05 V8 Desert Runner build

[Sam2393]

I picked up my first 4Runner last summer! I haven't gotten around doing much to it, but I recently moved to Arizona, so I am definitely going to start modding this thing.
The plans are to make it an overland expedition vehicle. Something I can take on long trips where I wont see pavement for awhile, and where I will be able to camp out of and be able to store gear and other stuff.

This is how it looked when I got it:

This is how it looks as of today (7/22/17):

So far, I have painted most of the frame with por15 to make it look better, plus to prevent rust. I have removed the running boards for better ground clearance.

I put on 265/70/17 BFG mud terrains on today. Took it out to the trails and they did very well!

I have a double din radio going in Tuesday.

 

[Sam2393]

Just updated the images in here to a new hosting site since photobucket is now lame as hell and charges for an upgraded account now.

 

[Sam2393]

New radio is in, and looks great! It comes with a backup camera, which is great!

 

[Legender]

Starting out nicely.. huge change from NY to AZ I'm sure. Maybe not so much need for rust protection.

 

[Sam2393]

Starting out nicely.. huge change from NY to AZ I'm sure. Maybe not so much need for rust protection.

Thanks! And yeah, I have always loved AZ for as long as I can remember. NY is the land of no...lol! And yep, aint much rust out here at all.

 

[Sam2393]

So, I actually ended up moving back to NY because of personal reasons. It sucks, I miss AZ. I'll possibly go back one day, but sh!t happens...

Anyway, I added LED pods on the hood. I plan to get brackets once I can find a sport hood, so these should do for now. And, I added a small bar where the front license plate bracket was.

I also added a roof rack too! And yes, it is fun having rocks to flex on in my yard.:laugh:

 

[Sam2393]

I need to figure out how to resize these, they are way too big.:help:

 

[Flash Runner]

I need to figure out how to resize these, they are way too big.:help:

I'm not sure what photo sharing site you're using, or if you're on Mac or PC. I imagine though the process will be pretty similar across the board

Most people on here (to my knowledge) re-size their photos in whatever editing program they use. I'm not personally into photo quality all that much so I use Mac's Preview to resize my pics.

Steps are as followed:
1) with the photo window open, select the "Tools" tab on the upper ribbon
2) The drop down should show "Adjust size.." click it
3) another window should pop up with sizing options

I've found 800x600 pixels are a good decent size on a standard page on here. So just type that into the HxW boxes, or in the drop down 800x600 might be a preset size to choose from. I know this process might differ slightly based on the program being used, but hey, at least I offered my $0.02 .... :blah:

Sorry to hear about you having to move back to NY. I got a lot of family up there and I prefer to visit not live there. Hopefully that doesn't discourage you from keeping up on the 4Runner and updating this page!

Also, have you lifted your ride yet? If not, that's some interesting stock flexing :thumb3:

 

[Codywilsonfishing]

Lookin good

 

[Sam2393]

I'm not sure what photo sharing site you're using, or if you're on Mac or PC. I imagine though the process will be pretty similar across the board

Most people on here (to my knowledge) re-size their photos in whatever editing program they use. I'm not personally into photo quality all that much so I use Mac's Preview to resize my pics.

Steps are as followed:
1) with the photo window open, select the "Tools" tab on the upper ribbon
2) The drop down should show "Adjust size.." click it
3) another window should pop up with sizing options

I've found 800x600 pixels are a good decent size on a standard page on here. So just type that into the HxW boxes, or in the drop down 800x600 might be a preset size to choose from. I know this process might differ slightly based on the program being used, but hey, at least I offered my $0.02 .... :blah:

Sorry to hear about you having to move back to NY. I got a lot of family up there and I prefer to visit not live there. Hopefully that doesn't discourage you from keeping up on the 4Runner and updating this page!

Also, have you lifted your ride yet? If not, that's some interesting stock flexing :thumb3:

Thanks for the tips man! And yeah, it sucks but I guess it is all part of life. I am most definitely going to be continuing on with my build with the same exact plans I have.
She is not lifted yet, however I must agree I can get some pretty good flex out of it on those rocks in my yard....basically a free RTI ramp whenever I need, lol.
I am trading my lifted Chevy for a stock height Chevy so that will be one less project to worry about so I can focus on the 4Runner.

Other plans are to include:

-Rock Sliders
-Full undercarriage armor (the stock ones SUCK)
-Front bumper with winch
-Rear bumper with winch
-Roof rack accessories
-interior work for overlanding/camping

 

[Sam2393]

Update, it's getting lifted! Thank god for tax returns!

Ordered:
Bilstein 5100s Adjustable up to 2.5" front and 2" rear
Toytec superfex rear coils
Toytech/Eibach front coil lift springs
Spidertrax wheel spacers
SPC Adjustable UCA's

I'm going to stay with my BFG mud terrains 265/70/17 untill they wear down then I am going to go to 285/75/16 cooper discover STT pro with raceline wheels.

 

[Sam2393]

Update!

Everything for lift is here with the exception of the UCAs which should be here today if the weather allows. Going to be installing everything this weekend if the weather is decent.
Planning to move back to AZ but do not know when now that what i was dealing with before hand has passed.

 

[Sam2393]

The weather was decent for once yesterday, so I got the rear coils in along with the new shocks. The old ones were in bad shape, and I had to cut the top bolts on each to get them out.

 

[Nmac65]

I really like the build man! Just curious as to how often or where you could go off roading in NY? Id hate to have a fantastic build and never get to put it to use.

 

[Sam2393]

I really like the build man! Just curious as to how often or where you could go off roading in NY? Id hate to have a fantastic build and never get to put it to use.

Thanks!!
On Long Island where I live, there is nowhere legal to wheel, unless you like getting beach sand and salt water all over your rig from the beach (which will slowly eat away at your truck). Upstate NY has some small things, but all the good trails are not in NY, which sucks.

I'll be happy when I move back out to AZ where I can really put this thing to use like I did.

 

[Sam2393]

With the help from a friend, we got the front part of the lift done! All i need to do now is get it aligned properly and have it all looked over to make sure everything is secure and tight!

The front is definitely sitting lower. I am hoping that the rear coils need to settle so the truck can be level. On the 5100s i left it on the lowest perch at "0".

 

[Sam2393]

Replaced my stock headlights with aftermarket ones with LED's in them. They look great! The truck is basically where I want it to be, for now.

Needs a good inside and out detail, and a repaint of the roof rack and trailer hitch.

 

[Sam2393]

Trailer hitch painted, and detailed.

Some idiot hit my bumper in a school bus, so I ordered a front bumper from RPM Fab.

 

[Sam2393]

Went out to work Friday morning to find that my tire was flat. I had it fixed, but I decided to go out and look for a new set of wheels and tires.
Settled for a set of 295/70/17 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro with what I beleive are Cragar wheels. Got them all, plus a spare with matching wheel for...just 1k! What a deal, especially since they were basically brand new, with the spare never even used!

These are pretty big for about 2-2.5 lift, so they rubbed bad in the font. I chopped the front bumper and part of the fender flare, inner lining and some metal, however I am still hitting the body mount. I am going to cut down the body mounts untill I can get a decent turning radius without bad rubbing. I know I wont get rid of the problem 100%, but if I can decrease the rubbing a little I will be happy.



EDIT: Did some research, and ordered some spacers from Toytec.

 

[Sam2393]

Pulled the roof rack off to sand it down and give it a fresh coat of paint.

While it is drying, I gave the roof a quick compound. I am going to polish it too before the rack goes on. It looks somewhat better than before. You can see the comparison.