Chino's new Toyota

[chino63]

Here's an update on this thing.

Had an incident with the spare tire swingout... Super lucky no one got in it's path of destruction!





New bigger spindle from 4x4labs to replace the failed one.





With some help and use of his metal shop my good friend Rudy and I finally finished the skid plate (Thanks Jeepindoug for bending the front tube to match rear tube!).













Also found a winch on Craigslist for a fair price and made a mount out of 1/4" plate. It sits a little offset to the right, I wanted some room if I ever need to change the gear box.

[chino63]

Can't forget, my best little helper doing something non mischievous for once (note the OSHA approved safety sandals).





Here's the front bumper with a new coat of paint and the winch bolted down. Need to replace the rat's nest of cable and run the wires to the battery.

[chino63]

One thing that concerns me is the fairlead sits higher than I think it should. The opening is about a third of the way up if the cable is fully spooled, so the last wrap feeds without touching the roller.

Not sure if this will be an issue or not. Any thoughts?

[WHITE-TRASH]

Originally Posted by chino63

Thanks, I know they are not as strong as the Aisin hubs but I have two pair to play with. I've heard stories about these letting go but I don't plan on beating this truck too hard.

Not to mention, I'm out of coin after purchasing the NV4500, Orion and ARB's, still need Longfields too.

Don't run longs with those hubs. When the gear breaks it'll strip the splines off the birfield and there is no warranty for that damage unless you run long hub gears in aisin hubs.



As for the fair lead it'll be fine.

[chino63]

Thanks, not to worry, i have some aisin hubs here and i ordered the hub gears with the longs, they are all sitting here waiting to be installed.

[JeremyH]

That spindle is beef! Nice work.

[chino63]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

That spindle is beef! Nice work.

Thanks.

[chino63]

Very minor update, installed some LED lights from a local company called Bulldog Lighting back in Feb. before we went to KOH. They came complete with harness, switch, relay and hardware for $400. Also installed the ARB's, Longfields and 4.56 gears.



Made a simple pod to mount the switches on the center console. Probably not the best location but there's no room on the dash for them and I didn't want them under the dash. Since I have short arms, leaning forward to reach the switches/taking my eye off the trail didn't seem like a good idea while crawling. Where they are, my right hand falls directly to them from the shifter and I can actuate the lockers without looking.



Last thing, I got some 35" MT/R Kevlars mounted on 15x8 steelies.



These were a bitch to balance, two would error out on the tire balancer no matter where I had the tire clocked on the rim and the other two took way more weight than I felt comfortable with. Scratch the tape on weights, broke out the Dynabeads. Had a fun time figuring out how many ounces of Dynabeads to put in them, started with the recommended 8oz and increased an ounce at a time. Finally settled on 12oz in each, no vibes till after 70 so we're good.

Looking forward to some wheeling this summer!

[toyofast]

Dean, this thing is really nice. I'm a bit jealous.

[chino63]

Originally Posted by toyofast

Dean, this thing is really nice. I'm a bit jealous.

Thanks man, I had to get it. Just enough wrong with it to make me feel ok about wheeling it. I'd love to get up your way sometime and explore the PNW, one of my goals for the cruiser.

[toyofast]

Originally Posted by chino63

Thanks man, I had to get it. Just enough wrong with it to make me feel ok about wheeling it. I'd love to get up your way sometime and explore the PNW, one of my goals for the cruiser.

The Central Oregon area is filled with some excellent wheeling. Rocks are grippy(lava rocks) and the views are great too.

I'd like to head your way to run the Rubicon and maybe Fordyce one of these days. Although I don't have a tow rig yet, so anywhere I go I need to drive there and back in the Toyota.

[chino63]

Fordyce is on my summer "to do" list, bringing it to axialfest.

I'll be in Bend this summer visiting my parents but unfortunately wont have the cruiser with me.

I need a tow rig too...

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Nice work Dean! Coming a long nicely, the new treads and lights look good

[JohnRobHolmes]

An absolutely fabulous rig you have there, I love what work you have done over the past few years. I just got a 95 pickup to cut my teeth on, starting with replacing all the steering.

[1BadJeepBruiser]

Originally Posted by JohnRobHolmes

An absolutely fabulous rig you have there, I love what work you have done over the past few years. I just got a 95 pickup to cut my teeth on, starting with a solid axle swap and high steer

[JonnnScott]

I wouldnt want to take that off road, That body looks like its in awesome shape.

[chino63]

Originally Posted by JonnnScott

I wouldnt want to take that off road, That body looks like its in awesome shape.

Looks better in the pictures.

[Postclanker]

Chino's being modest....it looks awesome