Builds Bored and building a 02 Sequoia (mild Build)

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No worries; I sincerely appreciate that you're busy but willing to share.

I don't know if I have permission yet from the domestic financial ministry, but it seems to me that I can make a strong case for the economics if nothing else. I know the Sequoia is a bit large for some of the tight trails but it's paid for and almost the right color (Silver). Insurance savings (from fewer vehicles) helps and the gas mileage has got to be better. I'll get the begging kneepads out for the final push....

Best,

Brad
 
Ma

It is funny people say that the Sequoia is too big for the trails. I wheel ALL DAY LONG with 60's. 62's and 80's and a ton of 40's on the trail, I have not once been denied on a trail due to size... If a 60 series and a 80 series make it, I WILL MAKE IT... on the true measuements of the difference between the trucks. An sequoia is about 4 inches wider, and about 12 inches longer. WHICH MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD FOR A EXPEDITION TYPE TRUCK!!!!! Personally, I think an 80 is too small for a wife and 2 kids to go on a long off road trip, PLUS, the duall AC is the FREAKIN BOMB in this truck... I know an 80 only has front AC. I wont lie,,, I do like my creature comforts on the trail. It is just small enough to get down a trail without major damage to its body. WHen I fist started wheeling this truck I made it down all the tight trails in Choccolocco ORV park in Alabama with no damage (kinda surprised myself) . I am sure it boils down to driver ability, but You can bet your ass I will make it down EVERY trail an 80 series will go down. ;););)

I did 95% of the trails at the last GSMTR event and only came out with a few dents and scrapes, but I saw MANY 80's come out with a TON of dents and scrapes. Please dont let anyone tell you that a Sequoia is too big to wheel... IT IS NOT TRUE>!!
 
*You and Larry need to stop all this Suk-O-I-A chat..
:flipoff2:


Guess what the wife want's us to get for the next vehicle after seeing the video? :clap:
 
Nope; Pilot has me all fired up sorry about that! NorCalBorn, follow the light; make the bride happy and you still get to play. It's win/win!

Pilot I defer to your far superior experience in the Sequoia and on East coast and Mid South trails. My wheeling experience was out West on Eastern Oregon logging trails and in the Marine Corps. Ive only been on a couple of East Coast runs and none yet with my 80 since I just go the suspension and exhaust done two weeks ago, and will be switching the ARB to the likely keeper 80, but then again, I could use the funds to pay for a SAS and armor on the Sequoia.

My interests lean toward family expedition travel anyway so this may be the ticket. Trying to get them interested in a Moab run or a Bill Burke class in Colorado as a start. Bill has a Sequoia that his wife loves but I suspect he probably didn't have to pay for it. His has an ARB front bumper, some suspension work, some custom armor, standard (mangled) side steps and is still running IFS. Unfortunately, I lack the skills Pilot has so I have to pay to play but Iron Pig would probably be very happy to assist.

I participated in a Bill Burke class as a passenger in an 80 down near Blacksburg VA and the tight trails between the trees were a challenge to the longer wheelbase vehicles. All made it, but there were some definite saves by winch and recovery straps needed. Then too the off camber sections were dicy on the rooflines and rear quarterpanels since the trees were tight.

Thanks again,

Brad
 
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I would enjoy seeing other built Sequoia's on the trail. Haters will see that these vehicles are a great platform to build and wheel.

I personally have known Lance Williams at IPOR for over 15 years (I used to wheel with him as a kid, he basically taught me eveything I knew when I first started wheeling my landcruisers) He is an incredible person, and I recently found out that he runs IPOR in Virginia. I saw him at GSMTR, after not having seen him in over 15 years, It was a blast from the past, and a grea tperson to run into after all these years.... IPOR does INCREDIBLE work, and his team there are incredible people... I am sure he would love to get his hands on a Sequoia for a SAS build...( he was eyeballin mine during GSMTR) and I spent and evening wheeling with the IPOR crew during the event with the Sequoia. GREAT PEOPLE.....

After owning MANY 60's. 62's, and 80's and building these vehicles for wheeling, I will say (in my opinion) that the 80 is too small for a family to go on a long distance off road travel. The Sequoia is JUST RIGHT.... Hell, When we bought this Sequoia new, we almost bought a 100 series (an 01) and went with the Sequoia because it had more space for kids and dogs...

Here is the shocking thing about this build!!!!! As it sits,,, when I went to GSMTR LOADED with gear and kids,,,, I was averaging 15.4 mpg (proved with the GPS and fuel reciept) Which SHOCKED the hell out of me...... I couldnt believe that this rig got 15.4mpg averaging 67mph with mountains etc.etc.) as big as this truck is!!!!!!!

My old stock 1994 80 would never beat 17mpg highway.....

The 2UZFE V8 engine is a BEAST!!!!! and EASY to work on...


I am sure there are tight little trails that will chew an 80 up on on the East coat, I have been to them (big Dog events in Winchester Va.. ) But I will stress, that I will make it down any trail an 80 will go..... :)
 
Thus why I actually considered one. I went back this weekend drooling over built 80's, then ventured into the 100's, and honestly after going around in a 4Runner, the chance do also drive both that are owned by a couple of locals, I was still more impressed by the Sequoia. Honestly though, at this point it's all a pipe dream. Who know's what I'll do, we've only the one kid for now and right now my needs are for something slightly bigger. If the time comes I'll see what prices are and go from there. As it stands with used they're not too far off the older 100 series ad's I'm seeing. :steer:
 
The IPOR guys were definitely willing to tackle the SAS on the Sequoia as a challenge if nothing else. Of course there isn't much that can't be done with unlimited time and money; both of which I find lacking. I have no doubt about their talents. Lance is a great guy and you clearly learned with one of the best!

When I searched for threads comparing the 100s vs the Sequoia it seemed the 100 was strongly favored in terms of agility and size (ponderous and bloated were descriptions on the Sequoia) but who knows about the background and experience of the posters? In the case of someone with a lot of experience who has compared built platforms I bow to your experience and I'm especially happy since I have the Sequoia anyway. That said, it seems everything is a custom proposition on suspension and armor since some Tundra parts fit for the front but not the rear, etc. Aftermarket availability clearly favors a Landcruiser when you don't have the ability to fire up a torch or stick and build what you want.

I managed to just achieve 20 MPG stock but with a Yakama Rocket Box, family of four and a dog on a highway trip to Florida, but only did it one other time since I tend to ride 10-15 MPH above the speed limit. I wish we had the VVT that came on the 2006 model since it provided greater HP with better gas mileage, but the one I have isn't bad and of course it has the principle advantage of being paid for and low miles that I put on so I know the maintenance history.

Still it's not going anywhere so I may yet drop it off down at IPOR before I start paying college tuition for my son next year and daughter three years later. Better get my toys lined up now!
 
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Pilot can you please do a write up with the parts used and more shots of what was taken off the truck and what was put on and where. I will be building one of these ver soon.

Jake
 
Awesome

Sweet build! I'm not too far up the road from you and looking to mod my '03 to sas and extreme like yours. Check your inbox for pm about parts and specs. Think the guys in Fburg would do the mods? Any idea what I would expect to pay a shop to do it all?
 
Hey everyone, I got pilot on the phone, he ended up selling his rig to someone in Texas but was very generous with his time and I typed up all his parts and comments for anyone else looking to duplicate his rig or use it as a basis for a rockin rig. Here goes:

Axles
Front Axle: Dana 60
Acquisition Source: 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: Get with all steering and suspension parts from source vehicle, If buying off someone from craigslist or used somewhere look for stamp that says 248 on tube above the pass side also, pop the cover, if the ring gears fills full pumpkin then you are good, the Dana 50 leaves an inch or two between the gears and the cover.

Rear Axle: Sterling 10.5
Acquisition Source: 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: Get with all suspension parts from source vehicle

Lockers:
Front Axle: Powertrax Lock-Right 2620
For Dana 60 out of 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: N/A

Rear Axle: DETROIT LOCKER-FORD Sterling 10.25 10.50 225SL-56A
For Sterling 10.5 out of 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: N/A

Gears:
Front Axle: Yukon 4.88 for Dana 60
Rear Axle: Yukon 4.88 for Sterling 10.5

Breaklines:
Must be done custom.

Suspension
Springs: Convert the Spring over F250 or F350 to Spring under for the Sequoia
Front: RoughCountry Add a Leaf Kit (gives 2" front lift and works with factory shackle)
Rear: Pro Comp 4" Leaf Springs - Part #: 22410 - Ultimate Auto Accessories: Car, SUV, and Truck Accessories (Take bottom two leafs out)

Shackles:
Front: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350
Rear: Use from Sterling 10.5 off F250/F350

Spring Hangers:
Front and Rear: 3" Ford F250/F350 from ruffstuffspecialties.com that fit 1 ton truck

Spring platforms:
Front and Rear: 3" Ford F250/F350 from ruffstuffspecialties.com that fit 1 ton truck

Shock mounts:
Front: new from trail-gear.com for 89-95 1st gen 4runner SAS conversion
Rear: new from trail-gear.com - upper flatback for frame and lower curved for axle part no 110046-1-K
Notes/mods: Cut factory shock mounts out, put new shocks in higher - same hoops from 4runner sas

Leaf spring to Axle Mount
Front: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350
Rear: from ruffstuffspecialties.com - 3" Ford SuperDuty - Extended model (approx 6")

Spring hanger platforms:
Front and Rear: order 4 from ruffstuffspecialties.com - 3" Ford SuperDuty

Front Hoops: trail-gear.com, order front hoops from 86-91 4runner sas conversion

Driveline
Drive Shafts:
Front and Rear: Reuse Factory Sequoia Drive Shafts

U Joints:
Front and Rear: 1/2 ton to 1 ton conbination u joints

Crossmember: Cut cross member, run DOM or angle iron bent at 90 degree angle, after it's done it looks like triangle notch so driveshaft can clear crossmember

Steering
Steering Shaft: ebay/craigslist a used 1st gen 86-91 4runner - with rag joints (try to get newest modle available)

Steering hydro tubes/lines: Custom - Take factory sequoia lines and get heavy duty lines of same length, tie in factory sequoia pump into .25" npt fittings 1st gen gear on frame - roughtly 42" extended

Steering Box: used 1st gen 86-91 4runner - Try to get newest available - make sure there are no leaks

Powersteering Gear aka Box: used 1st gen 86-91 4runner ebay - when mounting steering gear to frame, make damn sure that pitmanarm barely clears frame, only clear by 1/16 of an inch, from top of threads to tierod, otherwise factory leaf springs won't work out

Steering Pump: Reuse Factory Sequoia pump

Hydroassist Ram Kit: 6" kit from trail-gear.com

Tie Rods: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350

Flat pitman arm: Flat Pitman Arm, 130020-1, trail-gear.com
Mods: Take to machine shop to fit tie rod end (cone) and have machine shop make it fit to flat pitman arm

Tie bar: Extend 12" with DOM 1.5" .250 wall thickness tube (from pitman arm to passenger side), and weld into place

Trackbar: don't use track bar from front axle, torch it off, it will not move from side to side, otherwise the bump steer will be terrible, leaf springs will hold axle and Mike proved it
 
00N8 said:
Hey everyone, I got pilot on the phone, he ended up selling his rig to someone in Texas but was very generous with his time and I typed up all his parts and comments for anyone else looking to duplicate his rig or use it as a basis for a rockin rig. Here goes:

Axles
Front Axle: Dana 60
Acquisition Source: 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: Get with all steering and suspension parts from source vehicle, If buying off someone from craigslist or used somewhere look for stamp that says 248 on tube above the pass side also, pop the cover, if the ring gears fills full pumpkin then you are good, the Dana 50 leaves an inch or two between the gears and the cover.

Rear Axle: Sterling 10.5
Acquisition Source: 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: Get with all suspension parts from source vehicle

Lockers:
Front Axle: Powertrax Lock-Right 2620
For Dana 60 out of 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: N/A

Rear Axle: DETROIT LOCKER-FORD Sterling 10.25 10.50 225SL-56A
For Sterling 10.5 out of 1999-2004 F250 SuperDuty or F350
Notes/Mods: N/A

Gears:
Front Axle: Yukon 4.88 for Dana 60
Rear Axle: Yukon 4.88 for Sterling 10.5

Breaklines:
Must be done custom.

Suspension
Springs: Convert the Spring over F250 or F350 to Spring under for the Sequoia
Front: RoughCountry Add a Leaf Kit (gives 2" front lift and works with factory shackle)
Rear: Pro Comp 4" Leaf Springs - Part #: 22410 - Ultimate Auto Accessories: Car, SUV, and Truck Accessories (Take bottom two leafs out)

Shackles:
Front: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350
Rear: Use from Sterling 10.5 off F250/F350

Spring Hangers:
Front and Rear: 3" Ford F250/F350 from ruffstuffspecialties.com that fit 1 ton truck

Spring platforms:
Front and Rear: 3" Ford F250/F350 from ruffstuffspecialties.com that fit 1 ton truck

Shock mounts:
Front: new from trail-gear.com for 89-95 1st gen 4runner SAS conversion
Rear: new from trail-gear.com - upper flatback for frame and lower curved for axle part no 110046-1-K
Notes/mods: Cut factory shock mounts out, put new shocks in higher - same hoops from 4runner sas

Leaf spring to Axle Mount
Front: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350
Rear: from ruffstuffspecialties.com - 3" Ford SuperDuty - Extended model (approx 6")

Spring hanger platforms:
Front and Rear: order 4 from ruffstuffspecialties.com - 3" Ford SuperDuty

Front Hoops: trail-gear.com, order front hoops from 86-91 4runner sas conversion

Driveline
Drive Shafts:
Front and Rear: Reuse Factory Sequoia Drive Shafts

U Joints:
Front and Rear: 1/2 ton to 1 ton conbination u joints

Crossmember: Cut cross member, run DOM or angle iron bent at 90 degree angle, after it's done it looks like triangle notch so driveshaft can clear crossmember

Steering
Steering Shaft: ebay/craigslist a used 1st gen 86-91 4runner - with rag joints (try to get newest modle available)

Steering hydro tubes/lines: Custom - Take factory sequoia lines and get heavy duty lines of same length, tie in factory sequoia pump into .25" npt fittings 1st gen gear on frame - roughtly 42" extended

Steering Box: used 1st gen 86-91 4runner - Try to get newest available - make sure there are no leaks

Powersteering Gear aka Box: used 1st gen 86-91 4runner ebay - when mounting steering gear to frame, make damn sure that pitmanarm barely clears frame, only clear by 1/16 of an inch, from top of threads to tierod, otherwise factory leaf springs won't work out

Steering Pump: Reuse Factory Sequoia pump

Hydroassist Ram Kit: 6" kit from trail-gear.com

Tie Rods: Use from Dana 60 off F250/F350

Flat pitman arm: Flat Pitman Arm, 130020-1, trail-gear.com
Mods: Take to machine shop to fit tie rod end (cone) and have machine shop make it fit to flat pitman arm

Tie bar: Extend 12" with DOM 1.5" .250 wall thickness tube (from pitman arm to passenger side), and weld into place

Trackbar: don't use track bar from front axle, torch it off, it will not move from side to side, otherwise the bump steer will be terrible, leaf springs will hold axle and Mike proved it
Click to expand...

Awesome :cheers:, thanks to you both for putting that together.
 
Just found this

My wife's '04 will finally be mine in Dec.'12. I've talked her out of traiding it in for her new car because I've been licking my chops to do a build like this on it for 3 years! I've been looking all over the web for ideas/photos like Pilot's and found this thread and forum yesterday and became a member. Thanks for including all the details of the build! Are there any other threads, forums, or groups of like minded Sequoia owners where I can get more info? So far, Pilot's is the ONLY Sequoia I've seen built out like this. Thanks. MM
 
anyone ever do a diesel swap in to a sequoia? reading this post had made me rethink buying an 80 bc pilot raised some good points on the wheel base being beneficial and extra interior creature comforts (especially if and when i convince my wife to go). Also I dont want to hear crap about how diesel swaps dont ever repay themselves I am just curious if anyone has. Plus I have a buddy who owns some farm land who agreed when time to comes to look into biodiesel

edit: did he ever do the diesel swap or the next owner ever state if they did? or are they even a mud member? If theyre not, we need to get pilot to get him/her to become one. we cant let that tree die with pilot not being here
 
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