Builds Boo471 Build (1 Viewer)

[boo471]

Hi,

Im planning on building some armor and additional storage for my GX and though I would share it with you here.

Here are my first drafts of the Front bumper (hoop with light tabs to be added, the design will be very similar to the landcruiserNW bumper), rear bumper (will be designed so it can be adapted with a swing arm later if needed, will add some tubing to stiffen up the sides as well), rock sliders and a hugh roof rack designed to hold my RTT, 4 off road lights and room for either a spare tire or Jerry cans with gas/water and tools and such.

Everything will be bolt on and there should be no need to cut up the truck anywhere to get these parts on.

Feel free to give feedback on the design.



I have already done a whole lot of work with the truck and I'll probably try and document that under this thread as well.

So as soon as the cutting, bending and welding starts I'll post some more pictures. Going on a business trip for the next 3 weeks so might take a while before I get started.

cheers!

//Marten

 

[BonnerBB]

Subscribed

 

[kashmir]

Wow, that's so awesome - looks like great fun and will be very satisfying at the end. Mind sharing the slider measurements if not the design? You are going to weld those, right?

 

[Fireguy]

I could use some bolt on sliders for my GX. Can't find them anywhere.

 

[boo471]

Ok Im back from my trip. I got some more things I needed to get started (Pipe bender, 50feet cable for welder and so on). I'll see if I can get the time to buy some steel this week and start cutting stuff up.

Wow, that's so awesome - looks like great fun and will be very satisfying at the end. Mind sharing the slider measurements if not the design? You are going to weld those, right?

Sure I'll share it. I'll probably fine tune it as I go along so I can probably give you a better design once Im got them on the truck. Nope, these will be bolt on sliders. There are plenty of tapped holes in the frame to use so no need to weld them on.

I could use some bolt on sliders for my GX. Can't find them anywhere.

Yeah I know the feeling. I was at Budbuilt. They used my truck to customize sliders for a 4runner so he could start selling them. He told me he would give me a good price on them (I drove 2h one way for him to use my truck). Once he had everything tacked up and we where done he told me they would be done with in 2 weeks. He hasn't replied any of my emails or voicemails since (This was probably 3 months ago)?! So I figured I'll make my own.

I'll share the design once Im done but I was hoping to be able to show my work in progress here as well so feel free to drop in and give feedback while im working on them so we can make them right from the get go.

I'll also try and post some stuff that's been made to the truck so far.

//Marten

 

[woody]

Planning to use rectangular tube for the slider portion, then build into the frame with round tube?

I've had a few ideas for rectangular sliders, taken from how MetalTech's are designed...I've got half a mind to order a pair of their boxed tube rails made to length and create my own...

IMO, the challenging part is where it meets the rear wheelwell...integration with the flare at that point will be challenging...at least to make it look good (which Heather INSISTS on!)

 

[kashmir]

Hey Marten - I'm a little confused about the rear view 2nd from the top on the right - just copy/paste bug?

Are you in Washington or Oregon?

 

[boo471]

Planning to use rectangular tube for the slider portion, then build into the frame with round tube?

I've had a few ideas for rectangular sliders, taken from how MetalTech's are designed...I've got half a mind to order a pair of their boxed tube rails made to length and create my own...

IMO, the challenging part is where it meets the rear wheelwell...integration with the flare at that point will be challenging...at least to make it look good (which Heather INSISTS on!)

Howdy.

I haven’t really decided yet. I'll probably go for round tubing since I will use that for the most of the armor it makes more sense buying more of that and keeping the square tubing to a minimum. Also using square tubing, meaning 90 degree edges it is easier to get stuck on something if its tucked up against the slider.

I like the Metaltechs boxed tube rails but I don’t see a whole lot of advantages except weight. They remove one side of the rectangular tube to box in some sheet metal to strengthen it. Not sure how much stronger that is compared to a normal rectangular tube. Except it’s probably a whole lot lighter because it is lacking an entire side of steel.

The rear part I’m still debating about I would like to add a bump out to be able to pivot the truck around rocks/trees but because of the plastic cladding is so low compared to the 4runner you cant really angle it up and add a bump out. So I got some plans to do something like the picture below.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/sliderssketch_zps0a06aceb.jpg"] [/URL]


Main tube is angled up a few degrees and then the bump out is horizontal. I’m also debating angling out the outer legs a few degrees backwards in the rear and forward in the front. In the rear this should help keeping less stress on the rectangular tubing when pivoting using the bump out. In the front it should help stiffening up the front end when adding brush guards.

Hey Marten - I'm a little confused about the rear view 2nd from the top on the right - just copy/paste bug?

Are you in Washington or Oregon?

Hey. I’m not sure what’s confusing you? Is it the front bumper looking the similar from the rear as from the front? The draft “drawing” is made with Catia V5. So no copy paste.

I’m a Swedish dude that has fled the cold weather up by the polar circle to enjoy the 100% humidity in North Carolina.

 

[boo471]

Ok, as promised here is some history on my GX and what’s been done to her.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image_zpscf1d9d00.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image_zpscf1d9d00.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

Here she is in stock form, straight from the dealer. It's a 2004 and had about 120k miles on her when I got it. She had been very well taken care of and all service had been made up to this point. My dog was a bit skeptical at first but soon learned to love it.

Since the 120k service hadn’t been done I took care of that myself. New iridium spark plugs, new heavy duty fluids in diffs, transfer cases. Also one of the CV boots was badly torn and I wasn’t sure how bad shape the actual joint was so I got a new one. Replaced the old one and rebuilt it since it was in very good shape. It’s now stored in the truck as a spare.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image1_zps36c8f7c2.jpeg"] [/URL]
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image4_zpsf07e6117.jpeg"] [/URL]

 

[boo471]

The fun begins....

So once the truck was serviced and up to par i started ith the fun stuff...modfications.

The plan with this truck is for my wife and I to drive the 4 corners of the lower 48 states (Maine, Florida, Cali and Washington state). And we where not planning on driving on high ways. The more trails and back country roads the better. So an expedition rig with the capability to stay away from civilization days on end was the main goal. But I also like going off road every now and then so some decent off road capabilites was needed.

First thing i did as black out all crome parts and the wheels. I used Plasti Dip for this. I also blacked out the hood.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image2_zps6d882060.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image2_zps6d882060.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image2_zps6d882060.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image2_zps6d882060.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Communications is a must so that was done at an early stage.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image7_zpsbbb1015d.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image7_zpsbbb1015d.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image7_zpsbbb1015d.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL]

We needed somewhere to sleep so a RTT was mounted on the truck.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image8_zpsadf14855.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image8_zpsadf14855.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image8_zpsadf14855.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL]


I installed an OME 2.5" lift kit (tricked rear airbags)and new tires was needed since the old once (brand new when I got them) sucked off road. The new tires are Hankook Dynapro MT (285/70/17) and 1.25" spacers. Had to do some cutting in the wheel arches to get the wheels to fit. The OME 885 coils seems a little soft. The have started to sag a bit so will most likley upgrade to 886 soon or just ad some spacers to get back about 0.5" of lift that's been lost.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/photo1_zps102c309b.jpg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/photo1_zps102c309b.jpg"] [/URL][/URL]

I needed to be able to air up the tires after off roading so I got my self a small compressor. Pretty good actually.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image26_zps44a61fcb.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image26_zps44a61fcb.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image26_zps44a61fcb.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL]

A new battery was installed.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image32_zpsf771861b.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image32_zpsf771861b.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image32_zpsf771861b.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL][/URL]

 

[boo471]

storage....

I needed to get some storage in the back for tools, clothes, food and stove. So I started measuring and removing interior parts to find good hard points to fix the storage unit. After that I started sketching (I normaly use CAD software but that's cheating, much more fun to sketch by hand).

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image20_zpse21891ee.jpeg"] [/URL]

Card board mock up.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image19_zps87c169db.jpeg"] [/URL]

Almost there... Inside of drawers are sprayed with bedliner spray to take some beating.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image21_zps5992ab90.jpeg"] [/URL]

The finished product. It's made with MDF board and is heavy as heck but really sturdy. Boltet with 4 bolts to the floor. It's holding all my tools, spare parts, camping stuff, clothes food (not chilled food), cooking gear and stove. It's big.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image22_zps331f20ab.jpeg"] [/URL]

The tent and rear door gives good protection against the elements and yes you can drink beer and cook back there.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/photo2_zps656c77f0.jpg"] [/URL]
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image24_zps88519919.jpeg"] [/URL]

 

[boo471]

Off road armor

So I need some armor for the truck (Work in progress). I contacted Budbuilt to get their skids and have them customize their 4runner sliders for the GX.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image13_zps9d01f8f8.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image13_zps9d01f8f8.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

The sliders got tacked up but never finilized by Bud. Not sure why (He didint responed to any of my calls/emails) hence Im building my own now. But here is Buds, GX version of the sliders.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image15_zps514c188a.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image15_zps514c188a.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

The skids needed some paint on them to not rust (powder coating is nice but hit one rock and you scrape right thru it, really to expensive for something you will beat the heack out of anyways. I prefer just spray a little paint on the scratches and your good).

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image17_zps8fd47695.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image17_zps8fd47695.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

I dint like the dark paint, its to hard to see where you have the rocks when spotting so I decided to get a very descreat orange color instead ;p

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image34_zpsb77e30b3.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image34_zpsb77e30b3.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

These skids are awesome. They have saved my truck on several occations. Really heavy duty!

 

[boo471]

Fridge...

Got my self a fridge. Have had it out a few times and I am very happy with it. You get a lot for your money! Bought some 10 gauge wire going straight from the battery to a 12v rear socket with a switch and a digital volt meter to mount the fridge to.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image31_zps34d590a2.jpeg"] [/URL]

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image30_zps3b56ba05.jpeg"] [/URL]

 

[boo471]

Xenon HIDs installed

Im planning to mount around 14 additional light sources all around the truck when its all done (2xfog lights, 2x8" lights on bumper, 4x7" lights on roof, 2x rear working lights, 4x rock lights). But for now I settled with upgrading the original lights.

[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image36_zps3c5c4cd2.jpeg"] [/URL]


[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image35_zpsd728391f.jpeg"][URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image35_zpsd728391f.jpeg"] [/URL][/URL]

 

[boo471]

Front bumper...

I did some measurments and built a front bumper mock up a while back.

[URL=http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/Marten_Medin/media/image5_zps06c96f61.jpeg.html]

[/URL]

 

[boo471]

Random pictures....

Somewhere in Uwharrie...
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image33_zps526f650f.jpeg"] [/URL]

The wife and I and of course my helper during this build, Bobo (the dog) out camping somewhere in NC.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image28_zps53df8106.jpeg"] [/URL]

RTTs are nice. The dog loves hanging out up there and the wife never seem to be able to get out of the bed in the morning when you have a nice mattress to sleep on. [URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image16_zpse031ce0a.jpeg"] [/URL]

A spring day in Uwharrie after a day off road.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image12_zps833782af.jpeg"] [/URL]

Typical parking by a GX owner...
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image11_zps694ff358.jpeg"] [/URL]

Bobo and I spending some quality time in the wild.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image10_zps6dfa9f85.jpeg"] [/URL]

We did the first of 4 corners a couple of weeks back. This is early morning somewhere in Vermont. It was a 25 hour straight drive from NC to West Quoddy head light house in Maine.
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/image29_zpsc570fd3d.jpeg"] [/URL]

Playing in the mud...
[URL="http://i1293.photobucket.com/albums/b585/Marten_Medin/photo3_zpsee52dd8a.jpg"] [/URL]

 

[boo471]

The latest modification. LED strip lights for the rear area of the truck.

 

[mercedeezel]

Sweet build looks like you had a plan and stuck to it. does the rear gate open and close without interfering with the RTT ladder?

 

[boo471]

Sweet build looks like you had a plan and stuck to it. does the rear gate open and close without interfering with the RTT ladder?

Thanks. No the gate will hit the ladder. Now I strap up the ladder under the rtt floor when no one is in the tent and then it won't interfere.

The roof rack I'm building will move the tent about a foot further back. Which will give me more "roof" when cooking and it might also clear the gate.

 

[IanB]

Awesome pics, looks like a really nice truck!