Dirtco's Adventure Thread

[Dirtco]

First I want to thank everyone for all your thoughts, you guys are amazing!! It’s been a crazy month and I kind of dreaded posting what happened, but all your comments really make me feel better about the whole situation. I will do my best to answer all your questions but it might take a day or two.

I can't believe that beautiful 4Runner is wrecked ! But I'm glad your OK , that kind of situation even something relatively small like a broken leg could have been fatal .

Yes, things could’ve been a lot worse. The thought of being stuck in the 4Runner really freaks me out. The SPOT is an amazing safety device but you still have to have line of sight to the sky.

Dang Jeremiah! Sad news but trucks can be fixed
Glad you are OK.
I have rolled a couple of times, one was a VW bug, roof stopped caving in at the full cage I had.

Yeah, I’ve been in several roll overs that’s probably why I kept my cool right after it happened. It’s easy to panic in that situation but you really need to think through it.

Holy cow man! That looks scary as hell. Very glad you are okay! Good to keep your wits about you in those scenarios. There are lots of places here in Washington that look similar and if you were to slide off, it would be bad news. Good luck going forward in whatever direction you choose man.

Thank you! Yeah, out of all the stupid situations I’ve put myself in I slide off the side of a flat road with a couple inches of snow on it!

I live over on IH8MUD, but followed your build from post #1 over on Yotatech and just stumbled upon this thread...

Most guys end threads with the totaling of their rigs...I have to say that your post-roll-posts are some of the most interesting/informative I've read.

I thank God you are all right and I look forward to what comes next!

(I grew up in Colorado Springs...man I miss that state.)

Good luck!

Thank you! Trust me, this thread is not over yet!

I've also been following from the beginning and really glad to hear you are ok. Looks like it might have been bad for a passenger...
Looking forward to what comes next. That's a lot of build to have to scrap so hopefully the buyback is reasonable.
How did the frame, axles, linkage etc. hold up to the rollover??

Seriously, I’m glad no one was in the passenger seat and that the tree hit the passenger side, not the driver side. It would have been a lot worse if there were other people in the vehicle.

I bought it back at standard salvage value of a stock 3rd Gen 4Runner, I’ll get into that more later.

 

[Dirtco]

Looking at the photos, do you feel the sliders spared you additional damage?

Absolutely! I also feel the roof rack helped to distribute the weight saved some damage too.

Holy cow, Jeremiah!

That is terrifying and heart breaking to see. As the others have said, it's great news you weren't hurt.

Looks like most of the parts that you made held up ok, curious to see what the extent of the chassis damage is and what you end up doing.

Thanks Jim! If it wasn't for all the work I put into the SAS I would probably take all the parts off it and start over, all the work I did held up great so it only makes sense to keep going with it.

...it can happen so fast, even if you've done everything right. So sorry about the truck - she was a beaut. Glad you are okay.

Seriously! A split second and everything comes crashing down, literally!

Cage time! Gonna be cold for snow bashing with the back open though. I actually have the rear quarter windows sitting in the garage if you change your mind.

It's going to build a serious cage, I'm not messing around. I have a plan to seal up the back of the 4Runner using the cage. I'm going to bulkhead behind the back seat and move the fuel tank up into the rear cargo area, I'll then have pieces of Lexan that fit inside the rear cage to make a window and seal the back of the 4Runner off from the elements.

 

[Dirtco]

At first I was like 'SUPER YIKES'
and then I was like 'ooooh nooooo'
and now I am like 'oh yes!'

Glad the most important part of the 4Runner is intact- you.
Can't wait to see what appears to be a very promising rebirth!

Thank you, and that's probably the best summery of the last few pages ever! It's an emotional roller coaster ride for everyone!

Kick. Ass! build is definitely going in a new direction now but I can't wait to see what you come up with Jeremiah! Part of me almost feels like this was inevitable and for the better in a way. If you do decide to not keep that rear sleeping setup you have let me know... I'll be down there in a heartbeat to get it lol

I'm just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I'm not going to lie, I figured this day would come eventually but I always thought it would be a mild flop, not rolling off the side of a mountain.

You have first dib's on the sleeping platform I decide to get rid of it. I moved it over to the purple 4Runner for the time being. Even if I didn't cut the back off the 4Runner the platform wouldn't work with a full roll cage.

 

[Rpreme]

Glad to hear you're ok Jeremiah. This has got to be my favorite 3rd Gen SAS build on the forums. I literally read through your whole build when I first joined.

Hows the frame? Just shell damage?

 

[Dirtco]

Dang Jeremiah! Sorry I'm late to the show...

As others have already stated, I'm glad you're ok. And, I'm bummed (for you) that it happened. Now I'm stoked, to see the new improved version...

I'm amazed you walked away without a scratch. Thank God. I'm assuming you were wearing your seatbelt....good for you. I usually don't wear mine, once offroad...I think I may be changing that habit...

Take care

Durwin

No worries, thanks for checking in!

I hate to say it but I normally did not wear my seat belt when I was on mild trail rides, but I would put it on for faster sections or when things got serious. I was wearing it when I went off the road, but it's time to get more serious.

I really feel my PRP racing seat saved my ass, I think without it I would have slid around and took more of an impact from the accident. I actually ordered a second seat for the passenger side, and 5 point racing harnesses. It wasn't cheap but I feel it's necessary.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/32313676208/in/dateposted-public/" title="Screen Shot 2018-12-03 at 12.43.13 PM"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4855/32313676208_57075d4df4_b.jpg" width="563" height="841" alt="Screen Shot 2018-12-03 at 12.43.13 PM"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[BigFishAllDay]

One thing that can be taken as a positive outcome of this situation is the insight/knowledge/experience that you have gained and the fact that you are alive and able to share it with so many via this platform.

I can tell that I am not alone in re-examining the safety provisions of my own rig, both in terms of the rig and the equipment that I carry, and re-considering things like seatbelt use and passenger safety while wheeling.

The fact that your situation has made so many of us more conscious of the risks we face could ultimately save a life one day.

Thanks for sharing, man. I look forward to the outcome of the re-build.

 

[Dirtco]

So you must have settled with the insurance company?
How did that battle turn out?
Curious since your 4runner isn't exactly stock.
Wondering since I have full coverage on my 94 and it's been tweaked a bit too.

The chop looks good. Sort of reminds be of Cubuff4runner(?)'s old truck and I have always liked the Avalanche look on a 4runner

Yes, like I said earlier it was quite the ordeal but once I found the right person it went very smooth. They gave me over blue book due to the modifications and I bought it back at the standard salvage price for a 99' 4Runner. If I get time I'll write up my experience.

That's a very rough cut, it's going to get cut more. There is also a good chance the rear cargo area will get replaced with mostly tubing. I have a few idea's going through my head...

 

[Dirtco]

Rear Fox DSC coilovers ftw.

Fixed it for you

 

[Dirtco]

Your new 37s are too small....already!
The lord works in mysterious ways....

Jokes aside I’m relieved you are ok once again my friend. Between this and your hike out in the snow last winter your quickly becoming the immortal man in campfire stories.

Take care of yourself and I hope to see ya soon.

Dammit Kyle!!!

I've got to do something to keep it lively around the campfire, don't know if I can top this one though.

Thanks Kyle, looking forward to the next adventure!

Glad to hear you're alright!! Sad to see what happened..

Before I saw your post-insurance-settlement photos I figured you had something crazy in mind for what was next. Excited to see what comes of it, I'm sure whatever you manage to build will come out awesome!

Kyle said it well- I hope you'll be able to make it out with us again soon

Thanks Hayden! Trust me, I'll be out on the trail as soon as possible!

 

[fourfive]

I can tell that I am not alone in re-examining the safety provisions of my own rig, both in terms of the rig and the equipment that I carry, and re-considering things like seatbelt use and passenger safety while wheeling.

Exactly what was going through my mind.

 

[Dirtco]

This past weekend I got enough done on the 4Runner that I felt it was time for a test drive, at least around my neighborhood. I wanted to make sure everything in the drivetrain was working properly and test the 4 wheel drive, transfer cases, and lockers. I had gone through every fluid in the vehicle, along with a lot of little stuff that got tweaked or damaged.

I had debated going full buggy when the accident first happened, but boy am I glad I decided to keep the windshield and doors. It was in the low teens and I froze my ass off driving around without a windshield and windows, even with my winter gear on. The good news though is that everything seems to work and there was no surprises. I also found out the PRP seat heater works pretty darn good!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45487066074/in/dateposted-public/" title="eDZ20PdqSiCS1%xhvMbriQ"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4905/45487066074_54960e7415_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="eDZ20PdqSiCS1%xhvMbriQ"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset=“utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/46211056921/in/dateposted-public/" title="fullsizeoutput_4a4"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/46211056921_b91c45c12a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="fullsizeoutput_4a4"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[habanero]

BRRRRRR!!!!

(also, very nice)

 

[JWaldz]

I'm just now catching up on everything Jeremiah.. Quite the "journey" you've been on lately.

Glad all is well and that you decided to keep the 4Runner going. Would have been sad to see it go.

Do you think you would have sent it off on it's way or parted it out had you not had the SAS?

 

[Dropzone]

Looks cool!
Gonna bob it too? But with your auxiliary tank that may not work
Tailgate plans? Factory skin over a tube frame?

Oh and thanks now you have me thinking of chopping my 2nd gen...but I should wait until I get the duals from the Trekker installed 1st. I am easily side tracked!

My favorite 3rd gen build is turning a potential tragedy into an awesome transition in its life.

 

[thezentree]

This past weekend I got enough done on the 4Runner that I felt it was time for a test drive, at least around my neighborhood. I wanted to make sure everything in the drivetrain was working properly and test the 4 wheel drive, transfer cases, and lockers. I had gone through every fluid in the vehicle, along with a lot of little stuff that got tweaked or damaged.

I had debated going full buggy when the accident first happened, but boy am I glad I decided to keep the windshield and doors. It was in the low teens and I froze my ass off driving around without a windshield and windows, even with my winter gear on. The good news though is that everything seems to work and there was no surprises. I also found out the PRP seat heater works pretty darn good!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45487066074/in/dateposted-public/" title="eDZ20PdqSiCS1%xhvMbriQ"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4905/45487066074_54960e7415_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="eDZ20PdqSiCS1%xhvMbriQ"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset=“utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/46211056921/in/dateposted-public/" title="fullsizeoutput_4a4"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/46211056921_b91c45c12a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="fullsizeoutput_4a4"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

These are the best pics in the thread. Not because it's the most hardcore, but because this thing gets a second chance at being awesome.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Three things. Glad you're ok. Sorry that happened! And those new doors are looking good! :dancin:

 

[Dirtco]

With the forum getting hacked I lost a few updates, so I guess I'll get things back to date.

I'm just now catching up on everything Jeremiah.. Quite the "journey" you've been on lately.

Glad all is well and that you decided to keep the 4Runner going. Would have been sad to see it go.

Do you think you would have sent it off on it's way or parted it out had you not had the SAS?

Thanks! Yes, if it wasn’t for the SAS it probably would have been parted out. I’m guessing I would have put everything on the purple 4Runner and downsized tires, or sold it all and put one ton axles under the Tacoma.

I thought about swapping a new body on the frame, but it would be a ton of work. The purple 4Runner is a 2001 vs mine being a 1999 so there would be a lot of mixing and matching of parts and wiring to get everything to work. Then I would have to tub the firewall again and the rear fenders to fit my tires. Also, I’ve learned my lesson about not having a roll cage, so I would have to cage it too. It’s a lot of work for something that will just get dented and scratched up again.

Three things. Glad you're ok. Sorry that happened! And those new doors are looking good! :dancin:

Thanks Jeff, those doors came in handy after all!

 

[Dirtco]

Looks cool!
Gonna bob it too? But with your auxiliary tank that may not work
Tailgate plans? Factory skin over a tube frame?

Oh and thanks now you have me thinking of chopping my 2nd gen...but I should wait until I get the duals from the Trekker installed 1st. I am easily side tracked!

My favorite 3rd gen build is turning a potential tragedy into an awesome transition in its life.

I’m still working out the details, but this is what I know so far (things could always change):

I would like to move the fuel tank from under the truck to the rear of the truck. This will give me more ground clearance and allow me to build a true 4 link with proper geometry. After completing the SAS the stock rear suspension geometry was the biggest let down and issue of the 4Runner. I also plan to move the rear axle back a couple inches so I can (in theory ) fit a 40” tire without it rubbing on the backside of the rear door.

As for bobbing it, maybe a little?!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45443401175/in/dateposted-public/" title="+7q02mYkQu2f86LcnaHzGQ"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4895/45443401175_11575280f3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="+7q02mYkQu2f86LcnaHzGQ"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45443404275/in/dateposted-public/" title="jkmhwytQR0OfZobbCia4Ww"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4871/45443404275_0a20b875f0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="jkmhwytQR0OfZobbCia4Ww"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[T4topher]

I’m still working out the details, but this is what I know so far (things could always change):

I would like to move the fuel tank from under the truck to the rear of the truck. This will give me more ground clearance and allow me to build a true 4 link with proper geometry. After completing the SAS the stock rear suspension geometry was the biggest let down and issue of the 4Runner. I also plan to move the rear axle back a couple inches so I can (in theory ) fit a 40” tire without it rubbing on the backside of the rear door.

As for bobbing it, maybe a little?!

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45443401175/in/dateposted-public/" title="+7q02mYkQu2f86LcnaHzGQ"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4895/45443401175_11575280f3_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="+7q02mYkQu2f86LcnaHzGQ"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156493849@N03/45443404275/in/dateposted-public/" title="jkmhwytQR0OfZobbCia4Ww"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4871/45443404275_0a20b875f0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="jkmhwytQR0OfZobbCia4Ww"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Nice!! Brings back memories of bobbing my 97 Tacoma haha..

 

[rideexileex]

I just hope the orange color stays!