98 SR5 - The "Dirt Duster" build

Thanks for the feedback gents!

It's coming off.... haha I think all of your feedback has persuaded my impartial judgement to dislike it.

Now if only I can convince myself that the MTZ's are good on ice, I can put my "cool" tires back on, and I'm good to go! I have an itch to go wheeling soon though, so it's just a matter of time.
 
Hey Addison, now that I've hassled you a bit about your wheel barrow tires (;):) I wanted to come back and say I really dig the new headlights. For being the baddest of the bad projector retrofits, they are nicely understated. I think that keeps them in tune w/the overall theme of your rig. The shot where the rig is pointed @ the wall and you can see the width of the beam... that was crazy. Wow.

BTW, even though you've already decided, you can count me as another vote to lose the sport skid. It just cluttered up the front end.
 
I try to look at that picture of the sport skid installed and my eyes keep swaying to those street tires!

i think I would like the skid a lot better if you still had your mtzs on...
 
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Hey Addison, now that I've hassled you a bit about your wheel barrow tires (;):) I wanted to come back and say I really dig the new headlights. For being the baddest of the bad projector retrofits, they are nicely understated. I think that keeps them in tune w/the overall theme of your rig. The shot where the rig is pointed @ the wall and you can see the width of the beam... that was crazy. Wow.

BTW, even though you've already decided, you can count me as another vote to lose the sport skid. It just cluttered up the front end.

Lol, the hassle is deserved Nick! Those tires look like they came off my gf's Corolla! hahaha

Thanks for the compliments on the lights. They are honestly one of my favorite mods on the truck. I'm so pleased with how the front end came together - with the black lights, tinted corners, black Satoshi, matched with the silver skids, projectors, and TOYOTA emblem to break up the black a little.

The sport skid has officially been deleted.

I try to look at that picture of the sport skid installed and my eyes keep swaying to those street tires!

i think I would like the skid a lot better if you still had your mtzs on...

Haha I know, such an eye sore!!! I've been having some really twisted 4Runner thoughts lately that involves having a 3rd gen for the winter AND one for the summer. Kinda following in BFAD's steps with multiple rigs. Time will tell.

I would love these! I would finally feel like true 4runner power again...

Oh man, if there's one true benefit of the tires, it's my 1/4 mile and 0-60 times. Hahaha
 
I acquired a new roof rack. It's full length, low profile, and made by a member on this forum. haha Apparently I'm full of mystery these days...

Stay tuned for pics once I get it painted!!!
 
I acquired a new roof rack. It's full length, low profile, and made by a member on this forum. haha Apparently I'm full of mystery these days...

Stay tuned for pics once I get it painted!!!

Saaaaweet! Is it the one that SR5SuShi was selling?? If you dont want that Sport skid plate, you can just give it to me :bravo:

Have you ever considered getting the SR5 textured black flares for your truck? The same ones I have. Because I think they would look awesome on your truck
 
Saaaaweet! Is it the one that SR5SuShi was selling?? If you dont want that Sport skid plate, you can just give it to me :bravo:

Have you ever considered getting the SR5 textured black flares for your truck? The same ones I have. Because I think they would look awesome on your truck

Nope, not SR5Sushi's rack, although his is very nice! I have considered those flares but just am not sure if I want flares or not. I do like them but I think I would go Bushwakers if I were to drop the cash on flares.

Awesome. And I'm banking more on a whitson one....and side point wasn't sr5sushis a Gobi?

Nailed it! haha

So I was planning on getting out today and taking some GOOD pics of the new roof rack painted and installed but it was SUPER cold until later tonight. (we have some kind of chinook rolling in as I type....) I just couldn't bear it any more so I went out and snapped a couple pics in the garage after I was shooting some photos of the ice fog.

So without further ado, some terrible garage flash shots of my full length Whitson Metalworks roof rack:


Whitson Metal Works Full Length Rack 2 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


Whitson Metal Works Full Length Rack by RickaShay24, on Flickr

I'll be sure to get better pics this weekend showing the whole truck!

The rack itself is awesome! Super solid, mounts VERY low to the roof (what I wanted) and it's actually not even that heavy. Very happy with the product and Josh was an absolute pleasure to trade with - yup, sparing you all the details, we traded a set of my projector headlights for his roof rack. Stoked.

The expanded mesh is going to be excellent for using bungee cords and attaching various things to the roof. I plan on mounting my Hi-Lift, shovel, and axe up there immediately. Later I'll be doing a 20L Rotopax on the roof as well for fuel. As you can see, I made a Plexiglass wind faring to cut down on wind noise. I then fastened it using zip ties. I plan on covering the whole faring with stickers so eventually you wont even see the zip ties holding it on. If I decide I don't like the sticker faring look, I'll be painting it with a DIY bedliner.

I kind of fluked out on getting the rack painted. I was in a panic as the weather here turned FAST the day I went to get the rack. I dont have a heated garage so had no clue where I was going to paint it in the freezing cold, and get it done before corrosion got the best of it. Turns out, one of my local "Toyota buddies" has a friend with an industrial paint shop. He said I could borrow a paint booth for a few hours for a 15 pack of beer. Without thinking I accepted the offer and ran to pick up some beer. After showing up at the paint shop and chatting a bit while the rack warmed up to room temp, Jeremy the painter began talking to me about what kind of finish I was going to use. Embarassed, I told him I was just going to rattle can the whole rack as I have had great results with the Tremclad Hammerite paint I had brought (use it on my sliders and it holds up GREAT). He then directed me towards one of his paint booths where his employees were doing some painting for some kind of industrial equipment. They were using a metallic gunmetal paint. He then asked "Do you like that color and finish?" The next thing I know, his crew of painters is prepping, priming, and painting my roof rack. Followed by some special clear coat designed to withstand abrasion and be long lasting (like I said, for some kind of industrial equipment). He made me leave the rack in the heated shop for about 15 hours before he'd allow me to pick it up. After several attempts at offering to pay him with some cash or at least some more beer, he graciously denied. I even drank some beers with him and chatted while his guys did the paint work! Super awesome and generous guy. I def did not expect anything for free walking in the door. He'll be getting some repeat business from me when the time comes....Just thought I'd share my story, as you might have wondered why I didnt paint it black. Despite the slight offset in color from the rest of my "mods" on the truck, I'm 100% happy with the outcome!

Oh, and my attempt at multiple exposures and light painting in the ice fog tonight (I need to get out and practice more....):


Ice Fog 4Runner by RickaShay24, on Flickr


Ice Fog 4Runner 2 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
 
Mah gawd! It gets better! Haha keep it up, always love a good update.
-On a side note... I've been looking for a good gunmetal metallic to paint my rims with. I really like that color its exactly what ive been looking for. Is there anyway you could find out a paint code or company that it was purchased from? I'd really appreciate it!
 
I have been following your build for some time now but have yet to comment. Your rig looks great! Everything flows together so well. I really like that your winch is low profile and can hide inside the bumper, I see so many that stick way up. I would like something like that and then add a rigid bar light right on top of the bumper, wide low and protected.

anyways, keep up the great work!
 
Just be sure to NOT load it up while that thing is parked in your garage. :P
Looks like you have about 2 inches of clearance there. Looks sweet. I need one of those.
 
+1 totally useless internet point to me!

Anyways, looking awesome as usual, and looking forward to more pics.

Thanks! and it's not a useless internet point.... your slowly getting your T4R rep up! haha

I really dig the colors in those photos. :thumb3:

Thanks, I was actually just browsing your build the other day. I commented but my internet quite and the comment didnt go through. Love how clean your rig is and your thread is very alluring with the high quality photos as well! I'll be watching it closely.

Mah gawd! It gets better! Haha keep it up, always love a good update.
-On a side note... I've been looking for a good gunmetal metallic to paint my rims with. I really like that color its exactly what ive been looking for. Is there anyway you could find out a paint code or company that it was purchased from? I'd really appreciate it!

I can try and find out for yah....

I have been following your build for some time now but have yet to comment. Your rig looks great! Everything flows together so well. I really like that your winch is low profile and can hide inside the bumper, I see so many that stick way up. I would like something like that and then add a rigid bar light right on top of the bumper, wide low and protected.

anyways, keep up the great work!

Thanks a lot man, I was actually looking at photos of your ODL bumper a lot when I was decided which route to go. You nailed it with the LED bar. I'll have one up there in short time I'm sure.... gunna build a ultra low hoop though to help protect the lightbar.

Just be sure to NOT load it up while that thing is parked in your garage. :P
Looks like you have about 2 inches of clearance there. Looks sweet. I need one of those.

Hahah thats funny you noticed. It sucks cause that is how much clearance I have with my SMALL tires on. The truck doesnt fit in the garage with my MTZs and the new rack.... boooo.

Wow man, I missed these pictures yesterday. That coating looks great! Any idea on what exactly it was called?

Thanks man. The pics dont really show the rack off well. So i went out today and got some better ones just for you.... hahah read below:


20121130-IMG_3369 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Gawd I love the profile of this rack! And I really think the tubing flows well with all of my other bits of tube on the truck.

20121130-IMG_3375 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121130-IMG_3377 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Pretty cool how the rack is curved to match the roof profile.

20121130-IMG_3379 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Yup, about 1/2" off the roof. Doesnt get much closer. Although I could have jacked the front adjustable legs higher for more clearance, but I wanted it hella-low.

20121130-IMG_3380 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121130-IMG_3387 by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Full mesh front to back for the non-sunroof folks out there.

20121130-IMG_3388 by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20121130-IMG_3396 by RickaShay24, on Flickr
 
Dooood! Your truck looks fantastic! Makes me less in love with all of my "character" dents and dings lol, and your pictures look like something out of a magazine, a good magazine! Looks like you have the rack mounted just right and the full length floor looks ultra expo!
 
Dooood! Your truck looks fantastic! Makes me less in love with all of my "character" dents and dings lol, and your pictures look like something out of a magazine, a good magazine! Looks like you have the rack mounted just right and the full length floor looks ultra expo!

LOL, mine has plenty of it's own "character dents" as well.... you just can only see one of them haha.

The photos turned out good but I wish the weather was cooperating and I could have made them better. It's pretty ugly in Lethbridge during the winter unless we have a cool snow storm, ice fog, or a crazy chinook. I did the best with what I had I guess....

On a side note, I'm going wheeling tomorrow in the mountains. Gunna be a super mellow day with nothing crazy but Ive just got the itch to be int he mountains so I've gotta go. Should get a couple more good photos of the truck/rack in it's "natural habitat." Tell me what pics you want (give me the flickr #'s) and I'll email you full resolution copies for your webpage if you want.

Now it's your turn josh.... bring on the lights!
 
Yes sir! Last I checked they were "awaiting export" which has the ring of "when we feel like it" but trust me, they'll be installed ASAP! I'll get you some flicker numbers later on, thank you.
 

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