2014 T4R Expedition Build

[Mikefj40]

Hi all. After owning 3 vintage Landcruisers ('76 FJ40, '77 Iron Pig, '78 FJ40) I decided to join the 21st century. I bought a new 4Runner with the goal of touring Alaska this summer. It needs work before it's ready for The Last Frontier.

On the plus side, the Trail Premium edition is semi-capable right out of the box. In the first 7000 miles it's seen sand dunes, snow, washboard dirt and a few rocks.

On the down side the stock skid plates (or lack thereof) are as useful as aluminum foil pie pans. Voice recognition is worse than Siri and the Navigation system and maps are a joke once you leave the interstate. Oh, and I hate the stock Dunlops. 2 flats in 7k miles. New wheels and more appropriate tires on the list too.

The best addition so far has been a rooftop tent from Tepui Tents in Santa Cruz, CA. Next up are suspension lift, real bumpers (I have not found anyone making a rear bumper and rack for 2014 yet) winch, additional lighting.

The current project is removing the rear seats to make room for the fridge and water tank and building the drawer system. If anyone's interested I'll post progress pics.

 

[Speedy Gomez]

Sweet! :welcome: to T4R.ORG!

 

[ChrisTheSwede]

Nice! Please keep posting pictures, I'm really curious to see how you build the water tank. Welcome to the new century, it's an exciting one.

 

[arnoldys]

Nice! Please keep posting pictures, I'm really curious to see how you build the water tank. Welcome to the new century, it's an exciting one.

very nice . . . . :yo: :smokin:

<img src="http://www.bediro.com/images/4/w1.png" />

 

[markaidan]

There's nothing wrong with 20th century rigs, for sure. But welcome to the forum and to the 21st century of off-roading, because you certainly did so with a bang. That's a great truck you have there, man!

Keep us posted on the modifications. Some of us 4th gen guys like to troll all the other generation pages, too. I've actually owned (2) 2nd gens... (2) 3rd gens... and I'm currently in my second 4th gen, and I suspect there will soon be a 5th gen in my driveway if my wife gets her way again.

Welcome aboard!

 

[momo.75]

Welcome to T4R.ORG!.....:yo:

Can't wait to follow your build!

 

[Mikefj40]

Nice! Please keep posting pictures, I'm really curious to see how you build the water tank. Welcome to the new century, it's an exciting one.

So I've heard.

What I really miss is the dead simple undestructable mechanics of the FJ40. You could take it to a mechanic anywhere in the world and they'd be able to get you back on the road.

On the plus side I appreciate the creature comforts. You know, the little things like power steering and windows, A/C, carpet on the floors...

Mike

 

[Mikefj40]

But welcome to the forum and to the 21st century of off-roading, because you certainly did so with a bang.

I didn't mention that I'm converting my old '86 BMW R80RT into an R100G/S. I'll keep 2 wheels in the 20th Century for now.

I'm sending my wish list out for quotes from some locals here in CA and others out in Colorado. If there's a great T4R shop to do the work in the western states, let me know.

Mike
'14 T4R TE "Bunky"
'86 BMW R100G/S

 

[Hillbilly Mac]

The current project is removing the rear seats to make room for the fridge and water tank and building the drawer system. If anyone's interested I'll post progress pics.

You'd better believe it! I'm going to be getting ready to strip everything behind the front seats sometime this summer for my expo build, & I'd love to see your solutions.

 

[4Running Daily]

I didn't mention that I'm converting my old '86 BMW R80RT into an R100G/S. I'll keep 2 wheels in the 20th Century for now.

I'm sending my wish list out for quotes from some locals here in CA and others out in Colorado. If there's a great T4R shop to do the work in the western states, let me know.

Mike
'14 T4R TE "Bunky"
'86 BMW R100G/S

Demello and Bay Area Metal Fab could easily get the job done.

 

[markaidan]

I didn't mention that I'm converting my old '86 BMW R80RT into an R100G/S. I'll keep 2 wheels in the 20th Century for now.

I'm sending my wish list out for quotes from some locals here in CA and others out in Colorado. If there's a great T4R shop to do the work in the western states, let me know.

Mike
'14 T4R TE "Bunky"
'86 BMW R100G/S

I've seen that conversion... the RT does make a cool looking enduro bike.

I grew up riding a KX80, a YZ125 and a YZ250. I jumped on the street bike scene when I got my license and picked up a used VF500F Interceptor. I've owned about 10 other street bikes since that time - riding is also in my blood as much as off-roading! :thumb:

I wish I could help out with the wish list... I've lived on the right coast most of my life, so I wouldn't have a clue about any shops in that part of world.

Bunky, huh?

 

[Mikefj40]

I've seen that conversion... the RT does make a cool looking enduro bike.

Bunky, huh?

I was hit from behind twice in the last 18 months. The first was while sitting at a red light. The drunk (.14 at 4pm) behind me didn't stop. He was doing about 35-40 mph. After the bike (and me) was fixed I got nailed again. I was slowing to take a right turn and the idiot behind me tried to swerve around to the left. He caught my saddlebag and tailpipe. That's why I'm going with the conversion. I found a G/S frame, put on bigger cylinders to go from 80 to 100cc. Regeared the transmission with a lower 1st gear. Looking forward to getting onto n the trail.

Bunky, yeah. As in bunkhouse. I sleep in the tent on top. After the mods it will be Bunky Badass.