[dwmckeehen]

Hi all,

You have heard it before, I have been lurking for months, getting ideas and using this site to help diagnose and repair our rig for months now. After getting some serious work done recently, I want to show what you folks have motivated us to do so far.

This picture is of our 2000 4runner Limited right after we bought it in 2013 with 148000 miles on her.




Here is what she looks like today. (Finally got around to getting the running boards removed).

The first mod we did was to build and install a custom storage / sleeping platform. My minimum requirements for the design is that it could be easily removed when needed, the back section with the drawers could stay in the truck with the back seats up, and the sleeping platform could work with the back seats down or with the back seats completely removed so we could use the space for storage during longer trips. It also had to fit the two of us AND two dogs!





Click here to see more information on building this sleeper platform

Our rig during one of the rides at the NW Overland Rally 2015 in Plain, WA. Boy did we get some ideas on that trip!




Our first major modification after the Rally was to get an ARB front bull bar installed, and to replace the worn suspension system with Old Man Emu 881s and 906s with matching Nitrocharger Sport Shocks.

Thanks to Mule Expedition Outfitters located in Issaquah for the great advice and installation.

Starting to look good!






The next thing we did was give her some new feet....265/75-16 BFG All Terrain T/A KO2s. Immediately after purchasing these, I got busy replacing the stabilizer bar bushings and links, the inner and outer tie rods and the lower ball joints. I bought all OEM parts, and did the work myself, thanks to the great write-ups on this forum. Once we got the alignment done after my work, we hit some roads. WOW! What a difference! I am LOVING what we have done so far!





Time for an update...

In December 2015, my water pump went belly-up. I had the rig towed to my local mechanic, and had him replace the timing belt, tensioner and crankshaft seals, even though the timing belt still had awhile to go. In addition, I had the mechanic install a large transmission oil cooler to prevent the pink milkshake issue.

Now, here is where it got tricky. I told him of our future winch plans. The winch I wanted is the Comeup SealGen2 9.5rs winch, which is larger than the Warn winches that fit in the ARB bumper. The mechanic was concerned about putting the transmission oil cooler in front of the condenser, because of the room the winch would take up. So, he ordered a large (10" H x 15 7/8 L") Hayden high performance transmission oil cooler, moved the radiator back just slightly, and sandwiched the transmission oil cooler between the condenser and radiator. This saved room for the ComeUp winch in the front. I posted about this, and got conflicting opinions on the intelligence of this move, but in the end I am glad I did it. The general consensus from many on this site, other mechanics and the folks I talked to at Hayden is that while the cooler won't operate at peak efficiency, it will still improve temps over the stock set up, and there is no chance of ending up with a ruined tranny due to the pink milkshake issue.

Next up, installation of the dual battery system and the winch. Both installed by the awesome folks at Mule Expedition Outfitters.

Dual battery system....Custom battery tray made by Mule Expedition Outfitters. 2 brand new Odyssey Deep Cycle Dual Purpose Batteries. Blue Sea Charging Relay System. Victron Dual Battery Monitor.

The short and sweet of it is that when I start the rig, the charging relay system charges the starting battery first, then switches to charging the auxiliary battery. When the engine is not running, the relay isolates the batteries, which means that future electronic devices running off the auxiliary battery will not run the starting battery down. I can monitor all sorts of data about both batteries with the battery monitor, mounted underneath the radio. This system was installed, because we will be purchasing an ARB refrigerator and lighting soon, which we can run without worry when we camp. We will soon be also purchasing a 90 watt solar power system. Recharging electronics, running lights and the refrigerator will be no problem.



We chose the Comeup SealGen2 9.5rs for several reasons. I wanted a synthetic line, this winch comes with a good system to keep the drum from overheating and damaging the line. It comes with a remote, and can run completely submerged in water. It is rated as high as any Warn winch we could have purchased, and it will serve us well.



Soon to come - Tundra brake upgrade.

[Brilliant]

Psssst...your running boards are still on. reminds me of how mind looked when I got it.

[dwmckeehen]

Originally Posted by Brilliant

Psssst...your running boards are still on. reminds me of how mind looked when I got it.

Hahaha. Yeah, I know. They will be off soon. By the way, I really appreciate your well thought out, detailed build thread. Just spent enough time going through it that I am now very late for work. That page took a lot of work and it gave me a gazillion things to think about. It is guys like you that got me enthused about starting my build, and has helped me get the tools out and have the confidence to start learning and turning wrenches.

[GSPRunner]

Nice start!

[Gadgetguy]

The platform/storage area is very cool, good work. If it were me I'd add feet to the bottoms of the supports behind the front seats to create more stability and to be easier on the carpet. That's not a negative criticism just an idea I'm floating out there. Your runner is beautiful and you made it one of a kind.

[dwmckeehen]

Originally Posted by Gadgetguy

The platform/storage area is very cool, good work. If it were me I'd add feet to the bottoms of the supports behind the front seats to create more stability and to be easier on the carpet. That's not a negative criticism just an idea I'm floating out there. Your runner is beautiful and you made it one of a kind.

Agreed on the feet. Right now, they do have the plastic end caps on them that came with the pipes to protect the threads, duct taped on, but I like the idea of putting better feet on them. Thanks!

[Asaspades93]

I am currently building a cargo box/sleeping platform and I like how the front section of yours folds back. My main concern was how to store the front section when its not in use and I think you have a really good set up for it

[JayRolla]

Love the drawer setup. One day I will build one.

[JoeBand]

i made a platform for my 2nd gen... the front section was detachable, so when you wanted to set up the seats it just slid backwards to the rear section. it rested aft on a lip from the rear support section and rested front on the upturned seat backs. worked well, and i'd guess the same set up would work in a gen 3.

[dwmckeehen]

Originally Posted by Asaspades93

I am currently building a cargo box/sleeping platform and I like how the front section of yours folds back. My main concern was how to store the front section when its not in use and I think you have a really good set up for it

So, as you can see from the pictures the front section is detachable and folds in half. When the back seats are up, I pull out the front section, remove the legs, fold it in half and throw it in the cargo area with the legs stored in the drawers. Of course, if at home and not planning a trip for awhile I store the front half in the garage.

[farmerjon]

Really good start! Looks like a solid vehicle to start with and 148k seems like low miles nowadays! Looks good!

I did a sleeping platform early on as well. But I didn't do a good job the first time around, I would have liked to have the front fold back onto the rear section. Mine disconnects, but those connecting clamps don't keep it together well on mine. I like how sturdy it looks and the leg idea!

Keep it up!

[dwmckeehen]

Not really a "mod", but definitely some equipment that is designed to upgrade our experiences while on the trail. Just picked up this ARB air compressor and tire inflater, and a nice snatch strap just in case.

We are headed to Utah tomorrow for three weeks of camping and exploration. First stop, the San Rafael Swell. See everyone in three weeks!

[Trialrun]

Love what you've done so far

[absalom]

How do you like the OME shocks? Did you consider other brands?

[dwmckeehen]

Originally Posted by absalom

How do you like the OME shocks? Did you consider other brands?

First of all, I need to qualify my answer by saying that the suspension system we replaced was so shot that I would be raving about the new system if we replaced the old with springs off of a baby bouncy seat. Having said that, I LOVE the OME shocks.

We did do a lot of research prior to selecting what we did, and talked to a lot of people, and chose this system because of our specific needs. We like to get off road in the Utah / Arizona back country and camp for days at a time with our dogs. With us, the dogs, all that water and equipment, we get pretty weighed down, which is why we went with the heavier duty back equipment. If I wasn't so loaded down with stuff so often, we probably would have gone with the medium load in the back.

The ride is a little stiff when not weighted down, but not bad and it still feels solid and tight. On dirt, we are sailing through roads at 35 mph that we used to have to slow down to 5. I obviously can't compare our OMES to something else, but getting that suspension system in and doing the front end work I did was the best improvement I have felt on any used car I have ever done something on. Great improvement.