5th Gen 4Runner Q&A Series - Introduction

1engineer

Moderator
Introduction
Many of you reading this know there are a bunch of talented folks that frequent this forum. They helpfully post "How To's" full of information and illustrations whenever they do a mod and many answer your questions on a day to day basis. Well, many of them are willing to do even more to make sure that the 5th Gen 4Runner sub forum has the most correct and up to date information available.

I have been communicating with [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION], [MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION], @wfo9, [MENTION=113049]rochmpr[/MENTION], [MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION], [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION], [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION], [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION], [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION], [MENTION=48413]Quentin[/MENTION] and [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION] (some very knowledgeable guys!) about putting together some documentation that I think will help the members, especially new guys, understand their 4Runners better. These guys above have agreed to volunteer their time to do this so make sure to thank them! This documentation will cover the stock systems as well as many modifications that most find interesting.

What is the 5th Gen 4Runner Q&A Series?
Since the 5th gen 4Runner made its introduction in the fall of 2009, there have been posts here about how they work and how to fix or modify them. After six years and many thousands of posts there are very few questions that have not been answered about this vehicle. The problem is those correct answers, some of them incredibly detailed, are scattered and hidden among many threads that include speculation, opinion and off topic chatter. What we would like to do to fix this issue is this:
Start an initial thread for questions. Anyone can ask anything. It does not matter if it has been asked and answered many times before! We will then take those questions and put together the answers to the best of our ability. Some questions will only require pulling together existing answers. Some will require complete new answers. Once we have put together the best answer available and peer reviewed it among ourselves, we will then publish it in a thread. We will start a completely new sticky thread that will only have these factual answers all in one place. I will start a thread today that will be for these initial questions. The people who will be involved in answering the questions can also ask questions!

Your Part
What we need from the membership in order to get this started is this:
1. Think of a question. Yes, there can be multiple questions from the same person!
2. Make a post asking your question in the upcoming Q&A Question thread.
3. That's all!

We will then take those questions and start formulating the best possible factual answer. This way everyone will have access to this information and know the time has been taken to make sure this information is as correct as possible.

Notes:
1. Since we are trying to make this as good and factual as possible, please refrain from going off topic or making comments that have nothing to do with the question. If you do I will delete your post in order to keep the thread on point.

2. Don't ask a question that has no tangible answer. We know that some questions will require an opinion in the answer but some questions, like "Which Color is Best" simply have no answer. Keep your questions brief and to the point.

I will temporarily sticky this thread to the top. I will also stick the "Question" thread to the top also until the questions run their course. If you have any questions or ideas on how to make this better or if you are interested in helping let us know in this thread.

Greg
 
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5th Gen questions

Greg, this is a great idea and I'm also happy to contribute. I have a number of questions & topics based on my build direction.

Questions/Topics/How to's & Answers I'd like to see here:

How to achieve front wheel mud flap clearance for 33" and a 3" lift? I've moved the front inner wheel plastic forward and trimmed the bumper plastic so that's all clear but I'm getting rubbing on the mud flap and can't see an obvious way of moving the mud flap back. I also have a very detailed, the most I've seen so far here, on how to move the front inner plastic forward on my build thread, happy to contribute that.

How to remove interior paneling without damaging clips or scratching including: Door panels, door handle trim, dash (especially around switches), center consol, headliner, rear hatch sides and rear gate.

How to wire in external light sources, such as LED light bars (multiple roof top lights) mounted to a roof rack - water proofing/sealing body entry points for wiring, run locations, etc.

How to relocate the XM shark fin antenna to the front or another location where a roof rack won't block signal. Might also include the Toyota Camry low profile antenna swap info here too.

How to hard wire in accessories, like radar detector, dash cam, etc. through rear view mirror wire tube and hard wire iphone charger/USB on a driver or passenger side A pillar.

How to upgrade all speakers while keeping the user interface stock. This might include a sub, amp, tweeters and all speakers.

How to add an auxiliary fuel tank or install a larger single fuel tank. Potentially using spare tire area if safe or possible.

Dual battery options for accessories like winch, LED light bars, additional 400 watt 110 - 120 V outlet (for a total of 2), and other accessories. What's best for winch in a dual battery set up, such as direct connect to battery or through a solenoid? Would love to see details on the Kodiak Odyssey system since their website is weak.

"Big 3" about and how to.

Diff cooling, when, why and how.

Air Compressor/Dual Air Compressor placement under the hood, how to keep it clean from dirt in the engine bay. Pros and cons vs. installing in the rear cargo area behind plastic paneling.

What's the largest compressor-attached air tank that can fit in the engine bay with a dual air compressor and what's the best place? Recommended models or brands?

Backup camera relocation or auxiliary backup camera leaving OEM in place when using a tire gate bumper or hitch gate spare tire carrier.

Full skid plate options specifically optimized for good breathing/air flow and best weight to strength ratio for lightest weight impact to vehicle.

CB & HAM/CB stealth install including wiring, antenna placement options. Complete list of available antenna mounts.

HID headlight install without introducing moisture/condensation intrusion risk. Recommended brands/models.

That's about all I can think of at the moment....
 
2016 T4R mods ?

Installing Toytec Boss 2.5 Performance system. Will 285/70/17's rub? Does wheel width matter. Would like to stay with 7-8" wheel but most of them are 8.5" or 9". I'm in CO and have will get rock rash on them so looking for a polished silver trim ring w/out going to a beadlock.

Would like to get recommedations, suggestions?
Thx
 
Are there any reliable interior lighting LED vendors/Amazon sellers/etc? (Trying to avoid melting/flickering from occurring.)

I did see this link: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/163153-2014-interior-led-swap.html

Didn't see anyone do a long term test.

Thanks in advance.

Installing Toytec Boss 2.5 Performance system. Will 285/70/17's rub? Does wheel width matter. Would like to stay with 7-8" wheel but most of them are 8.5" or 9". I'm in CO and have will get rock rash on them so looking for a polished silver trim ring w/out going to a beadlock.

Would like to get recommedations, suggestions?
Thx

Greg, this is a great idea and I'm also happy to contribute. I have a number of questions & topics based on my build direction.

Questions/Topics/How to's & Answers I'd like to see here:

How to achieve front wheel mud flap clearance for 33" and a 3" lift? I've moved the front inner wheel plastic forward and trimmed the bumper plastic so that's all clear but I'm getting rubbing on the mud flap and can't see an obvious way of moving the mud flap back. I also have a very detailed, the most I've seen so far here, on how to move the front inner plastic forward on my build thread, happy to contribute that.

How to remove interior paneling without damaging clips or scratching including: Door panels, door handle trim, dash (especially around switches), center consol, headliner, rear hatch sides and rear gate.

How to wire in external light sources, such as LED light bars (multiple roof top lights) mounted to a roof rack - water proofing/sealing body entry points for wiring, run locations, etc.

How to relocate the XM shark fin antenna to the front or another location where a roof rack won't block signal. Might also include the Toyota Camry low profile antenna swap info here too.

How to hard wire in accessories, like radar detector, dash cam, etc. through rear view mirror wire tube and hard wire iphone charger/USB on a driver or passenger side A pillar.

How to upgrade all speakers while keeping the user interface stock. This might include a sub, amp, tweeters and all speakers.

How to add an auxiliary fuel tank or install a larger single fuel tank. Potentially using spare tire area if safe or possible.

Dual battery options for accessories like winch, LED light bars, additional 400 watt 110 - 120 V outlet (for a total of 2), and other accessories. What's best for winch in a dual battery set up, such as direct connect to battery or through a solenoid? Would love to see details on the Kodiak Odyssey system since their website is weak.

"Big 3" about and how to.

Diff cooling, when, why and how.

Air Compressor/Dual Air Compressor placement under the hood, how to keep it clean from dirt in the engine bay. Pros and cons vs. installing in the rear cargo area behind plastic paneling.

What's the largest compressor-attached air tank that can fit in the engine bay with a dual air compressor and what's the best place? Recommended models or brands?

Backup camera relocation or auxiliary backup camera leaving OEM in place when using a tire gate bumper or hitch gate spare tire carrier.

Full skid plate options specifically optimized for good breathing/air flow and best weight to strength ratio for lightest weight impact to vehicle.

CB & HAM/CB stealth install including wiring, antenna placement options. Complete list of available antenna mounts.

HID headlight install without introducing moisture/condensation intrusion risk. Recommended brands/models.

That's about all I can think of at the moment....

Please copy and paste all of the above questions in the "Questions Thread" located here >>> 5th Gen 4Runner Q&A Series - Questions
 
Would appreciate a write up with lots of pics on how to install a simple aftermarket shock (bilstein 5100).

Would also like a write up on how to install spacers.

Lastly, would like a write up on all the acronyms that are used in this forum. I still have no idea what a SAW is.
 

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