This is an awesome build, loving all the customization and niceties on the interior. I wish I had welding skills (or a welder, or a place to weld...)

Thanks! I just happened to move into a place that had a 2 car garage. I have done my time in apartments though so I feel your pain.

Here's a night shot of the lights! Very pleased now. Got the switches in this morning.

Well I had a busy weekend but it was productive as well. I knocked out all the maintenance that I had coming with lbjs and otrs. I did the tacoma set and felt the reduced turning radius but honestly I didn't think it is that big of a deal. Now it feels like my old tacoma lol. Also added the OME 906 springs to the rear and I am fairly satisfied with the lift on the 4runner. I have 99 coils up front and the ome 906s gave me about an inch of rake (with all of my junk loaded up in the back....around 150lbs??). Kind of shopping around for new shocks but there is no pogo stick action anywhere so it's not a rush. I really love the feel of the stock shocks so I wish they just came in a longer variety. I think some extra dampening up front would be nice with some 5100s but I am not sure I even need the tundra springs. I have a 4 banger that weighs a LOT less so I would assume that even using a lower perch would be harsh and over 2" of lift (my goal).





*I should probably post some pics huh*

Can you elaborate on this? I've never heard of the "Tacoma set" I'm assuming you mean the OEM Taco LBJ's and OTR's but where can I get more info on this idea.
Thanks!

So the theory and claim is that the tacoma lbj is larger than the 3rd gen 4runner. If it is larger it isn't by much but anything is an improvement if you ask me. There are many different opinions on this. Along with the lbj you have to install the outer tie rod from the tacoma. The attachment from the 3rd gen will not work (too small) the otr from the tacoma is certainly larger however it is not a part that goes out often anyway. Now the steering stop on the tacoma is larger than the 4runner so the turning radius is changed however I did not find it to be that big of a detriment to the handling of the 4runner. It still turns nicely but you can fix that problem with a grinder if you like. There's a thread I got all the information from but I am currently on my phone. Tacoma lower ball joint in the search engine should bring it up.

So an unexpected sale caused one more item to be built. I got the snorkel for 110 shipped. Honestly it was a nightmare to set up and it was time consuming to install and I had to modify it to work with the ditch light mounts.





I also did the Metra taco whip mod so now I have a permanent antenna instead. Reception is great with the Metra though.


I also had to modify the time capsule intake I made lol. A few parts from autozone made that wasy but time consuming.





So now I have a snorkel powered 3rz lol.
Only thing left is to find some pre-filter and stuff it in back of the snorkel top.

Here's a side view during the day that shows the new springs. My buddy says they're about dead even but I also have a lot of junk in the back so a little forward rake.

Where did you get the ditch lights at that are by the front windshield? Are they hard to install? thanks!

Cbi off road makes them. Well made and easy to install imo as long as you are mechanically inclined. The wiring was more frustrating for me than the install actually.

John, I must say its been quite the time watching your Runner go from the truck I used to curse for taking "MY" parking spot between our houses to where it is now. Even though I helped you with some of these and have watched you first hand on most, reading the thread definitely motivates me to hurry up on mine now. Give me a week or two and yours might not be the big boy on the block, lol. Good thread man, keep it up.

Thanks man! You have helped quite a bit and if I can lend a hand I definitely will. It all depends on when we get done with work for the day. You have a lot of good ideas and I'm looking forward to watching your truck develop.

Love the inside/rear hatch lights. I totally got the idea from your build a few weeks back and didn't even realize it was your build until I looked over it again today, haha. Getting ready to hook all mine up some time this weekend if I can find a spare hour or two.

For your welder, I highly suggest you upgrade from flux core to some sort of shielding gas. You will be amazed at how much better and cleaner it works. You can use straight C02 or "Mig Mix" which is 75%/25% mix of C02 and Argon. Honestly in a home setting you won't notice the difference between the two. I really suggest grabbing a 20lb bottle of C02. You can buy them for just a couple hundred bucks and like I said, huge improvement. I ran out of shielding gas a few months ago and tried to use flux core for fun and I couldn't even weld, haha. It is so hard compared to shielding gas. Plus a cool extra; if you get a 20lb bottle you can easily set up an easy mount in the back of your 4runner and then use it to fill up tires after a day on the trail. You can fill them up so many places, not just a gas supply. NAPA, keg stores, party stores, all kinds of places will fill your C02 tank. Shoot me a PM if you have any questions at all!

Great build, keep it up!!!

Definitely did not know that about shielding gas! I learned using it but when I ran flux I couldn't tell the difference. It could just be the desert wind blowing the gas off quickly. I priced out renting and decided that it was too pricy for my area. It's 45 minutes or so to the nearest gas supply but I can get co2 easily.

One question would be what size cylinder would a home guy like me need? I weld off and on about once a month and usually have the machine on for less than 10 min on any given project.

Glad you liked the lights! They were much easier than relays to wire up and a great addition. Just make sure you watch the clearance of the mounts. The distance the headboard drops down can be deceiving.

My next project is something I drew up in solidworks. A set of shackle hangers that replace the tow hooks in front and rear. I know there's a guy who makes them but I designed mine out of 3/16 cold rolled steel. Boxing and welding it together should prove as strong if not stronger than the solid steel......as long as my welds are worth a darn. This weekend I'm going to attempt a prototype if I get time. I'm waiting for the arrival of my second daughter. Therefore I have time.....but I don't have time lol.

nice build, its good to see guys who " go their own" and make their own stuff. i even like how you have made a lot of your own tooling. i wish i was not so stubborn or OCD or such a perfectionist... i probably could of saved myself thousands of dollars if i had done more of my mods from scratch like that. keep up the good work!