Builds 100 Series Build - Proper Family Hauler

[SS100]

So my buddy Richard dropped by to give me a hand mounting the ARB Sahara Bumper.

Ramsey Patriot 15000 Winch. This thing is HEAVY and BIG... I've passed it on from one truck to another. It has served me well, it is reliable and very powerful. One of the reasons for choosing the ARB Sahara with it's less than ideal approach angle, was that I hoped the Patriot 15000 would fit in there. From what I've read on other threads, even the Warn 12000 requires extensive modifications (cutting and welding) in order to fit, so I was not very optimistic.

Surprise, surprise! "Almost" a direct bolt on... I don't know why the Warn 12000 will not fit. Maybe it is just that this is a 2003+ bumper and the threads I've read are on <2002 trucks? Don't know, but the holes aligned perfectly, I didn't even need to drill new holes in different position or enlarge existing ones (like I had to do on an ARB bumper for the 80 Series which had this winch mounted before the 100).

This little bracket was the only thing that needed a modification. Solved the clearance issue with a Dremel in no time.

Buttoning things up.

This is how she sits today. Starting to look like a real Land Cruiser. Drives like one too!

Still have to wire up the lights and winch, but we're planing on heading out to Big Bend on Saturday for a full week of camping to take advantage of the kid's spring break, so I'm not sure it will get done before our trip as I still have to set all the wiring to the back of the truck to power the fridge (have I mentioned I hate electrical work?)

 

[djernie]

For the suspension install, I had some very appreciated help from the guys (and gal) from Bayou City Cruisers, and specially "chief mechanic" @duggy who not only organized the "mini-wrenching-party" at his place, but lent his extensive collection of tools and knowledge to do a proper job.
We met Sunday and the installation went without problems. The rear shocks are uncomfortable, but totally doable, even with a regular wrench... No need to cut holes in the truck's floor, just be patient and tighten those nuts little by little.

This is the suspension kit I put on based on my own prior experience and what I like... It is a little mixed up, but I like how the truck drives and feels. It would basically be almost the same as what some vendors call a Heavy Duty setup

• OME 60001 and 60003 Shocks
• OME Torsion Bars
• TJM 770RSHD80B Rear Springs. Why these and not OME Springs? I like them better as they are kind of "in the middle" between OME 864 and 863 regarding cargo capacity (harshness) but they are longer than the 864, so no spacer is needed. They are rated for a 440 pound constant (extra over oem) load.
• Slee Diff Drop Kit
• SPC Upper Control Arms

I've used TJM Products extensively on my last 80 Series and consider the quality as good as OME... Price is a little less, so that is nice. The only reason the shocks and torsion TBs are not TJM also is because there weren't any in-country at the moment and I had to wait 4 weeks for them to arrive.

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Not the best detailed photos, I know. I actually did not take any photos, was busy under the truck!

Anyway, next day I went to get the truck aligned at my local Firestone. No such luck. After three tries, with different techs and on different machines, they still could not get the caster and toe in spec. The truck drove decent, but not great, and definitely not normal for what I know.

I called the good folks at Slee Off Road for advise and Avory gave me some pointers to pass onto the alignment tech. So I went there one more time and even with the extra instructions they could not get it right.... Got a refund and found another shop. One with a tech who knew about the adjustable UCAs and how to actually "adjust" them. Fernando at Backyard Auto located in Bellaire if anyone in my area is interested. Did a good, fast and cheap job.

Here's my thread regarding the alignment issue Alignment question after lift install on 100 Series

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One of the comments the guys at Slee made was that "regular" alignment shops would not know (or care to listen) how to properly adjust the "adjustable" UCAs, so if you get a new lift with the adjustable UCAs, I suggest you find an alignment shop that knows aftermarket suspensions and can do the job right in one try.

Now the truck drives perfectly, feels exactly the same as it did with the small tires and oem suspension. Just like a (properly) lifted IFS truck should drive/feel.

And it looks good also

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ss100 i have tried to google backyard auto but no luck. Do you have an address? Thanks

 

[djernie]

Found it

Backyard Auto
1 review · Mechanic
8200-, 8210 Braewick Dr
(281) 799-9647
Open until 6:00 PM

 

[SS100]

ss100 i have tried to google backyard auto but no luck. Do you have an address? Thanks

@djernie Sorry about the late reply, I was camping with the family over at Big Bend Ranch for Spring Break.

Don't know about that address you found. Might be his old address as from what I understand, he recently moved to the following location:

Fernando Escobar, Backyard Auto. (281) 799-9647
6001 Maple St.
Bellaire, TX 77074

 

[djernie]

@djernie Sorry about the late reply, I was camping with the family over at Big Bend Ranch for Spring Break.

Don't know about that address you found. Might be his old address as from what I understand, he recently moved to the following location:

Fernando Escobar, Backyard Auto. (281) 799-9647
6001 Maple St.
Bellaire, TX 77074[/QUOTe

Hope the camping was awsome thanks. I am going to camp big bend in the future.

 

[SS100]

Before leaving for Big Bend I wanted to set up a proper power source in the back of the truck for the fridge, air compressor and "gadget charging" ports.

So I started by threading a #4 cable from the engine bay to the inside of the cabin. I cut the nipple located under the main wiring harness in this rubber grommet on the passenger side.

Routed the cable along the passenger doors, paying detailed attention so that the cable would not get pinched along its route

Once routed, I covered all the cable in this

 

[SS100]

Used a BlueSea fuse block in the rear to hook up the accessories.

Grounded the fuse block on the third row seat's bracket.

It's a tight fit, but works nicely.

"Power the Fridge"... Check!

Onto the engine bay.

Installed a "master" Blue Sea Fuse block with a 100AMP fuse as close to the battery terminal as possible

 

[SS100]

routed the cable as nice and tidy and it was done.
We have cold beer in the campsite!

 

[SS100]

I had a friend custom make me a light roof rack. My emphasis was on "light"... It's purpose is to carry the RTT and have some space in the rear for a couple of gas cans or something else, something compact and not as heavy that would require the sturdiness and weight of the commercially available roof racks. My tent is a big one at 5.9 (180cms) so I try to keep the weight on the roof as low as possible where I can.

This is what we came out with: (The Yakima Wind Deflector was added so it would cut on wind noise, which it does. I do not believe it does anything for my fuel mileage as stated on the box it came in)

 

[SS100]

Next up was getting my "Family Size" RTT on the roof. Regrettably the truck does not fit in the garage which would have made it very easy by hanging the RTT from the ceiling and just lowering it on the truck.

I got a little creative with some 2x4s... I'm sure you will be able to tell I'm no engineer. The structure was pretty UNstable sideways, but between me and the kids, we managed. I do need to find a better/faster/easier more practical solution since I do not plan to drive around with the RTT on the roof on a daily basis. I prefer to put it on only when needed.

A friend pointed out this video afterwards I will give it a try and see if I need new paint on the rear of my truck, or maybe back surgery...

Hope you don't laugh too hard

Tent installed, awning installed, camp gear, food and water loaded. And we are ready to haul the family on our first adventure in this truck! Big Bend here we come.... With some stops along the way, like enjoying the views at Langtry, TX

 

[bucfl]

Thats great! Cant wait to start enjoying our family outings too.

 

[cainventure]

looks awesome i got a 2006 and live in corpus! just ordered my rtt as well to get out and explore! how do you like the OME lift that's my next consideration?

 

[SS100]

looks awesome i got a 2006 and live in corpus! just ordered my rtt as well to get out and explore! how do you like the OME lift that's my next consideration?

I like the ride quality of the OME Heavy Shocks + TJM Springs. It feels just how I expected it to feel and perform. It is a harsher ride than normal, maybe too harsh for some people when the truck is unloaded? I'm used to it and I do not like soft "boat-feeling-style" suspensions. Besides, when the truck is loaded down with gear it is very plush and confortable.

The OME Torsion Bars OTHO I'm not satisfied with.
When I first installed the suspension kit, without a front bumper, the truck had a decent lift front and back. But when I put the front bumper and winch (one week later), the front came down. WAY down. It now has the same clearance as it had with the OEM Torsion Bars (which I never cranked to get more height out of, since I installed the OME suspension one week after the larger tires). It was so low in fact, that I decided to take the winch out. It came up a little, but I still feel it is too low.

The torsion bars where installed correctly the first time, with the control arms totally extended to get the maximum height out of them and the screw was un-screwed all the way out.

After I took out the winch, I decided to re-index them as I believe they settled a little (like any spring would do after a while) and I did manage to get some extra degrees out of them.

But still, I do not have the height I want in the front. (Currently I DO NOT have a winch, I do not have a dual battery set up, and I have the ARB Sahara Bumper without a chrome hoop, so I do not believe the front is too heavy).... For reference, if I wanted to fit 295 tires, they would NOT fit even for driving on the street (no off road).

I will try re-indexing the torsion bars one more time, maybe they have settled even more after the Big Bend trip... But if I don't get what I consider to be a decent height in the front, I'll look into replacing them with something else (a friend said that he once got a bad set of torsion bars and they where exchanged, but they where not OME, it was some other brand).

For reference, with an empty truck (no camping gear, full tank of gas) the measurement from the fender lip to the center hub is as follows:

• FRONT: 20 inches
• REAR: 23 and 1/2 inches.

The adjusting bolt is cranked all the way in. I have 60mm Droop on Driver's Side and 50mm Droop on passenger side (could not get the ideal 55mm on the passenger without lowering the front even more)

It will sit a little lower in the back once it get the drawer set and rear bumper... Maybe half an inch to one full inch lower? But I still believe the rake to be too much.

Here is a pick of the truck unloaded with a full tank of gas. NO winch.

EDIT: ARB has since replaced the TBs under warranty and all has been good since the swap for the new set.

 

[SS100]

Some pics of the Family Hauler, actually hauling the family to Big Bend.

 

[ad27326]

Some pics of the Family Hauler, actually hauling the family to Big Bend.

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Like your setup, which "Family size RTT" did you go with?

 

[SS100]

Like your setup, which "Family size RTT" did you go with?

Thanks!
That is a 180cm x 220 cm RTT (roughly 6 feet x 7,2).
When closed it is 6 feet x 3.6

 

[ad27326]

Thanks!
That is a 180cm x 220 cm RTT (roughly 6 feet x 7,2).
When closed it is 6 feet x 3.6

Brand name or ?

 

[m3roar]

Funny you should dislike the OME torsion bars.... I have them on mine with a medium kit. The front is still way low. I wonder how I can fix it pretty often. I'm almost out of spec on how much you can turn them. I'm going to intentionally crank them even more soon but I'm sure when i do get a bumper it will go down again. I own a machine shop and have often wondered what it would take the make a kit that can fix the issue. Maybe drop the mounting location?

 

[SS100]

Brand name or ?

@ad27326 It is Made in Colombia and Venezuela, the brand is (link) Carpas Anaconda

Not sold in the US yet though. Importing one from Colombia is not a major hassle since they have a free trade treaty with the US. You can check mine anytime if you happen to come through my area. I like the quality, and the price was pretty good also.

 

[SS100]

@m3roar Would you mind taking the measurement from the fender to the center hub just to compare your truck and mine?

Don't know if you saw it, but here is more detailed info that might help you with your truck also Calling the experts... Torsion Bar Woes...

What kind of work do you do in your machine shop? It's always a good thing to have a fellow inmate, Hundy owner in your area with a machine shop