**The RickRunner Build**

[rickashay]

Looks awesome... does that mean the rickrunner build will come to an end?

Definitely not. Although... with my history of selling vehicles I could see how you might assume that! haha RickRunner is staying for the long haul....

What did you wire the blue sea usb port to? I am looking to do something similar with this and the ram mount, but wiring is definitely not my strong suit. I do see you mentioned the firewall and going to your blue sea setup, but what wiring size, etc did you use?
Id be curious to see your electrical setup as a whole.

That's so funny that you asked this....I literally just went to ask the same question.......what did you wire the blue sea usb port to? I don't want to wire it directly to the battery because then there would be constant drain on the battery if something is plugged in.....Is it safe to tap into the 12v charger port in the center console?

TIA.

I just grabbed a ground behind the dash as there is a lot of bare metal there that braces the dash and center column area. For the positive wire I used some thicker guage (top of my head 12ga or 14ga...) and wired it direct to my Bussman Relay/Fuseblock which is on a stand-alone breaker. It is wired constant ON but I wanted it this way so I could charge things with the vehicle off from that specific port.

I am not a huge fan of double battery setups (unless you are running a Unimog or larger style camper). I think nowadays its safe to just run a large, high capacity battery and have one of the Lithium booster packs on board in the event you actually kill the battery. A small solar panel can also be another backup measure should you find the need for that extra level of preparedness. I'm running a Odyssey Group 31M battery and Noco jumper pack and have never been stranded with that setup. Even after running camp lights and the fridge for 2 full days without a truck start in the middle of summer (fridge running more frequently).

I'm finishing my projector retrofit this weekend and also have a Pelfreybilt battery box on the way. Once all those items are done and installed I will grab some photos of my wiring setup. Not nearly as pro as like AdventureWired or anything but it gets the job done and remains fairly clean. Might go to a S-Pod down the road but we'll see.

Do you have any more pics of how you modified the awning bracket? I'm looking to buy a Prinsu and was going to use their awning brackets as well and had wondered if this modification was possible since I didn't like how high it sat. How close is your new "upper hole" to the slot?

Not unless you look through my flickr gallery and just see the backet in those pics. Its a pretty easy "mod" you just need a grinder cutoff disk and a drill to drill your new hole. Only took me like 15 mins to do it. I'll grab a close-up next time I have the camera out with my truck.

Lack of updates. Sorry for this but more good things coming soon!

 

[JBurt]

Totally unrelated, but what are your thoughts on flickr being bought by smugmug? Do you think it'll turn into another photobucket?

Also we need more truck pics.

 

[rickashay]

Totally unrelated, but what are your thoughts on flickr being bought by smugmug? Do you think it'll turn into another photobucket?

Also we need more truck pics.

I hope not! I've had a flickr account since like 2007?? It's been great from day 1. I sure hope that smugmug looks at why flickr is/was so good and how badly they botched photobucket and make a turn towards the positive. Time will tell.

Yes. More truck pics. Currently working on my LS430 retrofit. Hope to have it done and pics up this week. Getting the truck ready for camping/wheeling season. Also debating on an RTT or rear bumper as this summer's big "mod". One of the two will be happening.

 

[Smokeshow69]

That's so funny that you asked this....I literally just went to ask the same question.......what did you wire the blue sea usb port to? I don't want to wire it directly to the battery because then there would be constant drain on the battery if something is plugged in.....Is it safe to tap into the 12v charger port in the center console?



TIA.

Rickashay- I love this set up and want to copy it [emoji51] wondering if this is the ram mount you bought to do this ?

 

[rickashay]

Rickashay- I love this set up and want to copy it [emoji51] wondering if this is the ram mount you bought to do this ?

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Yah thats the one. I still have the suction mount too which I use in my other vehicle on another RAM mount (it works excellent too) but I like having the hard-mount with charging in the 4Runner.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yah thats the one. I still have the suction mount too which I use in my other vehicle on another RAM mount (it works excellent too) but I like having the hard-mount with charging in the 4Runner.

Thank goodness because I already order that and the USB port you have shown[emoji51] you did a great job on the setup and I will be using the hard mount design as well!


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[rickashay]

Been way too long since any new photos showed up in here. Getting the truck ready for camping season and ALMOST there.

This spring I had 3M installed on the mirrors, above windshield, up the a-pillars, under the headlights and also on the hood. I am happy to finally have some paint protection there to keep this thing looking nice for years to come. No action shots but was able to detail the truck today and thought I should grab a couple poser shots afterwords:


_08I1290.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr


_08I1288.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Can you spot the new mod? Kinda hope you can't... as that is kind of the intention I am trying to update the front end of the truck and I didn't want to go 06+ like everybody else. These headlights have been a long time coming and I am so pumped to finally have them done. I've got another cool mod coming soon for the front end too.

- Kioto OE Housings
- Lexus LS430 projectors
- Osram CBI bulbs
- Denso OEM Lexus ballasts (spare set currently sent away for potting)
- TSX-R clear lens swap with projector lens tuning by Winnipeg HID
- tinted amber reflector inside housings


_08I1284.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr


_08I1287.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

Also purchased one of these cool window cargo racks for the drivers side. Made by Element (RA Motorsports) it is very well made and looks great inside the truck. They offer a full interior cage for both windows and even behind the rear seats if your buying it to keep your dog (or cargo) firmly secured in the rear cargo area. I opted just for a single just to have a couple more places to mount & store things.


_08I1296.jpg by Addison Rickaby, on Flickr

 

[fihnguy]

A great looking Runner, man! Arguably the best one I have seen (there is no doubt it is in the top 3).

P.S. That bumper is the sexiest one created for the 4th gen to date, IMO.

 

[ianf5]

Awesome looking 4runner! I was wondering if you ever extended the brake lines seeing you did LT and brake line extensions weren't in the mods list.

 

[f250ben]

Awesome looking 4runner! I was wondering if you ever extended the brake lines seeing you did LT and brake line extensions were in the mods list.

Actually I'd also be interested in some more pics of what you did for the brake line extensions. About to install a Dobinsons LT rear setup myself, and the brake lines I got from Wheelers have given me major problems.

 

[bombventure]

Can you spot the new mod? Kinda hope you can't... as that is kind of the intention I am trying to update the front end of the truck and I didn't want to go 06+ like everybody else. These headlights have been a long time coming and I am so pumped to finally have them done. I've got another cool mod coming soon for the front end too.



- Kioto OE Housings

- Lexus LS430 projectors

- Osram CBI bulbs

- Denso OEM Lexus ballasts

- tinted amber reflector inside housings

Yes!!! That looks amazing! I’m glad I’m not the only one who prefers the 03-05 headlights.

 

[chris27]

I'd love to see a night time shot to see what the cutoff looks like on those Lexus projectors. Those are so sweet!

 

[rickashay]

A great looking Runner, man! Arguably the best one I have seen (there is no doubt it is in the top 3).

P.S. That bumper is the sexiest one created for the 4th gen to date, IMO.

Thanks a lot! Still a long ways to go but the Pelfreybilt front bumper sure makes the front end look good IMO.

Awesome looking 4runner! I was wondering if you ever extended the brake lines seeing you did LT and brake line extensions weren't in the mods list.

Actually I'd also be interested in some more pics of what you did for the brake line extensions. About to install a Dobinsons LT rear setup myself, and the brake lines I got from Wheelers have given me major problems.

I am running stainless extended rear brake lines. I forget where I purchased them... I wanna say Wheelers or Metal Tech Offroad. Haven't had any issues with the longer lines - I'll grab a photo next time the truck is on the lift at work. I'm swapping my MT rear LT coils out soon to some of the Dobinsons ones. Hoping to drop the ass end down an inch.

Yes!!! That looks amazing! I’m glad I’m not the only one who prefers the 03-05 headlights.

03-05 headlights FTW! Same with the square wheel wells... I have never been a fan of the rounded wheel openings on the 06+ for some reason, even when I had my previous 08' 4Runner.

I'd love to see a night time shot to see what the cutoff looks like on those Lexus projectors. Those are so sweet!

Soon my friend. Still a couple tweaks remaining. I think I bent one of my mounts during install that I need to heat and bend back. I had the projectors tuned as well with TSX-R clear lenses. Output has a awesome blue cutoff and the output width is insane. Even coming from my old LS460 projectors these things are just nuts!

I'll post output pics when everything is dialed in.

 

[Ed_C]

Didn't want to attempt quad projectors on your personal retro either?

 

[rickashay]

Didn't want to attempt quad projectors on your personal retro either?

Nope. Not worth the hassle, especially when we can have light bars and LED's for use with high beams

In all honestly though - you have to trim into one of the reflector mounting points to get the LS430 to sit where it needs to. I would not want the weight of a second projector leveraging on the skimpy 2 reflector mounts, especially consider the trimming required to get the LS430's in there. So many people don't consider that aspect. Over time, I would expect a dual projector system to fail if used extensively offroad. constant washboard (Baja perhaps?!) would probably rattle the reflectors right off there mounts with all that weight.

Besides... having LS430's is like having dual low beam projectors anyway (width wise at least!). Stoked to see yours installed Ed!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thank goodness because I already order that and the USB port you have shown[emoji51] you did a great job on the setup and I will be using the hard mount design as well!


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Piggyback on my comments above... I want to make my USB port to always have power regardless if the vehicle is turned on or not. I am wondering if you have any recommendations as to what I should tap into or should I just run wire to the battery ? I have thought about maybe tapping into the cigarette lighter wiring but don’t want to overload the circuit. Any recommendations?


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[rickashay]

Piggyback on my comments above... I want to make my USB port to always have power regardless if the vehicle is turned on or not. I am wondering if you have any recommendations as to what I should tap into or should I just run wire to the battery ? I have thought about maybe tapping into the cigarette lighter wiring but don’t want to overload the circuit. Any recommendations?


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Over the years I've always had too many items/mods to get power to, and therefore one of the first things I always do is ad some kind of auxiliary fuse block or panel at the start of all my builds. It just pays dividends later to have clean wiring and a place ready to accept incoming wiring modifications.

This is just a prime example, I ran straight to the battery to have constant 12V and not have to worry about a splice-job being insufficient. That's my vote

 

[Smokeshow69]

Over the years I've always had too many items/mods to get power to, and therefore one of the first things I always do is ad some kind of auxiliary fuse block or panel at the start of all my builds. It just pays dividends later to have clean wiring and a place ready to accept incoming wiring modifications.



This is just a prime example, I ran straight to the battery to have constant 12V and not have to worry about a splice-job being insufficient. That's my vote

Great minds think alike [emoji16] I did exactly that and could not be happier with how it turned out ! I completely copied your set up but tell people I got the idea from t4r ! I ran the wires through a plug in the firewall just above where the main harness goes through the firewall! I wrapped everything in convoluted tubing and now you would be hard pressed to know the difference between factory and aftermarket






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[Ed_C]

Dammit,I really need to get my 4th gen driveable and finally install my headlights. Did you figure out the rear rubber foot situation? I stopped by Lightwerkz recently and found some that fit.

 

[rickashay]

Great minds think alike [emoji16] I did exactly that and could not be happier with how it turned out ! I completely copied your set up but tell people I got the idea from t4r ! I ran the wires through a plug in the firewall just above where the main harness goes through the firewall! I wrapped everything in convoluted tubing and now you would be hard pressed to know the difference between factory and aftermarket


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Nice moves... clean install FTW! Glad it worked out for you.

Dammit,I really need to get my 4th gen driveable and finally install my headlights. Did you figure out the rear rubber foot situation? I stopped by Lightwerkz recently and found some that fit.

Do it Ed! Yes I think I may have found a solution using some PVC tube. I'll send you an email or text with my solution. Has been working great so far.