BEAR Built - theBEAR's Build Thread

[theBEAR]

I have loved trucks since before I could even pronounce the word, but I was raised by an extremely frugal father who instilled in me an OCD need to be responsible with my money. This meant that I drove FWD I4s for the first 29 years of my life to achieve maximum fuel efficiency (with the exception of a vicious V8 Mustang in my hayday). But when my last Honda Accord was involved in a traffic collision and I got a cool check from the insurance agency I decided it was time for something different. I wanted an SUV to take me where no Honda I4 could ever go: camping, mountain biking, and offroading. I've driven Hondas my entire life, but . . . Honda doesn't make a capable offroad SUV so Toyota was the next best thing.

In November 2014 I bought a 2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 and I immediately began searching for answers to my modification questions. T4R.Org consistently came up in the search results so I stalked this site for a few months before joining in March and I've really enjoyed becoming a part of this community. You guys are all great!! I don't have any STOCK pictures of my 4Runner but here is a decent one. I'll be sure to add more later.

I'm a huge fan of constructive criticism. I only have a single perspective so I can't see every angle, but if any of you see something that I could do better on my build just let me know. Sometimes I have crazy ideas that I will cling to, but I will many times be happy to fix something that dumb that I have done.

Thanks all for reading this and for your involvement in my project.

NOTE: I've never had a build thread of my own before so if I do something stupid just let me know and I will try to fix it.

 

[theBEAR]

Current Modifications -
Rally Armor Mudflaps
Modified Raptor/Satoshi grill
Modified Roof Rack
CB Radio - Uniden 520XL
PA Speaker
RotoPax Gasoline Storage

Pending Modifications
3 Inch Lift - Bilsteins FR & R / OME FR & R Springs / Diff Drop
265/75/16 BFG KO2s

Modifications on my Wishlist
Recovery Gear: Hi-Lift
Savage Frame Sliders
Savage UnderArmor
12,000lb Winch

 

[RedSled]

Welcome, nice start. By looking at some of these builds and write ups i think you are in good hands.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I have loved trucks since before I could even pronounce the word, but I was raised by an extremely frugal father who instilled in me an OCD need to be responsible with my money. This meant that I drove FWD I4s for the first 29 years of my life to achieve maximum fuel efficiency (with the exception of a vicious V8 Mustang in my hayday). But when my last Honda Accord was involved in a traffic collision and I got a cool check from the insurance agency I decided it was time for something different. I wanted an SUV to take me where no Honda I4 could ever go: camping, mountain biking, and offroading. I've driven Hondas my entire life, but . . . Honda doesn't make a capable offroad SUV so Toyota was the next best thing.

In November 2014 I bought a 2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 and I immediately began searching for answers to my modification questions. T4R.Org consistently came up in the search results so I stalked this site for a few months before joining in March and I've really enjoyed becoming a part of this community. You guys are all great!! I don't have any STOCK pictures of my 4Runner but here is a decent one. I'll be sure to add more later.

I'm a huge fan of constructive criticism. I only have a single perspective so I can't see every angle, but if any of you see something that I could do better on my build just let me know. Sometimes I have crazy ideas that I will cling to, but I will many times be happy to fix something that dumb that I have done.

Thanks all for reading this and for your involvement in my project.

NOTE: I've never had a build thread of my own before so if I do something stupid just let me know and I will try to fix it.

Next best thing? Sheesh Toyotas are FAR FAR superior to any Honda ever made. Not that I am biased. Haha! Welcome to the forum, I can see you will be a great asset to the group. Do some searching, read the "stickys" and soon you'll be a veteran and die hard Toyota owner just like most of us.

I have a personal aversion to Hondas, don't take it hard, it's just me.

:shrug:

 

[theBEAR]

I have a personal aversion to Hondas, don't take it hard, it's just me.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting into Toyotas.

Please do share your negative experiences with Hondas . . . My Honda Accord (94 2.2L 5spd). Was. Bullit. Proof.

My Honda Civic (95 1.6L 5spd) was abused by its previous owner and hydrolocked on my watch so . . . that didn't end well. lol But I drove that car like a RACE CAR and it never asked for a breather (before water got into the combustion chamber ...)

 

[IBallEngineer]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting into Toyotas.

Please do share your negative experiences with Hondas . . . My Honda Accord (94 2.2L 5spd). Was. Bullit. Proof.

My Honda Civic (95 1.6L 5spd) was abused by its previous owner and hydrolocked on my watch so . . . that didn't end well. lol But I drove that car like a RACE CAR and it never asked for a breather (before water got into the combustion chamber ...)

Well this goes back quite a way, but it started with Keihin carburetors and all the stupid valves they used in the 80's. And Honda likes to think they do things better/different for good reasons. But sometimes different isn't better. Sometimes they make things different and it's just more complicated, needlessly complicated. It crosses over into the motorcycles too.

I owned a repair shop for 14 years, and Hondas just seemed to bite me in the ass. Why do they have to have their own Power Steering fluid? Why do their transmissions always fall apart? Why do Civics always have rear alignment issues? Why do people think Honda's are perfect, but the service departments are always full of Hondas?

I didn't like the feel of the steering in the 80's. Why can the cylinder sleeve drop in the block after overheating a late model Accord?

Why does the window channel fall apart on late 90's accords?

I'm not saying they are the worst cars in history, they just aren't all that like some people think. And Toyotas are better.

:fro:

 

[theBEAR]

I'm not saying they are the worst cars in history, they just aren't all that like some people think. And Toyotas are better.

:fro:

Well, I'm not going to argue with a mechanic with 14 years of experience. I worked for Lexus for two years in my early 20s and I agree, Toyotas are definitely strong performers who take care of you if you take care of them.

I will reserve my judgement on the better manufacturer for when I have more experience with Toyotas.

 

[theBEAR]

With my lift upgrade and tires on the way, I felt like it was time to update the old build thread.

Since my last post I have:
Finished my Modified Raptor/Satoshi grill
Installed my Uniden 520XL and PA Speaker
Modified and Installed my Roof Rack

Here are a few pictures of my offroading adventures in VA & WV

My buddies sweet Land Cruiser


Group Photo







Lift Pictures to come after everything gets here. Should be done sometime around 9/5/15. Pictures . . . will probably be here sometime later.