5th Gen Tummy Tuck = ground clearance
- Thread starter 4rNCMTNs
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gringo8251
New member
This is sweet!
It's funny that when I bought my 4R I said it would be barely touched as it's my daily driver. Also, I have a CJ-7 that should be the focus of my attention. Then, I make one cut with an angle grinder and now I'm just totally cool with chopping and welding everywhere.
Aaah, this is too awesome to ignore.
It's funny that when I bought my 4R I said it would be barely touched as it's my daily driver. Also, I have a CJ-7 that should be the focus of my attention. Then, I make one cut with an angle grinder and now I'm just totally cool with chopping and welding everywhere.
Aaah, this is too awesome to ignore.
cbielat
Senior Member
I have put some of this detail inside of my build thread but felt it deserved it's own thread.
When starting out on the plan for my build this was something discussed early on, but was done roughly 1 year after the suspension and wheels tires were installed.
I own both a '12 Limited and '19 Off road and all of this work has been done on the '19.
Some might ask, what is a tummy tuck; well if you look under your 4R just behind the front wheels we have the center cross member, exhaust crossover, and transfer case which hang down quite low compared to the rest of the center of the vehicle.
Below is a picture from under the '12 to clearly show it and the corresponding ground clearance. this vehicle does have a BP-51 suspension under it so your vehicle may or may not sit lower.
So, what does the tummy tuck do, well in simple words it's the single best investment you can make to gain ground clearance. It's less expensive than many lift kits especially when you add in the upper control arm, etc and you will gain more ground clearance than with a lift. With our stock vehicles it's one thing to drive over something with our front wheels but it's another to get to clear that same obstacle with our back tires if it's too large and we high center on it.
The tummy tuck is your answer for this, short of trying something just crazy which we would never get over. The tummy tuck in essence removes the stock center cross member and replaces it with one much higher. The driver side cat also was moved up since it sit's lower than the passenger side. Then the entire exhaust system from the exit of the cat's to the muffler was replaced to raise it up.
Overall I have gained just over 4" of ground clearance from the bottom of the skid plates to the ground compared to what I had prior. I have not had the pleasure to out and use this yet but will this upcoming weekend and will be sure to post some more photos / videos of it in action.
This entire job was performed by the highly skilled team at BudBuilt here in NC. They will have some exciting news about this in the near future.
Wow! What a welcoming and worthwhile modification to see on here as opposed to the normal "How do I install my flag window sticker". Nice job!
Thank you. I've not posted much about my trail rides since I did this several months back. I've done many trails I never deemed possible in a 4R and 2 which were not possible, but fun trying. In any case in all the trails I've done in last 4-5 months my current front stock skid has been destroyed (awaiting new design front skid from budbuilt) not once but twice as I had the old one from the '12. My gas tank skid has a few nice hits but the new transfer case skid has never been touched.
This simple testament proves the amazing ability this rather simple (and should be very cost effective) mod gives to the truck.
I've read through your entire build thread a few times and it's great.
I will have something very fun coming soon to this one.
tummy tuck
There is mention of the Bud Bilt skids on the Metal Tech 4x4 web page. The marketing info SEEMS it indicate that what they have from Bud Bilt will do (or is the same as) the Tummy Tuck. That said it is not super specific.
Can anyone confirm that the skid packages on Metal Tech's site is in fact the Tummy Tuck kit??
AMLOR
There is mention of the Bud Bilt skids on the Metal Tech 4x4 web page. The marketing info SEEMS it indicate that what they have from Bud Bilt will do (or is the same as) the Tummy Tuck. That said it is not super specific.
Can anyone confirm that the skid packages on Metal Tech's site is in fact the Tummy Tuck kit??
AMLOR
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They are not the same. At the moment I'm the only one with the tummy tuck skids. they are are for the most part the same except for the trans skid which is different.
Also, Metaltech only sells the overlanding skids from BudBuilt for the 5th gen 4runner. BudBuilt sells both the lighter overlanding skids and the heavier rock armor skids, which I have.
Complete Armor Systems
I suspected that was the case. I would love to get my hands on a Tummy Tuck kit...complete with clocking instructions for the T-case.
Any word when they may (or not) release this bit of genius to we, the unwashed masses?
AMLOR
gringo8251
New member
Same. I'm in for this. Bud Built take my money.
Hello, they have been crazy busy with a LC200 stuff since the did my tummy tuck. So sadly not a lot of progress on it even if they have all the knowledge and pieces to do many more just not sell it as a kit yet.
with that said, I will probably be selling my skids soon of which two were custom bent due to the tummy tuck. the new cross member may also be coming out too not sure. I'll ask Bud when I speak to him next in the next day or two.
Yes the SAS is going to be an amazing build. It will be a bit different and pushing the limit a bit more than the few before us.
