**The RickRunner Build**

[Ol'Baditude]

Uh oh... my wallet it starting to hurt.

Ordered the following today:
- Metal Tech rear LCA's and UCA's
- Metal Tech LT rear springs
- Icon LT rear shocks
- Rear extended lines
- MT bumpstop drop spacers
- Total Chaos LCA mount skids
- RuTech AIP module/bypass plates
- Pelfreybilt aluminum front bumper

Now need to decide on the fronts... and tire size.:biggrin2:

You're gonna love that MT rear flex kit; one of the best things I ever did to my runner.
Which springs did you get? I got the HD due to the weight I carry in the back, and they are VERY nice.

 

[4Running Daily]

I fear you may be disappointed Connor.... 37's. hahah

Realistically looking like 34's. Really liking the lower tire weight and the ability to not cut into the body. Plus when I go LT I won't have to run glass either. But we'll see.... still might do an AT that measures on the small side in a 315, like an ST Maxx or something.

How are you BTW? School going good? Hows the old 3rd Gen?

285/75/17 if you're gonna go 34. Nothing beats the Toyo ATII Extreme or the Toyo M/T.

I'm doing well! Schools going well. Another 3 semesters and I'm out of here. 3rd gen is still doing well. 20k miles a year on 35" MTR's and no real problems currently. Looking to build a long travel kit in the next few months to try and fit 37's.

 

[rickashay]

Enjoying the time back in BC. Sure do wish I had the 4Runner up and running though with all this snow. The conditions are unreal for snow wheeling! Lost my cell phone while I was out with the drone the other day...certainly limiting my instagram access. First world problems. haha

Obligatory short of the daily covered in snow:
IMG_8567 by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

 

[farmerjon]

That is a low-riding daily! But the AWD in them should be fun...

Stoked to see this progress, Addison! Have thought many times what I would step to after a 3rd gen, and it seems you're plowing the road for me building a 4th haha. I would either go with a 4th gen or a Taco anyway, there aren't many other choices.

Keep it clean! I really like those wheels...

 

[sportsbriefcase]

Addison's keeping us all on the edge of our seats for his next update...I love it.

 

[jakes]

Really like where this build is headed. i agree with you...the little things are what sets builds apart. While i'm not a huge carbon fiber fan, you did a phenomenal job on those interior parts. Watching to see what other mods you throw out.

 

[Rjsimeon]

Subd for your awesome pics and details from past threads.

 

[rickashay]

That is a low-riding daily! But the AWD in them should be fun...

Stoked to see this progress, Addison! Have thought many times what I would step to after a 3rd gen, and it seems you're plowing the road for me building a 4th haha. I would either go with a 4th gen or a Taco anyway, there aren't many other choices.

Keep it clean! I really like those wheels...

Thanks Jono! Good to see you dropping in. Hope you're doing well man!

I wish my passat was AWD but its just a 1.8T FWD w/5-speed. Good eye though, it is lowered on Bilsteins and has a few go-fast parts bolted on and a stage II clutch and flywheel just installed (ouch $$$). Really enjoying the VW though... might have to start thinking about an R one of these days.

If you want an SUV for your next rig, I can't steer you towards the GX470 or 4th Gen 4Runner V8 hard enough. haha Oh and 1st Gen Tundras as badass too

Addison's keeping us all on the edge of our seats for his next update...I love it.

Sorry for the mad lag time...I mean I like a little anticipation, but this has been downright inactivity! lol

In all seriousness an unfortunate turn of events has occurred in my family and I can't see the 4Runner getting any wrench time fr a little bit. As eager as I am to get the 4Runner up and running, I need to be with my family at this time. I appreciate everyone staying "tuned in" despite my lack of updates.

Really like where this build is headed. i agree with you...the little things are what sets builds apart. While i'm not a huge carbon fiber fan, you did a phenomenal job on those interior parts. Watching to see what other mods you throw out.

Appreciate it. Yah the carbon look has its haters and fans. Good thing about the wrap though is that if I ever get sick of it, I can simply peel it off and paint the panels.

There are so many trucks out there that are quite similar as its fairly easy to go online and order a bunch of parts. But its the details that the vehicle creator ponders and creates out of originality that makes them evolve into something unique. It's not always easy to be unique/original though... a lot of super nice builds out there!

Subd for your awesome pics and details from past threads.

Appreciate you following along on my journey(s). I have way too many build threads.... haha

 

[yosh2000]

oh man, this is great. I always enjoy following your builds, and now you are building a 4th gen (which I have as well).

please do a HID retro next, so i can get some ideas and maybe even copy you...! I was the one that emailed you concerning your new rotational mounting methods on HIDplanet a few months back. I have some RX330 lined out for my retro, just trying to think of the best way to solidly mount them.

 

[rickashay]

oh man, this is great. I always enjoy following your builds, and now you are building a 4th gen (which I have as well).

please do a HID retro next, so i can get some ideas and maybe even copy you...! I was the one that emailed you concerning your new rotational mounting methods on HIDplanet a few months back. I have some RX330 lined out for my retro, just trying to think of the best way to solidly mount them.

Thanks for following along! What year is your 4R? Mounting will depend on what style of headlights your running. Our "new method" was simply a way we were able to set the rotational alignment quickly in non-drop in projector retrofits. We were using an adjustable jig and a construction laser. Took a while to get everything working so for one set, such as your own, I would say just proceed with the known and tedious method of checking it over and over again.

UPDATE

Have had a little time over the last couple weeks to tinker on the 4Runner. Still waiting for parts to show up but it seems like some of the most crucial components are still not here and holding me up. Suspension, brake lines, bump stops, links are all here... but I am waiitng on backordered MetalTech rear coils and Total Chaos UCA's. I wish one of them would land so I could at least start turning wrenches on one side of the suspension! Oh well, should be making a trip down to MT in a couple weeks at which point I'm hoping to have everything I need. Front bumper is even down there waiting, but I'll have more info on that unto itself when I install it.

Like I said at the beginning, I would be taking the build slow....(lol) parts have been piling up but RickRunner is still stock basically. Using this "down time" to hit some of the finer details before I am able to tear into it.

We had a chinook blow through Calgary and saw temperatures of +11 degrees C. Warm enough to paint I cleaned up the undercarriage a little, dropped the spare tire and applied some rust prevention primer to all the frame welds, then followed it up with a coat of gloss black chassis paint. Really happy with the results. Hopefully this helps keep the rust away and allows me to battle it one winter at a time. I still can't believe how clean this 4Runner is:

IMG_8586.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr


IMG_8587.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Finished the 3M carbon wrap on all 4 of the door panels. Nice to have no more "fake marble" trim:

IMG_8600.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Pulled apart the dash for the 20th time - getting pretty fast at tearing the console apart! haha Installed a RAM mount for my phone/tablet and also a BlueSea USB port to charge the phone or tablet while in use.

IMG_8599.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

RAM mount removed for the DD look:

IMG_8602.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Random shot. Love the 4th Gen guages, and I never get tired of that low mileage! haha

IMG_8604.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Starting to think about cargo management as well. Have a couple good sketches now for the rear storage/sleep platform and very excited to get started on it in the spring. In the meantime just organizing my gear a little better and appreciating things like this BlueRidge Overland visor MOLLE setup:

IMG_8606.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

That's all for now. Might attempt the front seat mod tomorrow or start on my projector retrofit. The LS430 projectors are gunna look right at home in the pre 05' housings. Stoked for proper light output again, missing the Tundra headlights big time!

 

[yosh2000]

i have an 05 as well, but about 3 times the mileage (129xxx)! Same headlights, so i will be very interested in your retro and following any and all pics you post up about it.

 

[07V8]

Does the RAM amount have a reinforcement backing plate? How stable is it and where did you tap the power from?

How did you prep the undercarriage? Degrease and spray? Did you mask the entire body off when doing it?

Sorry for all the questions but as you can tell I'm copying what you've done!

Superb work and eye!

 

[HOJeepster]

Does the RAM amount have a reinforcement backing plate? How stable is it and where did you tap the power from?

How did you prep the undercarriage? Degrease and spray? Did you mask the entire body off when doing it?

Sorry for all the questions but as you can tell I'm copying what you've done!

Superb work and eye!

Dang, super clean ride. I've always liked your work.:sniper:

 

[HOJeepster]

My Scoche double-din kit did show up finally. Nice to have the stereo install finished off and all the trim back in place. Really happy with how the wrap turned out once installed too!


IMG_8428.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

So many parts waiting at the border... Might make a trip next weekend to grab all of the suspension components. Fingers still cross if my wheels will show up or not in time.

Does that say 24 mpg? Dang!

 

[yosh2000]

Km/L, metric units!

 

[rickashay]

Does the RAM amount have a reinforcement backing plate? How stable is it and where did you tap the power from?

How did you prep the undercarriage? Degrease and spray? Did you mask the entire body off when doing it?

Sorry for all the questions but as you can tell I'm copying what you've done!

Superb work and eye!

There is no reinforcement plate on the back of the RAM mount but I do not think it will be necessary for my Nexus 6P and Nexus 7 tablet that I use. There is definitely the space behind the dash bezel though to install a backing plate should the need arise, however I can't see it having any problems. Wouldnt support the weight of a laptop though...

I ran a power wire through the firewall that will go directly into my Blue Sea fuse block. I ran a stand-alone wire to ensure I had the proper gauge to power the USB ports. Factory wiring is a little thin for some charging needs.

I honestly barely touched the undercarriage. I clean it with a wash gun at the car wash, wire brushed the welds, primed the welds, and then sprayed a quick coat of the gloss black. No masking required as I really wasnt spraying everywhere... this 4Runner is literally so clean underneath it looks like it rolled off the lot last week. The final outcome just reflects how good the condition was to start with.

No problem on the questions, glad to help!

i have an 05 as well, but about 3 times the mileage (129xxx)! Same headlights, so i will be very interested in your retro and following any and all pics you post up about it.

Thanks! Everyone goes straight for the 06+ headlights. They are nicer in shape admitedly, but I like to be different and I wanted to run some more LS430/460 projectors after falling in love with them on my 3rd Gen. [MENTION=75868]Ed_C[/MENTION] on here kind of initiated my interest in the project again and I'm glad he did!

Does that say 24 mpg? Dang!

Km/L, metric units!

That "24" is actually the cabin temperature setting in Celsius. We do measure our fuel consumption in Litres/100kms though... I wish I could get 24MPG out of this pig!

Dang, super clean ride. I've always liked your work.:sniper:

Thanks man! I have lurked your build thread a ton, very clean and purpose built 4Runner. One of the main reasons I've been looking at running a 34" tire actually. How is that size with stock gearing? Any desire to go 35's?

 

[Ed_C]

Actually I was trying to talk him into 1000000000000K HID bulbs in the stock reflector headlights, but nooooo he wants to waste his time and do a stupid projector retrofit.












:rofl:

 

[rickashay]

I'm going crazy... just itching to turn wrenches but still waiting on rear coils and Total Chaos UCA's. This is me complaining about pointless shit.

We (Tamarack Media Co) got to head to Revelstoke BC last weekend to film the Absolut Vodka Bartending competition. Super fun as we stayed on the ski resort and got to take a cat up to one of the peaks at sunrise for some drone footage. I've never filmed an event of that nature before so it was pretty fun. We were in need of some lighting so we picked up a LED Lumahawk. Pretty cool rig that has a Li-Ion battery and you are able to adjust not only output power but color temperature. Goes from 3300K up to 6800K. Pretty cool.

Needless to say, when I got back to Calgary I wanted to play around with the light some more and did some cool "product shots" of some of the junk I have laying around my garage.

IMG_9169.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Finally, a decent shot of the new kicks

IMG_9185.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Sorry for the slow pace. Should be back to some regular action once either of the items listed above shows up.

Also looking for feedback on tires... if you have personal experience with the following, lets hear it!

- Mickey Thompson MTZ P3
- Cooper Discoverer STT Pro
- Nitto Ridge Grappler

** We are starting to kickoff our blog over on the Tamarack website: Daily Grind ? Tamarack Media Co. My brother Chase and I are building our Toyotas in-part for use with our media company. I plan to keep the build thread up to date but will be doing short-versions of my posts here. If you have any interest in the thinking and decision making process behind the build and components, I'd encourage you to bookmark our blog page and check back for some more regular content. Hell you might even catch the od video over there! Oh, also encourage you to checkout the 2016 highlight reel on the Home page. Thanks all! **

 

[poleclimber63]

Wow what a clean 4Runner!! My former boss had a 4th Gen V8 and I must admit, they're Awesome, a little heavier and after driving it, it feels a bit more stable than my 3rd gen--- I'd really like that 4.7 in my 3rd gen, however!

I can't wait to see what you're going to do with this 4Runner! I really like what you did to your previous trucks, as I've been a long time follower! By the way, one of my co-workers now owns Dirt Duster!

My 4Runner parked next to it in Kelowna.... I love your old truck and it still attracts lots of attention!

Looking forward to some great off road pics! Subscribed!

 

[JLRSR5]

[MENTION=63060]rickashay[/MENTION] , I love my Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Great looking tire and surprisingly quiet. I've put about 7000k miles on them and they have performed great. In the rain they have great grip, and in the snow so far they have done great as well (only had them once in snow.) Unfortunately I have not been able to test them much off-road, but other reviews I've read are positive.

A good friend of mine has the cooper stt pro on his Silverado and he swears by them, but I have no personal experience with them.