Mizzle415's Gold Digger - Build Thread

[mizzle415]

Hey ya'll, been lurking here for while, since the runner got a case of the rear sag. It came to me with Firestone Airbags that were blown, so after looking around on T4R for a few months, I went in for the full OME lift. 890/60028 rear and 881/(OME Comfort N91?) with 1/2 top plate spacer front. A huge thanks to all on here for the great ideas and multitude of threads I've read to fix some minor issues that I've come across (CV axle seals, CV joints, IAC valve, clogged injector).

I've really set out to build the runner capable for getting to deep camping spots in the Sierras, like Bowman Lakes, Eagle Lakes, Poker Flat, etc. and don't see myself doing any serious rock crawling. That said, I've hit up some pretty mean local spots and a few medium rated trails in the mountains. Still looking for camping pics and I'll update when found. Seems lots of the places we end up camping are also popular gold mining locales...so without further adieu...Gold Digger.

Mods Complete:
Full OME lift/comfort shocks
Toytech Diff Drop
285 Toyo M/Ts
4xInnovations Sliders
Spidertrax Spacers
4xInnovations Sliders
Uniden 520XL CB
ISR/Deckplate (I keep the plate on)
Stingray Roof Basket

Mods to complete:
Hard wire MV-50 Superflow Pump
Add air tank
Front and Rear Bumpers
4.88s
And the list goes on....

OEM spring and airbag on left, OME 890 right

After OME lift

I live south of SF a bit, so it takes a long drive to get out and hit the trails. This shot is with the OME lift and Geolander ATs tires at 265/70/16. Cherry Lake, CA.

I was looking for a set of Duratracs in 265/75 or 285/75, but could not find a good deal. I ended up scoring some virtually new Toyo M/Ts in 285/75/16. Didn't really want to go Load Range E, but couldn't pass up the deal. The pic below shows the runner as she sits today with lift, tires, sliders, roof basket, etc.

:hatsoff:

 

[Rc4r]

Good tire choice! How bad do you rub??

 

[mizzle415]

Good tire choice! How bad do you rub??

Thanks Rc4r.
Definitely some rubbing up front when turning at certain angles and hitting a dip or bump. Both ends rub when wheeling hard and stuffing the tires. I've pounded the front pinch welds and shaved down the inside of the LTD flares on the front bumper.

I haven't done anything with the rear wheel wells. I get rubbing in the top of the back half of the fender well at stuff.

 

[JadatheRottweiler]

pretty clean so far!

 

[fightman80]

Looks good so far man!

 

[Hepar]

Great looking build so far. Look forward to the rest.

 

[bak3rme]

what kinda roof rack is that? looks like a rola but its not

 

[Rc4r]

Thanks Rc4r.
Definitely some rubbing up front when turning at certain angles and hitting a dip or bump. Both ends rub when wheeling hard and stuffing the tires. I've pounded the front pinch welds and shaved down the inside of the LTD flares on the front bumper.

I haven't done anything with the rear wheel wells. I get rubbing in the top of the back half of the fender well at stuff.

Nice, I ask cause I have the same tires, I have 0 rub in the rear but rub pinch welds bad! Lol

 

[mizzle415]

Jada, Fightman and Hep, thanks for the welcoming comments.

bak3rme, the rack is a Stingray Low-Profile Roof Rack Cargo Storage Basket . It's pretty good for the price and I def liked the low profile. I've had it mounted to the Yakima setup (which has worn out...older towers won't tighten down anymore to the bars), and also mounted directly to factory rails with custom z-brackets. The Z-brackets I made were only about 3/4 inch high, so very low pro. Between the flex of the rack and the height of the brackets, the rack would hit the factory cross roof ribs when fully loaded. Working on a different set of brackets now.

 

[mizzle415]

Nice, I ask cause I have the same tires, I have 0 rub in the rear but rub pinch welds bad! Lol

Rc4r,

My rubbing on the pinch weld area isn't bad after hammering and removing part of the plastic fender liner. I also changed out the fender liner mounting bolts to pan head from hex head....still need to trim more though. I'm resistant to the BL, but may consider it down the road.

BTW...in going from the 265/70 Geolander ATs to the 285/75 Toyo MTs brought my MPG from 17-19 to around 14...14.5 tops. I'm thinking it's mostly the weight of these particular tires. I do love the bombproof feeling I get when blazing through the rocks when aired down. I was definitely loosing a few chunks out of the ATs and these Toyos are flawless after several summer trips.

 

[mizzle415]

Slider Install - 4xInnovations w/KO

I installed 4xInnovations sliders towards the end of last summer. They came wrapped in plastic with a box for the small parts. Heres the link

2- HREW sliders with KO
6 - Scab plates to weld to frame rails
6 - Tiny little triangular gussets
4 - Shorter legs to attach to scab plates
2 - Longer legs to attach to scab plates

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757901513/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6757901513_40b2d7197d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt=""></a>

We first test fitted the sliders and determined where the spacing of the legs and where they would attach to the frame.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757901861/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6757901861_1f0f9a4844.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt=""></a>

Decided to weld the legs on equidistant from the ends of the sliders and from each other. 3 legs per side, equal spacing apart and from ends. In hindsight, I would probably place the out legs closer to the ends and have a larger span from the outer legs to the middle ones. This would provide more support at the ends.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757902399/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6757902399_f102709bf3.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt=""></a>

I ended up painting them with three coats of Rustoleum Automotive primer and then two coats of Rustoleum Spray-on Bedliner.

My cousin did most of the welding, while I got a basic lesson. Had to weld the legs to the sliders (cut long ones to same length as shorter ones), weld legs to the scab plates, weld gussets to legs and scab plates, and finally weld scab plates to the frame. Scab plates were welded onto the fram with a corner up to eliminate vertical welds on the frame.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757902869/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6757902869_20ac687445.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt=""></a>

 

[mizzle415]

Trip to Downieville, CA PICS

Took a trip up to Downieville, CA where they hold the annual Downieville Classic mountain bike race. Did a little swimming, camping, DH biking and some wheeling.

Drove up from Sierra City to Packer Saddle up Sierra Buttes Rd. Here's a few pics.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757925757/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6757925757_9828792036.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757925035/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6757925035_b6317b3d8f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757924249/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6757924249_0cb1b19104.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757923551/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6757923551_463140df7e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

We did a little exploring down at a former mining town called Poker Flat. I'm planning a little expo trip from Downieville to a camp spot on the Feather River called Milsap Bar. The only way to get there seems to be through Poker Flat.

This is the last remaining structure; The General Store
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6758318219/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6758318219_56425d12f7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

Where the trail was inundated by runoff
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757921647/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6757921647_41f000922f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

By buddy crossing the creek in his Dodge 2500
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757922853/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6757922853_260eafaf6b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt=""></a>

And of course, by driving buddy..
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/6757904891/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6757904891_2a1e6e3125.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt=""></a>

 

[mizzle415]

Mendocino National Forest

Took a little trip up to Lake Pillsbury, CA, located in the Mendocino National Forest in January. This was a quick family mission to visit some relatives who own the local country store at Soda Creek.

We headed up Hull Mountain, which tops out at around 7,000 ft. The snow was pretty thick by about 4500 ft, so we found a place for the kids to sled.

But we'll start with a shot of the 4Runner first.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576981596/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8576981596_2beefdf171.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

And some snow play.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576978324/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8576978324_abde9ceefa.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a>

Cousin Max had a good time getting towed behind the runner.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575883495/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8575883495_b7559b37da.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

After we got our fill of snow, the kids passed out in the back and we needed to make sure the nap continued. Those of you with small kids know that theres no better sleep aide than a bumpy drive.

These pics are on Sunset Trail just up the hill from Lake Pillsbury.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575886697/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8575886697_d53f90edf8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

A little bit of blown out flex.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576984832/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8576984832_f94e9fc2d8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576985050/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8576985050_31da82d5cb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575886487/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8575886487_0897f6f1fe.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

Ahh....Sunset.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576984258/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8247/8576984258_e2caacfab2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>

There's a ton of trails up in this area and I hope to explore up here some more this summer. I know you can drive through the mountains to Stoneyford OHV and then on the I-5 in the valley.

Happy Trails!

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Any reason with the airbag on one side only? Nice build so far as well.

 

[mizzle415]

Big Bear Snow Wheeling

I had posted on a few threads looking for trails to hit up in Big Bear Lake, CA during February. I ended up meeting up with Broker (T4R) and a few other rigs from Expo. I updated the threads I started, but got a hold of some more photos recently, so thought I would post em up here.

The 4Runners met at the Big Bear Discovery Center and then met up on the trail with a sick JK, a Hummer H2 and a Hummer H3. All American rigs all had lockers front and rear, minimum of 35's and were pretty well setup. Broker rocked the snow with open diffs on 35's and I rolled in 33's with the rear e-locker.

We had an awesome day in the snow and were super stoked to hook up with some folks who knew where they were going. It would have been tough to navigate on unknown trails that were covered in snow.

Here are some pics of the day.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575898169/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8575898169_74a1e3e75a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575898341/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8575898341_27a31cf70d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576996568/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8103/8576996568_360425b07c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576996674/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8576996674_1292e77e82.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576996962/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8576996962_e13ede4893.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8576996962/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8576996962_e13ede4893.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575899357/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8575899357_f78def718d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575902193/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8575902193_6e65600fdd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575902395/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8575902395_fba29298f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575902613/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/8575902613_3cfd687693.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88814625@N00/8575902701/" title="Untitled by meeatch1_1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8575902701_b50f32bc4f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Untitled"></a>

Happy Trails!

 

[mizzle415]

Any reason with the airbag on one side only? Nice build so far as well.

Thanks for checking out my thread.

You must be talking about the pic with stock coil with airbag next to new OME coil. Both sides had the Firestone airbags, but both were blown and coils were packed out and sagging.

I recently switched out the rear coils to LC 8 wraps and have the black Tokico LC shocks waiting to be installed. OMEs were sold to another forum member--cheers Yoter.

 

[Aznwolf118]

Nice build, great to see another t4r built in the bay area

 

[mizzle415]

For some reason I can't see your pics (or mine) on my iPhone. So not sure what you're trying, but me thinks your talking tires and stock gears.

33's with 4:30s isn't too bad power wise. The only thing that bugs me is when it hunts for gears going up a long grade. Only really a problem when it's in cruise control, otherwise with ETC on, it does pretty well.

When loaded down for camping and headed to the mountains it suffers a bit.

 

[Forrrrest]

Hell ya looking great so far!! Pillsbury is a real nice place my favorite time to go it before they close the basin up to ohv. Cherry lake is also a great spot! I haven't gotten to explore to much of it just yet tho.

 

[KidVermicious]

For some reason I can't see your pics (or mine) on my iPhone. So not sure what you're trying, but me thinks your talking tires and stock gears.

It's spam. Now they're quoting posts in other threads instead of quoting posts in the same thread like they've been doing.