technodrive
New member
Just wanna say I love where this build is going. Looking forward to the continuing updates!
Mojave Mad Man's - Multi Use - Build Thread
- Thread starter MojaveMadMan
- Start date
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thanks for the props. I am excited about the rear bumper too, when I get to it. Part of me wants to do it sooner, but I have a bad habit of starting too many projects and not finishing them... So I need to knock out the other stuff first. I got some fun ideas for the rear bumper... built in aux fuel tank to replace the spare... haha. We will see when I start to build. I don't really draw up much of my stuff anymore unless I am getting parts cut. I like to just go with the ideas that are rattling in my head. I used to draw everything, but the more I do it, and when it's for me, I kind of like to free style and waste a little material trying new ideas.
As for the wheels, ya dang I wish I had seen that... I would have been all over some lightly used ones. I haven't had the time to browse T4R as much as I want lately so I completely missed it. I did look in the classifieds, but not the 3rd gen chat... I am sure he will sell them, they sell themselves really.
Thanks for the good words, really appreciate it!!
wake_rider
New member
I'm thoroughly enjoying the reasonable direction you're going with your build. Capable but still comfortable, plus, it seems like everything done will only increase longevity rather than hamper it (maybe the only exception being the backspaced wheels, as wider stances put greater stress on suspension components... pretty minor though, I would argue)
I'm quite envious of your bumper. I have a little Flux Core Mig welder that I don't know would have the cahones to stick together such a project (nor do I have the experience or expertise to do so), but man, I'd really love to tackle something like that. Are you thinking of a way to better guard the lower opening to your radiator? That's just about the only weakspot I can see with the design of that bumper. It seems like it would be REALLY easy to take some debris as a direct hit to the lower portion of your radiator. Maybe a pair of vertical tubes matching the supportive uprights that box that section in would be enough? That way it would deflect branches, boulders and rodents that might try to aim to ruin a trip, but keeping them vertical will still allow an easy slide up any obstacle, rather than catching and pinning you up with a horizontal guard of any kind.
I'm quite envious of your bumper. I have a little Flux Core Mig welder that I don't know would have the cahones to stick together such a project (nor do I have the experience or expertise to do so), but man, I'd really love to tackle something like that. Are you thinking of a way to better guard the lower opening to your radiator? That's just about the only weakspot I can see with the design of that bumper. It seems like it would be REALLY easy to take some debris as a direct hit to the lower portion of your radiator. Maybe a pair of vertical tubes matching the supportive uprights that box that section in would be enough? That way it would deflect branches, boulders and rodents that might try to aim to ruin a trip, but keeping them vertical will still allow an easy slide up any obstacle, rather than catching and pinning you up with a horizontal guard of any kind.
Last edited:
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thank you for the compliments! My goal here is to keep this thing as dependable as possible. I agree with you about the back spacing on the wheels adding more force to the suspension. I plan to counter this with a hiemed UCA, and I am going to replace all the steering with hiems as well. Thats more down the road once I have the money to do the suspension like I want to. My thinking is that I need to get all the misc on the vehicle (the big stuff) so that I can do the suspension work once, and up to the standard the vehicle needs. I hate re-doing things, so once my list above is done, and maybe a roof rack I will then dive into suspension, which will be a very big undertaking, I have big plans...
As for the bumper, if you decide to do this my one piece of advise is don't skimp on tools. Good tools make tuff jobs easier, and "red-neck" fab look quality. I dislike flux-core welders and would only use one if I was in a pinch. I advise against trying to do something like this with anything that isn't 220V and on CO2 at a minimum. The CO2/Agron mix is nice but not a requirement. From there you will need a good drill that is plug in, not battery, 1/2" chuck minimum. It took me a lot of cussing and burned up 3/8" drills to learn that one... And a decent angle grinder goes a long way, I love my Milwaukee. Then there are a lot of other tools that help, but that's more personal preference. I guess the moral of this story is, it will cost you a lot more money to build it the right way then buy a nice one already made... Plus I spent like 50 hours on this thing, I could have made more money in 50 hours than I saved making this thing. If you do decide to do it, know that the tools are an investment, don't cut corners to save money on those, and know that it's done out of love for the craft, it will never save you money!
Talking design on the bumper, there are still a few tubes missing. I honestly ran out of time and funds to throw at it while we were selling our house. I plan on running tubes from the bottom of the existing bumper down under the radiator and under the diff all the way back to the rear LCA mount. Then I will put a 1/4" aluminum over sized skid plate to hopefully protect everything down there. Steel would be stronger and better for a true rock crawler, but I want to keep the weight down so I am willing to compromise a little bit here. I will add extra gussets where needed and such. But yes, I agree with you that the current version needs more and I plan on it!
MojaveMadMan
New member
One quick one for today. More pics and info in a day or two.
MojaveMadMan
New member
Ok so here is the update. Got the wheels on yesterday! They look good, but they do add a little work to my plate. They are the 3.5" back spacing version, making my 4runner 1" wider per side. Great because I don't need wheel spacers for Tundra brakes and maybe a bypass shock later, but bad for my fenders and tires, haha. They now rub on my limited fenders a little bit and on the body when I turn (at ride height).
So my first thing I did this morning was take out the angle grinder and a big hammer. I was able to cut away some of the limited fender, did some grinding and cutting to the body and finished it off with some "light" hammer work. This is a temp fix and gives me about a 1/4" of spacing which will at least let me get around town. My wife and son are leaving NM in 2 weeks to go stay in CA for 4 months, so I don't have time right at the moment to spend on my rig. But once they leave this thing is going up on jack stands and I am going to repeat what I did when I first got my tires. Front shocks are coming off and this thing is going to get bumped and cut on to make sure I no longer have any rubbing.
I am also going to do a couple other things while I am at it. The rear bumper skin and mud flaps will be coming off to give the tires a little more clearance. The tire/wheel set up also changes my plans to remove the limited fender flares... I wanted to take them off, but with the width being wider, I think it might look funny with the tires sticking out... The jury is still out on this one. I will be pulling them off to re-paint them and I will see how it looks with them off and make my final decision.
Along with the fender flares getting re worked I am also going to throw a 1/2" body lift on and poly body mounts. All from 4crawler.com. I want the 1/2" body lift to make sure I have the clearance I need and the poly body mount to firm things up so armor doesn't rub or bump, and also for my cage I plan on doing in a little bit.
So here are some wheel pictures:
Also in the works are my skid plates! I went out and did my measurements today and drew up all my skid plates. One for my bumper, and then two more that go from the bumper to the rear LCA mounts, then another that goes from there to the tranny cross member. These will all by CNC plasma cut and then broke by whoever I can find to do it. The skid plates have lips that get broke 90 degrees to make them stiff and also ribs that will get welded on to help with strength. The big difference with these skids and the ones on the market is they will be made from 1/4" aluminum! I know they will not be as strong as steel, but I know they will do a good job of protecting, and for my expo style rig weight is very important and I don't want to lug around big steel skids. I expect that in heavy use situations they may get tweaked, but I can always make another one and they will still protect my stuff. Here is my drawing!
So my first thing I did this morning was take out the angle grinder and a big hammer. I was able to cut away some of the limited fender, did some grinding and cutting to the body and finished it off with some "light" hammer work. This is a temp fix and gives me about a 1/4" of spacing which will at least let me get around town. My wife and son are leaving NM in 2 weeks to go stay in CA for 4 months, so I don't have time right at the moment to spend on my rig. But once they leave this thing is going up on jack stands and I am going to repeat what I did when I first got my tires. Front shocks are coming off and this thing is going to get bumped and cut on to make sure I no longer have any rubbing.
I am also going to do a couple other things while I am at it. The rear bumper skin and mud flaps will be coming off to give the tires a little more clearance. The tire/wheel set up also changes my plans to remove the limited fender flares... I wanted to take them off, but with the width being wider, I think it might look funny with the tires sticking out... The jury is still out on this one. I will be pulling them off to re-paint them and I will see how it looks with them off and make my final decision.
Along with the fender flares getting re worked I am also going to throw a 1/2" body lift on and poly body mounts. All from 4crawler.com. I want the 1/2" body lift to make sure I have the clearance I need and the poly body mount to firm things up so armor doesn't rub or bump, and also for my cage I plan on doing in a little bit.
So here are some wheel pictures:
Also in the works are my skid plates! I went out and did my measurements today and drew up all my skid plates. One for my bumper, and then two more that go from the bumper to the rear LCA mounts, then another that goes from there to the tranny cross member. These will all by CNC plasma cut and then broke by whoever I can find to do it. The skid plates have lips that get broke 90 degrees to make them stiff and also ribs that will get welded on to help with strength. The big difference with these skids and the ones on the market is they will be made from 1/4" aluminum! I know they will not be as strong as steel, but I know they will do a good job of protecting, and for my expo style rig weight is very important and I don't want to lug around big steel skids. I expect that in heavy use situations they may get tweaked, but I can always make another one and they will still protect my stuff. Here is my drawing!
Last edited:
BrianSD_42
New member
Hey dude great build. I've seen you name on quite a few posts but I didn't realize you had a build.
I have the same color scheme as you from the factory and my flares were peeling the exact same as yours. I ended up color matching them black for some $$$ but semi-gloss rattle can would look pretty good as well.
Subscribed!
I have the same color scheme as you from the factory and my flares were peeling the exact same as yours. I ended up color matching them black for some $$$ but semi-gloss rattle can would look pretty good as well.
Subscribed!
MojaveMadMan
New member
Ya my original idea was to take all the plastic off and LineX the side after I filled in the holes. But that's not looking like it's gunna look good with the wider stance. I was either thinking of doing like you did and having them re-painted to match or I am thinking it might be cool to have the cladding LineX'd if they think it can hold up... Decisions decisions...
MojaveMadMan
New member
No pictures to post today, but I do have a couple changes on my vision for this thing. Honestly the main reason for the changes is that I will be taking on another project in 6 months. The wife has finally given me the green light to build a classic truck. I have been itching to get into something older than 1970 for a long time now. I finally got the green light so after the new year I will be in the market for something to get started on.
That said, the 4runner isn't going anywhere! I just need to turn down some of the larger plans, and my goal over the next 4 months is to push real hard and try to get this thing in a condition that I can just use it for a while.
So with all that, here are some new plans. If anyone has any input, please share!
- Front bumper and skids - Still in work, drawings sent off to a couple plasma cutters to see what it will cost.
- Rear bumper and tire carrier - I need to crank one of these out. I have ideas on how I want to do it, just need to settle on what I want to use for a swing out and latch. I have the 5th SCS wheel and will get a 5th tire to go along here.
- Sliders - I just need to build them...
- Roll Cage - No more full length, but will do something similar to the ones people use from 1st gen 4runners. Just will be custom made and frame mounted so that it will actually protect at least the kids heads in the case of a roll.
- Suspension - This is one of the big changes. I was planning on Icon or King full 2.5" shocks with hydro bumps and gusseting to the gills... This is all very expensive and super time consuming. I have decided I will be getting a Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit more than likely (or piece one together that is very similar). This will give me the small lift I need and added wheel travel. It should hold the load of the rear bumper and everything very well. I won't be able to do some of the high speed style stuff I want, but that is fine. I have been slowing down as of recent years, maybe this is a good excuse to chill out, haha. With this I will also be doing new Toyota UBJ's, inner/outer tie rod ends, poly steering bushings, and poly LCA bushings as well. I will also remove the front sway bar. This should tighten everything up and work very well for a long time, until I decide to go all out, haha.
- Interior - I need a new radio, the aftermarket one I have is terrible. I also need new front seat covers and I need to set up my wiring. I may not run my 3D printed switch housing right now because I just will not be using 10 switches for some time. I am thinking a smaller one in the 2nd din section of my dash.
I am sure I am missing some stuff. If anyone has suggestions please feel free. This may not be a big thing to most, but I am a big suspension guy so this is a complete change up for me!
That said, the 4runner isn't going anywhere! I just need to turn down some of the larger plans, and my goal over the next 4 months is to push real hard and try to get this thing in a condition that I can just use it for a while.
So with all that, here are some new plans. If anyone has any input, please share!
- Front bumper and skids - Still in work, drawings sent off to a couple plasma cutters to see what it will cost.
- Rear bumper and tire carrier - I need to crank one of these out. I have ideas on how I want to do it, just need to settle on what I want to use for a swing out and latch. I have the 5th SCS wheel and will get a 5th tire to go along here.
- Sliders - I just need to build them...
- Roll Cage - No more full length, but will do something similar to the ones people use from 1st gen 4runners. Just will be custom made and frame mounted so that it will actually protect at least the kids heads in the case of a roll.
- Suspension - This is one of the big changes. I was planning on Icon or King full 2.5" shocks with hydro bumps and gusseting to the gills... This is all very expensive and super time consuming. I have decided I will be getting a Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit more than likely (or piece one together that is very similar). This will give me the small lift I need and added wheel travel. It should hold the load of the rear bumper and everything very well. I won't be able to do some of the high speed style stuff I want, but that is fine. I have been slowing down as of recent years, maybe this is a good excuse to chill out, haha. With this I will also be doing new Toyota UBJ's, inner/outer tie rod ends, poly steering bushings, and poly LCA bushings as well. I will also remove the front sway bar. This should tighten everything up and work very well for a long time, until I decide to go all out, haha.
- Interior - I need a new radio, the aftermarket one I have is terrible. I also need new front seat covers and I need to set up my wiring. I may not run my 3D printed switch housing right now because I just will not be using 10 switches for some time. I am thinking a smaller one in the 2nd din section of my dash.
I am sure I am missing some stuff. If anyone has suggestions please feel free. This may not be a big thing to most, but I am a big suspension guy so this is a complete change up for me!
MojaveMadMan
New member
Got my Tundra brakes on last night! The 13WL 231mm version. Followed [MENTION=44220]BigFishAllDay[/MENTION] 's guide and it was a piece of cake! Went to Toyota with PN's and then Napa with PN's and the install only took about 2 hours because I had the guide to work from, no guess work. The hardest parts was getting the dang hard lines lined up, haha.
Funny, I think I have done all of BFAD's write ups now: Big 3, Axel Seals, Tundra Brakes
Parts:
- Toyota Pads and Shims
- Napa Calipers
- Napa Rotors
I wanted to do braided lines while I was at it, but my brakes where squealing like a pig and I needed to get them done. I will do lines when I do my suspension.
The standard pictures.
Funny, I think I have done all of BFAD's write ups now: Big 3, Axel Seals, Tundra Brakes
Parts:
- Toyota Pads and Shims
- Napa Calipers
- Napa Rotors
I wanted to do braided lines while I was at it, but my brakes where squealing like a pig and I needed to get them done. I will do lines when I do my suspension.
The standard pictures.
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thanks! it is 1.5". I wanted to use 1.75" but it just wasn't going to fit right...
busmup808
New member
I didn't realize this was your build. Your bumper in my opinion is the best looking compared to the 1s being offered. If definitely buy 1 from u if you were 2 ever produce them. Plus your truck is same color as mines. Yours looks better though.
You should receive the seat covers tomorrow. It's was a biatch to get in the box.
You should receive the seat covers tomorrow. It's was a biatch to get in the box.
MojaveMadMan
New member
Thanks for the real good words!!! I think it looks cool too, haha. It is a lot of work to build and shipping would be very expensive because it's freight... If I sold one, it would probably cost more than the others, I don't have the tooling like the big boys do. I will let you know if I change my mind, haha.
Thanks again for sending the seat covers! I wasn't sure how big they were all taken apart. thanks for making it work.
GhostDog
New member
1.5" looks good, I'm getting ready to build my bumper but was stuck on what size to go with but looking at your 1.5" should work.
MojaveMadMan
New member
Look what I found on Craigslist! Sonoran Steel 1.2 kit, got a killer deal on it. I need to collect a couple other small things to do while I have the front end apart, then it will be install time!
MojaveMadMan
New member
Paid $800. Not the deal of the century but it's $400 off retail and all there.
MojaveMadMan
New member
Boy have I been lacking on this build haha. It has been crazy for me the last couple months. I moved, I took on a ton of side work, the holidays, and a baby here any day now...
Parts on the shelf awaiting install:
- All Pro UCA's I got from the group buy
- Senoran Steel 1.2 kit front and rear
- Wheelers front brake lines
- Wheelers poly rack bushings
- Whiteline LCA poly bushings
- Toyota outter tie rod ends
- NAPA inner tie rid joints
- Toyota CV rebuild kits for both sides
- 10 switches for my switch holder
- Power distribution box with all the relays/fuses/terminal/etc required to wire up the switches and all my electrical accessories
- One more HID to fill in my missing 3rd on my bumper
- All the material I need to finish my front bumper, skids, sliders, and rear bumper w/ swing out
Because I'm so busy I'm having Sgt Taco from TW do al my wiring on my rig. I'm novice and just don't have the time, he's a pro so he can do a great job probably 10 times faster than me. He will be doing the whole thing, power distribution, wire up all 10 illuminated switches, wire up all my lights, locker, inverter, all that stuff. After the holidays, excited to get that done!
Like I said above I have a lot of side work that's kept me from my rig. Doing two front plate winch bumpers, two sets of sliders, one set of skids, and a rear bumper with swing out... Most on a 3rg Gen 4Runner, and some on a Land Rover. Few pics of in work, I will post updated finished picks later.
Here are a few pics of some parts I got for my rear bumper, cool stuff!
And a few rig pics for fun.
The install of everything will be soon hopefully. I'm making progress on these side jobs and will be back on mine soon. Gunna do a power weekend and have some local guys come help. Hopefully more soon!!!
Parts on the shelf awaiting install:
- All Pro UCA's I got from the group buy
- Senoran Steel 1.2 kit front and rear
- Wheelers front brake lines
- Wheelers poly rack bushings
- Whiteline LCA poly bushings
- Toyota outter tie rod ends
- NAPA inner tie rid joints
- Toyota CV rebuild kits for both sides
- 10 switches for my switch holder
- Power distribution box with all the relays/fuses/terminal/etc required to wire up the switches and all my electrical accessories
- One more HID to fill in my missing 3rd on my bumper
- All the material I need to finish my front bumper, skids, sliders, and rear bumper w/ swing out
Because I'm so busy I'm having Sgt Taco from TW do al my wiring on my rig. I'm novice and just don't have the time, he's a pro so he can do a great job probably 10 times faster than me. He will be doing the whole thing, power distribution, wire up all 10 illuminated switches, wire up all my lights, locker, inverter, all that stuff. After the holidays, excited to get that done!
Like I said above I have a lot of side work that's kept me from my rig. Doing two front plate winch bumpers, two sets of sliders, one set of skids, and a rear bumper with swing out... Most on a 3rg Gen 4Runner, and some on a Land Rover. Few pics of in work, I will post updated finished picks later.
Here are a few pics of some parts I got for my rear bumper, cool stuff!
And a few rig pics for fun.
The install of everything will be soon hopefully. I'm making progress on these side jobs and will be back on mine soon. Gunna do a power weekend and have some local guys come help. Hopefully more soon!!!
Similar threads
