Recent projects and upgrades!!

[STRRAYNGE]

Hey everyone, its been quite awhile since ive been on here. Just been busy with life in general and projects. Anyways, wanted to get back on and try to catch up. Ive been busy building a little 83 Toyota crawler over the past year and a half. Building it for my daughters, but I get to drive it some for now. I just built the roll cage myself. Finished it about 2 weeks ago. Also recently did quite a bit to the wifes WJ the past week or so. Hope to meet up with some of yall again soon and hit the trails!

Toyota:
1983 Pickup
Propane
5.29 Gearing
High Pinion Front 3rd
Dual T-Cases
Crossover Steering w/Hydro Assist
Locked front and rear
37" Iroks
Rear roll cage and flat bed (I will finish the rest of the exo once I paint it)
Chromoly axles and birfs
4 link rear and 3 link front coming this fall!
Lots and lots more, just too much to list!

Jeep:
2001 Grand Cherokee WJ
We had been running just a 4" short arm lift on it for the past 3 years, but I finally installed a 6.5" Long arm on it last week. Not alot of goodies on it yet, but it will get there.

[xaza]

Life keeps us busy sometimes. Are the girls helping with their toy? Propane? Sweet projects!

[STRRAYNGE]

They have helped a little. Not as much as I told them they needed too, but a little. They drove it all last year. I hooked up a thumb throttle and let them work the clutch and gears while I worked the throttle. But towards the end of the year, they got to where they worked everything. Very proud of them. They love their truck. Last year it was on 35s and open front diff. It should do alot better this year!! Ill find out Memorial Day! Yes, it is on propane. Tried running a brand new Weber on it first trip out last year, and immediately said as soon as we get home from that trip, I was buying propane, so I did!

[xaza]

That is sweet. I am about to be going down that path with my daughter, we'll see how much she really gets involved.

[STRRAYNGE]

Hopefully you have better luck than I did! Believe me, when I start painting it and finishing the rest of the exo, they are helping!

[redneck23ms]

looks good. i've been following your progress on facebook

[STRRAYNGE]

Lol, yeah, ive got tons of pics on there!

[STRRAYNGE]

Starting on some tube doors tomorrow. Anyone on here know where I can buy some latches, locally, Fort Collins area? Ive got a spare set of doors im going to use the hinges off of, but need some latches.

[EKXJ87]

I just completed a set of tube doors on a XJ and used the oem latches, are the Toyotas much different?

[STRRAYNGE]

I was thinking about doing that as well. I will see if I can use the ones I have at home. Im hoping to build some half doors out of my spares, and build some tube doors. But, it probably wont work out as planned.

[EKXJ87]

I found that doing tubes with a latch plate was somewhat easy and they shut real nice

[STRRAYNGE]

Nice, I was actually looking at your door thread early this morning. Those came out really nice!

[Brucker]

Looks like a fun project for the whole family!

[The StRanger]

Very nice ride..

[carpenle]

Looks great John, you have put a ton of work into it.

[STRRAYNGE]

Thanks Levi! Its been a fun build for sure. I did get started on some tube doors over the weekend. Still gotta finish them up and put a latch on them. But just did a simple build for now, nothing overboard. Just used up some of the drop pieces from my roll cage.

[STRRAYNGE]

Gonna start on a tcase skid plate today. Did a cheesy cardboard mock up last night. Bought some 1/4" plate yesterday and gonna see what I can do.

[EKXJ87]

Nice job on the tube doors 1-3/4" tubing? I'm a master at working with "cheezy cardboard" is my favorite material lol

[STRRAYNGE]

Yeah, 1 3/4 DOM. Had some drop left over from my roll cage, so decided to make use of it. Im crossing fingers I did the cardboard good enough. I just used the plasma cutter here at work and got all the pieces cut from my 1/4" plate to build the skid. Ill report back later with good news I hope!

[Wesleyc112544]

I live for and love that old Toyota look! I am currently running a flatbed on my 85' pickup. But I want to put dove tailed skins over it with cut fenders. I am a huge fan of that doved rear end look. And going up from my 33"s would be cool to! Lol. Any one want to spend a weeken with a welder, some beers and burgers when it warms up!? Hahaha!

[STRRAYNGE]

So, here is the update on my skid plate. I bought all the material and cut it out Friday morning. But, I also found a steal of a deal on a FROR skid down at Yoda Jims. So, I headed down to Yoda Jims Friday and bought that one, but also started building the one I mocked up. Im not done with it yet, but it is coming along fairly well. I went ahead and installed the FROR skid for now, at least until I finish up the one im building.

[EKXJ87]

Nice upgrades that should give you piece of mind while on the rocks, looking good!

[STRRAYNGE]

I appreciate it! I sure cringed all last year when I had to go over a rock that I didnt know for sure how big it was! This year I will have more confidence for sure!

[STRRAYNGE]

Ok, yota got another facelift! This was the girls choice! Also got new grille and headlight doors since the others were melted from PO parking too close to a campfire.

[redneck23ms]

looks good. now that you have the bed cage done are you going to put an exo on the front as well?

[dieseldoc]

looking good man.
no we will be able to see that thing in the dark too.....

[STRRAYNGE]

Haha, yeah, it should glow now!

As far as the exo goes, yes, I plan to finish it up this fall. I want to replace both front fenders first.

[STRRAYNGE]

Well, trial run this weekend since upgrades. Gonna do a little camping and wheeling. Can't wait!

[dieseldoc]

Looks good man!
Hope you get some good wheeling in this weekend.