Ryan's 4-Runner Projects (2 Viewers)

[John Stw]

I knew it, holding back on us.
Tailgate opens up fine? We had to make room for the seam to rotate on my mounts going into the frame rails.
Going to put a receiver hitch?

 

[raevenzero]

Tailgate clearance seems good, and I will double-check it before I fully weld it.

Not really considering a receiver right now. I've had this for almost 5 years now and not once have I needed a hitch, but we'll see.

I'm going to box the holes up on the corners, etc. as well. Still coming up with ideas about the tire carrier as well. I have to find something I already have sitting around that will sleeve into something else I have sitting around. I'm going to use a little latch that I think is call a toe kick latch? It seems pretty stout.

 

[beyondlogic]

that is exactly how i intended my rear bumper to be but the shop screwed it up.

 

[raevenzero]

What does yours look like and how did they support the sides? When I sketched my build, I put in some side supports, but won't be able to stick to the plan due to the position of the rear shackles. I will have to go behind the shackles and back to the mounts, or back to the frame to help with side forces.

 

[beyondlogic]

no side supports that bumper is 2x4x1/4....it wont budge.

i wanted the "wings" like yours....laying flat

 

[raevenzero]

Ah, I see. What did you do with your license plate?

 

[beyondlogic]

i made a couple tabs over on the side

 

[raevenzero]

I'm going to do something like that, but off of the tire carrier with some LED's shining down.


Here's some more pics. Finally got a real camera out since this is a little more complex than the sliders. I know, I know...my left mount is gone. Well, that's what happens when you just tack something on, and then drop it. Now I have to mount it and re-weld it tomorrow. I hope to make some progress tomorrow, but I may have someone coming over that needs help wiring a stereo. Anyway, I should be able to finish it this weekend.

 

[raevenzero]

Did a little more work today. Got the open ends sealed, installed some gussets and made everything more rigid. Now, everything is ground down nicely and some wet bed liner is drying. Also, holes were cut for lights. I will be using four lights instead of two for ease of wiring. Two small markers will be used for turn lights.

The bumper is ready to receive the tire carrier, however, I may have to wait a little while to finish it. Tomorrow, I am mounting the bumper and then making room for the jeep. It's got an oil leak and an exhaust leak and I have no idea where either of them are. I smell the oil under the hood and I hear the exhaust. I don't mind working on something when its optional, but I hate when I HAVE to work on something.

Drying paint.

Oh, and here is a link to the album.
Rear Bumper pictures by raevenzero - Photobucket

 

[Bang Bang]

Lookin' good Ryan!

 

[John Stw]

Thats a good looking bumper, the light sockets came out good if the spare does not block them.

 

[raevenzero]

Mounted it this morning and set the lights up. I liked the way it turned out. Wish I could tuck it up further, but the tire carrier requires it to be out a little bit. I hope it stands up to the bashing its future holds.

 

[lostinafog]

surprised ya still have green weeds

 

[Bang Bang]

Looks like it might reduce your depart......never mind. I have to remember, you drive it like you stole it!

 

[lostinafog]

whatcha gona do with them puck ugly hole mount assist rockets?

 

[raevenzero]

Responses in order:

Yes. We've only had one snow that's stuck and we had a lot of weird upper 40's days lately. However, they say we will have snow Monday and Tuesday, but I don't think it will be cold enough for it to stick around. I can't wait for the real stuff, but the 'ole chevy is bad enough on a wet day, I can't imagine what a real snow fall would be like.

There will be a slight decrease in departure angle, but sometimes I carry my tire underneath which also causes problems. We'll see how it does, maybe a bed bob will be in it's future. That would help with some of the wrinkled panels.

I have some thin sheet metal to cover the holes where the old lights used to be. I'm just not in a huge hurry to do that part yet.

I also found time today to install the front axle gusset that I've had forever.

 

[Doable]

Nice work on the sliders and rear bumper.Even welded to the frame if you don't like them in the future it really is not that hard to remove with a torch and grind down smooth.
The rear bumper looks like it wil protect the shetmetal nicely.

 

[raevenzero]

It may be too late for the sheet metal, but thanks for the kudos!

 

[raevenzero]

I've done a little work, but not much. Just a little here and there.

I got the old tail light holes blocked off. Looks better than I expected, but not perfect. So of the metal back there was in bad shape and was hard to work with so some of the seam areas need some help. I'll smear a very thin coat of bondo over them, sand, paint, and call it good.

Did a little on the tire carrier also. I'm using bolts of the same size and pitch as the stock lugs so I basically will have 4 spare lug nuts. I'm hoping to mount the jack horizontally across the bar but don't know how that idea will work with tail gate clearance. I might end up having to do a vertical mount. License plate mount will be last.

I've had it on there will all of the weight an there isn't much sag in the bar when open. Once closed, weight is supported on both ends. This is a relatively small project that is going slow, but easy.

Tail light holes capped.

Tire carrier coming along...

Offset tire, hoping to find a good place for the jack.

Tire is going to be high, but this helps with departure and leaves room for more rubber.

 

[Bang Bang]

Looks good bud.