JasetheDamager's build thread for a 97 SR5 4x4

[JasetheDamager]

At the risk of sounding like a big a-hole, I wasn't expecting much when I first read this thread a few weeks ago. You have definitely put me in my place. Good work man, truck looks awesome. Very impressed with your work and your attention to detail. Your woodworking skills are mighty impressive too. Looking forward to watching this thing continue to progress.

No worries man, I consider this a big-time compliment coming from the 3rdGenRescuer! I've finally read through all your threads. Man, you would love my buddy up in Sacramento. He helped me buy my truck and did a bunch of initial work for me. He's always buying new project vehicles and flipping them. Anyway, no, I'm not offended. From what I've seen on here, people come and go and say they're going to do this or that to their truck, then disappear. Or you get the guys who spend many thousands of dollars armoring up their truck and lifting it, then act surprised when something fails cuz they neglected basic maintenance (LBJs come to mind). I'm limited as to what I can do cuz I live in an apartment in SoCal, and I've been nomadic the last 7 years or so, which makes it difficult to collect tools and work on my truck. When I had a 65 Mustang, I did my own work, but that was then. I'll do as many projects as I possibly can, including some of the more basic fixes such as installing a new Koyo, a tranny cooler, or the Taco Whip Mod, or changing out fluids, but for big stuff I have to save up some $ and take my truck to my shop.

Now if my truck was just made of wood, man the wizardry I could perform

 

[BrianSD_42]

then act surprised when something fails cuz they neglected basic maintenance (LBJs come to mind)

'

One small thing ... If it wasn't for T4R.org I wouldn't have known that Toyota LBJs fail @ the 10 year mark, something that can be lethal. I am just not sure if it counts as negligence, it has happened to a lot of innocent people, even those who did all their basic maintenance. To date, Toyota has not released a service bulletin, warning owners of these older vehicles to change their LBJs.

:redbrick:

 

[BrianSD_42]

I do a little wood working myself. I stick to cabinets, cutting boards, and shift knobs though.

So that is what happened to the shift knob on the BMW? It looks like some kid took a 2x4 to it and went to town "wood-working" it over. 1 new shift knob later, problem solved.

 

[4Running Daily]

So that is what happened to the shift knob on the BMW? It looks like some kid took a 2x4 to it and went to town "wood-working" it over. 1 new shift knob later, problem solved.

The old shift knob was all chipped because of rings my parents wore when they drove it. So I made one and put it in there. And then, when we sold it, we put the old one back in it.

 

[JasetheDamager]

'

One small thing ... If it wasn't for T4R.org I wouldn't have known that Toyota LBJs fail @ the 10 year mark, something that can be lethal. I am just not sure if it counts as negligence, it has happened to a lot of innocent people, even those who did all their basic maintenance. To date, Toyota has not released a service bulletin, warning owners of these older vehicles to change their LBJs.

:redbrick:

Now I feel like a jerk, cuz I also found out about the LBJ failure through this site. It's certainly not my intent to offend people who did everything right and had trouble. Lord knows, I probably have a couple of other maintenance issues I could address and if I have problems, then people could say, "Well, he should have known better..."

 

[JasetheDamager]

Nice work man!

Thanks Fightman, and thanks for replying to my question about the deckplate mod. That's my next DIY project. I'm still debating whether or not I'll do the ISR mod.

Purple Heart and Walnut? Awesome man!

I do a little wood working myself. I stick to cabinets, cutting boards, and shift knobs though.

Purple heart is a great wood. Funny thing is, when I use it in projects, people always ask if I dyed the wood purple. It's expensive, but there's a hardwood store by my shop and they carry exotics so I've stock piled a bit of purpleheart, lacewood, zebrawood, and Brazilian Ipe.

I've actually been looking around my truck and wondering if there's any way I can incorporate wood into the interior, but all I've come up with is shelves for the cargo area, and I'm not sure I'd use the shelves, and I'd probably just use plywood instead of an expensive hardwood for the skeleton.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Very clean truck! I like what you have done.

You are one talented woodworker, you could have a field day with a cargo box setup! I'd like to see that.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Very clean truck! I like what you have done.

You are one talented woodworker, you could have a field day with a cargo box setup! I'd like to see that.

Thanks! I definitely take inspiration from threads such as your's, and like I said, I appreciate that you've personalized your truck to such a degree. The next few weeks will be hectic, so I won't have much time for a wood project.

However, I have a few ideas floating around my head. Of course, I'll keep everybody posted.

 

[JasetheDamager]

I apologize in advance for the lack of technical speak, but I solved a potentially expensive problem yesterday for free and I want to share my solution in case any other non-technical noob is having a similar problem.

Well yesterday I was all set to tackle my AC, which hasn't worked since I bought the truck. Here in OC, I live close by the beach in a year-round mild climate, and I was willing to let it go for a while, but summer is coming and whenever I go inland the temp can rise 15-30 degrees. Initially, my mechanic friend who helped me buy the truck tried to refill my freon, but discovered I wasn't receiving a charge, then told me I needed a new/rebuilt compressor most likely. He's self-taught, and maybe that's why he missed the real problem.

Turns it, that's not the case. One of the volunteers I work with rebuilds Corvettes and anything else you can think of and he looked at my AC yesterday and laughed 2 minutes later. Basically, the AC belt was working, but the AC clutch wasn't turning when I pressed the AC button, so he thought I might need a new clutch, which is much cheaper than a compressor. There's a wire for the clutch and believe it or not, it wasn't plugged in. All we had to do was plug in the blue clutch wire and...Voila! I had a perfectly working ice-cold AC. The PO or another garage must have disconnected it at some point in the past and never reconnected it. My buddy then showed me how to check the freon and it seems fine, but we're not sure how long it's been sitting, so we'll charge it up a bit later this week.

I'll post some pics tomorrow or later today to help illustrate my point. I was potentially facing a 300$-600$ repair if it turned out to be the compressor, so I'm obviously thrilled I can save some money for a paint job or Outdoor Logic bumper.

 

[JasetheDamager]

I had free time in the shop today so I worked on modding some Rally Armor mudflaps I picked up recently. I just need to buy cable and a couple of screws to attach the front flaps. Thanks to JC12 for the inspiration! I'll be finished in the next couple of days. I prefer using a drill press whenever I can as it yields straighter, cleaner results. I also used a cutting wheel on my grinder and a grinding wheel to clean up the galvanized steel.

 

[4Running Daily]

Soo jealous of your shop...

 

[BrianSD_42]

Pics with the mudflaps ?

:lightsaber:


Hey man I like what you have done so far. I just discovered this link to the Factory Service Manual (via Stick-Figure) and hope it helps you out.

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/fsm/repair.html


.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Soo jealous of your shop...

It's a great set up we have for maintaining and working on tallships here in Dana Point. We have every woodworking tool you could ever need and quite a few metal tools as well. My next goal is to get lessons from one of our volunteers who is a master craftsman and a great welder. He told me if I buy a basic set of welding tools, he'll show me the ropes.

Pics with the mudflaps ?

:lightsaber:


Hey man I like what you have done so far. I just discovered this link to the Factory Service Manual (via Stick-Figure) and hope it helps you out.

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/fsm/repair.html


.

Thanks Brian. This means a lot to me coming from a guy with an awesome truck. I'll post pics of the flaps when I'm done.

I know the mudflaps won't be to everybody's taste, but I guess that's the point of these build threads: to create something different. If we all build the same truck...that would be boring. I know many people prefer OEM type switches for fog lights and such, but I love my toggle switches. They make me feel like a fighter pilot in the world's slowest jet.:lmao:

 

[farmerjon]

I know the mudflaps won't be to everybody's taste, but I guess that's the point of these build threads: to create something different. If we all build the same truck...that would be boring. I know many people prefer OEM type switches for fog lights and such, but I love my toggle switches. They make me feel like a fighter pilot in the world's slowest jet.:lmao:

HAHAHAHAHA love it about the world's slowest jet

 

[Hepar]

I know the mudflaps won't be to everybody's taste, but I guess that's the point of these build threads: to create something different. If we all build the same truck...that would be boring.

Amen. Agree with that 100%.

Oh and your woodworking skills are sweet. I've always wanted to learn how to work with wood, but I think I'd just end up like that cartoon character who whittles a log into a toothpick.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Amen. Agree with that 100%.

Oh and your woodworking skills are sweet. I've always wanted to learn how to work with wood, but I think I'd just end up like that cartoon character who whittles a log into a toothpick.

I swear half of the battle is just having access to a full range of tools and a shop. It's like working on cars or welding: I haven't had the shop space or access, so my skills haven't developed in line with carpentry. To me at least, power and machine tools (band saw, table saw, lathe, router, etc.) are easier to work with, but you absolutely must pay attention at all times or risk injury or worse. Hand tools are enjoying renewed attention from master craftsmen and for good reason. You can actually work just as quickly in some cases, but you need a higher degree of skill and an ability to understand tools like a bench plane, spoke shave, wood rasp, their uses, and how to purchase quality tools in this day and age of Chinese-made throw away crap.


Sorry Hepar, I can go on, since I love carpentry. I noticed you also mention surfing in your thread. I glassed and shaped a few boards during college, mostly 6'0" thrusters based on Merrick's Channel Island boards. They rode like crap cuz I tried using my friend's hand planer, but didn't have the requisite skills to pull off a pro job. I also lived in apartments or had 3-4 roommates during college so I just ended up buying cheap used boards off CL, fixing any dings, and painting on some designs to cover up sun damage. I actually earned decent cash until the economy collapsed and guys stopped stockpiling 10 boards for any type of swell. I noticed that's changed a lot. Now I have 2 boards: a 5'8" Pendoflex fish I never use, and a 6'2" Merrick thruster. Great board. I rode it all over Central and South America after college. I still paint boards for side cash when I have the time.

Anyway, I hardly ever surf nowadays cuz I tore my shoulder up last year while doing dips at the gym, and with no medical insurance I can't have surgery, so I'm kinda stuck for a while. I miss the ocean. Much like driving my Runner up to the mountains for hiking and camping, the ocean is a great way to escape the d-bags here in the OC.

 

[Hepar]

I swear half of the battle is just having access to a full range of tools and a shop. It's like working on cars or welding: I haven't had the shop space or access, so my skills haven't developed in line with carpentry. To me at least, power and machine tools (band saw, table saw, lathe, router, etc.) are easier to work with, but you absolutely must pay attention at all times or risk injury or worse. Hand tools are enjoying renewed attention from master craftsmen and for good reason. You can actually work just as quickly in some cases, but you need a higher degree of skill and an ability to understand tools like a bench plane, spoke shave, wood rasp, their uses, and how to purchase quality tools in this day and age of Chinese-made throw away crap.


Sorry Hepar, I can go on, since I love carpentry. I noticed you also mention surfing in your thread. I glassed and shaped a few boards during college, mostly 6'0" thrusters based on Merrick's Channel Island boards. They rode like crap cuz I tried using my friend's hand planer, but didn't have the requisite skills to pull off a pro job. I also lived in apartments or had 3-4 roommates during college so I just ended up buying cheap used boards off CL, fixing any dings, and painting on some designs to cover up sun damage. I actually earned decent cash until the economy collapsed and guys stopped stockpiling 10 boards for any type of swell. I noticed that's changed a lot. Now I have 2 boards: a 5'8" Pendoflex fish I never use, and a 6'2" Merrick thruster. Great board. I rode it all over Central and South America after college. I still paint boards for side cash when I have the time.

Anyway, I hardly ever surf nowadays cuz I tore my shoulder up last year while doing dips at the gym, and with no medical insurance I can't have surgery, so I'm kinda stuck for a while. I miss the ocean. Much like driving my Runner up to the mountains for hiking and camping, the ocean is a great way to escape the d-bags here in the OC.

I completely believe you that tools go a long way, but they can only get you so far. I have a good friend and he tinkers with wood in his free time and his natural skills always amaze me.

I love surfing, but I'm sort of in the same boat. Injury free for the most part, but just don't get out nearly as much. I have a 7'2" and a 7'6" thruster and two 8 foot longboards. Honestly, all I ride these days are the 8 footers. I used to be about trying to get that one perfect ride, but being I get out MAYBE 4 times a year, I just really enjoy catching as many waves as I can. Feel like I have to relearn how to paddle each time out. My friend has an amazing 9'6" longboard and I love riding it. Catches everything with minimal effort, but still has some good nose rocker to be able to turn it. I might get one soon.

 

[4Running Daily]

Here's a crappy cell phone pick of the stuff I do.

 

[JasetheDamager]

Awesome board 4RunningDaily! Nice clean miter cuts. Looks like you used maple and walnut, though I could be wrong.

Since everybody uses different techniques, I'm curious what process you used?
1) Cut equal lengths and widths of walnut and maple. Did you need to use a planer or joiner?
2) Glue and clamp the lengths together. I use Titebond III cuz it's waterproof and I've never had any problems with my joints failing, though none of my projects are old enough to fail quite frankly.
3) I usually wait overnight before resuming work. Cut across the grain with a table saw. I usually use an 80-tooth blade for cleaner edges. Then flip every other piece and glue and clamp again.
4) Options vary for finishing work, depending on the setup. My shop doesn't have an industrial-grade belt sander that accommodates wide pieces, or a wide power planer, so I rely on a good old bench plane or random orbital sander for finishing work.
5) Some old guys I know hate sanders. They finish their work using only hand planers. Good for them. I'm still working on my technique, but I'll work my way through grits, ranging from 60-400 if necessary.
6) I'll also use a router for edges and to make handles if I'm creating a heavier board.
7) Select finish. I use a mineral oil/beeswax mixture for cutting boards. I've also been experimenting with salad bowl varnish, lacquers, and shellac.

I know this is completely off topic for a T4R forum, but my next project is a sea chest that requires intricate dovetail joints. I made one a few years back. I'll post some pics. This is all making me want to build a cargo chest in cargo area of my truck, but I won't have time the next couple of weeks.

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

Awesome board 4RunningDaily! Nice clean miter cuts. Looks like you used maple and walnut, though I could be wrong.

Since everybody uses different techniques, I'm curious what process you used?
1) Cut equal lengths and widths of walnut and maple. Did you need to use a planer or joiner?
2) Glue and clamp the lengths together. I use Titebond III cuz it's waterproof and I've never had any problems with my joints failing, though none of my projects are old enough to fail quite frankly.
3) I usually wait overnight before resuming work. Cut across the grain with a table saw. I usually use an 80-tooth blade for cleaner edges. Then flip every other piece and glue and clamp again.
4) Options vary for finishing work, depending on the setup. My shop doesn't have an industrial-grade belt sander that accommodates wide pieces, or a wide power planer, so I rely on a good old bench plane or random orbital sander for finishing work.
5) Some old guys I know hate sanders. They finish their work using only hand planers. Good for them. I'm still working on my technique, but I'll work my way through grits, ranging from 60-400 if necessary.
6) I'll also use a router for edges and to make handles if I'm creating a heavier board.
7) Select finish. I use a mineral oil/beeswax mixture for cutting boards. I've also been experimenting with salad bowl varnish, lacquers, and shellac.

I know this is completely off topic for a T4R forum, but my next project is a sea chest that requires intricate dovetail joints. I made one a few years back. I'll post some pics. This is all making me want to build a cargo chest in cargo area of my truck, but I won't have time the next couple of weeks.

I took a wood shop class last year in high school. i really liked working with wood and creating stuff! wish i was as good as you guys haha all i made was a folding chair, cabinet, and a box haha.