Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

Or you could move the tires farther out from the frame

Yes, your 100% right, but I want to avoid running spacers if I can. I'm really pushing the limit of the front suspension and steering the way it is, by adding spacers I will put even more leverage on everything, and add more scrub radius on the steering. That's another reason I want to go LT, I will gain 3.5" of track width on each side in the front.

 

[TBuzz]

WOW, I picked a good day to check back in. That is going to be awesome and mean looking! Made me think of this, matter of fact that'll probably be the look on my face when I eventually see it in person. Nice work as always

 

[JBurt]

To be honest spacers didn't even cross my mind. I'm just really excited for your long travel.

 

[4Running Daily]

Yes, your 100% right, but I want to avoid running spacers if I can. I'm really pushing the limit of the front suspension and steering the way it is, by adding spacers I will put even more leverage on everything, and add more scrub radius on the steering. That's another reason I want to go LT, I will gain 3.5" of track width on each side in the front.

Hydro steer on your mind?

 

[steezemcqueen]

 

[Dirtco]

To be honest spacers didn't even cross my mind. I'm just really excited for your long travel.

Sorry! Yes, LT will solve most of my clearance issues.

Hydro steer on your mind?

Maybe, once I go LT. I could install a hydro ram where the steering rack is, that's if I have issues with steering rack holding up.

 

[MPG4Runner]

Wow, what a build and transformation.

I'm actually going through the research phase of what type of vehicle suits my 'desires' the best. I liked how you kept a simple basic 99 and improved it for offroad without super crazy changes and mods. Seeing how you still do 95% of what you did in your 1st gen. just amazing. You've kept it simple but most importantly, smart and versatile. your skills also highlight your driving and judgement.

I have a 1975 bronco (and the t4r's in sig)) and have been really thinking... this thread reminded me of what I really want. a simple creature comfort ride that has all the modern amenities to enjoy nature no matter time of year. so the bronco might change into a plush off road rig... or start with my 97 after the bronco sells.

I'm really excited to see your 99 transform into the next stage.

 

[4Running Daily]

Maybe, once I go LT. I could install a hydro ram where the steering rack is, that's if I have issues with steering rack holding up.

That's my current plan. I'd like to drive someone's truck with it installed first though... Supposedly it's not the greatest on the street.

 

[snivilous]

Maybe, once I go LT. I could install a hydro ram where the steering rack is, that's if I have issues with steering rack holding up.

That's my current plan. I'd like to drive someone's truck with it installed first though... Supposedly it's not the greatest on the street.

Hydro assist or full hydro? I guess it's not gonna be a street rig, but I've heard bad stories about full hydro on a street driver since there's no mechanical link anymore.

 

[CGuava]

I don't know how you add hydro assist to a steering rack. It would have to be full hydro. On my buggy full hydro appears to work fine on the street, but I've never been on pavement for an extended amount of time.
Excited to see what you come up with for a LT setup. I've contemplated building my own, but have relegated to the fast that when I do it, I'll have to just buy a set.

 

[Dirtco]

Hydro assist or full hydro? I guess it's not gonna be a street rig, but I've heard bad stories about full hydro on a street driver since there's no mechanical link anymore.

It would be full hydro, and it's a last resort if the steering rack doesn't hold up. Honestly, I doubt I will need to go there, but it is an option if it's needed.

I don't know how you add hydro assist to a steering rack. It would have to be full hydro. On my buggy full hydro appears to work fine on the street, but I've never been on pavement for an extended amount of time.
Excited to see what you come up with for a LT setup. I've contemplated building my own, but have relegated to the fast that when I do it, I'll have to just buy a set.

Hey Christian! I really wish I could go LT right away, but it's SO expensive once you start adding the parts up. It's going to be a while before I have the funds, luckily the 4Runner is pretty solid just the way it is so I don't have to rush. It's just nice to have a long term goal, like bombing down some desolate forest service roads!

 

[Dirtco]

Small Update…

The rear fender is turning out really good. I forgot how time-consuming bodywork is, but the results are worth it and a little bit of extra time does make a huge difference. I’ll post pictures once I get the bedliner on and all the tape pulled.

I also started working on the front end, here you can see the stock front fender (and the dent from the tire hitting it at one time or another).



Cutting…





Lower front fender (the silver line is the planned cut)



¼” Round rod welded in place for added strength (in progress)

 

[Dirtco]

As promised here are some pictures of the rear fender. Here is the super quick run down in case anyone is wondering: I put a thin coat of body filler down > sanded, self etching primer, heavy filler primer > sanded, regular primer > light sanding to blend to factory paint, 3M quality undercoat, and a few coats of Duplicolor (blue can) bed liner.

The lower front section of the fender is still untouched; I have an idea, and i'm waiting to make up my mind before I mess with it.

(Excuse the weird lighting and shadows, the lighting in my garage needs some work)





Inside







I used Sharpie to trace out the body line, and that might have been a mistake. I'm going to need to use Goof-Off, or something like that to remove the marker lines and not mess up the paint or fresh bed liner.

 

[Chuckles89]

^^Looks great Dirtco!

 

[4Running Daily]

That looks fantastic!

 

[Unner]

That actually looks pretty good. I was a little concerned when I saw you cutting the fenders and such, but I think you did a good job! Do you have any pictures from farther back so we can see what it all looks like together?

 

[Okiyota]

...

I used Sharpie to trace out the body line, and that might have been a mistake. I'm going to need to use Goof-Off, or something like that to remove the marker lines and not mess up the paint or fresh bed liner.

I used sharpie on a truck previously for marking lines and then ended up cutting less than expected leaving the line on the paint still. Super easy fix, i took a dry erase marker and colored over the sharpie (not just tracing but actually coloring over it back and forth) and then wiped the dry erase off, it took the sharpie lines off with it. No remnants left over whatsoever. Since then I have done it multiple times on other trucks with the same results, however I have never let is sit for a long period of time, few hours at most. Just something else you could try that was very easy and worked great.

 

[Loubaru]

I used sharpie on a truck previously for marking lines and then ended up cutting less than expected leaving the line on the paint still. Super easy fix, i took a dry erase marker and colored over the sharpie (not just tracing but actually coloring over it back and forth) and then wiped the dry erase off, it took the sharpie lines off with it. No remnants left over whatsoever. Since then I have done it multiple times on other trucks with the same results, however I have never let is sit for a long period of time, few hours at most. Just something else you could try that was very easy and worked great.

Its probably the solvent in the dry erase marker which I believe is alcohol. I would just use rubbing alcohol to take the sharpie off. It won't hurt the car paint and I can't see it doing anything to the bed liner.

 

[Do-boy]

As promised here are some pictures of the rear fender. Here is the super quick run down in case anyone is wondering: I put a thin coat of body filler down > sanded, self etching primer, heavy filler primer > sanded, regular primer > light sanding to blend to factory paint, 3M quality undercoat, and a few coats of Duplicolor (blue can) bed liner.

First off, this truck is one of my favorites on this site. I've been creeping for a while now and i love the direction that you're heading in.

As an ex-bodyman, this kind of concerned me though, you just used body filler to fill the holes? It might not matter since you've used gravel guard which might mask any cracks. But I wouldn't expect the bodyfiller to hold for more than a couple years without showing through. Especially with the vibrations our trucks see on FSR's.

I bought a limited, as much as I dislike the moldings, and dream of a smooth body one day. But there's a reason I'm an ex-bodyman. I hate the work! I have plans to make clearance like yours, but clear out the area behind the limited arches.

 

[Dirtco]

First off, this truck is one of my favorites on this site. I've been creeping for a while now and i love the direction that you're heading in.

As an ex-bodyman, this kind of concerned me though, you just used body filler to fill the holes? It might not matter since you've used gravel guard which might mask any cracks. But I wouldn't expect the bodyfiller to hold for more than a couple years without showing through. Especially with the vibrations our trucks see on FSR's.

I bought a limited, as much as I dislike the moldings, and dream of a smooth body one day. But there's a reason I'm an ex-bodyman. I hate the work! I have plans to make clearance like yours, but clear out the area behind the limited arches.

Thanks for the input! You have nothing to worry about; I welded all the holes shut and smoothed them out before adding the filler. I just didn't take pictures of every step of the process; as you know it's a time consuming process doing this kind of work, I didn't want to bore everyone with one million pictures of the same fender.