Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

That is cool! Where did you get that thermometer?

Amazon, here is a link.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0179LZURU/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[4Runner4TW]

Amazon, here is a link.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0179LZURU/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You think this could take the place of the factory clock? Mine is going out which is driving me crazy. I can use my phone to tell time, but having a thermometer in the truck would be nice.

 

[Dirtco]

Jeremiah, you never fail to impress my friend. I'm looking forward to the new additions.

Thanks Rick! We really need to get out and go wheeling!

You know, I've read this build a few times trying to find ANYTHING you half-assed, and I'm always disappointed.

that is for sure. I have been watching [MENTION=67615]Dirtco[/MENTION]'s work evolve over multiple threads for years and it is just plain quality.

Thanks guys! I just have a hard time throwing stuff together, I've always felt that it's worth taking the time to do it right the first time. It doesn't always work that way, but I try.

I have been reading through this build, and also your trailer build, for a couple weeks now in my spare time and just wanted to let you know you do some awesome work. By far one of the most thorough build threads I have read on any type of forum I have been on. I'll be keeping up with this build as time goes on, once again awesome work!

Thank you for the kind words! I honestly never anticipated this thread to be around this long, or get this long. But here I am, five years later still tweaking stuff around on the 4Runner! lol

 

[Dirtco]

You think this could take the place of the factory clock? Mine is going out which is driving me crazy. I can use my phone to tell time, but having a thermometer in the truck would be nice.

Probably not, the lead for the temperature sender is extremely short (only a couple feet). I don't think you would be able to get it outside.

 

[aleks77]

Awesome build, how is the RTT mounted to the "roof rack" ?? Also Would you build and sell one of your roof racks

 

[Dirtco]

Awesome build, how is the RTT mounted to the "roof rack" ?? Also Would you build and sell one of your roof racks

Thanks! Here is a picture of how the rack attaches to the factory rail. There is a bracket that slides into the slot of the rail and the rack sandwiches the rail. I'm honestly swapped with projects right now, but if there was enough interest I would consider making a small batch down the road.

 

[Dirtco]

Unfortunately I’ve been super busy and I have not been able to take the 4Runner out as much as I would like to lately. We’ve had some unseasonably warm weather here, so I decided to take advantage of the situation and hit a couple high mountain passes before the snow moved in, and the gates closed.

These pictures are from November 14th, normally there would be several feet of snow.

Starting up Deer Creek above Montezuma.



Looking down from the top of Radical Hill onto Webster Pass and Red Cone.



Heading towards Middle Fork



Coming down Middle Fork







Cool Cabin



And the normal upside down buried car next to it

 

[Mr.Rick]

Man it's scary how little snow there is up there. I would have expected a lot more than that but I guess that's global warming for ya.... :noidea:

 

[Volcom]

That tire had more tread than my old Iroks did

 

[Jaysen4runner]

What do are you using for e-brake with the setup? Is this FROR setup.

And now for the pictures everyone wants to see, the axle under the 4Runner! Note that I also built an adjustable panhard bar bracket to better the geometry a little.



Tons of clearance under the axle!

 

[Dirtco]

Man it's scary how little snow there is up there. I would have expected a lot more than that but I guess that's global warming for ya.... :noidea:

We finally got a little snow, but yeah it was bad!

That tire had more tread than my old Iroks did

Do you want me to grab it for you as a spare?

What do are you using for e-brake with the setup? Is this FROR setup.

It's a FROR full float kit with a Trail Gear housing, it took some custom work to get them to work together (details are a couple pages back). No E-brake, they didn't offer a kit at the time I ordered to retain it. The 4Runner is an automatic and I pay attention to where I park, it would be nice down the road though. FYI, FROR does offer a kit now that uses 4th or 5th gen 4Runner parts to retain the E-brake.

 

[Dirtco]

We finally got a little snow so I went out for a little adventure. The snow pack is well below average, but I guess something is better than nothing. I decided to run some other trails in the area; normally they would be snowmobile trails by now, but not this year.

 

[BigBluePile]

Jealous.

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[Mr.Rick]

UH OH! Do I spy a new a new single row set up on the roofline?

 

[jkeith.w]

I have some questions about this when you have the time:

First, why not truss underneath? Do the axle housings not bend upward?

Second, I read about the warping issues - do you think that's exacerbated by the continuous bead? I realize you welded 2" and skipped around, letting it cool, but I wonder if the truss had been constructed of cut and bent plate with cutouts along the join (so not in continuous contact with the axle, welding-wise) if that might not have mitigated the drawing?

I suppose welding on a build plate that located the pumkin face and both bearing mounts would be the best approach, but I'm curious as to whether simply changing the truss design could help as well.

(I'm prepping an axle housing for my truck, and if these are prone to bending, I want to reinforce it if I can)

And here it is all painted and ready to be installed under the 4Runner





Old housing removed



New housing installed!

 

[Black798]

I suppose I'm a little late to the party but reading through the entirety of this build over the past few days is super inspiring. I can feel my wallet crying already. Great work, I'm super jealous of your rig.

 

[flyfishinguy]

WOW!!! One of the sickest 4runners I've ever seen. Nice build Fella :rockon:

 

[Dirtco]

Sometimes you get an idea that sounds great in your head or on paper, but in real life it’s less than ideal. I was extremely excited to get a roof top tent for the 4Runner, as I’ve said before I loved the tent on the trailer. But, having it on the 4Runner was not ideal and not the same experience as the trailer. So I decided to remove it for the winter and think about whether or not I wanted a RTT on top of the 4Runner.

After my last couple wheeling adventures it sealed the deal, the tent will not be going back on the 4Runner. There are several factors, mostly logistical (I can get into details if anyone is interested), and the issue that the tent does not match my driving style or the terrain I like to wheel. It was a hard conclusion to come to, and I tried to make it work, but it’s not the right combination for this vehicle and now I know.

That means the 4Runner will be under going a transformation. I will be building a sleeping platform and converting the back of the 4Runner into a one person sleeper, while still having the ability to carry three people and the dog when needed.

Step one of this process; I needed a low profile and light weight roof rack to hold my awning and Hi Lift jack, along with extra camping gear and firewood. I prefer the clean look of no rack, but with the sleeping platform in the back cargo space will be at a premium. I wanted to stick with the cheap or free theme (BajaRack has one, but I can think of better ways to spend $500) so I reused the rack that I built for the RTT and modified it to work for this application.

 

[Dirtco]

UH OH! Do I spy a new a new single row set up on the roofline?

Good eye Rick! The light bar is a 40” Rigid knock off, it will be wired to a remote so I can turn it on while driving, hanging out around camp, and when sleeping in the back (with out crawling up front).

 

[BigBluePile]

Sweet! Excited to watch the transformation!!!

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