Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

I still have the eventual front suspension Tim set me up with, which includes Icon uppers.

I'm only running 265/75r16s but still get rubbing at full lock (mostly in reverse). So I'm hoping that once I install the new uppers I can get a better alignment to get rid of the rubbing.

 

I definitely admire your commitment to no BL Brett. For someone who says they have no idea what they are doing you are doing pretty good to me lol. I know @eimkeith was designing a crossmember for the transmission for a flat belly but not sure it ever came to life.

Also the single tube rear bumper is super clean looking. I dig it. Do you have an internal support piece from the end of the wing tip to the frame?

 

The uppers will make the rubbing worse, but a good alignment should fix it.

Or just cut out everything that it's rubbing on.

I'm just going to make a simple tube crossmember and cut up my 4x innovations trans mount to weld to it. Kinda need to get that done, or at least mocked up, so I can remake the exhaust to clear it. Was hoping he finally gets around to making his gas tank lift brackets one of these days though.

And yes to the frame tie in piece.

 

After your next alignment take a paint pen to the cams and mark where they are. If they move its easy to reset them.

 

You guys align your stuff?

 

Tires ain't cheap if you can even find them

 

I have the 17" FJ Cruiser wheels for sale... They have proper offset that when you put a 32" (255/75R17) on, it only barely rubs the frame at full lock in reverse compressing the suspension. This is with OEM geometry everything, but OME suspension.

 

I'm going to stay with the T4R 5-stars. Once the suspension is fully installed I'll get it aligned properly (hopefully). If not I can assess from there.

 

All the old man tan. Hopefully have the interior back together later tonight.

 

The vinyl sure does cover the floor patches well. Did it fight you the whole way?

 

It's like nothing ever happened.

I'm still fighting it. Just got the back mostly in place. Now to cut holes for seat bolts and wires and stuff, but I've about had it for tonight.

 

Sweet! Make sure you seal the floor holes up very well or you will overheat your crawl box driving on the highway with the windows down. Seriously it will suck hot air up through the holes in the floor and it will get hot as hell and start venting fluid all over. I basically need working climate control to drive it on the highway for any length of time outside of fall and winter. I also recommend using those plastic or metal nutserts for your final version of the trans tunnel, you will be pulling the crawl box out a few more times and dicking around with shifters at some point and that will make everything go way faster!!

 

Also, it wasn't exactly an extensive test, but fired the truck up sans exhaust, and made sure everything works fine on the tcases.

It all shifts well, and high-low on the NWF box works as expected, so I don't anticipate any issues from using the push button donor.

 

I remember doing mine in like 95° heat outside in the sun. It really helped smooth out the floor but god did it suck roasting in the truck wrestling that bull shit in place.

 

can confirm this behavior

Any holes in the floor, no matter the size will pull in more hot air than you think when you have the windows down.
I've been meaning to go back and redo my floor patch for a long time now, but in classic toyota fashion it's been like that for 2 years now

 

Got the exhaust done, and the interior is sorta fitting back together.



Couple hour highway drive with half an interior followed by a real wheeling test tomorrow. We'll see if everything holds up!

 

The shitbox lives!

 

Nice. Did you get a video of you ghost riding in crawl gear like Marlin?

 

Good times!

Still a bit bummed I was getting denied at the creek. Next time!

It's not quite that low.




Speaking of which, I think the double 2.57 lows is the minimum you would want if doing a crawlbox. I think it works well and will be a complete game changer in this truck's capabilities, but I probably wouldn't complain about lower gearing.