Builds ROTW - smittycrusher

[smittycrusher]

Now that the engine is refreshed, let’s look at the next project.

I like to drive across country a few times a year and explore the desert and hit the technical rocky stuff. I have always wanted a RTT but didn’t like two things about them...the extra weight up top (since I do like some technical stuff) and the height and the extra drag when driving across country. I never bought a RTT because of these issues. Since there wasn’t one on the market that fit the bill (Campteq was the best solution), three prototypes of a design by a friend of mine are being built in his basement. The closed height is a touch over 5” and the weight is going to be right at 96-100lbs . This will be perfect. I have already removed my factory rack and will be using the @TRAIL TAILOR adjustable gutter mount to attach the tent directly to the 80 with not roof rack (and the extra weight) needed. The tent will be between t
5/8” - 1” off my roof. This tent will be the lightest and most low profile tent that I have seen! I am very excited.

The first one is almost complete. Follow Terrapod Adventure Studio on Facebook for updates. Two of the three will be on white 80’s (@8cam and myself). The designer/builder will have the other one a built 4Runner.

 

[BMThiker]

That's exactly the style tent I'd be interested in putting on the m416.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Very nice, low profile and low weight

 

[NateMob]

Could you give your impressions of the Toyo AT IIs in comparison to the more aggressive tires you've ran?

 

[steenh]

That looks like a winner there... get into production already!

And b/t/w, in your build thread you missed showing the full Ms. (Michael) Jackson treatment... she just ain't the same big-assed black chick anymore.

 

[mstocks]

Uhhhhhh....does he need another white 80 to model/test this wonderfulness?

 

[smittycrusher]

Could you give your impressions of the Toyo AT IIs in comparison to the more aggressive tires you've ran?

I actually just replaced the Toyo AT IIs with Maxxis Razr MTs. I loved the Toyos and they did a great job with everything that I threw at them. They did four or five round trip cross country drives from Atlanta to Utah, Arizona and Colorado. I thought they handled the rocky desert admirably. I would air them down to 15psi and abuse them. They were also great on road. I never had any issues in rain, snow or ice. I was the neighborhood taxi during a couple of ice storms here in Atlanta. While they are no ice/winter tire, with focus and care, they did just fine.

I just got back from Moab with the new Razr MTs. I will say that the Kevlar MTR and Razr MT are better in the rocks than the ATs. I feel the compound is noticeably softer in the MTs. The trade off there will be a shorter mileage life of the MTs. This isn't a daily driver so that is ok with me. If it were a DD, I would have stuck with the AT II. We are planning the Rubicon next year so I went ahead and went with MTs for that as well. Although I am sure the Toyos would have done just fine.

I thought the AT II were a great tire and I would buy them again without concern. My only gripe is that I wish the sidewall looked a little more aggressive. Doesn't need to be anything crazy, but I like the look of the BFG KO sidewall better.

Smitty

 

[smittycrusher]

I realized that I have a lot of catching up to do with this thread. A lot has changed in the past two months and I just realized that I never updated the new rear bumper either.

Going back to January of 2018. I was taking my oldest son the ER for what we thought was appendicitis (which he ended up having). As I was sitting on the highway at a backed up exit ramp, I was rear ended by 2016 4Runner that was going at least 30mph at impact. Everyone was ok but that led to a need for new bumper. While I loved Sean's bumper, I was a little jealous of the departure angles of my friends that had the 4X4 labs so I went that direction. @ACC Toyota handled that transaction and my new exhaust at the same time.

The new exhaust was a complete kit from Australia that came with headers. I am very happy with this kit. More info in my thread here: New exhaust ordered! With headers :)

While doing these mods, I also had ACC install the high and low range t case gears from @cruiseroutfit. THIS WAS A HUGE UPGRADE! I love having the strong stock gears in the pumpkins while still having the drivability equivalent to 4.56s. Combing the high and low range t case gears gives an even lower low range which is super nice.

Accident photos attached.

 

[smittycrusher]

Now for more recent stuff. I put Icon 2.0s on last year before driving out West and really like the results (They replaced worn out Ironman Foam Cells up front and OME Ls in the rear). Last month before heading back out West I decided that the coil springs were ready to be replaced as well so I installed Slee 4" springs all around (the rears are the HD progressives). This set up was awesome on the 3600 miles trip...on road and off. I also decided to retire the Toyo AT IIs and try out the new Maxxis RAZR MT in the same 315/75/16 size. While they are definitely louder on the highway than the ATs, it really wasn't by much. They clearly have a softer compound as they hooked up in Moab much better than the Toyos and I think the Toyos were good. I had no problem climbing up the Waterfall obstacle on Gold Bar.

 

[smittycrusher]

The final update is very exciting. Last week I picked up the tent that I referenced in earlier posts. It turned out even better than I had imagined. I am so happy with it! I am very exciting to get the testing going this Fall when the weather cools down. I just need to fab up a new bracket to mount my Foxwing awning and it will be done.

 

[PabloVTA]

still rep'n the socal 80's , nice!
that tent is sick! i want that one too.

 

[BMThiker]

The final update is very exciting. Last week I picked up the tent that I referenced in earlier posts. It turned out even better than I had imagined. I am so happy with it! I am very exciting to get the testing going this Fall when the weather cools down. I just need to fab up a new bracket to mount my Foxwing awning and it will be done.

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Just curious, with an 80 tailgate and lift gate, how's access into the tent going to be worked out?

 

[smittycrusher]

Just curious, with an 80 tailgate and lift gate, how's access into the tent going to be worked out?

Rick,

I am attaching the telescoping ladder to these hooks that are riveted to the passenger side of the tent. You can use either side as an entrance. I chose passenger side since my fox wing awning is on the driver’s side.

 

[smittycrusher]

A few more updates to the build.

-installed RCV chromoly axles and birfs up front and RCV 300m in the rear. Thank you to @cruiseroutfit for tremendous service as usual. Decided not to go with 300m up front since I am not part time. I did utilize the extra dowel pins and drill bit that come with the rear Kit and drilled out the hub on a drill press. Super easy to do and I guess it adds a bunch of strength.

-sent a spare steering box from a local muddier to West Texas Off Road to be resealed and have a 105 sector shaft installed. (thank you @Steve D for the spare box so down time was limited). Got it swapped out (including the 105 pitman arm to match. My old steering box wasn’t in terrible shape and wasn’t leaking, but I can tell that is was a little loose now that I have the rebuilt one in and steering is a little tighter.

-replaced high and low pressure lines that attach to the steering box. It is a no brainer to do these while the box is out as it is soooo much easier.

-went ahead and put on new frozen rotors on all four corners while I was reading things down. Obviously new brake pads were installed with the new rotors.

-even though I only had about 40k miles since my last birf job, the inner axle oil seals had already started leaking. Last time I used Terrain Tamer seals. Since they didn’t last as long, I went to back OEM this time. Also replaced driver side wheel bearings since they obviously had come loose at some point as well and had noticeable wear.

-I added the Trail Gear Chromoly spindle nut to hopefully avoid future issues with bearing coming loose again.

-also installed new spindles from @cruiseroutfit. At 285k miles with a good bit off road, I figured now was a good time to replace those as well.

-I was shocked at how good my rear axles looked. My rear had never been touched since it came off the assembly line. Splines were great, bearings looked new (even though grease was long gone, bearings were getting a nice diff oil bath and could have been reused. I went ahead and retired them for some more new Koyos.

 

[cruiseroutfit]