Ripcord's Spruce Mica Build

Without the camper on, I decided a trip to Moab would be a good time so I went for the annual Rock Therapy event. I made it to town in time to meet some friends at the end of Moab rim, and the next day we all ran metal masher.


FLEM8737 by alex fleming, on Flickr


@literallynothing sending it




Red 2nd gen blew a ring gear on this obstacle.






Me taking a fun line at Z-turn on metal masher


picture by @In4aride






@In4aride






Ran into these guys with a CRF 450 powered jeep power wheels. YouTube channel called Grind hard plumbing co. Was so cool to see and drool all over. Looked like a blast to drive.

 

Woohoo! Can’t wait to see your camper so I can hate myself for not working on mine enough

 

I know I'm digging up an older post... but I wanted to know if you track your route in any type of GPS Tracker or other Logging methods? I want to make the trip out to CO and UT from OH with my wife and need to understand the total time need to traverse the different trails. The images you have shared really make me want to make the trip sooner than later!

 

The passes are closed at this point. And will be until the spring/summer (depends on how good of a winter it is).

Step one if you plan to do a trip like that is to get the Colorado FunTreks book, about $35. Gives you all the info you are looking for.

 

We definitely wouldn't head out now. It will be next summer at a minimum before a trip is made. My wife is a teacher, so our travel window is limited by that as well... Also, a trip to Colorado from Ohio will take me a little bit of planning to execute comfortably. I like to plan.

Thanks for the heads up on the book. I have used the "Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails" by Charles A. Wells and have loved it. A buddy bought me the same version for Moab as a gift. It would make sense for me to look at the version for CO as well.

 

yeah they are great books! I have done multiple trips across the state almost entirely offroad, just stacking together trails listed in that book.

 

Sweet build dude!

 

thanks!

 

Bump so I can follow later. I have a feeling @crashnburn80 would like this thread

 

In to see what headlights you go with next.

 

Holy shit! The barbie jeep! I love that YouTube channel

 

Was finally able to go through the entire thread and damn this thing is meticulous. Whats your background? Are you a fabricator?

 

Thanks for the compliments! I am a mechanical engineer. I also happen to have access to a lot of nice machines to help build stuff

 

|Dec 20, 2019|

Loose Truck Bed Fix:
It is relatively common for Tacomas that carry weight in/on the bed can develop some play in the bed, leading to a clunking. The fix is easy though, if you know what to do!

Parts:
95649A263 (McMasterCarr) - 1.75” OD UHMW Plastic washer: 5-pack


Here is the culprit, the metal sleeve and bolt are still tight, but the plastic that is the actual bed is worn out, which allows movement!



Here are the washers we need.




Only tool you need is a T55 Torx bit.



This is the bolt that needs to be removed.





Washers installed and bolt re-tightened! No more movement in the bed now!






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Squeky leaf springs

I was having some horrendous squeaking coming from my leaf springs. I was able to determine that it wasn’t the bushings and was instead the individual leaves rubbing against each other.

I found this 2 ¼” leaf spring liner from Speedway Motors, has little kick-ups on the sides to keep it centered in the leaf spring.

Tools:
10mm wrench
12mm wrench
19mm socket
Shears

Time:
Time to putting the truck back on the ground was 2 hours. A lot of that was just cleaning the leaf springs also.


Took the leaf packs out, disassembled them, and cleaned each leaf.

What I found was lots of witness marks of the leaves rubbing on each other.




Here is the liner, if you want to FULLY line each spring, you will need 2 rolls. I only bought one so I only put the liner where I saw witness marks.










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Switching back to Halogen headlights:
I had 2 main complaints with my projector retrofits

• The cutoff was TOO sharp. I couldn't see anything that was above it in the darkness. So on twisty or hilly roads I would almost have to drive with the high beams on just to see where I was going!
• The plugs on the back of the bulbs do not have a clip holding them on, only a press on type plug. So with all the rough roads that I drive they would come loose fairly frequently.

I sold the old headlights complete, so I had to buy new ones. Stuck with the TRD Pro look.

I also got some upgraded (stock wattage) bulbs. In the future I may look into the 85W upgrade that can be done to the halogen setup.


Parts:
8115004221 - TRD Pro headlight: Passenger
8111004221 - TRD Pro headlight: Driver
Philips Xtreme vision headlight bulbs - H4











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And because you made it this far, snow pictures!











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And if you made it THIS far, here is an update on the V2 camper build.


Spaceframe is fully welded/drilled/painted, panels are cut and ready, extrusions are assembled and ready. I can fully assemble the camper this coming weekend.

The only thing not complete is the canvas, which I am doing myself this time instead of paying a shop to do. And well I am slow.

 

Wouldnt putting all those shims in the leaf spring mess with something? I'm pretty much done with the squeaks as well

 

Like what ride height? I took out some other metal shims while I was in there so that stayed prettymuch unchanged.

 

Your PB bumper’s powdercoat appears to flawless but mine is rusting everywhere and only after 2 winters. Have you ever had to repaint it?

 

I had it powdercoated at a shop I had experience with, not from pelfrey's shop. Also its aluminum so no rust.

 

I should have specified the rear, in particular. Next Spring I’ll have to run bumperless for awhile and have a local shop redo it. (And I’m pretty certain I already brought this up earlier in your build thread now that I think about it, so sorry about that haha.)

 

Ah, well still had that done at that same powdercoat shop.

There are a few spots underneath it where I have scrapped it that have some surface rust, but nothing where there is still powdercoating material.