Cynicalriders "J0hnny5 is ALIVE!" 01 build thread.

Mine is a fucking mess.

 

Great, now you've got me browsing garage journal

 

I gotta start with a garage first
Looks nice and neat

 

Been a while since I've been in here. Using the truck a bunch, not working on it barely at all. (The way it should be)

Went and explored North Jersey twice:

IMG_2361 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_2390 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_2417 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

This section was fun:

IMG_2406 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_2413 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

More pics here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmxKe55W

Also went solo to Bald Eagle with the pup:

IMG_3278 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_3289 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_3308 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Was my coldest camp trip to date, with a low of 17 degrees. I also tested out my new dual fuel stove for winter trips.

IMG_3315 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Snow came through half way into the night:

IMG_3318 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Explored a bit more the next day:

IMG_3328 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_3338 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_3340 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

More pics here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmzS2gTT

All gorgeous scenery but no where near as challenging as the last trip to Bald Eagle. I don't think anything will top that trip. It was stressful and exhausting but it was also pure adventure.

To quote @Chux "The best adventures teeter on self control and no control." Couldn't agree more.

 

Life goal.

 

Part of it is cause I can, part of it is neglect.

This list hasn't seen much action...

 

Next time your heading to Bald Eagle lmk! It's only a little north of me!

 

Will do dude this particular trip was intentionally solo, just wanted some time alone in the woods with the pup.

So I loved it at first, but half the lights are out now. It was this on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LWGFYW0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think if i were to buy it again, I'd paint the brackets and seal it up a little better, lots of reviews say water gets inside really easily.

The wires run into the tailgate, out one of the drain holes and the power is using one of the original wires for the lights that come on our stock bumpers. IIRC I put it on a quick disconnect weather proof plug too in case I ever needed to take the tailgate off.

 

Totally understand. It's nice to get away sometimes lol

 

Coming from the motorcycle world and planning on moving my plate to the tailgate as well due to my bumper choice, I would suggest using

$9 RUPSE 2pcs License Plate Light,12V Waterproof LED Bulb,License Tag Screw Bolt Lamp for Car Motorcycle Truck RV ATV Bike (White)

something like these instead. Smaller, easier to seal but you really shouldn't need to and are still plenty bright to make them legal.

 

I actually have something like this stashed away already. Honestly I loved the bar because it was almost like a courtesy light at the tailgate. Now that I have rock lights, thats less necessary, but still like it for its brightness.

 

those are what i have on my license plate. granted my plate is also just zip tied to the tru k

 

Couple updates.

First got rear ended on the way to work one day.



I was pissed. I knew it was coming too. I was getting to a highway packed full of 3 lane traffic. Saw in the rear view mirror he was following to close and reaching over for shit in the passenger seat. The first time we stopped I was okay, but when we started going and stopped again and that's when the idiot hit me.

Turns out, he was driving on a suspended license too..



Such a frustrating process to deal with.

Not long after I headed over to @HomerTaco 's place for some grill tweaking. With all the work I did, I did not cut nearly enough and the grill separated due to abuse. I figure it was best to take a step back and bring it to the grill expert to fix my fuck ups haha. Was great catching up with Craig and seeing the homies for a bit.




Did some TW Express and got some soft shackles from @Chux as well as another snatch block. I then inventoried my recovery gear/parts.

Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Finally got it inspected in time to make a wheeling/camp trip I threw together with the homies.

Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Some videos from the trip. Funny how video makes obstacles look tiny. It was a very slick day out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi7NXQmx5I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga29gvVXV9c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhlfrcOxb5w

So between my accident, trail damage and a piling maintenance list, I figure it’s finally time to stop using the truck for a bit, take a step back and start tackling some shit.


My first priorities stem from accident repair and the AC project I started a couple months back.


Apparently I developed a leak at the drier, one spot being from a connection into the drier itself, and the other on the new line I got from Toyota, there is a leak at one of the joints. I am hoping I can warranty this particular piece.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Right now I have the AC fuse pulled again to keep the compressor from running and pushing any more oil out. This one I prefer to get fixed ASAP and behind me.


The next thing I need to deal with is my broken tail light, I’ll be ordering an LED set soon. I also will be ordering a new tailgate but will likely not get it painted or put it on for a while. Before I get it painted I want to put a back up camera on it, get a new license plate light, and a better mounting solution that looks a bit cleaner.


The other part I need to fix is due to trail damage, and causing me to have a tarp on the truck now. I slammed my door/fender into a rock and the passenger door does not fully seal now. (first video in post) I’ll need to fab up a tool to pull the part of the cab the door bolts to to fix this.

Uploads for TW by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Stemming from this I want to tackle the boxing of the frame/shock relocate. The moment I got hit my worst fear was the frame buckling on me. I want to give the frame a fighting chance if I ever get rear ended again, and boxing the frame will definitely give me more peace of mind. So I am gathering the parts now for u bolt flip/frame box/ shock relocate.


Next up is my gas tank issues. I have several dents in both the tank and the skid at this point. I think instead of trying to get these dents out, it will be the same amount of work to swap the tank completely. Seeing some tanks in VA for $100, so not bad to get a properly functioning and capacity tank again. After that I can slap the new low range skid right on it. This will be easier with the bed off, something that needs to be done for the frame boxing too.


From there I will be deferring to this updated list:


Fix AC

Fix door

Fix tail lights

Box frame, u bolt flip, and new shocks

Replace gas tank and mount gas tank skid

Armor up rear diff, fix plug

Fix CB Mount


Plugs

Wires

Fuel Filter

OEM PS Pump

Oil and Filter change

Carrier Bearing (Might wait on this, still feels tight)

Rear diff (Drain and fill after welding)

Trans and Tcase (Drain and fill)

Touch up sliders

Paint bumpers

Anti seize cams

Rebuild the spare alternator

LED bulbs/New Headlight housings

Replacing cracked trim on windows



Mods:


Tundra brakes: still need pads, rotors and lines

3 additional floods to rock lights

Hood lights on pin switch

Redline Hood struts

Build a glare shield for the light bar

Beef up the IFS skid

dual battery setup

Fiberglass fenders

Half doors

Swing out build

bed rack and RTT

new bedside decals

print up decals of trails from Moab

Heat exchanger in engine bay for warm showers

ABS controller delete/LSPV delete/manual valve install

Amazon spots behind the grill again with Bamf mount


Suspension:

Solid mid travel build - UCA's, extended travel RR coils

Rear shock relocation, u bolt flip, box the frame, maybe air bumps?

Full LT or 3-link is way to far out of reach currently

 

Got quite the maintenance list there! Good luck with all of that, I’ll be taking doing maintenance this year as well just not a big of list

 

#beatnotbabied #trailrasin

 

That’s a helluva list there, Mike! Really stoked to see what you come up with for the OBW setup. I’ve liked that idea for a long time. Same for the dual battery system.




If the past is any indication, you’ll have your frame and shock work done before I do...




What are you thinking for UCAs? I know a guy who has some for sale in the 1st Gen section.

 

That is quite a long list. I think I'm going to try and move my fuel tank up an inch when I get around to it. The 1" bl should help and it might be enough to get it even with the frame rail.

 

I’d be really interested to see how this turns out, Ryan.

Do you still need to fix your bed where the BL spacers punched thru it? I still have that on my list.

 

For now it's fixed enough but it sits 3/16 higher than the cab and the rear is slightly lower so the cab to bed gap isn't parallel.

I guess this would give me another reason to pull the bed off again. It's just a pita with how much crap I have stored in it. Going to try and get rid of some things I don't use and lose some weight in the spring.

 

The gas tank isn't too far from being level with the frame rail. I know with my LROR skid, I've barely even touched it. Are you gaining something else by raising it?