Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build
- Thread starter Dirtco
- Start date
Kryptoroxx
New member
Sorry to see that happen to such a clean rig.....it'll buff out if you want to fix it though.
Dirtco
New member
Yeah, it was just a matter of time. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner!
Thanks Conner!
Very true!!!
It sucks, but I knew it would happen sooner or later.
I got stuck a couple times that day, it's just part snow wheeling!
Dirtco
New member
Thanks Drew! It was only a matter of time, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner, and it could have been a lot worse!
As for tires, I'm leaning towards 36" Irok's!!!
Dirtco
New member
Now that I’m moved into my new house, I have a much longer commute to work, and I go to work before the snowplow clears the highway. I was driving the Beetle, (and sometimes the 4Runner) but the Beetle is useless down our dirt road, and when it snows. Not mention what would happen if I hit a deer or elk in the thing.
The 4Runner is fun, but I never built it for such a commute. It gets crappy gas mileage (and I have to run premium), the tires wear fast (and are expensive), and the overall wear and tear is just rough on it. With the new house I really needed a truck too. So I started looking around for an older Toyota single cab to commute around in, but everyone on Craigslist is on crack and thinks that their 25 year old beat up truck is worth 5K! That option also meant that I would be making a car payment on a vehicle that is just setting around.
So I traded the Beetle in on this; a 2005 Tacoma TRD double cab with 129K and a Fabtech lift. The wheels and tires need to go, but other than that it’s in great shape!
The 4Runner is fun, but I never built it for such a commute. It gets crappy gas mileage (and I have to run premium), the tires wear fast (and are expensive), and the overall wear and tear is just rough on it. With the new house I really needed a truck too. So I started looking around for an older Toyota single cab to commute around in, but everyone on Craigslist is on crack and thinks that their 25 year old beat up truck is worth 5K! That option also meant that I would be making a car payment on a vehicle that is just setting around.
So I traded the Beetle in on this; a 2005 Tacoma TRD double cab with 129K and a Fabtech lift. The wheels and tires need to go, but other than that it’s in great shape!
Dirtco
New member
So, you may ask yourself, “What does this this have to do with the 4Runner?”
The Tacoma has 4 doors and a bed, 4wd, and it fits the whole family comfortably. That means that the 4Runner is just a toy now! I need to drive to and from the trail comfortably (including Moab) but tire wear, commuting in the snow, and fuel MPG are not much of an issue anymore. And since the body is not straight anymore, and it’s just a trail rig, that opens up some more options as well. (Insert the mad scientist laugh here )
The Tacoma has 4 doors and a bed, 4wd, and it fits the whole family comfortably. That means that the 4Runner is just a toy now! I need to drive to and from the trail comfortably (including Moab) but tire wear, commuting in the snow, and fuel MPG are not much of an issue anymore. And since the body is not straight anymore, and it’s just a trail rig, that opens up some more options as well. (Insert the mad scientist laugh here
)
Dirtco
New member
Thanks! No, the Tacoma won't tow the 4Runner. It gets around pretty good but I don't see that happening.
Hahaha!
Thanks! I ordered wheels and tires for it, just waiting for them to come in so I can sell the 18" wheels and tires that are on it.
As for the 4Runner, I'm not really sure what the plan is at this point. I'm kind of tapped out of money for the time being (between the house and truck). But this is what I do know...
The 4Runner needs tires, and it's not going to be much of a snow wheeling season without some new ones. Also, one of them is showing some pretty nasty cracks in the sidewall, it makes me a little nervous to drive on the highway and I can't rotate it to the front for the fear of a blow out.
If I'm going to buy tires, and it's not my daily driver, it only makes sense to run a tire that meets my needs off road (as long as I can get it to balance out for the drive to and from the trail). I need at least a 35" tire and as everyone knows, I really love snow wheeling! The Irok is known to be one of the best snow wheeling tires out there, and pretty good in the rocks too. I thought about the 35" ND Irok, but after looking at the spec's I feel it will be smaller than a true 35 tire. That's why right now I'm leaning toward the 36x13.50x17 Irok radial. I'm not a 100% decided but I think it would be awesome in the snow, and give me a little more sidewall with the 17" wheels.
This will require ditching the flares and cladding, as both the front and rear fender openings will need to be enlarged, and I will need to tub the firewall. I will also need to trim/modify the bumpers and sliders. I plan to trace out the old flare/cladding line and use bedliner on the lower section of the body.
As for the suspension... For some reason I just can't get in the SAS mood. I've been there and done that, but at the end of the day this isn't a rock crawler. I spend a lot more time time snow wheeling and exploring moderate trails. I might change my mind, but for now when the time comes to revamp the suspension I'm leaning towards long travel!
TCMach
New member
Did i just hear 36s?? :hail:
Those tires are going to be sweet! You think you'll have more of an issue fitting the width of those tires or the height?
4Running Daily
New member
I'll be going long travel too! It's just better
TheArkMaster
New member
I'm planning out a LT setup as well. I guess at this point, we need a rally track to meet at instead of a trail.
the great him
Elite Member
I call dibs on your LD CV axles!
Dropzone
New member
smart man on not attempting to tow your 4Runner with the Taco.
I towed my Trekker a few times on my flatbed behind my '05 Taco TRD DC. It towed it fine but my full size tows it much better. The 4Runner probably out weights my Trekker by 1500 lbs or more Though I wish I could have kept the Taco and traded in the missus's Camry on a tow rig.
You need an ARB or other plate bumper on the Taco, Tube bumpers just look funky on the '05+ Tacomas.
congrats on the cool new DD
I towed my Trekker a few times on my flatbed behind my '05 Taco TRD DC. It towed it fine but my full size tows it much better. The 4Runner probably out weights my Trekker by 1500 lbs or more Though I wish I could have kept the Taco and traded in the missus's Camry on a tow rig.
You need an ARB or other plate bumper on the Taco, Tube bumpers just look funky on the '05+ Tacomas.
congrats on the cool new DD
Snowy21
New member
Thanks! No, the Tacoma won't tow the 4Runner. It gets around pretty good but I don't see that happening.
Hahaha!
Thanks! I ordered wheels and tires for it, just waiting for them to come in so I can sell the 18" wheels and tires that are on it.
As for the 4Runner, I'm not really sure what the plan is at this point. I'm kind of tapped out of money for the time being (between the house and truck). But this is what I do know...
The 4Runner needs tires, and it's not going to be much of a snow wheeling season without some new ones. Also, one of them is showing some pretty nasty cracks in the sidewall, it makes me a little nervous to drive on the highway and I can't rotate it to the front for the fear of a blow out.
If I'm going to buy tires, and it's not my daily driver, it only makes sense to run a tire that meets my needs off road (as long as I can get it to balance out for the drive to and from the trail). I need at least a 35" tire and as everyone knows, I really love snow wheeling! The Irok is known to be one of the best snow wheeling tires out there, and pretty good in the rocks too. I thought about the 35" ND Irok, but after looking at the spec's I feel it will be smaller than a true 35 tire. That's why right now I'm leaning toward the 36x13.50x17 Irok radial. I'm not a 100% decided but I think it would be awesome in the snow, and give me a little more sidewall with the 17" wheels.
This will require ditching the flares and cladding, as both the front and rear fender openings will need to be enlarged, and I will need to tub the firewall. I will also need to trim/modify the bumpers and sliders. I plan to trace out the old flare/cladding line and use bedliner on the lower section of the body.
As for the suspension... For some reason I just can't get in the SAS mood. I've been there and done that, but at the end of the day this isn't a rock crawler. I spend a lot more time time snow wheeling and exploring moderate trails. I might change my mind, but for now when the time comes to revamp the suspension I'm leaning towards long travel!
I feel you on really not wanting to swap it, especially if money is tight. Aside from weak cv's, the stock ifs works really well for less than serious rock crawling.
Fwiw I just put 37" pitbull rockers on my truck and they drive butter smooth up to and past 80 on the highway without any balancing attempt at all.
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