DueNorth's Build

Nice build! It's good to see a Toy used both off and over the road.

 

Like wise John. Just read your build as well, nicely done sir.

 

Appreciate the thoughts! Have a great NEW YEAR!

 

What are you planning on doing besides cab mount chop and regear to get ready for 35's? You going to clearance the fenders somehow?

 

I could barely look at the bed side cuts for the rear bumper and fender cut for the snork

That still scares the crap out of me! I hate cutting into virgin metal...

 

One of my favorite trucks on TW. Great build mike!

 

Looks awesome mike!

 

I still need to pound the pinch welds flat and i'm willing to bet i'll need to take more off the cab mount as well. I plan on cutting 2.5" out of the fender itself then doing the same with the flares to give it a nice factory look. I really hope i get to it this year but with tentative plans on a trip going to Moab, i may have to put bigger tires on hold for bit....

haha, the first cut is always the hardest! Weren't you there when i drilled that massive hole into my fender? Mod day at 4xFinns?

 

Thank you for the kind words guys....

 

Well before i get back to my build, i'd like to share a couple sig pics my friend has made for me over the past couple of years and also a couple t-shirt designs we thought about doing/offering to club members. Never went through with it though...(couple years ago)









and here's the tshirt ideas..

 

Well time for a rear lift! By this time i had figured OME Dakar leaf springs would suit my needs a little more than a custom Alcan leaf pack. So i went with the Dakars and OME N182 shocks. Sorry no pictures of the parts outta the box but i'm sure we all know what they look like. Now would be a good time to chop the cab mount as well.







and heres a few pics with the Dakars and N182 shocks installed. Finally my truck is fully lifted!





and here's the best close up shot of the suspension i could get...



here's me camping at Tobermory shortly after the lift being installed.

 

After a few wheelin trips and getting a high centered a couple good times, my skids weren't looking so straight anymore... I wonder why?







In the second picture above, I literally bounced my truck off that rock trying to make it up i cracked the weld on the cross member holding my t-case skid.







Instead of just straightening them and bashing it in all over again next year i thought i would be a great opportunity to learn how to weld and decided reinforcing my skid plates and cross member would be my best bet as a more permanent fix.

Here's how my buddy and i were trying to straighten these skids out....



I bought some scrap 1/4" x 2" steel, cut it and we tacked everything down...



and the finished product!

 

Guess i need more clearance than those 265's are giving....

so I managed to find a set of used 285/70/17's with 80% tread life left for $700. Sweet!

 

Around this time, I replaced my factory seats due to the fabric wearing prematurely. Wet Okole was offering a GB here so why not get in on it.



Got a Boztec rear diff skid in a GB as well.

 

Since winter was coming again and i was sick of having the dogs in the cab with me it was time for a topper. If you haven't guess yet, my dogs go everywhere with me so protection for them was at the top of my list.

After looking for months for a used topper and coming up empty handed, it was time to order new.

I decided on a Leer 100XR with all options including, Power locks, carpet lined roof, two interior lights, 3way powerblock, 50/50 sliding windows and a Thule roof rack...













and a dirty shot

 

Installed an illuminated panel for my 4x4 switch.





Installed a new bracket to raise my rearview mirror up. Made by ImMrYo. Such a great mod for anyone who is tall.

 

Nice truck man. Real nice

 

I found a really good deal on a new Warn M8000 winch. This was definitely needed as i've been stuck a few times and using the hilift as a winch was a PITA. This has definitely been a great addition to the truck and has been used numerous times since.

This required a bit of modification as i wanted to have the solenoid box mounted in the engine bay which needed a custom bracket to hold it. Also my buddy figured upgrading the wiring would a good idea also. I'm pretty sure we went with 0 AUG.









I managed to straighten that kink out a bit and split loomed everything afterwards.






Figures my buddy Wayside would be the first guy i yank out with it.








I also removed the swaybar to help give better articulation offroad

 

Thanks Louie!