Thebrandon's 2000 SR5 4X4 Kayak Hauler Thread

[Hootz]

Looks good! I have my tundra billies set on the lowest setting and thinking of bringing them up to the 3rd notch as well to reduce the rake.

 

[thebrandon]

I love them up on the third notch. I was thinking about going up one higher, but I wasn't sure how much my CV's would like it. I do have a diff drop, but that still seemed a little much for them.

Looks good! I have my tundra billies set on the lowest setting and thinking of bringing them up to the 3rd notch as well to reduce the rake.

 

[Elcajon]

I have no mechanical skills....too bad I am Vegas otherwise I would love to shadow you guys on these DIY projects and learn!....

I am not Worthy....:crutch::crutch:

 

[thebrandon]

I have no mechanical skills....too bad I am Vegas otherwise I would love to shadow you guys on these DIY projects and learn!....

I am not Worthy....:crutch::crutch:

I am no mechanic by any means. My mechanical training stretches back to some highschool auto classes, and ends there lol. Doing things your self makes you learn fast though. I'd say the most important thing is to read, read, read, look at pictures/videos and soak up as much information as you can before attempting a repair you are not familiar with. Also make sure you have the right tools before you start. If you see anything you are not comfortable with, get help, or pay the big bucks to have it done the right way.

 

[thebrandon]

Went and got realigned today. Man am I glad I did.

 

[thebrandon]

A little hard to see this, other than my messed up paint. My friend fabbed up a motorcycle carrier which we attached to my front hitch, since my rear one isn't on at the moment. We took a trip to our favorite fishing spot a few hundred miles away, and on the way there is a river crossing which can get deep sometimes. Rather than him drowning his bike, we attached it to the front bumper and carried it across.

Here is the carrier, or as I called it, the death machine. Pics were taken late at night before we left. The carrier was pretty solid and did a great job for the short time we used it to carry the bike across the river. I ended up bashing it into the ground a couple times getting to our fishing spot, luckily no damage was caused to the carrier or my front bumper.

In this one you can see my buddies motorcycle, which we respectively named Barney.

Another update, I got a GoPro and took some video of me just driving around in the boonies. I'll try and get that uploaded soon.

 

[thebrandon]

I forgot to include this. I put on a cheap eBay LED light bar. It gives me more light, which I am happy about. As you can see, my headlights are hardly there, but this is them in daytime running mode, not actually on.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I rigged up a nice fish finder and anchor pulley and stake out pole on my Kayak.

The fish finder is easily portable, the battery, finder, transducer etc are all attached to a Pelican Case, so just fold up transducer, unhook it from the ball mount and carry with the handle.
Works great for finding those bass on drop offs.

The Anchor pulley is nice to keep you in place and facing where you want and the Stake out pole is easier than a anchor plus I can just unclip from it if I hook a nice fish and float away then come right back after I catch/release the fish and and anchored again.

 

[thebrandon]

I sold my kayak but would like to get another one. You have a nice set up there. I used to have a nice trolly and stakeout system on mine.

Here is what I fish out of now. I suppose I could put it on the roof, but this is just so much faster and easier.

 

[thebrandon]

I am going to be selling my current wheel and tire set up.

I ordered some Pro Comp 7069's. I'm hoping the alloy wheels will help lighten things up a little. I will also be switching to a tire that isn't as wide.

Here are the wheels I'm waiting for in the mail. They will be 16" again.

And I am thinking about going with Duratracs again, or maybe the new BFG T/A KO2s. What do you guys think? Going with the 285/75/16 size.

 

[thebrandon]

New tire up for consideration...just have to call Discount Tire and work out some numbers

The Cooper ST Maxx

 

[thebrandon]

I ended up going with the Cooper S/T Maxx in 285/75/R16. First impression is very nice. Paired with the Procomp 7069, the wheels and tires seem to fit and tuck perfectly.

Here are some horrible pictures.

I got home from Discount Tire, and as soon as I got out I heard a loud hissing noise. It was one of my Duratracs...Talk about good timing huh?

I wasn't planning on putting the new wheels and tires on just yet, but I didn't have much of a choice except maybe trying a plug in the Duratrac. There was a nail right in the middle of the tread.

The tires and wheels waiting to go on.

Best part? THEY CLEAR THE TUNDRA BRAKES! Goodbye wheel spacers.

I went back to the thing I had previously found and drove on it again to celebrate.

And some awkward angle shots. I'm not a photographer by any means...

Drivers side wheel

Passenger side wheel, with room to go. I think it will actually clear the fender.

The thing wanted to roll when I drove over it. My tires weren't aired down at all so I'm sure that was part of it.

 

[AZ_Trails]

New wheels and tires look great! What backspacing did you go with on the 7069s?

 

[thebrandon]

Thank you! I went with 12mm backspacing. Most websites say 4" though, but it's the same measurement.

New wheels and tires look great! What backspacing did you go with on the 7069s?

 

[thebrandon]

Another little update.

I got my bodylift in from shootmymime. I just need to find the time to be able to install it. This set was cut just over half an inch, which I am very excited about. Should be the perfect body lift for my needs and help prevent any rubbing when fully tucked and turning. I don't have any now, but I haven't tried out this new tire and wheel combo on anything too extreme yet.

The pucks

I don't know how to tag people, so if anyone could tag or tell me how to tag shootmymime I would love to let him know I got the pucks and am very excited to try them out!

 

[thebrandon]

Everything has been put on hold for a moment with this truck while I decide what I am going to do with it in the future. I have developed signs of a head gasket leak, and need to decide if this is something I can tackle my self, or if it's financially worth it to pay someone else to do the job.

This is a huge disappointment considering in the last 6 months alone I have replaced the timing components, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, wires, water pump, radiator, ring and pinion and all the bearings in the third member, put in a new fuel injector for a misfire I was having, and am also showing signs of needing a new steering rack now...

It's becoming a burden, especially to my wife. I love this vehicle, and it has taken me to new places and has all the features I want and need in a vehicle.

After I talk to a few shops tomorrow and next week and look at prices for parts I'll know a bit more with what I would like to do.

Wish me luck!

 

[4Runner4TW]

Next time I come to Tucson (probably February) we should hit a trail!

 

[thebrandon]

Little update.

Here are the results from the block test. This is a good thing. Blue means there are no combustion gasses in the cooling system. Perhaps I over-reacted by jumping straight to a head gasket issue? I'll still be keeping an eye on it to make sure. So far things seem to be ok.

Normally if you have gas entering the cooling system, the tester will easily be able to extract that gas since the system will no longer be pressurized. This is what I ran into. A bulb that would not suck anything out of the radiator. The test instructions recommend doing this while the motor is warm, and for two minutes, unless the solution changes to yellow or green before the two minutes. I performed the test for about 15, two times. Both times I came back with blue, meaning negative for combustion gasses.

Some things that may have contributed to my over-reacting.

It was January 1st when I noticed a huge amount of white coming out of the tail pipe. This was the coldest day/night so far this year in my area (it snowed which is a rare occurrence here).

I think the large amount of white smoke, and coolant being at the low line while the vehicle was heating up caused me to jump to conclusions. But everything seems to be ok.

I also took a snap of my inside rod holder. This is in place until I get a roll bar in there. Which will be a while unless I find one for free. It comfortably holds seven rods with reels and has been on many trips with me. I like this option over the roof top one I had because it keeps everything out of the dust and elements. I believe I got it from Bass Pro Shop. I had a gift card and this was on sale.

I also decided to put my front sway bar and end links back on. My wife uses this vehicle more and more now since we were involved in a hit and run that totaled our brand new Nissan Sentra . I didn't feel very responsible letting her drive it around with the huge amount of body roll this has as a result of not having the front sway on, plus it adds a little more peace of mind for myself when driving around town and those sudden highway gusts of wind. Removing the end links is simple enough if I really want to while on the trail.

I couldn't just use the old rubber bushings though so I used the Prothane ones that I had laying around. It's a little filthy under there, but that red looks nice.

So for now, Bertha is still alive and rolling.

 

[thebrandon]

Ended up ordering these to go along with some other lights I have in the mail. Everything should be here next week I hope and ready to install.

I probably should save money for some sliders before I get anything else.

 

[thebrandon]

Lookin good el brandio! When are we installing our coolers!!??

I need to find mine again. I don't remember where I put it :crazy:

Did you make another account?!