HedgehogOutdoors
New member
Oh, ok. I've been watching Steve on YouTube for almost 3 years now, he's part of the reason I got a 4runner. Great guy, I'd love to make a roadtrip up north to visit one day!
98 SR5 - The "Dirt Duster" build
- Thread starter rickashay
- Start date
Oh, ok. I've been watching Steve on YouTube for almost 3 years now, he's part of the reason I got a 4runner. Great guy, I'd love to make a roadtrip up north to visit one day!
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
Man, your truck is the ultimate winter spy vehicle! It just melts into the snowy landscape. Awesome picture
rickashay
New member
I honestly don't know him that well. But seems like a great guy from what I do know, and the guy mods vehicles like a mad man!
Thanks! Is it bad I'm scared to drive around in the snow because I am afraid of rust? hahah seriously, I wish they wouldn't plow/salt/or gravel the roads. Just leave the fresh snow and I could get around anywhere and not worry about rust!
Well the "eyeballs" just happen to be finished as of last night! scroll down a little... :naughty:
Like I said, the thimble was pricey, but I like the fact that it's a one time purchase that will last my wheeling eternity. Plus, I'm a sucker for pretty CNC'd stuff. My TJM hook is now sitting in a box in my garage, we could probably work something out if your interested.
The LIGHTS ARE DONE! It's about time.... They are ridiculous. Colourful cutoff, WIDE beam pattern, perfect light distribution - amazing! OEM all the way! By far the hardest retrofit I have ever done, and I will never do it again, but worth it in the end. I should have done the solenoid swap like the other member on here (sorry forget your username!) had done and it would have simplified the process 100x. I had to create a whole new back for the headlight housing using a vacuum forming table and it was actually a ton of work. Anyways, pics:
20121111-IMG_3239 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20121111-IMG_3243 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20121111-IMG_3234 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Turn Signals:
20121111-IMG_3253 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
I'll get some output shots later as well as some pics of the LED's operating in something other than broad daylight.
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1985taylor1925
Senior Member
No Im definately the same way. They go crazy with the salt here is WI, and I hate it. I love driving in the snow. Im as giddy as a little girl the first time it snows and I get to go crazy in it. I say they should just plow and let it be. If people dont know how to drive in the snow, well, they would learn. I applied three layers of rust converter/primer followed by three layers of rust oleum protective enamel on several of my undercarriage parts over the summer. So that combined with frequent washing throughout the winter and Im ready to go. I think next summer Im gonna apply POR15.
Ya those projectors do look like crazy eyes! People probably see you driving toward them and piss their pants! It makes me think of a dragon for some reason. They look awesome man
rickashay
New member
Got a few night time shots this evening of the lights. Hard to accurately depict the output with a camera, hard to do them any justice. Here's my attempt:
20121112-IMG_3279 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Amber LED's on:
20121112-IMG_3282 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
The all-important width..... these things are CRAZY:
20121112-IMG_3272 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Look at the pretty colours!
20121112-IMG_3289 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20121112-IMG_3279 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Amber LED's on:
20121112-IMG_3282 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
The all-important width..... these things are CRAZY:
20121112-IMG_3272 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Look at the pretty colours!
20121112-IMG_3289 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Dirtco
New member
No question about it, the most bad ass projector conversion I've ever seen! To be honest I'm kind of speechless! 
I had to adjust my headlights this last weekend and they look like damn candle compared to your light output. Awesome work, and insane light output! When I make the step to projectors you will be the first, and only, call I make!
I had to adjust my headlights this last weekend and they look like damn candle compared to your light output. Awesome work, and insane light output! When I make the step to projectors you will be the first, and only, call I make!
rickashay
New member
Thanks Rip!
No question about it, the most bad ass projector conversion I've ever seen! To be honest I'm kind of speechless!
Thanks man, they are awesome compared to stock...It's actually ridiculous. Whenever you feel like making the jump, let me know! Maybe I can make you a set and then deliver them in person to you in Colorado and we can go wheeling? haha
Thanks! You nailed it..... I make excuses to "run to the grocery store" at night so I can be mesmerized! haha
smkd13
New member
Thanks BigFish! I will get you some measurements for sure! I am hoping they don't sag much...
LOL that's a bold statement, I am not sure I can live up to! There are some pretty wicked retrofits on here as of late. GottabeTRD, Bandit Runner, and 4runits to name a few are all pretty wicked. Infact, I was thinking of doing the exact same thing 4runit did with the LED DRL's for a while. I like to keep things pretty simple and clean aesthetically. To be honest angel eyes and LED's arent normally my style, but I need to do something to catch people's eyes while I drive around, sort of for my own promotional purposes. All I can say at this point is that I WONT be blacking out my headlights...
Anyways, the reason I came to my thread to post was to again, link Freeze's video, and to post some of my photos from that same trail run. No shots have emerged yet of the Duster, but here's my take on the trip:
20111113-IMG_0587 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
Freeze, in action...
20111113-IMG_0589 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0597 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0600 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
IFS flexin' to the max!
20111113-IMG_0602 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0606 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0613 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0617 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0629 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0635 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20111113-IMG_0640 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
and the video again:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f_C7_ra_9rs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ok what is that 2nd gen running and your rig is looking good. Definitely lovin it
rickashay
New member
That 2nd gen is no longer with us.... it was parted out as something happened with the motor and the owner wanted to try something else, a 1980 pickup to be exact. It was on stock height and the fenders were cut to run 35's.
Not a huge update, but one nonetheless. I recently aquired an OEM sport edition from skid plate peice. I'm still not sure if I am going to keep in on there, but I think it ties the Budbuilts up into the ODL bumper quite nicely. It's purely for aesthetics as it WILL bend upon contact with anything.
I had to drill some holes in it to make it fit onto the factory lower-rad support (I'm not running the brackets it came with at all). It's simply sandwiched between the Budbuilt on the lower rad mounting points (3 of them). I also had to trim one side for it to clear my frame mounted recovery points. I wanted to retain them as they are mounted directly to the frame rails. Despite the ODL having nice recovery points built in, I believe the best spot to get pulled/recovered from, are ones closest to the frame. This reduces the leverage when transferring the load of the "pull" directly to the frame - hopefully never bending anything.
pics:
20121119-IMG_3308 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
20121119-IMG_3309 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
What do you guys think..... leave it on? or pull it off?
"Winter mode" engaged, yeah they're 28" tires....lol
20121119-IMG_3311 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
BigFishAllDay
New member
Where is the "DISENGAGE WINTER MODE" button?
Find it, and press it now! :crybaby:
Find it, and press it now! :crybaby:
Nelsonmd
New member
Wow rick, your front end is very clean, great job. Though I will give the controversial opinion of dropping the TRD skid plate, or whatever it's called. It does nothing but add a bit of clutter to your otherwise very clean front end.
And I do love the pacifier winch thimble. Your rig's name should be Maggie.
And I do love the pacifier winch thimble. Your rig's name should be Maggie.
rickashay
New member
Hahaha, trust me, I HATE it. I need to either get a DD to drive in the winter or buy some Yokohama snow/ice tires in 285/75/16. The mud tires just don't cut it on the highway when it gets icey around here....they are like hockey pucks sliding across the ice. (Hows that for a Canadian analogy! haha)
Thanks man! Yah, I'm still not sure if it will stay. I'm gunna leave it on for a few weeks and see if it grows on me.
GottaBeTRD
New member
man i'm kind of on the fence with the skid plate. I really liked your shots earlier without the skid so i think i'm gonna stick with that.
JadatheRottweiler
New member
no skid plate
1. color way doesnt go
2. doesnt flow with the look imo
3. doesnt look fun to clean
just my opinion though!
1. color way doesnt go
2. doesnt flow with the look imo
3. doesnt look fun to clean
just my opinion though!
farmerjon
Senior Member
As usual, some sick shots, I really like the ones you posted of the projectors at night! Now I REALLY want some projectors, even though I'm a fan of a mostly stock look... Man...oh man...
I did just get some Hella driving lamps, as you already know, and those make my high beams look like low beams! It's crazy... I'll probably try and get my Hellas converted to HIDs eventually... But I did just learn how to wire them up.
Again, sick build! I just realized we both have '98 SR5's!
I did just get some Hella driving lamps, as you already know, and those make my high beams look like low beams! It's crazy... I'll probably try and get my Hellas converted to HIDs eventually... But I did just learn how to wire them up.
Again, sick build! I just realized we both have '98 SR5's!
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
I vote for getting rid of the sport skidplate. It does not go with the bumper and bud built skid at all.
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