Builds Project Cherry Bomb

[SuperBuickGuy]

I had a truck that the headlights didn't work on high or low. Replaced the switch, traced all the wires... no joy. Did I mention the reason I owned it was because it side swiped a guard rail? yeah, both bulbs were blown out - not the stupidest fix I've done, but certainly top 10.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I hate fixes like that! It's never a good day when the truck makes you feel stupid...

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

there are some jokers who would claim there isn't a day when that isn't true

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Not much of an update, but Ben is conquering the Portland "snow storm" and got me to work.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Love this truck.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Thanks! Me too.

 

[G-Cat]

I have to say, that 2nd Gen 4Runners (I've owned 2) are my least favorite. Maroon/Red is my least favorite color of any Toyota 4x4.

I love your truck. That's how good it is....

 

[CreeperSleeper]

That says a lot! I would have preferred a 1st Gen, but the practicality of a 4 door with a kiddo made the trade-off worth it... And an equally built 3rd Gen is out of my wallets league. LOL!

 

[archie73]

I had two 1st gen. They were fun, but they were tight and now days I prefer something a bit bigger- for DD duty. My t100 is a nice size, but I caroool in a crewmax tundra and it's growing in me...

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I completely agree with that! I have a Mazda 6 as my daily, but if I had to only have one vehicle I would have kept my 100-Series.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I got some work done on the truck! Last Saturday, I replaced the driver side rear bump stop. It had one of those stick on ones that I lost at some point. I ended up welding a nut onto the metal pad and bolting on a replacement.

I also started working on storage and usability. Trying to figure out what needs to live in the truck and how to secure it. I need my tools, recovery gear, fridge, Hi-Lift, shovel, pulaski, bug out bag, 20lb CO2 tank, compressor, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and a bunch of misc items. The first order of annoyance was my Hi-Lift. There was only one way that it fit in the back and it was in the worst spot! I know that eventually I will have a LabRak modular roof rack on the truck and that will hold my Hi-Lift, shovel, and Pulaski, but I needed a solution now. I ended up bolting the LabRak Hi-Lift bracket directly to my factory roof rack rails. It's not my favorite set-up, but it is out of the cab and shouldn't kill anyone. Just in case, I decided to stick with my small Hi-Lift for now. LOL

Next on my list was replacing my sub box. The Runner came with 2 12" subs in a massive box that stretched wheel well to wheel well. Come to find out, only one sub was wired up... After looking at the amp, I have determined that wiring was not the PO's strong suit! I will get to that in a minute... After a little searching, I found a single 12" box on Facebook Marketplace that was the perfect size. I struck up a deal and had my starting point.

TonsOFun was kind enough to kill a night in the garage rewiring the amp so it wasn't a fire hazard. Then we mounted Quik Fist clamps to hold my CO2 tank to the new sub box. It will sit braced against the back of the rear seat, sub box, and floor. Last, we drilled down through the bed of the Runner to bolt everything in place. Everything worked out just as I had hoped.

As you can see, that took care of my sub, CO2, and first aid kit (the red pack). The fridge will be mounted long ways between the sub and the tailgate. I think tools and recovery items can go between the CO2 tank and the passenger wheel well, but I need to play with it once the fridge is mounted. Overall I am stoked with how this is turning out! Big thanks to Brian for the help. Ih8wiring.

 

[G-Cat]

I know that a first gen roll bar in a 3rd gen 4Runner is popular...never seen it done in a 2nd gen.

Might be an inexpensive way to create more places to secure a load out.

Might just take up space and be a pain.

 

[Mace]

Is a wrap bar planned on that rear axle?

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I know that a first gen roll bar in a 3rd gen 4Runner is popular...never seen it done in a 2nd gen.

Might be an inexpensive way to create more places to secure a load out.

Might just take up space and be a pain.

You know, I have seen that before and I totally forgot about it. Maybe I should look around for one of those...

Is a wrap bar planned on that rear axle?

I'm not planning on it. So far it doesn't seem to be needed.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

I'm not planning on it. So far it doesn't seem to be needed.

You realize you just jinxed yourself.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

LOL! I hope not.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Quick update: Since buying Ben, I knew that the Iroks were going to have to go. It is a bit sad because I love the way Iroks perform in our PNW terrain, but I needed something that had better road manners. I still have my beadlocks from my previous trucks, so I figured I would put a nice radial 37 on those wheels. After shopping around, I decided to try out Kanati Mud Hogs in 37x12.50R17. The tires were delivered last Thursday and they look impressive! Here they are compared to my almost new 36x13.50x15 bias Iroks:

I ended up selling my 36" Iroks and Street Classic II Mickey Thompson wheels to a buddy, got my old Iroks and beadlocks back, and picked up a new quad all last weekend. To be honest, I'm more excited about the quad! I scored a 2007 Grizzly 700 EPS Ducks Unlimited Edition for a killer deal.

My next step is to rip off my old Iroks, repaint the beadlock wheels, mount the Kanatis, and have them all balanced up. This combo should work very well on the road and I'm hoping that I don't loose much off-road performance.

 

[Pacer]

Quick update: Since buying Ben, I knew that the Iroks were going to have to go. It is a bit sad because I love the way Iroks perform in our PNW terrain, but I needed something that had better road manners. I still have my beadlocks from my previous trucks, so I figured I would put a nice radial 37 on those wheels. After shopping around, I decided to try out Kanati Mud Hogs in 37x12.50R17. The tires were delivered last Thursday and they look impressive! Here they are compared to my almost new 36x13.50x15 bias Iroks:

I ended up selling my 36" Iroks and Street Classic II Mickey Thompson wheels to a buddy, got my old Iroks and beadlocks back, and picked up a new quad all last weekend. To be honest, I'm more excited about the quad! I scored a 2007 Grizzly 700 EPS Ducks Unlimited Edition for a killer deal.

My next step is to rip off my old Iroks, repaint the beadlock wheels, mount the Kanatis, and have them all balanced up. This combo should work very well on the road and I'm hoping that I don't loose much off-road performance.

Nice bike, looks clean!
How did the tires go, did they balance out?
Highway-ability?

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Thank you! I'm very stoked about it. Only 611 well cared for miles.

As for the tires, I haven't even ripped the old Iroks off yet. I forgot how much manually dismounting tires sucks.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

tanerite is the answer to that dilemma.