Our '87 4R SR5 Honduras Coffee/Missions Rig Build... (5 Viewers)

[The Jade Bean]

Our electrical manual arrived and it's awesome. Super detailed and in near perfect condition!

-Daniel Kent

 

[The Jade Bean]

Thinking of putting one of these Diehard Platinum PM1 in the 4R. Thoughts, opinions, experience?

-Daniel Kent

 

[KLF]

You might get more traffic on the battery info over in the Expedition section. I'm also curious, the red top in my truck is now 15 (not a typo) years old so I'm betting I will need a new battery this winter.

 

[pappy]

I run a Sears Platinum in the 4Runner, but not that battery. Mine is an automotive battery with top and side posts, not a marine battery with double top posts. The battery has been good to me so far after maybe 3 years (could be longer).

I also have the giant 31M Platinum Marine in the Land Cruiser. The battery in the LC started having issues after about 3 years, and I found it dead one day at the 4 year mark. I need to keep it on a battery maintainer or it will go dead in only a month or so. Other people in the club have had the same issue with this battery. Considering it's size (it weighs 75 pounds) you would think it would have better shelf life.

 

[pappy]

You might get more traffic on the battery info over in the Expedition section. I'm also curious, the red top in my truck is now 15 (not a typo) years old so I'm betting I will need a new battery this winter.

I had a Red Top for many years. Pulled it out of the 4Runner because it was getting old and I didn't want to take a chance. I set it in the backyard and forgot about it. When I finished the FJ40 I pulled the battery out, charged it up, and it turned the 2FE right over. Ran the battery for another two years before dropping in the Sears 31M Platinum. The older Optima batteries were great. The newer Optima not so much.

 

[The Jade Bean]

15 YEARS... Wow!

I've heard the same about the Optima's...being not so good nowadays.

Guess more research is in order.

-Daniel Kent

 

[KLF]

Ya, I remember buying this battery in 1999, for my '84. It's got a big Interstate sticker on it, but it's an Optima under the sticker. I don't know if Interstate still sells them like this anymore, probably not. I've been watching the complaints now about Optima, I likely won't buy one again. Here it is in 2003 right after I wired up the winch.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Selling our BJ60 to pay for our 4R build if anyone is interested. Here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/index.php?threads/DFW,TX.-'82-BJ60-w-3B-Loads-of-Parts.816436/#post-9339356

-Daniel Kent

 

[The Jade Bean]

Sold the BJ, so now I have money to work on the 4R!

-Daniel Kent

 

[the gimpey one]

Sold quickly!

 

[The Jade Bean]

Sold quickly!

Yeah we gave in a little, need to keep things moving forward.

-Daniel Kent

 

[The Jade Bean]

Thinking of going with a Aussie locker in the rear. http://www.aussielocker.com/index.php/lockers/aussie-locker-xd-20830.html

Anyone with experience and thoughts? Seems priced right and reviews look positive.

-Daniel Kent

 

[pappy]

I have a "lunchbox locker" in my FJ40. Don't like it. Noisy. Chirps tires around turns if you give it much gas. Scary on wet or snowy roads. Wish I had an ARB.

 

[The Jade Bean]

I have a "lunchbox locker" in my FJ40. Don't like it. Noisy. Chirps tires around turns if you give it much gas. Scary on wet or snowy roads. Wish I had an ARB.

Thanks for the feedback and now I recall hearing this before. I didn't realize Aussie locker was a lunchbox locker till I saw this article. http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Lunchbox-lockers.htm

I did read it's particularly an issue with standard transmission and I have a auto so wonder if that would reduce the problems. I'd rather not go with ARB due to compressor (could break unexpected) and overall cost.

-Daniel Kent

 

[45Kevin]

I have one in my 45. It's a longer wheel base and I have never had a problem with it. It doesn't make odd noises or throw my rear end into a spin on off camber. It just works fine.

 

[G-Cat]

In Honduras, what will be the percentage of dirt-road/off-road to paved-road driving? If you plan to spend a lot of time on dirt, the Aussie will be just fine.

 

[The Jade Bean]

About 50-75% will be spent off road either dirt or trails. There will be the occasional trip into town 3-6hrs away (depending on what town) with "paved" roads. Local town driving is over mostly cobble stone roads with large pot holes.


Examples here: First pic is Copán where we'll live and second is our land and my cohort in the business.

-Daniel Kent

 

[G-Cat]

Yeah...you'll be fine with a lunchbox locker and Aussie is still the way to go...

 

[The Jade Bean]

Thanks Garth.

Found this great thread on restoring the side emblems if anyone else needs ideas. http://www.yotatech.com/f116/1st-gen-4runner-b-pillar-badge-restoration-254824/index3.html

May do this myself once everything else is done.

-Daniel Kent

 

[chill will]

What's everybody's thoughts on a lift? I read for what we're doing just leave it, I've read do body lift (I don't want to do this honestly) and I've read 2" lift. Advice?

Advanced thanks!
-Daniel Kent

For daily driving especially on back roads of Honduras I strongly recommend going with Old Man Emu springs, and running a 32in tire. You won't have any rubbing issues and you will have a bit more ground clearance but at the same time very drivable.