Brian0128’s Picture and Advenure Thread

[brian0128]

Brian0128's 4Runner: 2018 TRD Pro Super White

I went to trade in my 2015 TEP with 100k on it recently for a new TRD Off Road and was given a deal I couldn’t pass up on a TRD Pro. I’m not going to miss the sunroof or KDSS but I really wish I had the turn signal’s and puddle lights on the mirrors.

Mods Completed
Scosche MAGDMB Magic Mount for Iphone
Weathertech Floor Mats Front and Rear
Midland 75-822 CB with Wilson Lil Wil Antenna
Baofeng BF-F9 V2+ with nagoya UT-72 Antenna
Black Overlay Kit
Factor 550 HitchLink
Wheeler's 3x30 Recovery Strap
Wheeler's Wrap-It Strap w ARB 3/4" Shackle
Powertank 10# CO2 System w/XP400 Regulator
RCI 5deg Sliders
RCI Full Aluminum Skids with TRD Integration Plate
RCI Aluminum Fuel Tank Skid
RCI Lower Link Skids


Mods Purchased
FJToyman Shock Skids


Mods Planned for the Future
RCI Differential Skid


Here is the 2015 I traded in.

Here is the new 2018 as it sits now.

 

[brian0128]

Tint was a priority since I travel with my dog a lot and I realized on my last 4 Runner that the heat rejection is greatly increased with quality window film. I went to Absolute Perfection in Sykesville, MD for the install.

Formula One Pinnacle 15% on all glass.

Llumar Air Blue 80% on the windshield.

The Formula One Pinnacle 15% has exactly 15% visible light transmission over the driver's and passenger window glass. Tint measured at 19 and the windows from the factory measured at 4%.

The Llumar Air Blue Clear Ceramic on the front window isn't noticeable unless you wear polarized lens' and then it turns white cars pink.



Link to Formula One Pinnacle Specs

Link to Llumar Air Blue Specs

 

[brian0128]

I decided to head up to Greenridge State Forest in Western Maryland with a group of 4Runners in Maryland to meet some folks in the area but also to see a Toytec lifted TRD Pro in person that I knew would be there and also to check out different sliders on different vehicles to see which would work best for the wife. I knew there were a few water crossings so I stayed up late and relocated the rear breathers up to gas tank height with parts I removed from my old 4Runner. I plan on installing the ARB Breather in the engine bay in the future but this was good enough for now. I'm glad I did the mod because I ended up crossing a slightly deep puddle with less than 1k miles on the 4Runner.

We ended up going to lunch at a great place in Hagerstown, MD offf of Everyly Rd called Lt. Col. Big Jim's BBQ. The owner was nice enough to rope off half of the parking lot and set up the banquet room for all 60+ people to eat together.

 

[brian0128]

On a recommendation from a member here, I ordered the 4Runner Black Overlay Bundle on Amazon PN#00016-89016 from Toyota of North Miami parts for $65.00. I ordered the SR-5 kit so now I have a Toyota emblem and 2 black SR-5 badges to give to the first person with over 50 posts who quote's this message in this thread and say's they want them and will pay $5.00 paypal to cover shipping.

 

[Tiki Joe]

First trip in the new truck to Greenridge State Forest with a group of about 35 Toyota’s. I spent the evening before relocating the rear breathers.

damn....new truck in waist deep water. Awesome!

 

[Jesse1983]

Why aren't you going to miss the kdss?

 

[ttsphotog]

Nice rig. I am in Columbia. I'm sure I've seen you driving around here!

 

[Throwback]

Why aren't you going to miss the kdss?

Yeah I'm curious also.

I traded a '14 KDSS for my current '14 non-KDSS so I have my own reasons.

 

[brian0128]

Why aren't you going to miss the kdss?

I drove the 2 back to back and there was a little more lean on exit ramps but not enough to make a difference to me. The lean I had even without a lift bothered my OCD.

 

[Jesse1983]

kdss was so good to me on my 2010 that I never considered not having it on my 2017

 

[brian0128]

kdss was so good to me on my 2010 that I never considered not having it on my 2017

I liked the KDSS and didn’t want to be negative but at 64k and 97k I had to take it in for recalibration due to the KDSS light being on and excessive lean. I was charged $155 each time for the recalibration and no problems were found. The handling was great but I don’t like going to the dealer service departments.

 

[brian0128]

I didn't have slider's on my last 4Runner and I managed to do plenty of trips with no damage. The TRD Pro didn't come with steps and after seeing a picture of RCI Offroad's 2017 4Runner with the 5 degree sliders on Facebook I called up and spoke with Tim who told me there was an open group buy and that I could get in on it I ended up ordering the following on Feb 28th, 2018.

RCI 5deg Sliders Powdercoated
RCI Full Aluminum Skids with TRD Integration Plate
RCI Lower Link Skids

*Edit* The skid plates arrived on March 3rd and the sliders arrived on March 13.

 

[jacksparrow]

Looks sharp with the tint but is that legal in your state? Also, how is the visibility at night?

 

[brian0128]

Looks sharp with the tint but is that legal in your state? Also, how is the visibility at night?

It’s not legal unless you have a prescription (which my wife does). Here is a photo to see what it’s like looking out.

 

[Pete00]

Cool new rig. Is that a particular group you went on ride with?
Thanks

 

[brian0128]

Cool new rig. Is that a particular group you went on ride with? Thanks

That group is called HiLuxSurf Off Road and it's in the Mid Atlantic area plus OH. You can find them on FB.

 

[brian0128]

I traded my black Powertank setup for a Candy Red setup and upgraded to the XP400 regulator. I may go with an ARB setup in the future but this makes it easy to switch between vehicles. The bag has 2 D-Rings to be able to secure it to the factory tie downs on the left side of the cargo area for beach or wheeling trips.

 

[brian0128]

I cleaned up my 2 Wheeler's Straps and added a few recover/emergency items that I will be carrying in my recovery bag that will stay permanently in the cargo area.

Factor 550 HitchLink
Wheeler's 3x30 Recovery Strap
Wheeler's Wrap-It Strap w ARB 3/4" Shackle
Digital Tire Inflator 60psi
ARB E-Z Tire Deflator
Powertank Tire Repair Kit
First Aid Kit

 

[brian0128]

My wife wanted me to get the RCI boxes out of the garage so I took the 4Runner to the Auto Hobby Shop on Fort Meade and installed the RCI Parts.

RCI 5deg Sliders
RCI Full Aluminum Skids with TRD Integration Plate
RCI Fuel Tank Skid
RCI Lower Link Skids

The install too 4 hours with the help of a lift. The sliders and skids were self explanatory but I did break off 1 bolt in the frame when torquing the sliders down. No torque values were provided on the installation instructions so I guessed and put them at 45ft/lbs. The broken bolt had anti seize applied so it was easy to get out with a reverse drill bit.

When installing the fuel tank skid I wanted the braces mounted inside the skid with the carriage bolts on the outside so I found it easier to mount the supports to the skid before lifting the skid into place. I did this because it was difficult to tighten the nut on the inside of the skid. I did use a transmission jack to lift the tank skid into place which made doing it this way possible.

The installation of the lower links only took about 20 minutes. Using sharp bits and cutting fluid made drilling the holes simple but I did need to lift the rear axle to get the lower link aligned back for the bolt. Torque for the factory link bolt was 96 ft/lbs.