montijo505
Senior Member
Dude that looks really good!
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
y=mx+b's Build Thread
- Thread starter y=mx+b
- Start date
y=mx+b
New member
Thanks dude! Been a fun project, but hopefully the transmission skid won't be as involved haha
Broke_Runner
New member
I’d ask when I can pay you to do my skids but my trucks in the same spot you saw it a few weeks ago 
y=mx+b
New member
I’d ask when I can pay you to do my skids but my trucks in the same spot you saw it a few weeks ago
lol oh no. Well I was thinking about making plans for a weld together kit that would be simpler, so maybe could try it out. I'm thinking I want a cheapo amazon, dual voltage, pilot arc plasma cutter now because 3/16" eats up cutting wheels lol
Thanks! Thats a good idea, I'll get it drilled in a few strategic spots
y=mx+b
New member
<a id="accondenser">A/C Condenser Replacement and Refrigerant Recharge</a> | <a target="_self" href="!287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread.html#directory" >Return to Directory</a>
Replacement Tutorial: A/C Condenser Replacement Writeup (40+ Pictures)
Last weekend, I replaced my A/C condenser. I bonked it pretty good when a 2" thick piece of ice plowed its way through my radiator this winter at AOAA (See here: <a target="_self" href="!m287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread-5.html#AOAAJan2021" >My First Time Off-Road at AOAA + Radiator Damage</a>). I wasn't sure if the condenser was actually damaged because I already had no refrigerant from my leaky evaporator, but thats a problem for a different day lol. For now, I wanted to replace the condenser in case it was damaged, so it didn't instantly leak down. Its getting hawt and no A/C sucks. I made a writeup on the replacement linked above, so I'll just put some overview pics here, and a little bit on a stuck bolt that was not included because I realized the torch was a better tool.
Bonkage
I started this project in my apartment in Maryland on a Wednesday night. I was planning to replace the condenser in one day, and recharge the next. I ran into some issues with the refrigerant line connection bolts breaking off in the mounting blocks.
The lower connection came of after a short fight, and with the assistance of a screwdriver in a little slot on the connection
The top connection broke off closer to the head, so more threads were backed up in the connection block. This one I wasn't able to free with what I had with me, so I walked to Home Depot for some bolt extractors and small drill bits. Was a nice night, and not a far walk. However, I should have just bought a torch lol
The screw extractors proved worthless in this situation, it was getting late, and I had to be up at 4:30am to get to work the next day, so I gave up. Couldn't even get the lower connection back together, so I zip tied it all up and decided to take care of everything back at home in VA on the weekend.
When I got home, I had already forgot about the torch idea and drilled 2 more holes like a chimpanzee
Then I remembered the torch, and it was smooth sailing. Very easy with a little bit of heat, since the different metals expand at a different rate
For fun, I was even able to pull the stub of bolt out of the condenser with ease after heating
Added a little pretty paint to these brackets that were looking a little crusty. Media blasted them with a little blaster I picked up for another project, which was fun and got them nice and clean.
After this, everything was easy and it came together without any other problems. I love having some nice crispy A/C
Replacement Tutorial: A/C Condenser Replacement Writeup (40+ Pictures)
Last weekend, I replaced my A/C condenser. I bonked it pretty good when a 2" thick piece of ice plowed its way through my radiator this winter at AOAA (See here: <a target="_self" href="!m287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread-5.html#AOAAJan2021" >My First Time Off-Road at AOAA + Radiator Damage</a>). I wasn't sure if the condenser was actually damaged because I already had no refrigerant from my leaky evaporator, but thats a problem for a different day lol. For now, I wanted to replace the condenser in case it was damaged, so it didn't instantly leak down. Its getting hawt and no A/C sucks. I made a writeup on the replacement linked above, so I'll just put some overview pics here, and a little bit on a stuck bolt that was not included because I realized the torch was a better tool.
Bonkage
I started this project in my apartment in Maryland on a Wednesday night. I was planning to replace the condenser in one day, and recharge the next. I ran into some issues with the refrigerant line connection bolts breaking off in the mounting blocks.
The lower connection came of after a short fight, and with the assistance of a screwdriver in a little slot on the connection
The top connection broke off closer to the head, so more threads were backed up in the connection block. This one I wasn't able to free with what I had with me, so I walked to Home Depot for some bolt extractors and small drill bits. Was a nice night, and not a far walk. However, I should have just bought a torch lol
The screw extractors proved worthless in this situation, it was getting late, and I had to be up at 4:30am to get to work the next day, so I gave up. Couldn't even get the lower connection back together, so I zip tied it all up and decided to take care of everything back at home in VA on the weekend.
When I got home, I had already forgot about the torch idea and drilled 2 more holes like a chimpanzee
Then I remembered the torch, and it was smooth sailing. Very easy with a little bit of heat, since the different metals expand at a different rate
For fun, I was even able to pull the stub of bolt out of the condenser with ease after heating
Added a little pretty paint to these brackets that were looking a little crusty. Media blasted them with a little blaster I picked up for another project, which was fun and got them nice and clean.
After this, everything was easy and it came together without any other problems. I love having some nice crispy A/C
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y=mx+b
New member
<a id="frontskidinstall">Front Skid Plate Install</a> | <a target="_self" href="!287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread.html#directory" >Return to Directory</a>
This weekend, I finally got around to installing my front skid. I was planning to go offroading with a group Sunday, so I was ready for it to put in some work. Long story short, the trip all fell apart, only one other person showed, and the "trails" were just dirt roads between campsites. Regardless, the skid still went in.
Because I was planning to go somewhere up here in MD for the offroading, I stayed at the apartment to do this work. I was able to snag this one really deep parking lot in the back behind a stairwell, which I have deemed the wrenching corner. There's decent area in front of the spot work up front, while having the car parked at a normal depth
Only issue I had was the front attachment sat a bit lower than the crossmember.
I fixed this by using the weight of the vehicle to bent the front up and probably stretching the rear bolts lol.
And once it was all installed nice and beautiful, I realized that my front filler plate still needed to go on
When trying to fit bolt the skid and the filler plate up against the front crossbar, I realized that some longer bolts would probably help. After a trip to ACE to get some longer m8x1.25x30mm and m6x1.00x20mm bolts to replace the front skid mount bolts and the front filler mount bolts, I was now ready
Looking over the other features of the skid, I'm especially happy with how the rear bolt protection turned out. They seemed to hang pretty low when I was making it, but when installed they didn't look too low. I think the sacrifice is worth it to keep the bolt heads intact.
And the oil drain hole actually lines up!
And lastly I put a little wire loom on the trans cooler lines where they crossed over the skid side brace. I don't think there would be a problem with rub through, but better safe than sorry
I'll have to get a good picture of the installed skid in the daylight and update this. I also still need to drill some drain holes, like [MENTION=89794]BackOff[/MENTION] suggested, but ran out of time. Skid is likely coming of next weekend for another reason, so will be a good opportunity to get those drilled
This weekend, I finally got around to installing my front skid. I was planning to go offroading with a group Sunday, so I was ready for it to put in some work. Long story short, the trip all fell apart, only one other person showed, and the "trails" were just dirt roads between campsites. Regardless, the skid still went in.
Because I was planning to go somewhere up here in MD for the offroading, I stayed at the apartment to do this work. I was able to snag this one really deep parking lot in the back behind a stairwell, which I have deemed the wrenching corner. There's decent area in front of the spot work up front, while having the car parked at a normal depth
Only issue I had was the front attachment sat a bit lower than the crossmember.
I fixed this by using the weight of the vehicle to bent the front up and probably stretching the rear bolts lol.
And once it was all installed nice and beautiful, I realized that my front filler plate still needed to go on
When trying to fit bolt the skid and the filler plate up against the front crossbar, I realized that some longer bolts would probably help. After a trip to ACE to get some longer m8x1.25x30mm and m6x1.00x20mm bolts to replace the front skid mount bolts and the front filler mount bolts, I was now ready
Looking over the other features of the skid, I'm especially happy with how the rear bolt protection turned out. They seemed to hang pretty low when I was making it, but when installed they didn't look too low. I think the sacrifice is worth it to keep the bolt heads intact.
And the oil drain hole actually lines up!
And lastly I put a little wire loom on the trans cooler lines where they crossed over the skid side brace. I don't think there would be a problem with rub through, but better safe than sorry
I'll have to get a good picture of the installed skid in the daylight and update this. I also still need to drill some drain holes, like [MENTION=89794]BackOff[/MENTION] suggested, but ran out of time. Skid is likely coming of next weekend for another reason, so will be a good opportunity to get those drilled
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y=mx+b
New member
<a id="tankskidrework">New Fuel Tank Strap Pin Install + Skid Fixing</a> | <a target="_self" href="!287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread.html#directory" >Return to Directory</a>
Well, 10 months later, I finally got around to replacing that one strap pin and putting the last bolt into the skid.
While Offroading, I got this big ol dent in the front of the tank skid. This caused the skid to sit lower on the tank up front, and the arm with the pesky bolt I never put back to rub the driveshaft. You can see where all of the paint got rubbed off where it was contacting. I zip tied the hanger up the best I could, but it wouldn't sit flush with the frame bracket and would occasionally rub. Turning the radio up fixed the rubbing noise lol.
When I went to try and just replace that bolt to hold everything up, I found the dent was obscuring the skid enough that the hole for the bolt no longer lined up. There was really only one option, which was to drop the skid. I was dreading this, but the whole job only took me about 1.5-2hrs
Now I could pound the dent out. I used a 3lb dead blow
A bit Hard to see, but Before
After
Looking at where the hanger was rubbing the driveshaft, looks like my zip tie job didn't hold it up high enough lol. This bad boy was sharp
While the skid was off, I wanted to replace the rear strap pin. When I originally did this job, I found one of the pins was pretty rusty so I ordered an other. I needed to have it wrapped up over the weekend, and the pin arrived late. Since then, its just been floating around. Heres the rusty one, I previously had to reinstall. It had a decent amount of antiseize left on it when removed, so that was good to see.
So I loosened up the driver side strap bolt just enough to get the pin out and swap in the new one.
I started the tank skid reinstall with the annoying bolt behind the driveshaft. It wasn't really that difficult the second time around. Using an open end wrench, I was able to get a 2/3 turn on the bolt each time. I dunno what was up when I did it the first time around, but it could have been the heat and time getting to me.
I then moved to the three driver side frame bolts. If you're skid is mangled like mine, then a tip is to put a screwdriver through one of the holes in the skid and through the frame hole. Leverage the screwdriver until the skid hole lines up with the frame hole. Then the next bolt in line can be further encouraged with a hammer, or if you're lucky, thread right in without issue. From there, the remaining tank skid bolts are fairly easy
Now this project has been officially completed, I'm satisfied. I wasn't keen on reinstalling that one bolt, but also knew the skid rubbing the driveshaft was not good. In the end, the pesky bolt wasn't too bad, and I'm glad its all complete now
Well, 10 months later, I finally got around to replacing that one strap pin and putting the last bolt into the skid.
While Offroading, I got this big ol dent in the front of the tank skid. This caused the skid to sit lower on the tank up front, and the arm with the pesky bolt I never put back to rub the driveshaft. You can see where all of the paint got rubbed off where it was contacting. I zip tied the hanger up the best I could, but it wouldn't sit flush with the frame bracket and would occasionally rub. Turning the radio up fixed the rubbing noise lol.
When I went to try and just replace that bolt to hold everything up, I found the dent was obscuring the skid enough that the hole for the bolt no longer lined up. There was really only one option, which was to drop the skid. I was dreading this, but the whole job only took me about 1.5-2hrs
Now I could pound the dent out. I used a 3lb dead blow
A bit Hard to see, but Before
After
Looking at where the hanger was rubbing the driveshaft, looks like my zip tie job didn't hold it up high enough lol. This bad boy was sharp
While the skid was off, I wanted to replace the rear strap pin. When I originally did this job, I found one of the pins was pretty rusty so I ordered an other. I needed to have it wrapped up over the weekend, and the pin arrived late. Since then, its just been floating around. Heres the rusty one, I previously had to reinstall. It had a decent amount of antiseize left on it when removed, so that was good to see.
So I loosened up the driver side strap bolt just enough to get the pin out and swap in the new one.
I started the tank skid reinstall with the annoying bolt behind the driveshaft. It wasn't really that difficult the second time around. Using an open end wrench, I was able to get a 2/3 turn on the bolt each time. I dunno what was up when I did it the first time around, but it could have been the heat and time getting to me.
I then moved to the three driver side frame bolts. If you're skid is mangled like mine, then a tip is to put a screwdriver through one of the holes in the skid and through the frame hole. Leverage the screwdriver until the skid hole lines up with the frame hole. Then the next bolt in line can be further encouraged with a hammer, or if you're lucky, thread right in without issue. From there, the remaining tank skid bolts are fairly easy
Now this project has been officially completed, I'm satisfied. I wasn't keen on reinstalling that one bolt, but also knew the skid rubbing the driveshaft was not good. In the end, the pesky bolt wasn't too bad, and I'm glad its all complete now
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Drcoffee
Senior Member
When I bought my ‘07 last summer, I noticed some AC oil dripping from the AC lower condenser connection. Same thing happened. That fragile little bolt just snapped right off midway down in the block. It took a while with wd40 to dissolve the corrosion and to wiggle the connection off the condenser. Must be dissimilar metals reacting. It was not fun. My projects always take twice as long and twice the cost of what I expect.
y=mx+b
New member
I'd agree, must have been galvanic corrosion or something. I had no trouble with the other 6 mounting bolts through the thin plates into the condenser, only the ones for the refrigerant lines. I'm guessing the longer grip length of those bolts gave more opportunity for the corrosion to occur and get stuck
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y=mx+b
New member
A sneak peak of todays project: skid plate V2! Someone reached out to me about building them a skid, so using this as an opportunity to test out my revised design, and buy myself a new tool. I'll do a little review on this Warfox plasma cutter when I finish this project. Pretty inexpensive for a dual voltage, pilot arc plasma cutter and I've been impressed so far.
And my dobinsons showed up!
Sorry for mediocre photo quality, I'm using Tapatalk app to upload pics on the fly. Will update later with full quality
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
And my dobinsons showed up!
Sorry for mediocre photo quality, I'm using Tapatalk app to upload pics on the fly. Will update later with full quality
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
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Broke_Runner
New member
Hey I was proud of that dent as I’m pretty sure that was from aoaa no? At least you only dented a skid that trip lol
y=mx+b
New member
Hahaha. Yeah those all come from AOAA that time we went, including the ripped off skid. True, dents were not as bad as an ECU lol
Broke_Runner
New member
Lol ecu, alternator, every idler pulley, and the ac clutch still makes noise
y=mx+b
New member
lol thankfully its warmed up, so we won't have to worry about mystery water crossings under the ice for a while. Theres a few other marylanders on here [MENTION=600667]DriftwoodDaddy[/MENTION] and [MENTION=74371]indoyota[/MENTION], so we'll have to get a gang together and get back up to AOAA or someplace once you get that diff in and now that the weather is nice
That sounds good y=mx+b! I'll look forward to it.
y=mx+b
New member
I haven't posted much on here in a while. I guess I'm kinda getting burnt out on my current internship since its not as hands on as I am wanting for my long term career goals. I've been talking to been talking to a few of my connections both from this current internship and past to try and figure out a career path that really makes me passionate about my work. Essentially my main gripe is that the past two Mechanical Engineering positions I've been in involve a lot of desk work, looking at process data, and managing projects, etc and while I understand these are important tasks, I don't really like sitting down all day and trying to figure out an issue from a graph/data, or just watching someone else do work and "managing" the project. :ranger:
Hopefully I can find a more fulfilling position for next summer. This was a tad on the personal side, but if anyone has some advice for long term career advice, I'm all ears.
On a brighter note, I got my Class B Commercial Driver's Learners Permit to start driving for the school and town bus system this upcoming semester. I've always really liked buses and have been saying since my first year that I'd like to drive the bus.
I've also been snooping around TacomaWorld, since its not blocked at work like T4R.org is lol, so I met up with a local group for some off-roading and camping:
<a id="SleepyCreekJune2021">Off-Roading with the Local TacomaWorld Group</a> | <a target="_self" href="!287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread.html#directory" >Return to Directory</a>
Met up with guys from the Northern Virginia Roll Call TacomaWorld group, since MD is kinda close the NOVA lol. I was the only 4runner, but not the only stock guy. There was a variety of vehicles there from my stock 4runner, a stock TRD PRO Tacoma, a Bobbed ACLB, a Linked DCSB with tube bed, and everything in between.
Shortly after entering the trail, there was a pretty big ditch that we had to go down and up again. Everyone else did alright through there, but being stock height, I knew I was going to drag some. With a little bit of skinny pedal and some help from ATRAC, I made it right on up!
A little sploosh is always fun. Currently my diff oil is in a schrodingers cat state: If I don't open it to see, who knows if its either good or bad lol. I've had all the parts to do the extension for almost a year, just haven't gotten around to it. I probably should soon
This was a tricky area with a deep hole/fallen log on the right, which forced us left through a more off camber area. I was really worried my stock suspension wouldn't be able to keep all the wheels on the ground through here, but it was no problemo
Just after the previous tricky area, there were some deep ruts. Being stock height, I got stuck here from dragging my belly. EatSleepTacos from TW helped me get through one section with some traction boards, but I got stuck again. We tried the traction boards again, but without any luck, I got a tow out. Thankfully I had the legit recovery points on the front, or my front crossmember mighta gotten yanked off. We did use a kinetic rope, which was very pleasant. Regular straps are so harsh, but this was a nice gentile pull as the rope stretched and pulled
More ruts, this stuff I actually made it through without trouble!
I was really bad about taking pictures on this trip. Heres the only one I took on my phone of my 4runner and Betty White (EatSleepTacos' bobbed ACLB). An also a side shot of the bobbed bed.
When I got back, I decided that I like the look of the muddy tan wheels vs the Dorado Gold, might have to get fancy and paint my wheels as an experiment
SNEAK PEEK!!
:lookout::lookout::lookout:
Hopefully I can find a more fulfilling position for next summer. This was a tad on the personal side, but if anyone has some advice for long term career advice, I'm all ears.
On a brighter note, I got my Class B Commercial Driver's Learners Permit to start driving for the school and town bus system this upcoming semester. I've always really liked buses and have been saying since my first year that I'd like to drive the bus.
I've also been snooping around TacomaWorld, since its not blocked at work like T4R.org is lol, so I met up with a local group for some off-roading and camping:
<a id="SleepyCreekJune2021">Off-Roading with the Local TacomaWorld Group</a> | <a target="_self" href="!287301!4th-gen-t4rs/287301-y=mx-bs-build-thread.html#directory" >Return to Directory</a>
Met up with guys from the Northern Virginia Roll Call TacomaWorld group, since MD is kinda close the NOVA lol. I was the only 4runner, but not the only stock guy. There was a variety of vehicles there from my stock 4runner, a stock TRD PRO Tacoma, a Bobbed ACLB, a Linked DCSB with tube bed, and everything in between.
Shortly after entering the trail, there was a pretty big ditch that we had to go down and up again. Everyone else did alright through there, but being stock height, I knew I was going to drag some. With a little bit of skinny pedal and some help from ATRAC, I made it right on up!
A little sploosh is always fun. Currently my diff oil is in a schrodingers cat state: If I don't open it to see, who knows if its either good or bad lol. I've had all the parts to do the extension for almost a year, just haven't gotten around to it. I probably should soon
This was a tricky area with a deep hole/fallen log on the right, which forced us left through a more off camber area. I was really worried my stock suspension wouldn't be able to keep all the wheels on the ground through here, but it was no problemo
Just after the previous tricky area, there were some deep ruts. Being stock height, I got stuck here from dragging my belly. EatSleepTacos from TW helped me get through one section with some traction boards, but I got stuck again. We tried the traction boards again, but without any luck, I got a tow out. Thankfully I had the legit recovery points on the front, or my front crossmember mighta gotten yanked off. We did use a kinetic rope, which was very pleasant. Regular straps are so harsh, but this was a nice gentile pull as the rope stretched and pulled
More ruts, this stuff I actually made it through without trouble!
I was really bad about taking pictures on this trip. Heres the only one I took on my phone of my 4runner and Betty White (EatSleepTacos' bobbed ACLB). An also a side shot of the bobbed bed.
When I got back, I decided that I like the look of the muddy tan wheels vs the Dorado Gold, might have to get fancy and paint my wheels as an experiment
SNEAK PEEK!!
:lookout::lookout::lookout:
K-D-Runner
New member
I'm right there with you on your feelings towards interning and finding a good career path. I'm majoring in electrical engineering and I've always loved engineering but so far with my internships and with the other work out there it seems like it's mostly desk work behind a computer, which definitely has its place and is undoubtedly important to engineering but I too want to do something a little bit more hands on and I've been trying to figure out where I want to take things. So you're definitely not alone!
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
y=mx+b
New member
I've been really bad about updating this build thread recently:
Finished my internship in MD and moved out of my Annapolis apartment. I then brought everything back to my Blacksburg apt to get everything ready for school and my new job. I'm really glad to only have one rent to pay now lol, and this place has a much better place to wrench and weld. 4runner was loaded to the brim inside, I had to use a hitch carrier to get my last totes, and I strapped my welding table to the roof. Really glad I kept the rake, otherwise it would have been super squatted. Suspension did also ride a bit better with some added weight vs empty
Things I've done that I still need to writeup for the build thread and/or an additional writeup. I've got lots of pictures as always
Things I'd like to do in the near future (not in any particular order)
A few of these probably need to think about upgrading my welding situation, but that little Titanium Welder is an absolute champ
Finished my internship in MD and moved out of my Annapolis apartment. I then brought everything back to my Blacksburg apt to get everything ready for school and my new job. I'm really glad to only have one rent to pay now lol, and this place has a much better place to wrench and weld. 4runner was loaded to the brim inside, I had to use a hitch carrier to get my last totes, and I strapped my welding table to the roof. Really glad I kept the rake, otherwise it would have been super squatted. Suspension did also ride a bit better with some added weight vs empty
Things I've done that I still need to writeup for the build thread and/or an additional writeup. I've got lots of pictures as always
- Suspension Install (Build Thread + Stand Alone Writeup)
- Rear Brake Hard Line Replacement
- Rear Pad Replacement (nothing really fancy with this one, but just for documentation)
- Skid Plate V2 (Made improvements to the weld-together aspect. May make plans for this, but might not. I'm kinda burnt out on skid plates right now)
- Testing the New Suspension
Things I'd like to do in the near future (not in any particular order)
- Trans Cooler (Already have the part and fluid, just need some free time)
- Panhard Correction Kit (Already have this too, just need to weld on)
- Bigger Tires (I've already acquired these, size will remain undisclosed at this time lol)
- Fix leaks at Driver side CV (The one I fixed was passenger) and Transfer Case Rear Output
- Transmission skid and fix some of the frame weld nuts with RivNuts
- Front and Rear Bumpers (Really wanting to make some hybrid/tube bumpers since I don't really like whats out there, but need to buy bender rip wallet)
- Finish the "mystery" welding project from last summer (low priority)
- 4.88 Gears (Need to decided on lockers air vs electric vs Torsen, etc)
- Fab New Front Crossmember, since mine is swiss cheesed
- Plasma out frame hole near driver side cat and weld in new metal
- Cut out rear frame from body mount back and weld in all new. Would fab new rear frame sections, body mounts, and rear crossmember. Its getting pretty bad, somehow passed inspection just this month, but I want to get rid of all the crusties. Probably integrate into rear bumper somehow and try to improve clearance
A few of these probably need to think about upgrading my welding situation, but that little Titanium Welder is an absolute champ
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chrisbagnell
Member
Looking forward to seeing the Dobinsons suspension posts! They just came onto my radar and will probably be added before years end. How do you like them so far?
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