Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

So we limped Kyle's 4Runner back to camp, we showed up after dark and most of the group was there. I hung out around the fire for a while then went to bed. It was a little weird sleeping in the back of the 4Runner, but after I got over the new location I slept great.

The original plan was to run Trifecta, but with Kyle's truck down and everyone showing up late, we decided on Seven Mile Rim. This was a new trail for me, so I was excited to check it out. It started out pretty easy, but there was still some fun sections to play around on.

This was my first trip to Moab since I installed the 36" Irok's and the extra height of the tires was really noticeable, the 4Runner was just cruising along. But I will say that my old KM2's hooked up a lot better than the Irok's.

We found some ledges to play around on, then continued on to Uranium Arch for lunch.

 

[Dirtco]

Kyle was able to fix his truck in town, so we hung out and waited for him to catch up to us. We met up just before a series of small ledges, and most of the group proceeded up. I tried the harder line but I was paranoid about breaking something and didn’t want to use my front locker, my tires weren’t hooking up so I backed up and took the line everyone else took.

Then it was Kyle’s turn, he tried to go up the same spot and wasn’t having much luck either. Not a big deal, until he backed up and we realized he had just broken his rear u-joint. Bummer, we had only been together as a group for 15 minutes. Kyle pulled his rear driveshaft and decided to go out the way we came in, with front wheel drive. Chris had already run this trail before, so he offered to follow him out in case he needed a tug. I continued on with the rest of the group.

We all continued on until we got to Wipe Out Hill, this is a side obstacle and you have to drop down the hill, turn around, and then drive back up. Most of the group decided to give it a go, and we drove down the hill and parked at the bottom. Most of us made it up without an issue, I took the harder left line and with a little work made it up. One of the last guys in the group was having issues getting up the hill, his rig kept lifting the driver side front tire and it was starting to get a little intense. He didn’t have a winch, so I drove part way down and winched him up. And here is where I messed up. There wasn’t much room and there were some side by sides parked in the area, so I decided to back up the hill instead of trying to turn around. I honestly didn’t think anything of it at the time, just gave it a small bump and up I went. I got to the top, spooled in my winch cable, and got in the truck. I started pulling forward and I heard that fateful noise, clunk, clunk, clunk.

And just like that the trip was over, I had destroyed the rear differential. It was getting dark so I slowly drove to the end of the trail and pulled the rear driveshaft, which was an adventure in itself. Thanks to Tyler, Tracy and Hayden for the help. Hayden followed me as I drove back to camp in front wheel drive, at camp I made the decision to head back home Sunday morning. I really wanted to stay another day and just ride along but it was going to be a crappy drive home at 40-45 mph in front wheel drive, and there was still a lot that could go wrong with that plan. I left that morning and it took me almost seven hours to get home (compared to the four hours to drive there) but I made it.

You win some, and you loose some. At least I had good company along the way!

 

[EatonKyleH]

FWD 2Runner life is where it's at.

It's a shame things went the way they did but it was still a good time. Hope you get it back up and wheeling soon!

 

[4-Ripcord]

Wow Moab is hitting back hard this year. 7 hours driving back on that has got to be annoying haha. Gives me horrible flashbacks of doing the same front wheel drive nonsense on the last moab trip with my original 4runner.

I really enjoy 7 mile rim and it's optional stuff! Shame its so far from town, I bet a lot of people would enjoy it if they gave it a chance.

 

[Dirtco]

Wow Moab is hitting back hard this year. 7 hours driving back on that has got to be annoying haha. Gives me horrible flashbacks of doing the same front wheel drive nonsense on the last moab trip with my original 4runner.

I really enjoy 7 mile rim and it's optional stuff! Shame its so far from town, I bet a lot of people would enjoy it if they gave it a chance.

Yeah, it was a long drive! I actually thought about you and your breakage while cruising along at half the speed limit, funny how that works.

I had a great time on Seven Mile Rim and I'll be back for sure!

 

[Dirtco]

FWD 2Runner life is where it's at.

It's a shame things went the way they did but it was still a good time. Hope you get it back up and wheeling soon!

I'm just going to throw some 255's on the back and call it good, FWD is the new 4WD! Front digs everywhere!

 

[Roamed YT]

I'm just going to throw some 255's on the back and call it good, FWD is the new 4WD! Front digs everywhere!

Easy now! That kind of thinking is how we ended up with the unibody Pathfinder!

 

[EatonKyleH]

I'm just going to throw some 255's on the back and call it good, FWD is the new 4WD! Front digs everywhere!

HAHA! I dug a pretty deep hole with the front tires trying to get the rear over a ledge about the size of a curb at the mall on the way out....
and eventually had to winch over it....

Chris [MENTION=78892]Fishwerks[/MENTION] laughed and took pictures of my truck during its most embarrassing moments... Like a true friend.

I'm really SUPER excited for the world to see me winching over seemingly nothing like it's one of my greatest accomplishments....

But in the end I'm just glad [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] , Lindsey, and I confirmed that once and for all.... you do eat solid food.

 

[Dropzone]

So on to Moab...

they filled in the Golden Crack?

JK- I have visited Moab for hiking but need to down there and cruise some trails

 

[Fishwerks]

HAHA! I dug a pretty deep hole with the front tires trying to get the rear over a ledge about the size of a curb at the mall on the way out....
and eventually had to winch over it....

Chris [MENTION=78892]Fishwerks[/MENTION] laughed and took pictures of my truck during its most embarrassing moments... Like a true friend.

I'm really SUPER excited for the world to see me winching over seemingly nothing like it's one of my greatest accomplishments....

But in the end I'm just glad [MENTION=82211]TCMach[/MENTION] , Lindsey, and I confirmed that once and for all.... you do eat solid food.

You're welcome Kyle, that's what I'm there for!

__

Jeremiah, it was fun while it lasted man! Bummed you and Kyle broke, but glad everyone drove home (slowly). Still can't get over watching you abuse that thing. We needed you on Hell's Revenge. I wanted to do Hell's Gate so bad but I *****ed out since no one knew the line.

 

[Roc Doc]

And just like that the trip was over, I had destroyed the rear differential.

As Bobby Long used to say, "Yup, that's where they break Mister".

 

[JWaldz]

Damn dude..

I can't imagine how much of a PITA that trip back was! At least you wont go up obstacles backwards anymore. Sad I missed this outing. I really need to get out to MOAB.

Time for a centered 9.5 Diamond

 

[Volcom]

We needed you on Hell's Revenge. I wanted to do Hell's Gate so bad but I *****ed out since no one knew the line.

Just follow the black marks :yo:

Hahahahaha

 

[derpiful]

It was a blast to have you out there wheeling, bummer it broke... thanks for the winch though!

Hopefully you get it fixed soon...!

 

[Dirtco]

Jeremiah, it was fun while it lasted man! Bummed you and Kyle broke, but glad everyone drove home (slowly). Still can't get over watching you abuse that thing. We needed you on Hell's Revenge. I wanted to do Hell's Gate so bad but I *****ed out since no one knew the line.

I had a great time hanging out Chris! It's just part of wheeling, we'll get out again soon. I had 5 1/2 years of hard wheeling on that differential, I'm honestly surprised it lasted this long!

And like Aaron said, just follow the tire tracks!

Damn dude..

I can't imagine how much of a PITA that trip back was! At least you wont go up obstacles backwards anymore. Sad I missed this outing. I really need to get out to MOAB.

Time for a centered 9.5 Diamond

It sucked, but at least I got it home. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but yeah I won't be doing that again! Have you been to Moab before? If not it's going to blow your mind!

I'm not going to lie, one ton's are sounding better and better!

Just follow the black marks :yo:

Hahahahaha

You beat me to it Aaron, I was going to say the same thing!

It was a blast to have you out there wheeling, bummer it broke... thanks for the winch though!

Hopefully you get it fixed soon...!

Thanks Hayden, I had a lot of fun too! It's just part of wheeling.

We'll all have to meet up sometime this summer for a weekend, maybe a Chinaman's run?

 

[Fishwerks]

Just follow the black marks :yo:

Hahahahaha

If I didn't watch videos of people three-wheeling super hard/almost flopping the day before the trip it would have helped my confidence level :hiding:

We'll all have to meet up sometime this summer for a weekend, maybe a Chinaman's run?

Yes.

 

[JWaldz]

Have you been to Moab before? If not it's going to blow your mind!

I'm not going to lie, one ton's are sounding better and better!

Nope.. I've been to K2 (Mason, TX) which I've been told is a mini version of it. Same style wheeling terrain to an extent. I've been jonesin' to get out there. I think my truck is as 'distance friendly' as it's going to get, so I'll just have to suck up the 200 miles per tank it'll do getting out there lol.

You don't need tons man.. Too much overkill for what you're doing now days. I think you're truck would be happy with some lc axles/diffs. OR you just quit doing dumb sh*t hahaha

 

[TCMach]

We'll all have to meet up sometime this summer for a weekend, maybe a Chinaman's run?

Count me in. Like I said in Moab I've been dying to get back to Chinamans. Last time we ran it (Hayden, Kyle, Nate, and Andrew) we started after running tomichi and old monarch pass so we were hauling ass to make it down before dark. Would love to spend some more time on it.

There's still that trip to Blanca in the back of my mind too......

 

[Volcom]

I had 5 1/2 years of hard wheeling on that differential, I'm honestly surprised it lasted this long!

You have more wheeling miles on that diff than anyone else I know. I don't think you guys realize how much wheeling this 4Runner has done and how hard of trails he has done over that time frame. I'd put $$ down that he wheels more than any other 4Runner on T4R.

 

[eatpasta]

Video from the last trip out!

This is very soothing for some reason.

:flypig:

What's driving in the deep snow like? I've never driven in the snow - this just looks like a blast.

Ironically, I've done some bike racing in the snow though