Official Bay Area MOD/MEET/GREET Thread

[sunsetrunner]

Local Bay Area guys. Does anyone know a good welder (South Bay preferred) that you think would be willing to take a relatively small project but be able to provide the time and care needed for a clean weld...? Looking for an 'artist' someone who takes pride in their work since this will be a very exposed weld on the front bumper. I've phoned around some places but no one seems interested in a small job. I basically want to have some flat bar welded on end to the top of my AoR front bumper to hide the BL gap on each side.

Could you have a fab shop modify the mounts to lift it up 2" and close the gap? I know I've seen the all pro tacoma bumper modified for a 1" BL.

 

[Diezel]

Could you have a fab shop modify the mounts to lift it up 2" and close the gap? I know I've seen the all pro tacoma bumper modified for a 1" BL.

This is what I'd be asking if it were I, as well. Instead of adding more weight via what will ultimately be a cheater panel which might warp while welding if done for low cost *(time is money, they'll try to get the job done quickly, or charge you a damn arm and a leg).

 

[Snowden]

Talk to Kurt Duncan at Kurt's Auto on Blossom Hill in San Jose. Does a lot of custom projects both big and small, is a true craftsman, and straight-up honest.

David thanks SO much for that recommendation! I spoke to Kurt and he's willing to take a look at it. Super cool guy on the phone and I'll bring the Runner by his place this week sometime so he can see if it's doable. FWIW folks his shop has stellar reviews online.

 

[mtbtim]

Local Bay Area guys. Does anyone know a good welder (South Bay preferred) that you think would be willing to take a relatively small project but be able to provide the time and care needed for a clean weld...? Looking for an 'artist' someone who takes pride in their work since this will be a very exposed weld on the front bumper. I've phoned around some places but no one seems interested in a small job. I basically want to have some flat bar welded on end to the top of my AoR front bumper to hide the BL gap on each side.

Option 2. Anyone interested in buying my brand new AoR bumper straight off my rig for $1,350.00... (exactly what I paid all-in with shipping and had it PC'd but you wouldn't have to wait the 13 weeks I did to get it)? All powder coated and ready to go and with the LED turns option. I thought I could live with the BL gap but I'm having serious second thoughts. This is IMO the best after market bumper built for our 3rd gens but I may go with the second runner up Shrockworks since they build for BL and the gap is annoying me to no end.

Sean knows a good welder in Santa Cruz. He fixed Sean's body lift gap by altering his ARB mounts. He does good work, his rates are fair and he will take on a job this small. Contact Sean and he'll hook you up.

 

[thenightman]

Of course this is the first thought (and what everyone says on the forums when considering the AoR bumper) but when you start looking at it in person you realize the reasons this is not the best approach. I have looked at this option 18 ways from Sunday but there's no getting around it that it isn't the right way to go in this particular case. I also spoke with Scotty who owns AoR and designed the bumper and he is adamant that this particular bumper should not be modified that way. As he says; if it were a legit modification he'd already offer it as an option like he does with his tube bumpers. And obviously the amount of flat bar I am talking about adding won't weigh hardly anything. It's purely aesthetic and no strength is required. Another great benefit from leaving the placement where it is, is that when I tuck a winch in there I won't need to hack the grill in order to make clearance for the solenoid pack.

I'm thinking it might look better with the bumper higher. What about modifying the frame where it bolts on? As in drilling new holes and/or welding new plate or box to the frame. Lots of bumpers require modifications to the end of the frame. If you are going to a quality fabricator, then there is almost no such thing as can't or shouldn't be done

EDIT; just found a picture of the mounting crossmember, and it doesn't look too bad. It might interfere with the body crossmember behind the grill, but looks totally doable. As for strength, gusset it.

 

[MarkamisPrime]

Of course this is the first thought (and what everyone says on the forums when considering the AoR bumper) but when you start looking at it in person you realize the reasons this is not the best approach. I have looked at this option 18 ways from Sunday but there's no getting around it that it isn't the right way to go in this particular case. I also spoke with Scotty who owns AoR and designed the bumper and he is adamant that this particular bumper should not be modified that way. As he says; if it were a legit modification he'd already offer it as an option like he does with his tube bumpers. And obviously the amount of flat bar I am talking about adding won't weigh hardly anything. It's purely aesthetic and no strength is required. Another great benefit from leaving the placement where it is, is that when I tuck a winch in there I won't need to hack the grill in order to make clearance for the solenoid pack.

Why don’t you just get the body lift gap guards ?

 

[Snowden]

Why don’t you just get the body lift gap guards ?

Talking about the bumper gap not the fender well gap. But thanks for this suggestion it brings up another good point as well. Has anyone had any experience with this product?

https://performanceaccessories.com/index.php?id_product=333&controller=product#/years-1998

 

[dietsoap]

I should of posted in this thread when I first joined but sadly, I did not. Anyways, I had a 2nd gen 4runner for a little bit and recently sold that and bought a third gen, loving the power difference ^.^, but, I was looking around the forums and can't seem to find a thread that revolves around everyone just going out wheeling for a weekend on two. I would like to grow my friend's list for people who like camping and wheeling around the bay. If there is a thread that has been started and say such, please point me in the right direction.

Also, I've learned a lot from pictures and tutorials here, you all are amazing.

 

[JZiggy]

I should of posted in this thread when I first joined but sadly, I did not. Anyways, I had a 2nd gen 4runner for a little bit and recently sold that and bought a third gen, loving the power difference ^.^, but, I was looking around the forums and can't seem to find a thread that revolves around everyone just going out wheeling for a weekend on two. I would like to grow my friend's list for people who like camping and wheeling around the bay. If there is a thread that has been started and say such, please point me in the right direction.

Also, I've learned a lot from pictures and tutorials here, you all are amazing.

Me too! I'm "new" to the Bay Area in that I don't know many places to wheel. It would be awesome to get a group together for some adventures especially now that the weather is getting super nice.

 

[4Reak Show]

Me too! I'm "new" to the Bay Area in that I don't know many places to wheel. It would be awesome to get a group together for some adventures especially now that the weather is getting super nice.

I should of posted in this thread when I first joined but sadly, I did not. Anyways, I had a 2nd gen 4runner for a little bit and recently sold that and bought a third gen, loving the power difference ^.^, but, I was looking around the forums and can't seem to find a thread that revolves around everyone just going out wheeling for a weekend on two. I would like to grow my friend's list for people who like camping and wheeling around the bay. If there is a thread that has been started and say such, please point me in the right direction.

Also, I've learned a lot from pictures and tutorials here, you all are amazing.

There's a set of guys a little farther East and they go out from time to time. I joined with them in September or October for a day trip. All are real good people. Keep an eye on this thread or post to try and arrange. Gets tough with so many different schedules and such but we try.

Bay Area, Sacramento meet up

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...nner.org/showthread.php?t=235319&share_type=t

 

[dietsoap]

There's a set of guys a little farther East and they go out from time to time. I joined with them in September or October for a day trip. All are real good people. Keep an eye on this thread or post to try and arrange. Gets tough with so many different schedules and such but we try.

Bay Area, Sacramento meet up

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...nner.org/showthread.php?t=235319&share_type=t

Thanks for that, I went through the thread and noticed eagle lakes on was the menu last weekend. Funny because I"m going there this weekend to camp out and maybe do some light wheeling if my buddy can get his taco up and running. It'll be the first time in my 3rd gen.

 

[Jayjayb96]

Anybody want to check out frank raines OHV near patterson off I5? Havent been there yet. Or even bald mountain.

 

[MarkamisPrime]

Thanks for that, I went through the thread and noticed eagle lakes on was the menu last weekend. Funny because I"m going there this weekend to camp out and maybe do some light wheeling if my buddy can get his taco up and running. It'll be the first time in my 3rd gen.

Eagle lakes is awesome.
Love going there.

Anybody want to check out frank raines OHV near patterson off I5? Havent been there yet. Or even bald mountain.

I am down for this. I’ve never been there but have been eating to go check it out.
When you thinking ?

 

[Jayjayb96]

Eagle lakes is awesome.
Love going there.




I am down for this. I’ve never been there but have been eating to go check it out.
When you thinking ?

Idk. Ive been pretty busy lately but im off on weekends. @imfamousrnr is awesome at setting up and coordinating events. It’d be dope to get a convoy to go there or bald mountain.

 

[Pats98]

You all could come up my way, lots of good wheeling/camping up here. Rubicon, Fordyce and several other spots. I’ve been wheeling for over 20 years so I have some experience.

 

[3rd3rdGen]

You all could come up my way, lots of good wheeling/camping up here. Rubicon, Fordyce and several other spots. I’ve been wheeling for over 20 years so I have some experience.

I'm almost done building my third 3rd gen, would love to come up and wheel the Sierras with you sometime. Been wanting to run Fordyce since I was a kid.

 

[dietsoap]

You all could come up my way, lots of good wheeling/camping up here. Rubicon, Fordyce and several other spots. I’ve been wheeling for over 20 years so I have some experience.

Definitely down for that. I'm trying to find more camp sites and wheeling spots, I just need to find some time as this month is a no go for me. I did some wheeling at Eagle lakes this past Saturday and it was fun. First time.

 

[MarkamisPrime]

Idk. Ive been pretty busy lately but im off on weekends. @imfamousrnr is awesome at setting up and coordinating events. It’d be dope to get a convoy to go there or bald mountain.

I’m not always off weekends but when I am i like to go wheeling. Haha
And Sean isn’t always off weekends so we’d have to give him a month in advance to request it off

 

[jason2000SR5]

Im new to the forum and the 3rd gen world but would love to check out others rigs and do some light wheelin with my stock 2000. Any good camping+fishing +wheeling spots? I primarily fish in the surf but open to any fishing adventures.

 

[firemanj92]

Bay Area folks, does anyone have recommendations for shock rebuilds or nitro fills? My Foxies are do for a rebuild. I know Forged Offroad does but they're in Loomis. I'm hoping to find something closer.

I have no problem doing it myself but I don't have a nitro fill set-up. I rebuild shocks/forks for bikes annually and can't imagine it being much different, just larger scale.

I didn't really want to start a new thread

Happy trails,
-J