alextmullis
New member
Ever since I did 4.88’s I’ve fallen in love again basically. Especially having the v6. Night and day difference in terms of drivability
Inv4drZm's Build Thread
- Thread starter Inv4drZm
- Start date
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
The Doug Thorley long tubes have spurred my next garage upgrade... a TIG welder... I've bought everything but the welder itself and a welding table (drawing up my own table and having it CNC-lasered locally or at work). Settled on the AHP 201XD machine. I'm hoping to weld a full dual 2.5" 304ss exhaust w/ x pipe after I get some practice with it. With the table it might even be possible to set up some jigs and sell y-pipes or catbacks for our trucks... Also looking into building my own mufflers, interesting stuff. Does anyone want a nice lightweight full titanium exhaust system?
montijo505
Senior Member
Here's the table design. Should be way cheaper than the ones you can buy on the internet.
How much cheaper?! Lol I’ve been looking but you’re not kidding that they ain’t cheap
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Inv4drZm
Senior Member
The one I have drawn is 6ft x 3ft, 3/16" steel throughout.
If I get it at cost through work it should be under $400 I think. Plus casters so around $500.
Wheras buying a Certiflat that size would be $1400.
montijo505
Senior Member
That’s an amazing price. I’d be happy with like a 2’x3’ as I have a smaller garage. I’ll keep an eye here to see how it turns out.
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Inv4drZm
Senior Member
I have a small garage too. With it being on casters I can roll it out of the way, and will only be using it when my truck is outside so I can take up the whole stall for welding. For a future dream garage that's much larger, it'll be nice to have the extra size.
montijo505
Senior Member
Yeah I guess that makes the most sense. So when are you gonna shove some 40’s under the runner?
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Inv4drZm
Senior Member
I'm planning on the Marlin LT kit and running 37's, however I might let my brother run the kit first and see how it performs.
Or I still might do a SAS in which case 40's are better suited.
Haven't made up my mind.
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Installed an OEM blower motor, way quieter than the old one I was putting up with since I bought my truck, it was making a clicking noise. No stuck leaves or anything, after I took it apart over a year ago to diagnose the issue I seemed to think it was the brushes. Took me 5 minutes, should have done it a long time ago.
Old motor:
Reapplied CQuartz Reload over my ceramic.
Old motor:
Reapplied CQuartz Reload over my ceramic.
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
No, the factory one wouldn't work with how I built mine, check out the below pic. The factory V8 hitch has a plate that goes up the crossmember and bolts into 4 holes, 2 are obscured by my swingout in the pic. The swingout runs real close to that crossmember.
Starting on page 19 I made my own tow receiver, though it was never used/tested.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
[MENTION=130999]Inv4drZm[/MENTION] Thanks for letting me pick your brain! This is Southern Style Offroad's Lexus ( [MENTION=110183]SouthernSS[/MENTION] ) Kevin brought to ATR a couple weeks ago. It's a full trailer rig but it might give you some ideas. He has TT style lower links with the front brackets moved forward quite a bit for the extra length. I never crawled underneath to look at the axle mounts or the upper links though. Judging by the 1st pic the lower mounts might be in the standard position and looking at the coilover pic, the tank has been relocated.
Attachments
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Yeah it's a trailing arm rear setup where the coilover is mounted directly to the suspension link. I'm wanting to mount mine to the axle still, and the frame side mount might stick up into the cab, but I can cut the wheel wells and box it in completely blocking off the elements.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Ah, that presents a whole different set of problems. Kevin cut some small tubs in his wheel wells to clear the big tires. I guess if you do that you could cage or put a small tower in and then box it all in like you mentioned. Has anyone done this on a 4th or 5th gen before? I wish I had a decent shop and a lift, I'd sit underneath this thing all day cycling the axle and looking at my options.
All of this engineering is way above my limited suspension knowledge. Although I'm definitely learning a bunch from you guys!!
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Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Pretty much what I want to do. Close in the shock mounts, throw a brace tube in between each shock mount, and incorporate a roll cage/bar off of that. Maybe even raise the floor in the rear 6" and mount a fuel tank underneath the hatch. Removing my old tank of course. No I haven't seen it done anywhere except a solid axle 4th gen and maybe a couple FJ's, but without the roll cage addition.
Too many rabbit holes not enough time!!
In addition to those above I'm looking into:
Dual rear caliper brackets for a Wilwood mechanical caliper. Stoptech rotors are in the mail.
Exhaust/muffler design theory/ ceramic coatings
Setting up my Tig welder/table
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Welding table update:
Final dims are 28" x 6'. Skinny enough to fit between my truck and the side wall in my garage, long enough to weld bumpers, axles, or catbacks. My work can laser it out and bend the sheets for $350 total.
3/16" tabletop, 1/8" ribs, 2"x1/8"wall square tubing. ~350lbs
$230 materials,
$100 laser, band saw, and press brake labor
$20 tax.
$100 (6) 4" casters
Grand Total: $450
Or I could buy a similar table online for $1500?
This is what I do all day at work, models and drawings.
Usually drawings would have more dimensions but this is a one-off project.
Final dims are 28" x 6'. Skinny enough to fit between my truck and the side wall in my garage, long enough to weld bumpers, axles, or catbacks. My work can laser it out and bend the sheets for $350 total.
3/16" tabletop, 1/8" ribs, 2"x1/8"wall square tubing. ~350lbs
$230 materials,
$100 laser, band saw, and press brake labor
$20 tax.
$100 (6) 4" casters
Grand Total: $450
Or I could buy a similar table online for $1500?
This is what I do all day at work, models and drawings.
Usually drawings would have more dimensions but this is a one-off project.
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