Im new to this forum but not new to 4runnners. This is my 2nd 4runner. Previous was a 1997 sr5(sold it to buy a diesel truck). I liked that 4runner so I bought a 1998 Limited last spring. Bought it with:
-199,998 miles
-factory E-Locker
- 3" lift,OME Springs and Shocks all around plus 1" top spacers(total of roughly 3"
-Shrockworks front bumper
-Unknown brand sliders
-Magnaflow cat-back
-other random little things

When I bought it, it also had 17" wheels w/ smaller general grabber stx tires which are more of a pavement tire in my eyes. I knew they had to go. I ended up buying a set of 07 16' TRD Tacoma snowflakes for dirt cheap and painted them gray. I also needed 1.5" hubcentric spacers for proper fitment. I wrapped them in 265/75r16 Kanati Mud Hogs which I had laying around. Which by the way are an awesome tire.




Then it was time to go try out the new tires. Went for a nice little drive 3 miles into the woods with a friend his his 94 Pickup.



Which ended like this....

Got into a soft spot and sank up to my nuts. 4 hours later and 5 gallons of bug spray it was finally out.

I have wanted the extra rear ground clearance because the trailer hitch/stock bumper always drags. I am a college student so I have zero money to buy anything like a rear bumper to match the front Shrockworks. Besides I cant justify spending so much on something so simple, with that being said I decided to make my own.

The parts list consists of:
-x1 1/4" 3"x3" square tube
-x1 3/8" 6"x30" Flat bar stock
-x1 3/16" 4'x4' sheet
-x1 1/8" 10"x36" sheet
-x1 Weld in reciever hitch
-x2 3/8" Clevis D-Rings

I first boxed the end of the frame with 3/16 and welded a 5/16"nut on the inside.


Next I figured out the frame rail mounting. Used 3/8" thick flat bar with some angle mounted which bolts to the frame as well as to the end of the frame where I welded the nut. I dont have a picture but you will sorta see in the next pic.

I mounted the 3x3 square tube in the center of the frame rail welded to the 3/8 plate. I then capped the square tube on each end after I had welded the tube to the plate. I decided I was going to make the right "wing" first and duplicate the dimensions for the left side. I made it out of cardboard.


I then took some measurements followed by drawing them out on the 3/16" plate. And here is the right wing tacked together.


I then decided to finish the center section with the square tube before I started the left wing. I welded the receiver hitch to the bottom of the square tube. Gusseted the receiver with 3/16" plate and used 1/8" plate to put and angle off the bottom of the square tube.

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