Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

I'm looking forward to the day I can drive around in the snow with you Dirtco Nice video btw

Just let me know when you want to go, we should be able to work something out!

Outstanding.
I need to move:biggrin1:

The PNW has EPIC snow wheeling!! You guys get an insane amount of snow up in the mountains!

Awesome video! Was that out in Summit County?

Thanks! Yeah, it was Summit County.

 

[Dirtco]

Now for my ongoing fall/winter project…

As much as I love the rear cargo area, it has been bugging me lately. The general lay out is great but there is no storage left, and the thought of sleeping in the back is nonexistent. I do have the trailer, but there are times that the trailer isn't very practical (a quick single night trip, harder trails, and the possibility of a overnight breakdown).



A couple months ago I started looking at how I could improve the rear cargo area. The large subwoofer box was the main issue, it just took up too much room. So I pulled it out, along with all the other gear that was in the way, and made myself a clean slate. I laid in the back and found it quite comfortable (for the one or two times a year I might actually sleep back there), it’s snug but there’s enough room and unlike a sleeping platform I can sit all the way up.



The old subwoofer was free, and it served it’s purpose, but it had to go. I picked up a low profile subwoofer/box and sandwiched it between the fridge and the back seat. I had to move the fridge back a couple inches but it was worth the work.

 

[Dirtco]

Now I needed to address my tools and recovery gear. My current tool bag was literally overflowing and falling apart; I wanted two nice bags that would also fit snug in the rear seat footwell area (for when the bed is made). I took some measurements and found these on Amazon, the quality is amazing (of course) and they fit like a glove!

Old



New

 

[rideexileex]

Was the old sub one of the Infinity Perfect subs?? That was one of the best sounding subs back in the day...

 

[Dirtco]

Was the old sub one of the Infinity Perfect subs?? That was one of the best sounding subs back in the day...

Yes it is, it's a great sounding subwoofer but it takes up a lot room. So far I'm impressed with the sound quality of the Rockford Fosgate subwoofer, especially being in such a small enclosure.

 

[TBuzz]

Cool video, I look forward to more. Your truck is definitely tank like there and proves it. Really good work on whale rock too. I like that you stabbed at it then were able to realize your need for placement on the tires then the final moment of commitment preventing wheel spin. Regarding the snow vids... What do your tranny temps get up to when you're wheeling like that? Does your front diff expel fluid anymore ever, specifically when getting used like so? Recently my temps were at 215 briefly before I realized it and was mobbing uphill spinning tires in 4 lo. They were easy to control after I noticed. Then losing fluid out the front breather is happening again. I did follow your lead and extended it a while ago.

 

[Bijan]

Thanks! I didn't know how to feel about the color at first, but once I saw it out in the sun it was awesome. I wouldn't trade it for any other color.



Thanks, it was really hard to sell the red one but it should be worth it once this one is done.

What part of CO are you? You still wheel?

Your rig sets a standard...whether you're the 1st to do it or not...I don't care. I want my rig to eventually have the capabilities your rig has.

Good sh!t.

 

[Dirtco]

Cool video, I look forward to more. Your truck is definitely tank like there and proves it. Really good work on whale rock too. I like that you stabbed at it then were able to realize your need for placement on the tires then the final moment of commitment preventing wheel spin. Regarding the snow vids... What do your tranny temps get up to when you're wheeling like that? Does your front diff expel fluid anymore ever, specifically when getting used like so? Recently my temps were at 215 briefly before I realized it and was mobbing uphill spinning tires in 4 lo. They were easy to control after I noticed. Then losing fluid out the front breather is happening again. I did follow your lead and extended it a while ago.

Thanks Chris! Snow wheeling is rough on transmissions, I use my Scangauge to monitor temp and it's common to see 230 (and above). I try to keep an eye on the gauge and let it cool down once it starts creeping up there. Like you said its always worse when climbing uphill, especially in deep snow. As for the front diff breather, I have not had an issue since I extended the breather and added the in-line fuel filter to act as a small catch can.

 

[Dirtco]

What part of CO are you? You still wheel?

Your rig sets a standard...whether you're the 1st to do it or not...I don't care. I want my rig to eventually have the capabilities your rig has.

Good sh!t.

Thanks man! I live in Summit County (Silverthorne to be exact) and yes, I go wheeling every chance I get. Having a family has slowed me down a little but I still get out a couple times a month.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Truck is looking killer. Quick question for you. When you did your rear ff conversion did you just eliminate your abs or did you come up with a way to put a tone ring on the new axle. I have found I bent a rear shaft and because I wheel to a similar level as you I suspect it will happen again so it is finally an excuse to do the ff conversion that the wife will mostly buy. Lol

Thanks

 

[Rockdawg84]

I went back and found it in your thread. Thanks.

 

[MillerPKA]

Love this build and love this color! Excellent work man!

 

[Dirtco]

Truck is looking killer. Quick question for you. When you did your rear ff conversion did you just eliminate your abs or did you come up with a way to put a tone ring on the new axle. I have found I bent a rear shaft and because I wheel to a similar level as you I suspect it will happen again so it is finally an excuse to do the ff conversion that the wife will mostly buy. Lol

Thanks

Hey Sam, I had to get rid of the ABS (which didn't bother me one bit). I cut the wires off the sensors and used them as plugs in the axle housing, that also allows me to inspect the inner axle seal of the FF kit.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Thanks,

I ordered my kit yesterday. Im looking forward to driving the runner without the rear shake.

 

[rideexileex]

Thanks,

I ordered my kit yesterday. Im looking forward to driving the runner without the rear shake.

Which kit did you go for? Did you ask/hear any updates on the 4th gen 4runner/FJ brake setup?

I bought a complete 4th gen axle for parts (Found a deal I couldnt pass!) - I'm debating swapping that axle under my rig or going FF and using the brake hardware from the donor axle.

 

[Rockdawg84]

because I already have rear disk I will be running the FROR FF rear and will weld on my own mounting brackets so that I can run my mustang GT calipers and finally finish my e-brake. I may even figure out how to put a tone ring on and keep ABS. Though I don't really care about ABS as long as my speedo keeps working.:reddance:

 

[Dirtco]

Though I don't really care about ABS as long as my speedo keeps working.:reddance:

Mine still works. Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the computer to find the correct input when I first take off, but other than that I've had no issues.

 

[amalik]

Video from the last trip out!

Just curious.. Do you activate your front/rear lockers when snow wheeling, or only if you have to?

 

[Dirtco]

Just curious.. Do you activate your front/rear lockers when snow wheeling, or only if you have to?

Yes, I use them almost every trip. My goal is to get as far up the trail as possible, I start with them off but once I stop making forward progress I engage them as needed.

On the subject of snow wheeling...

I decided to groove the Irok's. They were less than ideal on hard snow pack or ice, and the grooving should only help in the deeper snow.





During my last trip out I had issues with the GoPro lens getting covered with snow only seconds into the recording, it's not the end of the world but I figured it would be nice to have some kind of interior camera mount. I looked at headrest mounts but everything out there was expensive and super bulky, or cheaply made plastic crap (Google headrest camera mount and you'll see what I'm talking about). So after some thought I came up with this...

Standard RAM ball mount attached to the back side of the headrest





RAM long arm and GoPro adapter



While I was contemplating the headrest mount I figured it would be nice to have designated mount on the front of the 4Runner, so I ordered an aluminum tripod mount and bolted it to the front bumper.

 

[shootmymime]

What do you use for editing software? I find the GoPro software does not enable all the settings, (speed up slow down) And it's very time consuming to to make lots of adjustments to move around sections of video.