It has officially begun...UPDATED 5/6/11...

Thanks guys! While it hasn't seemed that long to you guys, it's felt like forever for me. But the truck should be all buttoned up this Monday...I cannot wait!

Stay tuned...

Greg
TOYMN8R

so do you think youll be there for the 24 and 25 run

rockready wrote:

so do you think youll be there for the 24 and 25 run

I should be there, yes, provided I can pick up the truck by Wednesday. I'm just sketchy on the rear sitting so high and not sure IF I should switch out the rear coils NOW, or after I wheel it a few times?? Which day do you think is better to go, Saturday or Sunday??

Let me know.

Greg
TOYMN8R

Well, tomorrow is THE DAY. I've got my trailer hooked up and will be going to the shop at lunch to pick it up! We ordered 12" 150# upper springs on Tuesday to swap out the 14" 150# uppers in the rear and it obviously lowered the rear 2". With my gear, etc. in the back, it should be sitting close to level.

Here are some pics from today...

Really not sure yet IF I will keep the spare in the truck as it takes up a ton of room and will limit my visibility...


Warn 9.0 Rc in and ready to go....


Side view of the finished cage with overhead bars...


Greg
TOYMN8R

So I picked up the truck on Friday and drove to RC on Saturday morning to wheel with Steve's group. The truck needs some serious bugs worked out. WAAAY too much body roll, needs a rear sway bar, limiting straps, and possibly heavier upper coils in the front. The full-hydro steering "works", but I don't think it's working correctly. Gonna call PSC on Monday to try and have Kelvin, their head Tech, work it out for me. The Maxxis Creepy Crawlers are pretty amazing for brand new. Had them only aired down to 7psi (thanks to my "pit crew" at RC! ). I did bend the passenger side outter beadlock ring, but nothing that Jeremiah's hammer couldn't "fix".

Anyway, here are some pics from Pete from Friday morning at the Shop before I picked it up...







Pete wasn't able to find tail lights in time...so I'll have to add them later.






I'll put the 3 pics I took on Saturday on a little later...

Greg
TOYMN8R

Poser pics from RC 4/24/10...



The passenger side rear tire is just touching the wheel well with still another 1-1.5" of compression to go. Guess I'm going to have to open up the wheel openings now? The 38.5" Creepy Crawlers are 14.50" wide with a very square tread...where my old 38" TSL SX's were only 12.50" wide with a much "skinnier" tread pattern...




Home and covered with the winter wrap from my boat! It's going to have to do for now until I can figure out a new soft top...


Greg
TOYMN8R

Nice. I talked to Tom and he told me some of the issues you were having with it. Looks great though!

JeeperX wrote:

Nice. I talked to Tom and he told me some of the issues you were having with it. Looks great thouh!

Thanks. Yeah he rode passenger in the afternoon and experianced first hand the wicked body roll...actually I think it scared the hoooie out of him in one section. I do love how it turned out, now just have to get a rear sway bar on, maybe switch out spring rates, and Pete is going to talk to PSC about the steering. Should be good to go in the next few weeks.

Greg
TOYMN8R

It looks fantastic!!!!!! You'll get the kinks worked out and it'll be just as you want.

I'm so happy for you that it's done!!!!

XterraXtian wrote:

It looks fantastic!!!!!! You'll get the kinks worked out and it'll be just as you want.

I'm so happy for you that it's done!!!!

Thanks! Got the first kink worked out...the steering. Talked to Kelvin @ PSC on Monday and he said that sometimes the orbital valve gets "tweaked" when it's tightened to the bracket. Said to loosen the bolts and see IF it did the same thing with the steering "turning on it's own". So Monday night came home and went out in the rain, loosened the bolts, and presto, problem solved (hopefully). Steering felt normal and responsive. No "turning on it's own". Also, ordered a Currie Anti-rock sway bar for the rear from PolyPerformance. Hopefully it will arrive by Friday so I can get the truck back to the shop on Saturday. It'll get done, eventually.

By the way...did YOU edit my reply to Chris...? "hoooie" I know I didn't say that!

Greg
TOYMN8R

the forum has a feature that you can input a 'swear' or offensive word...and then the word that is to replace it. i only did a few different ones. Apparently, "hooie" replaces something you wrote. hahhahahaaaaa

So the Currie Anti-rock for the rear will be delivered on Monday the 3rd. Then it's back to the shop. Hopefully once that's on the body roll will be under control. The truck comes off the trailer on Saturday to air the Creepy's down to 2psi and break in on my street. Fully test the steering "fix" and get the old soft top rails back on so I can at least put in on as a "cover" for the back, for now.

So IF all goes well next week, anyone want to go to RC on May 8th or 15th??? I'll post up on "Other Trail Rides" to see if there is any interest.

Greg
TOYMN8R

NOT happy. I tightened up the orbital valve on Saturday before taking the truck off the trailer and...SAME THING as before with the steering. Something has got to be wrong with the valve if I can't tighten it to the bracket. Pete is going to call Kelvin @ PSC on Monday, again, and see if they can just send out a new valve and go from there. Hopefully they will and it will get to the shop by Friday. Either way, the Currie Anti-rock will be in on Monday and at least that can get set up in the meantime.

Also, I put the rails back on the soft top and put the hard doors back on. The soft top looks ridiculous, but will keep the back dry until I can get a new soft top/cover made.

OH, and I noticed my wheel bearings are loose on my trailer, so just something else for me to spend my money on and fix. Ugh.

Actually, IF everything is buttoned up on the 4Runner, I might just bring it to the Pine Barren run, maybe?

Greg
TOYMN8R

It's the best fun camping/wheeling trip of the year!!!!

Sorry about the other stuff....it'll get fixed!!!!

4thehardway wrote:

Actually, IF everything is buttoned up on the 4Runner, I might just bring it to the Pine Barren run, maybe?

Greg
TOYMN8R

That would be awesome!

Just a quick update...

4Runner is back in the shop as of May 5th...

Currie Anti-rock is in the rear, mounted on the axle with the rod ends going to the frame. From what Pete said in an e-mail to me tonight, "feels great". BUT, my passenger side brake line (stainless steel braided) popped, so now I've got to somehow find a new one. Toyota fixed frame end flare, and D44 banjo bolt caliper end. Anyone have any suggestions?!?! I got them made like 15 years ago, so I have NO ideas now where to go "local"...

New orbital valve for the steering came in today. Pete is going to RC on Friday, but will be home Saturday to install and test it. So please, everyone, FINGERS CROSSED!!

So IF all goes well, the truck should be back home in the next few days.

Seacrest, out.

I just picked my jeep up from Toms house with the new clutch and bearings in. Pine Barrens here we come!

I have no idea man I hope it works out for ya I'm in the same boat with my build the transmission might be a lil to big for this rig now I have to do a body lift just to fit it lol. I'm sure you will figure it out and have that beast crushing rocks in no time!!!!

Well...picked up brake lines on Saturday. Brought them to Pete's shop. And...ALL GOOD! He already had the Currie Anti-rock in the rear, and new orbital valve installed. He e-mailed me later on Saturday and said (can't quote him exactly) that the truck rode awesome, like a Caddy. Had it up to 60mph on the road by the shop, with his cop friend closing the street off for him. I'm pretty pumped to pick it up on Tuesday after work.

Here are some quick cell phone pics...

New orbital...


Rear sway bar (inverted, mounted on the axle for space reasons)...


So not sure what the plan is yet for getting out somewhere to wheel, but I will see when that can happen.

Greg
TOYMN8R

thats awesome so glad it got figured out check out the progress in members rigs of mine i just finished installing the motor and trans etc its comming along quiet well cant wait to wheel with ya

So I went to a "local" wheeling spot today and...what a difference from the last time out to RC on April 24th! The Currie Anti-rock was the body roll answer, BIG TIME. The new PSC orbital valve worked great. The only problem was the truck started missing and sputtering/stalling towards the end of the day. I think the problem is that the charcoal canister had to be ditched for the PSC reservoir. Both ends were capped. I think that caused the tank to "vapor lock" and wouldn't send fuel properly (in theory). I popped the gas cap and the pressure release was ridiculous. So I have to talk to Pete about a solution. The only other hiccup was a loose lower link jam nut.

Oh, and even though the body is short...it can still get dented! Notice the missing "4Runner" panel behind my driver's door?? I had no choice but to pivot around a very big oak tree...oops.



It should "buff out", no?!?



Later.

Greg
TOYMN8R

Ahhhh..."pulled a Pattey", eh? I plan to keep my XJ tree-dent free. Hope you're loving it...glad you found the problem and it's been fixed. Hope to see you soon. Miss you and the girls!!!

Glad to see you got it to the way you like it
Tree dents just a character at least that is what I have told and tend to believe

Junkyard wrote:

Glad to see you got it to the way you like it
Tree dents just a character at least that is what I have told and tend to believe

Its how we hug trees.