Dirtco's 1999 4Runner Build

[Dirtco]

I really couldn’t get motivated to pull the supercharger for a third time this last weekend, so I worked on the rock sliders instead.

I was going to build a square tube slider with a round tube kick out, but I changed my mind and went with a simple and clean square tube slider instead. I felt the kick out was overkill for where this truck is going to go, and if I change my mind it’s really easy to add one in the future. I used 2x2” 3/16” square tube.

I didn’t like the look of the gap between the body and slider, so I made a filler plate to clean it up and to minimize the amount of crap thrown on the side of the truck in snowy/muddy conditions.

Then I made some 4x4” 1/4“ frame plates

 

[Dirtco]

And the finished product

 

[t4r4life]

i wanna make love to ur welds cuz they so sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[J-money$$$]

I would add gussets on top of the legs on those sliders. I have 4 legs 1/4" frame plates and gussets and i have still had my sliders flex up and hit the body. But besides that they look good.

I wish i had a mig welder sometimes. the welds can look so good. Idk if they penetrate that well. Same goes for tig The good old stick welder makes it hard to get perfect beads. My old man makes it look easy, but i struggle with it.

 

[awdjunkies]

i wanna make love to ur 4runner cuz it's sooooooo sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fixed

 

[Dirtco]

i wanna make love to ur welds cuz they so sexy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fixed

Thanks guys!

 

[Dirtco]

I would add gussets on top of the legs on those sliders. I have 4 legs 1/4" frame plates and gussets and i have still had my sliders flex up and hit the body. But besides that they look good.

I wish i had a mig welder sometimes. the welds can look so good. Idk if they penetrate that well. Same goes for tig The good old stick welder makes it hard to get perfect beads. My old man makes it look easy, but i struggle with it.

Most of that has to do with the frame and body flexing. I'm using 3/16" 2x2", that's some heavy/thick stuff and the legs are only 10" long. The filler plates are also 3/16" 1-1/2" strap. I feel that the frame will deform before I have issue's with the sliders, but I can always add a gusset in the future if I need to. Look at the thickness of the frame in this picture (left side hole) compaired to the slider and 1/4" frame plates.

As for your comment about MIG/TIG welding, I disagree 110%. Look at all the baja, KOH, and other race cars out there, they are all MIG or TIG welded. Stick welders have their place; heavy, dirty, thick structural steel.

 

[Dirtco]

A little more progress…

Magnuson sent me a replacement nose cone, so I took the supercharger off for the third time and replaced it myself. It went pretty smooth but I did have to pull the impellors out of the housing to reseal the gear drive flange. So far everything is working good and there are no leaks (fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc, etc ).

 

[Dirtco]

I also completed a couple smaller projects on my list.

I got my GPS unit installed. Now that I have a rig that is comfortable to drive for longer trips I plan on doing more exploring and running new trails. The GPS will come in handy for getting to these new places, it also displays my correct speed since my speedo is off by 5-12mph (depending on my speed) and the speed limit on most highways and the interstate.

The windshield mount was not going to cut it, so I bought a RAM mount for it and bolted it to the dash. They make different mounts and adapters so if I change, or upgrade units in the future all I need is the adapter for the unit itself.

 

[Dirtco]

I also installed my Rigid Industries 10” SR-Series Specter LED Light bar. It’s rated at 5100 lumens, and only draws 50 watts.

 

[Dirtco]

And I finally wired up my ARB compressor and switches!

 

[fightman80]

Nice additions once again! This rig is gonna be the baddest thing since Mike Tyson (in his prime)!

 

[City_Rider]

Slick...

Now I've got to get my act together and wire up the switches I just picked up today.

Killer rig a always!

 

[Ichimonji]

Amazing rig! Thanks for the inspiration...

 

[blcktpgsr]

Lovin this rig man, your fabbing skills are just exceptional....PLS keep 'em coming!

 

[sportscarfan]

All in 4 months?!?
:jaw drop:

 

[puppetz007]

Don't know if this has been said already, but 4RUNNER OF THE MONTH!!

Maybe 4RUNNER OF THE CENTURY

 

[Dirtco]

Thanks guys!

 

[Mf Baker]

:hungry:

 

[Volcom]

as for your comment about mig/tig welding, i disagree 110%. Look at all the baja, koh, and other race cars out there, they are all mig or tig welded. Stick welders have their place; heavy, dirty, thick structural steel.

x1000.