D21FJ60
#LiveLaughLove.
Thats odd..The tires look really small even though they are larger than stock. Maybe its the angle/mudflaps and running boards?
Still looks good tho!
Still looks good tho!
Cruiser 100 Series - Family Overland
- Thread starter Bud
- Start date
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corleykj
Jack of some, definately master of none.
Excellent job! I am working on a similar project for our family and lab.
- Thread starter
- #23
Took my much deserving wife and awesome kids on a 3 day getting away at the OR coast this week. We are having a great time and enjoying a bit of sand grabbing with the Cruiser.
- Thread starter
- #24
Back in November we were trying to get to the top of Calispel Peak just north of Chewelah, WA. (The first photo of this thread is of that particular day.) I'm not known for being heavy footed in technical situations, and I've been on this trail many times, however, I found the Achilles Heal of our 100 Series. As I was working through a section I had a bit of wheel spin and ended up catching a bit of granite boulder. Bang! Followed by a lot of other bangs. We got home only by the assistance of the Center-Locking-Diff.
As I'm sure most of us 100 owners know, this front differential is the expendable crewmen, specifically the carrier. I have since learned that 100 Series 'Grocery Getters' are known to bust out their front teeth going from slick to dry pavement under mild throttle in parking lots. I don't feel so guilty now.
After about 3 weeks of a very aggressive searching for parts I nearly gave up. I had looked into everything from used axles with mystery miles that were 3000 miles away, to all new Toyota OEM. No one had a ring and pinion, or carrier save Toyota. My understanding is that the reason for the weak link is that the case allows for the carrier to shift under torque and...
To keep the story for getting longer, I called Just Differentials/Nitro Gears and ended up speaking with Dean. He talked to me for nearly an hour about issues and modifications to the 100's. Very nice and knowledgeable guy. Though they make a stock ratio ring and pinion gear set for the 100's front, they were on back order for another few months. He tried very hard to help me find a set bug to no avail. If i had wanted to gear down the had plenty of those sets in stock.
Dean also pointed out that the 80's and 100's share the same rin and pinion set - But still no current availability. (I need to check and see if they are now in stock.)
Dean gave me the number of East Coast Gear Supply. I called them and the gentlemen I spoke with, I wish I could remember his name, told me that they had saved a good donor from a re-geared 100 for some deserving individual. I told him I might just be that individual, could he please ship it to me? I had it on my door step the next day.
I called Dean back and asked him to sell me a good install kit, which he did, and saved me a lot of time by catching fact that the new-used gears were out of a newer 100 with a higher spline count. Excellent quality parts!
I then ordered an ARB locker from another company, I'd like to share their info but they did not excel in customer service, so I will just recommend the two above companies plus the following.
My (adopted) Uncle Jeff, who builds very competitive (including some of his own) hot-rods, mud and sand trucks, and jeeps, also owns Suncrest Autoparts (509.467.4177) in Nine Mile Falls, WA. He builds and rebuilds axles as a specialty on the side for offroaders and did an awesome job installing the whole kit. "Perfect Pattern". This is the third axle he has built up for me.
From their I just did the easy part, reinstall the bits and pieces.
The ARB switches fit by popping out the plugs and miner modifications to the back of the panel. ARB might have planned this.
Start to finish our Cruiser was up on the stands for about 4.5 weeks. I never punched all the numbers but I believe that by installing an ARB vs factory carrier, the price was a wash. The increase in strength however, is a no contest. Win/Win for us.
All told I would say I have about $2300 for just parts including the compressor and fittings.
I put the switches, and a pump I had bought several years ago but never installed, in the next weekend and have had no issues. I am not finished with plumbing the front locker poly line. I dislike cutting lines and hoses too short and I will wait until I have built and installed my second battery and mount before I cut the line and clamp it down. I also took the time to extend the front breather and will be doing the same with the center-differential and rear before terminating them in into a filtered breather. I have contemplated tapping them into the air box post filter, but I am not quite sure if their could be issues with the intake suction creating too much of a vacuum. Experiences? Thoughts?
We had a chance to put the Double-Barreled | Locker and Locker to the test yesterday on dry, wet, and soft deep sand, including pulling out a very buried American made 4x4. My initial impressions are that it will be opening up a lot of new adventures for us, not to mention peace of mind. My rear locked or limited-slip vehicles have been very practical and capable, but I have never owned one that was fully locked.
I believe in giving credit where credit is due, so thanks to the suppliers and individuals who assisted me with this repair/upgrade.
Cheers!
As I'm sure most of us 100 owners know, this front differential is the expendable crewmen, specifically the carrier. I have since learned that 100 Series 'Grocery Getters' are known to bust out their front teeth going from slick to dry pavement under mild throttle in parking lots. I don't feel so guilty now.
After about 3 weeks of a very aggressive searching for parts I nearly gave up. I had looked into everything from used axles with mystery miles that were 3000 miles away, to all new Toyota OEM. No one had a ring and pinion, or carrier save Toyota. My understanding is that the reason for the weak link is that the case allows for the carrier to shift under torque and...
To keep the story for getting longer, I called Just Differentials/Nitro Gears and ended up speaking with Dean. He talked to me for nearly an hour about issues and modifications to the 100's. Very nice and knowledgeable guy. Though they make a stock ratio ring and pinion gear set for the 100's front, they were on back order for another few months. He tried very hard to help me find a set bug to no avail. If i had wanted to gear down the had plenty of those sets in stock.
Dean also pointed out that the 80's and 100's share the same rin and pinion set - But still no current availability. (I need to check and see if they are now in stock.)
Dean gave me the number of East Coast Gear Supply. I called them and the gentlemen I spoke with, I wish I could remember his name, told me that they had saved a good donor from a re-geared 100 for some deserving individual. I told him I might just be that individual, could he please ship it to me? I had it on my door step the next day.
I called Dean back and asked him to sell me a good install kit, which he did, and saved me a lot of time by catching fact that the new-used gears were out of a newer 100 with a higher spline count. Excellent quality parts!
I then ordered an ARB locker from another company, I'd like to share their info but they did not excel in customer service, so I will just recommend the two above companies plus the following.
My (adopted) Uncle Jeff, who builds very competitive (including some of his own) hot-rods, mud and sand trucks, and jeeps, also owns Suncrest Autoparts (509.467.4177) in Nine Mile Falls, WA. He builds and rebuilds axles as a specialty on the side for offroaders and did an awesome job installing the whole kit. "Perfect Pattern". This is the third axle he has built up for me.
From their I just did the easy part, reinstall the bits and pieces.
The ARB switches fit by popping out the plugs and miner modifications to the back of the panel. ARB might have planned this.
Start to finish our Cruiser was up on the stands for about 4.5 weeks. I never punched all the numbers but I believe that by installing an ARB vs factory carrier, the price was a wash. The increase in strength however, is a no contest. Win/Win for us.
All told I would say I have about $2300 for just parts including the compressor and fittings.
I put the switches, and a pump I had bought several years ago but never installed, in the next weekend and have had no issues. I am not finished with plumbing the front locker poly line. I dislike cutting lines and hoses too short and I will wait until I have built and installed my second battery and mount before I cut the line and clamp it down. I also took the time to extend the front breather and will be doing the same with the center-differential and rear before terminating them in into a filtered breather. I have contemplated tapping them into the air box post filter, but I am not quite sure if their could be issues with the intake suction creating too much of a vacuum. Experiences? Thoughts?
We had a chance to put the Double-Barreled | Locker and Locker to the test yesterday on dry, wet, and soft deep sand, including pulling out a very buried American made 4x4. My initial impressions are that it will be opening up a lot of new adventures for us, not to mention peace of mind. My rear locked or limited-slip vehicles have been very practical and capable, but I have never owned one that was fully locked.
I believe in giving credit where credit is due, so thanks to the suppliers and individuals who assisted me with this repair/upgrade.
Cheers!
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- Thread starter
- #25
Its been awhile since I've posted. kids are growing and my priorities have been with them and spending time in the mountains. Never the less, I wanted to share in brief what I've upgraded on our LC.
1. I hit a deer which gave me the opportunity to build a bumper and install a winch. Great upgrade.
2. Installed 9.5XPS winch. Always feels better with a winch.
3. Sliders/Steps - We like them but they need some modifications, in fact I'm thinking of scraping them and starting over. They are tough and take whatever they are against without any movement, but are super heavy, about 125lbs ea.
4. 2.25" OME lift, complete with OME shocks. Its a given that this is one of the best upgrades. Rides supremely better, even than stock. My wife even enjoys it, she is not a big fan of tall rigs.
5. 285/75/16 tires. Probably the largest I can go with this lift and not have any rubbing. Clear perfectly.
6. Removed the paneling on the tailgate and cut out the metal, then installed a temporary lid made of Baltic Birch, same as what I made the Modular divider out of. Which by the way has proved its value.
Enjoy the pics! Cheers!
View attachment 1650319
1. I hit a deer which gave me the opportunity to build a bumper and install a winch. Great upgrade.
2. Installed 9.5XPS winch. Always feels better with a winch.
3. Sliders/Steps - We like them but they need some modifications, in fact I'm thinking of scraping them and starting over. They are tough and take whatever they are against without any movement, but are super heavy, about 125lbs ea.
4. 2.25" OME lift, complete with OME shocks. Its a given that this is one of the best upgrades. Rides supremely better, even than stock. My wife even enjoys it, she is not a big fan of tall rigs.
5. 285/75/16 tires. Probably the largest I can go with this lift and not have any rubbing. Clear perfectly.
6. Removed the paneling on the tailgate and cut out the metal, then installed a temporary lid made of Baltic Birch, same as what I made the Modular divider out of. Which by the way has proved its value.
Enjoy the pics! Cheers!
View attachment 1650319
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- Thread starter
- #26
- Thread starter
- #27
FYI: The reason for the rusty bumpers is that I want to run them for awhile until I have the details worked out. My wife and a lot of other folks have commented that they like the patina. I kind of do too. 
Somebodyelse5
16124-75030
I like that bumper, my only criticism is the flat face that extends below the winch, it's vertical, seems like it'll get caught up pretty easy
Awesome rig! I like that you build it to suit your family. The temptation is to throw parts at the cruiser. Looks like you are doing an excellent job building it to your family's needs. I hope i can do the same.
I love that you have created most of that yourself! Great job and please post a photo of your tailgate lid when you get a chance.
We crawl around with our three kids too. It’s fun way to get outdoors and show them our beautiful state.
We crawl around with our three kids too. It’s fun way to get outdoors and show them our beautiful state.
- Thread starter
- #31
The entry angle is actually better than an ARB, which isn't saying that much. But compared to the Dissent and a few of the other more popular ones it is still comparible. However, it is not better than a tube bumper.
- Thread starter
- #32
Thank you sir. You have read me correctly.
Somebodyelse5
16124-75030
The entry angle is actually better than an ARB, which isn't saying that much. But compared to the Dissent and a few of the other more popular ones it is still comparible. However, it is not better than a tube bumper.
to be honest, I bet you never have an issue with it... I am just so used to seeing the pre-runner style bumpers that are made to slide over things
Im in the same camp...add mods as needed. Had one for three plus years now. Have been getting along with 33's and 1.5" lift for two years. Just added sliders last year. Bought a winch plate this week but wont put it on until i get a winch later this year.
Nice ride! And enjoy the ingenuity.
Nice ride! And enjoy the ingenuity.
I love the rusty patina! Just lock that in with a 2 part clear coat and be done with it! Looks great against the green. Nice work!
- Thread starter
- #37
Thank you sir. I enjoy the craftsmanship part of building my own rig. Both my grandfathers were craftsman.
Here are a couple photos of the tailgate lid. It is temporary as well, I plan to redo it, with some refinements, in UHMW (No HDPE). Not only will it be more durable but it will double as a cutting board.
I have learned if I just build things quickly and use them as a template, the perfectionist side of me is much happier.Our kids love "Cruiser", their favourite thing is to "Go to the Mountains!"
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Thank you sir. I enjoy the craftsmanship part of building my own rig. Both my grandfathers were craftsman.
Here are a couple photos of the tailgate lid. It is temporary as well, I plan to redo it, with some refinements, in HDPE. Not only will it be more durable but it will double as a cutting board.
Our kids love "Cruiser", their favourite thing is to "Go to the Mountains!"
View attachment 1651027
View attachment 1651028
Nicely done! Just keep in mind that HDPE expands and contracts a surprising amount as it heats and cools. Something to consider when figuring out its attachment points. Hope that helps and keep up the great work!
fooldall1
Handy Enthusiast
Please describe the way that happened to your front diff - were you using ATRAC and flooring it? Or, were you locked and...? I'm only asking so I might escape the same fate (I'm an offroad noob). I understand that the 99 had a different front pinion from the 2000+?
- Thread starter
- #40
Thank you for pointing that out! It was a mistake on my part. I meant to say UHMW.
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