LawnDart's Build Thread

[Forest RnR]

Did I mention the Off-Road Expo here or on another thread? Just trying to remember if I did or didn't.

Basically what it came down to is that 2 weeks back Walt and I discussed and unless the truck was in New Mexico 2nd week of September, if all the parts were there 2nd week of September...we'd still be so rushed that while the truck would LOOK complete, we wouldn't feel good about rushing just to make the show.

Total Chaos wanted to have the 4Runner in their booth, which would have been cool. And frankly the person that would have benefited the most from that is Walt/TAV LLC. And Walt was the one who said, frankly, "I don't want to show this off incomplete or improperly tuned just to have it in the show. It's my name on the work, and I'm known for tip to tail expedition builds, not show cars."

And once we realized that we weren't going to make Pomona, a weight lifted off our shoulders. All our parts are in, he has to finish a long travel Gen 3 Tacoma and an FJ Cruiser so he can clear out his lift to begin working on mine. It'll be there a week from monday. Any parts TCF or Currie didn't send us, he can have the next day, i.e any little gussets or whatnot.

The other challenge is with the Nitro gears they have a break in period. So I can't just get the vehicle back and blast home to Oregon. I actually budgeted 3 days of doing light, 25 mile at a time driving, allowing for a cool down, more 25 mile driving, etc, so we can do 500 miles in and around ABQ. Then we do a diff fluid swap, make sure there's no metal shavings, new fluid, then we'll take the wheels off, and recheck that everything is looking good before I drive back along route 66 to CA and up to Oregon.

But long story short, we opted to spend more time on the build, then rushing just to show it off.

Better safe than sorry with all the new, expensive gearing and other parts. Can't wait to see the finished product...it's gonna be SO bad ass.

 

[headpaneer]

Did I mention the Off-Road Expo here or on another thread? Just trying to remember if I did or didn't.

Basically what it came down to is that 2 weeks back Walt and I discussed and unless the truck was in New Mexico 2nd week of September, if all the parts were there 2nd week of September...we'd still be so rushed that while the truck would LOOK complete, we wouldn't feel good about rushing just to make the show.

Total Chaos wanted to have the 4Runner in their booth, which would have been cool. And frankly the person that would have benefited the most from that is Walt/TAV LLC. And Walt was the one who said, frankly, "I don't want to show this off incomplete or improperly tuned just to have it in the show. It's my name on the work, and I'm known for tip to tail expedition builds, not show cars."

And once we realized that we weren't going to make Pomona, a weight lifted off our shoulders. All our parts are in, he has to finish a long travel Gen 3 Tacoma and an FJ Cruiser so he can clear out his lift to begin working on mine. It'll be there a week from monday. Any parts TCF or Currie didn't send us, he can have the next day, i.e any little gussets or whatnot.

The other challenge is with the Nitro gears they have a break in period. So I can't just get the vehicle back and blast home to Oregon. I actually budgeted 3 days of doing light, 25 mile at a time driving, allowing for a cool down, more 25 mile driving, etc, so we can do 500 miles in and around ABQ. Then we do a diff fluid swap, make sure there's no metal shavings, new fluid, then we'll take the wheels off, and recheck that everything is looking good before I drive back along route 66 to CA and up to Oregon.

But long story short, we opted to spend more time on the build, then rushing just to show it off.

It’s great the shop does not have to blast through your truck to make a deadline. It shows how much they care for the quality of their work.

With all frequent updates you do to your 4Runner, detailed writing and stellar photography, I enjoy this thread more than some of those automotive “reality” shows on TV.

 

[LawnDart]

I've been stalking your instagram and on here awhile but finally read through your entire build thread. Really good looking rig man! So what do you think of the RAM A CAN for your phone? Is it worth the $60?

https://www.amazon.com/Mounts-RAP-2...UTF8&qid=1474625180&sr=1-3&keywords=ram+a+can

Also, can't wait to see the pics from the upgrade excursion. Tell Jesse Pinkman I said whats up.

Thanks man. The RAM cupholder mount is good for the money, because it's universal it's easy to use, downside, of anything mounted on RAM arms in my vehicle (friggin fullsize iPAD, and Yaesu control head) the iphone actually vibrates around the most. Seriously my iPad is way more rock solid than my iphone! So that's the downside, it may vibrate around a little more. But it totally works and I have little complaints about it.

Better safe than sorry with all the new, expensive gearing and other parts. Can't wait to see the finished product...it's gonna be SO bad ass.

Bingo, I know some people based on experience feel the gearing break in period isn't needed, but being that i'm 1400 miles SW of Oregon, I don't want to be stranded because I rushed things. And trust me I'm eager to see it as well. I am certainly not the first one to do long travel, so it's not like we're paving any new trails here. But it's a big heavy overland rig doing long travel, so it has some unique aspects to it.

It’s great the shop does not have to blast through your truck to make a deadline. It shows how much they care for the quality of their work.

With all frequent updates you do to your 4Runner, detailed writing and stellar photography, I enjoy this thread more than some of those automotive “reality” shows on TV.

No way to sugar coat it, it's a STUPID amount of money for long travel (2+ kit) and to do it right, and i don't think Walt and I have even discussed labor costs, it just...it costs what it costs... *slowly begins sobbing*

Walt doesn't do showy rigs, he does stuff that you see, and if you know what you're looking at you immediately geek out because of how well it's built. It's why I am driving across the southwest for his time and work. But he's also not around the corner, so he wants to really shake the vehicle out before it drives 1400 miles NW of him, and it has to be durable on and off road. So as you said, he cares about it because it's his name on the work.

Regarding the thread, I appreciate it. I've seen a lot of builds offline where it's like, "Wow, look at that truck, that's amazing!" But you don't get to see the documentation. At the end of the day, you go to Page 1 on this build, or Antman's, Ducmonsta's, Wraiths, etc etc etc, and you see the decision making process, the waffling on certain choices, hard lessons learned, etc and you go from stock to upgraded. None of those builds, mine included were overnight. Mine took 2 years to get to this point, and yeah these are all pretty radical transformations, but everyone can do them step by step, and it is fun to watch everyone constantly modding their trucks. Life is too short for stock.

 

[Overland Empire]

Good stuff here. Been a fan of Walt's work for some time now, stoked to see what he does with your 4Runner. We kicked around the idea of doing long travel and 35's on ours as well, so it's going to be great to see how you like the results. Eagerly waiting this build man!

 

[LawnDart]

Good stuff here. Been a fan of Walt's work for some time now, stoked to see what he does with your 4Runner. We kicked around the idea of doing long travel and 35's on ours as well, so it's going to be great to see how you like the results. Eagerly waiting this build man!

Thanks, big fan of your build as well. Seriously.

i'd say I'll start posting results by mid-october, so 3 weeks. Likely i'll leave Walt my camera so he can document the install.

it'll definitely be interesting to see how the 35s and long travel improve the overlanding experience.

 

[Overland Empire]

Thanks, big fan of your build as well. Seriously.

i'd say I'll start posting results by mid-october, so 3 weeks. Likely i'll leave Walt my camera so he can document the install.

it'll definitely be interesting to see how the 35s and long travel improve the overlanding experience.

Thanks man. We'll start a build thread on here soon and play catchup with the process. Can't wait to see your progress!

 

[LawnDart]

Thanks man. We'll start a build thread on here soon and play catchup with the process. Can't wait to see your progress!

Driving to ABQ, aka the 'Burque' this weekend to start the long travel.

Mid-november is underbody camp lighting, maybe a transition to the switch-pro to make my switching setup nicer, and fall is the XVenture.

Then I want to move on to restoring my motorcycle.

 

[ADK Explorer]

Driving to ABQ, aka the 'Burque' this weekend to start the long travel.

Mid-november is underbody camp lighting, maybe a transition to the switch-pro to make my switching setup nicer, and fall is the XVenture.

Then I want to move on to restoring my motorcycle.

What kind of bike? I'm sure you could sneak a restoration thread for it in here as well. lol

 

[LawnDart]

what kind of bike? I'm sure you could sneak a restoration thread for it in here as well. Lol

1975 bmw r50/5

 

[CrazyMike]

1975 bmw r50/5

If you document the restoration anywhere, please include a link here so I can check it out.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Driving to ABQ, aka the 'Burque' this weekend to start the long travel.

Mid-november is underbody camp lighting, maybe a transition to the switch-pro to make my switching setup nicer, and fall is the XVenture.

Then I want to move on to restoring my motorcycle.

Safe travels! If you need help with anything let me know.

 

[amalik]

So this is the kind of cool stuff I could be doing if I didn't have kids... (and too many expensive hobbies)

Kids > material things



Sent from my LGMS428 using Tapatalk

 

[mgreen6616]

Kids > material things

Kids + Fun Toys > Having to Choose :biggrin1:

 

[LawnDart]

No Kids < Responsibilities!!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

 

[LawnDart]

This doesn't look like the daystar leveling kit I ordered!

 

[-dustin]

jesus

 

[nadalem0]

Do you even lift bro?

 

[LawnDart]

Do you even lift bro?

We did not skip leg day!

 

[mwray8909]

That's all you're putting on??? Lol

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[uptheirons]

What rear springs did you go with?