Mstudt's SR5 Build & Adventure Thread

[MStudt]

I do like the looks and legend of the Discovery - I've wanted one since they started importing them back in the 90s. Just couldn't bring myself to take on the challenge. Good luck (seriously :thumb.

I've been looking for a challenge ever since I sold my Jeep. I'm mor ethan ready for what is going to bring.

 

[MStudt]

I'm finally getting around to making a new set for myself!

 

[MStudt]

I'm finally treating myself to some of my own links. I've been running a pair links that I made a while back; before I changed to the current design.



I also got my Ultra-Guage installed last night. I've been waiting to do this for quite some time now. It's really nice being able to know exactly what my mpg are.

 

[Daddyzzs]

Just read the whole thing. Great info and some really good links.

Keep up the great workmanship.

 

[MStudt]

Just read the whole thing. Great info and some really good links.

Keep up the great workmanship.

Thanks!

Not much going on here, for now. I'm taking my sleeping platform out this weekend, and getting everything lined up for the new one. I'm going to be using 1/2x1/2x.065 and 1/2x1x.065 steel tubing to build the frame with. I've got threaded inserts for my plywood deck ordered, and machine screws with thread locker for securing the deck in place. I put in a request to get a couple free samples for this latch pull, and this latch pull. I order two pairs of 20" 100lbs black drawer slides off eBay for the two drawers I'll have. I'm also going to have one long storage compartment behind the drawers or two smaller ones. Stay tuned for more details.

 

[MStudt]

I've been having some annoying clunking sounds coming from the end and decided to start replacing things until I figure out what it is. Up first, the LBJ's!

Driver side is apart and I'm just waiting on my Loctite to show up. The joy of living in the country with no usable garage at the moment. Eaxctly 2' of concrete to jack the front end up on.


This bad boy moves on its own it's so worn out.

 

[MStudt]

Got my new LCA's finished and installed.

 

[MStudt]

Drl mod 2.0

This is not your typical DRL MOD where you just cut a wire and through in any kind of switch you can find. This MOD will allow you to control your DRL's from your headlight stalk. In order to achieve this MOD you'll need a headlight stalk from a 99-03 Toyota Solara. If you have fog lights, then you'll need to make sure you get a stalk with the for light dial on it as well. There are newer switches that go from 04-06, and I'm not sure on these. A simple test would be able to determine if these will work.

This is the switch that I'm using, and it was purchased off eBay for $13.


You can see in these pictures that the 4runner stalk (top) and the Solara stalk (bottom) don't have matching pins. However, this is nothing to worry about.



You can see in the picture below that the 4runner stalk does have pins in the same place that the Solara stalk does. However, these pins do not have wires going to them.


After testing the Solara stalk I found the two pins in red are the pins that control the DRL. I did this by using a test probe and 9v battery. The pins with the red circles around them are the ones you want to use for the DRL MOD.


Here is the plug on the 4runner that connects to the headlight stalk. The two red circles are the terminals that you need to add wires to. These terminal locations match the pin locations on the Solara stalk.


You'll still need to perform the regular DRL MOD for this to work. You just need to cut the from the DRL module, splice in two pieces of wire, and run those wires up your steering column to you new stalk. Connect the wires to the pins I have matched, and you're good to go.

I can not take total credit for this. Here is a thread that member velomatt started in March of this year, and his question didn't see one response. So I decided to give it a try. [MENTION=83128]velomatt[/MENTION], the Solara stalk does work for disabling your DRL with a little work.

DRL Disable MOD
Here is information on how to disable your DRL's.

• Disable DRL on your 3rd gen. (96-00)
• Disable DRL on your 3rd gen. (01-02)

If there is anything that I missed, or something you need clarification let me know.

 

[MStudt]

I haven't been posting for a while due to some other projects going on.

1. I'm picking up the rest of the metal to finally finish my sleeping/storage platform. I'll have the metal on Friday, and I'm hoping to finish the platform this weekend. I need to weld up the front section, figure out my legs for supporting it, deck it, and put on the carpeting. Not to much, but still a weekends worth of work.

2. I'm hoping to get started on a new skid plate design, but I don't want to let that out just yet.

3. Swapping out the rear 5-1/4" speakers for some 6-1/2" components.

4. Roof rack hi-lift mount brackets.

5. Something else that I've been thinking about a lot lately are window guards. This picture will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. These are guards for Land Rover Discovery II's, and I'm going to make them for my Rover. Not sure if there would be an interest in them or not. I would make them for the rear side windows, rear hatch window, and possibly one the would connect to the rear seats to act like a pet barrier.

 

[TheArkMaster]

5. Something else that I've been thinking about a lot lately are window guards. This picture will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. These are guards for Land Rover Discovery II's, and I'm going to make them for my Rover. Not sure if there would be an interest in them or not. I would make them for the rear side windows, rear hatch window, and possibly one the would connect to the rear seats to act like a pet barrier.

I really like that idea for the rear side windows. Would be a great place to mount a fire extinguisher/axe.

 

[MStudt]

I really like that idea for the rear side windows. Would be a great place to mount a fire extinguisher/axe.

I'll see what I can come up with. It's going to take me a bit with all the other things I have going on.

 

[TheArkMaster]

I'll see what I can come up with. It's going to take me a bit with all the other things I have going on.

Definitely interested to see what you come up with. :yo:

 

[MStudt]

Definitely interested to see what you come up with. :yo:

I might have something by the end of the month.

 

[MStudt]

Been busy work on stuff for the 4runner, but nothing seems to get finished. This weekend I'm hoping to finish the last drawer I need for my new platform, finish painting my new bumper, and get the bumper mounted.

 

[MStudt]

The only progress I've made on my 4runner over the last month was to successfully tear all 4 cv boots. There will be no updates here until I return from my trip in July or August.

When I get back I'm going to become a vendor, and offer a lot more products for 3rd Gen's to start with. By the end of 2015 I'm going to sell my 3rd Gen, and move up the either 4th or 5th Gen. I've already got some items on the works for 3rd Gens, and this will give you something to wait for.

Roof Rack (low profile, will mount to factory rails)
Front UCA's (stock replacement)
Front LCA's (stock replacement to get rid of the LBJ's)
Sliders
T-Case Cross Members

Existing items will still be around too.

Sway Bar Links
Rear LCA's (I'll have new options)
Rear UCA's (I'll have new options)
Pan Hard (I'll have new options)
Drift CB Mount (new 1 piece design)

Stay tuned, and I'll try to get some pictures posted from time to time from our trip.

 

[velomatt]

I can not take total credit for this. Here is a thread that member velomatt started in March of this year, and his question didn't see one response. So I decided to give it a try. [MENTION=83128]velomatt[/MENTION], the Solara stalk does work for disabling your DRL with a little work.

Thanks for doing this!

 

[MStudt]

So I'm having 4runner withdrawals right now! Can't wait to get home, and prototyping some new parts. Also need to get some parts installed, and find some more.

Here's the list of things I need to install.
*All Pro front bumper
*All Pro UCA's
*4" LED lights on the bump

Here's what I need to find.
*AISIN manual hubs
*All the other goodies needed for this

Here's what I'll be prototyping.
*3rd Gen front lower control arms (no more failing LBJ'S)
*3rd Gen front UCA'S
*3rd Gen roof rack
*3rd Gen rear roll down window barrier

Of course you'll have to wait to see the prototype items. I've had a lot of time to draw these up. I just need to get them laid out in Solidworks when I get home.

 

[TCMach]

Very interested in your replacement front LCAs. Are you going to go with a uniball?

 

[MStudt]

Very interested in your replacement front LCAs. Are you going to go with a uniball?

No. These are going to be a custom made, and rebuildable ball joint. You're going to get a completely new lower control arm with a rebuildable ball joint. That ball joint will have the factory thread, and taper. Still deciding to go with a standard bushing or flex joint on the frame side. Which ever I choice they'll match the UCA'S.

 

[MStudt]

First order of business is getting a new transmission or rebuilding mine. Not sure which way I want to go. I'm leaning towards getting a new/rebuilt one since I don't feel like f'ing with it, but I know I could save some money by rebuilding it myself.

I little back ground as well. Last year before I left for my hike I had the dreaded pink milkshake. Everything was pretty good before I left, but not when I came back. The transmission is fine when cold, but I have no reverse or neutral when it's hot. After driving 40 minutes home from work, and shifting from drive to neutral. Neutral doesn't fully engage, and I can still drive forward with some resistance. Going into reverse is the exact same. I doesn't fully engage, and goes in reverse with resistance.

Who has any thoughts on this?