4xFort Build Thread - previously Frame Swap

Alright this sounds better now lol. Once in awhile someone will come on here and want to do some big project for the first time to their daily in a few days and you know bad things will happen if they do.

 

Yeah, it sounds pretty intimidating. I need to get a better grasp of every single step that is involved before I jump in. But yeah, it isn’t the only vehicle I have! That just seems like a recipe for disaster lol.

I bought it for playing in the desert but will end up with only the truck once I’m done with these things. I figure that if I can own the toy, I should be able to fix the toy. Otherwise it can get way too expensive

 

True mechanic can use zipeties, ducktape and wd40 and can fix anything...

 

But yeah working on your own toys means money saved, money saved means you can afgord more parts for yout car, which means you get to work on your car more lol

 

Haha yes. I am a huge fan of the zip ties. The others as well, but thank the heavens for zip ties.

It’s a vicious cycle (per Fat Bastard).

 

I’ll look more soon, but if anyone has any links to frame swap write ups... that’d be sweet!

 

Btw how do you plan on lifting the whole body off the frame...

 

Don't forget ratchet straps - zip ties' big brother.

 

You mean my hood latch lol jk
Ratcher strap+ broken hood= qd race hood

 

Lol that’s how you’re supposed to lift a vehicle right? Hood latch and ratchet straps through the oh sh*t handles?

In that video I linked earlier, he used four jacks and 5 jack stands. Along with a come along (engine support) and a 4x4+two firewood rounds to support the tranny while removing the frame. Seems reasonable...

I think my biggest hesitancy arises in not being certain about what all needs to be disconnected from the frame, especially in that nether-region in front of the dashboard but behind the front bumper...

 

Tbh I would just pull the motor and tranny if i was you, but thats just my opinion. If you think you can get away with lifting it all at once then guve it a try

 

Motor mounts, front diff, steering rack, exhaust, fuel and brake lines, bumper stuff, diff breather if you've got an extended one, and of course suspension stuff.

 

Nbd... =\ I’ll see how the frame looks in the next few days and see if it is going to pass muster. Might take a hammer to go look at it. Although it might come across as a dick move to hammer someone’s belonging before buying it. Just not that interested in ending up with a dead frame.

 

Wait you haven't bought the truck yet???

 

I bought the truck a month ago! Haven’t bought a frame yet. Just doing my preparations so I don’t dive in too deep.

Do the engine and trans mounts disconnect from the frame? Would it be best to just replace them? I did a little looking to see what I could find and it’s a couple hundred to do all of them. But why not? If it’s already taken apart... would you go OEM on that? Or just the ones from somewhere like rockauto? I saw people discussing semi-solid vs. solid steel. Like the factory rubber vs poly vs steel. It looks like I wouldn’t want solid since I drive on roads. Not sure if there’s be a benefit to doing poly over just the rubber for me. Thoughts?

Hmm front diff. I’m going to have to look into how I’d do all that. That area looks complex lol. I’d definitely replace every bushing I came across during that. For those I’d probably just use poly bushings.

 

Just go oem motor mounts - it's not something you want to do again any time soon. For the front diff and many other things, get to know this channel very well:

He works on 3rd gen 4runners, but they're the same more or less up front.

 

found the answer for how to lift the cab up high enough...
Pretty ingenious

 

Yeah, that Timmy the tool man is super helpful. Very precise and clear about exactly what he is doing and how to replicate it. Good call on reminding me about his stuff and the fact that he does the 4runners. Spaced that his are applicable to what I’d be doing. Derp.

 

I wonder if it’d be worth swapping in a front locker if I’m pulling out the old one. Maybe at least get it rebuilt? Gears and internal things scare the beejezus out of me. The rear locker was geared for 4.88, I would have to have a front locker geared the same, right?

 

Yes. Isn't it already 4.88 to match the rear?