rossgoldie's DD/Camping/Whellin' Build Thread

[rossgoldie]

Today I got my Bussman circuit breaker and my accessory fuse block installed (but not yet wired). For simplicity I mounted the dude block on the original fuse block cover, I am making a placard of the fuse locations for the original fuse block so I do not have to remove the accessory one when I need to know the fuses

 

[rossgoldie]

Truck started misfiring yesterday, took it into the mechanic. They are currently diagnosing but they think I have coolant leaking into my cylinder #4.

How boned am I?

EDIT: Head Gasket blown and a possible cracked cylinder head...well shit

 

[rossgoldie]

New Lease on Life

After a few days of deliberation, I have decided that I want to keep this truck for a long time to come. I am sending it to a shop to put in a rebuilt 3.4L AND a rebuilt transmission. My current trans is fine, but I figured it is much cheaper to replace it now as long as the engine is out, rather than down the road when it goes out. I save about $1,200 by doing it now.

Total cost of the new engine and trans is going to end up at $6,500. Both come with a 3 year and unlimited mile warranty also. Although I will not be able to do pretty much any mods for a long time, I will have essentially a new truck (aside from my OTRE which I will replace when I get the truck back).

As much I as I wanted to do the work myself and save a lot of $$, as a college student I do not have the time to take on such a project. If this was during my Summer break that would be a different story. It is also my only means of transportation so I do not have the luxury of waiting till the summertime.

So yay! Another 20 long years await the 4Runner!

EDIT: Got the truck back, time to get ready for the Rubicon in May

 

[SLO_Rob]

mechanic?

After a few days of deliberation, I have decided that I want to keep this truck for a long time to come. I am sending it to a shop to put in a rebuilt 3.4L AND a rebuilt transmission. My current trans is fine, but I figured it is much cheaper to replace it now as long as the engine is out, rather than down the road when it goes out. I save about $1,200 by doing it now.

Total cost of the new engine and trans is going to end up at $6,500. Both come with a 3 year and unlimited mile warranty also. Although I will not be able to do pretty much any mods for a long time, I will have essentially a new truck (aside from my OTRE which I will replace when I get the truck back).

As much I as I wanted to do the work myself and save a lot of $$, as a college student I do not have the time to take on such a project. If this was during my Summer break that would be a different story. It is also my only means of transportation so I do not have the luxury of waiting till the summertime.

So yay! Another 20 long years await the 4Runner!

EDIT: Got the truck back, time to get ready for the Rubicon in May

Did you have someone in San Luis do the work? Looking for a new shop.

 

[infamousRNR]

Did you have someone in San Luis do the work? Looking for a new shop.

there is a toyota specific shop in pismo someone told me about....

but this website is here to help you do the work yourself!!!! (with the exception of motor and transmission replacements)

what do you need to get done?

 

[SLO_Rob]

shops

there is a toyota specific shop in pismo someone told me about....

but this website is here to help you do the work yourself!!!! (with the exception of motor and transmission replacements)

what do you need to get done?

Need to? Not much...wanting seems to pop up more often. Next up is a new track/panhard bar. You're thinking of ToyWorks in Pismo, I think.

 

[rossgoldie]

Did you have someone in San Luis do the work? Looking for a new shop.

Certified Auto in SLO is fantastic, but I didn't go there. I sent my truck to AMG Performance in fremont. They came highly recommended from a friend for transmission rebuilds and big projects. C.A.R was going to be my backup because they changed out my ignition when i broke a key in it last year and were FANTASTIC. I cannot recommend anyone else in SLO aside from them.

On a sort-of unrelated note, some friends of mine and club alumni have started their own fab shop, Trail Tested Manufacturing in Templeton. If you are looking for any offroad work done I would suggest giving them a try.

Link to their website, they are a brand new company so they don't have much on there quite yet
http://www.trailtestedmfg.com/

 

[rossgoldie]

Finally got around to a tube bumper! Got this custom from Trail Tested Manufacturing. Now for prep for the Rubicon this coming memorial weekend

 

[infamousRNR]

What dates are you going to the rubicon?

You should consider Pismo may 21/22
[MENTION=105159]rossgoldie[/MENTION]

 

[rossgoldie]

What dates are you going to the rubicon?

You should consider Pismo may 21/22
[MENTION=105159]rossgoldie[/MENTION]

Going memorial weekend, I'll see about pismo if my classes allow for it. Still have a lot of trail prep to do also. Gotta re-boot one of my CV's and do a nut and bolt torque check.

 

[rossgoldie]

Final prep for the trail is over! I made a last minute purchase of the Lotus rear LCM skids. For $95 I don't see how they aren't a must-buy for anyone who wheels. Although they are only welded on the outside, they are beefy and should protect my mounts really well

 

[giovannie23]

Nice thread man. Runner looks good!
Have fun at rubicon
Cant wait to see some pictures

 

[SLO_Rob]

bumper

Certified Auto in SLO is fantastic, but I didn't go there. I sent my truck to AMG Performance in fremont. They came highly recommended from a friend for transmission rebuilds and big projects. C.A.R was going to be my backup because they changed out my ignition when i broke a key in it last year and were FANTASTIC. I cannot recommend anyone else in SLO aside from them.

On a sort-of unrelated note, some friends of mine and club alumni have started their own fab shop, Trail Tested Manufacturing in Templeton. If you are looking for any offroad work done I would suggest giving them a try.

Link to their website, they are a brand new company so they don't have much on there quite yet
Trail Tested Manufacturing

$400 for the bumper installed? damn...I need to look into that! Thanks!

 

[rossgoldie]

$400 for the bumper installed? damn...I need to look into that! Thanks!

Yea check it out! I'm the model vehicle also . They do great work! I'm sure they also will do extra modification to suit your needs, idk if that will change the price though

 

[rossgoldie]

Despite having a torn CV boot and being extremely underbuilt compared to all the other rigs in my club, I complete the whole Rubicon Trail in 2 days!

The damage report is that pretty much everything EXCEPT my actual body is dented or scratched. Rear bumper is pretty mangled as well as the rear mud flaps. Front and gas skids are extremely dented. The block by the t-case is bent upwards and my exhaust came off of the mount at the tip. Also, my passenger tail-light is cracked up to match the drivers side.

The only "big" problem I have is that my diff drain plug (rear) is almost completely ground down as well as the guard so it is not recessed anymore. I know I can get a new drain plug but I dont know how to fix the guard so it is recessed again. Ideas?

Pictures and video of the trail will come soon. All in all I kept up with the big boys (including the PolyP fun buggy and Synergy "Ultimate Adventure" Postal that were in our group (club 50th anniversary trip)). I did need a lot of spotting but I got through without needing to be strapped/pulled out once.

 

[infamousRNR]

what are you getting into July 2nd?> (mod meet BBQ day)

and

August 5/6/7?>? (Bald Mountain run)





.

 

[infamousRNR]

Final prep for the trail is over! I made a last minute purchase of the Lotus rear LCM skids. For $95 I don't see how they aren't a must-buy for anyone who wheels. Although they are only welded on the outside, they are beefy and should protect my mounts really well

i wished they welded the inside/........ for $95 dollars.......

 

[rossgoldie]

what are you getting into July 2nd?> (mod meet BBQ day)

and

August 5/6/7?>? (Bald Mountain run)

.

I'm taking Summer classes through mid-July so I can't make that. But I would be down for the Bald Mountain Run possibly! What're the plans lodging/camping wise?

 

[rossgoldie]

i wished they welded the inside/........ for $95 dollars.......

confirmed welded inside actually doesn't really matter. Beat the ****ing hell out of them at Rubicon and the only damage is scratches from rock.

 

[infamousRNR]

I'm taking Summer classes through mid-July so I can't make that. But I would be down for the Bald Mountain Run possibly! What're the plans lodging/camping wise?

it's a saturday