Big Bear II

[Falls]

Any idea on light bar yet ?

What did you decide on the used BFG ?

 

[BlairB]

Any idea on light bar yet ?

What did you decide on the used BFG ?

Well I have not yet decided on the used BFG's

As for the light bar- I was originally thinking the Dakar Rampage Light Bar that a few guys on this forum run but after posting on the "other" forum they told me that apparently a guy on the FJ forum had one rust out after only a few months.

Right now I am leaning towards the DefiantTruck light bar, but I am not super crazy about the looks of it so I am still unsure. I am also visiting a local fab shop today and seeing what they can do.

Here is the Defiant Light Bar, and one of my thoughts is cutting the bar just outside of the mounts so it is not so intense looking.

What do you think?

 

[HB 4X4]

Well I have not yet decided on the used BFG's

As for the light bar- I was originally thinking the Dakar Rampage Light Bar that a few guys on this forum run but after posting on the "other" forum they told me that apparently a guy on the FJ forum had one rust out after only a few months.

Right now I am leaning towards the DefiantTruck light bar, but I am not super crazy about the looks of it so I am still unsure. I am also visiting a local fab shop today and seeing what they can do.

Here is the Defiant Light Bar, and one of my thoughts is cutting the bar just outside of the mounts so it is not so intense looking.

What do you think?

That was the issue I had with them. The bar stretches out too far on either side, it's over-kill.

 

[Falls]

I think it looks good . I actually don't mind the extended bar outside , ever so slight it may offer a little protection and I do like the looks .

I didn't even know these were made , I would like to see the Dakar light bar.

I envy the looks of your trucks ! You and Josh look like you had a blast.

Blair , do you not like your Nitto's ? Are they P or LT's ?

 

[BlairB]

I think it looks good . I actually don't mind the extended bar outside , ever so slight it may offer a little protection and I do like the looks .

I didn't even know these were made , I would like to see the Dakar light bar.

I envy the looks of your trucks ! You and Josh look like you had a blast.

Blair , do you not like your Nitto's ? Are they P or LT's ?

Here is the link to the guy on t4r running the Dakar light bar, it is a little beefier looking than the other, but that rust issue scared me away. Also I have no idea if the mounting kit works for a 06 and up 4Runner.

As for the Nittos, I love them but have wore through them quicker than I ever thought possible. I have done a lot of off roading and small amounts of wheel-spin on rocky trails have really taken their toll. I have about 13,000 miles on them but they are definitely starting to look abused and when I compare the amount of tread left to the tires of Josh's 4Runner there is a HUGE difference. My truck is getting its 15k service but I will pick it up tomorrow and try to measure the tread depth.

EDIT: They are P rated, sorry forget to answer. I don't even think they make LT in that size, correct me if I am wrong...

 

[simple]

That looks like great fun guys, thanks for posting pics! I posted on the off road thread on my last outing. And I'm trying to get a bunch of us up this way (n. ca.) to go out again soon.
Again, glad to see others out enjoying what the 4Runner is really good at!!

Ruffian! Man I haven't seen you or Joe in a LONG time. Let me know when you guys are going out agian!

 

[BlairB]

FINALLY MY PICS

After finding my long-lost camera cord I was able to transfer my photos to my computer.

There are not many, but here they are

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4431.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4431.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4432.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4432.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4434.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4434.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4436.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4436.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4437.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4437.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4439.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4439.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4440.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4440.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[BlairB]

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4441.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4441.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Don't off road with Bald Tires
<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4442.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4442.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4444.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4444.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Some Flex
<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4449.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4449.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Night Run Attempted Pic
<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4458.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4458.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We were always passing Jeeps
<a href="http://s331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/?action=view&current=IMGP4463.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l467/PVSurfer99/Bing%20Bear%20II/Big%20Bear%20II/IMGP4463.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[HB 4X4]

If I knew you were taking pictures I would have tail-gated them a little more.

I really think we should get PA's when we upgrade our CB's. :satan:

 

[Falls]

If I knew you were taking pictures I would have tail-gated them a little more. :satan:

Cool shots , not need to tailgate them , we are all doing the same thing we like.

 

[Falls]

Well I have not yet decided on the used BFG's

As for the light bar- I was originally thinking the Dakar Rampage Light Bar that a few guys on this forum run but after posting on the "other" forum they told me that apparently a guy on the FJ forum had one rust out after only a few months.

Right now I am leaning towards the DefiantTruck light bar, but I am not super crazy about the looks of it so I am still unsure. I am also visiting a local fab shop today and seeing what they can do.

Here is the Defiant Light Bar, and one of my thoughts is cutting the bar just outside of the mounts so it is not so intense looking.

What do you think?

Blair , I think I like this one better and the more I think about it I like the extension out to the sides and may offer some protection. Anything thats steel and powder coated and gets scratched will get rust or if you have an area thats welded or where steel is bolted to steel. The thing I like about black bars is that it's easy to repaint or touch up from simple products at the hardware store. or could have it sprayed with Line X , but I like the paint better . I wish we could see a side view of that Defiant bar to see how far it sticks out.

 

[Falls]

OMG!!!! , those tires are like slicks . That is dangerous on or off road . Especially on road since other lives are also at stake.


Josh , seems like the Nitto's handled the rocks and everything just fine.

 

[BlairB]

I wish we could see a side view of that Defiant bar to see how far it sticks out.

We can

It sticks out a little far, but I think a bit of space between it and the bumper is not bad, plus I think it means I can run Daylighters rather than Slimlites if I take the KC approach

I should start a thread for this :bash:

 

[Falls]

wow that sticks out a lot further than I thought. I PERSONALLY would try to modify the brackets to pull it in tighter , thats just me though.

I like the bar and it's extensions to the side. Nice idea IMO. A great alternative to ( brushguards & bull bars ) something that holds lights and yet provides a little protection or as least as much as the 2 above mentioned.

Do you know if any body modifications , cutting , ect... need to be made at all ???

 

[HB 4X4]

Josh , seems like the Nitto's handled the rocks and everything just fine.

Yeah, they did. Except for the bolt that punctured the thread, I have absolutely no complaints from the Nitto's except I wish they made a size in between the 265's and 285's.

 

[Falls]

Yeah, they did. Except for the bolt that punctured the thread, I have absolutely no complaints from the Nitto's except I wish they made a size in between the 265's and 285's.

What did you run over ?? Kind hard to avoid a puncture running over something like that.

What size are you thinking ? like a 275 ? Won't 285's fit with your lift ?? If not you just have to keep going higher and higher

 

[HB 4X4]

What did you run over ?? Kind hard to avoid a puncture running over something like that.

What size are you thinking ? like a 275 ? Won't 285's fit with your lift ?? If not you just have to keep going higher and higher

They will fit with my lift and Spidertrax, but I have nowhere for the spare.

 

[Thai]

Josh, from the pics, i do not see that you aired down. Is that right?

 

[BlairB]

Josh, from the pics, i do not see that you aired down. Is that right?

Neither of us really airdown while on the trails due to the fact we both run Nittos and they are less than stellar in the area of sidewall strength.

We have tried to look at both the pros and cons, but at least when we are running in the rocky trails of Big Bear we decided to keep the pressure up and protect the sidewalls.

If I get those BFG's it might be a different story.....

 

[Thai]

Neither of us really airdown while on the trails due to the fact we both run Nittos and they are less than stellar in the area of sidewall strength.

We have tried to look at both the pros and cons, but at least when we are running in the rocky trails of Big Bear we decided to keep the pressure up and protect the sidewalls.

If I get those BFG's it might be a different story.....

EXACTLY why i gave back the Nittos many moons ago and went with BFG AT KO and Firestone Destination M/T. If you're gonna off-road, then you need good tires with strong sidewall so that you can air down. Airing down makes a huge difference in traction.