Mason's Build Thread

[MasonT4R]

Late night wiring projects call for a beer!

I finally found a way to keep the wiring on the swing out neat and durable. I ran the wiring through some fuel line with the soldered connections in the fuel line for protection. Then heat shrink over end of the fuel line (and of course over the soldered connections inside). I picked up some 1/2" conduit clamps this morning and used them to secure the line in place. I had to use some more fuel line over the existing line to make it large enough for the conduit clamps to actually clamp.

It all runs in below the taillight (there is a gap on the inside) where i was able to easily connect into the lights for the license plate light and then Aux light runs into the cab through the grommet.

 

[habanero]

Ahhh, got a working on yota fix and I didn't even get greasy. Whew ball joints!
Nice work, nice armor, nice truck! Okay, more now please.

 

[MasonT4R]

Ahhh, got a working on yota fix and I didn't even get greasy. Whew ball joints!
Nice work, nice armor, nice truck! Okay, more now please.

There is more on the way! :frog:

I am probably done until after next weekends wheeling trip. I was hoping to have my new front bumper in and installed but I don't think it is going to happen.

 

[MasonT4R]

Headed to Buckhorn over in Arkansas for the second time. Had a great time but this time none of us escaped without damage. Granted the third gens only got minor gouges. Our fifth gen busted a taillight and dented his quarter panel.

I've got tons and tons of gopro footage to sort through.

My damage where I ended up pushing up against a tree. We will see how it looks once cleaned up.

The 4Runner performed amazingly like it always does. She needs some work to be happy again though. Alignment was knocked off kilter rolling off some rocks and banging the IFS skid. Time to go Savage. Also I think the cat is clogged as my wife is complaining of the floor getting very hot and my gas mileage died at an odd time. I'll be taking it by an exhaust shop to replace the cat and reroute the tailpipe.

 

[MasonT4R]

In preparation for an upcoming trip in Arkansas with 18 water crossings I decided to pick up a snorkel. I decided to go with the Hilux Surf snorkel off eBay. It's not as attractive as the Tacoma snorkel but the price was way more attractive at $135!

Following the lead from others I taped the template aligning it with the top of the fender and back by the door. The template will only work for the big hole. The other mounting screws will have to be redrawn on the template once you get it set in the correct location. I also used some black weather stripping to fill the gaps that are left due to the difference in 4Runners and Hilux Surf bodies.

The most important thing you must have for this project is patience. Getting to piping together made me want to punch a window out. My advice is to connect the rubber angle to the snorkel first and then connect it to the air box. Lube it with some WD-40 and pull the air filter. Reach in a push out on the rubber elbow while someone else uses a small screwdriver to pry it over the air box. It is a huge pain but this method worked best for me.

Template on.

Drill big hole! :crazy:

Big hole!

Test fitting.

Final fitting!

 

[Taylor20]

Looking forward to more feedback on the snorkel as I have been eyeing it as well.

 

[MasonT4R]

While the inner fender well was out I ordered the parts to swap in the Tacoma antenna. I also picked up a Y cable and adapters to combine the signal from the back glass. Before the swap I was picking up 6 stations from my driveway and now I get 20! Very pleased.

Found a sweet deal on a used Rola rack. A little paint and she looks good as new. Eventually I'll be making some custom mounts to fit it lower. I picked up some some blemished 3 gal Rotopax to throw up there on longer trips.

I was also able to pick up a rim for the spare. Just need to hunt down a center cap. The matching spare looks so much better.

In preparation for a trip through Arkansas next weekend I looked the whole 4Runner over for anything loose and also checked my wheel spacers. While I had the back apart I really got a good look at my rust. Mostly surface rust but I decided to do something about it. I wirebrushed everything loose off, washed it, and then busted out the Rustoleum!

Finally I decided it is time to do something about this stupid thing!

So I tore off the whole front bumper!

And painted! Now it is just a waiting game...

She will have to sit here for a few days while I wait on my new bumper which should be here Tuesday!

 

[MrHentoni]

Great looking 4runner! Definitely nice to see another person throw on that snorkel. I honestly don't mind it all that much

 

[MasonT4R]

Got the front bumper painted and mounted up!

Headed on a trip this weekend so I will hopefully have better pictures soon!

 

[MattJakobs]

What did you use to paint your under carriage and the where the front bumper previously covered?

 

[MasonT4R]

What did you use to paint your under carriage and the where the front bumper previously covered?

Rustoleum Satin Black works and looks well.

 

[MasonT4R]

A couple weeks ago a great group of guys from here on T4R ( [MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION] [MENTION=84479]Petromaniac[/MENTION] [MENTION=105493]fo' runnin'[/MENTION]) took a trip through the Ozark National Forest on a trail designated as the High Water Mark. Our plan was to enjoy the fall colors and stop to take lots of pictures while traveling through some of the best landscape that Arkansas has to offer.

We succeeded but not without some hiccups...

I decided to try a "small puddle" that I had no business being anywhere around. It did not go well and ended up with me being stuck in muddy pit while water poured in from every nook and cranny.

I stayed right here for much longer than I would have liked. The guys did a great job of quickly moving into action to save me. A quick winch pull and I was watching many many gallons of water pour from my 4Runner.

It didn't take long to discover that I have managed to intake water into the transmission. Two of the guys ran into town for supplies, ATF, Air Filter, Headlight Bulbs, and everything needed for an oil change. Luckily we didn't end up needing the oil change but the rest of it was needed. We drained a gallon of ATF, filled it back up, ran it a bit, and drained another gallon, rinse and repeat until we had 3 gallons through the transmission.

Being as how we were in low gear most of the trail this got me back up and going for the rest of the trail. It clearly became a bigger issue once we got back to the highway. On the trip back home we stopped three times and ran another three gallons of ATF through it to limp her home. To her credit she got me all the way home under her own power.

She has been to the mechanic for a complete fluid change but the damage to the transmission has already been done. I can drive her around to work but the transmission slips and will need rebuilt or replaced. Which works out somewhat as the rear main seal has started leaking quite a bit of oil (probably due to all my abuse of her).

My biggest lesson from this trip was that while this website is a fantastic source of information... TRUST BUT VERIFY. I can't blame anyone for misinformation because I never actually checked where my transmission breather was. I read multiple places that it was located high on the firewall along with the front diff breather. Mine just so happens to sit directly on top of the transmission. I knew that this trip was going to involve water and didn't take the proper steps to protect my 4Runner.

 

[MasonT4R]

We did manage to capture some fantastic pictures and still managed to have a blast even having to drag my poor butt around.

 

[KCcarguy]

Nice pics Mason! Can't wait to see Godzilla healthy and better than ever....and get back the trail!

 

[thebwlife]

So was this trail a little wider than K-Trail?

 

[MasonT4R]

So was this trail a little wider than K-Trail?

Most of it was wider (a lot was gravel roads in fact) but there was narrow sections. In this part of the country I think you have to abandon any thoughts of saving your paint if you want to run trails.

Or you can plastidip your entire rig like [MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION]!

 

[KCcarguy]

So was this trail a little wider than K-Trail?

Most of it was wider (a lot was gravel roads in fact) but there was narrow sections. In this part of the country I think you have to abandon any thoughts of saving your paint if you want to run trails.

Or you can plastidip your entire rig like [MENTION=66624]KCcarguy[/MENTION]!

I would say it's about the same width as the first section of the K-trail that you did, [MENTION=45399]thebwlife[/MENTION]. [MENTION=65827]MasonT4R[/MENTION] is exactly right.....Pinstriping is just part of the game here in our area of the country. Even with my dip I still have lots of damage to the roof, fender flares, window trim, etc. Not to mention dents in bodywork, sliders, gouges in wheels, and busted-up skids. Even the relatively mild trails can be tough/ risky for our 5th gens because they're so wide. I was one wrong move away from some serious body damage on that tight squeeze above^^.

 

[MasonT4R]

Today I got started replacing the nasty carpet.

Just like the snorkel project this has been an exercise in patience.

The factory carpet surprised me by being gray! I figured it was tan like interior so I ordered 5 different tan samples. Rather than going gray again I decided to replace it with a darker tan and am really liking it. I didn't order a replacement for the rear deck so it will be interesting to see what the end product looks like.

This picture kinda shows the difference.

 

[MasonT4R]

Finished installing the new carpet and put the rest of the interior back together.

 

[shootmymime]

why did you run the bolt from the bottom up. id be scared if i ever lost the nut the bolt would come loose and i would loose my tire carrier. just thinking.

Hows the sliders and rear bumper when flexing? any problems with the bumper touching the body.

Build looks great man, i like the color.