[T4Rchadly]

Originally Posted by MattJakobs

Catch up time...

Added the following and will be posting about them in the upcoming posts.

Added a roof rack built by a local fabricator. Mounted my awning, solar, and some plano cases to it. One case has most my tools (I'll still keep some more commonly used tools in my drawer system, info to come) and the other case will have spare parts and recovery gear.

great idea with the rifle cases! who makes them?

[MattJakobs]

Originally Posted by T4Rchadly

great idea with the rifle cases! who makes them?

They're 52" Plano Rifle Cases from Amazon/. They occasionally go on sale if you're patient - I was able to pick them up for $75/ea.

They have built in locks which is nice but also the option to add a separate lock, which I did on both cases.

They don't come with any convenient mounting options though, so I did have to drill them. Then I ran carriage bolts from under the roof rack, through the case, and fastened them down. Plus a healthy amount of sealant to keep them watertight from drilling. So far so good.

[MattJakobs]

Oh yeah, this happened. Ordered assembled 3rds from ECGS and got these swapped in sometime last month. Still in the break in period but damn, the 5.29s feel really good. As expected, I have high RPMs at highway speeds but I can already tell the low end power is so much better. Excited to go wheeling with these things. Pictures of the compressor mounting to come...

[theesotericone]

Originally Posted by MattJakobs

Oh yeah, this happened. Ordered assembled 3rds from ECGS and got these swapped in sometime last month. Still in the break in period but damn, the 5.29s feel really good. As expected, I have high RPMs at highway speeds but I can already tell the low end power is so much better. Excited to go wheeling with these things. Pictures of the compressor mounting to come...

So that's what your supposed to do with the little ARB sticker. lol

Did you do the anytime front locker mod?

[MattJakobs]

Originally Posted by theesotericone

So that's what your supposed to do with the little ARB sticker. lol

Did you do the anytime front locker mod?

Not yet but I've got the link bookmarked. Still sort of working on the install and want to make sure everything is right before I start modifying it. I've got everything hooked up except for running the airlines to the lockers. They're connected on the solenoid end but not to the lockers, yet. I should hit my 500 miles this weekend and I'm hoping I'll be able to run the airlines and change fluids next weekend. From there, I'll add the butt connector to make the lockers independent of each other.

[MattJakobs]

(Mostly) Finished up my new drawer project.
Story time... When we moved, the lady friend and I got a dog. Our old set up consisted of the fridge in the back seat with the dog,and two side by side drawers in the back with misc. supplies and gear stacked on top. This sort of worked but I felt bad for only giving the dog half of the back row when we went wheeling and/or camping. Well, quarantine hit and we got another dog. We had been talking about getting another dog within the next year but with the two of us working from home, we figured what better time than now. Having a second dog really made me get my ass in gear as far as building a new storage set up since I knew there was no way in hell our two dogs can split have the back row.
There's a few things I wanted to incorporate with this new makeover.
- A deeper drawer the same amount of items in one drawer
- Fridge Slide
- Locking Drawer Slides
- Compressor Mount
- Ability to make it a sleeping platform
- Box for subwoofer

And this is what I came up with...








I think I was able to achieve everything I set out for with this build.
- The drawer is the perfect size to carry all my more commonly used tools, as well as my hammock, misc. parts I want readily available, misc. camping gear, first aid kit, small axe, etc.
- My new compressor for filling up tires, and the front and rear air lockers is mounted on the forward facing part of the drawer box.
- I can easily add an extension from the back of the drawer box and over the compressor, into the back seat if I ever want to make a sleeping platform.
- Subwoofer box is in progress and will be mounted on the backside of the fridge

I still have a few things to do with cable management but really excited with how everything turned out. Ready to go put it to some use.

[MattJakobs]

Added some new Savage Skid Plates. My old 1/8" ones were busted and wouldn't fit without some big time hammering. Decided on these since they were thicker, stronger, and had more coverage with a batter fitment.

[MattJakobs]

Also added some new lights. Ditched my old Anzo HIDs and Caliraised amber lights for some VisionX Light Cannons and Rigid Dually D2 Driving Patterns with Amber LEDs. Huge improvement on both.

[MattJakobs]

And finally, did some wheeling this weekend. Camped out Friday-Sunday near Bass Lake in CA. Brought the dogs and had a blast, I'll definitely be back. No wheeling pictures but figure some scenic and dog pictures are better than nothing.

[MattJakobs]

Currently going under a big ol refresh to make sure she's good for some good wheeling in the Spring. And snow wheeling, if it's done and there's still snow on the ground

Front End/Suspension Related

• New LCA Bushings
• Total Chaos Spindle Gussets
• New OEM Wheel Bearings
• Alignment Cam Eliminators
• More Clearance Tires
• New OEM Wheel Studs
• Coilover Bottom Eyelets
• Strut Tower Reinforcements

Rear End/Suspension Related

• 12" Kings with Shock Hoop
• New Extended Rear Bumpstops
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Rear Diff Breather
• New OEM Wheel Bearings
• New OEM Wheel Studs
• New Adjustable Upper Links
• Panhard Correction Kit

Misc.

• Coastal Offroad Front Bumper
• Engo Winch
• Dual Cases
• Driveshafts
• Smaller Window Washer Reservoir
• All New Body Mounts
• Solid Engine and Tranny Mounts
• Vacuum Hoses in Engine Bay
• Alternator
• Sherpa/Prinsu Rack
• Modify Bottle Jack to Work with Impact
• Swingout Rework
• Add Table
• Raise/Angle Tire
• Add Hitch to Swingout
• Add Waterport Mount
• Add Propane Mount

Some of this list has already been knocked down on. Some of the items aren't totally necessary but the majority/all of the maintenance items will be addressed.
Front end currently has nothing frame out. Waiting on some parts, then reassembling. Then time for the rear.

[5VZ-FE]

Originally Posted by MattJakobs

Current

I think this is honestly my favorite picture of a 3rd gen 4Runner. I audibly went "Oooooohhhh" when I saw it.

Edit: I just read all 47 pages of this thread, so clearly I really like your build. I'm up in Napa, hope you're enjoying Norcal.

[MattJakobs]

Originally Posted by 5VZ-FE

I think this is honestly my favorite picture of a 3rd gen 4Runner. I audibly went "Oooooohhhh" when I saw it.

Edit: I just read all 47 pages of this thread, so clearly I really like your build. I'm up in Napa, hope you're enjoying Norcal.

Wow, that's quite the compliment, Thank you! I'm a fan of that picture too, but I may be a little biased

Definitely became a bit lazy with updating the build thread but I try and keep it updated if anything big happens.

NorCal is so far so good. Tons to see. I just relocated to Sac from Walnut Creek and I must admit - I'm happy to be out of the Bay and closer to the mountains. If you're ever up for some wheeling, let me know!

[MattJakobs]

Everything works.

[MattJakobs]

IMG_6548 by Cory Bechtold, on Flickr

Everything still works.
Some stuff in the making too

[Unner]

Looking good with the lockers, rack, snorkel, etc. How's California been? Looks like you've been enjoying it.