Jsmarine's 4runner build thread (lots of pics)

gm350reratliff · Jan 3, 2011

Congrats for having the Featured 4Runner! That is one sweet 4runner! Best of all you built it yourself (with some help, but who doesn't need some help time to time). The knowledge you gain by doing things yourself is priceless. Even if you have to do it twice. Keep up the good work!

Jesse1983 · Jan 3, 2011

badass rig!

97BlackAckCL · Jan 4, 2011

Absolutely AWESOME build! Mad props to you and your brother for building everything yourself, very impressive. I'm a diy'er all the way, but even I couldn't fabricate stuff like that, everything came out awesome, especially the bumpers, and sliders. Your truck is awesome, and definitely deserving of 4Runner of the month, nice work bro, and thanks for your service

jsmarine · Jan 4, 2011

Look what UPS dropped off this afternoon!

arty:
I plan to install them this coming Saturday along with the OME 891's I got from 4-ripcord.

Thanks again steezemcqueen and Toytec Lifts!

BFEATHER2008 · Jan 5, 2011

Hey Jsmarine's you've got a really nice 4Runner i would like to know what size steel you used to make the bumpers? I thought about making my own like you did but not sure what size steel to use? Just trying to get some ideas. Thanks

jsmarine · Jan 5, 2011

BFEATHER2008 said:
Hey Jsmarine's you've got a really nice 4Runner i would like to know what size steel you used to make the bumpers? I thought about making my own like you did but not sure what size steel to use? Just trying to get some ideas. Thanks

Well both the front and rear bumpers incorporate different sizes (or gauges) or thickness of the steel used. The thickness ranges from 1/4 inch to 14 gauge depending on the placement and use; and in a couple places its 1/2 inch steel, but not much. Most of the bumper is either 1/4 or 1/8 inch steel. For example, the winch mount and where it mounts to the frame is 1/4", both on the front and rear bumpers. Same with any pull points (where the shackles mount) its 1/4 inch and in a few places its actually 1/2 inch. The thinner metal makes up the aesthetics of both front and rear bumpers, parts that would not support a load, so that the bumper is not too heavy. Those parts could be susceptible to rock hits on the trail, (not likely as most are vertical surfaces, but its possible) and could possibly be damaged but it would not affect the integrity of the bumper. The bumpers I built are designed to be both strong and as light as possible, where possible.

For your question, when building the bumper, if you look at my design, it is very simple, probably crude but strong at first; look at the early pictures in both threads on the bumper builds. That is the structural part of the bumper, where you would use the more substantial (thicker) material, and really nothing needs to be added for strength or function, the bumper could be complete at this point.

But...after that, you can see the rest of the build is making the bumper look better, fit closer, and be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. That is where you use the thinner material as not to add un-needed weight to your vehicle.

steezemcqueen · Jan 5, 2011

jsmarine said:
Look what UPS dropped off this afternoon! arty:
I plan to install them this coming Saturday along with the OME 891's I got from 4-ripcord.

Thanks again steezemcqueen and Toytec Lifts!

Good luck with the install!

Call me if you have any problems

:cheers:

Mr. Leary · Jan 6, 2011

I'm playing trucks at my house this saturday. You are welcome to swing by and we can get those new front coils in...

I'm thinking about going with either 882s or Toytec like yours... be making a trip to TRDParts on friday, I reckon.

BFEATHER2008 · Jan 6, 2011

Hey thanks for the info on the bumpers. Have you hit anything pretty hard with yours installed yet. did it do any damage?

jsmarine · Jan 6, 2011

Mr. Leary said:
I'm playing trucks at my house this saturday. You are welcome to swing by and we can get those new front coils in...

I'm thinking about going with either 882s or Toytec like yours... be making a trip to TRDParts on friday, I reckon.

Thanks for the offer, but I need to stay around the house this weekend. Got a bunch of stuff to do along with getting those coilovers in.

Let me know what you decide to do, either new 882's or coilovers.

jsmarine · Jan 6, 2011

BFEATHER2008 said:
Hey thanks for the info on the bumpers. Have you hit anything pretty hard with yours installed yet. did it do any damage?

Nope haven't hit anything yet. But that does remind of a funny story.

I parked in a mall parking garage that had the wire rope as a barrier to keep you from driving off the edge (heres a picture I found on the internet to help explain what I'm talking about)

As I pulled in to the parking spot, my winch hook clipped on the the wire rope, which I did not know. After doing some shopping I got in my car to leave and when I tried to back up the car wouldn't move. I checked the parking brake again, and attempted to back out again. Nothing, the engine is reving and I can feel it want to move but nothing. Now I'm frustrated and think maybe the parking brake is stuck, so I get out on look underneath at the rear axle and brakes, the brake cable is loose, so that's not the problem. Now I'm really scratching my head, and starting to think its my transmission. I got back in to try again, I give it more gas this time but nothing, the car wont move.

Long story short, about that time a another shopper came out of the mall and saw me trying to back up while still connected to the wire rope...I felt like an idiot when they told me what the problem was. :bash:

StreetKill831 · Jan 6, 2011

Haha sounds like someone played a little joke on you

Sexy runner as always.

Willy1 · Jan 6, 2011

Hey Jsmarine I would like to know the height you get out of the coilovers. Im going to be purchasing some by the end of the month. Sweet rig btw.
Wil

jsmarine · Jan 7, 2011

Willy1 said:
Hey Jsmarine I would like to know the height you get out of the coilovers. Im going to be purchasing some by the end of the month. Sweet rig btw.
Wil

No prob, I will post up pictures of the installation and I will be sure to take a couple before and after measurements.

BFEATHER2008 · Jan 7, 2011

LOL!!! Thats a funny story. So i got a whole set of the FJ80 springs im wondering how to count the wraps? im still new to this and not sure what that means. any help would be great and is it possible to put the whole set on my 4Runner? Front and Back and how much lift do you think i can get out of it?

jsmarine · Jan 7, 2011

BFEATHER2008 said:
So i got a whole set of the FJ80 springs im wondering how to count the wraps? im still new to this and not sure what that means. any help would be great and is it possible to put the whole set on my 4Runner? Front and Back and how much lift do you think i can get out of it?

You cannot put the whole set on your 4runner since the FJ80 FRONT springs only fit the REAR of our 4runners. Start here, http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html as there is a wealth of information and feel free to ask any questions about your lift there as well, you will find more help there than on my build thread.

BFEATHER2008 · Jan 7, 2011

ok cool thanks jsmarine

Yo! · Jan 7, 2011

jsmarine said:
UPDATE 12/12/10.

Well sorry for dragging out this rear bumper build, but I had to work the last 7 days, no time for fabrication. But, today was pretty good, we got a lot done on the bumper, actually most of the bumper fabrication is done, just need to finish welding it up and a few small things here and there. My brother and I got the tire swing arm started today, and I plan to get complete it tomorrow. We will see how things go.

Heres some pictures from today, and the progress thus far.

HEY JSMARINE! Who's SWEET ASS BLAZER is THAT!?!?!?!?!

THAT THANG IS DA BOMB

ARE YOU USING SPEAKER WIRE FOR YOUR WIRING!?!?!?!

:drummer:

jsmarine · Jan 8, 2011

Yo! said:
HEY JSMARINE! Who's SWEET ASS BLAZER is THAT!?!?!?!?!

THAT THANG IS DA BOMB

ARE YOU USING SPEAKER WIRE FOR YOUR WIRING!?!?!?!

:drummer:

That Blazer is a POS. It barely runs, and the guy that owns it has no clue what he is doing under the hood. :flipoff:

.....Nice try Thomas, did you sign up for T4R just to write that one post, you are so So Gay

jsmarine · Jan 8, 2011

Installed

Got the coilovers installed today with the help of my brother again at his house. The install went very smooth, and the coilovers are awesome! I also got the rear OME 891's in as well, looks like little lift from them as well. I did adjust the coilovers down a little after I got them installed as they were too high at first IMO for the CV angles. I took the 4runner for a short drive to see if they settle and decided to go to the beer store while I was out. After I got back they had settled, a little lower than I liked so I adjusted them back up. The 4runner sits pretty level now, and I think I have adjusted them to about the right height for decent CV angles.

By the way, this new front suspension upgrade was LONG OVER DUE! The ride quality with these new coilovers is really awesome, I did not realize how bad and worn out my old coils were until riding on these! I am very impressed, and really happy with them. Glad I got the 650lbs springs, they handle the weight very well. The ride is firm, but not too stiff.

Heres a few pics: