any off roaders?

[Hunter68]

any of you guys into off roading in here? if so post some pics of your rig! (sorry not sure if this should go in here or photography)

[Motorcitydak]

One here, my first vehicle was my 96 Dakota that I still have. Thats also where I got the 'dak' part of my screen name from. The truck was 100% stock when I got it and I did everything myself but it has probably been 3 or 4 years since I took it to do any serious off roading, there is just nothing close to me. Anyway here are a few shots of it

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/mudhole2-1.jpg

In this shot you can see that I had the front end on semi truck air bags, had 14 inches of travel but rode pretty bad since they were only holding 1000 pounds or so

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/mudtruck1-1.jpg

this one is from a really long time ago

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/olddak2-1.jpg

Then I gave it a Hemi and 14 inch FOA coilovers

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/hemiday11001-1.jpg

[Rod]

does this count? ha ha ha ha

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/rod1-1.jpg

[rfalker1]

My 95 4 runner... Under powered with a v6... but its my first, probably will by a rock crawler one day in my life since I have enough sports cars in my life. SO i drive places and mountain bike my butt off!!!!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/162848_720091364347_37618799_38393449_54-1.jpg

[rfalker1]

One here, my first vehicle was my 96 Dakota that I still have. Thats also where I got the 'dak' part of my screen name from. The truck was 100% stock when I got it and I did everything myself but it has probably been 3 or 4 years since I took it to do any serious off roading, there is just nothing close to me. Anyway here are a few shots of it

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/mudhole2-1.jpg

In this shot you can see that I had the front end on semi truck air bags, had 14 inches of travel but rode pretty bad since they were only holding 1000 pounds or so

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/mudtruck1-1.jpg

this one is from a really long time ago

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/olddak2-1.jpg

Then I gave it a Hemi and 14 inch FOA coilovers

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/hemiday11001-1.jpg

thats sick man.. what are you trying to accomplish with ur ride???

[Hunter68]

does this count? ha ha ha ha

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/rod1-1.jpg

lmao!

[cheapta]

Steve (motorcitydak)-don't ya HATE it when you work in your shop with the doors open because it's nice out but the breeze fills the shop with leaves??? Man,I HATE that!!!! Cool truck!

Peter

[go-fish]

That's what air wands are for. A good air nozzle and air compressor beats the heck out of a broom. LOL

[Motorcitydak]

Steve (motorcitydak)-don't ya HATE it when you work in your shop with the doors open because it's nice out but the breeze fills the shop with leaves??? Man,I HATE that!!!! Cool truck!

Peter

Thanks, yeah it was a bit of a pain when they would get set on fire from welding or something. Those leaves were actually really old tho since I was doing that work in the end of March. It was not really nice I just needed the door open. That was back at my mom's house where I parked outside most of the time. I would just kick her out of the garage once in a while to get work done. It was for 2 weeks that time so I could do the Hemi. I had to do it all at one time since that was my DD/only vehicle at the time. I only just retired the truck from DD duty last year


thats sick man.. what are you trying to accomplish with ur ride???

Thanks, as you can see from my PT build of the AWD 68 Charger, I have a tendency to over build whatever I work on. I just cannot build something that has been done before or that you would expect. I like it when I tell someone about an idea I have and they say 'Well that'll never work'. After that I have to build it. A few years ago I was talking to my dad and one of his friends while we were up north doing some off roading. I kept having issues with my truck, mostly from lack of power of just engine issues. Dad asked me when I planned on putting a new engine in the truck to keep it going. I jokingly said that if I did anything, it would be another 3.9 V6. The only other motor I would put in there would be a Hemi. That must have been around 2005-6 because the Hemi was not very old and did not seem like a good or cheap candidate for an engine swap. I actually bought another v6, had it bored 30 over and was almost ready to swap it in but I was going to put a turbo on it. Then the synchro's on the trans were going and I decided I was done with the stock stuff and I started saving money for the Hemi. The entire swap ended up costing me $3217 and around 2 1/2 weeks

I wanted that truck to just plain do whatever I asked it to do. Race a sports car on the roads, check(in a straight line anyway). Fly up a crazy dirt hill, check. Haul my dumb ass around town all day, check. I retired it from DD duty for 2 or 3 reasons, I did not need 35 inch tires to drive around on every day and same thing with the 400hp part plus the 13mpg thing which i think is related to me having the wrong O2 sensors in it which I have yet to change. Plus I just do not use it enough. I have not done an official test but I think 0-60 times in this truck are around mid 4 seconds, its just nuts

[AKlowriderZ71]

This was a fun little toy.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC00020-1.jpg

[go-fish]

I'm waiting to see a Szuki with a Chevy Ecotec transplant. Someone has to do it eventually. I think my next project will be a Cherokee Classic w/ a 4BT Cummins. I've had a notion to take an XJ down to S. America and back for years now.

I have a VW TDI Jetta but I don't have the heart to pull it out of the car when it has served me well for over a decade. Plus I think the 4BT's are more robust.

[Motorcitydak]

I strongly considered the 4bt when I was picking my engine choice. I went against it just because of its weight then the weight of an NV4500 to back it up but I still would have put a dana 300 behind that. Would've been sweet tho

The ecotec thing cannot be far off/possibly done already. I have read about a few guys considering them in toyota and I read that if you get the bell housing from a Solstice you can bolt any Aisin 5 speed to em (Ax-15 with the internal slave cyl would be ideal). Im tossing around the idea of building a 4wd buggy with fully independent suspension and a mid mounted ecotec. It would run 31 inch tires, have around 12 inches or so of travel and be similar to the buggies that Wide Open Nevada use, just 4wd. Sorta like a 4wd dune buggy....then turbo it

[Hunter68]

This was a fun little toy.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC00020-1.jpg
i guess this must be like a jeep thing to personally i dont get the whole Suzuki thing haha

and motorcitydak
i like your style of thinking! lol what do you use the truck for rock crawling?

[go-fish]

I get the Suzuki thing because I equate off roading as doing what you want with any vehicle you want as long as it is grounded on proven drivetrain parts. Usually you see Dana's under a crawler, you will see some sort of engine transplant in a crawler.

Really, it's not even a 'Suzuki' thing because all the parts that make them able to survive the abuse is not Suzuki branded. It's just the platform on which one bolts on a bunch of hardcore parts.

Just like my 4Bt XJ fascination. I would throw out nearly all the 'Jeep' stuff. In a way, I think off-roading is more hotrodding than what "hotrodding" has become. Back in the 30's/40's/50's guys could give a hoot less about what OEM brand 'this' or 'that' was. Then we got into the musclecar era where it was sacrilege to cross purpose parts.

Off roading is concerned about results and not brands. Suzuki thing/Jeep thing, it doesn't matter. Not getting pulled in off the trail matters.

[AKlowriderZ71]

That was a 94 Geo Tracker(basically rebranded Zuki). Built it because it was light, and thought it would be a fun ride. It was.

I also had a 78 GMC truck on 38's, built from the ground up. I don't have any pics of it on PB, maybe I'll scan some old snapshots and post a couple of it up.

[Hunter68]

here are some of m friends rides
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/30503_392662664116_539524116_4182443_244-1.jpg
and finally this beauty
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
and this is what happened to it after its first couple trips

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=200927366590157&set=t.785148220&type=3&theater

[Motorcitydak]

and motorcitydak
i like your style of thinking! lol what do you use the truck for rock crawling?

No, not really. Its been on rocks once or twice I think. Not really my thing. I like mud and trails but sandy hills are my favorite

I absolutely love pre runners like those you posted. If I could do the truck all over again I think I would keep the IFS and build my own long travel front end after upgrading the front diff and other parts....kinda thinking about taking the dana 44 out and doing that anyways but I don't think that will happen, just too many other projects going on/planned

[toxik iroc]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif now I have a snokel on it too

[Hunter68]

No, not really. Its been on rocks once or twice I think. Not really my thing. I like mud and trails but sandy hills are my favorite

I absolutely love pre runners like those you posted. If I could do the truck all over again I think I would keep the IFS and build my own long travel front end after upgrading the front diff and other parts....kinda thinking about taking the dana 44 out and doing that anyways but I don't think that will happen, just too many other projects going on/planned

oh ok, ya i would love to have a prerunner but it costs so much, thats not a bad little jeep either ha

[rfalker1]

Thanks, yeah it was a bit of a pain when they would get set on fire from welding or something. Those leaves were actually really old tho since I was doing that work in the end of March. It was not really nice I just needed the door open. That was back at my mom's house where I parked outside most of the time. I would just kick her out of the garage once in a while to get work done. It was for 2 weeks that time so I could do the Hemi. I had to do it all at one time since that was my DD/only vehicle at the time. I only just retired the truck from DD duty last year



Thanks, as you can see from my PT build of the AWD 68 Charger, I have a tendency to over build whatever I work on. I just cannot build something that has been done before or that you would expect. I like it when I tell someone about an idea I have and they say 'Well that'll never work'. After that I have to build it. A few years ago I was talking to my dad and one of his friends while we were up north doing some off roading. I kept having issues with my truck, mostly from lack of power of just engine issues. Dad asked me when I planned on putting a new engine in the truck to keep it going. I jokingly said that if I did anything, it would be another 3.9 V6. The only other motor I would put in there would be a Hemi. That must have been around 2005-6 because the Hemi was not very old and did not seem like a good or cheap candidate for an engine swap. I actually bought another v6, had it bored 30 over and was almost ready to swap it in but I was going to put a turbo on it. Then the synchro's on the trans were going and I decided I was done with the stock stuff and I started saving money for the Hemi. The entire swap ended up costing me $3217 and around 2 1/2 weeks

I wanted that truck to just plain do whatever I asked it to do. Race a sports car on the roads, check(in a straight line anyway). Fly up a crazy dirt hill, check. Haul my dumb ass around town all day, check. I retired it from DD duty for 2 or 3 reasons, I did not need 35 inch tires to drive around on every day and same thing with the 400hp part plus the 13mpg thing which i think is related to me having the wrong O2 sensors in it which I have yet to change. Plus I just do not use it enough. I have not done an official test but I think 0-60 times in this truck are around mid 4 seconds, its just nuts

That is a cool concept!!! I just wish i had mechanical knowledge to do what ur doing!!! 10 inch coilovers and a 4 seconds 0 to 60.... Ridiculous. So what u doing with that v6??? Do you think it would fit in a 4runner

[nvmyss]

Here is my Thuren suspended Dodge
Needs rear leafs and the ft axle trussed
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/Calcity-1.gif

[Hunter68]

whats in it!!! my brother pits for "kore" dodge suspention kits, i love dodges how does it handle? my brothers isnt that smooth lol they are just so heavy i havent really seen anything super smooth

[71duster]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e82ieibzIHc
i hope this works!

[Motorcitydak]

That is a cool concept!!! I just wish i had mechanical knowledge to do what ur doing!!! 10 inch coilovers and a 4 seconds 0 to 60.... Ridiculous. So what u doing with that v6??? Do you think it would fit in a 4runner

I would not recommend the 3.9 v6 as a swap into anything, there is just nothing special about it unless you like timing chain rattle. I sold the one I pulled from the truck for $100 and I traded the one I rebuild for 2 guns. Specs on it were 175hp and 230ft/lb iirc. You could get something better im sure

[ErikLS2]

A little flat fender I built a few years ago but I've since sold it. 4.3 Vortec, 4l60e, Dana 300, Fox coilovers. Fr & Rr triang 4-link.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/2002020381-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/2002020334-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/2002020335-1.jpg

Trying to pull a big 'ol Blazer off of a rock, no way!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/2002020385-1.jpg

[go-fish]

Where were you Erik? PHX area or up north?

[rfalker1]

I would not recommend the 3.9 v6 as a swap into anything, there is just nothing special about it unless you like timing chain rattle. I sold the one I pulled from the truck for $100 and I traded the one I rebuild for 2 guns. Specs on it were 175hp and 230ft/lb iirc. You could get something better im sure

well that makes sense.. I talked to my brother, and the truck has a lot of rust, so it might be best not to invest a nice sum of money into it

[ErikLS2]

Where were you Erik? PHX area or up north?

That is out in Box Canyon I think it's called, out on the way to Globe/Florence Junction area.

[tylers88]

I like a little mud and stuff. I dont have a specific truck to go play, but I like to go down dirt roads when they start to get a little sloppy.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/picturephpalbumid2653pictureid24105-1.jpg

[showa]

Not a licensed vehicle but it is my off roader....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2219327010104778475qjXpIO)

1100cc FI 4cyl motor w/5 speed and locking diffs..............

[AKlowriderZ71]

Back in '96, I bought this '78 GMC for $200.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC4-1.jpg

I did a driveway "frame-off" on it. Removed the inline 6 cylinder/3 speed manual combo, installed a new 355/TH350 combo, new suspension/steering, replaced every single piece of rubber on the truck(bushings, weatherstrips, hoses, etc), replaced the cab corners, inner & outer rocker panels, floor pans, doors, front fenders, etc........ Pics.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC6-1.jpg

At first it was nice, and on 35's. Then I caved the entire right side of the truck in on a spring trail(new body parts, paint, and all). I was trying to go around a bug mudhole that was still half full of ice, when I slid into it. On the right side of the hole, was a giant ledge of ice. After that, I became less concerned with looks of the truck, and more concerned with offroad performance. It got more lift, and 38" TSL's. Also got a 9000# Warn, axle upgrades, locked front & rear differentials, etc. I used to run with the local Jeep clubs.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/78GMC3-1.jpg

[nvmyss]

whats in it!!! my brother pits for "kore" dodge suspention kits, i love dodges how does it handle? my brothers isnt that smooth lol they are just so heavy i havent really seen anything super smooth

It handles great. They are 2.5 Kings with remote resi in ft and piggy back in the rear. The valving is Thurn's Stage 3 HSS(High shaft speed) faster you go the smoother it is. Carli and Thuren are way ahead of Kore. I'm also running Thuren track bar, Carli High mount stabilizer, Dysko bumps, Thuren coils, Thuren towers, Carli end links and Red Head steering box. That’s the suspension mods so far. The rest are power mods.

[The GMR]

I dabble here or there.

TT - coming together for upcoming season.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Class 8 - Hummer H1 Last time it raced I rode co-dog.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Jason

[showa]

Gee is this the start of a "Dirty Fighters" thread ?

[Hunter68]

ha ya gmr im aware of your awsome work i go on dezertrangers and creep on builds i was surprised to see you on here!

[tommycomfort]

We built this back in 07 to beat around the property. It started life as a 4x4 86 S-10. It now has a chevelle 307 in it. We rarely use it and will sadly probably sort out a few things and sell it. Boy it sure was fun before our Pro-Touring sickness took off...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/22238174191-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/DSC03006-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/22238174204-1.jpg

[nvmyss]

I dabble here or there.

Nice.

[NJSPEEDER]

Previously I have had a 92 Cherokee Laredo and a 93 Grand Cherokee Laredo that saw some light trail action. Now I have another 92 Cherokee that I plan to start messing around with a little. Nothing fancy, small lift, cutout flairs, upgrade to WJ brakes, 4.10's + lunch box locker, and 32 inch tires.

Gotta keep it mild for the daily commute.

[The GMR]

whats in it!!! my brother pits for "kore" dodge suspention kits, i love dodges how does it handle? my brothers isnt that smooth lol they are just so heavy i havent really seen anything super smooth

Nice!


I built this truck for Kent to go to Dakar years back.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Jason

[Hunter68]

i remember that red one for sale a while ago i love there trucks, well i guess your trucks =P

[The GMR]

Another truck just about done at GMR....

This one started in 05/06 and is finally on the chomping block to get finished.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Jason

[Hunter68]

yet again another fine vehicle being built by you guys ha how do you actually go about building something like that? is it just start and see where it goes or do you plan it all out on the computer and gigs and what not? im always curious as to how these works of art actually get done.

[The GMR]

It depends, The TT was mainly built in CATIA first, such as the example below.

Top section of chassis construction.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Jason

[The GMR]

Here is one of my personal favorites.

1973 Ford, with a 390 and 1 ton I beams.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Jason

[southernfriedcj]

51206Here's my pile. I was gonna drop a 4bt into it and lower it a bit but I never got around to it. It's going on CL as soon as I get around to selling the '74 Mini.

[daredvl22]

Jason,

That is really impressive work! Makes me wish I still lived back in NV. I miss the wide open desert.

[Hunter68]

man thats so sick!!! i would LOVE to get into your guy's field of work! bad ass cars, trucks ha but thats pretty cool jig set up seems so over whelming to just look at a finished product but looking at step by step it really is pretty cool

[The GMR]

Now here is one for the guys that love bugs!

YES, it is an original oval window, in fact it was the first one to cross the baja-peninsula and was on the cover of several magazines. The current owner is the nephew (If i remember correctly) of the historic original owner who made this specific car famous.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Jason