Workshop Journal

Roof Box Mount System
Lockable quick-mount heavy duty bracket roof box system. Mounts up to two Plano Field Locker Mil-Spec Cases (54″ x 15″ x 6.5″ inside). Easy mount/dismount of the wheeled cases makes them a versatile tool not just on the road but on arrival, as well.
Storage Shelves
I’ve built a number of storage shelf solutions, built-in and free-standing. I’m a maximizer, so I like to model the shelf space with detailed dimensions where it’s helpful to strategize ideal bin or section sizes tailored to planned use. And I’ll tailor structural members to maximize for efficiency, or include steel reinforcement if space is…
Is Rubberized or Paint Vehicle Undercoating a Good Option?
Part 2, A Cautionary Tale I’ll share some thoughts here since it’s a common question I get alongside the lanolin wet film undercoating option (see article Can Lanolin Vehicle Undercoating Help to Stop Rust?). I’ll start with the bottom lines at the top again: Outside of brand new vehicles or full frame-off restorations, I generally…
Solid Brass Milled Handrail Brackets
I designed and milled a pair of bespoke solid brass brackets to put the finishing touch on a custom railing project I made for a client in Minneapolis. The powder-coated railing set includes four pieces: a straight rail, stair rail, hand rail, and gate. Once we had it all installed and mounted, the handrail was…
Guidelines for Applying Lanolin Wet-Film Undercoating on Your Vehicle
I’ve been spraying Fluid Film & Woolwax for ten years, and have applied it for dozens of clients in my shop. Prepare the Vehicle At minimum, removing any flaking or deep/thick rust is necessary to success. Flaked or layered rust will get the film on the top surface, but prevent it from getting into the…
4th to 5th Gen 4Runner Brake Swap
The bigger 5th Gen 4Runner (2010-2015) brakes can be installed on the 4th Gen 4Runner (2003-2009). Three main components are a direct fit and size upgrade: front calipers, front rotors, and rear calipers. You’ll just need 17″ or larger wheels to fit the larger brakes. Swappers report better stopping power with the 5th Gen brakes,…
Can Lanolin Vehicle Undercoating Help to Stop Rust?
Part 1, Lanolin is The Way Bottom lines at the top: Yes, undercoating can help to stop rust. Based on my research and experience, I recommend wet film lanolin coating for any salt belt vehicle, new or old. I generally would not use rubberized or paint-type dry coatings, apart from some particular circumstances - and…