Inv4drZm's Build Thread

[tv4184]

One of the first things I bought for my 4runner was the stock enclosure from [MENTION=51033]97BlackAckCL[/MENTION]. Haven't gotten around to installing it until today. Still says 'JL' on it.

I'll put a grill on it, for now I have the panel removed.

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I have the same enclosure I'll have to get into mine at some point. Is your amp going to be mounted under your seat?

 

[Ed_C]

Short-bed conversion huh? I think those double cab beds are even shorter than the access cabs.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I have the same enclosure I'll have to get into mine at some point. Is your amp going to be mounted under your seat?

Yes, under the seat, it just barely fits under there, slides back and forth a little when I slide the seat. Passenger side.

Short-bed conversion huh? I think those double cab beds are even shorter than the access cabs.

Huh, I think they are all considered 6.5 foot beds. Doing some reading now, depending on the source, maybe an inch or two difference in length, and either 2 or 3 inches deeper for the double cab bed.

But yeah, we'll be chopping the frame I think below the cab, and moving it all forward moving the fuel tank and leaf springs up 18".

Not sure what color to paint it. It would be easy to paint it white to match, but maybe do the whole thing in sandstorm?

 

[Ed_C]

Huh, I think they are all considered 6.5 foot beds. Doing some reading now, depending on the source, maybe an inch or two difference in length, and either 2 or 3 inches deeper for the double cab bed.

But yeah, we'll be chopping the frame I think below the cab, and moving it all forward moving the fuel tank and leaf springs up 18".

My mistake, I thought the double cabs shared the same frame with the access and single cab...according to wikipedia the wheelbase is a little over a foot longer so it's definitely a different frame.

 

[Inv4drZm]

My mistake, I thought the double cabs shared the same frame with the access and single cab...according to wikipedia the wheelbase is a little over a foot longer so it's definitely a different frame.

Gotchya. Just trying to go for a modern version of one of those Toyota mini trucks.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Seriously, seriously considering running my spare tire inside.

Pros:

• Lower center of gravity, better forward weight distribution.
• Rear visibility.
• No swingout to open hatch. Even a well-designed swingout is annoying.
• Better departure angle. A 37 on there will hang down a decent amount.
• Shed swingout weight ~85lbs
• Use stock license plate mount/illumination.
• Looks a little sleeker.
• I can redesign the bumper to tuck in further.

Cons:

• Less interior room. I lose my drawer system I use once a year.
• Reconfigure my 1gal. air tank and compressor.
• Smell like tire inside?
• No swing arm accessory mounting like my rear ladder to a roof rack I don't have.
• I was going to raise the hatch floor and mount a larger fuel tank underneath it.

Current drawer/sleeping platform setup:



35" tire:





If you noticed I washed the Tundra bed (both of them lol). But doesn't the 4runner look good without a swingout?

 

[Drift Monkey]

Looks cleaner with out one and your cons make sense...but I just really dig the *look* of a swingout. Maybe that's just me?

 

[y=mx+b]

No swing arm accessory mounting like my rear ladder to a roof rack I don't have.

This is pretty funny haha

I've been reading your entire build thread while procrastinating on my work. All of this documentation is great. I am always trying to learn more about my 4runner, and your documentation in certainly helping to expand my knowledge.

My 4runner is pretty much all stock (for now) and I don't off road at all (yet), so I unfortunately don't have the intuition for how much weight savings and distribution may help. The pros on an internally mounted spare all seem very valid, and I can imaging how the swingarm may be cumbersome to open and eat up the departure angle. It does look very clean without the swingout, but I'm torn about which looks "better".

I don't know how much equipment/furniture/crap you carry in the back, but I have found a completely open area to have a significant benefit on a few occasions. I put a full size washer and dryer in the back together to bring to my apartment, which meant I didn't need to rent a pickup or trailer. I know you have the tundra, so this could be the solution for carrying larger items around town. Or if its a short trip in the 4runner, you could risk it for the biscuit without a spare.

I agree with Drift Monkey that the look of the swingarm is pretty cool and the interior space is a valid concern with the internal tire. Do you think there would be a modular way to have the tire mounted externally for storage capacity and moved internally during offroading? Maybe a smaller swingout that can disconnect easier? The weight of the tire and any mounting contraption could make modularity unrealistic in real life, but might be something to consider.

 

[rdruss]

I think you're going to have to try it inside for awhile and then make your decision. I like the cleaner look personally and would want spare inside/under, but if I was a hardcore off roader that could change depending on circumstances.
I move my spare inside in winter and back under for summer, but mine is stock size so no issue going under.

 

[Inv4drZm]

This is pretty funny haha

I've been reading your entire build thread while procrastinating on my work. All of this documentation is great. I am always trying to learn more about my 4runner, and your documentation in certainly helping to expand my knowledge.

My 4runner is pretty much all stock (for now) and I don't off road at all (yet), so I unfortunately don't have the intuition for how much weight savings and distribution may help. The pros on an internally mounted spare all seem very valid, and I can imaging how the swingarm may be cumbersome to open and eat up the departure angle. It does look very clean without the swingout, but I'm torn about which looks "better".

I don't know how much equipment/furniture/crap you carry in the back, but I have found a completely open area to have a significant benefit on a few occasions. I put a full size washer and dryer in the back together to bring to my apartment, which meant I didn't need to rent a pickup or trailer. I know you have the tundra, so this could be the solution for carrying larger items around town. Or if its a short trip in the 4runner, you could risk it for the biscuit without a spare.

I agree with Drift Monkey that the look of the swingarm is pretty cool and the interior space is a valid concern with the internal tire. Do you think there would be a modular way to have the tire mounted externally for storage capacity and moved internally during offroading? Maybe a smaller swingout that can disconnect easier? The weight of the tire and any mounting contraption could make modularity unrealistic in real life, but might be something to consider.

It helps me if I type out all my thoughts, glad you learned something from them.

I can probably count on one hand how many times I've had more than 2 people in the truck, and I've just gotten used to putting groceries in the second row with the pain of the swingout. I hardly ever use the rear hatch, and I've had that cargo drawer system in there for a couple years taking up as much space as a spare tire would. If I have enough time to reconfigure I'll probably try putting the spare inside for this year's Rubicon trip to see how I like it.

 

[y=mx+b]

It helps me if I type out all my thoughts, glad you learned something from them.

I can probably count on one hand how many times I've had more than 2 people in the truck, and I've just gotten used to putting groceries in the second row with the pain of the swingout. I hardly ever use the rear hatch, and I've had that cargo drawer system in there for a couple years taking up as much space as a spare tire would. If I have enough time to reconfigure I'll probably try putting the spare inside for this year's Rubicon trip to see how I like it.

Gotcha, yeah the drawers and tire take up about the same amount of space. A trial run is a good idea. The second row is pretty good for the groceries, even without the tire carrier. I missed it while my lock actuator was dead

 

[JBend]

Like many others I've read and "followed" your build since I've been a member...20 days. Even in that short time I've come to appreciate your dedication and hard work you've put into this car, so thanks, from all of us. With the tire, I noticed in your picture with the bed configuration you may have some room for the tire if you take out the drivers side back seat...could you fit it there behind your seat?

 

[JBend]

Forgot to add this, sorry for the double post but that lets you keep your drawer/bed system so you can still use it that one time per year. I think you can fit it inside. Personally if I tried to go inside with it I would try and have the tire vertical and not flat. Unless you removed all rear seats and built a full drawer system with tire underneath. Drawers pulling out from the side doors with maybe a table and fridge and a long one from the rear potentially all while maintaining that luxurious bed. Just a thought, from a dude, ordering runner parts.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Forgot to add this, sorry for the double post but that lets you keep your drawer/bed system so you can still use it that one time per year. I think you can fit it inside. Personally if I tried to go inside with it I would try and have the tire vertical and not flat. Unless you removed all rear seats and built a full drawer system with tire underneath. Drawers pulling out from the side doors with maybe a table and fridge and a long one from the rear potentially all while maintaining that luxurious bed. Just a thought, from a dude, ordering runner parts.

I've got a fridge I put behind the driver's seat when on vacation, and due to the 60/40 split seat design it's best to place there because my sleeping platform has to be on the right side. I tried standing the tire vertically and a 35" tire hits the headliner, the 37" tires I ordered today would be way too tall. BTW tubbing the firewall to fit these will be fun.

Lots of different options for storage.

 

[eleven14]

...the 37" tires I ordered today...

 

[montijo505]

I like the non chalant way he mentions it and expects us not to be pumped lol

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[Inv4drZm]

I like the non chalant way he mentions it and expects us not to be pumped lol

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

I tried slipping it in there casually, but it just sort of came out. :tape2:

It'll be nice not having to look at small tires anymore. :drama:

 

[montijo505]

I tried slipping it in there casually, but it just sort of came out. :tape2:

It'll be nice not having to look at small tires anymore. :drama:

Because 35's are so tiny......

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[Inv4drZm]

Because 35's are so tiny......

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I'm sick, and it's an untreatable condition. Smaltireidus.

Larger tires are the only known cure.

:rofl:

 

[Inv4drZm]

Pretty excited about this drawer design I came up with. Made from completely flat laser-cut 1/4" aluminum that slots together. Its heavier than 1/2" plywood per sq. ft. though. The benefit of this is how easy it'll be to make (and potentially ship!!).

Inside dimensions are 17" x 32" X 6.5" and it weighs 35lbs. Figure stacking two drawers with a similarly flat-paneled outer cabinet it'll be 85lbs. Not sure if that's too much. Also not sure if it'll rattle just being slotted together, depends on how tight the slots are. I can easily weld it if it does.

I'll be putting it on the left side of my cargo system if I do end up making it. I just thought it was a cool design I haven't seen anyone build before.