Nate's build

Yeah. It's up and running now. You can see the charge controller on the relay/fuse panel. One of these days I'll see how long I can run the fridge without charging up the second battery with the alternator and only the solar panel.

 

Taking out the panels gets easier over time. This thing was stripped out in less that 10 minutes. And I SHOULD sound deaden this thing while it's all out.

 

Awesome! can't wait to see the results! How did you run your wiring for the panel?

 

I guess I should be more specific. Did you go through the roof or down the back?

 

whoa... great reference photo of what's under all the AC interior.

 

Down the back tucked into the weather stripping for the window and in though the rear bulkhead of the cab.

 

Do I spy some twin sticks?

 

TURTLE STICKS!

 

I want those bad! I've been pricing out all pros SAS kit. So tempting.

Do you know if RST has working front wheel sensors? (Sorry to deviate)

 

So beautiful. Nothing but respect for you man!

Quick questions, where did you get your shift boots?

 

I assume you mean wheel speed sensors? If so, RST has a Wheel Speed Sensor Kit for when you swap out axles and is driven off the T-Case. If you are looking to go straight axle check with Wyatt @awsumdc and see what he can do for you. I remember him working on putting together a kit of varying degrees depending on what axles you wanted to go with.

Thanks man! Did all that to clean up some water that was spilled a while back and wasn't going away and to cleanly run air pressure line to pressure gauge.

Boots are from RST also. I may have an extra crawler box boot somewhere. It ain't pretty but if you need one I'll look around and see if I can find it to send your way.

 

Thanks @Nate87! I'll look into it. I was wondering about the front the wheel sensorsfor the ABS.

 

Sweet! No, I was just curious for when I do that swap. Thanks man

 

Here are some more photos from the Marlin Crawler box instal. For any and ALL other references you'll ever need go to the RST Forum to check out Wyatt's documented process for installing a manual t-case into a taco along with the needed wiring.

Had to trim a few spots in the center console area to clear the sticks.
The right of the coin slot to clear the stick while under torque. And boy does this thing torque!!


The bottom right of the shifter plastic that moves as you shift. Also a little of the white plastic to the right below the hex phillips screw. Keep in mind that every install will vary slightly depending on how the sticks are bent up into the console. So instal the sticks first then clear as needed or rebend the sticks.




Parking brake mount needed to be trimmed. Prior to cut.


After.
It does make the parking brake feel softer but still works.








Checking clearance when all shifters converge.




Console cut for twin sticks


Check fitment with plastic in place




Outline the trim piece


Attach shifter boots


And done


Next the exhaust had to be rerouted. You can see how much further back it needs to go form stock. It was made so that the whole mid section can be unbolted and dropped down out the way if needed.












Crawler mount off the tranny crossmember


Here is the added DPDT momentary switch from OTRATTW for the front Toyota 4x4 A.D.D. differential actuator. I may move it to a different location eventually. But it's good there for now. Again, follow the wiring on the RST forum that @awsumdc covers in great detail for more info.


Next was the driveshaft. The rear needed to be shortened and front extended. The front was straight forward. For the rear I went with a single piece shaft rather than keep the factory 2 piece. I was already getting carrier bearing noise/vibrations at low speed take off so rather than deal with that a 1 piece it was. Also, with the t-case moved back it would create a more severe driveline angle at the joint which COULD cause more vibe issues but not always. However, with the one piece, it should in theory hang lower than the two piece since there isn't that joint to keep it angled out the way, BUT, the one piece is not as fat of a shaft as the two so I'll call it a wash on that. Only this was I needed to swap out the flanges at the t-case and 3rd member to fit this type of shaft.
Triple dilled flange on t-case






At the 3rd


Crawler mount. And don't laugh at my hack job of clearing the @Pelfreybilt mid skid. That was LITERALLY done at the trail head going into John Bull with a Dremel tool and ball peen hammer as everyone was airing down. Glad I did. Stuff would have gotten mangled under there otherwise.




Then recently I tried to clean things up a bit. Wyatt gave me an extra crawler boot that had a better fit. Smaller at the neck. While that was being put in I painted the trim ring in the same spray on bedliner I've been using and cleaned up some of the plastic edges.






Metal clips were used to keep boot in place. They are available at most local hardware stores.


Trimmed to fit


And done!!


So after all that, I'm SUPER stoked on how it all turned out. When it was all said and done, I had a smile from ear to ear because of how SLOW this thing can crawl!! The best part is all the dash lights work as they should and no funny business going on. E-Locker can be engaged any time now and not just 4-low. You have the positive feeling of manually shifting into high and low as well and 2 and 4wd.

Another swap done courtesy of RST. Wyatt is a top notch dude and was EXTREMELY helpful throughout the entire install. He talked me through parts of the install that had specific instructions and what all needed to be done. Big thanks to him and Ray.

This setup did great up in John Bull and many other trails since. Just baffling how much control you have..... Now for the bad.... Yup, there is a bad. I have to say R.I.P. to the fallen cup holder that gave its life to make way for the twin sticks. You will be forever missed . Also, after spending time with the RST guys, the thought of a straight axle can't leave my mind. I think it's inevitable
There there is the now useless 4wd switch in the dash. One might ask what'll be done about that.


Well, I have a plan for that too Stay tuned and thanks for watching!

Nate

 

Wow!! Quite the accomplishment to you sir!! Such a clean install!

 

Holy crap! That's awesome. Low and slow baby

 

Thanks man. I try to have all installs looking as clean as possible. That bottom edge looks a bit crooked so I'm sure that'll get addressed at one point.

 

Hell yeah! As long as there's traction somewhere, this thing will keep crawling. Getting all the sticks to fit is like stuffing 20 pounds of crap in a 5 pound bag.

 

Question about your solar panel... Can you hook it up to your regular battery to run lights and radio/tvs all day without having to start your car? Or how does that all work? Sorry! New to this stuff!

 

Guess ill tag onto the post above. Just so I'm understanding this right, Solar panel/charger/battery? or am I missing something in-between thats needed for the panel to charge the battery.