[GSPRunner]

It took me like, 5 minutes to think of a title for this thread. I think it worked out pretty well, right? I was thinking of maybe going with "GSPRunner's Non-Cookie Cutter Build Thread" or GSPRunner's Never Going to do a TDI Swap Ever Build Thread," but I ended up with this.

This isn't your usual build thread either, so I had to throw a couple of other words in there to make it more accurate. The truth is, I suck at documenting anything involving building my rig, so in this thread you won't find before/after photos, cute detailed write-ups, really nothing informative at all. Well, up until this point anyways. I just didn't want to get any grease on my iPhone or camera, really.

I don't have a name for my rig either. Everyone seems to have names for their trucks, I just don't. One is called old 4Runner, the other new 4Runner. I've only ever named one car that I've owned, and that was a 93 VW Corrado SLC affectionately called the "Black *****." She was black, and if you've ever owned Volkswagens, you'll figure out where the ***** came from. On the subject of Volkswagens, that's what I started out driving. I've owned MK3 Jetta and GTI VR6's, the fore-mentioned Corrado, and an 83 Rabbit. Fun cars. The Jetta was at one point supercharged, and ate more front axles than any IFS Toyota Truck, EVER. Diffs too. Was fun walking C5 Vettes and 996's on the highway though. I eventually sold all of those things, and decided I wanted something a little more truckish. I ended up with a 95 Nissan Pathfinder that I bought for cheap. It was a decent truck that took a pretty good beating, but there was a well known problem with their Automatic transmissions...they sucked ass and failed a lot. So that happened, and I found myself with my 1st Toyota, an 03 Tundra Access Cab, TRD 4WD. Phantom Grey. You know that one dog that you've had in your life, that you really felt like was your best friend? That was this truck. I loved that truck. I put an ARB Sahara bar bumper on it, Fabtech Suspension, and 35" Toyo MTRs. Then someone stole it, out of my cousins driveway. Never to be found again. TG for insurance, right. Rather than rush out and buy another new truck, I actually did something responsible, bought another cheap Pathfinder, and paid off a lot of my school loans. And finally, we've reached the main reason for this thread, my 2000 4Runner Limited purchased in 08 with 98k on it. I walked into a dealership I do work with, and saw it there, freshly traded in. Was a single owner, local vehicle with all records going through the dealership it was purchased from. I said to myself, "hey that's pretty clean" and then bought it.

So finally, a thread for it. I've become a lot more active on the forum, most of my posts are just giving people shit for not using the search function, oh wait that's BrianSD_42. I've thought about making one for awhile, and tonight was the night. I'm laid up with a bad back, and I've watched about everything that is on television. So I'm bored.

The objective behind my rigs is this. I want something to use for camping, hunting, fishing, dog hauling, and just general overland type stuff. I don't seek out to do a lot of rock crawling or aim to beat my rigs up. BUT, if an obstacle comes my way, I'm also not one to shy away from it. Shout out to everyone on here who has helped with advice, write-up's and inspiration. Special shout out to @A.Wilson013 for being such a big help and a good friend.

First picture:

image1 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

And years later, in it's current state:

26968649472_b9ca9e17ed_k by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

26459296083_61003e064f_k by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

25649668280_c10078f056_k by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

DSC_0111 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

Quite a transformation, huh? Here are the specs:

2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited V6 4WD

Drivetrain:
-3.4L V6, Original Engine 254,xxx Miles
-4 Speed Auto, Original Trans
-E-Locker
-4:30 Gearing
-1st Generation TRD Supercharger
-Denso IK22 Spark Plugs
-14" Magnaflow Muffler

Front End:
-King 2.5" Extended Coilovers w/ 14" 650lb Springs
-Total Chaos Uniball UCAs
-Safari Ltd Steering Rack w/ Poly Bushings
-Sonoran Steel Diff Drop
-Tundra 231mm Brake Upgrade
-OEM Rotors
-OEM Pads and Shims
-Napa Calipers
-Wheeler's SuperBumps
-Removed Sway Bar
-Bora 1" Hubcentric Spacers
-1/2" Fat Pat's Body Lift

Rear End:
-Radflo 2.5" External Reservoir Shocks
-OME 861 springs
-Sonoran Steel Adjustable Panhard Bar
-Toytec Bumpstop Extensions
-Extended Sway Bar Links w/ Poly Bushings

Wheels and Tires:
-Cooper ST Maxx 255/85-16(5)
-Stealth Custom Series F5's Gloss Black Finish(5)

Armor/Recovery:
-Tacoma ARB Front Bull Bar
-TJM Stealth 9000lb Winch w/ Synthetic Line
-CBI Hybrid Rear Bumper w/ Swingout
-Stubbs HKO Sliders
-Full RCI Aluminum Skid Plates

Other:
-CVT Mt. Shasta Roof Top Tent
-CVT 79" Awning
-IPF Dual Beam Lights
-Morimoto Mini Projector Headlight Retrofit
-3M Window Tint; 20% Front 2, 50% Over Rear Privacy Glass, 50% Windshield
-Diehard Platinum Battery
-Hi-Lift Jack
-Treds Recovery Boards
-Trasharoo
-Superflow MV90 Compressor
-Other Recovery Gear(Shackles, Tree Saver, Snatch Block, etc.)
-Weathertech Digital Fit Front Floor Liners and Cargo Liner
-Scan Gauge II
-Yeti 105

PLANS:
-Full Length Platform Style Roof Rack
-Skid Plates(Savage or RCI?)DONE
-Cut Front Fenders and Re-Located Flares
-35s?
-Go to 17" SCS F5s in Matte Gunmetal
-Re-Gear(4.88's Probably)
-URD 7th Injector/Smaller Pulley for TRD Supercharger
-Expedition Trailer
-Or Just Sell for a 100 Series?

I'm sure there will be more. Like most people on here, I "didn't want to do much" to this thing, and the rest is history.

OH. I have a 5th Gen too. So if you're like most people and you don't like seeing the ugly ass 2014+ 4Runner, shield your eyes, because it will make an appearance here and there on this thread.

Day One:

IMG_2353 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

Now:

IMG_3211 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

DSC_0284 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

DSC_0286 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

Yeah, I haven't done much, and it's going to stay that way most likely.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition Premium

Drivetrain:
-4.0L V6, 25,xxx Miles
-5 Speed Auto Trans

Front End:
-Revtek 3" Spacer

Rear End:
-Revtek 2" Spacer

Wheels/Tires
-17x8" Konig Six Shooters in Gunmetal Finish
-265/70-17 Load C BFG All Terrain KO's

Other:
-3M Clear Bra
-3M Window Tint, Front 2 20%, 50% Over Rear Privacy Glass
-3M Matte Black Vinyl Wrap on F+R Bumper Trim, Center Grill Bar
-Weathertech Digital Fit Floor Liners F+R
-Canvasback Rear Cargo Liner

PLANS:
-Possibly Bilstein 5100s, SAW rear springs down the road


Hopefully I'll be adding to this a lot, as that will mean more adventures and more modifications.

Hope you enjoyed my book.

[ben9105]

I love the look of your truck.

[A.Wilson013]

Originally Posted by GSPRunner

It took me like, 5 minutes to think of a title for this thread. I think it worked out pretty well, right?

Yeah man, that's a slick title. Very concise. Well done.

[AZBub]

How much chopping, pounding and what not did you have to do to go with the 255/85 tires?

[Unner]

Nice thread, I always like the pictures you and Alex post of your adventures together. Truck looks good, I like that you drive the 3rd gen more than the newer "nicer" 5th gen. I'm thinking about those same tires in a 255/80/17 for my next set as well.

[GSPRunner]

Originally Posted by AZBub

How much chopping, pounding and what not did you have to do to go with the 255/85 tires?

None. Zero. Zilch. Ran 285s before and had minor rubbing but really only rub on the flares at full stuff with the 255s. I forgot to put it in the specs but I'm also running 1" Bora spacers with my 4.5" BS F5s and still hardly any rubbing

[GSPRunner]

Originally Posted by Unner

Nice thread, I always like the pictures you and Alex post of your adventures together. Truck looks good, I like that you drive the 3rd gen more than the newer "nicer" 5th gen. I'm thinking about those same tires in a 255/80/17 for my next set as well.

Thanks man. I think this thread will be mainly for photography purposes. I broke one of my lenses awhile back so I need to get a new lens, or maybe a new camera all together. I don't like posting iPhone pics.

The 5th Gen is nice, but it's not a keeper. I really want a pickup, so I've been thinking about trading it for a new Taco, because they've really been growing on me. And they have sunroofs, which is a must for me.

[Unner]

Originally Posted by GSPRunner

Thanks man. I think this thread will be mainly for photography purposes. I broke one of my lenses awhile back so I need to get a new lens, or maybe a new camera all together. I don't like posting iPhone pics.

The 5th Gen is nice, but it's not a keeper. I really want a pickup, so I've been thinking about trading it for a new Taco, because they've really been growing on me. And they have sunroofs, which is a must for me.

Fair enough, your truck is already pretty well built, time to use it! I'm hoping that's what my thread will turn into eventually as well.

I hadn't had a real camera after mine broke a couple years ago and just bought a kinda nice one earlier this spring. It's amazing how good a picture they can take, especially when comparing to a modern cell phone.

The new Tacos are growing on me too, with a little modification to get rid of the few things I don't like stock I would drive one. I really like that quicksand color they come in now too. I'll keep rocking the 3rd gen for a long time though. That's the one thing I wish mine had is a sunroof.

Edit: I also wish mine had a locker...

[DizzyDoyle]

@GSPRunner Awesome 4Runner(s)! Glad you have a thread for all of the pictures from the amazing adventures. Sub'd!

[GSPRunner]

Went to the NW Toy Run for Toys for Tots with @A.Wilson013 . Fun event for a great cause. Decided to humiliate my dogs and get them in some festive outfits.

[GSPRunner]

Had a little weekend getaway with the old lady up to San Juan Island. Insanely windy, but added to the experience in my opinion.

image3 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

image2 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

image1 by Joe Bonogofsky, on Flickr

[crowdad]

Just got directed to your thread for your headlight retro fit. Looks good! I never have liked the look of most of the HID retrofits but like Unner said yours is very close to stock.

Love both 4runners! I have my 3rd gen and we also have the 5th Gens cousin the GX460.

Nice Pictures! How do you like your Cooper ST Maxx tires btw?

[GSPRunner]

Thanks man. I saw the post @Unner tagged me in about my retrofit and I was honestly in the same boat as you. I wanted the performance of an HID projector, but wasn't a fan of how most of the retrofits looked. So I went with the Morimoto mini and did nothing to the reflective shroud and I like the way it came out.

I do like my ST Maxx's. I had KM2s before like you have and I really liked those as well. But I wanted something that performed better in all conditions so I went with more of a hybrid all/mud terrain with the ST Maxx. I've had it in pretty much every condition and it has performed admirably. They are a step behind the KM2's off road in mainly rocks and loose dirt, but they do well enough.

Jealous on the GX, if I would do it over again I'd get a 460 and not the 5th Gen.

[Fishwerks]

I'm just here for the GSPs.

[GSPRunner]

Originally Posted by Fishwerks

I'm just here for the GSPs.

As you probably already know, you're in the right place.