matzell's 4runner "mod class" build

[matzell]

Next up was to figure out how to route the exhaust for clearance. I ended up turning the manifolds into "headers" and added some tube and flanges. Then used some of the "j" bends and bent some pipe to make it all fit together. I still need to make up the drivers side leg from the manifold to the y-pipe and install the o2 sensor. It tucked up very good and should clear everything. You can see I kept within the new 1.5" x 3" rule for the frame and still got some added room for the exhaust to fit.

I should be able to finish the exhaust tommorrow and then start cutting the front bump stops off and reworking then to mount the new airbumps.

[twoslo4five0]

this thing looks good, i need to stop by and sneak a peak...

[matzell]

I finished the exhaust up and started on the front suspension. I cut off all the old bump stops and shock mounts. I then mounted the bump cans for the new air bump stops.

[matzell]

Next I had to unbolt the leaf springs to get the air bumps out. I have about 8" of vertical travel with it split about 50/50 up down. Up next was the new shock mounts. Now just a waiting game for the new shocks to come in. Joel at Bilstein is building me a set of 9100 series remote resevoir coil over shocks. I am going to run them without springs for now but they will allow me to reuse the shocks if I link it in the future.

[DJ404564X4]

Originally Posted by matzell

Getting into the racer mindset I went shopping! Gotta think about the truck bugget!

Consider it a diet, that's what I did....

[Random Thoughts Race]

Originally Posted by matzell

Next I had to unbolt the leaf springs to get the air bumps out. I have about 8" of vertical travel with it split about 50/50 up down. Up next was the new shock mounts. Now just a waiting game for the new shocks to come in. Joel at Bilstein is building me a set of 9100 series remote resevoir coil over shocks. I am going to run them without springs for now but they will allow me to reuse the shocks if I link it in the future.

Rob, expect a large padded box in the next few days. Welcome to the team and I look forward to working on your rig at KOH 2013 if not sooner.

Joel @ Bilstein

[matzell]

Joel,

I got your pic! I can not wait to get them on and test them out.

Thanks again for all your support and help!

[toyoturd]

i like and will copy the shock hoops on my current build

good luck and lets see this thing abused in koh 2013!

[tazmaniandevil]

Hi Guys I noticed your side doors look good , your required to a side bar welded into cage to protect driver and passenger from side impact. no bolt ons must be welded in. You could weld in a side bar on iside of thsoe bolt on tube doors.

[jpcjguy]

Looking real good Rob!

[matzell]

My co-driver Dwight came over today to help. We broke out the sawzall and cut off some of the old cage, bent some tube, and made a short hard top to put on it. I got the idea for the top from Kajo over in the Toyota forum. Thanks.

I still have some cross bracing to install. Overall a good day and I got the front end together and the bumps mounted up. Shocks will be here soon.

[matzell]

We also built the firewall in the bed behind the seats.

[broncolou]

Looking great! I am not the only one racing a truck I have had for 15 years.......

[whypave]

I had a real race buggy if you wanted to hack up your junk that badly I hope you really like racing now. Or maybe more like fast rec wheeling

[matzell]

Originally Posted by whypave

I had a real race buggy if you wanted to hack up your junk that badly I hope you really like racing now. Or maybe more like fast rec wheeling

I could not afford to repair yours if I wadded it up. I can park mine off to the side of the garage. It was a great offer, that dragon might have been a little much for my return to racing, I can scare myself in mine...

I plan to finish the hard top and add a back window in the future for winter wheeling, and the doors and windshield can still go back in so it will be weathertight. The cross bracing will go just behind the top secton. This is something I have thought about doing for quite a while, it just made since to do it now.

I installed a lift kit on a Ford superduty today and made enough money to pay the entry for the RCQ race. Now if they would just release some more details!

[TN-D90]

who makes those safety cutters?

[matzell]

Originally Posted by TN-D90

who makes those safety cutters?

I got them from Liquid Iron, I do not know who makes them. Give them a call I am sure Tim can help you out.

[UGET IT]

Originally Posted by matzell

I got them from Liquid Iron, I do not know who makes them. Give them a call I am sure Tim can help you out.

They make right in house!

[matzell]

I got a few packages today, shocks, window nets and number decals. I actually got a few pieces of tube bent and installed too. I installed two bars across the back to protect from "nerfing" and other love taps... I also got one of the diag braces in. Still a lot of tube to add. After the wreck at the Badlands I learned the lesson of having a good supportive cage, I just wish it would have had one more bar across the pass head area. I will be sure to add that to mine!

[matzell]

I got some more work on the cage done, lots more cross bracing... 3 weeks to go!

[matzell]

I got the cage finished and painted. I decided now was the time to finish the hardtop as well. A little fiberglass, body filler and it was done. I also managed to get the fuel cell in and plumbed and install a factory gm in-tank pump.

[matzell]

I took the side bars off to skin them with .090 aluminum. It may be a little thick but I figured it would hold up for a while. It was cheaper to buy the aluminum than the Lexan I looked at Per the rules I will have to "weld" the side bars on...

[Boomtacoma01]

Nice work.

sent from my Galaxy 2 Skyrocket

[matzell]

I got the side bar skins made. I used my "poor mans brake" to bend the metal. I tried to fill the gap to keep mud out of the cab. I also have them angled out to avoid water spray.

Now for some sponsors!!! As a friend of mine said, "whores and Benjamins".

Install window nets and catch cans and I can scratch my Ultra 4 tech sheet. there are still a few little things left but I think it is ready!

[Kajo4x4toy]

Rob,

Looking good with the mods for racing.