4Running4Adventure's '05 SE V8 4x4 Build

[4Running4Adventure]

Hello everyone, first time Toyota 4Runner owner here...finally took the plunge when I found a clean 2005 SE V8 4x4 with 107k and excellent service history listed for a reasonable price a few hours away at a Toyota dealership in north Georgia. I'm upgrading from a 2005 Honda CR-V that I built a camper conversion in...it was a good little vehicle but felt I reached it's limit, so it was time to take the step to something more capable...enter the 4Runner.

I've been building a list of upgrades/mods that I want to do, eventually I plan to build a camper conversion inside the 4Runner. Some things I plan to address immediately though is the A/C drain line, interior LED lights, new stereo headunit, and seat covers. I'm leaning towards the Gobi roof rack to replace the stock roof rack, I do plan on getting a lift but still undecided on exactly which way to go though I'm thinking 5100 Bilsteins with OME coil springs, also might add some armor to the undercarriage, however I'm not sure if I'll go with any aftermarket bumpers at this time.

Some pictures of the new and old builds, I'm posting some pictures of the CR-V build to give an idea where I want to go with the interior of the 4Runner build.

New Build: 2005 Toyota 4Runner:

Old Build: 2005 Honda CR-V:

Old Build: Inside the CR-V:

6/20/20 Update: It's been awhile since I posted anything here but I have been pretty busy working on the 4Runner... In April I had a dreaded sunroof/moonroof malfunction where it jammed in the open position, unfortunately my local Toyota Dealer did nothing to close it and tried to sell me on an assembly replacement, which they quoted $1100 for a used assembly or $2100 for a new one. I found one at the local junkyard in working condition for $150 pulled, so I did the repair myself...then decided to unplug the motor and silicone seal the damn thing closed. I've also installed a new roof rack, mounted my ARB awning as well as a fishing rod carrier to the top of it. Lastly, I removed the cargo shelf and backseats in preparations for the camper conversion I will be building inside.

The Red Runner as of 6/20/20:

 

[apohl17]

It's a solid CR-V you had! Welcome to the 4Runner world :rapture:

 

[4Running4Adventure]

Yeah, I need to go back and clarify that post. I posted my CR-V build pictures to give an idea of what I eventually plan to do with the 4Runner build. I finally ordered my first couple of mods/additions for the 4Runner, the Victory 4x4 molle storage panels for the rear windows...also looking to order a Raingler cargo net. I noticed both of those companies have a presence on the forums and active in the community, which was a deciding factor in buying their products.

 

[apohl17]

[MENTION=439084]4Running4Adventure[/MENTION] No worries man! It's neat to see another vehicle on here once in a while, and I'm excited to see the Runner built up as much, if not even more adventurous than your last rig. :cheers:

Oh, and one more ting - check out the [MENTION=413201]SherpaEquipmentCo[/MENTION] racks before you go out and buy a Gobi... :bolt:

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

That thing looks super clean nice find man!

 

[4Running4Adventure]

[MENTION=439084]Oh, and one more ting - check out the [MENTION=413201]SherpaEquipmentCo[/MENTION] racks before you go out and buy a Gobi... :bolt:

I've been looking at a lot of the roof rack options for the 4th Gen 4Runner from Prinsu Designs, SherpaEquipmentCo, BajaRack, ARB, Victory 4x4, and the Gobi. The low profile of the Prinsu, Sherpa, and Victory roof racks will limit my usage as I've seen there's only a little more than an inch clearance on those particular racks in the center of the rack because of the shape of the 4Runner's roof line. Plus, I don't have the need for a low profile roof rack since I have no plans for garage parking. I think the Gobi rack gives me the most utility, however with their asking price I'm just having a tough time pulling the trigger on one.

 

[apohl17]

Gotcha! Well I'm glad you put your nose to the grindstone and are doing your research. You are 100% right though, a rack is only as good as the purpose you want it for. Gobi's are definitely going to be one of the more "basket-esque", persay, but $$$$$ and a fairingly long wait. If only the forum guys would magically list up a WMM rack for ya...

 

[4Running4Adventure]

Gotcha! Well I'm glad you put your nose to the grindstone and are doing your research. You are 100% right though, a rack is only as good as the purpose you want it for. Gobi's are definitely going to be one of the more "basket-esque", persay, but $$$$$ and a fairingly long wait. If only the forum guys would magically list up a WMM rack for ya...

I could probably stomach the price of the Gobi more if I didn't have to buy the sunroof insert for another $250 on top of the $1,595...though I've read they periodically run sale promotions that include a free accessory with the purchase of a roof rack, hoping to see that sometime soon.

In the meantime I figured I would focus on the interior cargo area first, though I'm not sure if I want to go with a platform and cabinets in the back of the 4Runner like I did in the CR-V. I did find it interesting that the cargo area (back door to the front seats) in the CR-V is taller, however the 4Runner is longer and wider.

 

[4Running4Adventure]

Was making my first upgrade/mod to the 4Runner today... I ordered the Victory 4x4 Rear Window MOLLE Panels, they came in last week and finally got around to attempting the install today. I say attempt, because unfortunately the top mounting bracket on the panels don't line up with the pre-existing mounting point in my 2005 4Runner. I've contacted Victory 4x4/JCR Offroad about the issue so we'll see how that works out. I'm a bit bummed though, they look good in there aside from the top mounting bracket being off point.

 

[volkinator]

Looks like the one for the 'double hook' rear... there are two different setups in the rear of the 4th gens.

 

[4Running4Adventure]

Looks like the one for the 'double hook' rear... there are two different setups in the rear of the 4th gens.

Yeah, after corresponding with the Victory 4x4/JCR Offroad tech support, they weren't aware that there were two different hook placements in the 4th Gen. Apparently 03-05 has different hook placements than the 06-09 models. So I was told once they get an 03-05 in the shop they'll work on making the needed changes to cover the differences in the 4th Gen.

 

[apohl17]

Was making my first upgrade/mod to the 4Runner today... I ordered the Victory 4x4 Rear Window MOLLE Panels, they came in last week and finally got around to attempting the install today. I say attempt, because unfortunately the top mounting bracket on the panels don't line up with the pre-existing mounting point in my 2005 4Runner. I've contacted Victory 4x4/JCR Offroad about the issue so we'll see how that works out. I'm a bit bummed though, they look good in there aside from the top mounting bracket being off point.

The panel looks great, but yeah, that top mounting point is WAYYY off! Hope hey get you squared away asap... In the meantime, might you be able to re-position that bracket to one of the holes between the molle openings and at least temporary affix the top??

 

[montijo505]

The panel looks great, but yeah, that top mounting point is WAYYY off! Hope hey get you squared away asap... In the meantime, might you be able to re-position that bracket to one of the holes between the molle openings and at least temporary affix the top??

Was thinking the same thing, you beat me to the punch


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[4Running4Adventure]

The panel looks great, but yeah, that top mounting point is WAYYY off! Hope hey get you squared away asap... In the meantime, might you be able to re-position that bracket to one of the holes between the molle openings and at least temporary affix the top??

I agree, the panels do look great and I can definitely see their usefulness. I thought about modifying it a bit to work, but unfortunately the top mounting bracket still wouldn't seat properly even if i moved it over without doing some trimming, which I don't want to do at this time if I end up having to return them to Victory 4x4. I just took the panels down and will give the guys at Victory time to make it right.

 

[apohl17]

I agree, the panels do look great and I can definitely see their usefulness. I thought about modifying it a bit to work, but unfortunately the top mounting bracket still wouldn't seat properly even if i moved it over without doing some trimming, which I don't want to do at this time if I end up having to return them to Victory 4x4. I just took the panels down and will give the guys at Victory time to make it right.

Bummer. Hope they reimburse you for your time or something - to buy a product, not have it fit, and then be instructed to sit tight until we make an entirely new product to suit your needs over the next who knows how long? Eeesh. :shrug:
Hope it all works out in the long run for ya!

 

[Jim_Ed_John]

Bummer. Hope they reimburse you for your time or something - to buy a product, not have it fit, and then be instructed to sit tight until we make an entirely new product to suit your needs over the next who knows how long? Eeesh. :shrug:
Hope it all works out in the long run for ya!

Any other company make these that WOULD fit the earlier 4th gen?

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[4Running4Adventure]

Any other company make these that WOULD fit the earlier 4th gen?

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I know Rago Fabrication makes them as well, though not sure if they fit the early or late models, however from the looks of the pics on their website the top mounts have two different positions...so maybe they do?!

I'm not really upset with Victory 4x4 and I don't mind giving them time to make things right since I don't really have a need for these right this second, and at least they are taking steps to do that. But I'll definitely post any updates and might even create a separate review thread depending how everything ends up when it's all said and done.

 

[4Running4Adventure]

With warmer spring weather finally here and a break from the non-stop rain we've seen in the southeast this winter, I'm finally able to work on my 4th Gen 4Runner build. I just finished installing a new roof rack and will be doing some more modifications soon enough, so should start posting updates on a regular basis.

I did find the plastic covers on the factory roof rack tricky to remove. There's very little information out there on how to do this without breaking the cover, when I first tried to remove them unfortunately I ended up breaking the first one. i searched online for any information on the best way to remove the covers without breaking them but didn't see a dedicated video about it on YouTube however I did read an old post buried a few pages deep in a thread on one of the 4Runner forums about a method that worked. So when I removed the last three covers I decided to make a YouTube video to demonstrate that method and hopefully prevent other people from breaking the tabs on their covers like I did on the first one.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KVEKh5EcdNI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[4Running4Adventure]

This week I started on the camper conversion process of the build, removing both the cargo shelf and the backseats:

Then I cut a 3/4" sheet of plywood to fit in the back today, it will be secured using the pre-existing bolt holes in the body of the 4Runner.

 

[Sean7]

How is the camper build coming along man?