Bandit Runner Build 2.0

[Bandit Runner]

A few small updates on the roof rack build. First I tacked on all the mounts for the aluminum T-slot extrusions:

(Rack is upside down in this pic)

Cut out all the light mount tabs:

Tacked on the front light mounts:

Tacked on the rear light mounts:

(Rack is upside down in this pic)

Also, the hole you see in the last pic is where the wires will exit into and through the rear leg.

 

[TLar25]

Pics of tires and wheels - As promised.

Sliders will be installed next weekend. Today I sprayed rubberized undercoating on the bottom sides of them to help prevent stone chips in the powdercoat.

Looking great! And it's already bringing back memories of your 3rd gen! Excited to watch this build

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Bandit Runner]

Finally got the legs and feet welded onto the roof rack. Here was my setup. Trying to protect the windows from getting weld splatter on them while tacking on the feet/legs.

Finally all fabrication is complete, and I cleaned it all up.

Bottom side:

Now to try to get it powdercoated.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Roof rack went off to powdercoater today.

Also, I forgot to post pics of my sliders installed:

Super happy with the way they turned out.

 

[JBurt]

That looks so good! Maybe I missed it, but how are you mounting the front feet?

 

[Bandit Runner]

I got the roof rack back from the powdercoater and it turned out really good. I've been busy mounting all the lights and running the wires through the tubing.
Just some of the wire I ordered:

Wires run to all the light locations:

Lights installed and all wired up. The wires all exit at the rear legs:

 

[Bandit Runner]

That looks so good! Maybe I missed it, but how are you mounting the front feet?

Sorry, I missed this. The front feet will just set on the roof, no bolts.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Finally got the roof rack installed. A few pics:

A good shot of the T-Slot aluminum extrusions:

And it just barely fits under the garage door. Just over an inch clearance!

I still need to wire the lights to my SwitchPros RCR Force 12 switch panel.

 

[JBurt]

Well color me impressed. Nice job!

 

[honda250xtitan]

awesome work.

 

[Lucas TRD Pro]

Man, this is impressive!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Good day today. Got all the roof rack lights working. Also these arrived:

4.56 gears being installed soon!

 

[jdm-v35]

Finally got the roof rack installed. A few pics:


A good shot of the T-Slot aluminum extrusions:


And it just barely fits under the garage door. Just over an inch clearance!


I still need to wire the lights to my SwitchPros RCR Force 12 switch panel.

Just curious if you wired up the front roof rack lights yet and if so, have you tried it out and what do you think? Are they useful and is the glare very bad? I have an SSO rack and have been debating how useful or hurtful it would be to add a 40" bar on the rack.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Just curious if you wired up the front roof rack lights yet and if so, have you tried it out and what do you think? Are they useful and is the glare very bad? I have an SSO rack and have been debating how useful or hurtful it would be to add a 40" bar on the rack.

I got the lights all wired up and working. However, I haven't had a chance to try them out at night yet, or aim them. Depending on the beam pattern, I don't think the glare should be that bad.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Just curious if you wired up the front roof rack lights yet and if so, have you tried it out and what do you think? Are they useful and is the glare very bad? I have an SSO rack and have been debating how useful or hurtful it would be to add a 40" bar on the rack.

all about the optics. even if its a "spot" pattern, if the optics arent focused itll glare. then if you add rain to the mix it could get silly:lookout:

 

[jdm-v35]

all about the optics. even if its a "spot" pattern, if the optics arent focused itll glare. then if you add rain to the mix it could get silly:lookout:

Makes sense. So I wonder if Baja Designs S8 lenses have the correct focus for this? Since you can buy different beam pattern lenses, but not really more focused lenses.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Makes sense. So I wonder if Baja Designs S8 lenses have the correct focus for this? Since you can buy different beam pattern lenses, but not really more focused lenses.

I believe Diode Dynamics currently has the best optics right now. Baja are more race oriented so they do have some spill even in the spots, but maybe thats just splitting hairs lol....my XL pro's in the spot pattern are pretty tight but theyre in front of the bumper.


tacoma world has some great threads discussing this stuff in detail.

 

[grizzlypath]

Finally got the roof rack installed. A few pics:

Hey Bandit, was the risk of denting the roof with the front feet on your radar? After seeing your pics it reminded me of this Baja rack thread where the front feet were wider than the channel and ended up with damage. Baja apparently later updated their foot design to accommodate it, but not until some pretty gnarly damage was done.

I love the rack, I'm just lookin' out!

 

[Bandit Runner]

Hey Bandit, was the risk of denting the roof with the front feet on your radar? After seeing your pics it reminded me of this Baja rack thread where the front feet were wider than the channel and ended up with damage. Baja apparently later updated their foot design to accommodate it, but not until some pretty gnarly damage was done.

I love the rack, I'm just lookin' out!

After looking at the pics in that thread, I don't think it will be an issue for me. Mine mounts a little differently - more flat to the surface. I also have a 1/4" thick closed cell foam under the feet. Thanks for looking out though! I'll keep an eye on them.

 

[Bandit Runner]

4.56 gears are installed, and I'm about half way through the break-in period. Loving them so far.

Also, I installed the SwitchPros RCR Force 12 switch panel. I like having it at just below eye level and within easy reach of my right hand. So I mounted it between the speedometer and center dash vent. I had to make a custom mount for it, in order to put it in the location I wanted.

3D Printed mount test fitting:

Switch panel mounted:

And finally with everything wired up: