98 4Runner - Dirt Duster Build

[mtnbike28]

Great pictures from the trip, thanks for sharing!

 

[rickashay]

Sorry?!?! Looks like a fantastic trip. Apologize for not inviting us.

LOL

Great pictures from the trip, thanks for sharing!

No problem! Glad to share em'. I feel deprived, I have been camping in the truck for the past 3 weekends in a row. This weekend I went throgh withdrawals because I stayed home and was "productive."

 

[Glenn C]

first off wow what a rig you have , you should be very proud mate , second im currently in the process of getting rid of my LR Discovery one for a Hilux surf (what a 4runner is called here in Ireland) and you have given me great ideas, I am 6"2 and like to sleep in the back of my wagon aswell so your rear arrangement has me very interested , I will be onto you more once I actually get my 4 runner , congrats on the thread i have subscribed

Glenn

 

[rickashay]

Hey Glenn!

Thanks for the interest in my thread. I only wish the diesel hilux was more abundant in my neck of the woods. Feel free to ask as many questions as you can and I can try and help! Cheers

 

[rickashay]

A few updates and some pics from my most recent run to follow:

I have installed my ODL bumper. If you've been following my build at all, I was contemplating a few options but I am very happy with the result. I went with ODL, no hoops, limited width version (more protection) and their satin powdercoat. The finish of the bumper is excellent and I'm very happy with the mounts and construction at this point. I may need to enlarge one of the mounting holes as I have slightly more bumper gap on one side, but I think it's due to the truck, not the bumper as my OEM bumper had the same gap difference. (must have been in a fender bender at some point before I purchased it!)

I plan on adding a very LOW center hoop down the road to accommodate an LED bar and also will be adding some small hoops on the sides of the bumper next to the corner markers to give some added trail protection there (another reason for the "limited width version")

And of course when I did the bumper install, I threw in my TJM Stealth 9000 winch:bluejump: Man, the wireless remote is AWESOME! haha

On to some poser shots:

20121014-IMG_3073 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3086 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3078 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

And another update, that I haven't really mentioned, is my iPad. I have been wanting a new GPS setup for a while as the Garmin I have doesnt quite cut it for trail use. I needed something that could create and upload existing tracks and I wanted a topography option as well. A fellow CT4WD member proposed me with his iPad 1 at the perfect time. It's the first gen iPad, but it is the 64GB version and has 3G ---> the only iPad with the built in GPS chip! I was sold....

I went with a universal RAM mount that bolts to the seat mount. It's pretty sturdy but does wobble back and forth a bit on rough roads. I will be fine-tuning this setup in the future to make it slightly more stable, but it is definitely livable now. I am running the "GPS-kit" software and so far, I am very pleased with it!


20121014-IMG_3098 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Here are a few close-ups of my bumper/winch install. I mounted my wireless winch controller inside the truck where I would have easy access to it; whether inside or outside of the 4Runner during a recovery. I also wont hit my knee on it in this location and accidentally "bump" the winch in/out.


20121021-IMG_3130 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

I then made a new bracket for my aux. fuse block using steel instead of the old one which was stainless. I just found the stainless to be a b**ch to drill through when I wanted to ad new relays and I wanted to make the bracket a little different this time. While I was there, I also mounted my battery kill switch for the winch. I leave it OFF when I'm not on the trail so there can never be accidental winch operation or any kind of possibility of shorting out the winch.


20121021-IMG_3136 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121021-IMG_3137 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

I had to remove the solenoid box from my TJM winch in order for it to fit inside the bumper. I made my own extended wire for the solenoid box using 2-Guage cable. The original TJM wires were extremely short and not flexible so this is a must-do with this winch if you plan on re-locating the solenoid box at all. I then made a small bracket out of a piece of L-channel and mounted that to the bumper. Here is where the solenoid box now sits, giving me easy access to the winch controller plug, should my wireless remote battery die out on the trail.


20121021-IMG_3141 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[rickashay]

Continuing from the post before.... a few pics of our wheeling trip a couple weeks ago:


20121013-IMG_2801 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2809 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2818 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2826 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2842 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2875 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2884 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121013-IMG_2923 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_2948 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_2959 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_2965 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_2987 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_2981 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3017 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3030 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3038 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3042 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3047 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121014-IMG_3046 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[Box Rocket]

Great photos. Looks like a very enjoyable trip.

 

[rickashay]

Great photos. Looks like a very enjoyable trip.

Thanks a lot Adam! I spend a fair amount of time drooling over your adventure photos...not going to lie.

 

[MStudt]

Just wanted to say that I really like your set-up. You have a nice, simple build. I'm new to the Portal, but looking into getting a 4Runner in the next year or so.

 

[rickashay]

Just wanted to say that I really like your set-up. You have a nice, simple build. I'm new to the Portal, but looking into getting a 4Runner in the next year or so.

Thanks a lot! The 3rd gen 4Runner is an awesome platform to get into. I seem to do a bit of everything offroad - expo/camping, backroads exploring, and even a little of the technical stuff and the truck has done great! Underpowered with 33's.... but that's my only gripe, time to save for a S/C.

 

[City_Rider]

Thanks a lot! The 3rd gen 4Runner is an awesome platform to get into. I seem to do a bit of everything offroad - expo/camping, backroads exploring, and even a little of the technical stuff and the truck has done great! Underpowered with 33's.... but that's my only gripe, time to save for a S/C.

Dude... The SC with a 7th Injector is the way to go. Much happier with the driveability of my rig now. I can actually pass people!!

Great rig rickashay - as mentioned, we need to go wheeling this spring. Not sure how keen I am on winter wheeling...

 

[rickashay]

^Still jealous of your S/C Dave!

I've got a lot of updating to do here....

Finally finished my personal headlights:
OEM Lexus LS460 Bi-Xenon projectors
99+ clear 4Runner hoursings
Morimoto 3Five ballasts
Philips 81522+ 4300K bulbs
HD Morimoto relay harness
Morimoto xB LED amber turn signals


20121111-IMG_3243 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

The turn signals:

20121111-IMG_3253 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

The result of one of the widest projector beams on the planet - incredible light output:

20121112-IMG_3272 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121112-IMG_3289 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Also traded a set of projector headlights I built for Josh Whitson (owns Whitson Metalworks) for one of his full length roof racks:

20121130-IMG_3369 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Very low profile, similar to a Gobi:

20121130-IMG_3375 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Got out in the snow a little to play today!

20121201-IMG_3432 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121201-IMG_3436 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Stuck in the ice/snow/mud:

20121201-IMG_3446 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121201-IMG_3443 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[TangoBlue]

Truck is looking good Addison. Really like the rack.

 

[rickashay]

Truck is looking good Addison. Really like the rack.

Thanks Tim! I should have taken your advice and supported the belly pan before I put it on - bent it yesterday.

 

[KAILUAZ]

Sick looking ride! The roof rack really sets it off.