Kurtis T4R Build Thread

That bumper is looking nice! Can't wait to see the finished product.

As far as the latch you have planned, I had one that looked almost exactly the same for my swing out (could be the same one actually), and it felt really sturdy... up until it broke on me out at Azusa. Maybe you won't have the same problem, or maybe you have some tricks up your sleeve to make it more sturdy, but it's something to think about.
 
Nice work and I really like that bumper. Simple, but attractive and gets the job done. I really need to buy a welder. I'm looking forward to see what you do with the tire carrier.
 
Thanks. I dig your new sticker and the skids you made for the rear control arms. I think that may be on my list in the next couple months. If you you buy 15 or more cut off wheels you get about a .25 cent discount on each one. They are normally about $1.85. I had to start buying 4" wheel because I bought Home Depot out.



So far I really like them. I can't wait to try them in the snow. That will make it or break it for me. I've tried them out a couple times off road. They are awesome in the rocks. It rained a couple weeks ago for the first time in a couple months and it made driving in the rain very interesting. No traction on pavement in the rain. It probably has a lot to do with oil being on the road. Makes for a fun ride but I will definitely be slowing down in the rain.

Yeah that makes a tone of sense about on the road. Big lugs and minimal siping + wet surface = not much traction. I am wondering about the snow too. Haven't really too many guys run them in the snow. I know people love them in the rocks though. They are right up there with MTRs with how much I saw them in Moab last year.
 
Yeah that makes a tone of sense about on the road. Big lugs and minimal siping + wet surface = not much traction. I am wondering about the snow too. Haven't really too many guys run them in the snow. I know people love them in the rocks though. They are right up there with MTRs with how much I saw them in Moab last year.

My buddy Karl with 37" PBR. December 2012 Christmas Tree Run. At least 5 or 6 feet of extremely fresh snow. It's a video BTW.

 
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That bumper is looking nice! Can't wait to see the finished product.

As far as the latch you have planned, I had one that looked almost exactly the same for my swing out (could be the same one actually), and it felt really sturdy... up until it broke on me out at Azusa. Maybe you won't have the same problem, or maybe you have some tricks up your sleeve to make it more sturdy, but it's something to think about.

Yeah, I'm not 100% sold on that latch yet. I've been looking around for reviews on it. I might end up going with something else. They also have a double sheer latch that is supposed to be pretty strong but I am afraid it would rattle around a lot and that would piss me off. I might use a grade 8 bolt and weld a handle on it or something. I'm not sure yet. I am open to suggestions right now though.


More on the bumper today. Can't play in the shop too much for the next couple weeks. Need to keep studying for the rating exam. :thumb:

New antenna mount.


Here is the rebar I mentioned last night.
 
Yeah, I'm not 100% sold on that latch yet. I've been looking around for reviews on it. I might end up going with something else. They also have a double sheer latch that is supposed to be pretty strong but I am afraid it would rattle around a lot and that would piss me off. I might use a grade 8 bolt and weld a handle on it or something. I'm not sure yet. I am open to suggestions right now though.

After I broke my latch, I went with a simple yet robust replacement using a locking hitch pin that I already had:

Mg72Nzu.jpg


It's not going anywhere with this setup. A regular hitch pin with a cotter pin would work just as well, of course. The tolerances on that are tight enough that even if I didn't put the locking part on, I could probably flip the 4runner and the hitch pin still wouldn't fall out.
 
More on the rear bumper. I didn't get to work on the bumper as much as I would of liked this weekend because a raccoon claimed the lives of our 2 ducks. I spent most of the day turning our chicken coop into Fort Knox and yesterday cleaning up feathers.

This is what I came up with for the hinge. It's double sheer. I did expect to have to drill a hole in the bottom to facilitate getting to the nut. I could of left the hole open but I didn't want to mash it on a rock.






Automatically locks.






For the latch I used a 1/2" Grade 8 bolt and welded a handle on it with some 1/4" steel rod.


I welded a washer on the bolt on the inside of the 2" square tube to make it captive. I only tac welded it incase the bolt ever breaks on the trail I can beat it out and just slap another 1/2" bolt in there.



I also made the main support beam mate with the bumper nice and flat so it will help take the load of the tire and won't over stress the 1/2" bolt.




Tucked in pretty nicely.



I mounted the tire up pretty high so I wouldn't be affecting the departure angle. I had to choose between a departure angle and visibility. I chose departure angle since the visibility was pretty much gone anyway.




I sleeved a 2"x3/16" square tube inside a 2 1/2" x 1/4" and drilled a couple different holes for different tire mounting. I am planning on keeping a 33" tire on the back but I only makes since to be able to put one of my 35s on there if I ever need to.





I chose to tilt the tire a little to help keep it nice and tight to the hatch.



Visibility, gone.



I still have quite a bit of work to do but it's getting there. I am going to run 1" square tube to brace the tire carrier arm a little better from lateral pressure.



Hopefully I can get this done soon. I haven't driven the truck in a while. I've been considering wheeling in my back yard...
 
I like that sleeve idea and tilt, it's looking good man.
Take a look at this thread, towards the bottom of the thread there's some interesting thoughts on the stresses the pins are put through and the results if not done properly.

Bumper fab pictures - Page 2 - OFN Forums

This is exactly my fear. I have been considering making a 3rd point of attachment at the license plate area. It would make another latch I'd have un-do to get into the back but it would sure beat having to strap that sucker to roof rack out on the trail. I'm open to suggestions though.
 
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Looks great! and stout.

With regards to the spare tire upright; did you v-notch the square tube, bend and weld? I want to rework my spare tire height and angle and will be using square tubing. Thanks!
 
Looks good man I like it angled with the hatch
Thanks man.

Looks great! and stout.

With regards to the spare tire upright; did you v-notch the square tube, bend and weld? I want to rework my spare tire height and angle and will be using square tubing. Thanks!

I didn't v-notch it. I made a plumb bob and figured out the angle by how much I wanted to clear the hatch and rear wiper by. Then I just cut each piece of square tube at an angle that was 1/2 of the over all angle. <---Hope that makes sense.

Looking good!

20130831_175106_zpsd27ecf3c.jpg~original


With a hinge design like this, Is there any concern for the bolt backing out or vibrating loose?

The nut on the bottom of the bolt has nylock on it. On final assembly I am going to use Loc-Tite on it. It shouldn't go anywhere.
 
Almost finished with the rear bumper. I should be welding it on tomorrow, permanently.








 
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Well, it's closer to being done. I ran into a little bit of a delay. Should be done middle of next week. Here's the back story. When I received the double sheer hinge kit they forgot to put the DOM tubing in with it. So I used a piece of tubing I had laying around and emailed the company, explained the situation and got a partial refund. No big deal. I was skeptical of the tubing I was using but I figured I'd give it good test before I take it out of the shop and if it broke then I'd just a get a bigger sleeve. Well that's exactly what happened. The new sleeve should be here next week. I have everything prepped so it should go quickly.

I'm happy to say that the rub rails came out pretty nice. They seem to be nice and sturdy.

I've heard people talk about rear bumper contacting the body when flexed out. I really didn't want that. I'll test it again when it's complete but here are some pictures. I don't have any rubber issues anywhere.







 
Great work on the rear bumper, Kurtis! It's got some clean lines, great clearance and you made it yourself. Can't beat that. On my own rig, I would have liked round tube for the rocker guards, but the square tube goes w/the rest of your rig so it works.

I think this is my first post in your build, but I've been following the thread for awhile now. The rack looks better with the "haircut" and the wheel/tire combo is crazy looking. Outstanding build, man!
 
That looks great man. Nice work

Thanks man. I can't wait to finish the bumper.

Great work on the rear bumper, Kurtis! It's got some clean lines, great clearance and you made it yourself. Can't beat that. On my own rig, I would have liked round tube for the rocker guards, but the square tube goes w/the rest of your rig so it works.

I think this is my first post in your build, but I've been following the thread for awhile now. The rack looks better with the "haircut" and the wheel/tire combo is crazy looking. Outstanding build, man!

Thanks for the complements. I wasn't a big fan of the large rear tire carrier bumpers. I just thought there were too big. I really tried to keep it as tucked up as I could.

A lot of folks aren't a huge fan of all the square tube. I saw [MENTION=47856]jsmarine[/MENTION]'s black 3rd Gen a few years ago and I really liked the square tube on edge so I tried to keep the theme going. As far as the tires and wheels go; I'm just waiting for the snow to fly!
 
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And...done...

I'll get a better spare someday.



















I ended up using 2 bolts to hold the telescoping tire mount. It was rocking back and forth and I didn't like that.


Picked up a $7.99 chrome light, painted it, and RTV'd the shit out of it.


Ran the wires from the tail light through the main support to the license plate light. More RTV here.




 

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