I'm retrofitting a factory tire swing onto my 4runner over Xmas break...follow along!
12-26-2016, 05:00 PM
#21
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Colorado, metro area.
I'll probably just weld up whatever I take out. Gonna keep things simple. Here is what I've learned from working on my '90...as long as I rust proof my welds on both sides, I'm in good shape. I welded up the lower quarters behind the rear wheel wells, 1 about a year ago and the other about 6 months ago - both were full of rust! It was really eye opening. Going to do 2 things....going to put some drain holes in them and then going to epoxy-coat them after I de-rust (using rust-b-gone...works really well) and then use some corrosion inhibitor and also wipe a bunch of grease all over inside. I FREAKING HATE RUST haha.
I'll probably just weld up whatever I take out. Gonna keep things simple. Here is what I've learned from working on my '90...as long as I rust proof my welds on both sides, I'm in good shape. I welded up the lower quarters behind the rear wheel wells, 1 about a year ago and the other about 6 months ago - both were full of rust! It was really eye opening. Going to do 2 things....going to put some drain holes in them and then going to epoxy-coat them after I de-rust (using rust-b-gone...works really well) and then use some corrosion inhibitor and also wipe a bunch of grease all over inside. I FREAKING HATE RUST haha.
12-26-2016, 10:18 PM
#22
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Well gents, more progress.
A fair 22 degrees it was (unheated garage), as the smell of burnt metal continues.
As you recall, I still had this big lump of sheet metal that the bottom lug of the reinforcement plate would not go past.
Well, not that it was pretty, but it was about to change. https://sli.mg/s1Alsw
Then more cutting...more ugliness...
https://sli.mg/O926vr
This would all be impossible without my 90 degree dremel elbow. A useful attachment it is.
At this point, I just started getting stupid (no alcohol) and start smashing things and bending and twisting metal. There is a point, and every man reaches it. And I reached mine. Hindsight being 20/20, I'm still good with it though. There is no real alternative solution that I was able to come up with in my head. On many of the cuts, around the corner, I was flying blind, and the last thing I wanted to do was cut a hole to the outside. Even though that would have been fixable, it would have been that 'special moment' I seem to have frequently with these projects. That didn't happen, and I'll take it.
https://sli.mg/pz3cRX
Once I knocked (literally) all that junk out of the way, I said under my breath "This thing better fit..." and whala -
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
So, there was major success. Life was good. I was happy. But life, it seems, is not without its sense of humor. At this point, I just had to laugh a the cruel, bitter irony...
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
lol
A fair 22 degrees it was (unheated garage), as the smell of burnt metal continues.
As you recall, I still had this big lump of sheet metal that the bottom lug of the reinforcement plate would not go past.
Well, not that it was pretty, but it was about to change. https://sli.mg/s1Alsw
Then more cutting...more ugliness...
https://sli.mg/O926vr
This would all be impossible without my 90 degree dremel elbow. A useful attachment it is.
At this point, I just started getting stupid (no alcohol) and start smashing things and bending and twisting metal. There is a point, and every man reaches it. And I reached mine. Hindsight being 20/20, I'm still good with it though. There is no real alternative solution that I was able to come up with in my head. On many of the cuts, around the corner, I was flying blind, and the last thing I wanted to do was cut a hole to the outside. Even though that would have been fixable, it would have been that 'special moment' I seem to have frequently with these projects. That didn't happen, and I'll take it.
https://sli.mg/pz3cRX
Once I knocked (literally) all that junk out of the way, I said under my breath "This thing better fit..." and whala -
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
So, there was major success. Life was good. I was happy. But life, it seems, is not without its sense of humor. At this point, I just had to laugh a the cruel, bitter irony...
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
lol
12-27-2016, 06:17 AM
#23
Registered User
So, there was major success. Life was good. I was happy. But life, it seems, is not without its sense of humor. At this point, I just had to laugh a the cruel, bitter irony...
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
lol
https://sli.mg/RPS2y5
lol
Looks like a wrecking yard support is in your future.
12-27-2016, 07:43 AM
#24
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I might still be in the clear. I have some scrap sheet metal that I think I will fabricate a bracket out of for that lowest tab on the tire-carrier bracket. With it being a single bracket, I'll be able to weld it in and have plenty of access. My main worry about getting a fully replacement bracket (other than lining all the cuts up right) is that I don't think it will grant me enough access in the lowest portions to get a solid weld in. I don't know if that makes any sense, but at this point I still think I will be okay. The main support bracket that I cut out...I think I cut it low enough that I will still be able to weld the upper tab on the lower support to it. its going to come together one piece at a time, but I think it will. Pictures will help explain a lot here.
My main goal today is to mock everything up and dry fit it all together, then take it all apart and start prepping. I've got some cleanout to do on the bottom inside of the 4runner and while I have all the guts out, it is giving me great access to it.
Just finishing up my coffee and then its time for business!
My main goal today is to mock everything up and dry fit it all together, then take it all apart and start prepping. I've got some cleanout to do on the bottom inside of the 4runner and while I have all the guts out, it is giving me great access to it.
Just finishing up my coffee and then its time for business!
12-27-2016, 08:13 AM
#25
Registered User
I might still be in the clear. I have some scrap sheet metal that I think I will fabricate a bracket out of for that lowest tab on the tire-carrier bracket. With it being a single bracket, I'll be able to weld it in and have plenty of access. My main worry about getting a fully replacement bracket (other than lining all the cuts up right) is that I don't think it will grant me enough access in the lowest portions to get a solid weld in. I don't know if that makes any sense, but at this point I still think I will be okay. The main support bracket that I cut out...I think I cut it low enough that I will still be able to weld the upper tab on the lower support to it. its going to come together one piece at a time, but I think it will. Pictures will help explain a lot here.
My main goal today is to mock everything up and dry fit it all together, then take it all apart and start prepping. I've got some cleanout to do on the bottom inside of the 4runner and while I have all the guts out, it is giving me great access to it.
Just finishing up my coffee and then its time for business!
My main goal today is to mock everything up and dry fit it all together, then take it all apart and start prepping. I've got some cleanout to do on the bottom inside of the 4runner and while I have all the guts out, it is giving me great access to it.
Just finishing up my coffee and then its time for business!
12-27-2016, 11:09 AM
#26
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With the wind in my sails and caffeine in my bloodstream, it was time to hit things hard (perhaps quite literally as well).
Here was the first thing to do. Drill the first holes to mount the internal bracket to the inside edge of the outer skin (this is the hidden area on the tailgate ends. As you may have read before, Toyota brilliantly put two indentations in the body where they would drill out the holes to mount the internal bracket on the factory equipped tire carriers. These indentations are present on non-tire swing-equipped 4runners (at least mine) so fortunately, this took away 90% of the guesswork! Thanks Toyota!...making up for all those random little plastic connectors everywhere that are a bitch to get undone.
https://sli.mg/DE3aLL
Next up, hit them with the center punch to keep drill bits from wandering...
https://sli.mg/4eX0Rr
First holes drilled...
https://sli.mg/2cnW4D
Sorry for the goofy sideways image. Both holes now drilled...
https://sli.mg/OKSeEL
Test fit with bolts mounting through to the internal bracket...success!
https://sli.mg/afYc0M
With the bracket now bolted down tight to the body, the next critical step was making a reference hole for the actual tire swing mount. Here is what things look like from the inside...
https://sli.mg/l6HgN4
Next, I found a drill bit that would slip through the bracket backer nut threads with a little room to spare, and drilled from the inside out...
https://sli.mg/PrYb30
Bam! Easy as pie.
https://sli.mg/V3sBpN
I was able to do this for 2 holes on the upper part of the reinforcement bracket...
https://sli.mg/R96CeO
Here was the first thing to do. Drill the first holes to mount the internal bracket to the inside edge of the outer skin (this is the hidden area on the tailgate ends. As you may have read before, Toyota brilliantly put two indentations in the body where they would drill out the holes to mount the internal bracket on the factory equipped tire carriers. These indentations are present on non-tire swing-equipped 4runners (at least mine) so fortunately, this took away 90% of the guesswork! Thanks Toyota!...making up for all those random little plastic connectors everywhere that are a bitch to get undone.
https://sli.mg/DE3aLL
Next up, hit them with the center punch to keep drill bits from wandering...
https://sli.mg/4eX0Rr
First holes drilled...
https://sli.mg/2cnW4D
Sorry for the goofy sideways image. Both holes now drilled...
https://sli.mg/OKSeEL
Test fit with bolts mounting through to the internal bracket...success!
https://sli.mg/afYc0M
With the bracket now bolted down tight to the body, the next critical step was making a reference hole for the actual tire swing mount. Here is what things look like from the inside...
https://sli.mg/l6HgN4
Next, I found a drill bit that would slip through the bracket backer nut threads with a little room to spare, and drilled from the inside out...
https://sli.mg/PrYb30
Bam! Easy as pie.
https://sli.mg/V3sBpN
I was able to do this for 2 holes on the upper part of the reinforcement bracket...
https://sli.mg/R96CeO
Last edited by Red Leader; 12-27-2016 at 11:18 AM.
12-27-2016, 11:16 AM
#27
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Next, I needed to install the new tailgate. Here is a nice little tip. Wrap all the edges of the tailgate, ESPECIALLY the corners, in duct tape. I did this and it saved me big time. I don't have any pictures of this process because it took both hands and everything else I had not to turn into a seething pottymouth trying to get this ridiculous thing in place (even though I did). Second tip - remove that stupid tension bar from the underneath of the tailgate. It will fight you the entire way. I'm lucky I didn't jack anything up. I may have to touch up some paint here and there, but I was spared 90% of the damage from taping things up. I attached the hinges first and then was able to pull up on the tailgate and shimmy into place. The main tailgate latches do NOT want to slide in an upward direction. Instead, take the tailgate higher, and slide them in from the side or just slightly from higher up than the mounting holes.
Sliding it up from the bottom? Bad idea, hombre! Winners take the higher path!
https://sli.mg/dLe8ny
What is found in the official Merriam Webster dictionary photo caption for 'Annoying as Hell' -->
https://sli.mg/k5QwUy
Ok, tailgate on? Check.
https://sli.mg/n1m1LN
You can see a slightly annoying gap there on the upper right of the tailgate where my repair was. I supposed I ground off too much metal there on the side. Oh well. I may go back later and fix it but it ain't hurting anything. It's character.
I needed the tailgate on so that I could test fit the tire swing and the latch on the tailgate would confirm proper positioning of the swing. So, looking like a monkey, I threw the tire swing on, grabbed my socket wrench + bolts, reached over to shut the swing onto the tailgate, held the thing up with my body, marked the position of the rest of the 6 bolt holes for the body and then took a picture -
https://sli.mg/HfGxCt
And yes, using a ball point pen was dumb, but at least you didn't see me holding this thing up with my butt while doing a herculean reach over to my tool box to try and find a permanent marker and grabbing a mechanical pencil (out of lead? Fail.) then a carpenter pencil (too wide to fit through the holes? Fail.) and then finally a pen haha.
Next up was center punching where to drill all these holes -
https://sli.mg/HJRjQT
Okay, now we are getting somewhere!
Oh, did I mention? It's probably not a good idea to get too excited and start going too fast...
https://sli.mg/gHlMIU
Due to tolerance stacking, the hole points ended up a little bit off. Now, that picture above looks really bad, but that was actually pretty early on in my hole drilling that I caught it, and those holes are not even big enough yet to let the bolt pass through, so here is the tip of the day. Check CHECK CHECK! I had to remove that silly internal bracket probably 10 times while checking the line-up of the holes over and over, and it did pay off. I was able to catch this mistake before I opened up the holes too much.
From there, I just used a round file to expand the holes in the direction they needed to go. Honestly, the factory holes in the body on a factory-mounted tire swing are HUGE so I wasn't concerned at all.
Here is how they cleaned up, which looks surprisingly similar to the stock hole size in the donor piece that I grabbed with my tire swing -
https://sli.mg/9aMZHC
Sliding it up from the bottom? Bad idea, hombre! Winners take the higher path!
https://sli.mg/dLe8ny
What is found in the official Merriam Webster dictionary photo caption for 'Annoying as Hell' -->
https://sli.mg/k5QwUy
Ok, tailgate on? Check.
https://sli.mg/n1m1LN
You can see a slightly annoying gap there on the upper right of the tailgate where my repair was. I supposed I ground off too much metal there on the side. Oh well. I may go back later and fix it but it ain't hurting anything. It's character.
I needed the tailgate on so that I could test fit the tire swing and the latch on the tailgate would confirm proper positioning of the swing. So, looking like a monkey, I threw the tire swing on, grabbed my socket wrench + bolts, reached over to shut the swing onto the tailgate, held the thing up with my body, marked the position of the rest of the 6 bolt holes for the body and then took a picture -
https://sli.mg/HfGxCt
And yes, using a ball point pen was dumb, but at least you didn't see me holding this thing up with my butt while doing a herculean reach over to my tool box to try and find a permanent marker and grabbing a mechanical pencil (out of lead? Fail.) then a carpenter pencil (too wide to fit through the holes? Fail.) and then finally a pen haha.
Next up was center punching where to drill all these holes -
https://sli.mg/HJRjQT
Okay, now we are getting somewhere!
Oh, did I mention? It's probably not a good idea to get too excited and start going too fast...
https://sli.mg/gHlMIU
Due to tolerance stacking, the hole points ended up a little bit off. Now, that picture above looks really bad, but that was actually pretty early on in my hole drilling that I caught it, and those holes are not even big enough yet to let the bolt pass through, so here is the tip of the day. Check CHECK CHECK! I had to remove that silly internal bracket probably 10 times while checking the line-up of the holes over and over, and it did pay off. I was able to catch this mistake before I opened up the holes too much.
From there, I just used a round file to expand the holes in the direction they needed to go. Honestly, the factory holes in the body on a factory-mounted tire swing are HUGE so I wasn't concerned at all.
Here is how they cleaned up, which looks surprisingly similar to the stock hole size in the donor piece that I grabbed with my tire swing -
https://sli.mg/9aMZHC
Last edited by Red Leader; 12-27-2016 at 11:41 AM.
12-27-2016, 11:37 AM
#28
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All in all, the rest of the holes ended up being pretty good!
https://sli.mg/9aMZHC
https://sli.mg/mR9LmV
https://sli.mg/CAFZJI
https://sli.mg/rt0FSU
If anything, my thought is that by having the body holes enlarged, it will provide a little buffer if the bracket 'settles' a little so that the weight doesn't end up riding on the edge of the hole in the body, which might induce some stress and want to tear/crinkle the outer body skin.
So, after numerous boltings and unboltings and trial and error and test fittings and filing, etc., this is the result!
https://sli.mg/67aHGU
https://sli.mg/AlNkai
Success! I attached it with it snugly clipped into the rear tailgate, so the real test was to unhook it and close it and see if it was janky or not. I was very happy to see that it locked back up as smooth as silk!!!
So now, the next step is to take everything apart (oh joy) and then really do a deep clean of the parts, clean up the bottom of the 4runner quarters, drill drain holes and epoxy the entire bottom insides, paint the tailgate, touch up all the little scratches and drilled hole edged (I do NOT want more rust coming through!) and then bolt everything up nice and tight and then weld back in the support beam that I cut out and epoxy/rust treat after welding and then get all trim panels back in place. So technically, I'm not really even half done? Ha, that is not very encouraging.
Ah! But this! It makes it all better....weeeeeeeeeee!
https://sli.mg/67aHGU
Stay tuned for more to come!
https://sli.mg/9aMZHC
https://sli.mg/mR9LmV
https://sli.mg/CAFZJI
https://sli.mg/rt0FSU
If anything, my thought is that by having the body holes enlarged, it will provide a little buffer if the bracket 'settles' a little so that the weight doesn't end up riding on the edge of the hole in the body, which might induce some stress and want to tear/crinkle the outer body skin.
So, after numerous boltings and unboltings and trial and error and test fittings and filing, etc., this is the result!
https://sli.mg/67aHGU
https://sli.mg/AlNkai
Success! I attached it with it snugly clipped into the rear tailgate, so the real test was to unhook it and close it and see if it was janky or not. I was very happy to see that it locked back up as smooth as silk!!!
So now, the next step is to take everything apart (oh joy) and then really do a deep clean of the parts, clean up the bottom of the 4runner quarters, drill drain holes and epoxy the entire bottom insides, paint the tailgate, touch up all the little scratches and drilled hole edged (I do NOT want more rust coming through!) and then bolt everything up nice and tight and then weld back in the support beam that I cut out and epoxy/rust treat after welding and then get all trim panels back in place. So technically, I'm not really even half done? Ha, that is not very encouraging.
Ah! But this! It makes it all better....weeeeeeeeeee!
https://sli.mg/67aHGU
Stay tuned for more to come!
12-27-2016, 04:19 PM
#29
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Well not many updates left for tonight. I am in the process of cleaning/de-rusting. The tire swing has little pockets of surface rust here and there. Very minimal, but still in some nooks and crannies that a grinding wheel cannot get to, so I am giving it the overnight soak. By tomorrow it will be rust free and I will be priming. I am going to also clean up the bracket, get that ready to go, and then be all set to epoxy prime the bracket, drill holes, and lower quarters.
I was hoping to be a little more ahead and make some progress tonight, but I don't want to rush it either. Things will be moving and shaking for tomorrow though.
I was hoping to be a little more ahead and make some progress tonight, but I don't want to rush it either. Things will be moving and shaking for tomorrow though.
12-28-2016, 07:16 PM
#31
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The bracket is about 16.5" measuring from the outside bases, and 18" if including the mounting tabs.
It basically fits in the space that are the two outcroppings above and below the taillights.
I feel like I should have had more done today, but my rust treatment is good for surface stuff but not for deep, deep pits, so I've had to soak and grind, soak and grind. Didn't get as much time today as I did the last two days. But got the quarters drained of rust treatment (worked really well there) and now soaking in rubbing alcohol to clean out the rust treatment before priming/coating.
It basically fits in the space that are the two outcroppings above and below the taillights.
I feel like I should have had more done today, but my rust treatment is good for surface stuff but not for deep, deep pits, so I've had to soak and grind, soak and grind. Didn't get as much time today as I did the last two days. But got the quarters drained of rust treatment (worked really well there) and now soaking in rubbing alcohol to clean out the rust treatment before priming/coating.
12-28-2016, 09:30 PM
#32
Nicely done. I wish I had been able to get that inner factory bracket when I did mine
you will like having the swing out. After a few times it is like 2nd nature getting into the back.
I thought the loss of rear visibility would be worse,but it isn't not too bad
edit: dunno what it was but all of your pics started showing up.
again very nice write up
you will like having the swing out. After a few times it is like 2nd nature getting into the back.
I thought the loss of rear visibility would be worse,but it isn't not too bad
edit: dunno what it was but all of your pics started showing up.
again very nice write up
Last edited by dropzone; 12-28-2016 at 09:33 PM.
12-29-2016, 05:37 PM
#33
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Thanks man! I'm hoping that this write-up is helpful for someone else wanting to do the same thing and trying to get a sense of the parts, tools and supplies.
All in all, here is how things are breaking down -
PARTS:
- Tire swing (complete), $26
- Bracket (internal), $8
- Tailgate (optional but extremely helpful), $45
TOOLS:
- Socket set (especially 10mm and 12mm, 14mm for undoing rear seatbelt bolts to get side rear cargo trim off)
- Dremel (with 90 degree elbow and cutoff wheels)
- Pliers (especially skinny needle nose for getting behind clips and stuff)
- Drill
- drill bits and spot weld driller bit
- Tin snips (not necessary but helpful
- 3/16" round file (for fine-tuning the hole line-up
- Small flat bladed screwdriver or awl (for opening of clips)
- Welder (and all welding-related supplies)
- A good light
- Putty knife (or something flat for prying/slicing spot welds
SUPPLIES:
- Duct tape
- Spray cleaner
- Lots of rags
- Epoxy primer
- Seam sealer/body sealant
That is off the top of my head. There may be more stuff to add to that list. The dremel might be able to be substituted for a small sawzall, but it has probably been my most used tool on this entire build.
Today, again, didn't do too much with the temperatures being too low. I did drain my quarters of all the gunk (did this yesterday) and they looked great and was hoping to deep clean and epoxy prime this morning, but found out that I needed a can of compressed air cleaner to clean out the inside of the wheelwell seam of gunk and didn't have that so I waited over night and when I woke up I saw the tiniest hint of surface rust starting again, so I filled them both with rust-b-gone again and am waiting for the air can (wifey is picking one up for me) before I drain and clean. Tomorrow should work awesome for doing all the painting because it will be the warmest day of the week. I did clean and prep the tailgate. It took a while because I kept finding tiny pockets of rust here and there. I can't wait until I have a shop one day that has a spot to do sandblasting. The liquid rust remover has been a lifesaver, but it has its limitations in that it cannot get down to the deep pits.
Here is what I worked on today -
Going to prime then paint (a LOT) tomorrow!
In my spare time (not much), I've actually been occupied with, of all things, restoring a pencil sharpener haha.
All in all, here is how things are breaking down -
PARTS:
- Tire swing (complete), $26
- Bracket (internal), $8
- Tailgate (optional but extremely helpful), $45
TOOLS:
- Socket set (especially 10mm and 12mm, 14mm for undoing rear seatbelt bolts to get side rear cargo trim off)
- Dremel (with 90 degree elbow and cutoff wheels)
- Pliers (especially skinny needle nose for getting behind clips and stuff)
- Drill
- drill bits and spot weld driller bit
- Tin snips (not necessary but helpful
- 3/16" round file (for fine-tuning the hole line-up
- Small flat bladed screwdriver or awl (for opening of clips)
- Welder (and all welding-related supplies)
- A good light
- Putty knife (or something flat for prying/slicing spot welds
SUPPLIES:
- Duct tape
- Spray cleaner
- Lots of rags
- Epoxy primer
- Seam sealer/body sealant
That is off the top of my head. There may be more stuff to add to that list. The dremel might be able to be substituted for a small sawzall, but it has probably been my most used tool on this entire build.
Today, again, didn't do too much with the temperatures being too low. I did drain my quarters of all the gunk (did this yesterday) and they looked great and was hoping to deep clean and epoxy prime this morning, but found out that I needed a can of compressed air cleaner to clean out the inside of the wheelwell seam of gunk and didn't have that so I waited over night and when I woke up I saw the tiniest hint of surface rust starting again, so I filled them both with rust-b-gone again and am waiting for the air can (wifey is picking one up for me) before I drain and clean. Tomorrow should work awesome for doing all the painting because it will be the warmest day of the week. I did clean and prep the tailgate. It took a while because I kept finding tiny pockets of rust here and there. I can't wait until I have a shop one day that has a spot to do sandblasting. The liquid rust remover has been a lifesaver, but it has its limitations in that it cannot get down to the deep pits.
Here is what I worked on today -
Going to prime then paint (a LOT) tomorrow!
In my spare time (not much), I've actually been occupied with, of all things, restoring a pencil sharpener haha.
Last edited by Red Leader; 12-29-2016 at 05:39 PM.
12-30-2016, 05:18 PM
#34
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Well, I did a bit of measuring and that tire mount just won't really work on a Pu.
But a wreck yard trip yesterday got me a few ideas on vehicles I could take a carrier from - like a Rav4.
I'm also gettin me a hankerin for a 4Runner.
Again, great write up and execution.
But a wreck yard trip yesterday got me a few ideas on vehicles I could take a carrier from - like a Rav4.
I'm also gettin me a hankerin for a 4Runner.
Again, great write up and execution.
12-30-2016, 07:42 PM
#35
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Well, I did a bit of measuring and that tire mount just won't really work on a Pu.
But a wreck yard trip yesterday got me a few ideas on vehicles I could take a carrier from - like a Rav4.
I'm also gettin me a hankerin for a 4Runner.
Again, great write up and execution.
But a wreck yard trip yesterday got me a few ideas on vehicles I could take a carrier from - like a Rav4.
I'm also gettin me a hankerin for a 4Runner.
Again, great write up and execution.
Have you looked into a Nissan Pathfinder tire swing? I wonder if the spacing would work more in your favor. I see them all the time at the junkyards, certainly more plentiful than the comparable Toyota swings.
12-30-2016, 08:57 PM
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Welp, got the insides of the 4runner quarters epoxied and the tire swing painted. Took a surprising amount of effort and I'd be ready for more (tonight) but when I had a little left over epoxy and thought I would grind down a little paint crack in my roof from laying up there when I repaired the windshield channel...well I started grinding and grinding and grinding and well what do you know it is a giant ball of bondo! It shocked me because I have my headliner out and never noticed anything weird but apparently early on in the vehicles life something must have dented the roof and instead of hammering, they just slapped bondo on it and filled and leveled to get back to roofline. However, it was a pro repair as it was completely undetectable and paint-matched and they did put the bondo over the primer, so no rust (thank you repair people!) but bondo in my limited experience seems pretty short lived. My father-in-law had it on his Ford wheel wells from a repair long ago and it started falling apart and rusting through again. This is why all my repairs are ugly - no bondo. I am going to grinding it mostly away, epoxy prime and call it a day until I can find paint. It will be covered by a roof rack eventually anyway. The divot will be character on a 28 yr old vehicle.
Here is the limited stuff I got done today -
Inside of the bottom quarters...I had to clean these things about 3 times...would flash rust if I wasn't looking!
Also welded on some drip hole shields for the back quarters so they can breath but no have stuff kicking up in there. I plan to coat VERY WELL inside the vehicle so I don't have further rust issues
Here is the tailgate in primer. Like a huge dummy I left the release cable and box attached. If you do this, pull this box off, it will save you some swear words. Also got it all painted up in gloss black and right now it is sitting comfortably in our dining room (I have the best wife haha).
Hoping to re-install tomorrow, then plan out the bracket welding, in addition to fixing that dumb spot on my roof.
Here is the limited stuff I got done today -
Inside of the bottom quarters...I had to clean these things about 3 times...would flash rust if I wasn't looking!
Also welded on some drip hole shields for the back quarters so they can breath but no have stuff kicking up in there. I plan to coat VERY WELL inside the vehicle so I don't have further rust issues
Here is the tailgate in primer. Like a huge dummy I left the release cable and box attached. If you do this, pull this box off, it will save you some swear words. Also got it all painted up in gloss black and right now it is sitting comfortably in our dining room (I have the best wife haha).
Hoping to re-install tomorrow, then plan out the bracket welding, in addition to fixing that dumb spot on my roof.
Last edited by Red Leader; 12-30-2016 at 08:59 PM.
12-31-2016, 09:44 AM
#37
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And, part of me wants to keep my upgrades Toyota based, like I do with other street vehicles.
12-31-2016, 02:13 PM
#38
The pathfinder tire mount takes a lot of fab work to get it to work
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post52323471
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116.../#post52323471
01-01-2017, 01:33 PM
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Hey guys, I didn't update in a bit because I needed to hit that bondo bump on my roof and epoxy it and then I forgot to epoxy the rear window metal tabs (which were rusty). Fortunately they were not as bad as others I've seen on here. When I took out the back window I did de-rust them but just needed to finish the job.
I should get some time in about an hour or 2 and I am going to finally be installing the tire swing, which is painted now (gloss black). I am going to use a little body panel seam sealer between the bracket and the inside of the rear body corner so that they can sandwich together evenly and it will provide a little more adhesion. I was originally going to use urethane, but I think that is way too overkill for what I'm doing, since originally the bracket is held on by about 5 or 6 spot welds (which I will also re-do) and just the bolts.
Updates and pics to come soon!
I should get some time in about an hour or 2 and I am going to finally be installing the tire swing, which is painted now (gloss black). I am going to use a little body panel seam sealer between the bracket and the inside of the rear body corner so that they can sandwich together evenly and it will provide a little more adhesion. I was originally going to use urethane, but I think that is way too overkill for what I'm doing, since originally the bracket is held on by about 5 or 6 spot welds (which I will also re-do) and just the bolts.
Updates and pics to come soon!
01-01-2017, 07:54 PM
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Alright, update time!
Yesterday took care of this:
Epoxy primer:
Right now, tire swing is on. Prepped and things went well. Next I had to figure out the bracketry. The very lowest tab on the lower bracket half had nothing to connect to because I mangled the metal up getting it out, so I fabbed up a new little bracket, welded it it and epoxy primed it -
Next, I had to figure out how to connect everything else back up together with the bracket I pulled out. There was the little piece that I had to cut out below the sheet metal line and in my mind I wondered if I might be able to weld the two back together, and still have it fit up where it needs to - that would make the repair so much simpler. So! I tacked the bottom piece back on the large one, tried it out and it fit perfect! So then I completed the full weld and epoxy primed -
The nice thing about welding it on the outside is that it is so much easier to weld and I can prime both the front and back of it.
So, tomorrow is my last day to work on this thing. My hope is to weld in this bracket and prime. But maybe even before that I need to get the guts back in the tailgate so that I can drive to work and actually have a rolled up window haha! Priorities, right? That tire swing ain't going anywhere!
Yesterday took care of this:
Epoxy primer:
Right now, tire swing is on. Prepped and things went well. Next I had to figure out the bracketry. The very lowest tab on the lower bracket half had nothing to connect to because I mangled the metal up getting it out, so I fabbed up a new little bracket, welded it it and epoxy primed it -
Next, I had to figure out how to connect everything else back up together with the bracket I pulled out. There was the little piece that I had to cut out below the sheet metal line and in my mind I wondered if I might be able to weld the two back together, and still have it fit up where it needs to - that would make the repair so much simpler. So! I tacked the bottom piece back on the large one, tried it out and it fit perfect! So then I completed the full weld and epoxy primed -
The nice thing about welding it on the outside is that it is so much easier to weld and I can prime both the front and back of it.
So, tomorrow is my last day to work on this thing. My hope is to weld in this bracket and prime. But maybe even before that I need to get the guts back in the tailgate so that I can drive to work and actually have a rolled up window haha! Priorities, right? That tire swing ain't going anywhere!
Last edited by Red Leader; 01-01-2017 at 07:55 PM.
