Cynicalriders "J0hnny5 is ALIVE!" 01 build thread.

Oof. Haven’t experienced it blowing out in use yet afaik. What did you tell them when you sent it in for warranty? And how much did it run?

 

Fortunately mine is still under warranty since they built it for me back in 2020. So free.99
But the invoice said 750 for the diff build labor irrc. And then I don't remember what the part costed.

I wasn't experiencing it blowing out during use originally either, only on long drives for whatever reason. It had some pretty weird behavior as to when it would do it. But then one day when I went snow wheeling and was using it, I heard it gurgling pushing out fluid when I got out of the truck to do some winching while it was still locked up.

If I were you, I would keep a close eye on the breather to try and pinpoint when it's exactly happening. Kinda hard though as that area gets all oily and sucks to cleanup. I was getting real tired of the left side of my engine bay getting covered in gear oil.

 

yeah I’ll def keep an eye on it for sure. Had this in since May of 2017 so def out of warranty now. Though it’s lasted longer than all my other friends arb’s. Did it ever stop locking up?

 

That video is a great find. Was having the same issue until I found that, easy troubleshooting with the paper clip confirmed it was the switch. Been fine for 2 years since

 

Did you replace the switch or use the remove switch and fuck with it/clean it a bunch and reinstall method?

 

Just replaced it since I found a cheaper one on Amazon I think. It kept pissing me off with the lights not working so I just swapped it for piece of mind

 

It's still locked up, but I'm sure it would eventually stop if I let it keep going

 

Bringing this list up to start crossing shit off and making sure I don't forget anything.

Starting at the motor:
Replacing valve cover gaskets, half moons, and cam seals, and plug seals.
Replacing injectors
Replacing FPR
Replacing fuel line under the plenum
Replacing the coolant hoses under the plenum
Replacing 3 coils and new wires
Replacing the spark plugs
Replacing pcv valve
Replacing all vacuum lines with the silicone kit I have had for 3+ years now
Clean MAF
Clean throttle body
Clean plenums
Change oil

Outside of that at the motor:
Replacing the AC idler AGAIN. Got an OEM unit this time.

Bang and smash the skids for reinstallation. (Going to start planning my tube skid concept too)
Swap the fluid in the front diff with all the pines trips lately.

Suspension:
Grease UCA's and upper ball joint.
Check tolerances at LBJ's
Replace misalignments on the lower coilover mounts to push them further from the CV's
Replace the drivers side CV with the boot that's been torn since Takeover in July. - Still need to get my passenger shock back from my buddy.
Reboot and rebuild the removed CV.

Misc:
Figure out why the reverse lights have been intermittent. Going to start at the switch on the case since I just had that off when the transmission was out. Then check under the seat since I tapped into that for the reverse cam not to long ago.
Rotate tires
Touch up armor
Touch up wheel paint
Swap clutch spring and bushings

Fluid film the frame after painting is done.

Dang look at that progress.

 

It left the garage and didn't catch on fire so that's a win.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Runs and idles great, so much more pep again.

Trying to figure out if this whoosh under quick throttle is new.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sAuOEb2ChI

Since it was a nice day I went for a rip, completely sheared the front fender off.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

Bringing back the OG list:


Not on the major list that I just want to write down so I can remember to do it:

Wash truck
Rotate tires
Check suspension components for wear

Bringing this list to the top to get my ass motivated again on cleaning the truck up for this year. A lot of the upcoming maintenance is dealing with rust/repainting shit.


Get a back door stitched up to attach to current rack.

Get tube cut and bent/welded to the back of the current rack.

AC pulley

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright making this it's own post. I took a deep dive into the goals for the truck, and the things I want to improve. This list is always changing/ being improved upon, completed or added to.

As always green was just completed, BOLD is priority/realistic. Anything previously green gets deleted (though I still need to update the build specs lol). Of course this is all for my sanity's sake.

Maintenance:

Armor up rear diff, fix plug, or weld plug permanently shut and replace two studs with bolts to drain

Plugs

Wires

Paint rear bumper, drill holes out bigger to accept 3/4" shackles

Rust convert and paint sliders

Deal with rust spots on the cab under the doors

Remove rust and touch up paint on rack - specifically in the hinge/latch area

Swap doors so I can start on half doors

• Passenger door needs to be swapped for spare door in better condition
• Drivers door needs rust removed, painted and resealed with seam sealer - reference link
• Donor drivers door needs tar cleaned off of it to start on half door build
• Passenger door needs rust repair before being able to be used for half door build

Paint black stripe on bottom part of body to address rust staining - this will help for the doors that have been repaired from rust

Rebuild the spare alternator (need rebuild kit)

Power steering rack, filter and system bleed

New CV on Drivers side

Get new misalignments for coilovers and rebuild bushing

Swap clutch spring and bushings

New OEM ac tensioner pulley

Interior Mods:

Recondition seats

Platform in back with taller rear locking storage, a place Mac can be raised up on while the fridge stays at the same height)

Lit up cup holders

Tablet lighting solution using Raspberry Pi

Switch reconfiguration

Put in cubby under the fridge:

Change of clothes, canned foods with long expirations, fire starter kit, emergency blanket, MRE's. Stuff that is worst case scenario survival shit.


Exterior Storage Mods:

Build a dual swing out tire carrier. The one swing out will contain the 35" tire, and a fold down table. The left side will hold the high lift and chain saw and will also have a fold down table. The goal is to make everything more accessible without needing to unload the truck. - Potentially decommissioning this idea.

Get a back door stitched up to attach to current rack.

Get tube cut and bent/welded to the back of the current rack.

Figure out a ramp mount solution when hauling the bike. Maybe prinsu rack on cab?

Potentially add a roof rack above the cab to hold traction pads/a plano case that contains recovery gear. The jury is still out on this concept. I would like to avoid adding anymore weight that high if I can. See ramp mount point. ^


Performance upgrades:

ABS controller delete/LSPV delete/manual valve install and complete fluid flush

Dual battery setup, one battery in current location, the other under the bed. This will be the house battery that the fridge, and all lighting accessories will run on.

Crawl box: I need lower gears to really take the truck to the next level crawling wise.

Build/get built beefier drive shafts

Custom Alcans or Deavers: Once I get the average weight of the rear figured out as a typical always on rolling weight, I want leaves to be able to hold the weight of my normal everyday load. Airbags will be the interim solution.

Install Manual hub tube, replace the seal. Potentially pull the shaft, get heat/cryo treated.


Lighting Mods:

3 additional floods to rock lights (one facing from the rear bumper to the diff, and two near the front facing down near the bumpers, goal is to eliminate the current dead spots)

Hood lights on pin switch

Get lights for spindle mounts

Mount and wire spindle lights

Misc Exterior/ Camp Mods:

Redline Hood struts

Heat exchanger in engine bay for warm showers

Fiberglass fenders and bedsides (this will eliminate some of the body glamage I have gathered over the years)

Half doors

New bedside decals

Print up decals of trails from Moab, put on cab

Window tint - need new windshield

Far future plans:

LT or 3-link


Bike mod list currently:

Taco moto fork blinkers
sicass clear flush mounts
sicass turn signal indicator kit
sicass smart flasher
wireless charger
tap for power source
mirror
fork pouch
suspension tune

It's weird seeing the list actually get shorter. Repainting stuff is my next priority. Taking it for a rip to the pines Monday, then cleaning and working on touching that shit up.

Oh now that the tires are rotated I should prob get an alignment too.

Even though the crawlbox is ordered it's low on the priority list for this year. I'd like to prioritize true dry storage in the bed with the rack cover getting restitched/door added so I think that will be the next important part.

for memory - poly body mounts and splash guards

 

Been a minute but I actually used the truck and did some shit.

Went camping so I could go riding the next day. Was a foggy/rainy night that really showed all my lighting.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Woke up to 180* views of the mountain:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Use my Mr. Buddy with fan to get comfy at night. First time in the tent and it was awesome.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Way better than the heater alone.

Explored the forest a bit and found some views and a fire tower:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

The load out for brap camping is pretty legit.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Easily doable for a trip to Moab, one day hopefully in the future.

Also installed geartech customs splash guards, the hope is keep grime off the motor after all the work I did.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

What area did ya hit up?

 

to ride or camp? We rode FRO at the Burns tract and I camped in Port Clinton PA. FRO some super awesome riding.

 

This thread sucks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heZVKo-piIQ

 

Damn I haven't posted in here since April?

Been riding a ton, trying to get my body ready for the Quarry Run up in Hancock in August.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Been getting my son out with me whenever I can.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I can't wait till we can truly ride together when he gets bigger.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I took him camping for the first time with @JLink

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

He loved it and did awesome.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Did a bday camp and ride with @HuneyBear69 and @Chux

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr


Did Durty Dabbers again with @HuneyBear69

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Got out for Father's Day with the fam:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

And lastly got out in North Jersey with @Yota X

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

This was the first time I took him in the rocks and he actually loved it. I think I can easily do a trip with him to an offroad park now. Something I have been excited about for a long time.

The truck has been doing everything I ask it to. Seems like all the valve cover stuff I did is holding up and the motor is running strong. I do need to really beat on it wheeling soon but it's been functioning great as my mobile base camp for riding trips. For family stuff though, it's just not sustainable. To have both my wife and son in the truck + the dog the fridge needs to come out. And it's not comfortable for any of them. Usually though it will always only be Mac, my son and I for camping/wheeling so it works for now.

 

lol. Awesome pics of jr on the bikes! I saw some of the pines ones but not the truck stuff. That 100 series looks nice!

 

Build catch up, not much building happening.

This came fully out of the box:

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Did camping with @HuneyBear69 in the pines with the kiddo.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Then camped with @JLink, his wife and their daughter up in NY.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Got some awesome solo riding in.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Said goodbye to the corolla.

IMG_6644 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_6635 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

And bought a minivan.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Specs are 2023 Bronco Wildtrak. Wildtraks come standard with the "Sasquatch Package" which has F/R Lockers, 4.70 gears, 35's and the Wildtraks come with factory tuned Fox 2.5" IBP's and the same severe duty steering rack the Braptor comes with, and heavier duty tierods. Added features were dual tops, full skids (but doesn't cover the transmission ), the modular front bumper, tow, and roof rack.

And no, the Tacoma is NOT going away. This is now my DD/family camp/roadtrip vehicle.

 

11 years with this truck. So many damn good memories.

 

I’ve had my truck 13 years now. Seems hard to believe.