Firewall Tubing

The final amount I had to take off on the firewall.

 

All finished on the passenger side and was able to retain my washer fluid reservoir, barely. The bottom of it has a round rubber thing that drops into the fender but that didn’t line up, just held in by the two bolts up top.

I highly recommend a second person. I started 5 fires in the cab and after 2 I got my wife on fire watch. There’s some sort of caulking in there from the factory that’s very flammable.

 

Horrible picture, but this is where I left the truck on Saturday. Using 20 GA sheet and .025" wire with a 110 welder. Not the prettiest but not coming out too bad.

I also got the rear wheel wells cut so the rear should be good for at least a shakedown.

 

You’re a mad man with 20 gauge lol 22 was hard enough to form. Probably a little easier to weld though.

 

Some people I've spoken with used 16/18 GA. When I was at the metal supply shop I looked at that range and the 20 GA remained pliable yet I wanted to go as thick as I could to make it easier to weld.

 

Look over the Monstaliner website. You'll find a couple of good products to work with there.

www.monstaliner.com

 

This thread never really took off but whatever, I'll add some updates.

Finally finished the driver's side tubbing. Learned a lot from the passenger side and was able to apply it the second time. New tires are on and cycle nicely!

First, remove shock.



Then, remove objects in the way of the objective.



Make sure necessities are on hand. Start consuming.



Fresh canvis...

 

Start cutting.



and cut more...



and more...


Remove more stuff out of the way.


Check clearance

 

Then continue cutting.




Start "arts and crafts"







All because you're trying to compensate for something...



Delivery especial.



She done... well this portion at least.

 

Thank you sir, very helpful. I know this is all self explanatory but it really helps for planning this out on a daily over a weekend.

 

No problem! I originally wanted to have a thread where we could reference other's tub work but it didn't take off.

I hope someone finds this info useful. I'ts not perfect but whatever. If you're going to attempt to do this, I'd recommend giving yourself more than two days. Cutting one side alone took me a full day. Granted, it depends on your work flow and if you have helping hands but I personally wouldn't enjoy trying to fit both sides in on one weekend.

 

I agree. I would think one side per weekend. Start on one side and do it start to finish. Then see where you’re at and decide if you want to tackle the other side.

“you” as in @zippsub9

first truck I did I was able to do one side per day, but that was with it up on a lift so that helped a lot. Plus it was a 3rd gen 4Runner and I didn’t have to take out quite as much.

My truck I chipped away at it over the course of 3-4 days.

 

Wow u guys are nuts. Got some balls cutting your trucks like that...

At what point did you say "Fuck it I'm gonna buy 35's an tub it?" haha

 

When I needed new tires. I had 34s which barely cleared, tore a sidewall, and then rather than buy a single new 34 I bought five new 35s instead

 

Right about the same time I cut off the cab mounts and stock shackle hangers.

 

It was a snowball effect for me.

I originally bought the truck because I was driving a hoopty around for college. I bought a bike to commute on. I had a long drive to/from work, school, & home, so I wanted something 4x to go camping in or to the snow and wasn't really worried about gas mileage since it wasn't supposed to be a commuter. Was never meant to become this monstrosity. Fast forward 4 years I have progressively pushed the truck and kept the mentality to address the weaknesses, which there have been many.

I've tried to keep the build to the most practical mods and with the focus on addressing the truck's short coming, however I've also developed an attraction to trails and a driving style that these trucks aren't suited for. To answer the question, I've been on 33s for 2+ years and have done pretty much every trail that I want to with them. 35s would have made them "easier" but haven't been required. I was due for new tires and decided "F it," I'm going to spend the money anyway and a larger tire will better suit my driving desires.

Problem is that most people claim that you don't need to do this amount of work to fit a 35s. Which is partially true. Most trucks A) don't because they can get more caster therefore pushing the tire forward, my truck was in a wreck and I'm limited on caster, and B) most people don't have as high of expectations of suspension travel as I do and will accept a little rubbing, self clearance, or limited travel. The combination of the two gave me two final options. Either I accept that 33s will be the largest tire I can fit and buy another set or start cutting... which brings us to today.

The above along with a little motivation from a bet between @Titus94 and I, which for the record I have won. You owe me a beer Colton.

 

I definitely intend on one side a weekend. I will probably do the passenger side first.

 

Nope. I said a beer, not water.

 

That's what I did. Not really sure why though. Flip a coin. Ha

They are equally as challenging. The dirver side has a couple more connectors from the wires coming through the firewall but there is a harness on the passenger side too. The e-brake did serve to be an additional challenge.

 

How are you guys prepping the inside? Pulled the carpet back? Also, I’ve got a DC flux core welder. I know it’s not ideal, but would 18 or 20 gauge weld up good enough for this? 18 is the thinnest it’s rated for, but I’m thinking that may be too thick for the job. I’m going to continue with the sledgehammer, but I think I’ve maxed out its usefulness...