98 SR5 - The "Dirt Duster" build

[downpour11]

Man we should do the Con' or Dusy....

A couple of my friends have been wanting to run Dusy for a while. Rubicon and Dusy all depend on snowpack though… we haven't gotten anything this year yet, so we will see how it is when the time gets closer. Dusy is a long trail though, if we ran it, plan on 5 days. It's realllllly tight and around 30 miles long.

I'm down for whatever, it pretty much depends on snow though for what trails you want to run. Regardless, we will wheel something, somewhere lol.

 

[rickashay]

Normally my problem too.

You know I want to! It is a bit of a drive though, and requires money

Lol Fair enough.... although my drive is fairly long also. haha

Spring 2014 Potential Route

 

[4Running Daily]

Lol Fair enough.... although my drive is fairly long also. haha

Spring 2014 Potential Route

I'll end up meeting you somewhere. I just don't know where yet.

 

[Dous]

Lol Fair enough.... although my drive is fairly long also. haha

Spring 2014 Potential Route

https://www.google.com/maps/preview...f13.1!5m2!13m1!1e1!7m4!11m3!1m1!1e1!2b1&fid=0

I've got you beat by a good margin dude! Start picking some more destinations :bounce:

 

[rickashay]

UPDATES

Spent the last couple days working on the Cruiser instead of going out to the mountains. I guess I just decided that I need to start putting in more time on the LX to have it ready for Moab in May. Sacrifices.

IS300 Steering Wheel Installed:

20130116-IMG_2133.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Spline count is the same and the wheel is currently installed. Still need to figure out the wiring for the cruise control module and also get the airbag working. I found an OEM Toyota airbag adaptor that I ordered so, fingers crossed, that will make the bag work. Cruiser control shouldn't be too bad as the connector on the IS300 wheel and the body-side of the steering wheel harness on the LX, are identical. They are however pinned in a different order but once I get some time I think the wheel will be 100% functional!

My work over the last couple of days:
- Oil change on the LX. My first one since owning it, and I did it early! I've only put ~3000 kms on the truck since buying it in May. Sad.
- Installed TJM Stealth 12k winch
- did a Solenoid Box relocation under the hood and away from the elements
- put on my Amsteel Blue 7/16" Synthetic line and found out my Factor 55 thimble is now too small. It will be for sale soon if anyone is interested!
- Installed my Factor 55 1.5" fairlead, this thing is beefy.
- Painted my Toyota grille black around the edges, leaving the center gunmetal
- Also painted all the headlight trim black to match
- Broke the spring on my fuel door. lol
- And took some poser shots with my new lens....


20130116-IMG_2136.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20130116-IMG_2142.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr


20130116-IMG_2123.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

Factor 55 lookin' purdy:

20130116-IMG_2130.jpg by RickaShay24, on Flickr

 

[NateMob]

Dead Sexy, that's a nice looking fairlead, Ill have to check those out. Will you be going to a larger F55 or what? I am about to sell mine as well, it just seems to be more of a hassle when i need to use it than i ever thought it would be. Soooo, did you ever sell your TJM hook?

 

[quicksilvr]

Yeah, so.....

 

[quicksilvr]

I love the steering wheel swap, that one will totally be worth the time it takes to make it fully functional.

 

[rideexileex]

What new lens!??! I just picked up a canon 17-55 2.8 for my crop sensor... loving it

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Addison, I'm digging the 80. You're going just as tasteful with the mods as you did with the Duster. Wherever that parking lot is, it has to be the most epic parking lot mall crawler photo op location that anyone has ever found.

Get that thing on a trail, and change your avatar. At this point you've got someone else's rig under your user name.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

AHHHHHHHHHH! speechless I am... hey buddy, i was wondering... Is there a retrofit in the workings for this beast, this perfect Chuck Norris-ass-kicking machine of yours??

 

[rickashay]

Dead Sexy, that's a nice looking fairlead, Ill have to check those out. Will you be going to a larger F55 or what? I am about to sell mine as well, it just seems to be more of a hassle when i need to use it than i ever thought it would be. Soooo, did you ever sell your TJM hook?

The larger ProLink XXL is an option and will fit my line but it's 5" in length and combined with my 1.5" fairlead, that means my thimble would stick out 6.5" inches from the front of the bumper. I honestly think it would negatively affect my approach angle. At this point I'll probably order one for the amsteel Blue hooks to match the line I got. The Amsteel hook is rated for 25,000lbs and I'm actually not sure of the rating on my TJM hook. My TJM hook is in fact sold anyways.... lol

Yeah, so.....

I love the steering wheel swap, that one will totally be worth the time it takes to make it fully functional.

Haha Tom Cruiser is honored to hold your spot on the wallpaper. Thanks and the steering wheel swap WILL be 100% functional!

What new lens!??! I just picked up a canon 17-55 2.8 for my crop sensor... loving it

Oh nice man! That lens is supposed to be deadly. Super sharp and have great colors. I picked up a Tokina 16-28 f/2.8. Its sharper than then Canon 16-35 f/2.8 IS and about half the price. Seeing as how it's a landscape or tripod night-shooting lens, I'm not too worried about not having IS. So far it's awesome! Ridiculously sharp.

Addison, I'm digging the 80. You're going just as tasteful with the mods as you did with the Duster. Wherever that parking lot is, it has to be the most epic parking lot mall crawler photo op location that anyone has ever found.

Get that thing on a trail, and change your avatar. At this point you've got someone else's rig under your user name.

Haha that's funny you noticed the parking lot Nick. It's at the local college near my house and it's where I walk my dogs. It's nothing special but at the very least, allows for some good lighting during the "golden hour". I agree, need more trail time, it's driving me mad! Oh yah, I do need to change my avatar, slipped my mind! Thanks for stopping by, and try to meet me in Moab on May 7th?!? haha Hope things are well with you man!

AHHHHHHHHHH! speechless I am... hey buddy, i was wondering... Is there a retrofit in the workings for this beast, this perfect Chuck Norris-ass-kicking machine of yours??

You know me too well..... it's in the works.

 

[MattAK]

Is300!

Ah man that IS300 steering wheel is sick! Makes me miss my IS300 all over again.

UPDATES

Spent the last couple days working on the Cruiser instead of going out to the mountains. I guess I just decided that I need to start putting in more time on the LX to have it ready for Moab in May. Sacrifices.

IS300 Steering Wheel Installed:

 

[Fishwerks]

Tom Cruiser is becoming so beautiful...

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Thanks for stopping by, and try to meet me in Moab on May 7th?!? haha Hope things are well with you man!

I wish I could, but that's a tough week for me to take off. It falls on the week when I work most of my shifts so I'd have to burn a TON of vacation time to make it happen. I'll keep it in the back of my mind, though. If nothing else, I'll be looking forward to seeing some photos from you.

 

[UT Hack]

This is probably a dumb question to ask and it's going REAAAALLY far back but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere else, and your rig is identical to mine with the exception of the trans.

On your old suspension (881/890) you ran 32's. Could you have fit 285's with that setup WITHOUT the topout spacer? I want to run the bigger ones because I don't want to buy 2 sets of tires, but I also don't want to lose offroad capability because of rubbing with the bigger tire. Should I step up the front suspension to 883's or would I be okay with just running the 285's and trimming the pinch weld/lower valence?

 

[rickashay]

This is probably a dumb question to ask and it's going REAAAALLY far back but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere else, and your rig is identical to mine with the exception of the trans.

On your old suspension (881/890) you ran 32's. Could you have fit 285's with that setup WITHOUT the topout spacer? I want to run the bigger ones because I don't want to buy 2 sets of tires, but I also don't want to lose offroad capability because of rubbing with the bigger tire. Should I step up the front suspension to 883's or would I be okay with just running the 285's and trimming the pinch weld/lower valence?

I'd say it will depend on the exact tire your going to run and your wheels offset/BS specs. I'm sure it can be done but you might need to get a little more aggressive with the trimming in the front. Having front mudflaps wont help your cause. I would say buy the tires and try to make them fit. If it's too much of a PITA then just step up to the taller coils later.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

i cant wait to see the new rack on this thing!! the bends were almost impossible for the bender but they just did work, now i'm waiting on the last few parts to come in to start welding that bad boy up!

 

[JohnBill53]

i cant wait to see the new rack on this thing!! the bends were almost impossible for the bender but they just did work, now i'm waiting on the last few parts to come in to start welding that bad boy up!

Josh you're building one for his LX ?!?!?!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Josh you're building one for his LX ?!?!?!

Yep! Should be pretty schweet!