Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

What do you use for editing software? I find the GoPro software does not enable all the settings, (speed up slow down) And it's very time consuming to to make lots of adjustments to move around sections of video.

I use iMovie, it came on my computer and does a pretty good job for what I'm doing.
 
Nice job with the groover. I think you will be happy with the moderate job you did on the tires. Sometimes guys go nuts and the tire ends up looking like it should be on farm equipment.

Great winter snow pics as always. I actually just went through your 86 Turbo thread trying to remember what auto shifter kit you used. I think I may hit Rory up sometime to throw one in my Auto, it looked like to worked great on your 86
 
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And I reinstalled the limit straps once I knew the coilovers were setting level (since ToyTec rebuilt one). I now need to balance the tires, get an alignment, and replace the panhard bar heim joints, then the suspension and steering will be all wrapped up.


Aye so..can you help me understand limit straps? I notice your sway bar is gone (duh) - these straps prevent full droop and damage to CV axles or?
 
Nice job with the groover. I think you will be happy with the moderate job you did on the tires. Sometimes guys go nuts and the tire ends up looking like it should be on farm equipment.

Great winter snow pics as always. I actually just went through your 86 Turbo thread trying to remember what auto shifter kit you used. I think I may hit Rory up sometime to throw one in my Auto, it looked like to worked great on your 86

Yeah, I didn't want to go too crazy. I just wanted to help traction on hard pack / icy roads and have them hook up better in the deep snow. I really notice a difference!

I really liked Rory's shifter; it wasn't something that I used everyday, but it did come in handy wheeling when I wanted to lock the transmission in a certain gear.

Aye so..can you help me understand limit straps? I notice your sway bar is gone (duh) - these straps prevent full droop and damage to CV axles or?

Yes, I originally had the Tundra coils and the stock spindle would contact the springs at full droop. Thats why I installed the limit straps. Now I'm running the Toytec front coilovers with the SPC upper arms and there's no clearance issues, but I kept the straps for the CV's, and to help limit extra wear and tear on the front suspension with my heavy wheel/tire combination.
 
There's not much to update when it comes to the 4Runner, I've mainly been working on the trailer this winter. You guys can click the link in my signature (bottom of the post) if you want to see the progress.

I took the 4Runner out a couple weeks ago for some snow wheeling, we had just gotten a pretty big storm and I had to go check it out.





Heard of Elk



The snow was super deep in the trees! I made progress but it was slow going, after a while I decided to call it a day and head back.

 
Phew just read all 112 pages, awesome!! Your attention to detail is an inspiration to all builders.
Stoked that you're interested in Overlanding. I got the bug after visiting Australia a couple years ago. Hitting the outback in a white (always white?!), diesel Toyota is way of life there.
 
Phew just read all 112 pages, awesome!! Your attention to detail is an inspiration to all builders.
Stoked that you're interested in Overlanding. I got the bug after visiting Australia a couple years ago. Hitting the outback in a white (always white?!), diesel Toyota is way of life there.

Thank you for spending the time to read through the whole thing, that's a major commitment at this point! I hope to have some more trip related posts and updates this summer.
 
I've been mainly working on the trailer, but I did have a few small things that I wanted to get done before summer.

I redesigned the spare tire carrier "index pin"; I wanted something that was a tighter fit, and looked a little cleaner than the last one.

Old





And new

I also added a tube clamp to the end of the tire carrier, I couldn't get the carrier open all the way when the trailer was hooked up to the truck (it would contact the trailer). That wasn't an issue when I was using the trailer as a base camp, but it sucks for overland style trips. Now I pull two bolts and the end of the carrier comes off.







 
I got sick of the front corner markers getting packed with snow and mud, so I finally made some splash protectors. It's nothing fancy but it should do the job.

Before



After

 
I don't trailer my 4Runner anywhere, I drive it to the trail or destination, and on longer trips it's towing the camping trailer. Because of that I have to take certain precautions to make sure I can get home. I've always been concerned about blowing up a front differential and having to drive home on it. The front wheel bearings are held together by the CV joints, so you can't just pull the CV's and driveshaft. For that reason I carry an outer CV joint to keep the wheel bearings happy, but it was heavy and bulky. So I cut the outer cage off and made a plug out of it.



 
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So would you have to put your modded cv on both sides or just let the front diff soon with the good cv, after you disconnect the front driveline?

Great idea btw
 
So would you have to put your modded cv on both sides or just let the front diff soon with the good cv, after you disconnect the front driveline?

Great idea btw

Thanks! Technically, I should only need it for the driver side. That's the side that goes straight into the differential, the passenger side is disconnected via the ADD when the 4 wheel drive is deactivated. But, I will probably make a second one just in case.
 

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