Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[rideexileex]

those are sweet, i have been eying them for a while... i think i might just end up getting a set, im gonna see if he can make them with an amber lens for fog...

LEDs arent the best choice for true fog - they have a lot of light dispersion with the optics and you will get the high beams in the fog effect. Your best bet will be a dedicated fog light with a narrow vertical band / pattern or a projector with a sharp cutoff.

 

[the great him]

LEDs arent the best choice for true fog - they have a lot of light dispersion with the optics and you will get the high beams in the fog effect. Your best bet will be a dedicated fog light with a narrow vertical band / pattern or a projector with a sharp cutoff.

ahh very true, i didnt think about that... but still even for rain and snow, i like the amber color it gives more definition to the road surface...


ps sorry dirtco for jacking your thread there

 

[The4kbeast]

I'll have to read back in your thread to see what model RI light you have... I was looking at a 10" hybrid. Any recommendations from what you're learned? Also, like the sound of the momentary switch for controlling the light... I'll add that to my "need to research" list. Subbed!

 

[rideexileex]

ahh very true, i didnt think about that... but still even for rain and snow, i like the amber color it gives more definition to the road surface...

Heh, I love yellow light...

 

[The4kbeast]

Heh, I love yellow light...

Thought you were about to say that you love yellow snow..

 

[Dirtco]

those are sweet, i have been eying them for a while... i think i might just end up getting a set, im gonna see if he can make them with an amber lens for fog...

LEDs arent the best choice for true fog - they have a lot of light dispersion with the optics and you will get the high beams in the fog effect. Your best bet will be a dedicated fog light with a narrow vertical band / pattern or a projector with a sharp cutoff.

ahh very true, i didnt think about that... but still even for rain and snow, i like the amber color it gives more definition to the road surface...


ps sorry dirtco for jacking your thread there

No worries!

Yeah, I don't think the Rydel light bar would work very good as a fog light. Like rideexileex said, the optic's of the light are not ideal. The RI Dually D2 driving lights in amber might be a better option, while not perfect as a fog light they seem to work well in snow and dusty conditions.

 

[4ever4running]

The new LED looks sweet! I am interested to see what they can do at night.

Also, a little off topic but how do you like your X2O winch? I am looking into a winch for my Shrockworks that will be here in late-January/early-February and I can't decide what to go with.

 

[Dirtco]

The new LED looks sweet! I am interested to see what they can do at night.

Also, a little off topic but how do you like your X2O winch? I am looking into a winch for my Shrockworks that will be here in late-January/early-February and I can't decide what to go with.

Thanks, me too! I got the new light wired up last night, but I have not had a chance to test it out yet. I will have updates soon.

So far I'm happy with the winch. It's slow, but I also bought the 12K winch so I expected that. It hasn't left me stranded, so I really have no complaints. I do wish someone had a wiring diagram for installing an in-cab controller though; I looked around a little and didn't find anything for the x20. When I get more time I'll tear into it and see what I can figure out.

 

[blcktpgsr]

I do wish someone had a wiring diagram for installing an in-cab controller though; I looked around a little and didn't find anything for the x20. When I get more time I'll tear into it and see what I can figure out.

Nice...can't wait to see what you come up with. I'll sure check back on you for this. Pretty sure you'll figure something out.:biggrin2:

 

[4ever4running]

Thanks, me too! I got the new light wired up last night, but I have not had a chance to test it out yet. I will have updates soon.

So far I'm happy with the winch. It's slow, but I also bought the 12K winch so I expected that. It hasn't left me stranded, so I really have no complaints. I do wish someone had a wiring diagram for installing an in-cab controller though; I looked around a little and didn't find anything for the x20. When I get more time I'll tear into it and see what I can figure out.

Thanks for the review, I am looking at the X2O 10000 Comp Series because its within my price range and comes with a synthetic rope which I really want. I just cant decide if I want to go with a Warn (like the M8000, VR8000, or VR10000) and get the synthetic line later, or if I should go with one like the X2O Comp and call it done.

As far as the in cab controller, you may want to check out BigFishAllDay's build thread here:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/792881-post234.html . He came up with an in-cab solution for his XRC, but I don't know how it compares to the X2O.

 

[Dirtco]

Nice...can't wait to see what you come up with. I'll sure check back on you for this. Pretty sure you'll figure something out.:biggrin2:

It shouldn't be too bad, it's just tearing into the solenoid box and figuring out what wires control what. It will probably be a while before I have time to check it out, so if you get to it before me let me know what you find! Otherwise, I will make some good notes on what wires to tap into for you.

Thanks for the review, I am looking at the X2O 10000 Comp Series because its within my price range and comes with a synthetic rope which I really want. I just cant decide if I want to go with a Warn (like the M8000, VR8000, or VR10000) and get the synthetic line later, or if I should go with one like the X2O Comp and call it done.

As far as the in cab controller, you may want to check out BigFishAllDay's build thread here:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/792881-post234.html . He came up with an in-cab solution for his XRC, but I don't know how it compares to the X2O.

I'm pretty sure the cheaper Warn winches are at the same quality level as the x20 winches. Once you step up to the Premium Warn winches then the quality obviously gets better, but for the price I don't think you can go wrong with the Smittybuilt x20. Just make sure you use it a few times before the warranty is up so if there is an issue it can be resolved in time.

Thanks for the link! I really want to keep my solenoid box mounted to the front of the truck, and still be able to plug in my remote to it for times when I need to be out of the vehicle. I plan on tapping into the wires inside the box and installing a toggle switch on the dash. I just need to figure out what wires do what, there are a bunch threads out there for Warns and other winches, but I have not found a diagram for the x20 yet.

 

[Dirtco]

Ok guys, I updated the first post in the build thread with all the spec's on the 4Runner. I figured this would come in handy for people looking for specific information, and it's a good reference for myself as well.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Ok guys, I updated the first post in the build thread with all the spec's on the 4Runner. I figured this would come in handy for people looking for specific information, and it's a good reference for myself as well.

Nice! Looks good!

Loving the updates lately.

 

[Dirtco]

We finally got a little snow, so I hit up my top-secret snow wheeling area!

All of my other spots have been gated and closed this season, so I’m keeping this spot a secret. Hopefully it will not meet the same fate, but I don’t have much optimism.

It was a little cold, but I was toasty in the 4Runner! With the wind it was probably closer to -20 degrees, airing down and up was by far the worst.

I had around 4” of snow at my house, but once I made some progress up the trail there was a good 10” of fresh snow with much larger snowdrifts blocking the trail. This trail is really long, I had fresh tracks for miles and miles.

This is where I had to draw the line and turn around; it turned into a narrow shelf road though an avalanche path, with deep snow on the uphill side. This is not the place you want to take chances, it would be a very long and unpleasant trip to the bottom of the valley if I slid off the road!

No, really?

Cool picture…

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Looks like a blast, J. You can tell from the texture and the way it sticks to the back of the rig that the snow was the super cold powdery type, rather than warm wet and heavy. It looks like some great snow for skiing.

Sorry to hear about your spots getting shut down. Do you think people were abusing the areas, or was it just due to a policy change?

 

[downpour11]

Awesome pics! What head unit do you have? I'm looking to get a nice double din, my old stereo is freezing up and breaking.

 

[rickashay]

Great pictures as usual, thanks for sharing your outings with us! Total bummer on the trail/area closures, seems like it is a constant vice that we'll never get away from.

Your rig looks like it belongs in the snow and I'm super jealous of the amount you have. We've got nothin' up here yet!! I though Canada was supposed to get tons of snow??!!

 

[Kurtis]

How do you like the KM2s? Any complains yet? How are they in the snow? I have been debating on tires for when I go to 35.

 

[Coastal616]

Looks just like BC....Might be hitting some snow up here this weekend too! Nice pics!

 

[Bigtoy302]

The light bar looks good mounted on the winch. Have you had a chance to fire it up yet?