[gm350reratliff]

The correct cb antenna mount came in earlier this week so I started over with the cb install yesterday. I'm using the Comet HD-5 cb antenna mount. Right out of the box, I can tell this is a much more robust antenna mount than the Comet RS-720 that I previously purchased. The Comet HD-5 comes with 16.6 ft of coax cable already attached. The downside is you will have to scrape a little paint off in order to properly ground the mount and antenna. I used some di-electric grease so hopefully the rear door won't start rusting. As far as holding the coax cable to the door, I'm just using black gorilla tape.




I ran the cable up along the inside of the door and into the rear door wire harness boot. The other nice thing about the cable that comes with the Comet mount is that the connector comes apart so you can get it through tight spaces easier.




I routed the cable along with the OEM harness on the driver side. Originally, I was going to run the cable on the passenger side but I realized the cable was going to be too short. Hopefully, it doesn't pick up noise from the OEM FM antenna and my sub amp wiring.




I stole some ideas from T4R and the 120 site and decided to mount the cb radio inside the center console. This is all the coax cable that is left. Hard to believe that I used up all 16.6 ft. of cable from the rear door to the console. Originally, I estimated ( I thought I severely over-estimated) 18 ft but figured 16.6 would work.

[gm350reratliff]

Stealing from T4R and the 120 site again, I also mounted the external speaker in the cubby door.




This is all the trimming I had to do to fit it in. I did have to go to Ace Hardware and get longer screws for the speaker as well as trim off a lip on the speaker grill so it would fit snug on the front of the door.



Sitting in the front seat, you can hardly notice the speaker.

[gm350reratliff]

CB inside the center console.






4ft. Firefly antenna with a HD spring and a quick disconnect.

[gm350reratliff]

Loaded up and ready to roll out in the morning!

[gm350reratliff]

My dad and I finally had time (yeah I know, it's a little late) to go through all the pictures and video that we took during the FJ summit. I honestly didn't take too many pics because I was driving. Definitely thankful my dad was there to fill in as photographer. I'm also thankful my dad was able to go at all. Both me and him have been crazy busy the last few years so we haven't had a chance to hang out in a long time. This trip was the perfect remedy.

My 4th gen worked flawlessly but by the end of the trip I did have a couple LCA bolts loosen up just a little. The slight pop in the front end every now and then was the giveaway. I didn't find them loose until I returned home and went over everything with a torque wrench. I've never had that happen on this vehicle before so I'll definitely keep an eye on them in the future.

We took a ton of pictures but here are some of my favorites.








This was an interesting shot. Just as we pulled up to get pics of our rigs on "The Rock" heading up Imogene Pass, a crazy little thunderstorm with sleet rolls in. My poor dad was braving the storm trying to get a pic but this was as good as it was going to get. Unfortunately, we couldn't just sit and wait because the next group was coming up behind us.



Yes, that is ice on Lake Como, in July.



Can you spot my 4runner?

[gm350reratliff]

Between my work schedule and the weather, I haven't had a chance to properly wash my 4runner. Yesterday I was finally able to get a coat of wax on it as well.






A very rare occurrence that both my 4runners are able to get washed and waxed the same day. I can't remember when they were both this clean together.

[wadle5]

Love the look of your setup, and you again now have me wanting to do more mods to my truck.

Great pics from the meet, and jealous you got to go out and run those trails with fellow Yota fans!

. . . now I'm just going to go creep on your 5th gen thread. #extremelyjealous

[gm350reratliff]

Went for a quick drive up Mt. Taylor today and was greeted by some snow at the top. Not much but there's a good chance the mountains will get more snow over the next couple days. I know the mountain picked up a few inches last week but most of it is melted already. Unfortunately, I was stuck at work all last week so I never got to enjoy that storm. Here's some pics from today;





I went down the back side of the mountain (north side) on my way back to town. The snow and clouds eased up and the views were awesome as always.

[gm350reratliff]

Finally had a chance to install the quick disconnect rear sway bar links I purchased from @MStudt . It took a little to set them up properly but it seems worth it so far. I also rotated the tires since I had them off anyway. I'm not running a long travel rear suspension (hopefully soon) but there is just a hair more flex with these disconnected. Also, these links are longer and I think they fixed a clunk I was getting when flexing over rocks. Only time will tell I guess. So far they are super quiet, just like OEM.




Down travel with the links disconnected.

[ATOWN4R]

what grill is that?

[gm350reratliff]

OEM grill (center cutout) with amazon mesh, FJ 40 TOYOTA emblem. I also plastidipped the grill shell.

[gm350reratliff]

Look what the big brown truck dropped off today.



My KO2's have been perfect and still have a ton of tread left bu I have a fascination about running 255/80/17. Honestly, I should've just bought them last year when I purchased the KO2's but at the time I wanted to run the KO2 but I didn't want to pay the premium for the KO2 in the 34/10.50/17 so I went with 265/70/17. As for these KO2's, I already have them sold to a coworker of mine for his 2016 Tacoma.

Just a little taller.

[gm350reratliff]

Today I mounted up one of the 255/80/17 Coopers for a test fit. FWIW, I'm running some worn out 5100's on the third notch up with some partially sagged FJ Cruiser springs in the front and some sagging FJ Cruiser springs and Daystar 1.5" spacers in the rear. My observations and random thoughts so far are;

These ST Maxx are about 1.6" taller than my 265/70/17 KO2's when mounted on the same wheel, at the same pressure, without the vehicle weight on them.

The 255's are just a hair narrower (as expected) and would be great on a 6.5 or 7" wide wheel. These 7.5" TE wheels are probably the widest wheel I would run with these 255, again just my opinion.

They are close when turning but did not rub anywhere while lightly wheeling on my property but I will probably heat/push the front fender liner even more forward and chop the body mount just a bit. I didn't test fit on the rear but I don't think I will have any issues there.

I definitely like the look of a more "filled" wheel well.

I'm not sure how folks fit a 285 or 255/80 in the factory spare location. I knew it would be close but it really rubs on the track bar. I do have a couple of ideas that may get me just enough room so I may try those next week. I probably won't mount the rest of the tires until I can get a 255 to fit up there without rubbing the track bar.

This may push me to finally get a new rear bumper with a swing-out tire carrier. I like everything about the 4x4Labs rear bumper except the price. Any suggestions for a WIY rear bumper with tire carrier?

I'm still deciding on whether or not to let my local mom and pop tire store mount and balance the tires (they mounted one today without incident but they didn't balance it) or if I should haul them 100 miles and do it myself on my buddy's tire machine, or if I should go 80 miles and let Discount Tire do it.

Sorry, no pics today. I'll get some pics up when I finally install them.

[gm350reratliff]

I finally had a chance to get my 255's mounted today.





I had a little bit of rub on the front inner fender liner so I went directly home after the tire shop and heated, pushed, and re-drilled the inner liner as well as trim just a bit off the front bumper. Plenty of clearance there now. They are close to the cab mount but so far have not contacted it. I'll probably chop that down the road for good measure. The only place I seem to rub now is actually with the back tires when it is really flexed and they stuff in the wheel well. Luckily, it's a very minor rub that will probably go away by the time the tires are half worn.




I was also able to stuff a 255 in the factory location by cutting off a tab above the track bar that is used to center the OEM size spare. Unfortunately, this tab doesn't allow a 255 to sit up into the spare tire well and lets it hit the track bar. This tab also keeps the tire off the charcoal canister so in it's place but a little higher up, I welded a piece of 2" x 3/16" flat strap to keep the tire off the charcoal canister as well.



It's very close but it clears the track bar by about 3/8". In order for the 255 to sit up in the spare tire well, I had to let all the air out, get it into place, then refill the tire. It's a very tight fit and what I would consider the largest tire that could possibly fit there. A half worn 255 would probably fit no problem so I may do a 5 tire rotation until I reach that point.





The long term plan is to purchase or build a high clearance rear bumper with a swing-out tire mount. Hopefully, the OEM tire hoist is strong enough to hold this 255 up there for now.

As for the tires themselves, I like them so far. They're not as quiet as the KO2's but they are quieter than the KO's on my 5th gen. I wouldn't be surprised if these do get loud over time though. I have 40 psi in them and there is barely any sidewall bulge which leads me to think I could probably run them at 35 psi and be OK. For a Load Range tire these Coopers ride amazingly smooth, maybe even smoother than the KO2's. They handled the little bit of dirt and sand today with ease. I haven't driven on them enough to determine if these pull like some say they do or if the tire shop did an OK job on balancing. So far I'm a happy camper.

[gm350reratliff]

I finally got around to installing the RCI skid and filler plates today. I purchased these through a group buy last year but just never had time to put them on until today. The timing was good because I also needed to change the oil and install the Fumoto drain valve.