Truck looks awesome as usual, but why did you mount the limb risers so close to the center on the front bumper? Wouldn't they do more good if they were further out toward the edges?

I just ask because I plan on doing limb risers soon too.

 

[ameining]

Badass as usual! Loving the clear corners and limb risers always look pretty dang cool. If I had a longer rack I would run them. Are you going to try and run the 35s without a body lift then? Better get out the hammer!

Thanks TCMach!!! I am still trying to work up the courage to jump on the 35's train. I am in the process of buying a house, and so I have all those extra costs in my life right now.....I know excuses, excuses. Here is the current plan; get moved to my new place. Then re-gear both differentials, and slam the 35's on. It will take some metal bending, but I am prepared to do the work!! All in total, this will cost me a huge amount of money....but I want it all done at the same time. Thoughts??

Truck looks awesome as usual, but why did you mount the limb risers so close to the center on the front bumper? Wouldn't they do more good if they were further out toward the edges?

I just ask because I plan on doing limb risers soon too.

Thanks Bandit!! I was back and forth on where to mount them on the bumper. I mocked them up in a few different spots. The reason I chose that specific spot was more for looks than performance. Since my rack is not very wide, if I would have mounted them on the outside of the bumper the limb risers would have effectively run parallel with one another. I really prefer to 'V' look and so that is what I went with.

One thing to note, is you MUST get these very tight otherwise they vibrate when the truck is moving. This irritated me to no end. I have since removed them because I had one that was not as tight as the other, and I did nothing but stare at it when driving. I will be ordering more aircraft cable, and re-making it.......

 

[ameining]

Good stuff man. You and Rickashay are some traveling men when it comes to work. When you said Africa I thought Africa as in on land. Have you guys seen any marine life out there? Sharks? Great White sharks? They have those down there in S. Africa, you know?

I love checking out huge machines like that. It reminds me of the Generating Stations I dispatch. I get to tour them a couple times a year and the scale of things always takes me by surprise.

I look forward to seeing the 35's on the 4Runner... I also vote "NAY" on the limb risers. :bigok: on the Burtman Euro Spoiler... it's been on my splurge list for a long time.

RE the squeak, check the latches on your rear seat backs (on the C-Pillars). Sometimes they don't latch all the way, or the latches wear out a little and they sqeak. The one's on my '97 squeak on really rough roads. Also, the latch for the rear hatch is adjustable (see the two big screws that attach the "U" bolt to the bracket coming off the body), so maybe your is out of adjustment just a tad. That's all I've got.

BigFish, I just read this again. I am going to work on the latch as I think you are on to something there.....thanks!!

As far as marine life...YES. There have been 3 sightings of a pod of Killer Whales (I was not fortunate enough to see them), Humpback Whales, tons of tuna and smaller marine fish are always surrounding the rig. The most common I see are SHARKS. From what I can tell, they are primarily Bull Sharks and not much larger than 4-5 feet. However, there was a uniquely clear water day and I spent a good amount of time looking into the water. I saw 3 large (~8' long) Bull Sharks, and in the middle of them a Hammerhead came up for a minute or two. It is awesome seeing it!!

We are not allowed to fish off the rig, but some people bend the rules. I, however, am certainly not allowed to be dropping a line in.....on my first week out there, some of the locals had a 6' shark on the deck and had NO CLUE what do to with it....they ended up throwing it back. Then then got into some yellowfin tuna and needless to say we ate well that night!!!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Thanks for answering my questions. As far as keeping them tight, I plan on using turnbuckles to tighten them up. Is that what you did?

Also, I assume you have to disconnect them in order to open the hood. What hardware/hooks/snaps/etc did you use on the ends?

Thanks.

 

[Hepar]

Good to see pics of the work. Looks like a great experience as well!

Updates on the Runner look nice and clean as well.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

My clear corners have clear bulbs in them(P/O did that), looks stupid, especially with the headlights on, then the parking lights look just like dim headlights. BUT, the P/O also put in clear blinkers w/ clear bulbs, they are INSANELY bright, they work real well to light stuff up, which can be a plus at a fire scene. Great looking rig, I appreciate the detail you put into all of your posts!

 

[ameining]

New meats!!!!

It was time to update the Pro Comps, Toyo Open Country M/T's. chose against 35's this time around. 285/75/16. I love the look, and the ride is SICK!!

 

[TCMach]

Nice tires! Good choice on the Toyos. When are you coming up to FoCo and wheeling with me? Haha

 

[ameining]

Nice tires! Good choice on the Toyos. When are you coming up to FoCo and wheeling with me? Haha

Thanks man!! Been wanting new meats for some time and was between these and the Nitto's. Both expensive as s@!$!!! Well worth it. Look way better, wider tread width, not a square tire and not directional pattern. Very happy. En route to mountains now to see how they perform.

For the record the Pro Comp XTteme A/T only lasted 32,000 miles and were great in everything but snow....which is bad for a guy who lives where 250 inches a year is 'normal'!!

Sister lives in FoCo, wheeling is in our near future!!

 

[Bandit Runner]

I love it when you update this thread. Not only is your truck awesome, but I could stare at your avatar for hours!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Sweet choice of tires there man, IDK if you've been asked this before but, is the possibility of you getting an optional tire carrier in the Hulks future?

All in all looking good!

 

[ameining]

Thanks for answering my questions. As far as keeping them tight, I plan on using turnbuckles to tighten them up. Is that what you did?

Also, I assume you have to disconnect them in order to open the hood. What hardware/hooks/snaps/etc did you use on the ends?

Thanks.

Turnbuckles are what I used with some eye hooks, and yes they need to come off to open the hood. The KEY is cutting the cable to the right length, I recommend the length being 'tight' with the turnbuckle fully open....I did not do that and they simply were not tight enough when the turnbuckle was maxed out.....

Good luck!!

Good to see pics of the work. Looks like a great experience as well!

Updates on the Runner look nice and clean as well.

Thanks Hepar!!!

My clear corners have clear bulbs in them(P/O did that), looks stupid, especially with the headlights on, then the parking lights look just like dim headlights. BUT, the P/O also put in clear blinkers w/ clear bulbs, they are INSANELY bright, they work real well to light stuff up, which can be a plus at a fire scene. Great looking rig, I appreciate the detail you put into all of your posts!

Thanks for the kind words, I have found that the detailed posts on here are much more helpful so if anybody uses my thread I hope it is helpful as well!!

 

[ameining]

I love it when you update this thread. Not only is your truck awesome, but I could stare at your avatar for hours!

Thanks Bandit!!

Agreed, Michelle has always been fun to watch! You know she secretly has a crush on me??!!

:biggrin2:

Sweet choice of tires there man, IDK if you've been asked this before but, is the possibility of you getting an optional tire carrier in the Hulks future?

All in all looking good!

Thanks Blcktpgsr, I do really like the tires...although they are not the 35's I was originally scheming toward. Couple reasons: 1.) I currently do not haves body lift and neither bumper is built for one so I worry about clearance. 2.) I am still factory geared, and with those meats I would want 4.88's and would also lock them up when I was in there...grand total for that work is about $3,500....and building a house right now has taken a lot of my money. 3.) I worry about the gain of 1 inch of clearance is possible not worth the decrease in gas mileage, power, damage to vehicle via rubbing, and enormous cost......this does NOT mean it's not patiently waiting in my mind for the future!!!

I do already have a tire carrier, got it with my CBI and ran in for some time. I chose to mount on top because I am in my hatch 300000 times more often than I am utilizing the spare tire, and I honestly got tired of handling the swing away. As far as looks I prefer the swing away though....and right now it is only list to put back on. The other thing is right now I do not fit in a 7' garage, and had to specifically build in 8' garage doors in my new house just because of that tire!!

 

[rickashay]

First off, the Toyo's are a SWEET looking tire. I've honestly never heard of someone not liking them so I am sure your going to enjoy them. They look great on your truck!!

...although they are not the 35's I was originally scheming toward. Couple reasons: 1.) I currently do not haves body lift and neither bumper is built for one so I worry about clearance. 2.) I am still factory geared, and with those meats I would want 4.88's and would also lock them up when I was in there...grand total for that work is about $3,500....and building a house right now has taken a lot of my money. 3.) I worry about the gain of 1 inch of clearance is possible not worth the decrease in gas mileage, power, damage to vehicle via rubbing, and enormous cost......this does NOT mean it's not patiently waiting in my mind for the future!!!

Wow does this sound familiar! I've had these exact thoughts go through my head on at least 100 different occasions. I want them so bad. But really, do I NEED 35's? No, I just want instant "badass 4Runner status." haha

I'm curious though, if you notice the weight of those Toyo's compared to your old tires. The Toyo M/T's are ridiculously heavy in comparison to other tires of similar size. I bet your 285's weigh in nearly as much as a 315 BFG.

 

[madbomber08]

First off, awesome rig and loving the new Toyos! From the pictures you posted, the Colorado scenery where you live (or did live) is beautiful and I would love to live in a similar environment when I get older.

I see that you're an engineer and now work on an oil rigger. Seeing the photo of it is really intruiging. They seem really large and choppy, and like it'd be a pain in the arse to move any amount of distance on them. If you don't mind me asking, what engineering discipline are you? I'm finishing up my third year of mechanical engineering school and, to put it bluntly, this shit's rough.

 

[ameining]

First off, the Toyo's are a SWEET looking tire. I've honestly never heard of someone not liking them so I am sure your going to enjoy them. They look great on your truck!!



Wow does this sound familiar! I've had these exact thoughts go through my head on at least 100 different occasions. I want them so bad. But really, do I NEED 35's? No, I just want instant "badass 4Runner status." haha

I'm curious though, if you notice the weight of those Toyo's compared to your old tires. The Toyo M/T's are ridiculously heavy in comparison to other tires of similar size. I bet your 285's weigh in nearly as much as a 315 BFG.

I am sure before the fat lady sings I will slam some 35's on there. I am just not in a spot right now where my shop is accessible due to heavy amounts of snow, etc. I needed tires badly, and NO I do not notice any weight difference with the tires. I don't drive fast at all though, I rarely spend any time on a highway though either. I am usually on a dirt road, and will put about 250-500 miles a month on a true highway. It may be that they are heavier, but I don't notice.

First off, awesome rig and loving the new Toyos! From the pictures you posted, the Colorado scenery where you live (or did live) is beautiful and I would love to live in a similar environment when I get older.

I see that you're an engineer and now work on an oil rigger. Seeing the photo of it is really intruiging. They seem really large and choppy, and like it'd be a pain in the arse to move any amount of distance on them. If you don't mind me asking, what engineering discipline are you? I'm finishing up my third year of mechanical engineering school and, to put it bluntly, this shit's rough.

I studied Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, but am not practicing Petroleum Engineering. These rigs hardly move, as a matter of fact this one has not moved in 5 years. When they do, it is an incredible feat of engineering and by no stretch of the imagination is it 'easy.' Floaters move a lot more often, but these Tenders are attached to a jacket or platform in which there is a whole template full of wells to be drilled (38 on this platform).

I love it, Engineering school is NO JOKE. It will pay off, stick it out.

 

[TacoTruck05]

hulk shift knobs

Sweet looking ride!! Where did you get the hulk shift knobs?!