My kid lost interest so I'll build it for the Lil Mrs. build

I don’t know if you’d consider this, but looked pretty cool.

https://optoffroad.com/products/high-clearance-skid-plates-3g4r-1gtaco?variant=45786976321794

Just have to run a 2rz rad or an aluminum rad and a trans cooler.

 

And more cutting done.

 

I've already got a set of 4x Innovations skids. And the Opt Offroad skids are only 3/16.

I've beat the shit out of my 1/4 4x Innovations on my truck and they have held up. I'm not sure 3/16 would.

 

drivers side done.

 

BTW... I reached out to TEDesigns and they got back to me. I just want to say they a SUPER freaking cool. I emailed back and forth with them pretty much all day yesterday, chatting about plans and wheeling etc.

Unfortunately they don't have any plans to do a cage for a 3rd Gen 4Runner. It's all about the fact that they haven't had anyone interested, that could be a test pig for them. Being that they are in Salt Lake City, I'm no help either. They would need someone local, with a 3rd Gen T4R that wants a cage built. They DID, however, let me know, that if they can walk me through something I'm hung up on, to just reach out and ask.

They do cages for 1 Gen extra cab, 1 gen back half, 2 Gen Cages, Back half, and an engine cage. Judging by their helpfulness, and general attitude, I would highly recommend at least considering them, if someone wants a product they offer.

 

Was completely NOT motivated to do anything yesterday. First order of business is to get the garage somewhat cleaned up from last weekend.

Hoping to at least get the rest of the cuts done on the front aprons and check for clearance tonight. That's going to be somewhat a pain in the ass, because I discovered my son welded the battery tray, he made, to the inner apron. Big, fat, 1/2 inch plug welds... fun.

Hopefully I get through that and in to removing the rear bumper, and marking the rear fenders for cuts.

The Prototractors from Rouge Fab are out for delivery. Kind of excited to see what they are all about.

 

While no one (besides 4xInnovations) makes a 4runner cage, you could check out Bronco cages for some ideas you might incorporate into your cage.

Solo and Desolate make them as well as Harrisbuilt Motorsports

 

My main thing is just making sure all the intersections are in the right places. I know those are important, but I'm not exactly sure what the requirements are.

Hell, no one makes 3rd Gen T4R cages. Maybe I should buy Bend Tech Pro, and keep good notes, and make templates for my copes... and start selling 3 gen T4R cages.

 

Prototractors got here.

These things are fricken NICE! Very high quality tools in my opinion.



Hopefully they take a little bit of the guess work out of the process.

 

Definitely not a race spec cage, but 4x does:

https://www.4xinnovations.com/96-02-4-Runner-Internal-Roll-Cage_p_142.html

The 4x cages get a lot of flack on here where few people cage their truck, but on BLGT where many if not most of the builds are caged, it's considered at least a little of a time saver if you just want a play truck cage and redo the a-pillars and add diagonals and lacing throughout.

 

Ya, I meant no one makes a race spec... or even close to race spec cage.

Ya, I'm familiar with the 4x Innovations cage. It isn't race spec, and can't even be added to, to be even close, to race spec.

 

If you're going to race this are you going to remove all the glass before you cage it or are you going to keep the windows and make a play truck that could eventually be raced if preferred?

 

The plan is to build it so if I decide we're going to race it, we can.

Windshield already needs to be replaced, so it's coming out for the cage.

Rear hatch will be off for the cage build.

Rear side windows are going to be pulled. After the cage is in I'm going to replace the rear side windows with sheet metal.

Sunroof is coming out and will be replaced with a sheet metal panel.

Dash will be removed for the cage. (For A-pillars and the dash bar) I'll need the dash bar inside the dash so I can run the engine cage off of it.

The windshield will be replaced (at least for the time being) after the cage is complete.

 

The cage is going to be built within Race spec... or at least the foundation of it will be. I may need to add additional cross bars etc. But the main tubes will be the initial cage build.

The main tubes will have to be 2 inch x .120 wall. That's why the 4x cage is a no go (it's 1.75 x .120 wall... and the B and C pillars are 2 piece... and the A pillars have an S bend).

 

Kind of what I thought. I wasn't sure if you were saying there weren't any cages or just race spec cages for 3rd gens. I saw you had 2" for the curb weight so yeah there won't be anything for that - any play truck pre bent cages are usually smaller except for full size builds. I don't think anyone would be able to make money off of a beefier cage. I'd say all that sounds reasonable. Not a daily prerunner and not a bare bones race vehicle until if you decide you want to do that.

 

https://tedesigns.com/

@10YSON suggested these guys. They do make 2 inch tube, race spec cages for 1st gen and 2nd gen Tacomas, they make back half's too. (Shipped ready to weld) I reached out to them about a 3rd Gen T4R. They don't make them only because they haven't had someone come in that wanted one. (They need a test pig to fit).

Unfortunately they are in SLC. So, this rig won't do them any good. They are SUPER FREAKING COOL though.

 

A lot of chevy guys like their cages, too. Here's a 1G Tundra walkaround with their cage. I got excited when I saw they were coming out with a 1G Taco cage, but not when I saw how intense it was haha. A 1.75 3 seater is what I would like eventually.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYY98imdHY0

 

Judging by that guy's resume... Him saying TEDesigns makes a good cage is definately something.

 

Here's the type of people you're dealing with, with TEDesigns.

I sent them a screen shot of the shout out I gave them in the LT thread.




Here was their reaction.




They seem like really good people. A small, local, shop just trying to get by. They obviously do good work judging by what dude in the video was saying.

For sure, if someone is asking about a cage for a Silverado, Square body, Ranger, Bronco, F150, Tacoma, Tundra, etc... I'm pointing them towards TEDesigns. I just wish they did work on T4R.

 

And also... FWIW

I am in no way smack talking 4x Innovations cage. It just won't work with my build. For a weekend warrior only project, that cage is more than sufficient and would provide a great base to work off of. (It would CERTAINLY be safer than an exo-cage... for sure)

I run 4x Innovations skids on my Tacoma. And I don't think any other skids would have held up as well. They are one of the few that do 1/4 IFS skids for 1st Gen. I like them so well, I'm glad I'll be running the same skids on the T4R.

ALSO... I have reached out to them in the past, with questions, and they have always been prompt and cool with their answers.