Mojave Mad Man's - Multi Use - Build Thread

[Kryptoroxx]

Very very well done!!

Just out of curiosity how much does it weigh?

I like the idea that you can remove the swing out for dd use if you like.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Not sure on weight exactly but it is heavy!!! I can lift it solo but it's heavy as hell. If I could do front and rear bumpers over again, I would probably change it up and go more minimal and do tube style stuff. The plate hands down looks better but it is a lot of weight for these things. A tube front and rear bumper with girth in just the critical spots like a winch mount or hitch would serve a much better purpose for most people. But like I said, these do look cooler haha! Maybe I will sell them and re-build one day way down the road. For now I am very happy and would put a super charger on before rebuilding these. I have over 200 hours into what I have built and I like them.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Always love seeing what you come up with. I would love to do a tire carrier but I would like to get more practice with building before I try a hundred pound bumper that holds a tire.

Watching how you build stuff helps a lot so thank you.

 

[MandAtaco]

Truck looks great! I love the bumpers and am getting ready to build something similar for the rear myself. I've got a couple questions...

Where did you get this hinge setup? That is slick!


And what size square tube did use for the main part across the back? Looks like 2x4-?

Thanks!

 

[2014 Warthog]

Got a lot of super impressive work done lately! Nice Makin' me feel like a bum

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Truck looks great! I love the bumpers and am getting ready to build something similar for the rear myself. I've got a couple questions...

Where did you get this hinge setup? That is slick!


And what size square tube did use for the main part across the back? Looks like 2x4-?

Thanks!

The bearing is from 4x Innovations. It is pricy, but it is the only bearing I found that is double sheer with a top and bottom plate that was an actual bearing. You could either find the trailer style ones where it is a bearing and a spindle, or double sheer but it was poly or bronze bushings. This is the best of both worlds and is a super quality part!
DIY Parts

The tubing is 3" x 6" x 3/16" wall thickness I do believe. I will say this is one of the culprits that makes this thing so heavy. It does make building it a lot easier though haha.

Got a lot of super impressive work done lately! Nice Makin' me feel like a bum

Thanks! Don't feel like a bum, I have been working on this for the last 6 months. Just saved up the updates for one large one so it looks like I did the work faster than it actually took me to do.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Thanks everyone for the good words! I have been working very hard on this and been spending more time in the garage than I probably should have been... My wife is happy it's all winding down.

Here is a list of stuff I am hoping to get done in the near and then distant future. I am sure most don't care, it's for me too so I can keep track, haha.

Working on now:
- Oil Change w/ Toyota filter - waiting for parts from ToyotaPartsBarn, any day
- Air Filter Change - waiting for parts from ToyotaPartsBarn, any day
- Alignment - just need to go drop it off at the shop
- Grease Stuff - I need to do this with the rest of the maintenance, thinking of just having the alignment shop hit everything.
- Cargo Lights and Switch - I have a bunch of the single optical eye white lights that I want to install into my rear hatch.
- License Plate Lights - I have them installed, just need to wire them up
- Flush Radiator - I have a new cap coming in and I had a little gunk built up near the cap. I want to flush this thing and re-fill it just to be on the safe side before my trip
- CB Set Up - I have all the parts, radio mounted, and antenna wire half ran. I just need to finish the install and tune it up.

Future:
- Sliders - I have all the materiel sitting on my floor in the garage, just need to build these things and get them on there. I don't need them for my expo trip in April but need them sooner than later.
- Fender Flairs and Limited Cladding - I want to get these Line-X'd. This is cosmetic so it is lower on my list.
- Powder Coat Everything - I want to get my bumpers and future sliders powder coated. My spray painting skill and patients is very low. I have everything painted but it has runs and scratches and stuff. I would like to get everything powder coated after I get done testing it all out in April.
- WeatherTechs - Silly addition but I have always wanted a set for the front and rear foot areas.
- Roll Bar - I want to make a roll bar similar to the 1st Gen ones that people bolt in, but a custom made one that fits better and holds a few items for me.
- Seat Covers - This will be at the end, want some wet okals eventually. These are expensive and just a looks thing so I am not too worried about getting these soon.

After all of this stuff this build thread will more than likely cool way down. I will do the maintenance and I am sure little things will pop up here and there. My goal is to use the crap out of this thing, and work on it way less. I am also trying to move on to other projects so I need this one to hit some sort of stopping point. I will also be transitioning out of the military in 2 years so I need to get this thing pinned down haha. I want to get it to a reasonable spot where I want it while I have the disposable income now, while also being smart for my new career (working getting accepted to a Masters in Education program and a teaching credential). Thanks for reading my rambles!

 

[MandAtaco]

Thanks for the link! Again, great looking rig!

 

[coltonbaxter31]

Awesome build. And well done with the bumpers. Cant wait to see what comes next!

 

[scrapper]

The bumpers are amazing and the build in general is as well.
Thanks for taking the time to document the progress & building a bridge for
others like myself. I need instructions. No fabrication skill exists in me.
None.
Nice work!

 

[MojaveMadMan]

The bumpers are amazing and the build in general is as well.
Thanks for taking the time to document the progress & building a bridge for
others like myself. I need instructions. No fabrication skill exists in me.
None.
Nice work!

Thanks for the good words! Feel free to PM if you ever have any questions..

 

[scrapper]

Thanks for the good words! Feel free to PM if you ever have any questions..

I will. You are the man. :cheers:

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Never Mind

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Dang man... a lot of work went into those things just to turn around and sell them.

At first I thought you might be ditching the plate for something lighter built from tube, but then I saw in the FS ad that you're looking for stock bumpers, etc. Are you taking it back to stock and selling?

 

[absalom]

Good to know about the weight of the bumpers. It's one of the reasons I'm considering leaving mine stock.

Regarding your Tundra brakes, were you ever able to get your pedal feel back? Mine engages at the normal level but is still rather spongy. Did the braided lines help at all?

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Dang man... a lot of work went into those things just to turn around and sell them.

At first I thought you might be ditching the plate for something lighter built from tube, but then I saw in the FS ad that you're looking for stock bumpers, etc. Are you taking it back to stock and selling?

Ya it was a hard decision but it took me 8 hours to drive home from my recent camping trip so I had a lot of time to think about it.

So this is how it went. Spent countless hours building this rig up. Mainly geared towards this multi day trip I just got back from on Sunday. This was an all desert, 360 mile trip with open trail, small rocky sections, water crossings and lots of whoop sections. There were 7 trucks total and mine was clearly the most modified and did the best out there for sure! Had zero issues and it handled like a Cadillac in the dirt. I even did some aggressive hill climbs others couldn't do and at one point had a small saloon full of people standing outside watching me climb this hill. This thing is a trail beast!

BUT some things are changing for me over the next year and a half. I have decided to exit the military and get my masters degree and teaching cradential so that I can teach high school in CA. Because of this I really will need something more suited for my family and our transition out. I will be a student again and unemployed for a period of time. I really don't need a trail beast; I need a reliable rig. Now that said, as of today I am NOT selling the runner. I am however paring it down to match my families needs. I am gunna sell some of the more serious stuff and rebrand this thing more as a daily driver. I do still plan on using it as a weekend trail runner and it will still remain capable, just going a different way with it. This was not a light choice, considering how much time and money I have spent. But that's all behind me and I need to work on meeting my new goals for myself and my family. So Ya the bumpers are going back to stockish (I have an idea to slightly mod them), lift is coming off for something more low key and road centered (not what you think, surprises to come). And I want to go down a tire size. From there I think it will be a lot more suited for our needs and be more of a road beast than a dirt beast. That's the plan anyways... I have been told by a few people I'm crazy haha

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Good to know about the weight of the bumpers. It's one of the reasons I'm considering leaving mine stock.

Regarding your Tundra brakes, were you ever able to get your pedal feel back? Mine engages at the normal level but is still rather spongy. Did the braided lines help at all?

They are heavy but it all depends on your desired use. I just need to turn down my trail use so they Arent ideal for me anymore. They are seriously awesome off road though! The cold down table is super useful and I couldn't imagine howuch I would really be using it, but it is a lot!

My breaks are the same as befor. But they were never super stiff so it's hard for me to comment. I'm still happy with them after everything.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

They are heavy but it all depends on your desired use. I just need to turn down my trail use so they Arent ideal for me anymore. They are seriously awesome off road though! The cold down table is super useful and I couldn't imagine howuch I would really be using it, but it is a lot!

My breaks are the same as befor. But they were never super stiff so it's hard for me to comment. I'm still happy with them after everything.

Sounds like I'm going to have to pay even more attention now. I've been planning to keep my rig light but I am willing to bet you have something up your sleeve.

 

[MojaveMadMan]

After some debate I have decided NOT to sell my bumpers. Though I still do need to address these issues. If anyone has insight please let me know!

So this is what I am thinking as of today. I still need to get this thing riding better and more efficient. But I am for sure not ready to just get rid of all the hard work I have done. Some items will be staying, some will be going.

I have been talking with some people who's opinions I value. Still reaching out to a few more for advice. So here are my goals

- Need to get the MPG between 16 and 18 highway. Obviously I want more but I am realistic with what this rig is. Just need it to be better than the 9 MPG it gets right now...

- Need to improve drive-ability. This thing does drive straight on the freeway, but it is a pain in the butt around town. It leans a lot, is slow, and is just all around uncomfortable.

So here is what I have planned, and I am still looking for some other solutions.

- Sway bar - My rear sway bar is going back on. I have a Wheeler's rear sway bar poly kit on the way along with parts to build longer rear sway bar links. Went a little crazy on McMaster Carr and ordered up hiems, bolts, nuts and some female threaded rods...

And thats is... haha. I have got some suggestions about new shocks for the front, something a little more firm which I agree with but 2.5" diameter shocks are pricey. I am going to keep an eye out for a use pair. I am also thinking very hard on re-gearing or going down a tire size. I have the stock elocker 4:10 gears. I want to go to 4:56 maybe if I keep my tires or go down to 265's. I am still very open to suggestion here. The last idea is the least practical, super charge it so I have some power back. I think part of my problem is it takes me so long to get this thing up to speed. If I can just hit the pedal, get moving then up shift I might be a lot better. Plus it's a super charger! haha

 

[JayRolla]

After some debate I have decided NOT to sell my bumpers. Though I still do need to address these issues. If anyone has insight please let me know!

So this is what I am thinking as of today. I still need to get this thing riding better and more efficient. But I am for sure not ready to just get rid of all the hard work I have done. Some items will be staying, some will be going.

I have been talking with some people who's opinions I value. Still reaching out to a few more for advice. So here are my goals

- Need to get the MPG between 16 and 18 highway. Obviously I want more but I am realistic with what this rig is. Just need it to be better than the 9 MPG it gets right now...

- Need to improve drive-ability. This thing does drive straight on the freeway, but it is a pain in the butt around town. It leans a lot, is slow, and is just all around uncomfortable.

So here is what I have planned, and I am still looking for some other solutions.

- Sway bar - My rear sway bar is going back on. I have a Wheeler's rear sway bar poly kit on the way along with parts to build longer rear sway bar links. Went a little crazy on McMaster Carr and ordered up hiems, bolts, nuts and some female threaded rods...

And thats is... haha. I have got some suggestions about new shocks for the front, something a little more firm which I agree with but 2.5" diameter shocks are pricey. I am going to keep an eye out for a use pair. I am also thinking very hard on re-gearing or going down a tire size. I have the stock elocker 4:10 gears. I want to go to 4:56 maybe if I keep my tires or go down to 265's. I am still very open to suggestion here. The last idea is the least practical, super charge it so I have some power back. I think part of my problem is it takes me so long to get this thing up to speed. If I can just hit the pedal, get moving then up shift I might be a lot better. Plus it's a super charger! haha

I really don't understand the power issue. I'm running 305/70r16 on stock gears and I have plenty of power. Everyone is surprised how well she drives and handles being lifted. With the rear sway bar connected she does great. Wife and kids never complain and that's the real test. I did build mine too handle well on and off. it actually handles better than it did stock.