Thatbassguy's financially irresponsible build and record of where all of my money went

Got the old girl back home on Friday! New fender and headlight with old bumper. The new bumper is going to live in the garage until I figure out what is next for the 4Runner.

 

It's been pretty quiet around here! Nothing going on lately. But, I have a spring project in the works, thanks to a very generous TW member who bought some stuff and didn't end up using it.



The original idea was to use this on my Cargo trailer project. But, since I have no idea how long it's going to be before that takes off, I am trying to figure out a way to use this on the 4Runner. I am considering attaching it to the roof basket to charge a secondary battery, which might eventually power a fridge. Still a lot to figure out, though.

 

Whenever I see solar panel posts it makes me think of the movie Finch (great movie if you have Apple tv).

I think they were deployable in the movie, like a flower blooming, for more surface area. Unless there was a major breakthrough in the past 20 years, I think surface area is still key. I still like the idea of using magnifying glasses to focus the sun's energy into a smaller space but apparently they don't work that way

 

Nice build. Have been read for the last hour plus.
Do you still have the off grid basket by chance?

 

Thank you! It's been a lot of fun!

No, I sold it when I decided to build my own rack. Then, after a few months, I changes my mind and decided to buy the Megawarrior, lol.

The good thing is that I like the Megawarrior better.

 

Sub’d.

I just read though it… really cool build and I liked the automotive history you started with. Inspires me to do my own, very boring, mostly stock (so far) thread.

 

Thank you!

 

Boy, it's getting dusty in here.

I've been getting my money's worth out of the 4Runner. I'm still happy with everything, overall.

I now have about 100K miles on the suspension, so I've been getting antsy about replacing the shocks and struts. I've been happy with the 6112's, but never felt like the 5100's had sufficient damping in back, possibly due to the heavy springs, my added weight, or both.

Being that Bilsteins are digressive, I wanted to stick with something with digressive valving.

So, I just ordered some OME MT64' fronts from Hotshot off-road (with 4007 coils, and they're going to assemble them for me), along with a set of Diode Dynamics SS3 fogs (finally!) and bought a second hand set of MT64 rears from a member here.

Edit: I'm sticking with my current Bilstein B12 heavy rear coils, at least for now.

I'm not sure how long it will take to get everything. But, I'll post an update once everything is delivered, and update after the installation. It's been awhile since I've really put any money into this pit. I can't wait to get it all installed!

 

You better post everything what you do with your rig from now on. I dont think you have a choice anyway....

 

I'll try to do better.

 

It's been a better year for the ice fishermen. I haven't used my ice fishing gear much the last few years, though. We're having another good cold snap, so there's definitely some good ice.

I'll be heading to Lee county in mid February to visit my Mom and her BF, and fish like a mad man. We might even go to the Keys for a few days. I'm excited to kayak fish down there! And, whatever else we decide to do.

I'm almost considering bringing the MT64's down and installing them somewhere warm, if I don't get it done before the trip.

Hopefully the cold moves out before I fet down there!

 

Thank you!

Yes, some of the best fishing days I've ever had have been in my kayak down there!

I have yet to land a really big snook, but I have gained a ton of respect for them now that I've had some better ones on. Lucky for me, a lot of decent sized quality fish move into the canals and the mangrove jungles during the winter. Getting them to bite is one challenge. Keeping the bigger ones on the line is a whole different story altogether.

Even when the fishing isn't great, just being out in the kayak, paddling around all of the little islands makes for a great day!

 

Thanks again for your help! It's great finally doing business with you!

 

Update!

I have received the rears.

Thanks to @Bluto for packing them so well!

These things are BEEFY!

 

USDA All Beef!

 

I saw that.

But, I didn't even know if I'd be able to get them before my Florida trip, so I'm still happy at this point.

With a little luck, I might get these installed before my trip to Florida which would be awesome. Otherwise, I am seriously considering taking them down there and installing them in the driveway at my mom's place, LOL. At least it will be warm.

 

The OME's showed up on Friday! I ended up taking everything to a friend's house, who has a heated garage and is great at wrenching.

We started on the front driver's side strut. The old Bilsteins looked like they had been recovered from a shipwreck. I hadn't realized how nasty they were getting.



We had to wrestle with some stubborn bolts, but we managed to get them both in.

New one in place:



Got the fronts in, and took a spin around the block to settle things a bit. The rears were a piece of cake. I didn't even take a picture of the rear installed at all. I might add a picture later if my buddy took one.

It sat high in front initially, but settled a bit. I think it's sitting a pinch higher than it did with the 6112's, but I didn't take any measurements to confirm. It was dark when I got home, and I worked yesterday, so I finally took a picture this morning after bowling.

 

Looks great, and I’m looking forward to your impressions! Did you use the same rear coils?

 

Yeah, I kept the Bilstein coils.

I'm not sure what I think yet. My initial impression was very positive.

 

Alignment scheduled for this afternoon!

 

It looks like this was before I straightened the stone shield.

 

Awaiting your impressions as well. Do you know what spring rate these have?

 

I went with the 4007 coils as recommended based on the extra weight. Their website says it's a 588# spring rate.

I'll be taking it for an alignment this afternoon, and I'll probably take a ride down some shitty country roads afterwards. I'll report back after that.

 

I forgot to follow up in this. Although, technically, it is still "after that."

All I can really say, as of now, is that it feels "sporty." I wouldn't recommend these to anyone looking for a cushy ride. But, I think I like them.

I'll be taking a 1400 mile trip in a few days, followed by another 267 miles a few days after that. I'll definitely know if I made the right decision after that.

 

Was your test drive unloaded or full up? I'm running Eibachs which seems to balance out well with around 200-250 lbs of 'cargo' out back. Empty I would say stiff but not street prepared stiff.

 

I haven't had it loaded with cargo. But, a lot of the weight I haul is always there. Skids, sliders, bumper, winch, tools and recovery gear. So, I'm fairly loaded down at all times.

I am not complaining. I liked the Bilsteins because of the firm ride. I went with digressive shocks again for that reason.

I bowl tonight, and I'm already mostly loaded up for my Florida trip, so maybe I'll get a good idea of how it will ride with cargo.