This week, Jimmy and Tyler catch up on two very different 4Runner projects — and somehow both of them involve things that were bent, broken, or seized in ways nobody’s seen before.

Jimmy’s 4Runner “Samantha” is making progress. He spent the week fabricating temporary shock towers out of scrap steel, getting the shocks roughly mounted, and articulating the suspension to figure out how much travel he’s actually working with. The verdict: he needs to raise the shocks about a half inch, the bump stops are in the right ballpark, and the Panhard bar collision he was worried about looks like it won’t be an issue once the setup is dialed. He also talks through the surprisingly useful difference between working with metal vs. wood — and why metal scrap is genuinely hard to throw away.

Tyler’s 4Runner “The Mule” went to Jason at OCD Innovations for a full teardown, and what they found was wild. The pinion bearing had seized and welded itself to the housing — which is what caused the axle lockup and the subsequent catastrophic failure. The good news: the Mile Marker hubs actually survived and held. The not-so-good news: basically everything else needed replacing — lower links (bent aluminum), upper link bracket, CV joints (Metal Cloak), steering kit (Sidetrack Off Road), DOM tubing for the track link and Panhard bar, and a driveshaft joint that exploded and saved the front diff case in the process. The one remaining unknown is the rear diff. Jason is being thorough — almost comically so — and the mule is back on four wheels, running under its own power. Registration still has to happen, which means blinkers, safety inspection, and a Switch-Pros wiring job are all still on the list.

They also get into a deep conversation on lithium battery setups — starter battery vs. auxiliary battery, how alternators interact with lithium BMS shutoffs, and why Tyler is landing on a Dakota Lithium battery with a DC charger as his power management strategy.

Off the trail: Jimmy went and saw *Project Hail Mary* in theaters and loved it (verdict: great home watch, doesn’t require the big screen). He ran a 10K at the Run Rockland event and surprised himself with a 9:45/mile average. And both Jimmy and Tyler took a moment to geek out over the Big Boy steam locomotive #4014 rolling through Roseville — 1.2 million pounds, 133 feet long, 7,000 horsepower, and apparently enough to stop traffic and make kids forget trains exist in favor of radio towers.

SnailTrail4x4 Discord: https://discord.gg/yFyFFkQbuy
Come hang out with us on the SnailTrail4x4 Discord — it’s the easiest way to connect with Tyler and Jimmy directly, chat with fellow offroad enthusiasts, and get first access to Group Buys and Treasure Hunt token drops.

Group Buy for the Devos LightRanger 500
We reached out to Devos, and they are in. Here’s how the discount tiers work:

10 people → 15% off (~$60/light)
20 people → 20% off (~$56/light)
30+ people → 25% off (~$52/light)

These retail at $70. To get in, just send us your email and how many units you want. You can email us at jimmy@snailtrail4x4.com or tyler@snailtrail4x4.com, or DM us on Instagram. Deadline: April 30th.
Want to learn more about the LightRanger 500? Click Here: https://www.devosoutdoor.com/products/lightranger-500

MORRFlate Giveaway at 900 Reviews on Apple Podcast. But our next giveaway is when we reach 800 reviews; we are giving away an OnX Elite Membership. We will also give away an OnX Elite membership when we get to 850. However, when we reach 900 Reviews, we are teaming up with MORRFlate for a $1000 MF Product Giveaway. Go over to Apple Podcasts to leave your review now and become eligible to win. Congratulations to A13XMONT, who won a set of tires from Yokohama Tire!

Call us and leave us a VOICEMAIL!!!

We want to hear from you even more!!! You can call and say whatever you like! Ask a question, leave feedback, correct some information about welding, say how much you hate your Jeep, and wish you had a Toyota! We will air them all, live, on the podcast! +01-916-345-4744. If you have any negative feedback, you can call our negative feedback hotline, 408-800-5169.

4Wheel Underground has all the suspension parts you need to take your off-road rig from leaf springs to a performance suspension system. We just ordered our kits for Kermit and Samantha and are looking forward to getting them. The ordering process was quite simple, and after answering the questionnaire, we ensured we got the correct and best-fitting kits for our vehicles. If you want to level up your suspension game, check out 4Wheel Underground.

SnailTrail4x4 Podcast is brought to you by all of our peeps over at irate4x4! Make sure to stop by and see all of the great perks you get for supporting SnailTrail4x4! Discount Codes, Monthly Give-Always, Gift Boxes, the SnailTrail4x4 Community, and the ST4x4 Treasure Hunt! Thank you to all of those who support us! We couldn’t do it without you guys (and gals!)!

SnailSquad Monthly Giveaway

For the Month of April, we are giving away Gift Boxes. Its Gift Box month and two luck indiviuals will win a one of our gift boxs. These are jam packed with goodies from tools to whiskey smokers. They are always different and always random. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4

Congrats to Roger Lutz on March’s Giveaway. We gave away the new Devos LightRanger500. This little light is jam-packed with features, from red, orange, and white lights to a motion sensor. It would be perfect for inside a tent, under a canopy, or just general use around the vehicle. If you want a chance to win, sign up for the Giveaway Tier on Irate4x4

Listener Discount Codes:

SnailTrail4x4 –SnailTrail15 for 15% off SnailTrail4x4 Merch
MORRFlate – snailtraill4x4 to get 10% off MORRFlate Multi Tire Inflation Deflation™ Kits
4WheelUnderground – snailtrail 10% off
Ironman 4×4 – snailtrail20 to get 20% off all Ironman 4×4 branded equipment!
Sidetracked Offroad – snailtrail4x4 (lowercase) to get 15% off lights and recovery gear
Spartan Rope – snailtrail4x4 to get 10% off sitewide
Shock Surplus – SNAILTRAIL4x4 to get $25 off any order!
Mob Armor – SNAILTRAIL4X4 for 15% off
SummerShine Supply – ST4x4 for 10% off
Backpacker’s Pantry – Affiliate Link
Laminx Protective Films – Use the Link to get 20% off all products (Affiliate Link)

Show Music:

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699: 4Runner On All Fours