swimmerdude1127's build thread

[swimmerdude1127]

Got the toolbox in and installed last week... it was actually somewhat of a pain in the ass to get bolted down due to it's location centered on the rack (hard to get your hand in that tight space). The location I decided on for my use is in the front third of the rack (I don't have a sunroof), and centered with the opening of the toolbox facing the driver's side. When I first got the toolbox I wasn't actually too thrilled with it, but it's definitely grown on me. It doesn't really take up too much room but it has the perfect amount of storage space to store handy items like extra shackles, tow straps, jumper cables, bungees, etc. I believe right now I have jumper cables, tow straps, light duty lashing straps, and bungees for my bikes in there. The ARB off-road base fits as well with some finagling.

I think it'd be really cool to see Gobi make a toolbox for the stealth that was the same 4" depth but fit perfectly in that front third area along the entire length and width of that section, and also opened along the other axis... although to be honest I'm not sure too many people would spring for it.

Here's a pic for ya.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Next Gobi mod/addition... Hi lift mount. Honestly pretty straightforward...

I went with the Daystar handle spacer off of Amazon. Keeps it pretty quiet (the handle at least) and secure. If you go over bumps at any decent speed, your jack will make medal thudding sounds (contained within itself, not rubbing or hitting anything) but as long as you're aware that you have the jack on and know what sound to expect, it doesn't really bother me. I kept mine on for literally only two days to see if there were any issues with driving around with it or the overall fit. In those two days it rusted like CRAZY and didn't rain at all. This was also for the Extreme model which I believe is supposed to have better corrosion resistance. My solution to this is to simply pack it when I'm going on a wheeling trip. I don't think coating it with anything would really help much.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Why get all this cool stuff for my truck if I don't actually use it?

Kind of a flex shot... (still stock suspension here)









Steep and tight section...

 

[swimmerdude1127]

The crew that went...







A buddy in an Xterra got stuck. Due to traction limitations, we had to rig a two-vehicle tow to get him out.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Nice build. How are you liking the ATP's so far?

 

[Intruder]

A buddy in an Xterra got stuck. Due to traction limitations, we had to rig a two-vehicle tow to get him out.

This setup looks a little sketchy. Were you guys using snatch straps or tow straps? A good snatch strap should have enough stretch to get almost anything out.

Good to see you getting the truck off the beaten path!

 

[Jeremy556]

This setup looks a little sketchy. Were you guys using snatch straps or tow straps?

This. A kinetic rope should be able to easily recover that vehicle with one tug. I have pulled vehicles that were buried above the bottom of the doors in thick mud this way.
Adding a second strap and recovery vehicle is multiplying risk.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I know nothing about recovery....would a kinetic rope be enough to pull out a badly stuck vehicle if your own vehicle could not muster the grip to load the rope appropriately?

As an aside, my GF wanted the Pro4X because it was "cute"...WTF? Chicks like Mickey Mouse ear light? Who knows...anyways, luckily I was able to convince her that spending like $7K more was worth it. That, and I think she would have done anything to get me to stop talking about Cruisers...(yeah yeah its a 150, its still awesome and I'll take what I can get!)

 

[swimmerdude1127]

This. A kinetic rope should be able to easily recover that vehicle with one tug. I have pulled vehicles that were buried above the bottom of the doors in thick mud this way.
Adding a second strap and recovery vehicle is multiplying risk.

Funny, I knew I'd take crap for that photo. Because of the tightness of the trail using a kinetic rope was out of the question. The pic makes it look like we're pulling it two different ways but in reality they were both pulling almost directly reverse. The issue was not overloading one of the two straps, it was only an issue with traction.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Nice build. How are you liking the ATP's so far?

I like them a lot... E rating so you have extremely durable sidewalls, a nice little hum on the road but not too loud at all, decent traction in most conditions. When they get packed with mud they're not super awesome, but then again they're not MTs, they're ATs.

I've already ordered these same tires in 285/70/17 from Discount and will be putting them on post-lift here within the next month probably. Anyone local want some 265/70/17 ATPs with only 3500 miles?

I think after this I may try out the Goodyear Duratracs, but that won't be for awhile. I have the Duratracs on my Tacoma so eventually I'll do a comparison test.

 

[Jeremy556]

I know nothing about recovery....would a kinetic rope be enough to pull out a badly stuck vehicle if your own vehicle could not muster the grip to load the rope appropriately?

No, the pulling vehicle needs to have enough traction. The kinetic rope acts like a rubber band and stretches when it is pulled, which makes softens the jerk, then increases the pulling force as it un-stretches.

 

[Canazes9]

No, the pulling vehicle needs to have enough traction. The kinetic rope acts like a rubber band and stretches when it is pulled, which makes softens the jerk, then increases the pulling force as it un-stretches.

To further expand on the discussion...

The only traction the pulling vehicle needs to have is sufficient traction to build a little speed (just a little, few mph) with a slack recovery strap. By starting w/ a slack strap and building a little speed, the recovery vehicle builds momentum that is then transferred to the stuck vehicle.

If you try to transfer momentum like that with a tow strap or a chain there is a bad tendency to break the strap/chain which can become a destructive whip to people/vehicles. There is also a tendency to break recovery points, suspension etc. from the sudden jolt as the strap/chain goes tight. A recovery strap stretches and spreads the energy transfer out over a short period of time. Instead of the sudden jolt, the recovery vehicles momentum is smoothly transferred to the stuck vehicle.

It is a good idea to have some sort of dampner over the recovery strap just in case it breaks to soak up the energy of the stretch. Additionally, people, animals, etc need to be well away from the strap - everybody wants to stand between the two vehicles or right next to them to "supervise" the slack being taken up!

David

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I like them a lot... E rating so you have extremely durable sidewalls, a nice little hum on the road but not too loud at all, decent traction in most conditions. When they get packed with mud they're not super awesome, but then again they're not MTs, they're ATs.

I've already ordered these same tires in 285/70/17 from Discount and will be putting them on post-lift here within the next month probably. Anyone local want some 265/70/17 ATPs with only 3500 miles?

I think after this I may try out the Goodyear Duratracs, but that won't be for awhile. I have the Duratracs on my Tacoma so eventually I'll do a comparison test.

That's good to hear. A comparison would be very interesting and Duratracs were what I wanted initially. I've got about 15K on mine right now and they are wearing very well. Not sure what I am going to run next, but at this rate I will have a lot of time to make my decision.

Good luck selling your stock size....would Discount not give you a credit towards purchase on your new ones? Seems like with so few miles on them Discount might be able to prorate an exchange.

 

[Intruder]

I think after this I may try out the Goodyear Duratracs, but that won't be for awhile. I have the Duratracs on my Tacoma so eventually I'll do a comparison test.

Just gonna throw this out there, but have you looked at MT/Rs? I went from Duratracs to MT/Rs and they're night and day difference both off road and on. Seeing the mud packed between your treads in the pics makes me think you might be better off with something that does a better job of self cleaning with larger voids.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Just gonna throw this out there, but have you looked at MT/Rs? I went from Duratracs to MT/Rs and they're night and day difference both off road and on. Seeing the mud packed between your treads in the pics makes me think you might be better off with something that does a better job of self cleaning with larger voids.

Thanks much for the advice. I already have the 285/70/17 Cooper ATPs ordered with Discount but gotta make the drive down to Charlotte to get them installed.

Holy cow those MT/R's are expensive!!! Crazy tread design too with it's unsymmetrical pattern.

Since you brought it up... Could you please answer some of the following:

How's the highway noise on those?
Gas mileage differences?
Rainy highway traction?
Snow traction?
Sidewall durability?

The more reviews I'm reading right now, the more I'm liking what I see. So thanks again for the tip!

 

[Jeremy556]

Since you brought it up... Could you please answer some of the following:

How's the highway noise on those?
Gas mileage differences?
Rainy highway traction?
Snow traction?
Sidewall durability?

The more reviews I'm reading right now, the more I'm liking what I see. So thanks again for the tip!

I don't have the MTRs, but I bet I can answer your questions.
1. Louder than HT and ATs, but not bad... at first
2. Similar to aggressive ATs - good
3. Deep powder, great. Hard pack plowed roads and ice, horrible.
4. Excellent.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

Anyone think I could run 305/70/17?

Besides a body mount chop, where are there issues with this tire size post-lift?

 

[joneseyyy]

I ordered a set of MT/Rs last night in 285/70/17, I'll let you know how I like them. I thought about going with a bigger tire but even with 285s I've kised the tops of the fender wells on big impacts, so I don't like the thought of doing that harder and more often.

 

[swimmerdude1127]

I ordered a set of MT/Rs last night in 285/70/17, I'll let you know how I like them. I thought about going with a bigger tire but even with 285s I've kised the tops of the fender wells on big impacts, so I don't like the thought of doing that harder and more often.

Damn bro are you ever NOT running your truck hard as hellll?

I keep meaning to ask you... Do you have the diff breather mod?

 

[Intruder]

I don't have the MTRs, but I bet I can answer your questions.
1. Louder than HT and ATs, but not bad... at first
2. Similar to aggressive ATs - good
3. Deep powder, great. Hard pack plowed roads and ice, horrible.
4. Excellent.

Yup, pretty much nailed it. I've only had them since May so I haven't run them in the winter, but I will be putting winter tires on in a month or so.

Anyone think I could run 305/70/17?

Besides a body mount chop, where are there issues with this tire size post-lift?

You could, but like [MENTION=51030]joneseyyy[/MENTION] said you'd have to watch the fenders. I know [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] runs them and put in the lowered bumpstops from MetalTech in the rear. He could tell you more about running 305s than I could though.

Damn bro are you ever NOT running your truck hard as hellll?

I keep meaning to ask you... Do you have the diff breather mod?

Do it! It's dead simple, cheap, and will potentially save your diffs. You can still suck water into the diffs even though you've done the mod but nowhere near as much. In the spring I drive through a lot of water when the snow is melting so once everything dries up I change the diff oil. Chewing up your diffs will turn your 4wd into a 2wd pretty quick so take care of them.