La Puerca Plata - 2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited

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I made the wind valance out of 1/4" King Starboard. It's a plastic material made for boat finishing. Like hatches and dashes and cutting boards. Things like that. It's either HDPE or like HDPE. Unfortunately, it was either buy a whole sheet for $100 or have a custom cut panel made by Boat Outfitters out of FL. It was $52 shipped for a piece of 8"x50" black King Starboard. Kind of a ball kick but WOTEVER.

Overall I think I have like $220 into this roof rack. Beats the hell out of spending $1200 for some bro-licious SHERPA BRO. I like the looks of the Sherpa but I didn't want to risk having some Toyota bro play with my butthole while I'm in camp sleeping. Plus, tube work just says off road. Again, I didn't want to risk sending the wrong signals. I like women.



 
The ASTUTE viewer might have seen the "in progress" rock sliders in the picture above.
 
After tightening down the allen screws to "really tight" it has bowed out the valance a little bit so you can see light under the center portion but this is actually ok because I have rubber trim coming from Amazon. That will clean that gap up and the rubber trim will protect the paint from any chaffing if there is any.
 
So for the last few days until yesterday I was working on the rock sliders. I'm pretty anal. I have a really specific look that I'm going for. Aesthetics is almost as or more important for me than functionality. For rock sliders at least. Aside from a specific look that I'm going for, I'm handicap and I hate having anything considerable outside of the kick panel because it makes it harder for me to get it in and out of the truck. The factory side steps were a pain in the ass. I'm partially paralyzed below the waist and 100% paralyzed from knee down so when I stand I don't really have much motor skill. It's one other thing that was in the way of lifting my leg up in there plus the truck looks better without the stupid factory side steps anyways. So when it was time to make sliders I knew I didn't want the normal side step style that sticks way out. I also like the style that allows the slider to kick upwards and not just straight out on the outside tube.

This is what I have settled on. They are weld on sliders because I do it right, not twice. Because I used to do things twice... lol Plus, grade 8 hardware would be an additional $50 with prices where they are right now. I already had 20 feet of 1.75x.120 DOM leftover from my Tacoma roll cage project. I decided to go with DOM because I didn't have any other use for this leftover and because DOM brings all the BOYS to the YARD.

The main tube sits about 1/2 lower than the frame to give the upkick look for the secondary (outside tube). I don't think this should be an issue at all because there are 4 things that are lower than the frame/main tube of the slider. The gas tank. Lower link pivots, T-Case, Trans X member. Regardless, this rig is likely to never see a situation where the slider actually touches a rock... lol I mean maybe. But these will be 100% fine. I know the kick out before the rear tire is needed to pivot the rig around a rock on a tight trail but for right now I want looks over form to some extent.





 
Bump

I got the rubber door trim from Amazon today and threw it on real quick. I was also able to get the bow out of the wind valance so now it sits like it should with no gap. The rubber trim makes it look more finished and now there's no gap between the roof and the bottom of the valance. Looks good.



 
I also got the P Side slider wrapped up. I welded as much as I could with it on the truck. I'll cut the tacks and remove the unit to finish welding the tops of the outside tubes just below the door seals. I also need to completely weld the frame overlay plates. Starting the D side tomorrow. Hoping to get main tube and 4 outriggers cut and notched. Frame needs to be cleaned for the frame overlay plates as well. Trying to wrap these sliders up by early next week. Next up after this is the rear hatch ladder...





 
J4roe said:
Does anyone know why the actuator needs a breather line? I was thinking about it. I don't believe there should be any kind of pressure created by the transfer case or at least on that side of the shift shaft.
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It’s to allow condensation to exit I believe. That’s the killer of these actuators.

Are doing all your fab work out in the parking lot and in a chair? That must add to the level of difficulty a fair bit, especially in Phoenix.

We’ve done the trip through Organ Pipe and down past Puerto Penasco lots of times, but usually keep going south and don’t really slow down until we hit Nayarit. San Carlos and Las Gloria’s are stop over spots, but typically most of our Mexico time is further south.

Oh, and GSPs trump GFs every time! I’ve got 2 Weims (had 3 up until a couple of weeks ago). They are great dogs!
 
J4roe said:
Bump

I got the rubber door trim from Amazon today and threw it on real quick. I was also able to get the bow out of the wind valance so now it sits like it should with no gap. The rubber trim makes it look more finished and now there's no gap between the roof and the bottom of the valance. Looks good.



Click to expand...
This whole build is amazing. Your design, fab and welding on the sliders and rack is top notch. I don't know how you find the time to do so much, but it is inspiring.

I'll certainly be following for updates.
 
joseywales said:
It’s to allow condensation to exit I believe. That’s the killer of these actuators.

Are doing all your fab work out in the parking lot and in a chair? That must add to the level of difficulty a fair bit, especially in Phoenix.

We’ve done the trip through Organ Pipe and down past Puerto Penasco lots of times, but usually keep going south and don’t really slow down until we hit Nayarit. San Carlos and Las Gloria’s are stop over spots, but typically most of our Mexico time is further south.

Oh, and GSPs trump GFs every time! I’ve got 2 Weims (had 3 up until a couple of weeks ago). They are great dogs!
Click to expand...

Nayarit is down there! San Blas is on my bucket list if I ever can get that far south one day. I just like the Sea of Cortez and Puerto Penasco from Phoenix is 3.5 hours. Furthest south I've ever been is Puerto Lobos. Been twice to go kayak fishing. I've always wanted to see San Carlos but 3.3 hours vs. 8 and more time and money... never got there. In the somewhat near future I plan on going to Baja and hopefully can get down as far as BOLA. Trying to get the Sequoia ready for that. Maybe take a couple of weeks and just live out of the rig and random hotels for a night or so to shower. I think I'd rather go see Baja than San Carlos but it's a close tie for sure. Each has their own beauty and draw.

That's funny. I've also had Weims in the family. 2 weims, 2 Vizlas and now my two GSP's. They're kind of pissed right now because playtime has been interrupted by fab work. Hopefully will be done with the sliders tomorrow. Thanks for checking out the thread!

*EDIT*

That would be ironic if the breather line is there to allow condensation to not build up by being open to atmosphere but conversely that's exactly how moisture is getting in there. From basically everything that I've read or seen pictures of, the breather line cracks or basically just breaks and then during a water crossing or deep puddle, whatever, you get water intrusion and then there's no drain so the water just sits in there. Creating a water grease milkshake. I actually think the actuator would be more bulletproof if it was completely sealed and of course a fabricated skid plate/brace under there. Whatever bull**** about needing to crack the T-case is BS though. Now that I know how to clock the actuator after it's removed if it acts up on me anymore I'll buy an aftermarket new one and put it on. Or maybe a good used one on Ebay that I can see the copper contacts inside are ok.
 
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worldinchaos said:
This whole build is amazing. Your design, fab and welding on the sliders and rack is top notch. I don't know how you find the time to do so much, but it is inspiring.

I'll certainly be following for updates.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I was hoping the roof rack turned out pretty good. I think it has the Prinsu or Sherpa look but with tube. I have the bender, I had some extra tube laying waste for the last two years in the backyard... I figured give this a shot. I've searched the hell out of the internet and don't really see too many, if any tube structure roof racks. Or at least any that look any good. Lot's of the old "tub" style. The sliders I basically copied other designs I've seen on Jeeps and other "custom" off road trucks.
 
JRock403 said:
Great build, thank you for sharing
the sliders are a great design. i like how flush they are.

Keep up the good work!
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Thank you! I do too. This is not a rock crawling rig so I wanted something that was going to function but also be sleek and look good. I think they came out well. Hopefully will be done tomorrow.
 
joseywales said:
It’s to allow condensation to exit I believe. That’s the killer of these actuators.

Are doing all your fab work out in the parking lot and in a chair? That must add to the level of difficulty a fair bit, especially in Phoenix.

We’ve done the trip through Organ Pipe and down past Puerto Penasco lots of times, but usually keep going south and don’t really slow down until we hit Nayarit. San Carlos and Las Gloria’s are stop over spots, but typically most of our Mexico time is further south.

Oh, and GSPs trump GFs every time! I’ve got 2 Weims (had 3 up until a couple of weeks ago). They are great dogs!
Click to expand...

Parking lot fab pro here. If you check out my Dezert Rangers page for my truck, I did a Score legal cage in my Tacoma out there and it took about a year. And yea, all out of the wheelchair. I get around pretty well but the biggest pain in the ass is getting everything out there and then back inside everyday vs. having a garage. When you're done for the evening you shut the garage or shop and go inside. You don't have to clean up and take everything back inside. The prep and take down of the days work takes the most amount of time and energy but it's what I have so I make it work. I'm TYPE A
 
J4roe said:
Parking lot fab pro here. If you check out my Dezert Rangers page for my truck, I did a Score legal cage in my Tacoma out there and it took about a year. And yea, all out of the wheelchair. I get around pretty well but the biggest pain in the ass is getting everything out there and then back inside everyday vs. having a garage. When you're done for the evening you shut the garage or shop and go inside. You don't have to clean up and take everything back inside. The prep and take down of the days work takes the most amount of time and energy but it's what I have so I make it work. I'm TYPE A
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Oh man, you are giving me flashbacks of renovating a vintage Airstream while it was parked in a storage yard. Only have 3 hours after work? Well, better be ready to spend 30 minutes pulling all the tools out and setting up and 30 minutes putting it all way at the end (at least). The worst was whenever I had to work on the running gear, and the yard required that everything was "moveable" so it all had to be reassembled before I left. Those were long days. Add on the fact that you are doing all of it from a wheelchair, that's crazy impressive. Keep it up man. If you were in DFW area, I'd tell you to just come use my garage.
 
Love the build! And thanks for the inspo to use spacers and save a little coin on "Krautsteins" LOL. They will be here today and I will install this weekend. Easy peasy. I'll be looking through your work for more ideas, but mine is currently a 2wd pavement queen that sees "offroading" on my property and at my gun range, so the clearance is nice and we all like our vehicles to at least look cool. I had a 4wd that I sold because it was easier to sell and I only needed one vehicle. I don't "offroad" like some, I just explore down dirt roads and trails.

Keep going! Nice work.
 
worldinchaos said:
Oh man, you are giving me flashbacks of renovating a vintage Airstream while it was parked in a storage yard. Only have 3 hours after work? Well, better be ready to spend 30 minutes pulling all the tools out and setting up and 30 minutes putting it all way at the end (at least). The worst was whenever I had to work on the running gear, and the yard required that everything was "moveable" so it all had to be reassembled before I left. Those were long days. Add on the fact that you are doing all of it from a wheelchair, that's crazy impressive. Keep it up man. If you were in DFW area, I'd tell you to just come use my garage.
Click to expand...

Major PITA! It's an HOA here too but luckily they're pretty cool with me but in 2019 I was doing the rear long travel on my truck and on day 21, like the second to last night before I was completely wrapped up. I got a TOWING STICKER from the tow company that the HOA hires to come through the complex because I didn't have my rear bumper on and no license plate because, naturally it was on the bumper. In my backyard. For 21 days because it would have been in the way of doing the long travel work. I wasn't putting that thing back on every night for 21 days in a row. Anyway, they were going to come back and tow it the next morning so at 1030pm I had to go out there and put my rear bumper on just so the next morning my vehicle was legit. All so it could be removed that same morning to finish the job. It was the kind of ball buster crap that I absolutely hate in life. My complex has 50 units. It's tiny. Just insulting. I understand HOA's but also practicality should also be understood. But I shouldn't complain too much about HOA's because some won't even let you work on your vehicle. As in like change the starter or change the oil or whatever. So I'm definitely lucky for sure.
 
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