Dirtco
New member
Glad you could make it, we need to start planning the next one!
Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build
- Thread starter Dirtco
- Start date
Glad you could make it, we need to start planning the next one!
Dirtco
New member
[MENTION=63060]rickashay[/MENTION]
I would love to see some night shots in the snow with the blue filters. I went with the amber D2 lights in a driving light pattern mainly for snowy conditions, I aimed them low and use them when conditions get real bad.
I found these pictures a long time ago on Pirate (not my pictures), it's a comparison of white vs amber Rigid's in the snow. Notice in the first picture there is a bunch of glare back from the light, and with the amber color that pretty much goes away. I've found the same to be true in real world conditions, but I would like to see how blue compares.
Dirtco
New member
I have a couple updates; first I made my final payment on the 4Runner! 
arty: Good thing I left it stock and didn’t do anything crazy until it was paid off! 
I was cleaning up some of my snow wheeling video clips before the next season starts, and I put together another video from last season. I also have some random clips I might upload, we’ll see.
A little snow wheeling motivation for everyone!
arty: Good thing I left it stock and didn’t do anything crazy until it was paid off! I was cleaning up some of my snow wheeling video clips before the next season starts, and I put together another video from last season. I also have some random clips I might upload, we’ll see.
A little snow wheeling motivation for everyone!
Dirtco
New member
Thanks man!
Dirtco
New member
I started a new project on the 4Runner.
I have been undecided on what to do about a spare tire. At first I wasn’t going to run one, since I had the trailer with two full size tires. But I really want to do more expedition style trips, and being out in the middle of nowhere without a spare tire is not a good idea. Sure, I can rob the trailer and drive out. But, I really don’t like that idea much and I would much rather sleep in the trailer and have all the luxuries it affords, instead of sleeping in the back of the 4Runner and running around small towns looking for a spare to rescue the trailer.
The number one priority of this project; is it’s got to be easy to get in the back of the 4Runner, period! I built a swing down carrier for the back of the Turbo 4Runner, and while it was stout, protective, and cool looking, it was also a nightmare to get in the back. Once or twice a day wasn’t bad, but multiple times on a long trip became frustrating.
Here is a picture of what I’m talking about.
I have been undecided on what to do about a spare tire. At first I wasn’t going to run one, since I had the trailer with two full size tires. But I really want to do more expedition style trips, and being out in the middle of nowhere without a spare tire is not a good idea. Sure, I can rob the trailer and drive out. But, I really don’t like that idea much and I would much rather sleep in the trailer and have all the luxuries it affords, instead of sleeping in the back of the 4Runner and running around small towns looking for a spare to rescue the trailer.
The number one priority of this project; is it’s got to be easy to get in the back of the 4Runner, period! I built a swing down carrier for the back of the Turbo 4Runner, and while it was stout, protective, and cool looking, it was also a nightmare to get in the back. Once or twice a day wasn’t bad, but multiple times on a long trip became frustrating.
Here is a picture of what I’m talking about.
GottaBeTRD
New member
It's a great feeling when it is officially yours. Congrats man!
jason in tn
New member
I've been trying to figure out something for mine, I guess I will wait to see what you come up with since I've already copied a lot of your ideas for my bumper. One thing is for sure what ever you come up with I'm sure its gonna be cool.
Dirtco
New member
Unintentional cliffhanger, I still have a lot of work to do but I'll get everyone up speed.
Besides being easily accessible, I also wanted it to be light weight (within reason), have a good departure angle and to keep my existing bumper.
With that in mind I decided to not run a full 35x12.50; it’s heavy and hangs out past the 4Runner too much for something that I doubt I’ll ever use. So I looked around for “pizza cutters” and finally went with a 255/85R16 BFG Mud Terrain on a Mickey Thompson Classic III 16x7 wheel with around 3.5 backspacing.
At 60psi it’s a close match to the half worn BFG’s on the 4Runner (at 25 psi). In all reality no spare is going to be perfect match (unless you rotate), and I’ll adjust air pressure to compensate if necessary.
Dirtco
New member
After a TON of time looking at different hinge options I went with a single sheer, trailer style spindle set up. Double sheer, and even hiem joints were considered, but it would have been complicated to make it work with my existing bumper and not kill my departure angle.
I used a 1.5” hole saw, and a cut off wheel to notch out the bumper.
Then I chopped the lower section down, and cut out a gusset from 3/8” plate (an old piece of my Marlin skid plate that was on the green 4Runner).
I used a 1.5” hole saw, and a cut off wheel to notch out the bumper.
Then I chopped the lower section down, and cut out a gusset from 3/8” plate (an old piece of my Marlin skid plate that was on the green 4Runner).
Dirtco
New member
Tail light clearance; it only blocks the reflector and not the light. The dust cap might set just a little bit higher but I don’t see it blocking the light much.
I bought a pre-fabbed wheel plate, but it came with multiple holes for other patterns and didn't look very good. So I filled all the holes except for the ones I would be using, and the holes for 8 lug wheels (you can't see them behind the wheel, and who know's if I'll go to one tons some day down the road). I also welded up a two inch receiver that I can use for multiple different things; I plan on having a mount for a 3 gallon Rotopax, possible snowboard carrier, and possible cargo carrier. The possibilities are really endless!
I bought a pre-fabbed wheel plate, but it came with multiple holes for other patterns and didn't look very good. So I filled all the holes except for the ones I would be using, and the holes for 8 lug wheels (you can't see them behind the wheel, and who know's if I'll go to one tons some day down the road). I also welded up a two inch receiver that I can use for multiple different things; I plan on having a mount for a 3 gallon Rotopax, possible snowboard carrier, and possible cargo carrier. The possibilities are really endless!
LINY4Runner
New member
:snacker:
crazydubman
New member
Looking good man. Any thoughts on the latch side yet?
Bandit Runner
Senior Member
Nice! I am using a 255/85R16 tire as a spare for my 35's also. I figure it is close enough in size for short-time use. I have mine in the stock location under the truck, but am thinking about building a new rear bumper with tire carrier.
Dirtco
New member
Umm, yeah, actually...
That's the car my wife drives, it's a 2004 Turbo S Beetle. She wanted a New Beetle so I said it had to be the Turbo S model; six speed manual, 180 horsepower and 12 pounds of boost stock, and it came with a Borla exhaust system. We did a couple small things, including the wheels and tint.
With the addition of my daughter to the family it's really too small. I've been trying to talk her into getting another 4Runner or double cab Tacoma!
Dirtco
New member
[MENTION=34852]crazydubman[/MENTION]
Thanks man! I looked at multiple different set-ups for idea's, including yours. Do you have a link to the latch you used? I'm thinking something like that, with a centering cone to alleviate any up/down movement, and to adjust the preload on the latch.
crazydubman
New member
Sure thing.
I purchased it through Bisco Industries
Its a Southco A2-10-501-21
A2-10-501-21 - Southco
Here is the spec sheet for it too.
http://www.southco.com/static/Literature/a2-a7.en.pdf
It works great for what it is. Plus the ability to use a padlock is a nice feature. I would definitely build a stopper in above and below if at all possible. It would help keep the carrier from rotating on its axis. Should help with the life of the spindle if the latch side is locked tight as well.
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