rochmpr V5 build - This is getting expensive

With the good weather and getting tired of waiting for the load bars to arrive for the RSI topper, I decided to fabricate my own. I picked up some 1" X 3" tube steel and all the remaining stuff I had laying around the garage. I made a sketch and took a bunch of measurements and started cutting, drilling, grinding and welding. Still a little more work to finish up and then off to powder coat.



Drilling for the feet




Made a template to make sure the spread on the bolts will align with the tracks for mounting








Brackets for mounting the awning

 

Also, had to take a little break from all the fabrication fun and take the family out to dinner, parking lot style.

 

I don't think I answered this. The backing plate keeps the phone and ham mounted pretty secure. Very minimal vibration / shaking while going down the road. Not enough to be noticeable.

 

Still busy building and setting things up in the bed so I can begin the wiring projects. Had the load bars powder coated and went to install the this weekend with some stainless bolts. I bought the exact quantity that I needed, figuring, what could go wrong? Starting installing the rear load bar and began tightening the 2nd bolt / nut (nylock) and the nut seized up and it was not cross threaded. Well, double crap because now, I need to cut this off without damaging the powder coat and the closest hardware store (Lowes / Home Depot / Ace) are just over an hour round trip. Fortunately, the small, local Napa (agricultural specialties) was open and had just what I needed, so that was a double score with cutting off the old and local parts. I then get the new bolt installed and tighten it up and then move on to the forward load bar. I get the bolts in place and get the bar up there and find that the holes do not line up, the spacing for the tracks is wider for some reason. Everything visually (first mistake) looks parallel. Well, sure as sh!t, the tracks flare inward from front to back by about an 1¼". At that point, I quickly abandoned this project temporarily while I profusely cursed in my head and moved onto mounting the High Lift in the bed with some mounts I fabbed from some shallow strut and angle iron I had laying around and had powered coated ($0 in parts and $10 in powder coating). I also used some left over ½" all thread, nuts and washers and got this installed. I am happy with the results. I also mounted tie-down tracks and some left over carpet tiles in the bed as well.

 

I looked back through the thread and couldn't find it. Can you please say what you used for your bed base to mount the tie-down tracks? Is it plywood or? Also how did you attach it? I go back and forth on using a base like you did or just screwing tie-down tracks right to the bed. Thanks!

 

I bought a sheet of 5' X 5' X 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood and drilled holes through the high flutes of the bed and bolted it down with 6 bolts.

 

It was another busy weekend. Spent the weekend installing an OME BP-51 lift on a buddies Limited 4Runner and got that done early Saturday and since I had some help, I decided to take full advantage (plus pay back is a b!tch) and get the AluCab RTT placed on the the home made load bars. It was not an easy task, but we got it up there. The I was able to install the awning on the home made brackets and also mount the road shower. After all the measuring for holes, placement, etc., I could not believe everything bolted up flawlessly, which meant it was Beer:30 after that, but first, I had to eliminate some more chrome with a color match grill.

 

Spent the weekend building a "box" for mounting electrical and hiding the wires and fuse block. Spent Saturday measuring and cutting out everything and sanding it all down. Sunday, I used a piece of 16 ga. metal I had laying around and cut and drilled it for the USB chargers, 12V sockets, switches and an air chuck for air supply in the back of the truck. I got everything in there and assembled everything to make sure it fit and also make it easier to put back together after paint. I then painted all the parts and assembled the switch plate. Now, to install and on to wiring everything up. I also drilled a couple of holes in the bed side and installed rubber grommets to run the power up through.

 

That is some nice work!

 

Spent Sunday working on getting the power to the bed of the truck as well as an additional air line. I wrapped both in plastic loom and taped them together to make it easier to route both at the same time. I routed the along the existing factory wiring on the top of the frame rail on the passenger side and brought them into the bed through the previously installed rubber grommets. I then crossed over the fire wall to the battery and air compressor. Since I was doing all of this, I upgraded to the SDHQ terminals and cleaned up the battery. I am going to need to upgrade to a larger batter one day.

In the rear, I mounted a a Blue Seas 12 circuit fuse block and pressure regulator. Still need to get more done, but slowly making progress.

 

What did you think about those BP-51 on the 4runner? On the fence between Fox 2.5s and those.

 

Wow, really nice woodwork on that fridge cage/slide out!
What offset are your wheels?

 

Really like the fridge stove cabinet! Anything you would change if you did it again?
How much $ did you end up with in it? Ballpark.

ryan

 

Baltic Birch Plywood - 1 - 4'X8'X¾" and 1 - 4'X8'X½" about $150
32" Slides were about $130 per pair X 2
Small drawer slides about $20
Paint - 1 gal about $27
Bent up 16 ga. sheet metal about $65
Misc hardware / dowels / glue / metal / pulls possibly $70

So about $600 in materials.

As far as changing things, time and use will let me know

 

I have been busy the last several weekends getting a bunch of electrical work done and some air lines. Getting ready for a 2,500 mile road trip with @Sgt Grunt in about 7 weeks, so trying to get everything dialed in and ready since we have about 6 nights of camping before we hit Moab.

• Fuse block complete and powered
• Switched power to fridge with relay
• Switched power to WeBoost (still need to install antennas and cable and fab a bracket)
• Switched power to LED light strips and installed LED lights
• Power to RTT
• Air chuck off regulator plumbed and installed for Road Shower

 

Big things are coming. Yesterday, I took delivery of my new front bumper from Demello Offroad. It's nice having a reach lift available to offload and place in the back of the truck, just wish I had that at the house as well. I had also ordered a Warn Zeon 12-S winch and received a cancellation notice from the vendor due to the expected availability date was January 2022! WTF! I scrambled yesterday searching for an available / in stock winch and was lucky enough to find 4Wheel Parts had one, and only one locally. So needless to say, I had to pull the trigger on that as well.

And because no post is any good without pictures, here it is, the new bumper upon delivery. Guess I know what I am working on this weekend.

 

Started working on putting together the bumper Monday, only after a bout a food poising on Sunday. Not a fun way to pass the day. Installed the Baja Design lights in the bumper, then opened the winch box and started messing with that. I removed the solenoid pack and am waiting for the relocation kit, then realized that the clutch level will hit the bumper and grill. A quick Google and found that the clutch end can be clocked, so I disassembled that end and rotated forward so it will be accessible through the bumper.

 

Ripped off the front bumper yesterday is preparation to install the ne Demello bumper. As with most aftermarket bumpers, it seems, I had to massage the holes for the parking sensors to fit. Nothing a small file didn't fix. Also, gotta love living in a small town, plenty of the neighbors stop by to see what's up and offer help when it comes to installing the bumper. Guess this won't be to bad after all.

 

This weekend, I was able to get the Demello bumper and winch installed and wire up the fog lights to the OEM harness by cutting off the factory end and installing the new ends supplied with the Baja Design lights. It is not easy installing the bumper and winch by yourself, but fortunately, I was able to install the bumper and then install the winch. Still need to complete the winch wiring and solenoid relocation as well ac complete the wiring of the light bar and switches, then spool in the winch line.

 

Man that looks nice and clean!

 

Thanks! The install might, but the truck is a filthy mess. Living in any area surrounded by agricultural land and high winds sucks trying to clean up the vehicles.

 

Yeah installing that bumper with a winch on it solo sucked! Build is looking good!

Are you using the DOT approved air line fittings? I’m going to revamp my air setup pretty soon.

 

The air line and fittings I ran from the manifold to the back is Tailonz

$15 TAILONZ PNEUMATIC Air Line DOT 1/4" od Black Pneumatic Nylon Tube 32.8ft Air Brake Tubing Nylon Hose

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P56RNXK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 . There is no mention of DOT, but I am not worried about that. From the compressor to the manifold is a Viair braided SS line. If I was running an air locker, I would run the braided SS lines to those as well

 

Yeah I know what you are talking about. I live here in the Napa Valley and it is the same. I always roll my windows down during the day at work for heat to not build up but the dust is a major consequence. We have friends that own Snug Harbor so have driven through your town a few times going home. I love Walnut Grove! Even told my wife last time going through I would love to live there.

 

It's a great town, it is a living version of Mayberry. Everyone knows everyone and the entire town is walkable. It's remote, yet not too far from everywhere.

 

I just skimmed the thread bit someone has some damn good fabrication skills!

 

Love the build! How are you liking those grabber x3’s?

 

I love the X3's. I had them on my 4Runner and never had one issue, even in the Sierra granite, which can puncture or slice tires quite easily. Here's a couple of pictures from the Rubicon on the 4Runner. These were at about 12 psi.

 

Damn!! That’s impressive. I don’t see a ton of guys running these but from what little I’ve gathered they seem like a really bullet proof tire. How are they on road? I’ve been narrowing my search down for months lol, I think I’m down to these or the Toyo MT’s.

 

On the 4Runner, I ran the Toyo's before and liked them quite a bit. I think either is a good choice, especially in the E rating. The only thing is that either one is HEAVY, but they are both very durable tires.