FreshSeaBass Build Thread

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After getting out and getting to stretch the legs I'm super pleased to get a chance at working this out and now comfortably switch between daily-ing the 4Runner and my commuter. The road manners are amazing, suspension feels dialed, and I don't have any alignment issues thanks to the Opt Cam delete tabs. With a decent amount of constant weight out back, the OME 2851 springs ride really well. Supple over small bumps, but not too soft. Big bumps and drops are where they shine. Rear shocks are next on the list. Bilstein 9100's or 7100's are the top contenders. Will be looking more into some of the B8 8100 series as well. I don't really have a huge need for the reservoirs, but it's what is available on them.

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if 8" coilovers on stock width geometry has ever been done on the 3rd gen platform before?
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*Update* all the kinks are worked out of the fitment and on the bright side, the proof of concept is there, but the bad news is that I'll be switching to hoops and not keeping the towers. After trying to sort out ideas on how to run the hoses and this massive res, I realized that I wouldn't have any issues whatsoever with running a hoop that is properly braced to the frame. Time to get some tube and chop...chop...chop. Does anyone have any wise words of advice as to the hoops? I know what I want and what I need, but I've not ever made a set of hoops before.

Criteria:
- Clear UCA & Coilover fitting
- Braced and gusseted to the frame rail front to back and laterally
- 1/4 frame reinforcement plate for the outriggers
- Angle to match the reservoir hose

In other news, @eimkeith bumper is soon to be on its way and I'll get started on the tank modifications to keep out of commission for as little time as possible.

Here's a short drive up a wet mountain about a week ago:
 
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Edit**: the other solution that I had thought of was to add a pass through in the backside of the tower to run the reservoir through which would obviously mean building a new hose , but it was less expensive and less time consuming to do, but I am just not sure if adding the tube supports to the tower would be enough for that to be safe.

Anyone's criticism is welcome.

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eimkeith

IFSFFS.
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Edit**: the other solution that I had thought of was to add a pass through in the backside of the tower to run the reservoir through which would obviously mean building a new hose , but it was less expensive and less time consuming to do, but I am just not sure if adding the tube supports to the tower would be enough for that to be safe.

Anyone's criticism is welcome.

View attachment 28206


I'd absolutely do that - if the reservoir has enough space to go through and turn before it hits engine things.
 
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I'd absolutely do that - if the reservoir has enough space to go through and turn before it hits engine things.

This is pretty encouraging. I'd just hate to have to undo everything. Do you have any concerns about the structural rigidity of it? I feel like it should be more than strong enough? There is more than enough room for the hose to run through the back and out to the front where the tube support would be... This would just allow me to keep the 90 degree fitting out of the way of the UCA.
 

kasnerd

Danny's Red Headed Step Child
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Edit**: the other solution that I had thought of was to add a pass through in the backside of the tower to run the reservoir through which would obviously mean building a new hose , but it was less expensive and less time consuming to do, but I am just not sure if adding the tube supports to the tower would be enough for that to be safe.

Anyone's criticism is welcome.

View attachment 28206

Curious, doe-eyed, innocent question. If you aren't worried about the shock through bolt hole, why would you worry about a hole with 8-10x the metal around it in the back?
 

eimkeith

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Do you have any concerns about the structural rigidity of it?

nope. I'd be comfortable with a hole 50% of that area in it (the reservoir should be smaller than that, yeah?)
the back wall is just there to keep the sides from flexing, really.
 
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Curious, doe-eyed, innocent question. If you aren't worried about the shock through bolt hole, why would you worry about a hole with 8-10x the metal around it in the back?

I have a tendency to err on the side of caution with this kind of stuff. You guys rock, it's always worth getting input from people that are worth their salt and know what they are talking about. Again, I'm just overly-cautious.

@eimkeith

Good stuff, these are things that experience will show you over time. The FEA is fine with it in the model, but I always doubt myself.... especially when my life (could) depend on it.


You guys are the real MVP's. :rockon:
 

eimkeith

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I have a tendency to err on the side of caution with this kind of stuff. You guys rock, it's always worth getting input from people that are worth their salt and know what they are talking about. Again, I'm just overly-cautious.

@eimkeith

Good stuff, these are things that experience will show you over time. The FEA is fine with it in the model, but I always doubt myself.... especially when my life (could) depend on it.


You guys are the real MVP's. :rockon:


no warranty on my bad advice, btw. ;)
 
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Lately I've been on a bit of a kick. I'm starting to feel the build bug again, especially with wanting to go the route of hoops. There's just no room to keep the tower. The tower unfortunately is more inhibiting with how I want to add a secondary up front. I took to starting on the interior to give myself a bit of a break from the headache and the whole interior is stripped back to the bare tub. Sound deadening and either a molded carpet or vinyl to replace it. Oh, I also found this gem, and I'll start on splicing the pigtail to get the temp sensor, altimeter, barometer, and compass running.

Alti 1.jpg Alti 2.jpgAlti 5.jpg
 
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Back to the regularly scheduled programming. I absolutely destroyed my PS line & smacked the diff mount metal washer-thing. I guess I need to replace that line and build a front skid....

I need to make another set of frame brackets for the t-case mounted crossmember for shifting the case back, cut off and clean the old one to fit all of the dual case hardware.

BJ45 TD Landcruiser nearby for sale. Australian import.

Rebuilding these coilovers for a buddy who's friend took a set of vice grips to clamp them *facepalm"

I finally got some stuff back in order at the shop and im going to make some sliders for (hopefully) an upcoming trip if the track doesn't flood too bad
 

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Joined
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My field monitor unit arrived from Japan today just as I was wrapping up work, so I went and chopped up a few dead trees up the hill, grabbed the label maker and cranked up some bluegrass for the evening. Going through my wiring diagram from the Hilux Surf to label all of my control wires and start making a loom to run all of the accessories.
 

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Joined
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Update number 2: *Unrelated to vehicles* It's starting to set in that my wife and I are home owners. It's insane how it all hits you at once. I had yet to Christen the driveway with a bonfire so, I did.... Then I looked up. I grabbed my phone and snapped this incredible snippit of the grandeur on display here in the mountains. Neat.
 

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4runner DOA

Hold my beer
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Update number 2: *Unrelated to vehicles* It's starting to set in that my wife and I are home owners. It's insane how it all hits you at once. I had yet to Christen the driveway with a bonfire so, I did.... Then I looked up. I grabbed my phone and snapped this incredible snippit of the grandeur on display here in the mountains. Neat.

Nice. One of the reasons I love the desert is the night sky.
 
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IMG_20201006_203924.jpg

The factory FMU pigtail is all labeled and I pulled the FMU apart to splice the 12v + C to the map light circuit. (+) Coming from the factory Base model map light. Thinking I might want to add an amber ambient cabin light in there. Rear view mirror w/ an integrated OLED reverse camera screen is on the list of to-do's.

Coming up: sound deadening, mass loaded vinyl, and a new molded black carpet.

Anyone ever seen front AND rear bucket seats in a 3rd gen? ....because it's happening.
 

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4runner DOA

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View attachment 28929

The factory FMU pigtail is all labeled and I pulled the FMU apart to splice the 12v + C to the map light circuit. (+) Coming from the factory Base model map light. Thinking I might want to add an amber ambient cabin light in there. Rear view mirror w/ an integrated OLED reverse camera screen is on the list of to-do's.

Coming up: sound deadening, mass loaded vinyl, and a new molded black carpet.

Anyone ever seen front AND rear bucket seats in a 3rd gen? ....because it's happening.

I think the one thing I'm most excited about with building my Tacoma over the 4runner, is I prefer the bucket seats in my Tacoma over the standard sr5 seats in my 4runner.
 
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I think the one thing I'm most excited about with building my Tacoma over the 4runner, is I prefer the bucket seats in my Tacoma over the standard sr5 seats in my 4runner.

I am looking to probably just pick up some new PVC/faux leather/cloth reclining bucket seats and make mounts for them off of the factory points. I ditched the rear bench seat and I have a low mount I made running across from Pass to Driver so that I can mount two more reclining buckets back there. Carrying 5 people in there is just silly IMO. I'd like to make a rear console with decent cup holders in conjunction with the new front center console I have to now make.
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Something to the likes of this riveted console
 
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