"Roach" build thread

Not done too much to it lately... been too busy. I have decided on a bit of a direction to go with it. I love me some snow action so whatever comes with that I'll figure out. haha.

Just a few pics from today though. Never driven it in the snow before. I have to say I'm quite impressed with it and honestly with the Dunlops. I tried several times to break free in a turn and they just gripped. huh.

Never realized how big an FJ80 is though. Still like em.
IMG_20121109_142744.jpg~original

IMG_20121109_145404.jpg~original

IMG_20121109_172101.jpg~original


Since we all love to hear what's next, I'm thinking about making myself a roof basket. I love em and honestly it would make for a good place to put my snow shovel (no not the big giant blue one). lol.
 
actually if I can a tubing bender I would do it. Since I don't have access to the one at work right now I just want a cheapo one for the small thicker walled stuff I use.
 
OK got the chance to get a factory tire carrier for $25.... should I go for it? I know what I have to do for modifications. I'd probably just run the normal tailgate until I either come across one that's the same color in good condition (need to replace my glass anyway) OR if I paint the one that I could get with the carrier.... but I don't want to do crappy paint so that's a no go.

I'd probably just mount some better reverse lights anyway. The factory ones we all know suck balls. I'm better offer touching my brake to light the way :P
 
I didn't realize I had to hack up the tailgate so much... I think I'll just change my mind back to either a bumper mounted carrier or put it on the roof rack.

thinking hard about what I want the whole thing to do. I like lights.... so it gets four 5x7 pro comps mounted on the front of a full length roof rack that will mount in place of the factory rails. I'll have two of probably the same lights facing out the back as my reverse lights.

for better access and general awesomeness, a ladder. lol.

rear plate bumper of course... and a front one too. probably no winch.

rock sliders of course.


I'm just waiting on getting a tubing bender. There's a hydraulic one at work but I'm not sure of the minimum die size.

getting my welder ready to use so maybe I'll actually stop this talk of just talk and get something done.
 
so when I eventually go for an engine swap... anyone against a ford 3.8? sbf bell housing and an available supercharger are enticing. plus the cost.
 
^^forget that post, ain't touching that one.

Well..... let's see. All I can say is I have a whole month to play with a hydraulic tubing bender and a welder. HMM. wonder what might happen. Sliders are a big possibility.

So is something like this, and quite likely a rear bumper as well so I can have a tire carrier :D
(seriously love the design on this)
4285993804_bc36450e89.jpg


otherwise I'll have to settle for a more standard prerunner bumper. And trust me, the hoop isn't gonna be ugly like a lot I see. just enough to surround my lights.

yay progress.
 
The vulnerable areas on these trucks are the rocker panels and rear sheet metal - the departure angle is crap. So I'd do sliders first, then the tire carrier/rear bumper. A front bumper/skid may be sexy, but the approach angle on these trucks is good, you won't really need it right away. I'll probably be putting on a belly skid before I worry about a front bumper on mine.

But do sliders first. I'm gonna drag you on some trails as soon as my truck is trail-ready, and you're gonna feel a lot better with sliders on. ;):
 
Last edited:
change your whole post do ya?

I'm pretty positive I'd like to try sliders. I'm not gonna worry about worrying what to do with them when I lift the body. I need the ability for steps anyway. No one can get in and It's stock. pansies.

I agree the rear is more likely to be done as well. I really want that carrier, and I've heard it sucks at departure anyway. not too sure on what I want though for that.

why front bumper? three reasons. Because I really don't like the look of the stock bumper, because I can, and because I'll feel safer if I ram into something :D. #1 reason I have hellas right now.... so I can illuminate what I'm about to hit. Lotta deer down this highway. I've seen what a real bumper can do to, um, a tree (F-250... heavy ass bumper but still)

that's about it.

Oh I'm gonna hit up tear apart again. they have one 87 4runner there right now and five other second gens. gotta be manual hubs somewhere.
 
If I don't find any at the yard and don't end up building anything that I wanted to, I'll probably hit you up on that. I'm hoping they do though lol. $12 for a locking hub. When I got my window computer, she charged me $4 :)

and yes they are seriously stupid. Seen quite a few. some dead, some standing in front of my car. I usually come up here at night too. can't believe the difference my hellas make. If my truck weren't so damn slow I'd get to use them. everyone wants to pass me even though my high beams make all of us safer and theirs suck.
 
Mike, two things. How did you hook up the Hella 500 lights to your bumper? Second, after installing the Intake, were you able to dyno it again?
 
drilled two holes in my nice pretty bumper.

I had intended to dyno it after installing the intake but I haven't had the time and now it's gotten cold. I would like to estimate somewhere around 3-5 hp. it's obviously not much but it looks cool and sounds amazing. Unfortunately I don't think I'll get a chance to do it with just the intake because I plan on a crossover elimination and exhaust upgrade this month.
 
Last edited:
I was planning on doing the same thing, but around here stuff like that gets stolen pretty easily. If you don't have covers on Aux lights you get a ticket. Plus I live in So Cal, and most roads are lighted. It's a cool mod.
 
mikebontoft said:
If I don't find any at the yard and don't end up building anything that I wanted to, I'll probably hit you up on that. I'm hoping they do though lol. $12 for a locking hub. When I got my window computer, she charged me $4 :)
Click to expand...

Holy crap, what yard is that? The last time I went looking for hubs for a friend, the yard by my house wanted $50 each.
 
KidVermicious said:
Holy crap, what yard is that? The last time I went looking for hubs for a friend, the yard by my house wanted $50 each.
Click to expand...

When I saw that too, my jaw nearly dropped. The only yard near me that even had them wanted $100 each. I found a place online that sells one for $40 plus shipping, $95 for a pair including shipping.
 
KidVermicious said:
Holy crap, what yard is that? The last time I went looking for hubs for a friend, the yard by my house wanted $50 each.
Click to expand...

I did say Tear a Part right? maybe not, but yeah. Tear A Part Auto Recycling

So, any kind of aux lights are illegal? here, the max amount of bright lights you can have are four. In my case, I don't need the covers. If I added any extra lights, I would need covers to pass inspection. They tend to make it less flashy but I'm not really worried. If they get taken, it is what it is. I'd rather they don't though, right?

It bolts through the bumper, but they also just bolt through the side of the bracket.
 
Last edited:
I don't think I even knew that was there - I normally go to the pick and pull on 3300s, or the pull and save by my house. I'll have to check them out.

Yeah, you're allowed 4 forward facing lights, basically driving lights and fog lights. Anything more has to have covers while you're on the road.
 
I started out going to pick n pull on 33rd but they sucked. no inventory, high prices. found pns auto (pull n save) loved them for a bit but they're too far away. tear a part is on redwood, still kinda far but... I've had good luck with them. especially nice to check inventory beforehand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 365 (members: 6, guests: 359)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,305
Messages
3,554,042
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top