Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Brazilian_Serra]

With respect, I suggest you go read on the differences between an IFS (Independent Front Suspension) and a Solid Front Axle.

The only 3rd gens with birfields are those that have SAS'd, or Solid Axle Swap'd.

Sorry! My question can sounds stupid, but I'll explain for you!

First of all, I know the difference between IFS and SAS.

Here in Brazil, we have one 4Runner that us know as "Caveirão".

Caveirão use 40" tires and IFS system.

Look him here: TAC 4x4 2013 - 3o dia. Videolog 02 - Transamazonica Challenge 2013 - YouTube

Commenting on this car with a friend, he said he uses the trail gear, so that the tires can handle 40.

I sent email to them (TRAIL GEAR), but to my surprise they said they have nothing to IFS system, but only for SAS.

Looking at the part of them, however, I'm still not convinced he will not serve!

My part is this: http://mlb-s1-p.mlstatic.com/junta-...sw4-apos-2005-6363-MLB5047501733_092013-F.jpg

This complete part we call semi axle. I think is the same name there!

One thing that I’m not understanding is why Longfield™ 27-Spline Birfield or Longfield Birfield, 30 Spline Chromoly don’t fits on my axle or semi axle? For me, this picture show that part fits perfectly!

Here in Brazil almost all people that I said about your parts confirm that this fits on my truck.

This is the reason that I'm so confused!

In time, Dirtco, sorry for misrepresenting your topic!

 

[downpour11]

This complete part we call semi axle. I think is the same name there!

One thing that I’m not understanding is why Longfield™ 27-Spline Birfield or Longfield Birfield, 30 Spline Chromoly don’t fits on my axle or semi axle? For me, this picture show that part fits perfectly!

Here in Brazil almost all people that I said about your parts confirm that this fits on my truck.

This is the reason that I'm so confused!

Yes, the picture you posted is a CV axle. Lotus Axle makes a chromoly CV axle.

Birfields and Longfields are axles for straight axle trucks. I wouldn't expect a response back from Trail Gear.

This is what a Birfield/Longfield looks like: http://www.nitro-gear.com/storage/AX%20TBIRF-30-KIT_small.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1275515503462

You need to buy a CV Axle , NOT a Birfield because you do not have a solid axle truck.

 

[Dirtco]

With my Moab trip quickly approaching I had a lot of work that needed to be done. Some of it is pretty boring stuff, but I like to keep a record of it for future reference.

I replaced both of the rear calipers (since each of them had a seized piston), along with the rear brake pads and hardware. I also replaced the front brake lines with braided stainless steel lines from Wheeler’s Off-road.



For a while now I have noticed a small amount of vibration coming from the rear driveshaft. It wasn’t that bad at first, but it’s slowly been getting worse. So I decided to have the driveshaft rebuilt before it became a major problem.

I took it down to Rocky Mountain Driveline to have it rebuilt, and while it was there re-tubed with .120 heavy wall tubing. They called me a couple hours after I dropped it off and told me the CV was not repairable, so they had to replace that, along with all the u-joints.

Not much to look at, but hopefully it will do the job. You can see why I wanted the heavy wall tubing by looking at my skid plates!



I removed the grease zerks for the slip and rear u-joint, and installed bolts instead. The rocks will just break the zerks off, and let water and dirt inside the grease. When it comes time to service them I just remove the bolts, reinstall the zerks, add grease, and reinstall the bolts when I’m done.

 

[JBurt]

That's a slick idea with the zerks. I'm looking forward to seeing Moab pics and vids.

 

[Dirtco]

On one of the Moab days I will be running a pretty long stretch of interconnected trails. I was a little concerned about fuel range, and the saying “It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it” kept ringing through my head. I wanted a small fuel container, but I didn’t want it inside the vehicle.

I decided on a Rotopax three-gallon fuel jug; it’s small, but on longer trips I have the trailer, which has an 18-gallon fuel tank. It will really only be used for long trail days, more than a day and the trailer will be with the truck. I fabricated a quick bracket that would use the 2” receiver I built into the spare tire carrier.

 

[Dirtco]

And here it is installed on the 4Runner

 

[downpour11]

Nice welds :thumb3:

 

[Skidmarcx]

Looks sweet! You just reminded me I sheared another zerk off my slip joint my last outing I need to replace LOL... Good idea capping the fittings off

 

[Dirtco]

I forgot to call URD about the fuel line, and it’s too late to get it for this trip. The old line wasn’t leaking, but it was dried out and cracking. I pulled the line off, installed heat shrink on the ends, and then hose clamped them. The glue and tension of the heat shrink will keep the hose from separating any more, and the hose clamps will keep everything nice and tight. I will still order a replacement when I get back.

Before



After

 

[Dirtco]

And that takes care of the major things! I found a bunch of little stuff on both the truck and trailer, but it's not worth going into detail. The truck and trailer are now ready to be packed up, and to get out of this white stuff!



This Moab weather is looking pretty good!

 

[cdrewferd]

Have fun. Can't wait to see your pictures.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Have a good trip, man... I wish I could join you.

I was considering trying to make it out there during the same time frame to try and meet up with Addison, but I couldn't afford the vacation time it would have required. The trip I just came back from was plagued by breakdowns, holdups, etc. within the group so we were not able to make the most of it.

I'll be looking forward to some pics of your rig on Cliffhanger, and nice work on the RotoPax mount.

 

[Dirtco]

That's a slick idea with the zerks. I'm looking forward to seeing Moab pics and vids.

My buddy just bought a nice camera, and a GoPro Black Hero 3+; I’m sure there will be a good amount of pictures and video!

Nice welds :thumb3:

Thanks Rob!

Looks sweet! You just reminded me I sheared another zerk off my slip joint my last outing I need to replace LOL... Good idea capping the fittings off

Glad I could help remind you!

Have fun. Can't wait to see your pictures.

Thanks Drew, it should be a fun trip! We’ll meet up some time once I get back so I can get that panhard bar to you.

Have a good trip, man... I wish I could join you.

I was considering trying to make it out there during the same time frame to try and meet up with Addison, but I couldn't afford the vacation time it would have required. The trip I just came back from was plagued by breakdowns, holdups, etc. within the group so we were not able to make the most of it.

I'll be looking forward to some pics of your rig on Cliffhanger, and nice work on the RotoPax mount.

I wish you could make it too Nick, I knew you were having issues getting the vacation time during that time period. Once I finalized that I was for sure going (it was kind of last minute), I saw you post that you were already headed out there (as in out the door, and on the road). Otherwise I would have still sent you an invite, just in case you were able to make it. It just so happens that my schedule, and Addison’s schedule overlap by a day, so we get one trail run in together. I really wish I could go run Hole in the Rock with them.

Maybe this fall, or next spring our schedules will line up better?

Oh, and how did you know I was running Cliffhanger?

 

[rickashay]

Have a good trip, man... I wish I could join you.

I was considering trying to make it out there during the same time frame to try and meet up with Addison, but I couldn't afford the vacation time it would have required. The trip I just came back from was plagued by breakdowns, holdups, etc. within the group so we were not able to make the most of it.

I'll be looking forward to some pics of your rig on Cliffhanger, and nice work on the RotoPax mount.

Man Nick, that's a bummer we couldn't meet up on this trip! However, my plan is to make a yearly trip down south with the truck around this time of year. There is so much still to do on my checklist even after this trip - Colorado, Death Valley, Baja, NorCal, etc. we will make it work one of these days!

It just so happens that my schedule, and Addison’s schedule overlap by a day, so we get one trail run in together. I really wish I could go run Hole in the Rock with them.

Maybe this fall, or next spring our schedules will line up better?

Oh, and how did you know I was running Cliffhanger?

Looking forward to the 7th Jeremiah! Cool to see all of your maintenance and prep work before you leave. I just replaced my cracked brake lines also and 4 discs/pads. Cracked brake lines are scary....

Too bad you didnt have an extra few days, HITR will be awesome!

Count on some Dirtco/rickashay photos coming soon! Drive safe and I'll give you a ring on monday/tuesday.

 

[Volcom]

Looking forward to the 7th Jeremiah! Cool to see all of your maintenance and prep work before you leave. I just replaced my cracked brake lines also and 4 discs/pads. Cracked brake lines are scary....

Too bad you didnt have an extra few days, HITR will be awesome!

Count on some Dirtco/rickashay photos coming soon! Drive safe and I'll give you a ring on monday/tuesday.

I just bought a new GoPro Hero Black 3+ to replace my old OG Hero! I'll be getting some good footage with it! Can't wait to run Hells Revenge with you & your buddies, will be a good time guaranteed!

 

[Dirtco]

Well I’m back from Moab and I'm unpacked, trailer dropped off, and truck cleaned up. It was a great trip! (With one exception, but more on that later)

I met up with my buddy Aaron ( [MENTION=63986]Volcom[/MENTION] ) and his friend Rick sunday morning, and we made our way out to Moab. We got into town mid-afternoon and headed out to Sand Flats to camp; being that Aaron had a tow rig and trailer we needed a spot big enough, and easy to get to. We found something that worked about five miles in and set up camp. Since it was still kind of early, and we were only a couple miles from Fins and Things, we decided to go run it before dark. Most of my pictures from this trip are of Aaron, but there will be more in the near future.

 

[Dirtco]

More

 

[Dirtco]

Monday was Cliffhanger, and it’s been on my list for a long time! It’s one of those trails that I have wanted to run, but was a little intimidated by it considering it’s on the side of a cliff with a pretty nasty obstacle. I felt the need to check it off my list, so off we went!











I scratched the driver side mirror a little bit, but that was it.

 

[Dirtco]

There was still time left in the day, so we went and ran Metal Masher!

 

[shootmymime]

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