Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build
- Thread starter Dirtco
- Start date
Dirtco
New member
The rest of the trip has been updated! Enjoy!
The GoPro footage is going to be epic, we took tons of video and Aaron is really good at piecing it all together! I can't wait!
Thanks, it was great trip!
Yes, I picked up some Lotus axles! I gave them a serious workout and they held up great! I don't beat on my truck, but I do wheel it hard and with the Lotus axles I feel a lot more comfortable. I hate driving through something and having one eye closed waiting for something to break (aka, outer CV joint), this trip I was able to sit back, relax and keep up with my buddies on 40's (for the most part
).
Dirtco
New member
The rest of the trip has been updated in sequence with the first Moab post. I normally would have taken more pictures and video but we were all taking turns with Aaron’s GoPro, we got a bunch of footage!
It only seems right to finish the trip report with some pictures of the trailer in action.
I knew it was going to be cold at night (below freezing) when I was planning the trip, so I bought a cheap 12 volt heated blanket and sandwiched it in with the rest of the bedding. It has a 30 / 45 minute timer, I would cycle it once before bed while I was at the camp fire to warm up the bedding before I called it a night, then I would reset it again when I went to bed. It was so nice to crawl into a warm bed and not use my own body heat to get everything warmed up and comfortable. It was well worth the $30, and after 4 nights of using the blanket, and lights on the trailer it only dropped the voltage one volt.
Here’s some pictures of the trailer set up, and in use. I still need to build a table, order/install an awning, and take care of some other stuff. The stabilizer bars unload the suspension so it sets taller than normal at camp.
And some lights in action!
It only seems right to finish the trip report with some pictures of the trailer in action.
I knew it was going to be cold at night (below freezing) when I was planning the trip, so I bought a cheap 12 volt heated blanket and sandwiched it in with the rest of the bedding. It has a 30 / 45 minute timer, I would cycle it once before bed while I was at the camp fire to warm up the bedding before I called it a night, then I would reset it again when I went to bed. It was so nice to crawl into a warm bed and not use my own body heat to get everything warmed up and comfortable. It was well worth the $30, and after 4 nights of using the blanket, and lights on the trailer it only dropped the voltage one volt.
Here’s some pictures of the trailer set up, and in use. I still need to build a table, order/install an awning, and take care of some other stuff. The stabilizer bars unload the suspension so it sets taller than normal at camp.
And some lights in action!
Dirtco
New member
Thanks!
I like the Tepui tent a lot! I have the Kukenam; I looked at the smaller two person tent your looking at (the Ayer,) and it might be a bit small for your liking. My tent is about perfect for two people, and it's called a three person. I really don't see three adults fitting in my tent unless I'm really "close" to them!:banana:
If you plan on having two people in your tent I would suggest paying the extra $200 and getting the Kukenam. With two people I have enough room to keep my clothes bag and shoes at the bottom of the tent, and I have enough headroom to change my clothes. That's just my opinion, and I do have it on a trailer so it's open for more than one day at a time, but I would rather have a little extra room than not enough. If it's just you there should be enough room to be comfortable.
Dous
New member
Thanks!
I like the Tepui tent a lot! I have the Kukenam; I looked at the smaller two person tent your looking at (the Ayer,) and it might be a bit small for your liking. My tent is about perfect for two people, and it's called a three person. I really don't see three adults fitting in my tent unless I'm really "close" to them!:banana:
If you plan on having two people in your tent I would suggest paying the extra $200 and getting the Kukenam. With two people I have enough room to keep my clothes bag and shoes at the bottom of the tent, and I have enough headroom to change my clothes. That's just my opinion, and I do have it on a trailer so it's open for more than one day at a time, but I would rather have a little extra room than not enough. If it's just you there should be enough room to be comfortable.
Okay, yea that is definitely something to keep in mind. The majority of the time it would just be me in the tent, so I was trying to avoid getting something too big and it never warming up, but the headroom would be nice!
Dirtco
New member
If it's just you the Ayer should be fine, but like you said the headroom might be a little tight. If it's going to be cold you could always get a 12 volt heated blanket, mine worked awesome! It was only $25, and has a 30 / 45 minute timer so you don't drain your battery. It's by far the best $25 I spent for my Moab trip; my bed was always warm when I got into it (I pre-warmed it
) and if it got cold in the middle of the night I would cycle it again. Here's a link: Heated Fleece Travel Electric Blanket - 12 Volt - Red Plaid : Amazon.com : Automotive
Dirtco
New member
Thanks man! No worries, that why I take the time to post this stuff.
Dirtco
New member
I took care of a few smaller things on the 4Runner.
My headlights were out of adjustment after the lift and the switch to the OME 861’s, and the driver side was way off. After looking at it I found a broken clip that holds the adjuster to the main bracket behind the headlight itself. I had to pull the headlight out to repair it, which also meant pulling the grille, and that leads me to the next modification.
As we all know, the stock 4Runner horn is pathetic! I had some idiot try to pull out in front of me in a round about, I laid on the horn and I swear the guy laughed at me! It’s not so much how loud it is, as the tone of it. It sounds like it belongs on a Beetle or Mini Cooper. I thought about buying some aftermarket Hella rally car horns, but I didn’t feel like spending money on something that I will hardly ever use.
Just about anything American would do the job, so I grabbed one off a Ford E-350 van. It seems to be a little louder than the old ones, and the tone is much better!
My headlights were out of adjustment after the lift and the switch to the OME 861’s, and the driver side was way off. After looking at it I found a broken clip that holds the adjuster to the main bracket behind the headlight itself. I had to pull the headlight out to repair it, which also meant pulling the grille, and that leads me to the next modification.
As we all know, the stock 4Runner horn is pathetic! I had some idiot try to pull out in front of me in a round about, I laid on the horn and I swear the guy laughed at me! It’s not so much how loud it is, as the tone of it. It sounds like it belongs on a Beetle or Mini Cooper. I thought about buying some aftermarket Hella rally car horns, but I didn’t feel like spending money on something that I will hardly ever use.
Just about anything American would do the job, so I grabbed one off a Ford E-350 van. It seems to be a little louder than the old ones, and the tone is much better!
Dirtco
New member
I also got around to upgrading my supercharger belt system.
I have the one of the first TRD supercharger kits and I believe it was installed when the vehicle was still new; it came with the pre-cut timing belt cover, fuel pressure regulator and reused the stock manual alternator belt tensioner. It was always a fine line between having the belt slip and over tightening it (which is hard on the nose cone), and I also noticed some oil/grease stains coming from the idler pulley. It was time to upgrade.
The newer kits come with a dynamic tensioner that is pretty much the standard these days. The idler is connected to a spring-loaded arm that controls the tension and adjusts itself.
I have the one of the first TRD supercharger kits and I believe it was installed when the vehicle was still new; it came with the pre-cut timing belt cover, fuel pressure regulator and reused the stock manual alternator belt tensioner. It was always a fine line between having the belt slip and over tightening it (which is hard on the nose cone), and I also noticed some oil/grease stains coming from the idler pulley. It was time to upgrade.
The newer kits come with a dynamic tensioner that is pretty much the standard these days. The idler is connected to a spring-loaded arm that controls the tension and adjusts itself.
quicksilvr
New member
Nice upgrade on that tensioner. I can't imagine life without the dynamic unit. It's a no-brainer.
Hey, if you have any spare Ford horn's laying around....mail me one.
lol
Hey, if you have any spare Ford horn's laying around....mail me one.
lol
rickashay
New member
Lol, those little retainer clips on the headlight adjusters are such a PITA. They seem to always remove themselves. Funny how once you get in there and start working, one thing leads to another, and your modding or fixing multiple little things at once.
Cool idea with the horns, the stock ones are pathetic at best. I want to throw some Tundra horns in mine next time I can grab some from the junkyard.
Cool idea with the horns, the stock ones are pathetic at best. I want to throw some Tundra horns in mine next time I can grab some from the junkyard.
the great him
Elite Member
i pulled the horns out of a early 80s cadilac when i first got my truck. i have the hella rally super tones horns on my red 85 truck and they just dont sound that great IMO, so i went with real american horns for my 4runner. -it seams to get the point across... but next on the list is an electric air horn with 110w speaker
simonton58
New member
did you use 14" straps for the front also?
poleclimber63
Member
Awesome
The trip pics are great! I took the family to Moab a few years ago. We flew into Salt Lake and rented a car-- they upgraded us to a Mountaineer! This resulted in my first experience off-roading! Loved it--- Moab was the perfect backdrop--- my Wife and sons alway refer back to our Utah Holiday when we talk about our favorite destinations.
Which of course, has led to my 4Runner ownership! Keep up the pics! Thanks for sharing!!
The trip pics are great! I took the family to Moab a few years ago. We flew into Salt Lake and rented a car-- they upgraded us to a Mountaineer! This resulted in my first experience off-roading! Loved it--- Moab was the perfect backdrop--- my Wife and sons alway refer back to our Utah Holiday when we talk about our favorite destinations.
Which of course, has led to my 4Runner ownership! Keep up the pics! Thanks for sharing!!
Stockwell45
New member
Nice camping pics, I'm pretty upset I've been just about everywhere west of the Mississippi, except Moab. Have you had any problems with condensation under the mattress of your Tepui? I think you've inspired me to get a heated blanket for mine also, I didn't realize they had an automatic shutoff...
JamesDean91
New member
I love the build read the whole build gave me lots of ideas
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