[T4Rchadly]

with the direction i want to take the 4runner, im going to need a body lift. its something i really didnt want to do but its something thats going to help me out in the long run. atleast i played it smart and tubbed without a body lift first!

this is a toytec 1 inch bodylift. it was very straightforward to install.. the only thing was i had quite a bit of leftover parts but i think thats due to the kit includes for 98+ 4runners.. anyways this is how it looks.. the gap is significant. im going to be redoing my rocksliders, fabricating my rear bumper from scratch, and doing some mods to the ARB bumper. i want a tube rear bumper in the future, but nows not the time..

i also found a driver mirror from when i flipped the 4runner at moab and decided to just bedline them with the same stuff thats on my rocker panels. they turned out pretty good! i sanded both mirrors with 80 grit sandpaper with a dual-action sander, cleaned & masked, and sprayed with "Raptor Liner" aerosol from autozone. its not a 2 part setup like how the rocker panels were, but i figured theyd get scratched and im probably going to break another mirror sooner or later again. this did just fine and so far its holding up as should. i let it cure for 2 days before installing them again



*BEFORE*



*AFTER*

[T4Rchadly]

the 4runner is starting to become more and more of a project as i wheel it or take it on a roadtrip/camping nearly every single weekend and needed a commuter.. so, i found a 2wd tacoma the same exact color as lucy.. lavender steel metallic. the plan is just to lower it 7", and notch the frame with some wheels. it has a bed, but its off so i can do my notch. i also ride my mountain bike around 60-70 miles a week and need to still bring my bike with me even without my bed, so i improvised




i found mustang GT wheels for it, and i also got clear tail lights, headlights, corners & turn signals. the stock tail lights are on until my bed gets put back on.


i recently went on a 2600 mile trip in 5 days, no issues just pure adventure! no issues at all. i went from SLC, utah to nevada, california & oregon..





ive started my new roof rack as i recenty sold my Sherpa matterhorn rack ( i absolutely loved it, just time for something new ) and got a trasharoo for an absolute steal ($15). the criteria is to hold my bike, a kayak, wood, a chainsaw, and an awning. it will probably end up similar to dirtco's (i get a lot of inspiration ideas from him) and put my own twist and needs to it.

speaking of wheeling.. these are some of the trips ive been doing.. this thing is really getting abused with dual lockers

[T4topher]

Originally Posted by T4Rchadly

with the direction i want to take the 4runner, im going to need a body lift. its something i really didnt want to do but its something thats going to help me out in the long run. atleast i played it smart and tubbed without a body lift first!

this is a toytec 1 inch bodylift. it was very straightforward to install.. the only thing was i had quite a bit of leftover parts but i think thats due to the kit includes for 98+ 4runners.. anyways this is how it looks.. the gap is significant. im going to be redoing my rocksliders, fabricating my rear bumper from scratch, and doing some mods to the ARB bumper. i want a tube rear bumper in the future, but nows not the time..

i also found a driver mirror from when i flipped the 4runner at moab and decided to just bedline them with the same stuff thats on my rocker panels. they turned out pretty good! i sanded both mirrors with 80 grit sandpaper with a dual-action sander, cleaned & masked, and sprayed with "Raptor Liner" aerosol from autozone. its not a 2 part setup like how the rocker panels were, but i figured theyd get scratched and im probably going to break another mirror sooner or later again. this did just fine and so far its holding up as should. i let it cure for 2 days before installing them again



*BEFORE*



*AFTER*

Looks good man! I don’t think the BL gap is that bad.. Feel the same way about body lifts but I ended up going with the same thing you got (was confused on the extra parts too). On the fence wether I want to raise my front bumper/sliders.. Even just tubbed for 35’s before the BL too! Lol

[T4Rchadly]

i personally cant stand it! i also want my rock sliders as high clearence as possible. if that means raising them only a full inch, im happy about it

[CT135]

What was the reasoning to go with a body lift? Tubbing the front and rear didn't provide enough clearance at full stuff?

[T4Rchadly]

Originally Posted by CT135

What was the reasoning to go with a body lift? Tubbing the front and rear didn't provide enough clearance at full stuff?

i didnt rub a single bit after tubbing both the front and rear firewalls. the reasoning is because i plan on going to 38" tires in the nearer future, and the reasoning is id have higher body clearance with my rear bumper im currently building. the front will get tubed and the ARB will be ditched after i get a few projects out the way. it rather have it still wheelable than looking ideal!!

[T4Rchadly]

well here we go! ive been planning out my rear bumper. its based somewhat off dirtco's bumper, but i changed quite a bit of stuff that i wouldve preffered, had other opinions on. this is what we came out with! turned out absolutely awesome, and insanely high clearence. this is out of .120 wall 1.75" DOM tubing. the entire unit weighs roughly 55lbs.











and lastly, my buddies rigs!



i went wheeling today to test out the new bumper. did great other than the 4runner being absolute beat!! i need another steering rack, and i need to change my clutch again. cant stand this new clutch setup i did, so im going to something less agressive.

[T4Rchadly]

theres still a little bit i need to do to the bumper but its mostly finished up. will post more updates soon

[Jps259]

Awesome build and killer story! I just purchased the same 1" BL for my 97'. How much of a pita was it really installing it?

[T4Rchadly]

Originally Posted by Jps259

Awesome build and killer story! I just purchased the same 1" BL for my 97'. How much of a pita was it really installing it?

it was very simple and easy. it took maybe an hour for me.

[T4Rchadly]

painted my rear bumper! i used the same raptor line stuff as my rocker panels. i also touched a few bumps and bruises from wheeling that has rubbed and scraped some of the coating off my areas where theyve been painted so it looks good now and no more rust-prone.




i also ordered another clutch and 2 LC shocks ( my rear left again has broken off. ive been driving with 3 shocks on my 4runner )

[T4Rchadly]

ive been driving without a rear shocks for the past 2 months lol. i had plans of chopping everything out and going to 14" coilovers thru the cab but ive been focused on enjoying things other than vehicles for a little bit. i just rock auto'd a new pair of KYB LC shocks and a new clutch setup. i hated that there was no modulation with my impact clutch and it burnt up far too fast offroading because of that. i tried a aisin pressure plate with an exedy disk. unfortunately it does seem too promising... well see how it does though..




ive also got a new bike rack so i dont have to climb al over the truck just to put my bike ontop. now that i dont have a roof rack just quite yet right now, i got something that i can take mine and my friends's bikes with! a yakima hangover 4. itll be perfect for my first year of downhill racing MTB in utah!




one of my bikes ive been riding a lot, my 2020 trek slash 9.9 build. ill be racing on a 2021 pivot phoenix carbon build

[T4Rchadly]

replaced my shocks, oil change, new clutch, got the skid plate back on. decided to go down to steamboat and go up rabbit ear pass this weekend. happy 4th

[Zingvs]

Definitely one of my favorite build threads on this site. Keep up the great work

[T4Rchadly]

Originally Posted by Zingvs

Definitely one of my favorite build threads on this site. Keep up the great work

thanks zing!