I found "The One", 2001 Sport Ed. TRD SC'd

[LGR]

Truck is looking sick as always!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

When can we expect some of those roof racks for sale? Im kidding....wait...no I'm not.

Really dig the low profile flat rack.:thumb:

I definitely won't be selling them... there's no way I could turn a profit at it without investing heavily in some better tools, and even then the profit would be small once you factor in the cost of my time. If you're interested in any measurements, let me know. Thanks for the comments.

That's awesome. I'd really like to see a picture of the lip you added to the latch. Can't quite see how that went together.

I don't know how you do all that with a toddler. Mine hardly lets me do anything after work. Great job!

I'll get some better pictures of the whole latch setup. It has worked really well so far, so I think it would be worth sharing.

As far as the time management, I don't complete these projects in leaps and bounds... more like fits and spurts. Although the cumulative time spent was 30+ hours, that time was divided into 12 sessions over 3 weeks. I usually get 2-3 hours at a time to get after things.

The new swing out looks very functional. How much weight do you think it added? Looks sturdy, that's for sure.

I'd also like to get away from the angle iron, but honestly for what I do it's probably more than enough. I have been theory crafting a way to make a modular bike rack that I can bolt on to it somehow.

Let me know the price shipped to 98056... I'll take that off of your hands unless it's crazy.

I'm thinking the added weight was maybe 10lbs or so. It's really not much. The CBI setup uses a lot of metal inefficiently, and I removed nearly as much material as I added during the process. Just keep an eye on yours, primarily the welds on the upright sections that are perpendicular to the main arm. Those bear most of the load and the welds that connect them to the main arm are the first to go.

For a bike rack, I'd be spending more time looking at the front. Find a way to weld in a 2" receiver tube and then build the rest around a hitch. Get where you're going, drop the bikes, and pull the mount off if you're going to wheel.

I'll get the tire mount boxed up as soon as I can and run a quote for you. Keep an eye out for a PM.

Wow you are simply an animal. That is an awesome design and very well thought out. I just put on my CBI and wondered if I had an old or new latch design because mine looks like the one you just put on. I guess it is the new one and glad I got it from the sound of yours.

I was also just noticing how much my body mounts compress now that I have the bumper on. My passenger side compresses a lot and I might need to look into the poly ones before it becomes a problem. Did you need to get any new bolts with your 1/2 body in there?

Also if A.Wilson013 doesn't take the tire mount I will. Mine is already bent from the PO and one of the holes on the tire mounting surface has been ovaled out due to a wheel stud being used. It works, but a beefier one would be better.

Over the last year or two, I've noticed that CBI has been trending more toward using the De-Sta-Co type over center latches. The augur latch is very secure in that it will never allow the arm to swing open inadvertently, but is otherwise a poor design that is not user friendly, IMO. Thanks for the feedback on the carrier, I put a lot of thought into it.

I replaced all the body mount bolts when I did my 1/2" body lift (remember I posted all the pics for you a few pages back), and I used the same bolt that I substituted at the time of the body lift install when installing the new poly mounts.

Regarding your tire mount, I was checking out your build and I thought yours looked kinda funny. The tire sits on there at steep forward angle. The PO must have caught it on a climb and bent it out. I'll let you know if he passes on the mount.

Great stuff as usual. I think you'll be happy with the poly rear body mounts. I replaced all my BM with poly a year ago and I've been very happy with the results which mainly were less shuddering on tough washes.

Thanks, Brian. So far so good with the body mounts. I wish I'd added them before my quarter panels got all banged up.

Nice pics and trip. Sounds like you had fun. It's good to see you getting out and enjoying the truck that you built for this purpose.

We had a lot of fun. Like I told my boss, it was 2 weeks off that felt like 3, and that's a good thing. It was definitely time to get the '01 out of the garage.

I knew there was a reason I subscribed to your thread. Great pics man, motivation for the wife and I to hit the road and start exploring. The biggest reason we got a 4Runner. [emoji106]

The compliment & subscription are both appreciated, AZBub. I've found more and more that just picking up an atlas and heading out on a new path can generate some awesome experiences. The 4Runner is a great vehicle to use for that purpose.

Nice.

Thanks, I thought so too. Got a build thread for that 5th gen yet?

Great shots man. Love the pictures of people getting out with their families even more than crawling over rocks.

As for the snake... Nope. I won't even get out of my vehicle after I run a rattler over. My luck he'll have one more strike left in him. Even if I am parked on his head.

The family time is what it's all about, my friend. On this trip, I let my little girl steer the 4Runner on a back road for a few miles (very low speed) while I worked the pedals, and she had a blast. Little things like that are the highlights of these trips for me.

Rattlers are not a big deal if you see them first. It's the times where you step on them inadvertently or sit down and there they are beside you that you have to worry. The snake can only strike the length of it's body, so if you're at least that far away, no big deal.

Awesome pictures! Looks like a great trip!

Thanks man. Look forward to meeting you at the Addicted Jambo.

Truck is looking sick as always!

Thanks!

 

[4-Ripcord]

Really neat to see how much you and [MENTION=63487]A.Wilson013[/MENTION] are using your trucks lately. Also so cool to see how fast your daughter is growing, she is a cutie.

Every time you impress us with your welding projects, you go and top yourself! Bumper turned out awesome, and I didn't even know anybody made new Poly body mounts!

 

[A.Wilson013]

I'll get the tire mount boxed up as soon as I can and run a quote for you. Keep an eye out for a PM.

I'll be ready. I'll pm you my number so you can shoot me a text with the total so I can send it right away... Save you a second trip to the post office or where ever you ship from.

The family time is what it's all about, my friend. On this trip, I let my little girl steer the 4Runner on a back road for a few miles (very low speed) while I worked the pedals, and she had a blast. Little things like that are the highlights of these trips for me.

That's awesome, man. I remember when I was a kid, my dad letting me "drive" on the beach while he worked the pedals. Now that I think of it, those are some of my earliest memories.

Rattlers are not a big deal if you see them first. It's the times where you step on them inadvertently or sit down and there they are beside you that you have to worry. The snake can only strike the length of it's body, so if you're at least that far away, no big deal.

I have yet to be surprised by one out hunting, they have always let me know well before I saw them.

That said, I still don't like them, haha

Kinda off topic... Do they not mess with dogs, or do you do any special training to make them know to avoid them? I know there is a guy who brings some rattlers over from the desert and "trains" dogs with them every few months. Mostly a scent thing, I guess.

I am positive my Scottie Dog would try to screw with them, my pointer would probably run the second it moved.

 

[SCRunner12]

I replaced all the body mount bolts when I did my 1/2" body lift (remember I posted all the pics for you a few pages back), and I used the same bolt that I substituted at the time of the body lift install when installing the new poly mounts.

Regarding your tire mount, I was checking out your build and I thought yours looked kinda funny. The tire sits on there at steep forward angle. The PO must have caught it on a climb and bent it out. I'll let you know if he passes on the mount.

Yeah I remember that post, but wanted to make sure the poly mounts weren't too long for the new hardware. Don't want to replace the hardware twice if I don't have to.

Yeah something isn't right with the carrier as I can't open my hatch without the carrier all the way open. The pin hole CBI set it up with doesn't get the swing arm wide enough. I'll see if A.Wilson will sell me his old one if he picks up yours. Thanks again and I love the family pics. I was going to take my daughter on her first overnight wheeling trip last weekend, but got rained out.

 

[smallfry]

Thanks, I thought so too. Got a build thread for that 5th gen yet?

Yep: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/186128-smallfryes-2010-trail-edition-build.html

 

[farmerjon]

Man, BFAD. I really like that tire carrier. I was catching up on this thread again yesterday, and I thought to myself, with all the experimentation you've done with this CBI carrier and how, in general, you mess with and try things, but make them better, that you're like a 3rd gen scientist - you just experiment and try things and even more significantly, you figure out new approaches to things (maybe more of an engineer than a scientist, whatever ).

I really, really like the lines of the rear, how the tire is off center, but not overly so, and how the swing out bolts to the rear part of the bumper, that part is probably my favorite in how it comes down and meets. Looks super stout but not overly big or heavy. I would definitely want yours if I went that route.

Oh, I need some tires down the road, am considering Duratracs. If I'm not mistaken, you run some C load ones on your '97 - do you run the same ones on this rig or a heavier one? I don't want heavy tires, yet I really like the look of them and in function, my truck is probably closer to your '97 than your '01, though I do see a fair bit of off road in the summer. Do you find the C load to be sufficient? Thanks!

As usual, I enjoyed your pictures and seeing you/your family out and about enjoying the outdoors!

 

[Volcom]

The next go round, I welded up the main structure. Thanks in large part to all the joint prep, the welds came out great and I have no doubt that this thing will be solid as a rock.

Very nice welds imp:imp:imp:imp:imp:

Can't wait to see it in person in 2 months!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Really neat to see how much you and A.Wilson013 are using your trucks lately. Also so cool to see how fast your daughter is growing, she is a cutie.

Every time you impress us with your welding projects, you go and top yourself! Bumper turned out awesome, and I didn't even know anybody made new Poly body mounts!

Hopefully I'll be able to post more and more pictures of the family & I out using it, rather than me wrenching on it. Although the "building" process is part of the fun, too.

Thanks for the compliments, as always. You've been a great supporter of my build over the years and I look forward to cheering you on as you start your new project. Come back to NM for a visit once you've got some work in the new rig, and we'll run a trail.

That's awesome, man. I remember when I was a kid, my dad letting me "drive" on the beach while he worked the pedals. Now that I think of it, those are some of my earliest memories.

I have yet to be surprised by one out hunting, they have always let me know well before I saw them.

That said, I still don't like them, haha

Kinda off topic... Do they not mess with dogs, or do you do any special training to make them know to avoid them? I know there is a guy who brings some rattlers over from the desert and "trains" dogs with them every few months. Mostly a scent thing, I guess.

I am positive my Scottie Dog would try to screw with them, my pointer would probably run the second it moved.

Grace will be 3 years old this year, and all the books say that is right around the time when permanent memory begins to develop. So you know that means lots of fun times with Daddy.

RE snakes/dogs... you can definitely train a dog for snake avoidance based on smell but it takes ongoing effort. My Mom's beagle went through all that, but she'd still trot right up and sniff water snakes after a few years passed.

In my experience, dogs aren't really turned on by snakes. They like things that flee/move and a snake will typically either sit still or turn and fight (coil / strike). Lizards are another story because they run... our dogs love to pounce upon and kill lizards.

The biggest dog hazard that I've encountered in the field is Porcupines. Those little SOB's will ruin your day in a hurry, and apparently they are DELICIOUS to dogs. My last pitbull found one and chewed on it for awhile, and then after I'd removed all the quills from her face/mouth/gums/throat with fishing forceps, went back and found it / chewed on it again. That was a bad day and resulted in a trip to the vet with sedation the second time around. About a month ago, our current pit mix found a dead one and rolled on the carcass. She came home with quills buried all up and down her back, neck and face. Just a few days ago, our blue nose pit found one during her daily walk and gave him a few good chomps before she figured out "hey, that hurts." I spent a good half hour pulling quills out of her nose/face/lips, one of which went straight through her upper lip. It's not easy holding down 50lbs of muscle while you try rip out quills with needle nose pliers.

Anyway, rattlesnakes are not high on my worry list based on what I've come across in my areas of travel. They are rare, they avoid us, and we avoid them.

Yeah I remember that post, but wanted to make sure the poly mounts weren't too long for the new hardware. Don't want to replace the hardware twice if I don't have to.

Yeah something isn't right with the carrier as I can't open my hatch without the carrier all the way open. The pin hole CBI set it up with doesn't get the swing arm wide enough. I'll see if A.Wilson will sell me his old one if he picks up yours. Thanks again and I love the family pics. I was going to take my daughter on her first overnight wheeling trip last weekend, but got rained out.

Got ya. The main uprights on your swing out should be completely vertical. If they lean inward toward the hatch at all, the whole thing is bent... basically that's what happened with [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] . It's too bad you and I don't live in the same state, because we have a lot of similar interests. We'd probably find our families out camping together.

Yep: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/186128-smallfryes-2010-trail-edition-build.html

Nice, I'll give it a read.

Man, BFAD. I really like that tire carrier. I was catching up on this thread again yesterday, and I thought to myself, with all the experimentation you've done with this CBI carrier and how, in general, you mess with and try things, but make them better, that you're like a 3rd gen scientist - you just experiment and try things and even more significantly, you figure out new approaches to things (maybe more of an engineer than a scientist, whatever ).

I really, really like the lines of the rear, how the tire is off center, but not overly so, and how the swing out bolts to the rear part of the bumper, that part is probably my favorite in how it comes down and meets. Looks super stout but not overly big or heavy. I would definitely want yours if I went that route.

Oh, I need some tires down the road, am considering Duratracs. If I'm not mistaken, you run some C load ones on your '97 - do you run the same ones on this rig or a heavier one? I don't want heavy tires, yet I really like the look of them and in function, my truck is probably closer to your '97 than your '01, though I do see a fair bit of off road in the summer. Do you find the C load to be sufficient? Thanks!

As usual, I enjoyed your pictures and seeing you/your family out and about enjoying the outdoors!

I'm just a guy who likes tinkering with things, Jon. I have to give a lot of credit for the inspiration for my carrier rebuild to [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] , especially the latch design. The guy has great ideas and I can't help but integrate them into my build here and there. But I do thank you for the kind words, and likening me to smart people.

RE the tires, yes the Duratracs on my '97 are load range C, and the ones on this 4Runner are load range E. The C's definitely ride a little softer but I would not want them on the '01 with all the extra weight and the harder trail use that it sees. They work great on the '97 though, and carry the stock weight very well.

Very nice welds imp:imp:imp:imp:imp:

Can't wait to see it in person in 2 months!

Thanks for the feedback, Aaron. I just got my registration submitted tonight... August can't get here soon enough.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Hopefully I'll be able to post more and more pictures of the family & I out using it, rather than me wrenching on it. Although the "building" process is part of the fun, too.

Thanks for the compliments, as always. You've been a great supporter of my build over the years and I look forward to cheering you on as you start your new project. Come back to NM for a visit once you've got some work in the new rig, and we'll run a trail.

I am definitely planning to attend Rock Therapy next year. And moving back west is on my 2 year plan. I am counting down until we can hit a trail again amigo.

 

[TCMach]

Got ya. The main uprights on your swing out should be completely vertical. If they lean inward toward the hatch at all, the whole thing is bent... basically that's what happened with [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION]

[MENTION=53337]SCRunner12[/MENTION] they definitely need to be vertical. Or else you end up with these two sweet vertical dents in your hatch. :naughty:

 

[SCRunner12]

Got ya. The main uprights on your swing out should be completely vertical. If they lean inward toward the hatch at all, the whole thing is bent... basically that's what happened with [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] . It's too bad you and I don't live in the same state, because we have a lot of similar interests. We'd probably find our families out camping together.

Just double checked the swing out and it indeed took a hit at some point. The diagonal upright by the spindle and tire mount are bent. Going to have to get the BFH out and straighten it out.

(I can remove the pictures if you want, but figured you'd want to see.)





Bent at the top and bottom


Stress crack in the powdercoat


It would be awesome if we lived closer. I love to bring my daughter wheeling/camping, but not too many kids her age. Hopefully I can make it out east a bit at some point.

[MENTION=53337]SCRunner12[/MENTION] they definitely need to be vertical. Or else you end up with these two sweet vertical dents in your hatch. :naughty:

I think a good hit and I'll be there. I'm going to have to look into reinforcing it before I do any serious wheeling. Because I bought it for 1/3 the price new, I'm not upset, but will be if I mess up my hatch.

 

[BrandonF]

I noticed you had an ARB front bumper and switched to an addicted off road plate. I currently have the ARB and am getting so sick of hitting it on everything, especially with that stupid vertical edge along the entire bottom of it. Was this your reason for making the switch?
Im curious to hear a comparison of the two bumpers from someone who has owned both.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Back to Ouray!

I finally got a decent stretch of time away from work last week, so we made a last minute trip to Ouray. My Wife and I have wanted to go back ever since we made our first trip in 2012. This time was even more fun because we had our Daughter along to share the experience.

All the hotels in Ouray were booked due to the FJ summit, so we got a room a few minutes down the road in Ridgeway. We didn't get into town until late afternoon on Monday, so we didn't do much. I showed my Wife some cool campsites for our next trip, and we took the dogs for a walk north of Ridgeway along the river.

Tuesday morning, we decided to start out with some fishing. There is some really good fishing in the area and I had to get a tug.

Everything was in bloom, and we saw some cool flowers along the river...

Our Daughter takes a nap around 3pm on days when she's really having fun, and Tuesday's nap time was no surprise. She started running out of gas after we had lunch, so we loaded up and left for higher elevations, allowing her to sleep on the drive up. I was wondering what she would think about the fact that she went to sleep at 7,000 feet with a temperature in the 80's and woke up a mile higher in the atmosphere with temps in the upper 40's.

@ the top of Corkscrew Gulch, overlooking Red Mountain #1.

Looking back down Corkscrew Gulch... we ran the trail uphill this time for a change of pace.

We weren't quite ready to head downhill, so we drove down cement creek and up into the basin below Storm Peak, which forms the back side of Silverton Ski Area. Late spring avalanches had filled the basin with deep snow, so we had a summertime snowball fight.

As we were getting ready to leave, some skiers pulled up and started packing their gear to hike up one of the avalanche chutes and make some turns. My Wife wanted to watch them ski down, so the dogs and I took a short hike uphill to see the sights while we waited.

We decided to have dinner in Silverton, and the request I got was to find a BBQ joint, so that I did. We checked out Thee Pitts Again BBQ and they did not disappoint. I'd definitely recommend stopping in for a bite if you are ever hungry while passing through Silverton.

Oh, play me some mountain music, Like grandma and grandpa used to play. Then I'll float on down the river to a Cajun hideaway.

A herd of elk overlooking Hwy 550 on the way back to the hotel...

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Black Bear Pass

On Wednesday, I made plans to meet up with [MENTION=95069]TBuzz[/MENTION] to run Black Bear Pass. Black Bear had been on my list for a long time, and I got shut down in 2012 because the trail wasn't open yet. As of Wednesday, the pass had only been open all the way across for a few days and since neither one of us had run it, we decided to go for it.

Driving up the Ouray side of Red Mountain pass... even the paved highways up there are kind of nuts.

At the trailhead we stopped to air down and noticed a heavily loaded, light blue 3rd gen preparing to run the trail. I knew right away that it was [MENTION=5345]habanero[/MENTION], as there are very few 3rd gens of that color running around... and even fewer still with 80 series wheels. She pulled up and we all introduced ourselves and decided to run the trail as a small group.

At the summit of the pass, taking a break before the hairy downhill section.

Headed down...

Black Bear pass is not an extreme trail as far as obstacles / rock crawling go, but it requires precise driving, tire placement, throttle/brake control, and most importantly your FULL attention. If you make a mistake on the downhill section of this trail, you pay the price with your life. I had my family in the 4Runner with me, so I was a little nervous. As I followed TBuzz down the "steps", my palms became sweaty, and my hands shaky.

No guard rails, and less than a foot to spare... Google "Jeep rollover on black bear". That video took place on the slope in the photo below.

Habanero, working her way down the tightest switchback. The challenge was greater for her due to the bike rack out back (which limited space for multiple point turns) and the fact that her rig is a 5 speed.

Bridal Veil falls, from the trail.

How's that for a "view from a 3rd gen?"

Boom. Black Bear Pass... check!

For lunch it was "Baked in Telluride", a cool little bakery / pizza shop. After lunch, TBuzz split back to Durango over Ophir Pass and Habanero and Fam continued their odyssey by heading over Imogene Pass. We wanted to get the dogs out of the 4Runner so they could run around, and opted for something a little more mellow.

Alta Lakes, behind Telluride Ski Area...

Gold King Basin...

We took some short hikes, dipped our feet in the lakes, and watched many marmots doing their marmot thing before heading back to the Ouray side over Ophir Pass.

Looking up the narrowest section of Ophir Pass...

And back down the valley toward the little town of Ophir...

Last but not least, after passing by so much snow we couldn't help but make a Snowman.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Engineer Pass

The plan for our last day in Ouray was to take Mineral Creek up to Engineer Pass, and then keep heading east toward our Cabin in the SLV to spend Thursday night and Friday. I noticed this just up the road from our hotel as we were leaving...

As a teenager, I'd have never thought it possible. Some other folks that morning were getting high in a different way...

Driving through Ouray, you can't help but admire the architecture. The Victorian style homes give the whole town the feel of stepping back in time.

When we passed through Ouray on Wednesday night, the FJ summit was kicking off and the town was getting pretty busy. We'd been doing our best to avoid the FJ crowds and knew that Thursday morning would have to start early if we wanted to miss the traffic on the trail.

So, we started up Mineral Creek at 7:45am on Thursday morning, passing a growing group of FJ's at the trailhead who were nearly blocking access to the trail. We left the trailhead without airing down and stopped a half mile up to get it done, trying to get out in front of the group. Despite our best efforts, we still got stuck behind a slow moving group of about 20 FJ's and Tacomas that held us up for awhile. They must have started out at 7:30, note to self for next time.

Finally past the FJ's and gaining altitude... Mineral Creek and most of the trail up to tree line was a lot of fun. Mineral creek is very rocky and has many optional lines that provide a challenge if you so desire. I wish I would have taken more pictures in there, but we were in a hurry. I plan to run it again next time, and continue on through Poughkeepsie Gulch.

And at summit...

Pitbulls love scenery.

You don't see a weasel every day, that's for sure. These little guys are fast, and it's hard to get a picture of them.

That's some deep snow..

Whitmore Falls...

The Lake City side of Engineer Pass is long and kind of boring. The road surface is smooth and bladed, and you're in a canyon for most of the way so the views don't hit you like those up on the pass. There are some points of interest, but I probably won't run that section again in the future. From Lake City we went up Slumgullion Pass, and down into Creede, having lunch at Kip's Cantina. I'd recommend you stop to eat there if you're in the area... their food is killer and the Margaritas hit the spot. From Creede we worked our way to the cabin via South Fork, Park Creek, and Summitville, finally dropping down into the Conejos Valley. It was good be back "home".

To break things up, we stopped by one of the creeks to throw rocks in the water and play.

Then went back to the Cabin to eat dinner and chill by the fire...

Friday, we wrapped up the trip with a couple hours of fishing. I learned that my Daughter is not afraid of snakes, or wet wading in 40 degree water.

Notice the water snake at her feet that she is attempting to catch...

And that's that.

ALSO... The rig is fully re-geared and double locked at this point. The 4.88's are awesome with 33's. I'll post some more details & observations on all that another time.

 

[zumogo]

Huh?

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Huh?

What?

 

[zumogo]

What?

It was saying Post 1, 2, 3... But it's gone.. NVM. Love your forum.

 

[blcktpgsr]

ALSO... The rig is fully re-geared and double locked at this point. The 4.88's are awesome with 35's.

You and me both, bud! Cool adventure pics with the rig and the family by the way, Nick.