Kwik's BS Thread FEAT. BRONX!

I've heard a lot of good things about the badlands. Get that 20% Harbor Freight coupon and its a killer deal. The other one I am considering is the Smittybilt XRC for the green truck.

 

The Apex has a synthetic line, wireless remote, and is rated for 12k which will easily suffice for the weight of my heavy 4R.

Regularly priced at $599, will go on sale for $499 from time to time.

Unfortunately, the coupons don't apply to the winch but some people had them honored in person (luckily).

 

It's a heavy mofo. Wonder why it's shipping weight is lighter tho....

Product Weight
86.37 lb.
Shipping Weight
82.55 lb.

 

If you go look at the 12k winch with the steel cable it weighs almost the same.
I'm wondering with the weights don't include the cables or what.

Might have to run to Harbor Freight and check it out.

 

I did read that it was big, but damn that's 20lbs heavier than the VR8 with steel line.

 

Getting rid of some chrome, I got this paintable front grill for the 4R -



What's interesting is, it's some sort of 'graphite' color which closely matches the Limited side molding and flares. May just install it that way for a subtle contrast versus a monochromatic front end.

Meanwhile, I've got a third stock pile of parts -

 

Because I can't seem to get away from the snow; with my skid plate back on I went much farther this time around.

Was really sketch putting a wheel in a deep pocket of slush or mud while climbing a steep hill.

Didn't realize I was flexed since I only got out to check the area ahead -



Pictures don't do justice; that mud sucked...not to mention having snow on the other side -



And it kept going -



Leveled out for a bit, then a hole -





More climbing -



Fun day to just do shit.

 

Parts were waiting for me when I got home.

Fucking mint -



What's funny is I don't even need those UBJ; maybe I'll install those new UCAs I've had for awhile.

With the parts piling up again, I decided to install something -



Damn she's filthy -



The old and the new; I really hate chrome -



Installed -



Next up is finding a front bumper and most likely removing the lower valance...we'll see.

At least the grill matches the Limited trim -

 

Went outside again.

Wanted to check out a little tuck and droop; with stock sway bar and end links -





Other areas out there that I could've used but I wanted to pay attention to the trails instead.

Scenery was beautiful, especially this spot which is actually a cliff -

 

I've got a few things lined up to do but with big changes happening this year (new house), mods are at a stand still almost.

I have my hidden winch mount to install, sliders (unpainted/unwelded), Tacoma tie rod ends, Tacoma lower ball joints, and Icon UCA with uniball.

As far as purchases, just need a winch!

 

Got to use the awning today for the first time; wanted to deploy it before I decided if I want the room/shade add-on.



Being Smittybilt's 2nd Gen, it's a modern grey versus the tan/brown versions seen often.

 

As the long trips to Fresno and back every week continue, I've found a few more things I need to address right away.

The first was pretty easy as the signs were all there; the 4R was running a bit warmer than usual.

The fan spinning at the same speed (different rpms) and the old semi-truck sound pointed towards a bad fan clutch -



It's supposed to be engaged, and not move so freely after it's fully warmed up from a steep climb and 3 hour drive.

The new one -



The new and the old -



What I wasn't excited about was that I had to drop the skid plate, since one of the bolts fell, and found my diff end is leaking. I need to replace my passenger side CV axle seal -



I've got the parts, and more, but would prefer to replace the tie rod ends and lower ball joints when I pull the CV axle out -

 

The parts pile just keeps growing and growing

This bad boy came in -



After having replaced my fan clutch, I figured I'd focus on a little bit of needed maintenance. I want to replace my thermostat, coolant, and either bypass the transmission section of the radiator or not...

On another note, I finally got my Bilstein 5100's -



Got them as a temporary solution since the Kings had to come off.

Here are the two -



Yes the Bilstein shocks are a bit longer, but what you can take from this is the King shocks are the perfect length for someone running a minor 1-2" lift like I am.

I got the longer Bilsteins on purpose to mess around with flexing/droop, but find them to be a bit too long compressed -



And the reason why the King shocks had to come off -





Seems at one point, I made contact with the reservoir at full stuff and put a dent into it.

So the plan is to either get them serviced (and replace the reservoir), or full rebuild for a longer stroke. Kind of undecided but I do like the idea of reusing them for my rear shock relocation.

We'll see.

 

I did forget to mention, I've got yet another box of stuff waiting to be installed

The piles keep growing

 

Where you guna mount Ash tray?

 

Exactly where it's going.

The center bezel is pretty easy to remove, once you pop up the center console section, which is also easy.

The Uniden CB radio is a perfect fit, and aside from a little help like strong velcro or double-sided tape, the tension alone will hold the radio.

My only gripe is where the antenna will go; I got that mount knowing I could use my modular roof rack to mount with...but after seeing how stiff (not flexible at all) the Firestick is, I don't know if I want to run that risk.

 

Just go antenna-less. You don’t use it anyhow

 

Is the king leaking oil also?