4th Gen Baja inspired build
- Thread starter Chad30
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Chad30
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So found out I needed a little more light thrown to the side when tryna find spots in the pitch black desert lol. Visible in this pic, I added a pair of rigid D2 driving beams to the front sides below the headlights. Had some mounts welded up which was nicely done and I couldn't be happier now. I have them angles out approx 30-40 degrees. I was close to adding ditch mounts and lights but I really don't like the look of them so I ruled them out for now.
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Chad30
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I added sliders a couple of months ago. The ones that fit my liking the best was the White Knuckle Off road ones. Nice and clean look, I opted for the bolt on units but had a bead welded on each mount to the frame for some added strength. Works great as a step for the kids too!! One with a little better view from the top and one from the side, nice n clean design, I'm super happy with them!
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Chad30
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Also I figured I'd better have a full size spare handy for those times we are 50-100 miles away from home. Didn't want to break the bank on a full rear bumper and carrier so I opted for this CBI receiver carrier. Works out perfectly for me!
I don't use it everyday with normal driving as I can limp to where I need to with the factory spare if need be but I can take take the carrier with me on certain trips and runs that a full size spare would be essential. Also has a built in Rotopax mount which I don't have pictured but works perfectly. It operates fantastic, easy disconnect to get access into the tailgate. The only complaint I had was that there was a lot of movement of the unit due to slight play where the carrier inserted into the receiver and the two bolts and brackets that CBI supplied to tighten this was non effective. Luckily I stumbled upon the Roadmaster "quiet hitch" a genius but simple hitch tightener solved that! It wasn't noisy in the cab by any means but it just bothered me that it had that much movement previously.
Another cool feature is that it has a straight through receiver so I can still use it and tow my small 8' trailer as well. Here's the only pic I have of it on the Runner but I can snap another pic the next time I have it on.
PS. That handicapped stall is actually a converted employee parking out back right before it was painted over. I would never illegally park in a handicapped stall lol
I don't use it everyday with normal driving as I can limp to where I need to with the factory spare if need be but I can take take the carrier with me on certain trips and runs that a full size spare would be essential. Also has a built in Rotopax mount which I don't have pictured but works perfectly. It operates fantastic, easy disconnect to get access into the tailgate. The only complaint I had was that there was a lot of movement of the unit due to slight play where the carrier inserted into the receiver and the two bolts and brackets that CBI supplied to tighten this was non effective. Luckily I stumbled upon the Roadmaster "quiet hitch" a genius but simple hitch tightener solved that! It wasn't noisy in the cab by any means but it just bothered me that it had that much movement previously.
Another cool feature is that it has a straight through receiver so I can still use it and tow my small 8' trailer as well. Here's the only pic I have of it on the Runner but I can snap another pic the next time I have it on.
PS. That handicapped stall is actually a converted employee parking out back right before it was painted over. I would never illegally park in a handicapped stall lol
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Chad30
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Ok most recent thing I added which was a pleasant surprise was Led headlights.
I was skeptical but I figured what the heck, I had to try it. I opted for the Putco Nite-Lux for one it was less expensive than the other alternative Inwas considering which was Piaa. The other was that the Putco didn't have any moving parts, fans to worry about. I really liked the heatsink of the Putco Nite Lux. I can say that they are most definitely waaaay better than hid in these stock housings as the light is spread out a lot better. I know they aren't designed for the hid bulbs but just mentioning what I noticed. It seems to be just as bright in my opinion. Needless to say they are a lot brighter and whiter than halogen bulbs. There are a couple of minor breaks in the light but wow I was impressed. The only other test is how long they last, we shall see.
In the first pic, you can see the color difference of stock halogen and the LED.
Below I added a pic I took while driving on the highway to get a general idea.
I was skeptical but I figured what the heck, I had to try it. I opted for the Putco Nite-Lux for one it was less expensive than the other alternative Inwas considering which was Piaa. The other was that the Putco didn't have any moving parts, fans to worry about. I really liked the heatsink of the Putco Nite Lux. I can say that they are most definitely waaaay better than hid in these stock housings as the light is spread out a lot better. I know they aren't designed for the hid bulbs but just mentioning what I noticed. It seems to be just as bright in my opinion. Needless to say they are a lot brighter and whiter than halogen bulbs. There are a couple of minor breaks in the light but wow I was impressed. The only other test is how long they last, we shall see.
In the first pic, you can see the color difference of stock halogen and the LED.
Below I added a pic I took while driving on the highway to get a general idea.
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Chad30
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And these I purchased over the last few months with hopes of getting it done but unfortunately haven't been able to yet. It looks like it's going to cost 400-500 to get the hydro bumps installed and after a recent water pump leak, I had to spend tax return funds on the timing belt/water pump etc which is good in a way as we may be taking a road trip in the next couple of months.
I found through certain whoops my tire is contacting the inner upper portion of my front fenders which I actually was impressed with but luckily didn't hit anything hard enough to damage them so I want to get these bumps on before doing anything too crazy lol
Should have the spindle gussets on soon with a buddy at work tho.
I found through certain whoops my tire is contacting the inner upper portion of my front fenders which I actually was impressed with but luckily didn't hit anything hard enough to damage them so I want to get these bumps on before doing anything too crazy lol
Should have the spindle gussets on soon with a buddy at work tho.
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mikey's2010SR5
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Nice build. Makes me want to go full 3.5 vs the 2" kit when I go long travel. I know Glassworks will be making fenders for the 5th Gen soon.
Chad30
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Zidaro- thank you! for the most part the rear is actually not bad all but it of course doesn't quite keep up with the front in really "whoopy" terrain especially at faster speeds. In intermediate rough terrain however it keeps up just fine, it's those surprising bigger dips and bumps at speed that you notice the "buck" but overall I'm content with the rear, the all pro links and Ome coils definitely surpassed my expectations. At medium to lower speeds it handles just fine tho in any terrain. I did notice when I have a lot of weight in the back it makes a noticeable difference lol All in all the coils are getting smoother as they get more mileage on them and I feel the Fox resi's have a lot to do with how smooth it is as well. The thought did cross my mind on customizing the rear but I can't give up trunk space and I'm sure I'd rather do something else with 12-15k maybe even more?
LTDSC- I'm sure I will! Can't wait to even just see them on! yep after hittin some rough terrain and some unexpected "dips" at some speed I realized I better beef up the spindles because they don't look like they'd be able to take the abuse the control arms can! I can't wait to get the bumps in, it irritates me that on occasion my tires are contacting my fenders! The first couple of times I couldn't find where it was rubbing, I was like I can't possibly be rubbing with 285's then I found the black marks on the top inner portion of my fenders! Funny I was like wow and impressed at the same time but I definitely have to limit that.
Mikeys2010sr5 - thank you! yes I think you gotta go +3.5! I believe there's more of a chance you'd regret not doing it vs doing it and regretting it. It is truly unbelievable when you see certain terrain expecting to bounce around and be like wow after you jam through it. Man I wish I could afford to do a 5th gen lol that would be sick! Especially the 2010-2012 front end, actually my favorite! The thought actually crossed my mind of selling mine and building one but it already took me a couple years of saving and funding for this and I'm still not even done yet, I just can't fathom starting all over again lol but , never know I guess.
Rallybud- thanks man! Haha actually the desert is a lot of fun! The scenery isn't quite the same but I appreciate its own beauty. There is some fun terrain in the desert! I gotta get to the dunes and Pismo tho, that stuff looks fun!
LTDSC- I'm sure I will! Can't wait to even just see them on! yep after hittin some rough terrain and some unexpected "dips" at some speed I realized I better beef up the spindles because they don't look like they'd be able to take the abuse the control arms can! I can't wait to get the bumps in, it irritates me that on occasion my tires are contacting my fenders! The first couple of times I couldn't find where it was rubbing, I was like I can't possibly be rubbing with 285's then I found the black marks on the top inner portion of my fenders! Funny I was like wow and impressed at the same time but I definitely have to limit that.
Mikeys2010sr5 - thank you! yes I think you gotta go +3.5! I believe there's more of a chance you'd regret not doing it vs doing it and regretting it. It is truly unbelievable when you see certain terrain expecting to bounce around and be like wow after you jam through it. Man I wish I could afford to do a 5th gen lol that would be sick! Especially the 2010-2012 front end, actually my favorite! The thought actually crossed my mind of selling mine and building one but it already took me a couple years of saving and funding for this and I'm still not even done yet, I just can't fathom starting all over again lol but , never know I guess.
Rallybud- thanks man! Haha actually the desert is a lot of fun! The scenery isn't quite the same but I appreciate its own beauty. There is some fun terrain in the desert! I gotta get to the dunes and Pismo tho, that stuff looks fun!
Chad30
New member
Added a few things over the last couple of years..
Sorry kind of an Old thread but figure I’d add some updates to the seemingly never ending build... added over the last few years.. instead of dragging it on, I’ll list
Some new stuff and I’ll add pics... forgive me if I already mentioned it...
- Camburg bypass shock mounts
- Fox Bypass shocks up front
- Spindle gussets
- Volant intake
- aux Trans cooler
- Prinsu roof rack
- added some billet OMF rings to the wheels
- Anzo Halo headlights
- Heavy duty rear sway bar end links from SRQ Fab.
- Vegas blazing summer sun took its toll on the paint so prepped it up and got er repainted a matte color that I always wanted to do!
—- not sure if I’m forgetting stuff ?
225k miles and still kickin , purrs and runs like new , that’s why we love our Toyota’s!
Recently ordered TRD Pro style grille from SRQ Fab, can’t wait to get it!
Sorry kind of an Old thread but figure I’d add some updates to the seemingly never ending build... added over the last few years.. instead of dragging it on, I’ll list
Some new stuff and I’ll add pics... forgive me if I already mentioned it...
- Camburg bypass shock mounts
- Fox Bypass shocks up front
- Spindle gussets
- Volant intake
- aux Trans cooler
- Prinsu roof rack
- added some billet OMF rings to the wheels
- Anzo Halo headlights
- Heavy duty rear sway bar end links from SRQ Fab.
- Vegas blazing summer sun took its toll on the paint so prepped it up and got er repainted a matte color that I always wanted to do!
—- not sure if I’m forgetting stuff ?
225k miles and still kickin , purrs and runs like new , that’s why we love our Toyota’s!
Recently ordered TRD Pro style grille from SRQ Fab, can’t wait to get it!
kodenco
Junior Member
Pics!
Chad30
New member
sorry such a late response,
Here’s some for now , shoot I changed a few things that I added at the time too. I thought this thread closed for some reason.
Tru-Cool 40k trans cooler, replaced my little Flexalite cooler. Towing with family on interstate on the inclines temps would gradually keep rising in the summer especially so I looked for the biggest cooler I could fit!
I had to change the center brace to make more room. Swapped the stock one with billet aluminum stock cut to size.
Believe it or not after changing to this trans cooler, even my engine oil temp average dropped about 6-9 degrees.
Believe it or not my
I also added two 9” Spal fans for the heck of it. In summer it gets brutal sometimes, I have these hooked to a separate switch and mainly use it when airflow is limited like when moving slow in the hot desert or stuck in traffic
Here’s some for now , shoot I changed a few things that I added at the time too. I thought this thread closed for some reason.
Tru-Cool 40k trans cooler, replaced my little Flexalite cooler. Towing with family on interstate on the inclines temps would gradually keep rising in the summer especially so I looked for the biggest cooler I could fit!
I had to change the center brace to make more room. Swapped the stock one with billet aluminum stock cut to size.
Believe it or not after changing to this trans cooler, even my engine oil temp average dropped about 6-9 degrees.
Believe it or not my
I also added two 9” Spal fans for the heck of it. In summer it gets brutal sometimes, I have these hooked to a separate switch and mainly use it when airflow is limited like when moving slow in the hot desert or stuck in traffic
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Chad30
New member
Added RCI engine skid….
Also
Changed my front bumper , added a winch , spare tire carrier , roof rack ..
LILBFAB bumper
Rugged Ridge Trekker 12s winch
Just very recently changed wheels and tires as well.
lots of weight was added , I changed to the Icon dual rate coils in rear and not only did I get the height back, it made a huge difference on whoopy terrain OffRoad.
Still have the factory series 2.0 resi in rear , waiting on my 2.5’s. And that should also make a difference and finally get the rear handling up to par.
Also
Changed my front bumper , added a winch , spare tire carrier , roof rack ..
LILBFAB bumper
Rugged Ridge Trekker 12s winch
Just very recently changed wheels and tires as well.
lots of weight was added , I changed to the Icon dual rate coils in rear and not only did I get the height back, it made a huge difference on whoopy terrain OffRoad.
Still have the factory series 2.0 resi in rear , waiting on my 2.5’s. And that should also make a difference and finally get the rear handling up to par.
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Chad30
New member
Oh btw , shift kit and booster valve body upgrade made a nice difference, crisp shifts I couldn’t get anyone to install it because of the high mileage understandably. So I ended up finally installing it and really like it a lot! Little bit of drilling and dremel’ing but follow the instructions to the T and before ya know it , all buttoned up to go back in. I swapped a few of the solenoids that I found good deals on oem ones just for preventative maintenance.
I wish I did this sooner, transmission shifts beautifully , crisper / firmer but not harsh by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn’t mind it a little firmer but I am stoked about the difference.
Pedal Commander cleaned up the throttle response and throttle related shift management “mushy delayed”. feeling. Instant quick downshifts etc when needed.
I wish I did this sooner, transmission shifts beautifully , crisper / firmer but not harsh by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn’t mind it a little firmer but I am stoked about the difference.
Pedal Commander cleaned up the throttle response and throttle related shift management “mushy delayed”. feeling. Instant quick downshifts etc when needed.
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