Pearl's -King Shocks-Dirt King +3.5 -Califab -Metal Tech -Custom Baja Bumper -Doug Thorley Headers

Back to my abuse of steel and my little Hobart, and my lack of fabrication skills.
The Baja style bumper needed to have the main pipe extended to match the fiberglass, and I started thinking about how to make use of a tube bender I picked up cheap on marketplace. So I thought Nerf bar...why not?

 

I did a little research into joint coping, and stumbled on a free calculator. Plug in your numbers and then you print and cut out your template. Instead of using a hole saw and notch tool, you use a cut wheel and flap disc. I used to do tile and marble and got pretty good with a cut wheel and saw, so that part went ok.

 

I decided to install uprights for the Nerf bar and move the aluminum plate out and make it a little larger. So this involved some crazy angles.

 

I have to say the main tube extensions went better than expected. The nipples are snug and I will plug weld either side, and then stitch the seam.

 

Now I have everything tacked up and looking pretty good, it's ready for me to goober it up with some sloppy welds. In the interest of my pride, I won't be posting pics of that.

 

Dude, you're doing a great job with the fab stuff! The bumper is coming out great!

 

Thanks man! What you don't see are the gaps in certain places and my welding is terrible lol. Flappy and paint are my saviors.

 

Very subtle difference from the front angle, but the Nerf bar and larger plate help fill it in a little. Profile looks ok. Overall? it needed to be done and I'm happy with it.

 

Looks great from where I’m at!

 

Agreed. Came out really nice!

 

Replaced the factory front skid with some aluminum.

 

Ooooh, This is looking mean! Definitely been contemplating ditching my current bumper for a more prerunner inspired bumper! Yours looks great!

 

I know squat about tuning, but I want to learn so......
Installed an AEM Wide band, URD Maf Calibrator, new plugs, and an air filter.

 

Decided to mount the URD in a location easily accessible. Did a base run on a Mustang Dyno.
I realize there won't be much more power gain out of this 4Runner in its current set up, but you gotta start somewhere. Thanks to Rolo Lopez @CentralFloridaTurbo It was basically a teaching session for him. As you can see in the video linked below, my dumb ass never went WOT on this pull...SMH. I had 3 bad pulls because of my inexperience, but I settled down on the last one and will use that as a baseline. I should have run 2 more.....
I do have to remember this MY only came 230 HP at the crank. They were made for more torque and these torque numbers on a Mustang Dyno aren't terrible.

Mustang Dyno You Tube Vid
03' 4Runner V8 w 35" tires
58* raining/intake Temps 70* to 90*
189.85 HP @ 4600 rpms
250.69 Ft Lbs @ 3900 rpms

 

Got my LT trims at idle leveled out. They were rich by an average of 5-8%. Now sitting almost even with ST trim. This gives me a start on getting closed loop dialed in. Open loop tuning will be a lot more difficult.

 

RCF Throttle Body installed. Might be a step in the wrong direction, but we'll see.

 

Transmission work this week. Got a mild upgrade on my valve body to firm up the spongy shifting. Also installed an 11" x 11.5" Hayden w 2 - 5.2" Spal pusher fans, switched out a few of the trans hoses, and put a Magnefine Trans Filter in line. . Truck is running good so far.

 

FYI for everyone: Here is a video that John at IPT Performance Transmissions made using the valve body I purchased off Ebay and is the one I installed in the post above. I decided to roll the dice with this chinese reman, and I'm glad I sent it out for the service at IPT. The solenoids DID NOT MATCH my wiring harness, so I had to swap in my old solenoids. Truck worked fine last night on a 30 mile test drive, but I would say the Ebay Valve Body was a mistake.
https://youtu.be/LVjcGONU4Sk?si=vY_9VG-Z_e6YaaRT

 

Pearl goes to the Desert.

 

AZ seat time.
https://youtu.be/gOlQkhMEti4?si=HoCRA-_qTfL_7v_7

 

Next day trip was out to the Vulture Mtns, AZ.