Project Light Runner: the $600 E-locker TuRD

[zoombyu86]

Any plans to remove the doors and build some tube or half-doors?

 

[The 4Runner House]

Yes in the next couple months I will either turn these to half doors or leave them and make tube doors. Right now being middle of winter it sure is nice having some cover while cruising in 30-40 degree weather LOL.

 

[The 4Runner House]

Took her home and parked her in the garage next to my show truck. It’s funny seeing these next to each other as the show truck is absolutely nothing like the TuRD. The one good thing about this 4Runner opposed to my 1980 is that I can enjoy it without the fear of scratching or denting it. I’m so OCD with the show truck im building that I have to inspect the triple plate chrome on each and every nut, bolt and part before it goes on. Kinda makes it nice to have a truck I don’t mind thrashing.

 

[DreadPirateJon]

I'm fascinated by this build. Great work

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[APhelps]

Sad to see any vehicle cannibalized. Good on you for making it a trail suv.

 

[The 4Runner House]

So I took it out to Bridgeport OHV for the Maiden Voyage trail run. It did really well considering it is still running the factory springs and coils all around. My buddy brought his long arm Grand Cherokee on new 33" ATZ's so I had it for comparison. While his has a proper suspension I had the tire height advantage although they are 35" MTZ's that are 11 years old. I went everywhere he did and then some and in mud it was no comparison. A couple mud holes he had to back out of in 4WD I went right thru in 2WD with the locker on. There were a few places his suspension worked really well where I had issues with wheel hop. The long arm lift helped keep his truck very well composed on rough and steep climbs. I kept the rear locker off most the time in 4WD to keep it fair as he is open diff F/R. With the rear shocks almost out of down travel they bottomed out a lot thru the trails. All in all it made for a great trail run with each of us having our own advantages. Still loads more I could do to the truck but for now its the best $1000 i've ever spent on a play toy. Best part is I don't have to worry about denting or scratching it.

 

[The 4Runner House]

More from last weekend

 

[cheeze]

hoopties are the best.

especially if you have a black garage queen.

 

[The 4Runner House]

The tan turd is still alive! A buddy of mine needed some temporary wheels after the 99 I built him got totaled in a highway rollover accident. I sold it to him earlier last year and turned it back into a daily driver. He has been driving it ever since and now it has trd pro wheels, 33’s and shrockworx sliders. It’s at the shop now so I can do some service on it but still runs like a champ.