Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

Figured I would ask this as I'm sure there are others interested as well. How are the Lotus CV's holding up for you? any complaints thus far? How long has it been now?

This whole thread is good reading, but start at this point and go forward...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/124093-lotus-cv-axles-here-8.html#post1351438

I plan on writing a whole trip report, and posting it in my build thread when I get some time.

 

[crazydubman]

I actually checked up on that thread after I had posted here. Looks like some decent carnage. Glad to hear it was warrenteed. Looking forward to seeing what the potential cause for the breakage was.

 

[1blink]

To attach the CB bracket, did you screw it to the plastics, or use some type of adhesive?

 

[Dirtco]

To attach the CB bracket, did you screw it to the plastics, or use some type of adhesive?

I used bolts with nuts on the back side of the plastic, I didn't feel that adhesive would do the job with the amount of wheeling I do.

 

[1blink]

I just picked up a cobra 25 today, it's the same size, I gave up on fitting a cobra 29 cleanly. Once I get it peaked and supertuned, it will either be going in the same spot, or mounted to the rear of the center console-covering the rear ash tray and heater controls.

 

[Dirtco]

Well, I guess it’s time for an update or two. Let’s see, where to start…

As you guy’s know I’m kind of a LED light whore!

I installed a Rydel light bar not too long ago, but I really wasn’t happy with the placement of the light. It bugged me, and it kind of stuck out. So, I stared at it for a while and came up with the idea to tuck it back behind the grille.

Before

After

I bought the Rydel bar to compliment my Rigid Industries 10” Specter Series, driving beam light bar. I like the Rydel bar, but the color temperature did not match the RI bar. (Rydel @ 5000K, and RI @ 6000?) There were times I liked the Rydel bar more, and times I liked the RI bar more; it just depended on the conditions.

The Rydel Bar is a great addition to the stock headlights, and works great for wooded trails and slower rock crawling. The color and beam pattern work well in these conditions.

But, I still felt that I needed more light for high speed, open area, desert style wheeling. I decided that it would be best to add to the RI lighting, these lights are top of the line and while there are cheaper LED lights out there, the cheap versions do not have the optics and patterns that make these lights what they are. I decided to add a RI 10” single row spot pattern light, and a pair of D2 white driving lights. That gives me more distance, and width. Also, because the lights are separate of each other I can adjust beam width and height.

 

[Dirtco]

I also took the 4Runner out snow wheeling and had quite the trip!

The trail started out a little muddy, it was sticky crap that is hard as hell to get off of the truck (pervious experience). So I took it slow to keep the mud to a minimum, I hate mud!

I now know what my rig would look like with 15” wide slicks!

Once I got to the snow I aired down to 5psi, then once I got to the deeper snow up in the trees I aired down to 2psi (the lowest I've gone to date). It was a warm day and the snow was wet/heavy.

 

[Dous]

Wow, that mud is god awful!

Nice picture as usual

 

[Dirtco]

Wow, that mud is god awful!

Nice picture as usual

It was horrible, nasty stuff!

Thanks, more to come!

 

[madbomber08]

I've always wondered about tucking led bars behind the grill, but it seems like not many of 3rd gen owners do it (if any). When you purchased one back before Christmas, I was dead set on buying one, but looking at the limited mounting space behind behind the grill left me timid. So are you still using the Rydel bar and what did you mount it too back there?

 

[Dirtco]

The main trail was packed down from me going up there several other times this season, and from a snow cat going up there to service the radio/cell tower that is at the top. Once you got off the packed trail it was a good 5'-6’ deep!

 

[Dirtco]

Once I got to the top (about ten miles in), I turned around and started to head back down. It was slow going to get to the top, and I was looking forward to playing around a little on some of the side trails and camping spots. A couple car lengths later and I fell off my tracks towards the driver side of the 4Runner and dropped to my bumper/headlight, this was normal for the day. I turned on the front ARB, cranked the wheels hard to the passenger side, and started to crawl out of the hole. I heard something break, and the driver side tire stopped spinning.





I winched out of the hole and found this!



I had no choice but to change it where I was; late in the afternoon, 10 miles in and on top of 5’ of snow!

I stole the lid off my cooler to keep the jack from sinking and got to work!

 

[Dirtco]

The snow doesn't look that deep, but if I got more than a foot or two away from the 4Runner I would sink!

 

[rickashay]

Man, you have a TON of RI LED's! I think Rigid owes your beautiful 4Runner a sponsorship or something.... hahah

Great pics as always Jeremiah. Your just making me jealous as usual.

 

[downpour11]

Lets get some night shots of those LED's ya friggin LED whore! LOL

Awesome pics as always!

 

[Dirtco]

I've always wondered about tucking led bars behind the grill, but it seems like not many of 3rd gen owners do it (if any). When you purchased one back before Christmas, I was dead set on buying one, but looking at the limited mounting space behind behind the grill left me timid. So are you still using the Rydel bar and what did you mount it too back there?

If you look at the before picture you can see that I made a couple brackets that bolt to the side of the winch. I just moved those to the rear winch support and angled the light back. The location is not ideal, you loose some light output right in front of the truck, but the headlights make up for that and between the color / beam it's almost a seamless transition. I also bought some replacement spot optics that I might swap out with the flood optics that are in it right now, they were only $1.50 each.

I can mix and match, but I have three main aux forward facing light modes:

1. Stock headlights with Rydel bar - 5000K

2. Amber - RI D2 driving lights, with or without headlights - Wired to fog light switch

3. 6000K - 10" RI Specter Driving bar, 10" RI Spot bar, D2 Driving lights - All controlled with one switch.

 

[awpsome]

this is just insane badass.

 

[rideexileex]

Well, I'll be quick:

Dirtco is an LED whore.

 

[fightman80]

Nice ride pics man! I'm extremely impressed about the 5ft of snow, trail repair! lol!

 

[Dirtco]

In the process of changing out the front CV I had to remove the driver side sway bar end link. I noticed that both sides were bent, twisted, and pretty much looked like a paper clip that had been bent around a bunch. It was only a matter of time before they snapped, so I also removed the passenger side while I was up there. I figured I would drive it home that way and see how I felt about it in general.

I was surprised at how much smoother the ride was, both on the trail and on the street going through dips, etc! The 4Runner does have more body roll, but I'm also used to that with the last couple rigs I had. I decided to completely remove the front sway bar for the summer, I'll hang onto it in case I change my mind but so far the only time I felt uncomfortable was going around some tight corners that were covered in ice. It felt like the rear wanted to break loose easier, but I also went into them a bit faster than I should have. I guess we'll see, but it's easy enough to throw it back on for the winter if I need to.