Builds 1997 LX450 Ute (4 Viewers)

[yohavos]

Awesome build! I was wondering if you ever installed the sound deadener? Did you bedline over it?

I have not installed the sound deadener. All of the factory stuff is still there, and with the monstaliner on the exterior the cab isn't bad at all.

I'll do it at some point, I'm sure. The interior is not (nor will it be) lined... I like my carpet!

 

[NCFJ]

Still my favorite build thread on MUD! You did a killer job sir.

Let this be an inspiration to anyone out there considering doing anything. This guy never welded before and look what he built.

To this I say NIKE........................Just Do It!!!

 

[yohavos]

I had a chance to make a super quick run to the ORV park here in Spokane with some other cruiser guys to see how the ute does... I really can't wait to get this thing out for longer off road trips!

 

[gofast]

Was wondering how it performs at speed in terms of weigh distribution. Any porpoising or other vibrations now that the weight has changed?

Looks like a fun day!

 

[yohavos]

I've got a slight vibration that seems to be tire related... I'll keep chasing it once I put new rubber on if it persists. It's also very dependent upon the road. It probably doesn't help that these tires are almost a decade old, the wheels are beat to hell, and there's been part of a tree branch stuck in the bead of one of em .

I spent a long day yesterday on the road and trail near Douglas Creek in WA with some folks from NW Overland... it turned out to be me with 8 Jeeps! Luckily a guy in a 100 series showed up. I got a few "confused Toyota" comments, but it's all good...

This was my first long range shakedown trip in the ute and I was very happy. I love just throwing some stuff in the bed and going.

Airing up with my cheapo compressor... I want a new one, but this one won't die:

The shovel and strap were handy... I'm digging this flatbed life. I need to get cracking on a proper tire mount under the bed.

 

[yohavos]

Doing truck stuff, enjoying that flatbed life.

 

[excessive]

Love it man, enjoyed reading your thread and seeing the updates

 

[yohavos]

Remember when @NCFJ told me to keep the higher bed sides??

Welp--I should have listened!

My father came to town for my graduation and we threw some redneck sides together out of scrap for a dump run. We ended up hauling 2600lbs (in two loads) of yard waste and debris, including a stump we pulled.

She had her sag on! We weighed in at 7300lbs on the second run.

And, I love having a ute.

 

[tominboise]

Beautiful work right there.

You really need to bolt a pintle hitch or one of the big recovery rings on the rear xmember, to complete the look....

 

[DDabs]

LOVE that thing!

 

[FloridaFJ80]

Looking great!

 

[Kiwi Digger]

Sweet ute mate looks grouse

 

[yohavos]

Finally found some time to relocate my tail lights! I cut off the old mounting brackets, drilled some holes in a C-channel crossmember under the bed and voila!

Before:

And, now:

It cleaned the rear up nicely and set the stage for a little more protection later on.

As you can see, the spare tire came out for the next project!

 

[yohavos]

A buddy was in town and offered the spare tire lift off of his pickup, so we took a look at it. Two holes in another of the crossmembers on the flatbed to mount the lift and some flat bar burned onto the mechanism got me a smooth, functional tire lift:

The tire is snugged up nicely and clears everything underneath. I may look into some additional support eventually but need to get a few miles on the setup to make sure all is well.

 

[yohavos]

And, a few more shots:

 

[mattv94]

Great build.

I have my heart set on an 80 ute chop. What's your departure angle?

 

[baldilocks]

Very impressive! I plan to read the entire build process. It looks like it was a lot of fun to do.

 

[yohavos]

Thanks! The rig was a major part of getting our custom farm tables across WA state and up to the top of a mountain for our wedding last month!

The departure angle could be way better but I opted to keep the frame intact (it could be chopped all the way up to the rear axle) but it's damn good with the lift springs, 315's, and the fact that the flatbed doesn't stick out over the rear crossmember very far at all (and it's a ways above the rear crossmember)

We also drove away from the ceremony in it!

 

[Schmutz]

congrats @yohavos The looks very happy!!!

 

[yohavos]

Last month I got a new set of 315's for the old girl and realized how beat the wheels were. They took a ton of weight to balance and I've been through four valve stems on my rear DS wheel, presumably due to a sharp edge or burr on the wheel.

I succumbed to the ATX hype (I tried not to like these!!) and bro'd down a bit.

Mounted this afternoon:

I like em.