Adventures in 4Runner'ing

[SteveH]

Here's a 'big winch test' - http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1107-massive-multi-winch-shootout/

The HF winch was DOA out of the box (!), and the most of the winches failed in the end (proving the the test measures). Spoiler: they still picked the Warn.

 

[FJCDan]

Thanks Steve, now I don't have to look for it.

 

[DouglasVB]

There were some problems with that shootout... the Warn winch broke halfway through the pull and they still took a temperature measurement from it. Seems kinda suspect.

But I get your point

 

[DouglasVB]

Rear seatbelt question

The other weekend when we went up to Loch Lomond, Heather rode in the back while a friend was up in the front with me. Heather found it to be a very uncomfortable ride primarily because of the seatbelt. It ratchets down tight and doesn't give any free play like the front belts do. It looks like I can replace the rear seatbelt assembly with a front seatbelt assembly to both get more comfort and the shoulder strap?

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/1st-gen-4runner-rear-3-pt-seat-belts-214268/

Is that the proper thing to do in order to get more comfortable rear seats?

(after that, I'll have to figure out how to make hand holds back there...)

 

[ScaldedDog]

I use a fifty cent bag sealer from Walmart as a clip on the seat belt to keep it from going all python on passengers. Mine only sees use once every year or two, though.

Mark

 

[DouglasVB]

List for the Yota Yard

My list for the Yota Yard is now:

• OEM NipponDenso starter
• 3 point seat belts and plastic covers (tan) for my rear seats
• Electric antenna (one that goes up and down)

 

[DouglasVB]

I think I figured out what I can use for a baby roof basket on my mini truck. Harbor Freight sells a cheap hitch basket that is approximately the right size. One of my buddies out west just strapped one of these onto his K5 Blazer as a small roof basket and loves it. It only requires a little modification.

Mounting might be a bit of a pain. I have gutter rail crossbars but that will elevate the rack up pretty high. I'll have to think about this a bit more.

Then I'll have to figure out what lights I want to integrate into the basket... The new light bars are great for lighting up the trail. But the old school look of the round lights sure is great with a mini truck.

The best thing about having a roof basket is that I will finally have a place for my 2M antenna and maybe also my huge five foot long CB antenna.

 

[Townsend]

Photo of the basket on the K5? Seems like a cool option.

 

[DouglasVB]

Photo of the basket on the K5? Seems like a cool option.

The basket should be short enough not to hang back into the removable canopy part of the roof. That's ideal for me since I am LOVING running with the cloth top. Still need to figure out how to best secure it to the roof. I don't want it being raked off by a low hanging branch.

I'm hoping to go to HF to pick this up after work today. Hope the one on Colfax has it in stock. Going to also grab some tool rolls like Dave has so my tools are FINALLY organized. Oh, and I'm going for the HF winch. It's going to be my "learning winch" because I guarantee you that I will do something stupid to break it while learning how to use it. Might as well do that on a cheapo winch.

 

[AxleIke]

Came across this old video of my First gen. This video is great because its a perfect IFS vs SAS situation: The SAS truck would not have lifted the front end like that was trying to do, because the IFS was maxed and just wagging the driver tire up in the air. On the other hand, the SAS truck would not have handled the angle of approach and tipped on its side before getting to that part. So, both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Major props to Ige (nuclearlemon) for the video.

 

[DouglasVB]

Wow not bad! Which trail is that?

Sooo... we need to develop a brand new suspension system that has all the best parts of IFS and SAS and with none of the drawbacks... Maybe after the next meeting, we can grab a and get to work?

Considering how my garage can BARELY fit the 4runner inside to do even simple work, IFS is starting to look better and better. But all the cool kids have SAS.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Yes, you can get parts for pretty much every Warn ever made.

Aside from that the mainline Warns are made in Clackamas, Oregon, USA, this is the primary reason I went with a used XD9000. Literally everything single part can be replaced with a phone call to Warn and it's not unheard of that it comes gratis. They've made the 8274 since Moses first put his Cruiser in 4-low and the M8000 only slightly less long.

 

[AxleIke]

Wow not bad! Which trail is that?

Sooo... we need to develop a brand new suspension system that has all the best parts of IFS and SAS and with none of the drawbacks... Maybe after the next meeting, we can grab a and get to work?

Considering how my garage can BARELY fit the 4runner inside to do even simple work, IFS is starting to look better and better. But all the cool kids have SAS.

Lol, I'd stick with your plan. The amount of time and fab I had into that truck, I could have done a leaf sprung SAS about 5 times over. I just found it digging through old threads for something else and it reminded me of this thread. I miss that truck a lot, but I don't miss the ride and I don't miss the engine.

Any way, carry on.

Edit: that is holy cross. It was very rainy that year, so the creek was running high.

Same as those pics I posted earlier.

 

[DouglasVB]

New winch and roof basket trial

I ended up going with the Harbor Freight winch. I decided that I'll probably do something stupid to break my first winch thus I am using this as a "learning winch" and I am totally fine with it dying within a year or two.

I opened up the winch and it looks like the guts of every other winch on the market. Sometime in the near future, I'll do some minor waterproofing work (lube silicone seal with silicone grease, use some caulk to seal up the electrics box etc.), lube the cable, and get a cover that fits over the winch. I'll have to probably do a little more cutting on the plastic grille to make a cover fit. The mounting points make the winch push up into the grille just a little bit. Not bad though.

Also, yes, the electrical box is held on with more than just zip ties. The zip ties are extra.

It looks good on the truck.

Nice, big battery cables. At some point soon, I'll be upgrading the battery.

Interestingly, it appears that some of the smog equipment has piping that is co-located with the air intake hose that runs from the throttle body over to the MAF sensor and air box. That will make it difficult to relocate the air box to the passenger side of the truck and battery to the driver side side (the idea being that I will then have more room for dual batteries on the driver side and a snorkel can eventually go on the passenger side).

I also test fit the hitch cargo basket I bought at Harbor Freight onto the roof rack that came with the truck. I will remove the hitch bar and have a buddy weld it together so that it will be narrower. I also need to figure out exactly how I will connect it to the roof. While the old Yakima gutter mounts and metal pipes could work for a season or two, that's not a good long-term solution, especially when going through areas with low hanging branches that want to rip roof baskets off.

I want the roof basket for several reasons including:

1. Storage for luggage when out and about with friends
2. Mounting points for antennas
3. Convenient location to put axe and shovel
4. Good mounting points for off road lights

Any thoughts on good mounting schemes are appreciated.

Maybe next week on Friday I will be making a visit to the Yota Yard to get the parts I need from there.

I'm hoping next week to also have time to do some more substantial welding to attach the sliders that have been sitting in my garage since July.

 

[DouglasVB]

Lol, I'd stick with your plan. The amount of time and fab I had into that truck, I could have done a leaf sprung SAS about 5 times over. I just found it digging through old threads for something else and it reminded me of this thread. I miss that truck a lot, but I don't miss the ride and I don't miss the engine.

Any way, carry on.

Edit: that is holy cross. It was very rainy that year, so the creek was running high.

Same as those pics I posted earlier.

So what you're saying is IFS is the devil, Just like Justin would have us believe?

 

[AxleIke]

No, not the Devil. Just for those who like a challenge and the punishment that comes with it

 

[Squishy!]

Devil

 

[AxleIke]

Well, you all have some fun with your suspensions from the 1600's....

(I'm kidding for those who don't get jokes)

 

[Rezarf]

Came across this old video of my First gen. This video is great because its a perfect IFS vs SAS situation: The SAS truck would not have lifted the front end like that was trying to do, because the IFS was maxed and just wagging the driver tire up in the air. On the other hand, the SAS truck would not have handled the angle of approach and tipped on its side before getting to that part. So, both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Major props to Ige (nuclearlemon) for the video.

Sweet video Isaac.

Big line, little truck. Loved that old rig.

 

[ToyodaTocco]

Came across this old video of my First gen. This video is great because its a perfect IFS vs SAS situation: The SAS truck would not have lifted the front end like that was trying to do, because the IFS was maxed and just wagging the driver tire up in the air. On the other hand, the SAS truck would not have handled the angle of approach and tipped on its side before getting to that part. So, both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Major props to Ige (nuclearlemon) for the video.

Holy Brass Balls, Batman!