**The RickRunner Build**
- Thread starter rickashay
- Start date
yotaguy674
New member
Mother of god this rig is amazing! Great work.
I am glad you are appreciating mother's day as well.
:Looks like Rick got a new lower jaw and some new shoes
SCSPerformance
Official Vendor
Well damn....Job well done:first:
gm350reratliff
New member
Simply badass! Also, your shots are nice and clear, they'll probably end up as a background on my PC's.
Nyc-Runner
New member
Builds coming along great man, As always top notch! Your making me miss my 4Runner now haha. Really diggin the wheel and tire combo and that tire size is a great fit. Love that rack too! I have one coming for the Lexus.
Any good trips coming up? Can't wait to see you out exploring with the new rig!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Any good trips coming up? Can't wait to see you out exploring with the new rig!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
rickashay
New member
Thanks!
Appreciate the kind words. Still lots more to come.
I am glad you are appreciating mother's day as well.
Looks like Rick got a new lower jaw and some new shoes
hahah I LOL'd.
Thanks for dropping by Vin. The wheels are getting all the compliments
See below on the Icons. I just used some high gloss Tremclad rust paint. But to be transparent I barely sprayed any of the frame... it was just dirty originally and it literally still shines like when it rolled off the showroom floor. Got lucky with this rig!
Stoked! I used to save wallpapers all the time from various forums. It's my honor to take a slot on your background!
Thanks! Nah, you'll be loving the 80 once its all dialed in. The Prinsu racks look deadly on the 80 series as well! I am really liking the 295's as well. However I keep thinking I still want to re-gear for the extra crawl ratio. Maybe 4.56's down the road. Certainly has enough power now though.
Lots of trips planned for this summer. I feel like a poser lately cause I havent been wheeling since October. Life is just nuts right now but we have quite a few trips planned for July/August/Sept/October. I'm just grinding trying to get the truck 100% complete before the real camping season hits hard. And on top of all that... I just got a job offer in BC and I'm moving in 2 weeks.
Thank you. Short list is wiring setup (fuse blocks etc), sliders, skids and a shakedown run!
:cheers:
rickashay
New member
UPDATE
Finally was able to get some time to write down more notes on the build as it happened. Head over to the most recent installment of the "Tamarack Times" on our website **HERE**.
_DSC0402.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Still getting things sorted with the truck. The COMEUP SEAL Gen2 RS Winch is now installed and fully wired up. My initial impressions of this unit are very good. Quality and feature set is superb. These winches have been used around the world for ever but are just recently hitting our NA shores. COMEUP has their products on all of the infamous Artic Trucks in Iceland, so I'm pretty sure it will be good for my odd use up here in Canada. I'll do a full write up on the winch itself after I get some use with it. To ensure the winch (and other electrical accessories) have enough jam, I went to Odyssey for a 31M-PC2150. 1150 CCA, FTW. It's a tight fit in the factory location but it works and I didn't even need to modify the OE wiring. The only thing to watch out for is the clearance with the upper radiator hose. I slipped a 1/4" thick piece of rubber matting between the battery and the upper radiator hose to help isolate it from the heat. Might come up with a steel variant if this doesnt work out but I think it should be fine.
_DSC0401.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Stay tuned - I will be running the first set of Element Fabrication full aluminum skids and bolt-on sliders. Should see them on in the coming weeks!
SUSPENSION
I've had quite a few people ask me about the Icon's and my opinion of them. I've only had them on the road and some gravel roads for bike shuttle runs but have a pretty good impression so far. Time will tell once I actually get out wheeling with this setup.
Notes so far:
- Yes, they are "stiffer" than my previus Fox's and Bilstein setups. Although its a marginal difference and certainly not harsh
- The more firm feeling makes me have more confidence diving into corners on the highway a little faster, but the funny part is that the initial turn it is firm, but if you really throw the truck into a corner the stiffness fades as the travel is used up and the truck ends up body rolling like any other truck without sway bars. To be expected and not a fault of the suspension, but an observation and the seemingly "stiffer" initial travel quickly disappears to reveal the softer end of the digressive valving. Maybe a small sense of false confidence.
- Valving is on point. I feel like the suspension is more controlled than any setup I have previously ran. The rear shocks are not quite up to the front but they are still very adequate. 2.5's would be nice if I stumble across a money tree.
- Finding myself preloading the front coils more than I wanted to. I am not at 2" of preload (threads showing) on the drivers side and 1.75" on the passenger side. I still have a lot of rake and I thinking I am around 1.75"-2" of front lift with a 22" hub to fender measurement. I'd like to come up another 0.5" or so but do not want to sacrifice ride characteristics with additional coil preload. Against the recommendation from Icon I ordered 14" x 700lb front coils to replace the factory 13" x 650lb coils. Icon had stated that I might be too light with the aluminum front bumper and winch with synthetic line for the additional weight of the 700lb coils. But with skids on the way and the heavy 2UZ its a risk I am willing to take if I am able to have 2.25-2.5" of lift with minimal preload on the coils.
Thats all for now!
Finally was able to get some time to write down more notes on the build as it happened. Head over to the most recent installment of the "Tamarack Times" on our website **HERE**.
_DSC0402.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Still getting things sorted with the truck. The COMEUP SEAL Gen2 RS Winch is now installed and fully wired up. My initial impressions of this unit are very good. Quality and feature set is superb. These winches have been used around the world for ever but are just recently hitting our NA shores. COMEUP has their products on all of the infamous Artic Trucks in Iceland, so I'm pretty sure it will be good for my odd use up here in Canada. I'll do a full write up on the winch itself after I get some use with it. To ensure the winch (and other electrical accessories) have enough jam, I went to Odyssey for a 31M-PC2150. 1150 CCA, FTW. It's a tight fit in the factory location but it works and I didn't even need to modify the OE wiring. The only thing to watch out for is the clearance with the upper radiator hose. I slipped a 1/4" thick piece of rubber matting between the battery and the upper radiator hose to help isolate it from the heat. Might come up with a steel variant if this doesnt work out but I think it should be fine.
_DSC0401.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Stay tuned - I will be running the first set of Element Fabrication full aluminum skids and bolt-on sliders. Should see them on in the coming weeks!
SUSPENSION
I've had quite a few people ask me about the Icon's and my opinion of them. I've only had them on the road and some gravel roads for bike shuttle runs but have a pretty good impression so far. Time will tell once I actually get out wheeling with this setup.
Notes so far:
- Yes, they are "stiffer" than my previus Fox's and Bilstein setups. Although its a marginal difference and certainly not harsh
- The more firm feeling makes me have more confidence diving into corners on the highway a little faster, but the funny part is that the initial turn it is firm, but if you really throw the truck into a corner the stiffness fades as the travel is used up and the truck ends up body rolling like any other truck without sway bars. To be expected and not a fault of the suspension, but an observation and the seemingly "stiffer" initial travel quickly disappears to reveal the softer end of the digressive valving. Maybe a small sense of false confidence.
- Valving is on point. I feel like the suspension is more controlled than any setup I have previously ran. The rear shocks are not quite up to the front but they are still very adequate. 2.5's would be nice if I stumble across a money tree.
- Finding myself preloading the front coils more than I wanted to. I am not at 2" of preload (threads showing) on the drivers side and 1.75" on the passenger side. I still have a lot of rake and I thinking I am around 1.75"-2" of front lift with a 22" hub to fender measurement. I'd like to come up another 0.5" or so but do not want to sacrifice ride characteristics with additional coil preload. Against the recommendation from Icon I ordered 14" x 700lb front coils to replace the factory 13" x 650lb coils. Icon had stated that I might be too light with the aluminum front bumper and winch with synthetic line for the additional weight of the 700lb coils. But with skids on the way and the heavy 2UZ its a risk I am willing to take if I am able to have 2.25-2.5" of lift with minimal preload on the coils.
Thats all for now!
Last edited:
Nyc-Runner
New member
Oh I already do! It's been a bit of a learning curve though. Completely different lines and different animal in general as far as how it behaves on the trail. On the one hand its a beast and climbs up and over everything and on the other I feel like a beginner all over again lol getting hung up on stuff just from not being as familiar with my wheel base and my lines like I was with the 4Runner. Yeah I mounted mounted it up last weekend and it looks too slick, Nice and low pro!
I think the Re gear would be a perfect combo with that set up especially with that V8!
Awesome man I can't wait to see the new set up out on the trail! I hear ya though I've only been out once this spring so far and second time total with the new rig. Sweet,,, sounds like a great summer/fall. Hey man as long as your getting out to enjoy it at some point! Can't wait to see all the upcoming trip pics! Enjoy buddy...
jdmsneakerz
Member
I'm loving this build!
rickashay
New member
Learning a new rig is always a challange. I've had to do it several times now so I'm used to it. hahah thats not a good thing.
Maybe I've asked or miss this, do you have a build thread for the 80? Or still posting info in your old 4runner thread? I'll have to follow it.
Thanks!
UPDATES
Like I mentioned above, moving next week so things are crazy. Got a job as Parts Manager at Nelson Toyota in BC so I'm definitely looking forward to this new opportunity. If anyone is ever in the area or needs Toyota 4x4 stuff, I'm your guy.
Electrical:
- Bussman relay box being installed. Fabbed a bracket with an 80A breaker to keep the electrical nice and tidy.
- Ran a 6GA wire to the rear cargo area and installed the ARB fridge socket (hardwired) and a Dual USB outlet to charge/power items from the rear or rear side door
- BlueSea Fuse block installed in the rear wheel well cargo spot for easy access
- Baja Designs dome light installed inside rear hatch panel (love this thing!)
- Installed some OEM 06+ Tail lights and added Morimoto LED's for the reverse and turn signal bulbs.
- Rewired the factory turn signals into the headlight parking lamps and am running some Sylvania amber LEDs in that location. They aren't as "amber" as I was expecting but I have some plans in the works for alternate turn signals once I get around to finally doing my LS430 retrofit. It's coming, I promise!!
Pics to come shortly of all of these items.
Upcoming:
- Also picked up a single Baja Design S2 Sport (work/scene) which I'll be mounting underneath my awning. Should be a good solution for camp lighting
- Building a bracket for my ARB compressor as well today. Desperately in need of some OBA.
Last edited:
rickashay
New member
Couple photos to match the words above:
ARB compressor tucked up by the firewall on the passenger side. Left enough room to run a second ARB compressor when lockers come. (For redundancy)
_DSC0441.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
COMEUP solenoid box relocation bracket:
_DSC0438.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Bussman Relay Box (missing the Bussman for now):
_DSC0439.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Been using the welder quite a bit lately. Can't say how good the decision was to buy a small welder and teach myself the basics. It has been worth its weight in gold for little projects like this.
Finally the Baja Design Dome LED w/integrated push button. Need to grab some tripod pics to capture the output but this thing is so awesome. Check the new tails too
_DSC0435.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
ARB compressor tucked up by the firewall on the passenger side. Left enough room to run a second ARB compressor when lockers come. (For redundancy)
_DSC0441.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
COMEUP solenoid box relocation bracket:
_DSC0438.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Bussman Relay Box (missing the Bussman for now):
_DSC0439.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
Been using the welder quite a bit lately. Can't say how good the decision was to buy a small welder and teach myself the basics. It has been worth its weight in gold for little projects like this.
Finally the Baja Design Dome LED w/integrated push button. Need to grab some tripod pics to capture the output but this thing is so awesome. Check the new tails too
_DSC0435.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr
LordAbdullah
New member
Almost totally unrelated, but what do you shoot with? Lens/DSLR combo?
