LawnDart's Build Thread

[LawnDart]

I'm liking the size of the larger tongue box. I will be adding that as well and a frontrunner rack to name a couple extras.

Frontrunner racks won't fit. The struts are part of the 80/20 system and are not compatible currently.

The Frontrunner racks are also extremely noisy on the XV2s, which use a different system than the XV3.

 

[greatape]

Frontrunner racks won't fit. The struts are part of the 80/20 system and are not compatible currently.

The Frontrunner racks are also extremely noisy on the XV2s, which use a different system than the XV3.

Thanks for the input and we are working on the details and should have it ironed out in the next few weeks.

 

[rlarroque]

I can't really convey how constant and intense the washboards are in Baja. I have a photo somewhere where I put a coke can down in the valley of the washboard, and the peak of the washboard is taller than the can. So your own hope is to hit the road at 60mph to skip over the ruts.

The shaking as a result basically can cause bolts to stretch and metal to fatigue. In the case of the front bumper it maybe sticks out a tiny bit further than it used to.

To Pelfrey's credit they realize that the endurance testing we did on the truck as a result is testing you can't really pay for, and they're smart to want the bumper back to inspect the welds, and see how they can improve the design.

I think any good company is smart to say "okay this broke in some way, we want to know how and want to improve as a result."

I don't mind when something brakes after 2000 miles of punishing abuse. I only freak out when something fails after 20-50 miles of easy stuff.

Good to hear they're taking a good look at the bumper, I've been eyeing their bumper for a while and they've hinted at a rear bumper for a bit. Hopefully soon they'll show us all what they look like. Look forward to your posts on any updates on the bumpers and your weight savings.

 

[Xtremluck]

I'm also close to pulling the trigger on a Pelfreybilt bumper but have seen a couple of images floating around showing failures. [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION]'s experience certainly doesn't instill confidence that it's very durable either.

 

[ECUDrummer]

I'm also close to pulling the trigger on a Pelfreybilt bumper but have seen a couple of images floating around showing failures. [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION]'s experience certainly doesn't instill confidence that it's very durable either.

I can't speak for OP, but I'm not sure Pelfrey built their bumper for blasting the Baja peninsula. I've seen one other failure, not sure what the issue was there (some say user error, some say an issue with a weld, not sure), but I've seen plenty of these on other trucks to confidently say I'd go with them if I had a 2014+ front end.

Hell, I contemplate buying 2014+ lights/front grille from time to time to make it work.

Have heard really good things about their customer service as well, fwiw.

 

[gm350reratliff]

No, Pelfreybilt probably didn't build them for that purpose in mind but at least they're willing to improve it so we can do that kind of stuff. Their customer service is great, they're very nice, down to earth folks.

Part of the problem is that the frame flexes more than most realize. This happens with any truck out there, not just the 4Runner. The Pelfrey bumpers are aluminum and very rigid. Instead of flexing with the steel frame, the aluminum will fatigue and crack. Happens a lot with aluminum flatbeds, stock trailers, etc.

Interested to see how Pelfreybilt will improve and prevent this from happening.

Lawndart- do you have frame reinforcements on the front frame horns?

 

[LimitBreaker]

Have heard really good things about their customer service as well, fwiw.

Yep, I just ordered from them and they are great to work with!

 

[ECUDrummer]

Yep, I just ordered from them and they are great to work with!

I'm friends with Satin on FB - if their customer service interactions with paying customers are as good as those with regular serfs, it might be worth it for me to just do the 2013 -> 2014 front end conversion and roll with their bumper.

 

[marshal]

No, Pelfreybilt probably didn't build them for that purpose in mind but at least they're willing to improve it so we can do that kind of stuff. Their customer service is great, they're very nice, down to earth folks.

Part of the problem is that the frame flexes more than most realize. This happens with any truck out there, not just the 4Runner. The Pelfrey bumpers are aluminum and very rigid. Instead of flexing with the steel frame, the aluminum will fatigue and crack. Happens a lot with aluminum flatbeds, stock trailers, etc.

Interested to see how Pelfreybilt will improve and prevent this from happening.

Lawndart- do you have frame reinforcements on the front frame horns?

i have been saying this for YEARS and no one wants to listen to me

 

[LawnDart]

i have been saying this for YEARS and no one wants to listen to me

Aluminum flexes more than steel. No welds broke on the bumper.

Frames flex a lot in general regardless of the bumper brand.

 

[Dan 91T]

I'm friends with Satin on FB - if their customer service interactions with paying customers are as good as those with regular serfs, it might be worth it for me to just do the 2013 -> 2014 front end conversion and roll with their bumper.

I did the 2012 to 2014 conversion and a buddy and I installed the bumper and winch in a day. It was a long day, but it was one day. Totally worth it. I've been pretty hard on the aluminum bumper and its holding up fine.

I'll second their customer service is great.

I'm very interested in what rear bumper they bring to market, as I'd like to get one sooner than later.

Dan

 

[marshal]

Aluminum flexes more than steel. No welds broke on the bumper.

Frames flex a lot in general regardless of the bumper brand.

aluminum does not flex more than steel of similar temper, aluminum has significantly less cycles it can take vs steel. I'm happy that nothing broke yet, but its inevitable - thats the conversation.

frame flex has nothing to do with the bumper brand, all the bumper brand is is an additional crossmember.

 

[LawnDart]

Total Eclipse of my heart.

 

[itsdchz]

Total Eclipse of my heart.

Amazing!

I envy you so much.. but in a good way!
As a Press Photographer with a family, it makes it so hard to be able to do the things I want to do vs. have to. I live my life vicariously through you, and a few others on the forums now.:bounce:

 

[camerasncoffee]

Awesome shot of the eclipse. Have you had some of your work done at Gresham 4 Wheel Drive? I was there over the weekend asking about 4Runners they've worked on and they mentioned a built out inferno TRD Pro.

 

[LawnDart]

Awesome shot of the eclipse. Have you had some of your work done at Gresham 4 Wheel Drive? I was there over the weekend asking about 4Runners they've worked on and they mentioned a built out inferno TRD Pro.

The only shops that work on my truck are 503 Motoring, Landcruisers NW, and Tactical Application Vehicles.

 

[LawnDart]

A month back my dad and I decided we'd fix something in our lives...namely that we hadn't been camping in more than 25 years. So we used the eclipse as an excuse to get him out camping again.

And I just so happen to have a 'lightly' built camping rig. Two weeks ago we went up into the Ochocos and did some scouting near Prineville, which is in the path of totality for the eclipse here in Oregon.

In the last two weeks I've been rushing to fix a few things on the XV3 and get a few things on the truck fixed given that I'm in the valley between invoicing and payday as a freelancer. Mainly I had to pull my driver front tire apart to swap out the TPMS sensor that fell off and was subsequently tumble dried into 10+ pieces before and during Baja.

The truck also has a fairly weird sound while accelerating, which leads me to believe one of the bearings in the drive shaft might by hinky. But I'm pretty much going to give it to the local Cruiser shop and just let them tear the truck apart for a few days and get her all back to tip top shape in september before I drive back down to LA to Pelfreybilt.

Anyways, the point of all this was that for all my frustrations at the platform, what it could and could not do well in Baja, I gotta say everything came together this weekend and I was able to treat my dad to a fairly magical experience camping from saturday until monday for the eclipse. We were definitely camping in style. So much so that the majority of campers in the area were all astronomy buffs and not camping experts, so many came unprepared. So much of my time was spent helping fix other vehicles, help cook for those without proper equipment, and generally helping out others. Our campsite became kind of the town hall for about 20 other groups.

Really, it reminded me why I built the rig. Which is to make amazing experiences. In the span of 1.5 months I've taken the truck through baja, jumping it, and nearly flipping it at 85mph, to camping under an incredibly event of astrological significance.

 

[broneenz]

Still one of my favorite builds of all time

 

[ADK Explorer]

Total Eclipse of my heart.

Great picture. Corny caption.

 

[itsdchz]

A month back my dad and I decided we'd fix something in our lives...namely that we hadn't been camping in more than 25 years. So we used the eclipse as an excuse to get him out camping again.

And I just so happen to have a 'lightly' built camping rig. Two weeks ago we went up into the Ochocos and did some scouting near Prineville, which is in the path of totality for the eclipse here in Oregon.

In the last two weeks I've been rushing to fix a few things on the XV3 and get a few things on the truck fixed given that I'm in the valley between invoicing and payday as a freelancer. Mainly I had to pull my driver front tire apart to swap out the TPMS sensor that fell off and was subsequently tumble dried into 10+ pieces before and during Baja.

The truck also has a fairly weird sound while accelerating, which leads me to believe one of the bearings in the drive shaft might by hinky. But I'm pretty much going to give it to the local Cruiser shop and just let them tear the truck apart for a few days and get her all back to tip top shape in september before I drive back down to LA to Pelfreybilt.

Anyways, the point of all this was that for all my frustrations at the platform, what it could and could not do well in Baja, I gotta say everything came together this weekend and I was able to treat my dad to a fairly magical experience camping from saturday until monday for the eclipse. We were definitely camping in style. So much so that the majority of campers in the area were all astronomy buffs and not camping experts, so many came unprepared. So much of my time was spent helping fix other vehicles, help cook for those without proper equipment, and generally helping out others. Our campsite became kind of the town hall for about 20 other groups.

Really, it reminded me why I built the rig. Which is to make amazing experiences. In the span of 1.5 months I've taken the truck through baja, jumping it, and nearly flipping it at 85mph, to camping under an incredibly event of astrological significance.

And all of a sudden, it is ALL worth it!
Great story! Although I am still riddled with envy...