My kid lost interest so I'll build it for the Lil Mrs. build

The cost has varied WILDLY since Covid. And I build them, I don't bid them. It's somewhere in the neighborhood, now, of $200 sq ft.

But, like during Covid, at one point our lumber cost alone went from around $17K (on the semi attached houses I was building at that time) up to $80K. Prices have been falling, but at different rates, for different trades.

 

I actually bought a pair of replacement sliders a little over a year ago (weld-on 4XInnovations), but haven't gotten around to actually pulling the bent sliders off and installing them because (A) I need to order up step plates after thinking that it would make it less likely for the dog to hurt herself jumping in/out and (B) just haven't wheeled hard enough since Rubicon to really need them. Definitely will be adding a diagonal rear reinforcement bar to the rear when I do install them, though.

 

Dayum. 2 inch x .120 wall is a lot more expensive than 1.75 inch x .120 wall
2 inch is $7.20 a stick.

 

Out here, a stick is 20' or 24'

How long are they over there?

I've got a 3' section of 2" square tube (.120 wall) you're welcome to



Think it's been in the garage for some 2+ years now

 

20 ft stick.

I can imagine the look on a tech inspector's face if he saw part of a roll cage built out of 2 inch square tube.

 

Ah you guys are talking about round

I haven't read anything since answering Larry's call for a design

Could always add a stiffy...

 

I picked it up bare metal and coated by simple bed liner from HD

 

My sliders did everything I asked of them and more on the Rubicon and the Coyote Lake trip. My driveline on the other hand, not so much. I'm not a fanboi, but the front bumper and sliders did not let me down. The slight body damage I got was from the front and that was totally my fault banging my shit up and down the trail. @essjay's trip was a bit more than mine. His rear shaft was beat to shit, but he made it through with minimal winch action. Not trying to stir shit, but I hit some really big rocks with the front bumper and sliders, and my 3/16 skids are pretty much concave at the moment.

 

I'll send you the measurements of the mounting holes in the skid. That's perfect. Gonna paint that shit bright orange.

 

Well... they only had 2 sticks. But I paid for them. Gotta pick them up on Monday when a buddy with a ladder rack can help me out.

That's the thing that sucks about 20 ft sticks of metal. lol

 

I bring a cordless grinder and cut them. If you’re building a cage obviously isn’t the move unless you already know how long your parts are going to be though.

 

@El Taco Diablo

Do you have a die for bending say, 1" or 1.25" round tube?

I just ordered an acme lead screw and figured I'd make myself a Vyper-style stool for the shop.

 

No, I only have 1.75 and 2 inch.

That's thing about benders is the dies are f'n expensive.

Eventually I plan on getting a 1.5 die

 

I figured, had to ask.

I'll opt for cutting a circle out then! Something to rest my feet on while on the stool.

 

@Dalandser @theesotericone and anyone else wanting to chime in.

Rear axle... I'm going to build another Ruff Stuff axle for this one. Would you go 8.0 inch or 9.5 inch?

I did a 9.5 inch (Land Cruiser 3rd member) on my truck, with a Harrop e-locker, full float, disc converted.

I did the 9.5 for the strength cause my truck is on the fatty side. This T4R is going to be quite a bit lighter than the Tacoma. I'm thinking I would snap an axle shaft before I would hurt a 8 inch ring or pinion.

The 8 inch gives a bit more clearance, and is quite a bit lighter... those f'n 9.5s are monster.

 

Ford 9".

What's the taco weigh? My 4Runner was just north of 5000lbs empty with me and a full tank of gas.

 

Harrop isn't available in Ford 9 inch. That's a hard no.

I know Ford 9 inch is a really good rear end. But, I run Harrop. I will absolutely NOT run an air locker.

The Taco stays right at about 6000 pounds now. Especially now that I'm running that massive rear axle and a set of five 37s.

Some of that weight will go to the 4 Runner. The fridge, food, drinks, water, etc will ride in the Runner. But the Taco will still probably be 5995 pounds (sarcasm... kind of)

 

If it’s a race vehicle 9” with a spool. But it sounds like it’s a multiuse vehicle and in this area people will put a Detroit locker in it. 9.5 I guess if you plan on doing big tires in the future - limiting factor will be front diff unless changing to a larger 8” / 9.5.

 

Tires will be 37s they'll never get bigger than that. The thing about the 9.5 is the only thing that gets bigger is the ring and pinion. The 9.5 is still 30 spline.

My preference is a selectable locker always.

The front. I'm really interested in swapping in the Tundra clamshell. I think you were the one that sent me a link for that. That is down the road a bit. (For both rigs).

 

For the front.

I know this is a Sequioa. But it's pretty much the same, but different.

https://youtu.be/eh22BXtbISI?si=hMa107ax8mb8qYbb