my B.O.V.

[WRMorrison]

For my first official post, I thought I'd share my B.O.V. work-in-progress. It's an '85 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 that I purchased from a friend. So far, it has upgraded front axleshafts (marfields; can't afford the longfields right now), front/rear lockers (lock-rights) and body lift (was already there; cheasy, but will serve its purpose). Right now, it's sitting on bald 32's, but will be getting a new set of 33's shortly (probably BFG mud-terrains).

Just the other day, I finished stripping the interior down to the bare metal and getting rid of everything that it either didn't need, didn't work anyway or I didn't want. The floor was coated with the brush-on bedliner, then painted to match the rest of the vehicle. The dash was completely removed, and I made a new crossbar to attach the steering column to (which I haven't done yet, probably next weekend). The stock gauges will be in a custom mount above the column, and an interior cage is in the works (measured, and DOM on the way). After the cage is done, I plan on fabricating dual rifle racks for the cab (either attaching to the dash/crossbar or the harness crossbar directly behind the seats).

Hopefully here soon, I'll be converting to propane (once I can find a good deal on a used 500 gallon tank for home refueling). I told myself that I'd hold off on the conversion until I could get a large tank at home since I didn't feel like making a trip to the propane refueling station every couple of days. (plus, I can use the large tank at home for all the other propane accessories that are on my list...).

This weekend, I finished the desert MARPAT paintjob on it. I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out so far; what'cha think?

-WRM

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/MARPAT1.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/MARPAT2.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/MARPAT4.jpg
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/MARPAT3.jpg

[WRMorrison]

Sorry, here's a pic of the interior after painting (before everything else went back in).

-WRM

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/inside1.jpg

[ak474u]

That's awesome! I'd love to do that to a dedicated vehicle, 4 runner is a good choice, I like the 22R 4cyl motors, they are extremely reliable, and not too hard to fix. I'd go carbs on the motor and get rid of EFI to make desert repairs easier if it were me, but I'm not at all comfortable with getting in a motor without help. I'd put me a few lightweight armor plates in the front cab areas, but dunno if it's worth the added weight or not. Build in an air compressor for those big tires! they take FOREVER to air up if you've gotta lower PSI to get un-stuck. I had one of the Air ride suspension compressors like the lowrider guys use on air bags mounted in the bed of a toyota truck I used to have as a parts truck when I had a race car shop, worked pretty well.

That camo job is cool too.

[Legio]

This is a very nice paint job. May I ask why you decided on a desert camo?

[WRMorrison]

Thanks! Plans are already in the works to add an onboard York compressor for airing up the tires and running pneumatic tools. I'd love to add the armor plating (actually, two doors down from where I work, is the company who armors most of the humvees going overseas; McVain gave a speech there not too long ago), but it's just not feasible at this point. Maybe I'll build another M1919A4 on a tripod for the bed sometime...lol.

-WRM

[WRMorrison]

This is a very nice paint job. May I ask why you decided on a desert camo?

Sorry, I just noticed that it doesn't specify my location under my username...I live in Mesa, Arizona. Green colors out here are few and far between, so a desert camo works extremely well. Hmm, desert camo in the desert works well, who'da thunk it? LOL

-WRM

[WRMorrison]

ETA: I also forgot to mention that I chopped ~14" out of the bed between the rear wheelwells and the tailgate, then welded the rear cap back on. It looks cool, and it really helps departure angle.

-WRM

[Legio]

Sorry, I just noticed that it doesn't specify my location under my username...I live in Mesa, Arizona. Green colors out here are few and far between, so a desert camo works extremely well. Hmm, desert camo in the desert works well, who'da thunk it? LOL

-WRM


I guess this answers the question, LOL

[chicom]

Cool little buggy.

[Gunslinger80]

I think your paint job looks really cool..Keep us posted on your progress.

[WRMorrison]

I think your paint job looks really cool..Keep us posted on your progress.

LOL...nice to see 'ya, and thanks! ;)

-WRM

[NonConformist]

Awesome idea!

[Gunfixr]

That's a cool paintjob.

I've considered camoing my truck several times, but living in the city it would stand out too much. It would be no good until I bugged out, and I don't really have anywhere to go anyway.
It is in earth colors, though.

[WRMorrison]

Thanks for the replies all! I mainly painted it this way just because I've always wanted to try a MARPAT paint job, and because I've never seen another. I figure if I do have to bugout, it will probably be covered (when parked) with camo netting anyway.

-WRM

[bob200587]

Nice runner, I have an 87.

[Alredneck]

Man thats a sweet paint job on your yota, i been wanting to do ACU on my dodge but the pain of all the patterns, how did you do yours. My bugout vehicle is my 68 deuce in a half it sits on 46s and will drink whatever burns pretty much. Its my avatar. If you could pm me details on how you did your paint I would appreciate it. Captain

[WRMorrison]

For the digital pattern, I just made a bunch of stencils. I went to WM and picked up some white poster board with grid lines on it (kind of like graphing paper). Then I cut each piece of poster board into 6 sections (roughly 8"x8", but I didn't measure, just guessed). Then, I just started drawing random square shapes until I had a decent stencil (and then cut the stencil out with an exacto knife...don't use the kitchen table, the wife WON'T be pleased...don't ask...).

Give a base coat to the entire vehicle of your lightest color, then start painting over the stencils. At first, I was trying to tape the stencils in place, then paint over them. But after I got in my "groove," it was much easier to just hold them against the truck and paint away. You'll end up with some painted digits, but it comes off eventually...lol.

Do a good coverage with each color, then go back over them again until you get the overall coverage you want. For paint, I just used regualar (cheap as I could get) flat latex exterior paint (works REALLY well in an automotive spray gun). And, it comes in eleventy-billion colors, so choosing your shades of grey and green shouldn't be a problem. I just took a pair of my cammie trousers up to the local paint store and had the guy behind the counter match them the best he could. I felt silly at first, but he laughed and said, "Trust me, I've had much stranger requests." LOL All total, I needed 1 gallon of light tan (~$20) and 3 quarts (1qt. each other color, ~$8 each). I used a standard automotive gun for the base coat ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43760 ) and a smaller version of the same thing for the stencils; both were on sale at the local Harbor Freight for $10 each, and they both worked extremely well (surprisingly).

All told (not counting prep work; mainly wetsanding with a sanding sponge) it took less than 3 hours and $70 (including the price of the guns) to do.

-WRM

[Alredneck]

Man thats good training, outstanding work, I figured you would have way more in prep and materials, I guess time and patience pays dividends! Hell id throw you a bone if I had one DevilDog keep up the good work man. :)

[WRMorrison]

Ooh-rah!!! ;)

-wrm