LawnDart's Build Thread

[Jono.ful]

4Hover:

love the race series control arms. the first gen boxed ones I have are cool, but the way TC managed to tuck the uniball up that high looks rad.

Yea, the ones pictured here are in the stock position.... you can tell by looking at the back side.. I was thinking 3/16...

So what setup do you have and how much caster did you get. Where are your cam tabs set.....

TC stock length uppers and lowers, 2.5" Radflo ETs, goodyear d-trac/mtr/silent armor depending on the season on FN countersteer x, no rub. here is the report from my most recent trip to the rack after I re/re'ed my LCA bushings:

caster is close to maxed even after I cheated the cam tab gussets, possible to get more, but it starts to come at the expense of camber. historically though, I've always had a hard time getting the caster up anywhere close to 4° even back in the bilstein 5100 days before I did the tabs. I'm happy where its at now, no rub anywhere.

*edit* thinking about it, assuming my tab gussets were each moved a similar distance in the same direction, my alignment numbers wouldn't be an accurate indication of how much the new position of the tabs themselves had caused the wheel to move forward, since the readings are all relative. I suppose the only way to tell would be to measure from a fixed point on the truck to the centre of the hub and compare that to a truck without the gussets

 

[gm350reratliff]

I believe so but I'm just seeing progress photos. I'm back in Portland while Walt makes sparks.

Bummer. I was going to go say hi next week and check your 4runner out. When are you planning on coming back to the land of entrapment?

 

[LawnDart]

Bummer. I was going to go say hi next week and check your 4runner out. When are you planning on coming back to the land of entrapment?

I'm back on the 17th. I'm there in town for 2-3 days while I drive around finishing up the required 500 miles for the new gears being broken in. Then walt and I will swap the diff fluid, pull things apart and check and re check, reinstall and I'll start heading west towards LA and then north along the PCH.

So I'll be around for a bit.

 

[LawnDart]

"This isn't even my final form!"

 

[USMCRUNNER]

Going to be a killer setup! Can't wait for it to be button up and for some feedback especially on that anti rock setup in the rear.

 

[LawnDart]

Going to be a killer setup! Can't wait for it to be button up and for some feedback especially on that anti rock setup in the rear.

Thanks. It should be sitting on all fours by today or tomorrow. Then we start adjusting and doing the gears and lockers. Walt is really eager to feel how the antirock does as well.

 

[wfo9]

*edit* thinking about it, assuming my tab gussets were each moved a similar distance in the same direction, my alignment numbers wouldn't be an accurate indication of how much the new position of the tabs themselves had caused the wheel to move forward, since the readings are all relative. I suppose the only way to tell would be to measure from a fixed point on the truck to the centre of the hub and compare that to a truck without the gussets

Not following exactly. Moving the tabs outboard would only bias in some positive camber. But it should allow for more caster with the wheels pushed forward with the rear cam pushing out and the front cam pulling in.... But yes, it is relative to your setup... So depends on the LCA and UCA. It would be great to know max caster with 0 camber before the relocation and after.... It seems like it could only help....

 

[jamoc]

Sub'd

Thank you!

 

[KCcarguy]

Any before/ after RTI scores by any chance?

 

[LawnDart]

Any before/ after RTI scores by any chance?

Before: No idea.
After: No idea...it's not yet sitting on all 4s. Walt was fitting the bypasses and coilovers, and finishing up the welding.

Then the rest of the time this week is about setting the ride height, reinforcing some stuff, and doing the new gears and locker.

I did challenge Walt to fabricate me some lower strut shin guards, since the ICON ones clearly won't fit because the lower struts are way way way beefier on the Kings than the Icons.

 

[gm350reratliff]

*edit* thinking about it, assuming my tab gussets were each moved a similar distance in the same direction, my alignment numbers wouldn't be an accurate indication of how much the new position of the tabs themselves had caused the wheel to move forward, since the readings are all relative. I suppose the only way to tell would be to measure from a fixed point on the truck to the centre of the hub and compare that to a truck without the gussets

Not following exactly. Moving the tabs outboard would only bias in some positive camber. But it should allow for more caster with the wheels pushed forward with the rear cam pushing out and the front cam pulling in.... But yes, it is relative to your setup... So depends on the LCA and UCA. It would be great to know max caster with 0 camber before the relocation and after.... It seems like it could only help....

If the front and rear cam tabs were both moved outboard the same distance, the result would be more negative camber with no real change in caster. More positive camber would be the result if both cam tabs were moved inboard but still no real change in caster. However, if the rear set of cam tabs were moved outboard and the front set of cam tabs inboard the result would be more caster while keeping camber relatively the same.

 

[mgreen6616]

Saw the prototype XVenture XV3 at Overland Expo East. Is this the trailer you are looking at?

 

[LawnDart]

Saw the prototype XVenture XV3 at Overland Expo East. Is this the trailer you are looking at?

It is, I'll be getting the first production one. XO got the prototype and we're in the queue for the first finalized production model.

 

[jrandom]

So uhh yeah, you going to be the first to do a 3UR-FE 5.7l v8 w/ 8 speed tranny conversion? :madgrin: (assuming it would even fit)

 

[wfo9]

If the front and rear cam tabs were both moved outboard the same distance, the result would be more negative camber with no real change in caster. More positive camber would be the result if both cam tabs were moved inboard but still no real change in caster. However, if the rear set of cam tabs were moved outboard and the front set of cam tabs inboard the result would be more caster while keeping camber relatively the same.

Sorry, I used the wrong term on camber (got them reversed) , I meant negative camber. /-\

The problem with caster on these truck is that as you add positive camber \-/ as you push the wheel forward and attempt to add positive caster (the wheel arcs inboard as you push the rear cam out and front cam in). By locating both tabs reference point outboard a small amount it seems like it should allow for a bit more caster. The front may not matter... I'm not 100% sure though... Cam movement impacts on a triangulated pivot is outside of my current modeling skills. But common sense indicates it should work.

Also, I'm not sure it is great idea to take those brackets out of original design spec. Especially the rear since there appears to be very little material available to open it up to go further outboard.

I would love to hear from more people who have done it with success. Any examples would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LawnDart]

So uhh yeah, you going to be the first to do a 3UR-FE 5.7l v8 w/ 8 speed tranny conversion? :madgrin: (assuming it would even fit)

Anything is possible...WITH MONEY!

So today we should see the truck sitting again on all fours. Bodymount chop gets done once Walt gets an idea of how all the tires cycle up and down on the new suspension, adjust coilovers, build custom spacers for the rear bump stops, finish the rear re-gear, setup the airlocker. Then the tuning begins. I fly back on monday but we're in really solid shape.

I also challenged walt to build me a set of rear lower shin/strut guards, since the Icon ones wouldn't fit, as they were just too small for the beefy King lower struts.

Wish I was there for the whole build but I have to come back and work to pay for this dumbass project.

 

[mgreen6616]

It is, I'll be getting the first production one. XO got the prototype and we're in the queue for the first finalized production model.

Thanks for the reply. The one on display was the one XO used in their new film. Looks good. I like the idea of a utility trailer to build out to one's specific needs/wants. The XV3 looks to be built like a tank too. Can't wait to see it attached to your rig.

 

[LawnDart]

Thanks for the reply. The one on display was the one XO used in their new film. Looks good. I like the idea of a utility trailer to build out to one's specific needs/wants. The XV3 looks to be built like a tank too. Can't wait to see it attached to your rig.

Thanks, that version is going back with Schutt, and they'll be updating it to get it to SEMA. That should be the final prototype and then they'll discuss making mine.

As we've configured ours:
-FJC steelies (they're just wide enough to run 35s)
-Nitto 35s just like my truck
-Foxwing
-Roof Top Tent (undecided on which one)
-Rocklights + Switch Pro Setup
-Bedslider + Tanneau cover

 

[gm350reratliff]

I stopped by Walt's shop and checked out your rig in the flesh. It's going to be sweeeeeet! I also bs'd with Walt a bit on some ideas. He also let me in on some future projects. He's about to kick it into overdrive.

I'm hoping to make it to the city next week to see it on all 4, maybe even go on a trail or two with you. If not, wave at the big smoke stack as you head back west.

 

[LawnDart]

I stopped by Walt's shop and checked out your rig in the flesh. It's going to be sweeeeeet! I also bs'd with Walt a bit on some ideas. He also let me in on some future projects. He's about to kick it into overdrive.

I'm hoping to make it to the city next week to see it on all 4, maybe even go on a trail or two with you. If not, wave at the big smoke stack as you head back west.

Cool, it should be sitting on all 4s later today. So the critical part is breaking in the gears. I'd love to do some trails but the first 150 miles it has to be really treated with kid gloves, then the other 350 are just freeway miles while I drive around ABQ. So while I want to do trails, I can't do anything till we're outside that break in period.

But glad you got to see the rig. It'll be a beast.