[orangefj45]

i often use this saying:"just because it can be done does'nt mean you have to". it applies to our hobby in soooo many ways. i know this isn't going to win me any popularity contests around here but i don't think that 4 door wagons make for great rock rigs. they're just too heavy, there's too much overhang and not enough visibility. so unless you're willing to heavily modify, invest a lot of time, money and effort, there might be better ways to go about rock-crawling.
wagons do make great camping and expedition rigs however.
sure, you can retrofit different powertrain components intop a wagon to get the power to weight ratio up but then you're still dealing with lugging 6000 pounds or more thru the trail. i bet most wagons will tip the scale at 7k or more once fully loaded for a wheeling weekend. that in turn puts more stress on stock components like drive shafts, axle shafts, pinions, birfs,.......and the viscious cycle begins.
cutting the roof off and loosing all the glass but the windshield definetly helps in the weight department and brings down the center of gravity. most canopy/boat shops can make custom tops for vehicles. but they're not going to be cheap.

ask me, if you want something with decent interrior room yet nible enough for the rocks, then build a 4runner. if you want to wheel a cruiser in the rocks, then a 40 would be a smart choice.

"flame suit on"

georg

[chicago]

Originally Posted by orangefj45

i often use this saying:"just because it can be done does'nt mean you have to". it applies to our hobby in soooo many ways. i know this isn't going to win me any popularity contests around here but i don't think that 4 door wagons make for great rock rigs. they're just too heavy, there's too much overhang and not enough visibility. so unless you're willing to heavily modify, invest a lot of time, money and effort, there might be better ways to go about rock-crawling.
wagons do make great camping and expedition rigs however.
sure, you can retrofit different powertrain components intop a wagon to get the power to weight ratio up but then you're still dealing with lugging 6000 pounds or more thru the trail. i bet most wagons will tip the scale at 7k or more once fully loaded for a wheeling weekend. that in turn puts more stress on stock components like drive shafts, axle shafts, pinions, birfs,.......and the viscious cycle begins.
cutting the roof off and loosing all the glass but the windshield definetly helps in the weight department and brings down the center of gravity. most canopy/boat shops can make custom tops for vehicles. but they're not going to be cheap.

ask me, if you want something with decent interrior room yet nible enough for the rocks, then build a 4runner. if you want to wheel a cruiser in the rocks, then a 40 would be a smart choice.

"flame suit on"

georg

Georg...
That is about where I was at and was thinking the 4 runner route.
However, I got nothing for offers on the rig or even a trade for another toyota. I could do a second rig, but Id really have to convince the wife on that idea. We already have 3 cars, and a 4th in suburbia where I live...
SOOOOO, this is where Im at. Chopping the rig and going ahead with the Vortec swap.
The 40's are MONEY to build. Hands down, and theyre fetching top dollar built or not. That is the one rig that the wife really likes and gave me the go ahead on.

[chicago]

Originally Posted by Tapage

Not really ... get some from the zippers and sewing .. but accually it can be solved or minimize with this product ..



The reall issue at least for us ( down here ) it's the heat transfer .. my AC barelly keep the cabin fresh in a hot day .. ( about 88°F )

here you can see the alum rail that holds the canvas from front ..



It make my canvas be removable .. but sincerely I'm not gonna remove it soon .. and under the alum rail a good 3M silicon to seal it.

Do you have any pics of the rear tail gate?
Im really curious as to how that was done. I was looking at mine last night, and the line that I would cut, would bi sect the upper hatch. I like to keep that hatch so I could open it.

thanks,

Chicago

[orangefj45]

Originally Posted by chicago

Georg...
That is about where I was at and was thinking the 4 runner route.
However, I got nothing for offers on the rig or even a trade for another toyota. I could do a second rig, but Id really have to convince the wife on that idea. We already have 3 cars, and a 4th in suburbia where I live...
SOOOOO, this is where Im at. Chopping the rig and going ahead with the Vortec swap.
The 40's are MONEY to build. Hands down, and theyre fetching top dollar built or not. That is the one rig that the wife really likes and gave me the go ahead on.

i hear ya. the market is horrible right now if you're trying to re-coup any money out of a rig.
but i think that 40s cost about the same amount to build as 60s. they use pretty much the same parts and there's definetly more support and product available for them.
either way, build a rig that will make YOU and your WIFE happy. never build anything to please anybody else......

georg

[chicago]

The 40's Ive seen have been RIDICULOUS on the asking prices!!!!
5K +/- for a BONE STOCK rig. I was ASKING 4,900.00 for mine and got nary an offer. I got a trade offer, but I was gonna have to re do all the work I had put into the Blotch rig and then some.
I was actually amazed that not a single person even presented an offer.
I really like the 4 runners...always have.

Ah well.

K

[fliphkd778]

[Mace]

Originally Posted by fliphkd778

And, the more/harder you wheel it, the worse it is gonna look..


60's are expedition trucks, not hardcore trucks. A Buggy is soooo much easier.

[chicago]

Georg gave me a GREAT IDEA inadvertently....
Ill have to wait on this though.

My GEARS ARE A TURNIN!

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Originally Posted by orangefj45

i know this isn't going to win me any popularity contests around here but i don't think that 4 door wagons make for great rock rigs.....
there might be better ways to go about rock-crawling.
wagons do make great camping and expedition rigs however.

"flame suit on"

georg

I vote Georg 'Most popular'

I use my 60 in pretty much bone stock configuration for dragging a raft trailer across rough gravel bars. It's perfectly suited for that. I'm envious of all the built 60s on here, but gotta say if I was going to really get into wheeling, I like the look of Scotty's 4runner currently in the Vehicles for sale section






Butt

[Dirtgypsy]

Originally Posted by fliphkd778

WOW!!! Finally a chop top (besides Tapage) that I really like. Need more info on this truck!! PLEASE!

Originally Posted by chicago

Georg gave me a GREAT IDEA inadvertently....
Ill have to wait on this though.

My GEARS ARE A TURNIN!

OK spill it Amigo! I say find a 40 frame/ body with few ancillary items and start to transplant. Then sell your body/frame to a Canuk who needs one for rust prevention.

Clint

[chicago]

OK spill it Amigo! I say find a 40 frame/ body with few ancillary items and start to transplant. Then sell your body/frame to a Canuk who needs one for rust prevention.

Clint[/QUOTE]

THIS is exactly what Im gunnin for!
When I get a 40, Ill take the axels, springs, etc from the 62 and swap it all over. Ill then part out the rest of the 62.

Chicago

[Mace]

just go buggy and keep the 60...

Even a 40 starts having its limitations.

[Tapage]

part of the secret ..

[chicago]

Originally Posted by Tapage

part of the secret ..

AAAAAAH YES!
That is what I figured happened there, but wasnt sure.
Thanks for the pic!

Chicago

[GLTHFJ60]

When I roll my truck, that is what I will do.