**The RickRunner Build**

[Nyc-Runner]

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! **

Wow :thumb3: This is my favorite part! I love watching this big stages in the build transform the truck! Can't wait to see everything installed.

As for the tires,, A lot of guys back here in the northeast having been running the STT Pro's including a couple of good friends of mine and love them! These seem to be the new "popular" tire choice as of recent. They've ran them in just about every condition imaginable and have had nothing praises to say about them. Also in different sizing ranging from 33" - 37" I may also run this tire on the new rig once the current tires it has where down a bit. I did see one buddy of mine get a small puncture in his sidewall when we were wheeling one day but that can happen to just about any tire depending on wheeling conditions and driving style. Ive heard of people getting multiple punctures on the MTR's that I'm currently running even with the Kevlar reinforced sidewalls.

My other buddy just picked up a set of the MTZ's this past year in 35's and really likes them. I've wheeled with him and they've performed great off road and he said they feel great on road as well. The only negative thing he's said about them is that they weren't great in the snow.

Dan't know anything about the Rig grappler?

If I where you I'd give the STT pro's a go. After going thru your previous builds I think it would be a great tire for the type of wheeling and exploring that you do!

 

[rickashay]

Wow :thumb3: This is my favorite part! I love watching this big stages in the build transform the truck! Can't wait to see everything installed.

As for the tires,, A lot of guys back here in the northeast having been running the STT Pro's including a couple of good friends of mine and love them! These seem to be the new "popular" tire choice as of recent. They've ran them in just about every condition imaginable and have had nothing praises to say about them. Also in different sizing ranging from 33" - 37" I may also run this tire on the new rig once the current tires it has where down a bit. I did see one buddy of mine get a small puncture in his sidewall when we were wheeling one day but that can happen to just about any tire depending on wheeling conditions and driving style. Ive heard of people getting multiple punctures on the MTR's that I'm currently running even with the Kevlar reinforced sidewalls.

My other buddy just picked up a set of the MTZ's this past year in 35's and really likes them. I've wheeled with him and they've performed great off road and he said they feel great on road as well. The only negative thing he's said about them is that they weren't great in the snow.

Dan't know anything about the Rig grappler?

If I where you I'd give the STT pro's a go. After going thru your previous builds I think it would be a great tire for the type of wheeling and exploring that you do!

Thanks for the info. Yah, definitely going to be pulling the trigger on tires right away so the feedback from other members is great. I'm also thinking about road noise too (for the first time ever... lol) and I hear the Ridge Grapplers are fairly quiet. A friend of mine has the Cooper STT's in 295's so I think I might go for a ride-along. I have heard that the armor-tec sidewalls on the Coopers are pretty thick and have issues mounting on Method beadlocks - not sure if my OMF's will be similar.

 

[HHIRunner]

I've had the STT Pros for a few weeks now, love them on road they feel way better than my old KM2s especially in the rain. I haven't had a chance to wheel with them yet, but I've bombed down some dirt roads and they handled great.

 

[4Runner010]

How much did it cost you to get the rims beadlocked? or are they for rock rash? because id like to pick up a set. Cant wait to see everything put on

 

[Nyc-Runner]

How much did it cost you to get the rims beadlocked? or are they for rock rash? because id like to pick up a set. Cant wait to see everything put on

If I'm not mistaken OMF is a simulated lock not a full beadlock. There more to protect the wheel from extra abuse and rock rash. You can also use their bead lock rings on actual beadlock wheels but I don't think SCS makes a true beadlock.

 

[HHIRunner]

If I'm not mistaken OMF is a simulated lock not a full beadlock. There more to protect the wheel from extra abuse and rock rash. You can also use their bead lock rings on actual beadlock wheels but I don't SCS makes beadlocks.

I'm pretty sure OMF modifies the Stealth Custom Series wheels to make them beadlocks. I believe you can have simulated or real beadlocks from them

 

[rickashay]

I've had the STT Pros for a few weeks now, love them on road they feel way better than my old KM2s especially in the rain. I haven't had a chance to wheel with them yet, but I've bombed down some dirt roads and they handled great.

Good to hear, what size are you running? May need to head over to your build thread!

How much did it cost you to get the rims beadlocked? or are they for rock rash? because id like to pick up a set. Cant wait to see everything put on

Sorry but I cannot disclose due to my partnership with SCS. I believe you end up around the cost of a normal beadlock (like Trail Ready) once the OMF conversion is done but it really depends on the options and hardware you choose from OMF.

Rockrash is part of it and you can choose to have OMF do a "sim-U-lock" (fake beadlock that is for rim protection) or a true beadlock conversion. My wheels are the true beadlock conversion.

If I'm not mistaken OMF is a simulated lock not a full beadlock. There more to protect the wheel from extra abuse and rock rash. You can also use their bead lock rings on actual beadlock wheels but I don't think SCS makes a true beadlock.

SCS doesnt make a true beadlock but they do work with OMF regularly to produce real beadlocks like mine. OMF actually cuts the outer ring of the wheel off and hand-welds in a new section of wheel that becomes the mounts for the outer beadlock face. I'll grab some more detailed photos next time I have the wheels out. The craftsmanship is very impressive.

UPDATE

This thread is currently farther along than our blog posts but that is about to change in the near future. I'll keep this thread up to date with the high level items and it will always be open for conversing, but soon the details and thought process will have to be found by hitting the "Daily Grind" section of our website.

This blog post about levels me with this thread in terms of truck process EXCEPT for the wicked video edit Chase (my brother/ co-founder of Tamarack) through together at the end. Head on over and check it out and thanks for following along!

Odds & a Pile of Ends ? Tamarack Media Co.

 

[HHIRunner]

Good to hear, what size are you running? May need to head over to your build thread!

I'm running a 315/70/17, they're definitely huge but I love them

 

[t-rex grrr]

I'm running a 315/70/17, they're definitely huge but I love them

That's what she said! Sorry, had to throw that out

 

[rickashay]

That's what she said! Sorry, had to throw that out

I'm running a 315/70/17, they're definitely huge but I love them

^lol. Yah I'm definitely used to the 35's (both my Tundra and LX450) were running them. I keep looking at the 305/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grappler... Basically a 34x12" tire. Nice compromise in rotational mass and also the fact that I will not run a BL. I found a couple pics of your rig with the 315's and it sure does look good though!

Am going to do a full write up on RickRunner's lighting system in the near future. None of the cars I own right now have HID setups right now and I am really missing the benefits of good lighting performance as I am on the highway a lot lately. Missing the old Tundra FX-R retrofit and those awesome Baja Design LEDs. I basically 'snapped' last night after driving two hours in the fog at night.... time to get started on the retrofit.

A couple teasers until the finished product is done. Any lighting nerds (like me!) out there know what I'm working with here?! Whole lotta HID goodness.


IMG_9674.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr


IMG_9678.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

And no... not running quads. I'm building a set for myself while I build a set for another 4Runner member. Although quads would be pretty rad!

 

[A.Wilson013]

Addison- I cannot tell what you're working with from the pictures but I hope they are d2s 4.0 or better... I just put a set in my buddy's 3rd gen and they out perform my old FX-Rs in every way. I am in LOVE with the high beam cutoff.

As for Coopers... I have the ST Maxx in a 255/80R17 flavor and they're excellent so far (on road only) but I do notice a pronounced "wub wub wub" noise at 35mph or so. It drives me kinda batty... I hate noises. That, added to the noise from the Front Runner Slimline II has me hating life (exaggeration, but it will take getting used to). Over 60 mph they're virtually silent.

 

[Ed_C]

Addison- I cannot tell what you're working with from the pictures but I hope they are d2s 4.0 or better... I just put a set in my buddy's 3rd gen and they out perform my old FX-Rs in every way. I am in LOVE with the high beam cutoff.

They're Lexus LS430 projectors. Lowbeam only but AFAIK the widest beam HID projector. The opening below each projector is a reflector designed to increase beam width,

A 1st-gen Toyota Highlander with LS430s equipped with clear lenses. Those little red dots are the taillights of the vehicle.

 

[A.Wilson013]

They're Lexus LS430 projectors. Lowbeam only but AFAIK the widest beam HID projector. The opening below each projector is a reflector designed to increase beam width,

A 1st-gen Toyota Highlander with LS430s equipped with clear lenses. Those little red dots are the taillights of the vehicle.

So one for the low beam and an upside down one for the high?

That output is impressive. I don't know that I'd ever need it but that picture makes it look pretty sweet.

 

[rickashay]

Addison- I cannot tell what you're working with from the pictures but I hope they are d2s 4.0 or better... I just put a set in my buddy's 3rd gen and they out perform my old FX-Rs in every way. I am in LOVE with the high beam cutoff.

As for Coopers... I have the ST Maxx in a 255/80R17 flavor and they're excellent so far (on road only) but I do notice a pronounced "wub wub wub" noise at 35mph or so. It drives me kinda batty... I hate noises. That, added to the noise from the Front Runner Slimline II has me hating life (exaggeration, but it will take getting used to). Over 60 mph they're virtually silent.

They're Lexus LS430 projectors. Lowbeam only but AFAIK the widest beam HID projector. The opening below each projector is a reflector designed to increase beam width,

A 1st-gen Toyota Highlander with LS430s equipped with clear lenses. Those little red dots are the taillights of the vehicle.

So one for the low beam and an upside down one for the high?

That output is impressive. I don't know that I'd ever need it but that picture makes it look pretty sweet.

Ed is right about them being LS430's. The other set I'm building is for him! haha

No they are low beam only. The small extra bowl is part of the OEM shroud and further increases the width of the beam pattern. Its like a dump valve for extra light that is always open! I used to run the LS460's and they were INSANE but these LS430's are supposed to one-up them. Their only downfall is they are not bi-xenon like the 460's. Very excited to see the finished product though...

 

[yosh2000]

oh man, i'm getting pretty pumped for this retro. I cant wait to see the thread on these, will be following closely!

 

[T4RNightHawk]

Where did you manage to find those. I can't seem to find any.

 

[tstead60]

What size roof rack did you get?

I really like your roof rack setup. Which size Rola rack did you get?

 

[SunPilot]

Ed is right about them being LS430's. The other set I'm building is for him! haha

No they are low beam only. The small extra bowl is part of the OEM shroud and further increases the width of the beam pattern. Its like a dump valve for extra light that is always open! I used to run the LS460's and they were INSANE but these LS430's are supposed to one-up them. Their only downfall is they are not bi-xenon like the 460's. Very excited to see the finished product though...

I'm waiting to see what you do with the lights. Lighting is one of my future projects. I still have the crappy halogens...need to clean my lenses and upgrade the bulbs.

 

[bebop]

Love what you are doing with the runner and tamarack! I'll be keeping an eye on both!
Ps looking forward to seeing more mods and awesome pictures.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rocky.mtn]

Glad I stumbled across this thread - have been watching your IG for updates.
Addison, huge fan of this build and Tamarack - makes me wish I had held out longer for a clean 4th Gen instead of my Alberta Silver 5th gen. I need to take a page from your book and deal with my undercarriage, as yours looks so clean now. May also pursue the AFE Pro Dry.

Repping my orange Tamarack Media Co. sticker - you can see it here! (

) Definitely going to need to another one of those silver ones for the back. Hope to see this around Calgary soon!