Longtravel: Banner/HulkSmash Build- PapaSmurf & Sunnier Build a First Gen

(I don't think all of you are assholes, but I won't say who is and who isn't)

 

Gotta represent yo! And it’s a comfy shirt I’m actually wearing it today

 

I resemble that remark lol

 

Building the new axles isn't all that hard if you know how but good lord...... the mess! No one can blame Bruce for not liking that job. I hope to never do it again. It took me a LOT of research Utube vids, texts to Mark, etc. to figure out how to disassemble the CVs. Then I learn that there are guys out there that do it for $80 an axle....... money WELL spent. Not sure about the 1st gens but on the 3rd gen axles it's easier (from my limited experience) to use the "slamming pipe, break the clip" method as opposed to cutting the axle.

 

We all have that side of us. I dont know you well enough that i would hope i am on the isnt side...for now

 

Yup that way don’t work on 1st gens gotta cut them... I tried the other way w no luck even instructions from TC says cut

 

Hahaha yeah a little bit, but you’re a good asshole!

Maybe, maybe not?

 

Thatll happen in Sedona! You need a ride out?

 

That’d be so fun!

Got work all week and got a lot to do this weekend around home
I’ll be living vicariously through your pictures! Please take many! And video!

 

Hi Sunnier
Congrats to the LT build! Its very nice setup there. Recently I was busy re-configure the enclosed trailer (insulation and new cabinet ...) for new to us toy Can Am UTV adding second battery and light stuff.
I haven't got time to work on the Gen 1 reinforce the LCA and swap out the rubber busing to the poly. I will try to get it ready for the Jun SGU run.
I don't want to hijack the thread but here are some photos of the project that I am working on.
Here it is.

Exhaust warp


Second battery and music



Trailer insulation


Re-paint and ready for a new cabinet and shelving.


Rebuilt new tow hitch for the moho, make it thicker and little higher for the ground clearance.

 

Thank you, Jimmy; good to hear from you! That's a sweet trailer project you've got going there. And with that new UTV, your gen 1 may get more tow miles than "air" miles, so you may not need to do as much reinforcement....


No worries about sharing on here; I may just post in line here for expediency but eventually will move my build posts up to the top of the thread. So visitors can share and b.s. all you like. Hahaha! Just like Bruce's driveway!

 

Banner/ HulkSmash, Chapter V: Strong, Sexy Legs

Sexy legs are always attractive! No overbred thoroughbred with delicate ankles here. We learned through reading and real world observation that many of the OEM components on 1st gens are stronger than later generations. However, two exceptions, at least for SGU-type off-road play, are spindles and coil buckets.

At Bruce's direction, I bought these:

Which came with the following instructions:


Hahaha! This is the one time I've seen photo-only instructions that made sense. Anyway, Bruce welds so...

 

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/co-usa-trd-supercharger-for-2uz-fe-4-7l-v8-toyota-or-lexus.1043586/

 

@Sunnier LOL

 

Haha! No problem, guys. I'll add it to the Buy List. Along with Switch Pro, a lightbar, on-board air, and @dirtydeeds exhaust. Oh! And the home remodel I put off to do this build (Honey is super pleased ; and my kid's college tuition ).

Hmmn... maybe I should put up a poll to prioritize?!!

 

if you can get that supercharger from TS. Hard to find those things period. If its legit and comes with everything you got yourself a unicorn.

 

college and remodels are overrated. no need for either of those. if you need other things to finance, i have some ideas..

this is going to be one hell of a fun truck. stoked for you.

 

Thanks, Homie, I feel all better now.

Yes, a bunch of fun!! Just tuned up my redneck portable shower and worked everything in the driveway. I can hardly wait to get on off the road!

 

Banner/ HulkSmash, Chapter VI: Muscular Shoulders

Keeping with our references to romantic hero physical characteristics, here are the shoulders. These are very muscular and secure the manly front arms (suspension).

Muscular shoulders = heavy duty coil buckets! Components fabricated by Total Chaos, fitment and welding* by Savage Fab.

This is what the OEM looked like:

Here's a temp placement of the Total Chaos UCA (we later realized we needed to turn 'em over).

And here's where they got welded in place.






Now THESE are some coil buckets!!



*there may have been a bit (or a whole LOT) of hammering required to fine-tune the fitment after the welds cooled and everything contracted a tiny bit .

... but I still didn't see any tools get thrown. Damned impressed by Bruce's polite savagery under pressure!

Edited to reflect that, on my long drive home I remembered, this was a Big Hammer modification; another I haven't yet detailed took more creativity....

 

Savage garage at its finest

 

I wonder if Bruce has a tan line on his legs from welding?

 

actually i do! lol and on my arms, because have the time i dont wear a welding jacket either

 

I just edited my last update to reflect that this coil bucket figment adjustment was actually a slightly elevated Cussing + Big Hammer mod. The crazy, creative, ingenious problem-solving addressed a different welded component... hint... hint....

 

Is there a build of the year contest on Tundras.com? I vote this wins!

 

Hot tacks, they can fix most anything. Unless a Navy auditor is watching.

 

Gotta call the mods: @T-Rex266 @ColoradoTJ @csuviper @Bob, do you guys know what kinda crazy Shenanigans and major spending your forum has engendered. We're like the Poster Children for value to vendors over here.


+
=

 

Banner/ HulkSmash, Chapter VII: Disappointment & Heartache

Our first (only?) true setback occurred March 3, the same date those beautiful coil buckets were completed. We were set to finish the fronts that day (bolt-on from this point) when Bruce discovered the fitment on the super heavy duty reinforced spindles was too tight. Basically, the circular opening at the top of the super beefy... and already built... was slightly too small to accomodate the top bolt.


This was a work-stopper with no immediate solution. He'd measured and tested numerous times before tack-welding. However, after the welds cooled and everything contracted a tiny bit, well, a tiny bit matters sometimes more than other times. And this was one time when a savage hammer could not correct the issue. Not gonna bother with animated emojis here; nothing on the forum list could adequately portray how we felt about this.

We'd also run up to other pre-scheduled events and had to divert attention to those events. These included Bruce's birthday and a corresponding week-long visit from his mom, another of his military drill weekends, and two weekends of rain. Meanwhile, I worked extra shifts to pay for my new obsession.

Not being able to reassemble the front also meant the truck had to remain in Bruce's driveway. Please don't remind Mrs. @papasmurf when you see her, about how much this truck became a fixture in her driveway, garage, and life. Although I plan to try, I will never have bought that fine woman enough wine to repay her forbearance ("thank you, D!").

Anyway, throughout this down time, Bruce worked the problem through his brain until he figured out a solution. THIS is where his creativity and American Ingenuity saw us to the prize!

That said, I'll leave it to him to provide details if anyone intends to do this spindle reinforcement and wants to know tips before you fire up the welder. He is now tried and tested, and the guy to ask for this too, IMO.

 

Chapter VIII: Mardi Gras Beads and Botox

Then we got it built and it was awesome!

 

Awesome