Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Yes, the front end is very stiff. Between the friction of having dual shocks and the stiff springs she doesn't like to boogie much.
I always hated those springs on my SWB TF2. I ended up linking it and now its my favorite trail rig.
I figure its a scale truck anyways and it won't see a lot of trail. The NW offroad springs i had were horribly stiff so at least its scalish. I remember jumping it and hearing a clanging sound on landing only to find my driveshaft was bottoming out.. dang. Shortened that up and then found my front leafs were bent at the axle because my shackles were too short. took my leafs off and pounded them back with a sledgehammer and put them back on with new shackles. Good times!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Decided to go for it and cut the top off and the hood as well. I figured it will make it easer to do the interior too.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

n00b's builds are terrific. Don't feel bad...there aren't too many in that league.

Another suspension tip...you can (and should) ditch the springs in your shocks, especially up front where you're running the dual shock setup. That will allow the leafs to do their job and will also soften up the suspension quite a bit. I run all of my leafed trucks that way, and it works great. "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I like the double shock hoops, goes with the era, however i don'l like how fat the shocks are...

I mostly use a dremel with thin cutter blade.
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Kinda went nuts with the dremel.


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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I have done that in my other TF2 but i may need the springs, This body weighs a ton!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I admire you guys that have the courage and skills to cut up hardbodies like this and actually have it turn into something in the end. I just have not found the balls to do this to one of mine yet. Interested to see how this one turns out. Nice work so far!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Well, didn't do anything on the 4 runner, needed to get the yeti back together. All new rod ends with metal balls front and back.
Got new wheels and tires on the boat trailer and towed it around a bit. A good day id say.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Well i first put in some floor pans with some bent 0.125" styrene. I didn't like the way i looked and the way it fit so i tore it out and installed flat plates with the step. Got a firewall roughed in as well with some 0.030" styrene.
I bought a new hot cutter, works great for the thick stuff. Never worked with styrene before but it is pretty easy to work with and glues great with CA.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Playing around with hanging the doors. Not sure exactly how i need to do it to minimize the door gap but it is looking ok.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

i must have spent another 4 hours removing and repositioning the hinges until they the fit was just right and the doors shut well. Then i filled the gap in with some styrene. Also got the gas filler door installed and working good.
A huge learning curve going on here, not to mention a bit of a test of patience but for some reason i seem to enjoy it. :D

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Very cool build, Love all the body chopping. Have any pics of your doors hinge system?

-Mike

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Thanks, the hinges were a pain but i'm liking having the doors open and close. "thumbsup" Heres a couple close ups of the hinges. I used airplane hatch hinges for the hinges, just trimmed them up a bit to fit. i could have put the pivot on the inside of the fender and had the whole door swing out, which would have been much easier to fit, but i wanted to make them more scale and have the front of the door swing in like the full size truck. I found that moving the hinges back into the door made it swing better for fender clearance.
Just want to say thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions like with the shocks. If anyone has any good suggestions don't be afraid to post, i appreciate it along with the comments. Thanks "thumbsup"

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

I was thinking this thread should be in the 1.55 scale thread instead of the TF2 thread.. does anyone know if a thread can be moved?

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Tail gate went on with some dubro plastic hinges.

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Damn, not bad man

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

thanks for sharing the details on the hinges "thumbsup"

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Haven't got a lot done lately between the holidays and work. Got the front dremeled out and ready for making the grill. I wanted to get the front all done before i put the hood on. Then i got distracted with thinking about the old stereo system i had. Found these little bluetooth speaker systems for $10 at walmart. Each one had two speakers that look just like the 3 old JL 10w6 subs i had. Gutted two of them to get three speakers to put in a custom little sub box. Fun stuff :)

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Lots of body work lately to get it looking decent. The body has a ton of bubbles and pinholes too so its seems like its nonstop bodyfiller, sanding, priming, repeat. Also heated the roof to get the front roof to come out a bit. It was too straight across and the sunroof need a bit of an arch anyways.

Before

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After

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Got the door and canopy magnets installed.

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Coming along pretty good.

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Merry Christmas everyone!

Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Made a cardboard template for the visor and thought i might be able to heat and bend something up with styrene. That did not work at all.

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Then i cut up some 1/32 plywood and glued it together. Some body filler and sanding and it came out pretty good.

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Its really starting to look like the ol girl now. 8)

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Re: 1984 4 runner build
 

Dude that visor kicks ass, really stoked to finally see someone put all the necessary effort into one of these bodies. I know how rough they are from the 2nd gen runner I had.