Thanks, it’s mounted in the hitch receiver.
Nighthawk: 80 guy builds a 100
- Thread starter Blue Phoenix
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- Thread starter
- #42
@changingground that's slick. What made you decide PS mounting vs DS?
If I go the Wilco route they give an option for both. Besides the gas tank being on the DS and my fat A$$, I'm wondering if one side is really better than the other?
I would also assume rear visibility might be better though with it mounted on the DS, but again I haven't decided yet.
If I go the Wilco route they give an option for both. Besides the gas tank being on the DS and my fat A$$, I'm wondering if one side is really better than the other?
I would also assume rear visibility might be better though with it mounted on the DS, but again I haven't decided yet.
I agree about visibility, but spend too much time working on roadsides to trust folks driving by me and not paying attention. So I put it where I’m protected when messing with it.
- Thread starter
- #44
Cabin Air Filter Retrofit
There are at least half a dozen threads that cover retrofitting the cover past the A/C blower fan, so I won't detail the steps here, but mine did not have the removable cover to change cabin air filters.
I ordered the parts from ToyotaPartsDeal which has seemed to have reasonable prices and reliable delivery in past orders.
In total the job took about 45 minutes, but I took my time so as not to break off any of the plastic tabs with attachment of the new cover.
Subjectively I don't notice the difference but with ATL pollen season about to ramp up I'll be checking in a couple months to get a more objective view.
Cursory pics:
There are at least half a dozen threads that cover retrofitting the cover past the A/C blower fan, so I won't detail the steps here, but mine did not have the removable cover to change cabin air filters.
I ordered the parts from ToyotaPartsDeal which has seemed to have reasonable prices and reliable delivery in past orders.
In total the job took about 45 minutes, but I took my time so as not to break off any of the plastic tabs with attachment of the new cover.
Subjectively I don't notice the difference but with ATL pollen season about to ramp up I'll be checking in a couple months to get a more objective view.
Cursory pics:
- Thread starter
- #45
I also used a perfect coat of Permatex liquid gasket around the inner lip to give a better seal. The bottom didn't leak with the previous cover, but I figure it must have never been tampered with either. Better to be proactive I guess.
Inside wasn't too bad, some leaves and dog hair from the PO (that think must've shed like a musk ox). Vacuumed it out and put the covers with filters in.
Inside wasn't too bad, some leaves and dog hair from the PO (that think must've shed like a musk ox). Vacuumed it out and put the covers with filters in.
- Thread starter
- #46
@changingground that's made my decision easy. Thanks.
- Thread starter
- #47
ARB Compressor Install
I grand-fathered my old compressor from the last truck and finally got some time to make up a mount using the thickest gauge sheet metal I could find from Home Depot.
It's not that pretty but it's cheap, solid, and it works just fine.
More pics to come tomorrow since it started raining (again), but here's what I got from today.
I grand-fathered my old compressor from the last truck and finally got some time to make up a mount using the thickest gauge sheet metal I could find from Home Depot.
It's not that pretty but it's cheap, solid, and it works just fine.
More pics to come tomorrow since it started raining (again), but here's what I got from today.
nukegoat
Should have bought a Jeep
Shame about not being an LX.
J/k looks like a nice rig.
The AHC pump bracket is perfect to mount an ARB compressor to with a little mods.
The thing under your rig that almost hits the spare tire is not a sway bar but a panhard bar
J/k looks like a nice rig.
The AHC pump bracket is perfect to mount an ARB compressor to with a little mods.
The thing under your rig that almost hits the spare tire is not a sway bar but a panhard bar
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- Thread starter
- #49
@nukegoat , you have eloquently highlighted a result of my lacking sleep (#burningthemidnightoil) and I thank you for that. My head kept wanting me to type "track bar" but it just wasn't sitting well with me and sway sounded sexy at the moment. So there you go.
I was actually very happy with the nice little pocket the AHC reservoir left me. I'll post a pic tomorrow with it tucked in.
I kind of miss not having a pair of pink panties, but I don't miss trying to explain to people what's under the epidermis.
I was actually very happy with the nice little pocket the AHC reservoir left me. I'll post a pic tomorrow with it tucked in.
I kind of miss not having a pair of pink panties, but I don't miss trying to explain to people what's under the epidermis.
- Thread starter
- #50
Air compressor mounted.
I'm not even close to what most would consider a fabricator, but with extra cardboard and some time it's much cheaper to go this route. I've seen simple mounts (albeit more stout and "prettier") for well over $200 bucks, and maybe I'll cough up the dough once I get rid of the AHC, but for now this will suffice.
I'm not even close to what most would consider a fabricator, but with extra cardboard and some time it's much cheaper to go this route. I've seen simple mounts (albeit more stout and "prettier") for well over $200 bucks, and maybe I'll cough up the dough once I get rid of the AHC, but for now this will suffice.
- Thread starter
- #51
Sittin' pretty finally after a wash... I have a love-hate relationship with black paint. I traditionally prefer lighter colors like white or even the beige metallic of my previous LX. It looked OK when clean and just as OK when dirty.
Black is proving more polarizing for me... she looks pretty bad when dirty but man does she clean up well.
Black is proving more polarizing for me... she looks pretty bad when dirty but man does she clean up well.
gregnash
Anal Retentive Analyst
Yup... have the same feeling about the wife's black 4Runner. Looks absolutely tits when she is nice and sparkly and clean but soon as some road grime hits or it sits out under a tree for a day, good lord does it look HORRIBLE!
- Thread starter
- #53
SUSPENSION
So while I am floundering on which direction to go with the suspension, I've been fiddling around learning about the AHC.
Impressions so far are this:
I am starting to appreciate the sensibility of the system as an entry level suspension capable enough for some "off road forays", it's ability to auto-level when my entire family decides to come visit for the holidays so that I'm not dragging my butt down the highway, and for it's stop-light antics by impressing nearby drivers (or causing eyebrow raises).
But I am only so impressed as to keep it around until I make my final decision regarding a lift. When I had the Icon-equipped 80, I was lucky in the fact that when I swapped the lift, I kept the OME shocks so that when rebuilds came around (only 1 during my ownership) I could just swap the OME's in place while the shocks were sent out. This for me is a drawback of the Icons, at least while this is my DD.
Currently I am considering getting an OME lift and swapping the Icon shocks in later down the road. We'll see.
So I digress, in fiddling around with the AHC system it has been interesting being able to use Techstream to fine tune the suspension.
Prior to my sensor lift, I never got a baseline for pressure, just looked at the graduations while cycling through and I think I remember getting 12-13 ticks.
Recently I added some 30mm Dobinsons spacers to the back. Not too bad but it reminded me how much I hate messing around with springs.
Anyways, pressures today with sensor lift of about 2in and rear spacers:
Starting pressures
- Front 7.8
- Rear 7.0
- Acc 10.4
After 8 turns of the Torsion bars I landed on these figures after driving a couple of miles
- Front 6.9
- rear 6.6
- Acc 10.2
From what I read target for the front is about 6.9 while the rear is 6.2. So even with the spacers the rears are running high. Now I do carry a recovery kit, spare tire (heavy-ass TOYO), and rear hitch so I know this is coming into play.
Anyways, cursory pics of spacers - FWIW the zip ties were placed loosely to accommodate some expansion with spring compression.
![IMG_4347[3100].jpg](https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/img_4347-3100-jpg.2331505/ "IMG_4347[3100].jpg")
![IMG_4346[3098].jpg](https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/img_4346-3098-jpg.2331506/ "IMG_4346[3098].jpg")
So while I am floundering on which direction to go with the suspension, I've been fiddling around learning about the AHC.
Impressions so far are this:
I am starting to appreciate the sensibility of the system as an entry level suspension capable enough for some "off road forays", it's ability to auto-level when my entire family decides to come visit for the holidays so that I'm not dragging my butt down the highway, and for it's stop-light antics by impressing nearby drivers (or causing eyebrow raises).
But I am only so impressed as to keep it around until I make my final decision regarding a lift. When I had the Icon-equipped 80, I was lucky in the fact that when I swapped the lift, I kept the OME shocks so that when rebuilds came around (only 1 during my ownership) I could just swap the OME's in place while the shocks were sent out. This for me is a drawback of the Icons, at least while this is my DD.
Currently I am considering getting an OME lift and swapping the Icon shocks in later down the road. We'll see.
So I digress, in fiddling around with the AHC system it has been interesting being able to use Techstream to fine tune the suspension.
Prior to my sensor lift, I never got a baseline for pressure, just looked at the graduations while cycling through and I think I remember getting 12-13 ticks.
Recently I added some 30mm Dobinsons spacers to the back. Not too bad but it reminded me how much I hate messing around with springs.
Anyways, pressures today with sensor lift of about 2in and rear spacers:
Starting pressures
- Front 7.8
- Rear 7.0
- Acc 10.4
After 8 turns of the Torsion bars I landed on these figures after driving a couple of miles
- Front 6.9
- rear 6.6
- Acc 10.2
From what I read target for the front is about 6.9 while the rear is 6.2. So even with the spacers the rears are running high. Now I do carry a recovery kit, spare tire (heavy-ass TOYO), and rear hitch so I know this is coming into play.
Anyways, cursory pics of spacers - FWIW the zip ties were placed loosely to accommodate some expansion with spring compression.
- Thread starter
- #54
Also word to the wise - If you have AHC and you have put of getting Techstream, stop holding out. The truck rides much better now. Of course, DUH.
Damn, i literally just bought all terrains but your toyos look great. How is the road noise? Also with your sensor lift did you just slide the bolt up or did you tighten the "spindle" on the sensor?
- Thread starter
- #56
@gamecock2009 this is the second set of TOYO MT's I've had. I've also run TOYO AT, BFG AT, Coopers and other brands.
Compared to any AT, there's definitely a measurable amount of increased noise and it's something I guess you really have to experience, but this IS my DD and family hauler, and the "noise" fades quickly after a couple of weeks of ownership because it just becomes another background noise. I think the TOYO MT's are quieter than the BFG KM#, but this is all subjective.
The trade off in my opinion is that these tires are honestly bombproof and any situation in which I felt like my old AT's from any brand left me wanting these replace doubt with confidence. Also, my wife I don't think would be OK with it if the tires were intrusively loud. She only notices it at lower speeds.
As for the lift, I maxed out the bolt adjustment and shortened the spindle by about 1/2in on each side. This has netted me about 2in lift in the front.
I should retake pics since the truck is definitely higher than original pics with the TOYO's freshly on the truck. Currently the front is about 3/4in lower than the back which is how I had it on the 80. I don't see the truck going much higher even with an actual lift.
Compared to any AT, there's definitely a measurable amount of increased noise and it's something I guess you really have to experience, but this IS my DD and family hauler, and the "noise" fades quickly after a couple of weeks of ownership because it just becomes another background noise. I think the TOYO MT's are quieter than the BFG KM#, but this is all subjective.
The trade off in my opinion is that these tires are honestly bombproof and any situation in which I felt like my old AT's from any brand left me wanting these replace doubt with confidence. Also, my wife I don't think would be OK with it if the tires were intrusively loud. She only notices it at lower speeds.
As for the lift, I maxed out the bolt adjustment and shortened the spindle by about 1/2in on each side. This has netted me about 2in lift in the front.
I should retake pics since the truck is definitely higher than original pics with the TOYO's freshly on the truck. Currently the front is about 3/4in lower than the back which is how I had it on the 80. I don't see the truck going much higher even with an actual lift.
- Thread starter
- #57
I think next up for now is UCA - still deciding on brand. Will most likely be going with Nitro, but the TC arms I know are awesome. Just not sure about the upkeep especially with possible move to Michigan in the works. I've read they can rust, not sure how true.
I liked my old ICON Delta UCA's but unfortunately I don't see any current or future offerings for the 100.
I liked my old ICON Delta UCA's but unfortunately I don't see any current or future offerings for the 100.
Looking good!
Don't forget an alignment after your sensor lift.
Subscribed.
Don't forget an alignment after your sensor lift.
Subscribed.
- Thread starter
- #59
COLORADO TRIP PREP
So I'm gearing up for a trip with my FIL to Colorado to complete the San Juan Huts Durango - Paradox MTB route, needless to say I'm pretty stoked. The round trip mileage will be about 4000 miles on the Cruiser and consists of ~ 125 miles of biking ranging from over 12k feet in the high Alpine down to about 6k feet in the desert once we reach Paradox. After the biking portion I plan on hitting the likes of Imogene/ Yankee Boy area, mandatory Alpine Loop trip, and some other trails in between. Apart from the bike, the Nighthawk has gotten some attention too which has helped to relieve some wonders on my part regarding maintenance that I hadn't address yet.
The goals for the trip were simple - instead of buying some parts pre-trip (front bumpers, sliders) I've decided to just take the truck as it is and see how she performs. I did this with the 80 in MOAB when I got it which I think will offer a good comparison of the two trucks if my memory serves me well enough. I may regret not getting sliders for the trip, but we'll have to wait and see.
Anyways, a couple of items were addressed on the truck:
- Added extended length diff breathers since I know we'll be doing some water crossings. Easy mod for 45 minutes of work
- iPad Mount. Still working out my navigation on this truck, I have an iPad and run Gaia Navigation with my GPS puck.
- Greasing the front spindles. Happy I bought the Slee spindle greasing tool.
- Took out the K&N and replaced with the stock air filter.
- Spare tire mounted in the back of the truck, secured by a ratchet strap for now. I think I mentioned in the previous post, that even aired down, the spare does not fit with a hitch mount. Again, tossing around different options right now.
So I'm gearing up for a trip with my FIL to Colorado to complete the San Juan Huts Durango - Paradox MTB route, needless to say I'm pretty stoked. The round trip mileage will be about 4000 miles on the Cruiser and consists of ~ 125 miles of biking ranging from over 12k feet in the high Alpine down to about 6k feet in the desert once we reach Paradox. After the biking portion I plan on hitting the likes of Imogene/ Yankee Boy area, mandatory Alpine Loop trip, and some other trails in between. Apart from the bike, the Nighthawk has gotten some attention too which has helped to relieve some wonders on my part regarding maintenance that I hadn't address yet.
The goals for the trip were simple - instead of buying some parts pre-trip (front bumpers, sliders) I've decided to just take the truck as it is and see how she performs. I did this with the 80 in MOAB when I got it which I think will offer a good comparison of the two trucks if my memory serves me well enough. I may regret not getting sliders for the trip, but we'll have to wait and see.
Anyways, a couple of items were addressed on the truck:
- Added extended length diff breathers since I know we'll be doing some water crossings. Easy mod for 45 minutes of work
- iPad Mount. Still working out my navigation on this truck, I have an iPad and run Gaia Navigation with my GPS puck.
- Greasing the front spindles. Happy I bought the Slee spindle greasing tool.
- Took out the K&N and replaced with the stock air filter.
- Spare tire mounted in the back of the truck, secured by a ratchet strap for now. I think I mentioned in the previous post, that even aired down, the spare does not fit with a hitch mount. Again, tossing around different options right now.
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- Thread starter
- #60
iPad Mounting
I've been experimenting with different ideas for iPad mounting. I like the tidiness of the OWL Expedition cassette mount, and it appears to be solid, but ultimately I didn't like having the AC controls/ display being blocked.
I ended up cobbling together a RAM mount and although I'm satisfied I think it could still be improved. The mount itself wobbles on rough terrain but there's no indication of anything breaking loose. I just like things to be solidly in place and this is a minor annoyance. Otherwise I think the placement is ideal as it's low enough to be out of the way, it's easily viewable with a quick glance, and it doesn't interfere with passenger space.
We'll see how it holds up in Colorado.
I've been experimenting with different ideas for iPad mounting. I like the tidiness of the OWL Expedition cassette mount, and it appears to be solid, but ultimately I didn't like having the AC controls/ display being blocked.
I ended up cobbling together a RAM mount and although I'm satisfied I think it could still be improved. The mount itself wobbles on rough terrain but there's no indication of anything breaking loose. I just like things to be solidly in place and this is a minor annoyance. Otherwise I think the placement is ideal as it's low enough to be out of the way, it's easily viewable with a quick glance, and it doesn't interfere with passenger space.
We'll see how it holds up in Colorado.
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