TonyB66's Ownership -> Build Thread (2000 Limited)

[TonyB66]

Rally roof vent!

-Charlie

Charlie, it has been a while! Hope this finds you and the family well...

With that visual, the first laugh of the day, thanks. Rally style is what I'm thinking about actually, low profile though, just turned the other way (opening to the rear). Maybe even something collapsible like this.

Ryadon Vent Only, 8X12 Aluminum Double Pop-Up #RV-626-062 - BendTrailers.com

In steel (above aluminum), 23 bucks: Painted Steel Double Pop-up Vent #9106VEN - BendTrailers.com

I like the idea of a vent, screened, to release heat on hot days, prevent condensation if sleeping within...

 

[T4topher]

Charlie, it has been a while! Hope this finds you and the family well...

With that visual, the first laugh of the day, thanks. Rally style is what I'm thinking about actually, low profile though, just turned the other way (opening to the rear). Maybe even something collapsible like this.

Ryadon Vent Only, 8X12 Aluminum Double Pop-Up #RV-626-062 - BendTrailers.com

In steel (above aluminum), 23 bucks: Painted Steel Double Pop-up Vent #9106VEN - BendTrailers.com

I like the idea of a vent, screened, to release heat on hot days, prevent condensation if sleeping within...

Cool idea. I just use some gutter guard from Home Depot in my window slots. Cut them to size/shape and total for the 2 back windows was around 5$.

 

[TonyB66]

Cool idea. I just use some gutter guard from Home Depot in my window slots. Cut them to size/shape and total for the 2 back windows was around 5$.

I've seen that somewhere, maybe your build thread? I would likely consider that, in addition to the roof vent. When not in the 4Runner, parked at home or elsewhere, I would most often have this vent open.

I'll ask again, anyone have a template for the sunroof opening? Is the roof sheet metal 18 gauge?

 

[octanejunkie]

I'll ask again, anyone have a template for the sunroof opening? Is the roof sheet metal 18 gauge?

Are you sealing off your sunroof?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[TonyB66]

Are you sealing off your sunroof?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

To be clear, I "sealed" the sunroof shut with 100% silicone a year or so back and physically disco'd power to it. The controls for it are now used to raise/lower my ham radio antenna, which is really slick. The sunroof no longer leaks...

I am now talking about complete removal of the sunroof unit, with sheetmetal in its place. Would really like to have a template, ideally a contoured one for our roof. Since I keep my 4Runner outside, not under a shelter currently, removal of the sunroof and creation of a template is not feasible for me. That's why I asked for what I did above...

Will a salvage yard allow one to take a reciprocating saw to a roof to section-out an area that spans just beyond the sunroof area? I imagine not, unless its one that is basically a carcass, but I don't know...

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

Will a salvage yard allow one to take a reciprocating saw to a roof to section-out an area that spans just beyond the sunroof area? I imagine not, unless its one that is basically a carcass, but I don't know...

I got one last year from a pick and pull. I didn't ask before hand, I just did it!
Be sure to get the headliner as well. ( hopefully the pic will show up, I'm trying to link it from my user CP pic album

 

[TonyB66]

I got one last year from a pick and pull. I didn't ask before hand, I just did it!
Be sure to get the headliner as well. ( hopefully the pic will show up, I'm trying to link it from my user CP pic album

Thank you very much! I would have thought one would get some grief for sure, at least on some vehicles. A couple questions:

- Do you recall what you were charged?
- If you didn't use a reciprocating saw, what did you use?

I will use my current headliner, one with an opening for a sunroof, as I want to have a space for a vent and access to the underside of the metal roof...

For those in the south Bay Area, are you aware of a 3rd gen in a salvage yard that would a good candidate for removing part of the roof?

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

Thank you very much! I would have thought one would get some grief for sure, at least on some vehicles. A couple questions:

- Do you recall what you were charged?
- If you didn't use a reciprocating saw, what did you use?

I will use my current headliner, one with an opening for a sunroof, as I want to have a space for a vent and access to the underside of the metal roof...

For those in the south Bay Area, are you aware of a 3rd gen in a salvage yard that would a good candidate for removing part of the roof?

I think they charged me around $75 for the chunk of roof and the headliner. The look on the cashiers face was priceless when she saw me schlepping a roof towards her!

I used a 20V dewalt recip saw. A guy could use a hacksaw and accomplish the same thing, just not as dramatic. I literally had people stopping and watching me plunge the saw into the windshield and start cutting. I had fun!

I'm catching up with your thread, I haven't been in here as much lately. I just got a 2015 Taco access cab 4x4 so the 'runner isn't getting much attention anymore.

 

[T4topher]

Thank you very much! I would have thought one would get some grief for sure, at least on some vehicles. A couple questions:

- Do you recall what you were charged?
- If you didn't use a reciprocating saw, what did you use?

I will use my current headliner, one with an opening for a sunroof, as I want to have a space for a vent and access to the underside of the metal roof...

For those in the south Bay Area, are you aware of a 3rd gen in a salvage yard that would a good candidate for removing part of the roof?

I’d use a battery grinder or sawzall. Could check for part outs on Craigslist/Facebook marketplace. Also I think there is a way to sign up for notifications at junk yards when they get certain vehicles. Check out how this guy does body panel patch work like that. Butt welding sheet metal the easy way. - YouTube

 

[TonyB66]

I think they charged me around $75 for the chunk of roof and the headliner. The look on the cashiers face was priceless when she saw me schlepping a roof towards her!

I used a 20V dewalt recip saw. A guy could use a hacksaw and accomplish the same thing, just not as dramatic. I literally had people stopping and watching me plunge the saw into the windshield and start cutting. I had fun!

I'm catching up with your thread, I haven't been in here as much lately. I just got a 2015 Taco access cab 4x4 so the 'runner isn't getting much attention anymore.

I bet you got some looks alright! 75 bucks, and that includes the headliner? Wow. Figured you brought a cordless recip saw, or grinder possibly. I have only corded ones though, so I'd have to make such a purchase first...

Not much to catch-up here as I've been busy on all things but the 4Runner, and that will continue until after the New Year.

 

[TonyB66]

I’d use a battery grinder or sawzall. Could check for part outs on Craigslist/Facebook marketplace. Also I think there is a way to sign up for notifications at junk yards when they get certain vehicles. Check out how this guy does body panel patch work like that. Butt welding sheet metal the easy way. - YouTube

Looks like I posted just after the above... Was thinking grinder too. Might just pick-up a cheapo cordless grinder at HF for this purpose.

Great video. Ingenious on that 45 degree angled cut.

Appreciate the info on junk yard notifications. I'll look into that. Thanks much.

 

[phattyduck]

A grinder likely wouldn't make it through the pillar. A sawzall (errr... reciprocating saw) is the right tool. Get good quality blades and replace often. I'd expect 2-3 to cut off the roof like that.

Sawzalls make great tree pruners... so it is a good tool to have.

-Charlie

 

[TonyB66]

A grinder likely wouldn't make it through the pillar. A sawzall (errr... reciprocating saw) is the right tool. Get good quality blades and replace often. I'd expect 2-3 to cut off the roof like that.

Sawzalls make great tree pruners... so it is a good tool to have.

-Charlie

Dual purpose, I agree, so I'm inclined to get a cordless recip saw. Seems that I'm always cutting-up limbs, including again over the next week or so (free chipping service here, twice a year).

That said, I was not envisioning A-pillar cuts, but roofing material only. I was thinking of the sunroof opening, plus 6" all the way around. I'd have a cardboard template of such, center it on the roof in that area, trace, drill a pilot hole and cut. I do tend to think a grinder cut-off wheel will be better for that though, compared to what I think would be a lot of flapping movements and possible binding with a recip saw...

 

[phattyduck]

I'd just suggest getting as much 'material' as you can, then use what you need. There are different cross supports on the sunroof vs. non-sunroof models, and the roof console and metal up front is different too. You don't want to be forced to get a second roof panel...

-Charlie

 

[TonyB66]

I'd just suggest getting as much 'material' as you can, then use what you need. There are different cross supports on the sunroof vs. non-sunroof models, and the roof console and metal up front is different too. You don't want to be forced to get a second roof panel...

-Charlie

I hear ya Charlie. Can you please clarify "the roof console and metal up front"? Not sure what you mean by those descriptors... I had planned to add a couple cross support bars to the underside.

 

[phattyduck]

I hear ya Charlie. Can you please clarify "the roof console and metal up front"? Not sure what you mean by those descriptors... I had planned to add a couple cross support bars to the underside.

Look at your roof console and compare:

The shape up there is different. I'd be concerned the non-sunroof headliner wouldn't be compatible with the sunroof roof structure in the front area...

-Charlie

 

[TonyB66]

Look at your roof console and compare:

The shape up there is different. I'd be concerned the non-sunroof headliner wouldn't be compatible with the sunroof roof structure in the front area...

-Charlie

Gotcha Charlie. I'm not planning to change the headliner, anything interior-wise.

 

[TonyB66]

With the year's end upon us, figured I'd provide an update of sorts. As stated previously, I've been quite busy wrapping-up employment matters in preparation of retirement after the New Year. Our family car has been in a repair shop for over a month too, so the 4Runner has been used more than normal. My wife was ok, physically, and thankfully the kids were at home with me...

I finally made time to install Mike's (MStudt) front sway bar links. They are quite beefy and well-made. I recall reading somewhere that with a 3" lift one will want the links to be about 1" longer than stock. This appears to get me there...

Is there a recommendation on how much to compress these bushings? I seem to recall not all that much, a bit beyond deformation.

The bottom bolt is much longer than what is needed, and I might address that at some point...

And as done previously, blue fingernail polish surfaces again...

Sometime back I lost the hard brake lines and I used this time to experiment with routing the steel-braided ones. Might be some rubbing here, but I slid that mounting piece to where it should prevent such from happening. We'll see...

I've been using this dry lube on rod ends for years, and did so again...

Not happy that this sticker didn't even last one year in not so harsh elements.

Maybe this one will last longer...

While at it, I added one more to the rear.

On the side (top)... Anyone know what fighter?

Put some yellow paint on the base of my ham radio antenna so I can more easily tell if it's up while driving, looking into the side mirror.

While doing some tree-trimming I realized my ladders were not quite tall enough. I almost purchased a 28' extension ladder until my mom told me she has one at her rental I can have! Put my Sherpa rack to use to get it home...

Some time back when I searched here about fuel tank capacity I saw wildly different responses. I ran the tank down more than I'v done before and got this much into her.

I've had an I-beam/girder, about 5' long, for many years. I wire-brushed it, cleaned it up, used a rust converter, and painted it up. It will serve as a stop where I park the 4Runner.

For the trailer, I picked-up a drop ball mount, about 100 bucks.

With some cardboard and wood, I began contemplating rack ideas for the trailer...

This should be a fun project. I am looking for some scrap metal to practice welding...

Hope this finds everyone well.

 

[TonyB66]

A couple pages back I mentioned creating addtional storage here...

Life got busy, but this post got me back on it...

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3588864-post99.html

I really like the deck plate idea and with a straight edge to the panel's surface, an 8" OD looks to be the largest that will work. This 6" ID opening one fits the bill.

Amazon.com : TCH Hardware 6" Grey Round Deck Plate Inspection Hatch - Screw Off Water Tight Lid : Sports & Outdoors

Got it yesterday.

Unfortunately, this battery does not fit through. Drat.

I'll likely keep the deck plate as I'm happy with the quality and maybe I can find a use for it, somewhere...

Regardless, I decided to make a hole and figure it out as I go...

I created a template, a tad wider than the vent (approx 6 1/8") and about 12" tall and traced it within the tape border I applied many months ago.

Decided to use a Dremel, with the bit not sticking-out much as I know I have wires and cables back there.

First cut done.

And out...

And the battery fits through no problem as the opening is about 1/2" wider.

I already see tie-down possibilities and of course I need to figure-out a door too... I'm inclined to not have a hinge as that would make it difficult to open when the rear is full of cargo. I'm thinking of using a dimensionally larger piece of thin sheet metal that spans the opening that I can simply slide up and out...

A Christmas present from my wife...

 

[T4topher]

A couple pages back I mentioned creating addtional storage here...

Life got busy, but this post got me back on it...

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3588864-post99.html

I really like the deck plate idea and with a straight edge to the panel's surface, an 8" OD looks to be the largest that will work. This 6" ID opening one fits the bill.

Amazon.com : TCH Hardware 6" Grey Round Deck Plate Inspection Hatch - Screw Off Water Tight Lid : Sports & Outdoors

Got it yesterday.

Unfortunately, this battery does not fit through. Drat.

I'll likely keep the deck plate as I'm happy with the quality and maybe I can find a use for it, somewhere...

Regardless, I decided to make a hole and figure it out as I go...

I created a template, a tad wider than the vent (approx 6 1/8") and about 12" tall and traced it within the tape border I applied many months ago.

Decided to use a Dremel, with the bit not sticking-out much as I know I have wires and cables back there.

First cut done.

And out...

And the battery fits through no problem as the opening is about 1/2" wider.

I already see tie-down possibilities and of course I need to figure-out a door too... I'm inclined to not have a hinge as that would make it difficult to open when the rear is full of cargo. I'm thinking of using a dimensionally larger piece of thin sheet metal that spans the opening that I can simply slide up and out...

A Christmas present from my wife...

Looks good man! When I saw the picture I realized you could put an access panel door there. Maybe get some tan spray paint so it matches the interior a bit. Could probably glue it/caulk it on there. This one would fit if you widen the hole by about 2inches.

Amazon.com: 8''x12'' Access Panel Door White Opening Flap Cover Plate - Box Door Lock - Door Latch 200x300mm (8x12, Plastic): Home Improvement