98 SR5 - The "Dirt Duster" build

[rickashay]

I had a feeling that would be your response. I saw Brian's post and went back up and looked at the picture again. I noticed how you cut the grille and thought to myself, "He could still do a Satoshi mod w/those cuts, it's not fubared or anything" .... then.... "I remember him saying he's going to get a front bumper sooner or later, he could put the lights on the bumper and satoshi the grille... viola!"

Those LED's under the hood are sweet! Do you have them on a pin switch so they come on automatically when you open the hood?

Your right on the money.... bumper and satoshi are in my future!

No, the LED's are wired to a dual illuminated Carling switch, labelled "Aux". The lower light on the switch is illuminated with my dash lights and the top illuminated when it's pushed. Although a pin switch would be an awesome idea that I might have to use! I didn't even think of that....

 

[BigFishAllDay]

If (and more likely, when) I steal your idea and do the same thing, that's how I'll do it. Those switch cut-outs on the dash are prime-real estate so I've got to save them for the "big stuff" :biggrin2:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Now I feel bad for saying something.

I like the LED setup though

 

[rickashay]

If (and more likely, when) I steal your idea and do the same thing, that's how I'll do it. Those switch cut-outs on the dash are prime-real estate so I've got to save them for the "big stuff" :biggrin2:

Oh so true on the switch real estate. I'm trying to keep all "lighting" switches to the left of the wheel in those stock slots. All the "big stuff" will be going in the headliner or below my deck!

Now I feel bad for saying something.

I like the LED setup though

Don't feel bad... I sure don't! haha

 

[tv4184]

What's your camera setup? Your pics look awesome. I think my 30d might need to be cleaned...

 

[rickashay]

Canon Xsi with a few lenses! I want a full frame REAL bad.....

 

[BrandonF]

Do you have your shackles attached to the stock brackets on the frame with the hook on the passenger side removed? I keep seeing people with shackles attached to these brackets but they don't look terribly strong.

 

[rickashay]

Do you have your shackles attached to the stock brackets on the frame with the hook on the passenger side removed? I keep seeing people with shackles attached to these brackets but they don't look terribly strong.

Nope, a member on here sells machined shackle mounts that are pretty burly. They use 2 factory bolts per side and just have a hole through them to mount your shackles. I have been recovered MANY times from them and they are holding up great! Search "D-Ring mounts or Shackle mounts" and you'll find the thread.

On a side note, I see my thread has " 5 Star Power" now!!! Thanks for the votes everyone!

 

[BrandonF]

Thats very good to know. Thanks!

 

[SCRunner12]

Did you have to get longer studs to mount your LC rims with the 1/4" spacers?

 

[fightman80]

Like I mentioned earlier, I added some LED pods like I have on my rear hatch onto the underside of my hood. I wish I did it sooner, just going to make things sooo much nicer at night when you need to be under the hood for whatever reason!


20120131-IMG_1001 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr

Looks nice! I did something similar over a year ago, but only used a small regular bulb with a contact switch. I honestly don't use it much....but I thought it was a cool addition to the rig.

One thing I'd recommend, (if you've wired them to your battery like I did), add some sort of manual overide switch in the engine bay. This way if you have the hood up for an extended period of time, it won't kill your battery.

Again, nice touch on the LED's....I'm gonna have to look into swapping my bulb out for something similar! Much Brighter!

 

[rickashay]

Did you have to get longer studs to mount your LC rims with the 1/4" spacers?

As of right now, no I don't. I have the "hub-centric" LC80 wheels that use the factory Toyota lugs that have the smaller diameter sleeves, that actually reach deeper into the wheel. (if that makes sense??) With the 1/4" spacer on, I am getting 7 or 8 full rotations of the lug nuts. I think I am probably safe staying with the factory studs, but when I swap over to manual hubs I will be putting in the longer NAPA Toyota Celica ones for good measure. I think they are 1/2" longer than stock and the same thread pitch as our 4Runners.... PN# 641-4208.

Looks nice! I did something similar over a year ago, but only used a small regular bulb with a contact switch. I honestly don't use it much....but I thought it was a cool addition to the rig.

One thing I'd recommend, (if you've wired them to your battery like I did), add some sort of manual overide switch in the engine bay. This way if you have the hood up for an extended period of time, it won't kill your battery.

Again, nice touch on the LED's....I'm gonna have to look into swapping my bulb out for something similar! Much Brighter!

Thanks Fightman! Yah I am really liking the underhood LEDs. I always seem to end up working on my truck into the night and need more light under the hood and it makes trail-side repairs easier too.

It's funny you mentioned the contact switch - BigFish said that's how he will be doing this mod also, and I didn't even think about it at the time and it's a great idea! I just wired mine to an illuminated switch inside the truck so I have to turn them ON and OFF as I please which may be good as the the LEDs wont be ON unless I need them....



As far as recent updates to my truck:

My 55W Morimoto HID kit has come in as well as my HID adaptors from Aus. to convert my Lightforce's to HID - GOING TO BE INSANE!!! ahahah

Also, I bought a brand new door for the tree incident. Going to get it painted and start swapping all the guts over in the next month. It will be nice to have my rig "whole" again....

 

[SCRunner12]

Ok thanks. I just wanted to make sure since I'll be putting them on my 1/4" spacers on this weekend. Looking forward to seeing the Lightforces converted to HID.

 

[rickashay]

Oh no. I sold my headlights and am doing "Rickashay's Projector Retrofit Part II". Stay tuned for the nicest 4Runner headlights you have ever seen. hahah

HINT - Keeping it all OEM this time around... :biggrin2:

 

[Stockwell45]

20120131-IMG_1001 by Headlight Hookup, on Flickr

Such a simple mod, yet so awesome. Can't believe more people haven't done this, nice job!

Finally had the time to read through this thread, you've done an awesome job. I'll be staying tuned.

 

[blcktpgsr]

Oh no. I sold my headlights and am doing "Rickashay's Projector Retrofit Part II". Stay tuned for the nicest 4Runner headlights you have ever seen. hahah

HINT - Keeping it all OEM this time around... :biggrin2:

Oh this is gonna be good! The anticipation isa killer but worth the wait.:hungry:

 

[quicksilvr]

:drool:


C'mon.....no drooling emoticon? Well you get the point.

 

[rickashay]

Such a simple mod, yet so awesome. Can't believe more people haven't done this, nice job!

Finally had the time to read through this thread, you've done an awesome job. I'll be staying tuned.

Thanks a lot man!

Just reflecting on when I got it, in its stock form and how my plans have evolved along the way, and how it has become what it is..... it's been a process but really gotta give props to all the members on here for their inspiration!

Oh this is gonna be good! The anticipation isa killer but worth the wait.:hungry:

:drool:
C'mon.....no drooling emoticon? Well you get the point.

The projectors are SO huge I had to pull apart my old 98 stock headlights, make a stencil that is somewhat accurate to the dimensions of the new gear, and do a pre-test fit just to make sure I can even accomplish this.... lol I'm stoked.

 

[rickashay]

Previous deal fell through on my retrofitted headlights. Now up for sale here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/109981-3rd-gen-projector-retrofit-headlights.html

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Dude! I got a major buy it NOW impulse going on there, and clicked over to your classifieds thread. Then my brakes went SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH. I know they're worth every penny you're asking, but why can't they be $200? :cry2: