zgensler31
Senior Member
You never cease to amaze me. This truck is awesome!
Bandit Runner's Build Thread
- Thread starter Bandit Runner
- Start date
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Threw a couple new toys on top of the 4Runner today:
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SantaCruzRunner
Senior Member
Dude that skid is sweet! i would TOTALLY buy one!
HedgehogOutdoors
New member
New to the forum, but I've been around for awhile. Thought I would share my truck's progress. Purchased in 2006 with 40K miles, completely stock. Then after a year of driving it like that, I started getting the itch to start modifying it.
First I got some 32" Firestone Destination MT tires, and a 4Crawler 1.5" bodylift.
Then in 2008, I added some customized 4xInnovations sliders. I added the diamond plate between the bars so they could also be used as steps.
That winter, I decided to make a storage drawer system in the cargo area. The idea was to keep it low profile enough to still be able to fit the dog cage in.
Then in the spring of 2009, I got some new wheels. They are Eagle Alloy series 1378. I painted the rings a dark bronze color (along with all of my emblems). As you can tell, I really like the black and bronze color theme.
That spring, I also got my first lift. It was Daystar 2.5" spacers in the front with OME 890's in the rear.
Later that year, I decided to modify my grille. I cut out all the ribs and fastened in some perforated metal that matched what was in the hood scoop.
Love the Eagle Alloys, especially since they are made in America! Good rig!
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks!
Wow, You must be really putting it to the test, if you've done that much damage to it already. I don't plan on anything quite that hardcore.
Agreed! The large openings were only for the wooden prototype, so I could see "through" the skidplate, to see if it was interfering with anything. There will NOT be any large openings in the real thing. Only a few small drain holes.
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Finally got all the fab work on the flat belly skid plate completed. We are leaving for a camping trip this week, so I just put it on the truck the way it is for now. Hope to do some wheeling and test it out while camping. It still needs to be cleaned up and painted, so I'll take it back off and do that after we get back.
Thanks for looking.
Thanks for looking.
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4ever4running
New member
Man that is one beefy skid! Nice work as always!
+1, as well as your front bumper
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Small update
Small update since I haven’t posted anything for a while. I am fed up with my KC fog lights. They keep getting moisture in them, and the bulbs keep burning out. I’m tired of taking them apart, cleaning them out, trying to seal them up, replacing the bulbs, and then reinstalling them back into the bumper. I thought KC lights were supposed to be good quality? Very disappointed.
So to remedy this, I purchased a set of LED Rigid Industries Dually flood lights. These should eliminate the problems I am having with the KC fogs, and should have better light output also while using less power. No bulbs to replace, and they are sealed to keep out moisture.
Pic of the lights:
Next I had to deal with the issue of the RI LED lights being square, and my old fogs being round. I needed to fit a square peg in a round hole, and make it look good. What to do?
So I designed a set of inserts in CAD that will get epoxied into the bumper openings. The front of the insert starts out round and transitions to a square shape at the back, where the light sits. These will be made out of plastic using the rapid prototyping process.
Pic of driver side insert:
Pic of CAD assembly showing bumper, insert, and LED light:
Now I’m just waiting for my parts to be made.
Small update since I haven’t posted anything for a while. I am fed up with my KC fog lights. They keep getting moisture in them, and the bulbs keep burning out. I’m tired of taking them apart, cleaning them out, trying to seal them up, replacing the bulbs, and then reinstalling them back into the bumper. I thought KC lights were supposed to be good quality? Very disappointed.
So to remedy this, I purchased a set of LED Rigid Industries Dually flood lights. These should eliminate the problems I am having with the KC fogs, and should have better light output also while using less power. No bulbs to replace, and they are sealed to keep out moisture.
Pic of the lights:
Next I had to deal with the issue of the RI LED lights being square, and my old fogs being round. I needed to fit a square peg in a round hole, and make it look good. What to do?
So I designed a set of inserts in CAD that will get epoxied into the bumper openings. The front of the insert starts out round and transitions to a square shape at the back, where the light sits. These will be made out of plastic using the rapid prototyping process.
Pic of driver side insert:
Pic of CAD assembly showing bumper, insert, and LED light:
Now I’m just waiting for my parts to be made.
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poleclimber63
Member
Awesome rig!
I love the bumper... from the posts youre working on the rear... I will watch to see that! From your effort with the front, I'm sure the rear will be just as cool! I just finished coating my bumpers but I expect to replace them in the future... I am also intending to do my front grille, great job with yours! Maybe I'll take up welding! Some of our fellow forum members have done just that! That seems to be the next step, for some!! Thanks for sharing!!
I love the bumper... from the posts youre working on the rear... I will watch to see that! From your effort with the front, I'm sure the rear will be just as cool! I just finished coating my bumpers but I expect to replace them in the future... I am also intending to do my front grille, great job with yours! Maybe I'll take up welding! Some of our fellow forum members have done just that! That seems to be the next step, for some!! Thanks for sharing!!
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks. The rear bumper has been done for over a year now. See page 3 of this thread for the finished pics. Good luck with yours.
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Thanks, that means a lot. And I'll definitely keep it up.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
