MandAtaco (Manda4Runner-?) Build Thread
- Thread starter MandAtaco
- Start date
99 sr5 highlander
New member
Wow, very nice build. Our mod list is very similar.
MandAtaco
Member
Truck had a great weekend! I swore when I built this truck, I was going to keep it on a bit milder trails than I was using the taco for, thats been slowly going out the window and this last Sunday I pushed her hard! We went out and ran some of the harder stuff in Logandale Nevada. Truck did phenomenal, it was a dual locker kind of day for sure! This stuff would have been impossible otherwise. I didn't get a ton of pics, of my stuff, but here's a couple that I've seen so far.
Gatekeeper on the first trail.
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Some from the second trail.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32888458322/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_135243"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2389/32888458322_512924d1cd_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_135243"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32917715381/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_135331"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2846/32917715381_49175706af_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_135331"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/33002600976/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_144428"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2707/33002600976_3d960aebbe_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_144428"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hopefully I'll get some more pics from the day.
I hit the fuel tank skid pretty hard and mushroomed it out. When I did the driveshaft started catching on it. I broke the zerk fitting off, ripped the side of the skidplate, and one of the weights was rubbing. I got the skid plate banged back out today and the zerk replaced. Need to pick up some sheet metal and I'll be reinforcing/fixing the fuel tank skid for good.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/33002593236/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="IMG_2107"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/266/33002593236_26620a891e_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2107"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32917701691/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="IMG_2108"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2043/32917701691_6dedaecba2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2108"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Gatekeeper on the first trail.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32888455482/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_092409"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2727/32888455482_c0be036f7a_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_092409"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32888479972/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_094253"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2765/32888479972_aa67555166_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="20170219_094253"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32662227420/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="16804307_761801633996595_8323781912529824826_o"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/439/32662227420_e6607eb356_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="16804307_761801633996595_8323781912529824826_o"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32229160653/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_100035"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3917/32229160653_99e620d231_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_100035"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Some from the second trail.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32888458322/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_135243"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2389/32888458322_512924d1cd_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_135243"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32917715381/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_135331"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2846/32917715381_49175706af_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_135331"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/33002600976/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="20170219_144428"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2707/33002600976_3d960aebbe_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="20170219_144428"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hopefully I'll get some more pics from the day.
I hit the fuel tank skid pretty hard and mushroomed it out. When I did the driveshaft started catching on it. I broke the zerk fitting off, ripped the side of the skidplate, and one of the weights was rubbing. I got the skid plate banged back out today and the zerk replaced. Need to pick up some sheet metal and I'll be reinforcing/fixing the fuel tank skid for good.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/33002593236/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="IMG_2107"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/266/33002593236_26620a891e_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2107"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/140824214@N07/32917701691/in/album-72157680525685606/" title="IMG_2108"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2043/32917701691_6dedaecba2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_2108"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
MandAtaco
Member
Sunday I scored at the Junkyard, found a 99 with a bunch of stuff I needed.
Extra rear shaft I can take down and get cut up for my crawler, Sensors for the transfer case I was missing, factory relay for my 4wd.
I think the thing I was most excited about was this steering wheel. It was just laying in the back, already pulled, spent the best $11 bucks ever on it! My wheel was JUNK!
Good weekend!
Extra rear shaft I can take down and get cut up for my crawler, Sensors for the transfer case I was missing, factory relay for my 4wd.
I think the thing I was most excited about was this steering wheel. It was just laying in the back, already pulled, spent the best $11 bucks ever on it! My wheel was JUNK!
Good weekend!
MandAtaco
Member
Couple videos from this weekend.....
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/we8NK3sDZ0Q?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XwL7GU3TmT0?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/we8NK3sDZ0Q?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XwL7GU3TmT0?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
MandAtaco
Member
JayRolla
New member
Ha. I would not say so. Just ridiculously persistent.
BrianSD_42
New member
Love the trip pics man. I have been to Death Valley several times but there are always places I've missed. Thanks for posting your experiences.
MandAtaco
Member
I'm convinced you could spend a lifetime out there and not see it all. So many cool places. I've really been itching to get back out to Paniment Valley and stay in the cabins again. Need to get that on the books.
Mark_BC
Senior Member
Not sure if you followed this, it's kind of gruesome but a fascinating story about German tourists not giving the desert the respect it deserves.
The Hunt for the Death Valley Germans
Mgyver1
Member
That was quite a fascinating story, I couldn't stop reading it! Thanks for the link.
MandAtaco
Member
Hey guys, haven't updated this in a while, not because nothing has happened, just been busy with projects/trips/etc. Its been a busy few months here!
Probably the biggest project I've been dealing with lately is the install (and removal) of the crawler.
I'll post some pic of everything but let me give you the quick story. I spent the previous few months rebuilding the crawler, installing a couple new bearings, getting the rear drive shaft modified, and twin sticking the new J-shift case. I basically had everything prepped and ready to go in when the time came.
I took a 5 day weekend and installed it all in the truck. The crawler and new t-case went in very easy and pretty quick. I spent probably 3 times that amount of time working on the triple sticks. Its a HEAVILY modified Rad-Designs set-up, very nice kit, and really good customer service. I've got easily over 20 hours in the sifters.
Right off the bat I noticed it made some noise, more than I remember it making when it was in my old Tacoma, I ran it for about 900 miles like that. Everything shifted fine, no vibrations, low range was GREAT!
Before we headed down to Overland Expo I decided to go ahead and make sure all the fluids were topped off. When I pulled the fill plug, it had some stuff on it, decided to go ahead and drop the fluid and see what it looked like. It was darker than it should have been for 900 miles, and had stuff suspended all in it. It looked metallic but was non magnetic.
This is what it looked like after the oil had settled out a few days.
We took the wife rig down to the EXPO and left mine in the garage for the weekend. Just really didn't want to deal with it at that point. When we got back I pulled everything back out (again) and opened the crawler up to see if I could find the problem. On a quick inspection I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. The bearings all feel tight, the gears all look brand new still, at an absolute loss with it right now. I made the decision to throw the stock stuff back in it to get it back on the trails.
So as she sits now, I'm back to running the factory Multi-mode case and and the crawler is back under the work bench. The plan is to look at it one more time, but honestly I'll probably end up sending it back to Marlin and have him go through it. Pisses me off because these things aren't that complicated, there's really nothing to them, I feel like I should see something obvious with the crap in the oil.
It'll go back in eventually, but I need a break from it right now. The good thing is all the "hard work" is done, it'll just bolt up now. LOL
Only video I got "crawling".
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q5fsq9QDnFM?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Probably the biggest project I've been dealing with lately is the install (and removal) of the crawler.
I'll post some pic of everything but let me give you the quick story. I spent the previous few months rebuilding the crawler, installing a couple new bearings, getting the rear drive shaft modified, and twin sticking the new J-shift case. I basically had everything prepped and ready to go in when the time came.
I took a 5 day weekend and installed it all in the truck. The crawler and new t-case went in very easy and pretty quick. I spent probably 3 times that amount of time working on the triple sticks. Its a HEAVILY modified Rad-Designs set-up, very nice kit, and really good customer service. I've got easily over 20 hours in the sifters.
Right off the bat I noticed it made some noise, more than I remember it making when it was in my old Tacoma, I ran it for about 900 miles like that. Everything shifted fine, no vibrations, low range was GREAT!
Before we headed down to Overland Expo I decided to go ahead and make sure all the fluids were topped off. When I pulled the fill plug, it had some stuff on it, decided to go ahead and drop the fluid and see what it looked like. It was darker than it should have been for 900 miles, and had stuff suspended all in it. It looked metallic but was non magnetic.
This is what it looked like after the oil had settled out a few days.
We took the wife rig down to the EXPO and left mine in the garage for the weekend. Just really didn't want to deal with it at that point. When we got back I pulled everything back out (again) and opened the crawler up to see if I could find the problem. On a quick inspection I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. The bearings all feel tight, the gears all look brand new still, at an absolute loss with it right now. I made the decision to throw the stock stuff back in it to get it back on the trails.
So as she sits now, I'm back to running the factory Multi-mode case and and the crawler is back under the work bench. The plan is to look at it one more time, but honestly I'll probably end up sending it back to Marlin and have him go through it. Pisses me off because these things aren't that complicated, there's really nothing to them, I feel like I should see something obvious with the crap in the oil.
It'll go back in eventually, but I need a break from it right now. The good thing is all the "hard work" is done, it'll just bolt up now. LOL
Only video I got "crawling".
<div style="position:relative;height:0;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q5fsq9QDnFM?ecver=2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;left:0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Last edited:
MandAtaco
Member
Besides the recent crawler mess, we've been doing some cool trips, a lot of weekenders.
In January we got an invite to go on the Rogue Overland Winter Expedition. It was a full 3 day event that headed into Southern California. We made a lot of new friends and saw some amazing places I probably would have never made the time to go see on my own. The weather sucked, rained all 3 days, but honestly made the trip even more epic.
Day 1 was Vegas through Joshua Tree, General Patton Museum, and a dirt track I can't remember the name of, Spent the night hanging with friends, camping in the rain, and having a huge potluck.
Day 2 We left camp, headed to the Salton Sea, East Jesus, Salvation Mountain, another random Arizona trail and camp again.
In January we got an invite to go on the Rogue Overland Winter Expedition. It was a full 3 day event that headed into Southern California. We made a lot of new friends and saw some amazing places I probably would have never made the time to go see on my own. The weather sucked, rained all 3 days, but honestly made the trip even more epic.
Day 1 was Vegas through Joshua Tree, General Patton Museum, and a dirt track I can't remember the name of, Spent the night hanging with friends, camping in the rain, and having a huge potluck.
Day 2 We left camp, headed to the Salton Sea, East Jesus, Salvation Mountain, another random Arizona trail and camp again.
MandAtaco
Member
Day 3 we packed up camp and took off for an old mining camp in southern AZ. We then headed north to Kingman and met up with the local off raod group that took us up the Moss Wash Trail to the old Mansion. From there it was a MUDDY drive back to Kingman for gas, dinner, then the drive home.
We were running late so we didn't get a ton of time here, but I have every intention of going back to this place and checking it out!
Moss Wash and Mansion
Trip Aftermath
Such a great trip! We are currently planning on attending the Rogue Overland Summer Expedition this year in Colorado! Check them at all the normal places. There should be a trip video on YouTube some time soon on this one too, I'll be sure to post a link when it happens.
More pics here if your interested: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQVCGt5
We were running late so we didn't get a ton of time here, but I have every intention of going back to this place and checking it out!
Moss Wash and Mansion
Trip Aftermath
Such a great trip! We are currently planning on attending the Rogue Overland Summer Expedition this year in Colorado! Check them at all the normal places. There should be a trip video on YouTube some time soon on this one too, I'll be sure to post a link when it happens.
More pics here if your interested: https://flic.kr/s/aHskQVCGt5
