Ripcord's 2002 Sport Ed. Version 2.0

[96RedRunner]

25 still not that bad. Starting over in your 30s is harder.

You make it sound like 25 is old, 30 your over the hill.
I just wrapped up a 40 yr career in Electro-Mech Engr.
Did I start as a Engr? No
Did I end in the same Industry as I started? No
The one constant I lived by was never stop learning.
Can you imagine the technology 40 yrs ago?
PLC's didn't exist, now we have nano technology.
Along with all sorts of new ways of doing things.
NAFTA and Outsourcing came along, forced change of direction.

Ripcord is a smart kid, he deserves this gig and has earned it [emoji1]

Damn straight Ripcord has earned new gig. Congratz!
(He invested in himself, it will pay divdends with interest.)
That applies to all at any age.

 

[Unner]

Eh, that's a city-by-city thing. Been pulled over a few times, never had a tint ticket. Some cities though... watch out!

-Charlie

I've been pulled over once in my life. And it was for ONLY my tint. I rolled them down as soon as he pulled out behind me, but he already knew. He measured and they were 14% from the previous owner... Yeah it wasn't ideal at night, but it looked good. I'm happy with my 32% legal on the front now though. No need to worry any more. Plus I can see at night .

 

[4-Ripcord]

Rip, have kept up with your build, your attention to detail is great. Inside and out. Figured your were into engineering.
Two best builds = Ripcord and Dirtco, it's all in the details.

Thanks! [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION] is an inspiration for us all!

Gratz on job bud. You, and a few close personal friends, have actually inspired me to go back to school for engineering, specifically mechanical, and even more specifically with a focus on management.

Keep up the good stuff!

Good for you man! That is really cool to hear, I wish you the best of luck on that amigo.

Ugh, I hate that you're making me want 35's!

btw... good luck with your front tint in CA. Just make sure to roll 'em down if you get pulled over. Doesn't usually work, but it cant' hurt.

Oh man thats not good to hear, this tint wasnt cheap! I will have to stay alert on that.

do you machine polish?

yup

Hey Absalom, do it. I started my Mech Eng degree aged 25. Best decision I ever made. A challenge paying my own way thru, but life changing. Best of luck!

On a side note, I wanted to be a suspension design Engineer, but got lured into O&G. Im pretty dang jelly of Ripcord! I guess I will just live my dreams vicariuously thru him....

As long as you enjoy what you do, that is what matters. Thanks though.

I've been pulled over once in my life. And it was for ONLY my tint. I rolled them down as soon as he pulled out behind me, but he already knew. He measured and they were 14% from the previous owner... Yeah it wasn't ideal at night, but it looked good. I'm happy with my 32% legal on the front now though. No need to worry any more. Plus I can see at night .

You guys are scaring me with the tint talk here. I hope I can avoid it, I love my tint.

 

[Twan]

Eh, I was stationed at Pendleton for 3 years driving a car(with California plates) with 15% on the windows and never once got hassled for it.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Eh, I was stationed at Pendleton for 3 years driving a car(with California plates) with 15% on the windows and never once got hassled for it.

I think window tint might be the last thing a Pendleton cop would care about [emoji23]
Ripcord, it looks like you can still see in your windows a little, yeah? In Oregon, they don't really hassle you if they can still see a driver. All my rigs are tinted darker than legal, and I've never been hassled. My wife got pulled over for tint in her IS300(tinted real dark from PO), and he still didn't give her a ticket.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I am mostly worried about the windshield, it has 70% ceramic tint on it and the ceramic coating makes a HUGE difference in the summer sun. I couldn't live without it at this point I am so used to it.

That window alone was also $130 out of the nearly $600 I spent on the tint job. Don't want to throw that down the drain.

 

[808Waterman]

Tint

Rip,
I live in Los Angeles, and I don't think you'll have a problem. I have 20% on my fronts, but nothing on the windshield (really want it though), and have not been stopped specifically for that yet. (knock on wood). If I feel like I may be hassled, I just open the sunroof cover and let some light in and the cabin looks much brighter. Just don't drive like a maniac and you'll prob be fine. They may stop you just to check out your rig though.:heh:

Congrats on the job as well. Inspiring build thread.

 

[AssBurns]

It's just a fix it ticket. Go find yourself a cop friend that can write it off for you.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

It's just a fix it ticket. Go find yourself a cop friend that can write it off for you.

Or an eye doctor to write a prescription for it [emoji41]

 

[madeoregon]

what powder coat color did you use?

You sure? I don't see any in that thread.

What powder coat color did you use to get so close to thundercloud grey?

 

[185Runner]

For the front lower control arm bushings.. There are very different procedure for installing poly bushings vs OEM style bushings. See here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replace-upper-lower-control-arm-bushings.280375/



Now press in the new Poly Rubber.











Last thing to do for the lower arm bushings is to bend the washer back into shape then press it back onto the inner collar.

Hey Rip. I know this was a while back for you, but I'm gearing up to do this myself. Is there special grease to use? Did you get extra with your kit? Any extra advice for me?

 

[kolelt]

It honestly sounds much easier to get OEM bushings. And simply press old ones out with the metal sleeve and simply press we OEM bushings in. OEM bushings are probably better also. But this is my opinion. Only down side. $40 give or take PER BUSHING.

 

[Black798]

It honestly sounds much easier to get OEM bushings. And simply press old ones out with the metal sleeve and simply press we OEM bushings in. OEM bushings are probably better also. But this is my opinion. Only down side. $40 give or take PER BUSHING.

The only problem is the OEM rubber bushings dont stand up to articulation very well and wear out really quickly. Either way the job is not the easiest

 

[Ironman707]

I am mostly worried about the windshield, it has 70% ceramic tint on it and the ceramic coating makes a HUGE difference in the summer sun. I couldn't live without it at this point I am so used to it.

That window alone was also $130 out of the nearly $600 I spent on the tint job. Don't want to throw that down the drain.

Don't worry about the tint, you'll be fine as long as you don't do anything stupid. I ran 5%on all my windows for about 2 years before I got pulled over for doing the California stop at a stop sign. They gave me a ticket for that but then he added the tint after just to be a jerk about it. One of my buddies has 70%on his windshield and he drives like a grandma in his dodge, he's never gotten a ticket, even when he goes through check points. You'll be fine

 

[dmag310]

congrats on the new gig man! Cant wait to see your rig in person. What city are you moving to?

 

[mb889]

Congrats on the new rig and job. I live in Abq, and have enjoyed reading your 2 build threads. I just got a 2002 and can't wait to dive into it.

 

[violation]

Hey Rip. I know this was a while back for you, but I'm gearing up to do this myself. Is there special grease to use? Did you get extra with your kit? Any extra advice for me?

did ya do this yet? looks like i'm up next for this. now i'm asking... you got any tips for me?? :wave:

 

[4-Ripcord]

First California wheeling trip in the books. Went to the Calico Ghost town area with a bunch of local guys.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/35132258990/in/album-72157683154619771/" title="20170604-IMG_2848"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4213/35132258990_2d82ca755f_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20170604-IMG_2848"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/35351584392/in/album-72157683154619771/" title="20170604-IMG_2861"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4256/35351584392_7f75d3de35_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="20170604-IMG_2861"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/35351567482/in/album-72157683154619771/" title="20170604-IMG_2865"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4259/35351567482_41d2b3d3fc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="20170604-IMG_2865"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/34677352384/in/album-72157683154619771/" title="20170604-IMG_2881"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4235/34677352384_b77e13a0f4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="20170604-IMG_2881"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>




This 5th gen Damn near flopped.

A real pucker moment until the truck settled (which was when this pic was taken)

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/35479368326/in/album-72157683154619771/" title="20170604-IMG_2911"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4211/35479368326_f0215576a2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="20170604-IMG_2911"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>





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In other news, I picked up a REALLY clean used rear axle housing. Plan to start modifying the shock mounts (axle side and frame side) to get a set of 12" Kings in there.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/149794382@N06/35622199115/in/dateposted-public/" title="20170604_2003021_zps4kcf1hab"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4199/35622199115_2a79843767_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="20170604_2003021_zps4kcf1hab"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



will be nice to get rid of this rusty hunk of junk

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congrats on the new gig man! Cant wait to see your rig in person. What city are you moving to?

Thanks, I have moved to Garden Grove in Orange county, but I don't like it here and will likely move to a nicer area in northwest OC soon.

Congrats on the new rig and job. I live in Abq, and have enjoyed reading your 2 build threads. I just got a 2002 and can't wait to dive into it.

Thanks! I miss ABQ so much. Its still home no matter where I keep moving to.

Hey Rip. I know this was a while back for you, but I'm gearing up to do this myself. Is there special grease to use? Did you get extra with your kit? Any extra advice for me?

It honestly sounds much easier to get OEM bushings. And simply press old ones out with the metal sleeve and simply press we OEM bushings in. OEM bushings are probably better also. But this is my opinion. Only down side. $40 give or take PER BUSHING.

The only problem is the OEM rubber bushings dont stand up to articulation very well and wear out really quickly. Either way the job is not the easiest

did ya do this yet? looks like i'm up next for this. now i'm asking... you got any tips for me?? :wave:

If I did it again (or when I do rather) I would go with Whiteline bushings. Even with the amount of grease I put in there, these bushings are starting to make noise and will need to be taken apart eventually.

 

[JoshuaDudee]

First California wheeling trip in the books. Went to the Calico Ghost town area with a bunch of local guys.


















This 5th gen Damn near flopped.

A real pucker moment until the truck settled (which was when this pic was taken)

I grew up there! My parents live on ghost town road [emoji23]



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[trailbikerider]