Dude, it was great hanging and re-checking out the setup at the Jambo. I now have some new motivation for my build the next year. Your work is awesome as usual. Let me know next time you're headed out wheeling! It'd be fun to do a small expedition trip one weekend. Heck, even a Red Cone day would be fun!
Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build
- Thread starter Dirtco
- Start date
Dirtco
New member
It was nice to meet you Dylan, I was hoping to have more time to talk to you and Jeff but there never seems to be enough at a big event like that (especially when you roll in late). We need to do some wheeling in the future!
That's a lot to chew on.
Looks like I've got some learnin' to do. I'll be back in a few days.
Your telling me! It's a more common swap on the older trucks and a pretty standard set-up for people running Diamond axles. It's nice to know that whatever I throw at the rear axle, it should take it. There are people wheeling the crap out of their rigs with 37-40’s without an issue. I'm guessing the next weak link will be the housing itself, but I don't jump this 4Runner so it should hold up just fine. The added braking power alone is almost worth it; especially towing a trailer without brakes. And an extra plus, I don’t have to worry about pressing rear axle bearings. I’ll just clean and repack these when it’s needed, super easy!
The kit is reasonable when you figure what chromoly axle shafts normally cost; luckily I had the spindles, and my buddy Aaron had the wheel hubs and some other misc parts that he gave me. In addition to the kit I had to buy the proportioning valve, drive flanges, wheel bearings & races, rotors and calipers. Between Aaron and myself, I had all the random hardware needed to put it together.
Thanks man, I thought about the 555 brand but Rickashay had some issue's with his loosing up faster than they should. He does a ton of wheeling like I do, so it was worth the extra $ to do it right. If these blow out in a year or two I'll just buy the 555 and plan on replacing them on a more regular basis.
Your comment brings up a good point that I forgot to mention, "DON'T COUNT THREADS!". My new factory Toyota outer tie rod ends did not have the same amount of threads as the old ones, there was a big difference (at least 3 or 4 more). The casting was the same but they threaded down the tie rod more than the last one, and the end was a little funky. After a bunch of measuring I know I’m right where I need to be.
Thanks Christian, it's always a great time hanging out! I would love to do a small expedition style trip, lets figure out some trails/dates and make it happen. I’ll send you an email and we can start to work out the details.
JWaldz
Moderator
That's a cool conversion.. Great work! I never knew the kit existed. I might be checking more into that. I've bent 2 axle shafts myself and for the price to have it fixed I could have bought the kit.... 
The only downside is the $$$ for all the other corresponding parts for it that aren't included.
The only downside is the $$$ for all the other corresponding parts for it that aren't included.
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Rockdawg84
New member
I love the FROR full floater conversion. But Can you guys (dirtco and Arkrwlr) tell me where the shafts are bending? I'm running 39.5 rockers on my 1st gen runner and never have had a problem. was there a change in the way the shafts were made? Shaft diameter is the same AFAIK
JWaldz
Moderator
Well, that's a good question. Looking at a bent rear axle, it's hard to really tell where the bend is unless it's REALLY bent. A slight bend will cause a number of issues. In some cases it can cause the whole wheel & hub assembly to come off the axle 
Most the time it is caused by the wheel bearing going out 1st. After that allows play (without notice) and you go smash on your rear axle offroad the shaft can bend. So, where it bends? Your guess is as good as mine. I think it's probably closer to the hub assembly than anywhere else. That's where any kind of play would be for it to be allowed to bend. Regardless, the rear axle shafts on our trucks are JUNK and I wish they made chromoly axle shafts to replace them.
Most the time it is caused by the wheel bearing going out 1st. After that allows play (without notice) and you go smash on your rear axle offroad the shaft can bend. So, where it bends? Your guess is as good as mine. I think it's probably closer to the hub assembly than anywhere else. That's where any kind of play would be for it to be allowed to bend. Regardless, the rear axle shafts on our trucks are JUNK and I wish they made chromoly axle shafts to replace them.
Dous
New member
Well, that's a good question. Looking at a bent rear axle, it's hard to really tell where the bend is unless it's REALLY bent. A slight bend will cause a number of issues. In some cases it can cause the whole wheel & hub assembly to come off the axle
I wouldn't say they are junk... hell they are massive compared to some of the axles Chrysler threw in their POS's, and those axles were held in with C-clips...complete trash
Dirtco
New member
That's a cool conversion.. Great work! I never knew the kit existed. I might be checking more into that. I've bent 2 axle shafts myself and for the price to have it fixed I could have bought the kit....
The only downside is the $$$ for all the other corresponding parts for it that aren't included.
Well it’s good to hear that I’m not the only one! I’ve found people on Yotatech and TTORA but not around here.
Your 100% right, the kit is reasonable but it’s all the other parts that take their toll, especially when you order everything in a couple days like I had to. If you spread it out over a couple months it wouldn’t be too bad. If you want to save some money you can use all junkyard parts, including the rotors, calipers and locking hubs. I didn’t want to use locking hubs because I’ve heard of them unlocking themselves while your driving, and of course your buddy’s messing with them! The brakes were fairly cheap compared to the Tundra swap (Rotors were $26.00 each, and the calipers were $41.99 each. The calipers had a $65.00 core, but my buddy gave me an old junkyard set.), so I decided to do it right the first time and not fight with junkyard brake parts.
I’ve never heard of the old style shafts bending. I had a 4Runner on 37’s and both of my friends run 40’s without an issue (one of them has snapped a couple, but never bent one). It’s a newer 3rd Gen 4Runner and Tacoma thing, it’s either a manufacturing issue or they are made out of a softer material.
Well, that's a good question. Looking at a bent rear axle, it's hard to really tell where the bend is unless it's REALLY bent. A slight bend will cause a number of issues. In some cases it can cause the whole wheel & hub assembly to come off the axle
Yep, x2. I felt mine in the brakes first, as the drum would walk around with the axle shaft and the shoes were centered with the housing, so it would cause vibration and jumpy rear brakes. My wheel bearings were tight so I know that didn’t cause it; it was just the impact of wheeling. Mine must have been bent toward the outside of the shaft/hub because the wheel bearings stayed tight up until lately, that’s when I knew I had to do something! The last thing I wanted to do was pull a Jeep move, and loose the axle shaft down the road!
They still bend pretty easy, but your right; at least they don’t snap and decide to go for a walk, taking the wheel and brakes with it! That's a Jeep thing!
Dirtco
New member
So far I’ve been impressed with the Rigid Industries LED lights; I have not had chance to use them as much as I would like, but the few times I have used them they were great!
A few weeks ago I was looking the 4Runner over and noticed one of the Dually’s was leaking water. You would think that I would get used to this stuff, but it still bums me out. I guess its just part of wheeling (or my luck).
They have a lifetime warranty, so I sent it in for repair (or replacement). They were very helpful and polite, I got a call today saying that it was done and it was shipping out ahead of schedule, they also sent me email with the tracking number, warranty invoice, etc. We'll see how it holds up but so far they have been pretty stand up about the whole thing.
A few weeks ago I was looking the 4Runner over and noticed one of the Dually’s was leaking water. You would think that I would get used to this stuff, but it still bums me out. I guess its just part of wheeling (or my luck).
They have a lifetime warranty, so I sent it in for repair (or replacement). They were very helpful and polite, I got a call today saying that it was done and it was shipping out ahead of schedule, they also sent me email with the tracking number, warranty invoice, etc. We'll see how it holds up but so far they have been pretty stand up about the whole thing.
Dirtco
New member
The amber color is awesome in the snow, and white out conditions. Sadly we didn't get much of that this last winter so I didn't get to really use them as much as I would like. I do feel I made the right choice though; I've used them in the fog and heavy rain so people can see me, and they seem like a good choice for heavy traffic night wheeling, or when you have a spotter. They are super bright, but the color is not quite as blinding as the white.
I also have the 10" SR Specter series in white, that thing is great for the kind of wheeling I do! The LED's are nice because they they put a wall of light in front of you, no hot spots or reflector marks like HID's (and minimal draw). If I was doing more high speed, or desert wheeling I would want more light, but this set-up works great for me right now.
It gets addicting though, I see the output of the 10" and all I think about is the output of the 40" and 50"!
SCRunner12
New member
Dirtco, amazing work as always. It's a toss up between your 85 and your 99 for which I like more.
Addison, too bad you missed out on the TacomaWorld Morimoto light bar group buy. If you aren't signed up over there you should. They constantly have group buys on awesome products.
Addison, too bad you missed out on the TacomaWorld Morimoto light bar group buy. If you aren't signed up over there you should. They constantly have group buys on awesome products.
Dirtco
New member
You will love it! I took some GoPro video a couple months ago comparing all the lights, but it seems that GoPro's do not work well in the dark and it didn't turn out. I also tried to take some cell phone pictures of the rock lights for you, but those didn't turn out and i didn't have my regular camera. Maybe one day I get pictures of all the lights in action.
Thanks! I love all my 4Runner's, but this one is by far the most comfortable and best suited for daily driving.
That full float conversion is pretty neat. Im dreading the day I have to do bearings in the rear axle. This might make its way in.
Curious about something... You said you can just repack the rear bearings.... Are they grease lubricated or do they take an oil bath like a normal full floater?
Curious about something... You said you can just repack the rear bearings.... Are they grease lubricated or do they take an oil bath like a normal full floater?
Dirtco
New member
I’ve taken the trailer on two camping trips, but I’ve never really wheeled it. That needed to change!
I decided to hit a couple moderate local trails, and get used to the trailer behind the 4Runner. I ran up Peru Creek, then hit Chihuahua Gulch and Warden Gulch; none of the trails are that hard, but there are rocky sections, steep/loose sections, tight sections and plenty of river crossings. Pretty much a good way to get used to having a trailer behind the 4Runner and kill off half a day, not to mention the views are amazing!
I decided to hit a couple moderate local trails, and get used to the trailer behind the 4Runner. I ran up Peru Creek, then hit Chihuahua Gulch and Warden Gulch; none of the trails are that hard, but there are rocky sections, steep/loose sections, tight sections and plenty of river crossings. Pretty much a good way to get used to having a trailer behind the 4Runner and kill off half a day, not to mention the views are amazing!
Dirtco
New member
They are grease lubricated, like the front of a solid axle mini truck. You install a special seal into the spindle that keeps the gear oil out. If you have any other questions just let me know.
BigFishAllDay
New member
You've got a great setup there, Dirtco. Where's the pictures of the whistle pigs? I bet you saw a couple hundred that day @ that elevation. My Wife wants one of those guys as a pet.
Dirtco
New member
Not a problem Jim, glad I could help!
Dirtco
New member
Thanks! Wheeling with a trailer is a whole new challenge, but it's a lot of fun too.
Normally I see a ton of them but not on this trip. I did watch some mountain goats traverse a nasty ledge at the top of Warden Gulch, that was really cool to watch! I was eating lunch and I heard rocks falling down the mountain, I looked up and saw these guys.
EDIT - You can see them in this picture too
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