Bigbriman's build thread

[Bigbriman]

Hey everyone,

FNG here. I've been a lurker here for a while but now that I'm starting the build on my truck I thought I would start posting.


Here's my starting point, a 2011 Limited:

The goal for this build is to have a reliable, fun to drive to drive truck that while it will rarely go off-road, it will have a least some upgraded capability. I take this think camping and fishing with my family often, so I'll be adding additional storage capacity in the way of a roof rack and hitch rack later on.

Now, this truck is totally bone stock right now save for some LED interior lights. But here's what I have planned for the next couple of weeks:

Build Phase One
-Wheels: 17x8 Konig Countersteer Type-x (ordered)
-Tires: Goodyear Duratrac 285-70-17 (ordered)
-OME 3" lift kit (ordered)


If everything comes in on time all this should be on by next weekend. Then later in the winter I'll work on Phase Two:


Build Phase Two
-Gobi Stealth Roof Rack
-Exterior LED lighting (undecided on this)
-Underbody protection


And who knows what Phase Three will bring!



Anyways, love this board, lots of inspiration from y'all and I would enjoy getting your feedback and comments as the project progresses.





UPDATED 1/24/2018:

 

[MadeInMaine]

Welcome to the world of 4runner knowledge and fun
where your wallets run dry
and your wives roll their eyes
at the time we spend on this dang site

 

[ArnavG544]

Another member in the Virginia/NC/Maryland/NY/PA/Etc!!!!! Look forward to seeing what you do, awesome truck, I bet those rims and lift will look sweet!

 

[Bigbriman]

OK, so I got the wheels, suspension and tires in last week. Worked out well as I was traveling on Thursday and Friday so the shop would have two full days to sort everything out. As it turned out this was a really good idea..


The shop, which works a lot with Jeeps doesn't have a ton of experience with Toyotas. This wasn't an issue until they went to put the Konig Countersteers on. Apparently because of the amount of backspacing, there's very little of the stud sticking out for the lug nut to grab. They freaked out a little bit and didn't want to proceed with mounting the wheels until I came in and signed a waiver.

Side note - Did anyone else have issues with their shops not wanting put these FN wheels on? Seems like these short studs on the 4Runner are a big shortcoming

So after conferring with the guy at FN wheels (who answered my call late on Friday night) and being assured it was totally fine I went in the next morning to sign everything so they could finish up the truck.

Six hours later it was all done and I went pick her up, bring her home and immediately move the fender liners forward. :becky:

Here's some crappy pics I took in my driveway of the new setup:

Next up: roof rack and some nice LED lighting!

 

[thebwlife]

How'd your alignment go? They give you a printout?

 

[DannyLlama]

You yanked out the XREAS?

Truck looks great! New wheels transform the truck.

 

[Bigbriman]

Alignment went fine. They were able to get everything lined up per Toytech's specs without using new LCAs. They also recommended coming back in 1000 miles for another (complimentary) alignment once the suspension settles.


And yes, got rid of the active suspension.

 

[coversion]

How is the city ride now vs stock w/ xreas?

 

[Bigbriman]

How is the city ride now vs stock w/ xreas?

I think it rides fantastic. Rolls over bumps and pot holes with ease, though it does seem a little more floaty on the freeway.

 

[thebwlife]

though it does seem a little more floaty on the freeway.

I'd think this could be part of the alignment. A more forward *4 caster could help.

 

[MidwestJ]

Lookin good so far man. Like the wheel/tire combo.

 

[Bigbriman]

Wow, it's been a few years since I updated. Was thinking about upgrading to a new truck this summer but since the 4Runner is paid off, I decided to keep it for a few more years and have some fun with it.

First things first, since the Duratracs were getting a bit long in the tooth, I replaced them with Falken Wildpeaks AT/3s. They're a little quieter, give better gas mileage and I think they look almost as good as the duratracs.

Then I wanted to get some steps for the sides so my kids can get in and out of the truck easier. Luckily I found a set of N-Fab nerf bars for sales on here. They were made for a TE, but I removed the lower trim pieces and now they fit like a champ.

I wanted to black out some more of the trim pieces and the roof rack, so I took a bunch of it off, sanded it down and plastidipped it all.

Finally I spent a whole afternoon detailing the entire truck from top to bottom. I removed the seats, steam cleaned the rugs and headliner, treated the leather and did a full machine polish and wax.

A few dings and scratches aside, it looks pretty good for a 7 year old vehicle:

Next up, I ordered the Gobi Stealth roof rack and some lighting. Hopefully all that will arrive before winter so I can it mounted up.

 

[Bigbriman]

Installed my Sataoshi grill mod from HomerTaco at Tacoma World. Installation took less than an hour. The hardest part was putting on the TOYOTA letters straight. Very happy with the end result:

 

[Brickwall's T4R]

I REALLY like that front grill :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[Bigbriman]

Finally got my Gobi rack (only took 16 weeks!).

Next up: lighting!

 

[Bigbriman]

Finally, after 14 weeks of waiting, i got my Gobi stealth rack. I went with the version with the 40" light bar mount and the removable sunroof insert. Still researching lighting options but that's hopefully soon to come.

 

[mlz129]

Gobi Stealth / 38" X6 Slim Mount

Hey man - just wondering if you ever got around to mounting an Extreme LED bar to your Gobi? I received the 38" X6 Slim bar in the mail today and admittedly should have done some more research re: mounting options. I'd love anything you could share about how you went about mounting the bar (if you did!) to the existing mounts/tabs.