98 SR5 - The "Dirt Duster" build
- Thread starter rickashay
- Start date
Awesome stuff!
Yea, I figure you'd have that bumper off in a hurry.
Wheels and a new bumper would set that thing off, but I also like clean lines and would want to see the flares removed.
Would those mounts on the rear wheel wells make a good C02 tank mount? I wish I had something like that in the 4runner for my tank.
Is the 35" going inside or will there be a swingout bumper?
Yea, I figure you'd have that bumper off in a hurry.
Wheels and a new bumper would set that thing off, but I also like clean lines and would want to see the flares removed.
Would those mounts on the rear wheel wells make a good C02 tank mount? I wish I had something like that in the 4runner for my tank.
Is the 35" going inside or will there be a swingout bumper?
rickashay
New member
Oh, I plan on it Jim! Going to permanently located the stove on a drawer slide with possibly an accompanying sink. I've got some professional cabinet makers lined up for the project, should be pretty cool!
I agree, not a big fan at all of the bumper. Wheels just need to happen, and seeing as how this is solely my "trail/adventure truck" there's no reason for me to keep the A/T's. I could totally mount a C02 tank back there, but I'm going ARB dual compressor.... spare tire on the swing-out whenever I get that far. Roof rack can do the job for now, or I'll throw it on the existing rear swing-down mount on the rear bumper (I removed it after picking up the truck cause it limits the use of the rear hatch unless you drop the spare, and it isnt easy to do)
Hey, want to step up to some 35's Quinn?!? I think you should.... you've got the right lift setup.
The winch would fit with some cutting I'm sure, but you'd probably have to open the top of your ARB bumper completely - the 8274 is HUGE. And I sold it today... haha that didnt take long!
I'll like the new build thread in here once I start one on Expo or ih8mud, just havent got around to it yet. Thanks for following along.
My mileage is bad enough as it is =) I'm happy to see summer gas return.
I was actually thinking of maybe selling my tires and going with a lighter tire. I'm having balancing issues again I believe. Third time. Maybe entertain General Grabber AT2's, or a 285/55/16.
I'm going to edit my responses on Treadwright tires. I wouldn't do them again as they have now cost me just as much as new tires and the only real benefit is 4 less tires in the garbage pile.
Interested to see what bumpers you come up with. I don't look because then I want to buy. I do like the 80's though.
rickashay
New member
Yah, I personally won't run treadwrights and after hearing ^this^ I probably never will. Still doesn't help my current tire debate though, picking tires has got to be one of the hardest choices of all! haha
My thoughts:
- Toyo M/T 315/75/16 (measure "true" 35's but are heavy as hell and $$$$)
- Goodyear MT/R 315/75/16 (also measure "true" 35's and I can get them out of the US for quite cheap)
- Or do I rock BFG KM2's in the odd ball 345/75/16 (measures 36.5"x13.5" which is awesome! However, these tires BLOW in the snow and I would want them siped $$$$, I wish any other tire was available in this size!)
A little update on the Cruiser:
I had ONE day off, it was absolutely gorgeous outside, and I had an itch to work on "Tom" so I made the best of the sunny day.
Finished pulling the interior panels (doors) and then pulled off the front bumper and winch. I wasn't sun burnt enough at that point, so I decided to de-flare the Lexus.... just need to get someone (hopefully Nick!!) to weld up the holes and then I'm off to the races. Also ordered a Porter Cable polisher to try and clean up the black paint. Not that much of it will remain after it get's LineX'd up to the upper door bodyline. I'm sure a lot of people will be bighting their nails on that one, as I know it's not liked by everyone. My reasoning is that the black paint on this truck is in pretty bad shape (scratches and oxidation). I could probably revive it, but I know that as soon as I get out onto the trail, it's going to happen all over again. One thing I loved about the Duster was it's light color that did a VERY good job at hiding scratches. With the Lexus, I wont be so lucky. Considering this is going to be a purpose-built adventure/wheeling rig, I need to make it best at doing just that with low maintenance. I called around and was thinking of painting the whole truck Millenium Silver (Vic's old 3rd Gen 4Runner color) or the new FJ Trail Team Cement Grey, however 6-10K for a paint job is pretty rediculous - and no, I won't do a backyard special paint job, I'm way too OCD. LineX will be drastically cheaper and I'm going to get it painted (it will have a little gloss and will be washable) the same color as my soon-to-be Gunmetal SCS wheels. I think it's actually going to turn out pretty BA and I won't ever wory about scratching paint again....
Oh, and a photo of Tom Cruiser without all of his flares/cladding:
20120622-IMG_1652.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr
It looks WAY better without that bumper and soccer mom cladding.
Can't wait to see what's next. I assume you weren't affected by the floods?
Yup. First and last Treadwrights that I'll own. They are holding up well, but end up costing me more than a new tire. Plus I had to have one replaced under warranty which is actually quite common when you look into it. I had to drive to the US to pick it up.. =(
Can't wait to see what's next. I assume you weren't affected by the floods?
Yup. First and last Treadwrights that I'll own. They are holding up well, but end up costing me more than a new tire. Plus I had to have one replaced under warranty which is actually quite common when you look into it. I had to drive to the US to pick it up.. =(
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SCRunner12
New member
I like the ideas you have, but you're going to want 37's...might as well since it's not a DD. I do like the line-x idea. I saw this 80 series in town this weekend and was drooling over it. I didn't think I'd like the bed liner all over, but for a trail rig it's sweet.
Just a little motivation, sorry for the bad pic though.
Just a little motivation, sorry for the bad pic though.
rickashay
New member
Can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind...
Bummer on the tires, oh well, learn from experience I guess. You just will have to try something else next time around. I just picked up some Cooper ST Maxx for my Tundra in 265/70/17 and they are surprisingly quiet on the trail and have done great on the muddy lease roads. I like the look a lot too, kind of in between an M/T and a A/T.
Thanks, I agree, the truck looks so much cleaner already in it's current state. I'm working on getting the thing in for welds and lineX but I REALLY need to decide what I want to do for wheels/tires. It's such a tough decision cause I LOVE the SCS F5's but it's almost impossible to get a 35 OR a 37" tire in a 16. If you want 37's, you almost have to go 17" wheel nowadays. But seeing as how I am having my wheels sent to OMF for beadlocks, I won't have the liberty of changing later, need to get this right the first time!
I have a build thread on Ih8mud. I could start one here if everyone wanted me to. Or I can keep updating it here, whatever works. I just want to stay in touch with the 3rd gen crowd so either way, you'll see the Cruiser updates!
Yah I still like paint more, but at the same time, it's hard to outweigh the functionality of the LineX and when done right, it looks good too. Oh....37's.... your a bad influence Robert hahah. It's very true, I do want to run 37's but I also have a lot of long distance wheeling/camping trips incoming in the next couple years. I'm not sure how much I'm going to like driving a Cruiser cross-continent with 37" meats. 35's will get me anywhere, especially when I air lock f/r and will be on beadlocks but 37's are so damn cool! lol it's the same debate all over again, like putting 35's on the 4Runner, except with WAY worse fuel economy and very pricey tires... haha
Yup!
For the price I had to try. Somewhat regretting because of the final costs, but at least they are wearing fairly well. Haven't measured but I think 50K will be without issue, could be as high as 60-70 depending on how low I want to take them. Probably just give them to a friend once they look more like street tires or swap them onto my old wheels for road trips.
Those Coopers do look good. For the price the General Grabber AT2's have me thinking about them. I think around $780 installed when on sale for 33's! That's dirt cheap. My other option is 285/55/16 KM2's, but I worry about them on ice and snow since I use these tires year round.
I'm with you. There is no perfect tire.
For the price I had to try. Somewhat regretting because of the final costs, but at least they are wearing fairly well. Haven't measured but I think 50K will be without issue, could be as high as 60-70 depending on how low I want to take them. Probably just give them to a friend once they look more like street tires or swap them onto my old wheels for road trips.
Those Coopers do look good. For the price the General Grabber AT2's have me thinking about them. I think around $780 installed when on sale for 33's! That's dirt cheap. My other option is 285/55/16 KM2's, but I worry about them on ice and snow since I use these tires year round.
I'm with you. There is no perfect tire.
4Running Daily
New member
Man up. 37's are the only way to go.
You with 35's :deadhorse:
You with 37's :llama:
SCRunner12
New member
Please get some Stealth 6's and beadlock them. Holy shit that would be my ideal combo and throw some Hankook MT's in the 37x12.50.17 size. It would be perfect! All I've heard is great things about those tires. I understand the logical choice of 35's, but those trips won't be too frequent and you'll be fine. It will be legen.....................wait for it......................dary!
downpour11
New member
ahhh you're thinking about that expo'd SA Tundra huh!! drool
rickashay
New member
Nope there isn't. The general grabbers look like a good tire for sure! Cheap too.
I'd be weary of the KM2's. I have such a love hate with that tire but in the hard pack snow/ice, I cant be more serious when I say they SUCK. If I end up with the 345 KM2's I'm getting the center sections siped fo sho!
I see your logic here.... and it makes a lot of sense. 37's are just damn cool.
I'm not going to get the Stealth 6's beadlocked. I'm not sure if I'd like the look to be honest. I'm a simple 5 spoke kind of guy usually... If the F5's were available in a 17" rim, they would already be on their way to OMF. haha So I either beadlock some F5's in a 16" but then am limited to a 35" tire. Or if I just be patient, SCS is releasing a new wheel design later this year, and I might just wait for that. You'll have to keep checking over on TW for those updates!
Oh PS, I should have some Stealth 6's on my Tundra this week! I'll get some pics up when they get mounted. I like this wheel a lot, just not for the Cruiser.
Damn I love that truck.
I do like the texture of Monstaliner also. I've still been debating that but if I go LineX I get warranty and someone who can do it professionally. I'm worried if I DIY this, it won't come out as nice as I want, and there's no turning back on this stuff! If I win the lotto, cement grey will happen! haha
For those of you who want to know the kind of look I'm going for with the LineX, check this build out:
LX450 where to start! - Page 3
The color combo is totally different but the bodyline I want to follow is the same. He also it using a metallic finish LineX. If you want to waist some time, read through the hole build thread... the truck is currently at EMS getting a custom turbo setup. The thing is awesome.
4Running Daily
New member
Don't do it! This thing needs to be clean! just like your 3rd gen. Bedliner is not clean... you can't polish it. It sucks for anything but a trail only rig.
My advice is leave the paint as it is and save up for a decent paint job. In 3 years or so, you could easily get your dream paint job.
SCRunner12
New member
Isn't that what the LX is? :shrug:
4Running Daily
New member
I mean basically, but bedlining his LX doesn't exactly seem like something he would do. The paint must REALLY bother him.
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