The Possum Catcher

[DirtRoads]

So about the build:


What I really need is bump stops. I swear I'm 1/3 of the way through a set of Firestones just from fender rub.




The unfortunate reality is that there is one factor that takes bump stops out of the running as #1 priority:









You can't custom design the color scheme on a set of bump stops.




Punch me, I think I'm dreaming.

 

[gnarbicon]

I just came across this and had to create a login so I can ask the following question:

What is wrong with my driving style? Ha!

He broke a front lower link bracket off of his front axle later that day. Driving style was a factor.

 

[DirtRoads]

I just came across this and had to create a login so I can ask the following question:

What is wrong with my driving style? Ha!

 

[DirtRoads]

Don't run spacers, I know.

But I am and don't plan to quit .

Looking at these two options and need to order something in the next day or so. Does anyone have any input?

Trail gear: Rear Axle Wheel Stud
-I like it because it looks just like the stock ones so I know that it will fit properly. I don't like it because trail gear and it doesn't specifically say what they are made of. However, they are gold like the ARP options which leads me to believe that they are better than the silver Dormans off of Rockauto.

ARP: Possibly this one, have to measure the hub and make sure I get the right stuff. Kind of pricy but I 100% don't want my wheels coming off any more than necessary.
The Official ARP Web Site | Kits

 

[DirtRoads]

Tackett Creek. Started the trip with 8" of snow on the ground. Camped in 11 degree temps (I am a partially brown lifetime memphian so ouch). Carried our gear with us on the trail.

Am I an overlander?

The only thing that didn't freeze was the bourbon.

 

[DirtRoads]

(1) big 'ol JK
(1) go anywhere TJ
(1) possum catcher
(1) mild third gen 4runner that KICKS ASS. Drove from Savannah GA up to tackett, wheeled way out of it's weight class, and then drove home. Insane.

Frigid. Scenic. Great times all around with almost zero breakage.

We saw a cave, bear tracks in the snow, an outstanding overlook, a constant desolate winter landscape, and all of our buddies woke up in the morning in lieu of freezing to death.

We drank whiskey, ate elk chili, hit the rev limiter, talked ****, ran out of fuel, got lost, lit fireworks, cried from laughing, melted our boots while trying to dry them, and ate waffle house.

It can't get any better.

 

[DirtRoads]

The good:

-I threw some ruffstuff bumpstops on the rear of the rig and the improvement was outstanding. Two guys plus gear in a Samurai and she handled it great.
-The roof rack was a great expansion for hauling gear, but made it challenging to hold 50 while driving southbound on i75

The bad:

-I need to re gear. So bad.
-Each day of the trip, this thing would not start in the morning unless we pull started it. When cranking, it sounded super weak and ****ty. When we pull started it, it would crank instantly. Annoying and not confidence inspiring. I have a new Denso starter to go on, we'll see what kind of difference that makes.
-Time to wire up the passenger seat heater. My codawg was cussing me all weekend for that one

 

[FleshEater]

That looked like an awesome time!

 

[rugburn]

Thanks for sharing

 

[DirtRoads]

That looked like an awesome time!

It sure was. We try to do a short UA style trip every year, we are two years in a row for it landing in January. It has snowed both times But it is always a blast.

Thanks for sharing

Just trying to keep the thread moving, if only for my own documentation. I don't work on it enough to post a lot of tech, so trip reports it is....for now

 

[FleshEater]

It sure was. We try to do a short UA style trip every year, we are two years in a row for it landing in January. It has snowed both times But it is always a blast.




Just trying to keep the thread moving, if only for my own documentation. I don't work on it enough to post a lot of tech, so trip reports it is....for now

Off road pics are good, too. I never seem to get any!

 

[DirtRoads]

Caption not really needed

 

[DirtRoads]

 

[cammer]

its going to be a pretty sweet looking Lwb!

 

[DirtRoads]

19.5” of stretch, ~106 wb. Absolute madness.

 

[bad zuki]

What size tubing is that? I need to find some for mine. Build looks good.

 

[DirtRoads]

What size tubing is that? I need to find some for mine. Build looks good.

2x4x.188. Way thicker than stock but it was cheap.



Back on 4 legs. This is happening real time

1/16 out of square by my lack of leaf spring bushings should account for that. Need to grind and fish plate but I’m about to have to call it quits for the day. Going to clean up and snap more pictures of the coolest vehicle on the planet.

 

[DirtRoads]

Text dump:

The whole reason this started is because of the rear axle. I pushed it back so far during the toyota axle swap that the stock fuel tank just won't fit. Since that axle swap, we have breeded. Back seat time. It would be a lot of work and a huge hit to my capability to put the fuel tank back underneath, so I'm stretching it about 20"

The plan is to run a TJ back seat with a larger fuel cell behind it. I sat in the back post frame stretch this afternoon and there is more room than I expected.

I have one half of the top rail of a donor tub, that is going to be my starting (or ending) point of the sheetmetal. It's a trail rig so I'm not going for perfect, but water tight and no sharp edges are going to be key . Planning on just scabbing in extension pieces of tube on the sliders and cage for now with a full cage rework sometime in the fall/winter.

It's looking super rad, pictures just don't do it justice. I have neglected (beat on with absolute reckless abandon) this truck for years and looking at it now has me wanting to straighten it out. I'm a little worried that I messed up a good thing but that is almost always a sign that things are going in the right direction.


Next steps in order-ish
-brakes
-fuel lines
-send the driveshaft out
-fish plates
-side panels and/or floor
-body mounts
-throw the cage back on
-paint it and go wheeling

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Damn, that's a big stretch! Going to need 37s now

My first samurai was 106" 17" belly on 37s.(bfg's so more like true 35s ) and it was a climbing mofo. Going to be a different animal for sure.

I'll be watching, I want to do mine, but like 6-8" since I plan to keep mine small.

 

[DirtRoads]

Damn, that's a big stretch! Going to need 37s now

My first samurai was 106" 17" belly on 37s.(bfg's so more like true 35s ) and it was a climbing mofo. Going to be a different animal for sure.

I'll be watching, I want to do mine, but like 6-8" since I plan to keep mine small.

Those are 37s sir, this is the possum catcher.


In all seriousness, I don’t even care if it performs a little worse if I can have a back seat for Sonic runs

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Those are 37s sir, this is the possum catcher.

tires that measure 37"

In all seriousness, I don’t even care if it performs a little worse if I can have a back seat for Sonic runs

Well 20" more, you could probably fit another seat facing back like a limo

We fit 5 in ours, the 80lb dog, plus drinks and stuff to cook burgers when we go to the river, it's.......... Cozy

 

[DirtRoads]

tires that measure 37"



Well 20" more, you could probably fit another seat facing back like a limo

We fit 5 in ours, the 80lb dog, plus drinks and stuff to cook burgers when we go to the river, it's.......... Cozy

How many trips do you have to make for that load

20 seems like a lot but it’s really right around stock 4Runner or stock LJ wheelbases. Hopefully is don’t belly out on everything now, but that’s a pretty easy fix if so.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

How many trips do you have to make for that load

1 trip

20 seems like a lot but it’s really right around stock 4Runner or stock LJ wheelbases. Hopefully is don’t belly out on everything now, but that’s a pretty easy fix if so.

I mean it's 25% of the stock wheel base

 

[DirtRoads]

1 trip



I mean it's 25% of the stock wheel base

I remember Action Fab posting up some formula to figure out the best ratio of wheelbase vs tire size vs belly height. I need to look for it to see how far off I am.

But that it’ll change my mind, but it would be good to know

 

[YotaAtieToo]

I remember Action Fab posting up some formula to figure out the best ratio of wheelbase vs tire size vs belly height. I need to look for it to see how far off I am.

But that it’ll change my mind, but it would be good to know

It's so subjective. Terrain, driving style, preference.

Also, if you need room, you need room, just do it. 106" isn't long by any means. I think you'll love it. Bringing my kids wheelin makes everything more fun.

 

[FleshEater]

It's so subjective. Terrain, driving style, preference.

Also, if you need room, you need room, just do it. 106" isn't long by any means. I think you'll love it. Bringing my kids wheelin makes everything more fun.

106” is very close to a 4 door Tracker. I agree it’s a good wheelbase.

 

[gnarbicon]

Looks pretty bad ass. Can't wait to the shakedown!

 

[DirtRoads]

Looks pretty bad ass. Can't wait to the shakedown!

Hopefully it wont be too long. I have set an imaginary deadline, that usually works for me.

Brakes are hooked back up, driveshaft went to Tom Woods today, hopefully I can cut some panels tomorrow before quiet hours so I have something to do tomorrow night.

 

[DirtRoads]

Pulled a few way too late nights this week. Fish plates on the frame are 6/8 done. Got two more to weld but they’ve been created.

Stencils for the panels are off to a great start. Floor panel is done, passenger side is done, and a few gap fillers for inside holes.

Just shoving a piece of 14ga under the existing tub sections and lap welding for the floor. Going to try and butt weld the side panels for a slightly more professional appearance. Body work isn’t my thing.

Looks long in the picture because it’s actually 109, not 106. I can’t read a tape measure, which makes this an even more challenging experience.

 

[YotaAtieToo]

Buy one of these, but welding 9000 guage is gay

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