Dirtbike250x's Build Thread

[foxrider56]

I love what you've done so far with the t4r. I was wondering if you had any measurements for the rear cargo box you made? I am about to make one and I really like how yours looks and was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing that info?
Thanks

 

[dirtbike250x]

I love what you've done so far with the t4r. I was wondering if you had any measurements for the rear cargo box you made? I am about to make one and I really like how yours looks and was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing that info?
Thanks

Yeah no problem, the metal frame is 3x3 angle steel, just took (4) 6 foot pieces and cut them in half to make the top and bottom, and I don't remember the exact height of the box, but I'll get that for you, I can take a few more pics of it and post them up. Thanks for the reply.

 

[dirtbike250x]

Foxrider- I have 9" on the height of the frame plus the half inch plywood on top. If there's anything in particular you would want a picture of just let me know.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Looking good! Sorry if you already posted, but did you use any kind of special paint on the frame and axle? Or just rattle can Krylon?

 

[dirtbike250x]

Looking good! Sorry if you already posted, but did you use any kind of special paint on the frame and axle? Or just rattle can Krylon?

Thanks sn0w, for the paint I just used Rustoleum "Professional" Gloss Black along with primer on the areas where I sanded down to bare steel to get rid of as much rust as possible. Spent most of the time in the prep sanding and cleaning, and gaining access to as much of the frame and axle so I could cover it up. Thanks again for the reply, your previous truck was awesome, I probably watched all your YouTube wheeling videos. I'm sure the new truck will be an awesome build.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Thanks man! That really does mean a lot.

You're rig sure has come a long way too. The cargo box looks very professional! Hoping I can finish mine and have it look that nice.

 

[dirtbike250x]

First group run with with a couple northeastern 4Runners. This many 4Runners look great together. Had a good time, nothing serious just a good time in the trails.

 

[foxrider56]

Foxrider- I have 9" on the height of the frame plus the half inch plywood on top. If there's anything in particular you would want a picture of just let me know.

Thanks a lot, I think that all I need. Thanks

 

[audiness]

Really nice build! Its cool to work on a vehicle that you've had in the family for so long. Really has sentimental value.

7 month wait for the Shrockworks bumper!?!

 

[dirtbike250x]

Really nice build! Its cool to work on a vehicle that you've had in the family for so long. Really has sentimental value.

7 month wait for the Shrockworks bumper!?!

Thanks for the reply, yeah theres a special pride taken when I work on and mod the truck that once took me to my first day of school, now taking me to a school which is training me into a profession. Special love for the truck.

Yeah, that was a pretty standard wait time when I placed the order, I was expecting to have to wait, but not that long. However, I have heard that their lead times are less now due to new equipment being used.

 

[rayjay]

Great writeup and I love seeing the family car staying in the family. Keep up the good work!

You guys are def Toyota family eh? Tundra, Corollas...ect... Me likey!

 

[farmerjon]

wow, wow... really nice build! I have a special place for white 3rd gen 4Runners, I have one myself, and like others have said, the white with black scheme is pretty awesome. Very nice mods, and that cargo box looks professionally custom made!

Very nice build overall and love the direction you've gone with the rig! I really like this build! Keep it up! :bravo:

Oh, and speaking of dirtbikes, I just got a 1986 Honda Reflex trials bike a few months back and started learning how to ride... I'm already a decent rider, it's a ton of fun!

 

[dirtbike250x]

Great writeup and I love seeing the family car staying in the family. Keep up the good work!

You guys are def Toyota family eh? Tundra, Corollas...ect... Me likey!

Thanks for the compliments ray. Yes we are certainly a Toyota family ever since my dad bought that pickup in 87 we have owned nothing but Toyota's. We even managed to sell other family members on driving them.

 

[dirtbike250x]

wow, wow... really nice build! I have a special place for white 3rd gen 4Runners, I have one myself, and like others have said, the white with black scheme is pretty awesome. Very nice mods, and that cargo box looks professionally custom made!

Very nice build overall and love the direction you've gone with the rig! I really like this build! Keep it up! :bravo:

Thank you for such positive feedback. I do also favor the white 3rd gens, although they are little hard to keep clean when the window trim starts to dry out and rain washes black streaks down the paint (something I must work on solving) when they are cleaned up they look great, and has a super tough coating.

Your off road pictures are great! Gotta love a nice scene with a awesome 3rd gen in there

 

[dirtbike250x]

Moved onto the Tacoma whip antenna mod.

Pulled this ugly thing out



And replaced it with this. Reception is much better and looks so much better than the old antenna

 

[dirtbike250x]

So this past Christmas, I received a Kicker CVR 10 DVC Sub. It's a sub that requires a lot of power to work properly, so it took some time to find a quality amp within a reasonable price range. I finally found a JVC 800 watt mono channel amp, at a great price. Once it was delivered the work began. The project is almost complete so I'll update as I get pictures.

The amp is mounted under the driver seat on a piece of aluminum, to keep the heat from building up, which I then simply used Velcro strips to stick it to the carpet.



In a previous post I have a picture of how the cargo area is going to be set up. I made a wedge shape to mount the spare tire on, well with some modification to the box it turned into a perfect sealed sub box.




I am more than happy with the set up. I am by no means rattling windows, not saying the speaker can't, just personally that's not what this sub is for.

The MDF is now treated and covered to protect it from getting wet, which I hope it never does, now that there is a speaker in it. I'll be sure to post more current pictures, now that it is in place, and gave it a little test.

 

[dirtbike250x]

So it was the first weekend this year here in the northeast that was in the upper 50s so I took advantage of the great weather, and made some progress on the truck.

Installed this 12 inch LED strip in the cargo area, and made a shield for it, I sometimes will carry my kayak inside, but also anything else that needs to hang out the back. In that location an unprotected led strip wouldn't last long.


And then I cut out a spot for this switch for the light, and also ran 12 volts back to it so now I have a power outlet in the rear for what ever future plans require power


And of course a night shot, I was super satisfied with the light output and the angle. For my needs there's just the right amount of light

 

[dirtbike250x]

I also managed to finish up my spare tire mount/sub box.

I finished the outside of the MDF that made the box in some stuff I found in my basement, it was once supposed to be used to cover counter tops back in the like 70s, but I found a new use for it. Just cut it to size and glued it on. The metal plate on top is where the spare is going to sit. I used some dupicolor bed armor spray paint to coat the metal to prevent nicks and scrapes when sliding the tire around on it. That stuff is super hard to get a nice coat on but after some time it worked out.

To hold the tire to the plate, I used some 1/2 13 all thread and tacked on some lug nuts to get a socket on it to hold the tire secure


Then to hold the box to the truck, but also allow it to be removable I used some 1/4 inch cable to create this...


So the final step was to throw the tire up there and see how secure it is.



After securing everything down it seems pretty ridged. I did not get a chance to drive it yet with the tire on there so I suppose that will be the true test. The reason I made it removable is because when I go wheeling, I do not want the sub box in the truck, and will just strap the tire to the top of the drawers. The tire does stick up a little higher than I was hoping, but once the idea turned to make the box into a sub box it required a new angle to fit the sub with out it hitting the seats. It's close but it still works great to my ear.


But it's like someone is sitting in the middle seat when looking out the rear view mirror.

Overall I'm happy with the almost finished product. And I'm even more happy because my spring break starts this coming weekend and I'm going back to Rausch Creek Off Road Park for some off road fun.

 

[dirtbike250x]

This past weekend me and a Land Cruiser friend took another trip to Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, here are a few pics of the fun times...

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Nice 3rd Gen! That's cool the 4Runner has been in your family since new! I hope that I will be able to pass my 5th Gen down to my 2 yr old daughter in 14 years...

So what is the deal with the Air Plane Hanger you do all of your work in? Seems like a good space to have!