Corvus' Build Thread

[Corvus]

14JUL2018. After a month of looking around for a 05-09 V8 4wd, finally lucked out at a small dealership local to me in Raleigh. Went to look at it even before they posted pictures and was surprised how clean it was. 1 owner, 150k, and with a great service history. Paid for it cash right there.

Plans for the 4runner were a weekend (sometimes week to month) warrior overland build that would also be my daily driver. I was selling my toys (07 Mustang GT, 07 Harley Night Train, and various other pricey things) to fund the new passion. After lurking around T4R.org and OB.com for a while, I started to learn what gen T4R I wanted and what basic mods I wanted to do that would keep it streetable.

Cliff notes were:
-More aggressive tires that were still comfortable on the highway but could take more weight/offroad punishment
-A ~2.5" lift to give a little more travel and clearance and deal with additional weight
-A full roof rack to mount a roof top tent and various other camping stuff
-A front bumper to hold a winch and protect from animal impact
-A rear bumper with a swingout for a full size spare

After selling my bachelor toys, this seemed feasible in the budget to invest into the truck.

How it sat the day I got it home...

 

[Skahn21]

That thing looks good. Excited to see the end results and see some off-road pics. Congrats!

- Spencer

 

[Corvus]

The first thing I got was new rubber. The dismal 245/70/17s on it were almost bald and looked horribly commuter. The flex option for the build is getting some TRD Pro wheels, but I figured the same 265/70/17s I was looking at can be swapped over if I end up with them later.

After more research here and other sources, I decided on Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 265/70/17 and 6ply C load. I got them from Tirebuyer.com and they showed up at my house within two days. I was impressed.

 

[SAC-CA-Runner]

The first thing I got was new rubber. The dismal 245/70/17s on it were almost bald and looked horribly commuter. The flex option for the build is getting some TRD Pro wheels, but I figured the same 265/70/17s I was looking at can be swapped over if I end up with them later.

After more research here and other sources, I decided on Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 265/70/17 and 6ply C load. I got them from Tirebuyer.com and they showed up at my house within two days. I was impressed.

You'll love the Ridge Grapplers. Have had them on mine for a while and are great in all conditions, wear great and most of all...quiet!!

 

[Corvus]

During the same time, I also did research on the roof rack that would fit the bill. I initially looked at the Gobi (as I'm sure many do). But the cost, weight, and lead time had me looking for alternatives. After digging through many threads, I finally ran into the Prinsu rack. For a research-oriented person, I was a little let down with the number of reviews for 4th gen owners and experiences with tents and other loads on it. But, I finally found enough info (and very quick response time from Prinsu themselves) to have me pull the trigger.

The main things I was looking for:

-A full rack that would allow the function of my factory sunroof
-Use all of the factory rack bolt locations (didn't want to drill into that pretty roof)
-Be able to support a heavy Tepui tent, my fat ass, and my girlfriend.
-Be modular to allow for accessories like a 270 awning, shovel, hilift, road shower, or whatever else I wanted to add later
-Be light itself
-Look kewl

I ordered it through Venture Overland and originally thought the ~4 week lead time would be what I would experience.

Through chance, I checked the spam folder of my overloaded Gmail and saw that they had already confirmed shipment and it was arriving that week

Got the big box and started assembling the erector set.

 

[Corvus]

After a girlfriend stubbed toe, I was mandated to prioritize getting the rack on the truck :whipping2

It was hot as balls yesterday here in NC and I burnt myself a couple times bracing myself on the body of the truck while I tried my best to squirt RTV Silicone strategically to prevent any water ingress around the newly exposed bolt holes.

Alas, I got it mounted and boy is it nice. I'd definitely recommend the rack just on aesthetic and quality of materials. Everything bolted up great, was completely square, and (best of all), no perceived wind noise yet. I read that some of the Tacoma guys complained about wind noise from the front deflector. Prinsu started offering some weatherstripping to keep it more planted to the body and alleviate some of it. I bought the weatherstripping just in case, but doesn't seem like I've needed it yet.

Before and after looks pretty great to me.

 

[Corvus]

Also, was able to get access to my buddy's shop yesterday so he could help mount the new rubber and knock out an alignment. The Nittos definitely change the look of the truck and they seem as great as everyone says. Quieter than the commuter 245s that came off. And they balanced great as well

 

[Corvus]

Moosejaw.com was running a 30% in cash rewards for full priced purchases this past weekend, so I bit the bullet on the tent as well. After loads of research on my new home away from home, I decided on the Tepui Kukenam Ruggedized. It's big, but not massive, not light, but not heavy, and with a good name behind it. Plus, looks like the color will match the truck which is most important :biggrin1:

Now I've got to think of what to do with >$600 in rewards at a site that I buy almost all my climbing and camping gear from :shrug:

 

[Corvus]

Next steps for the build (after selling my Harley) will be:

-Icon Stage 2 (with tubular UCA)
-Pelfreybilt Aluminum front bumper with center hoop
-*Unknown winch* likely a Warn with a synthetic rope
-*Unknown rear bumper* don't want a heavy steel rear, but not a fan of too many of the minimalist options either. Looked at Hitchgate, but would prefer an actual bumper
-Potentially a Gobi or Baja ladder. But don't want to wait months and months.

 

[Corvus]

You'll love the Ridge Grapplers. Have had them on mine for a while and are great in all conditions, wear great and most of all...quiet!!

Thanks, yeah they seem eerily quiet for how big and aggressive the lugs are. Just hoping that they'll last the miles. It was either these or the K02s and I think I made the right choice.

 

[Skahn21]

Next steps for the build (after selling my Harley) will be:

-Icon Stage 2 (with tubular UCA)
-Pelfreybilt Aluminum front bumper with center hoop
-*Unknown winch* likely a Warn with a synthetic rope
-*Unknown rear bumper* don't want a heavy steel rear, but not a fan of too many of the minimalist options either. Looked at Hitchgate, but would prefer an actual bumper
-Potentially a Gobi or Baja ladder. But don't want to wait months and months.

Look into this guy-
Smittybilt 98510 X 2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 10000 lb. Load Capacity
Save yourself some bread.

-Spencer

 

[Corvus]

Look into this guy-
Smittybilt 98510 X 2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch - 10000 lb. Load Capacity
Save yourself some bread.

-Spencer

Oh my, thank you sir that may just be perfect. 10k was what I was looking at, but having trouble justifying over $1.5k for something I likely won't use a ton. This looks great. I won't be doing heavy wheeling off the bat, but don't want to get stuck out in the bush by myself.

 

[Skahn21]

Oh my, thank you sir that may just be perfect. 10k was what I was looking at, but having trouble justifying over $1.5k for something I likely won't use a ton. This looks great. I won't be doing heavy wheeling off the bat, but don't want to get stuck out in the bush by myself.

I'm in the same boat. Might not need it but I don't want to need it and not have it. I can hear my girlfriend cursing at me now for getting stuck.
Also looks sweeeet with something like a C4 Fab bumper or SSO offroad bumper. Very cool.

-Spencer

 

[Corvus]

I also made the most crucial mod recently. The truck didn't come with a fob, but I knew through VIN research through Toyota that it came factory with the advanced theft deterrent system. I ordered up a factory fob on ebay and was able to sync it up right away. The locks told me there are two other registered fobs somewhere in the universe lol.

But I couldn't leave the fob alone either...it required modding :biggrin2:

The AJT design fob is just too badass with matching blue anodized allen screws and a red TRD panic button rear. It's not a big one, but cool for something I use every day now.

 

[Whytey]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of this build!
Nice work so far!

 

[rhoyneriver]

I also made the most crucial mod recently. The truck didn't come with a fob, but I knew through VIN research through Toyota that it came factory with the advanced theft deterrent system. I ordered up a factory fob on ebay and was able to sync it up right away. The locks told me there are two other registered fobs somewhere in the universe lol.

But I couldn't leave the fob alone either...it required modding :biggrin2:

The AJT design fob is just too badass with matching blue anodized allen screws and a red TRD panic button rear. It's not a big one, but cool for something I use every day now.

That key fob is pretty awesome, but I can't decide if it's $30 awesome or not!

 

[Morphyne]

I've that color. Hit me up when you get that pelfrey bumper. I'm hoping you'll part with the stock steel bumper and foam bumper insert? I hit a tundra 2 years ago and only replaced the bumper cover.

I could pay you in cash or in wrench time. I own two of these rigs and have seen it all...

 

[Corvus]

That key fob is pretty awesome, but I can't decide if it's $30 awesome or not!

Hah yeah had to make that decision myself. Especially after shelling out money for a full factory fob just to gut it. I justified it because I was let down after research on doing a combo key turned up pretty fruitless. This was my plan B treat lol

 

[Corvus]

I've that color. Hit me up when you get that pelfrey bumper. I'm hoping you'll part with the stock steel bumper and foam bumper insert? I hit a tundra 2 years ago and only replaced the bumper cover.

I could pay you in cash or in wrench time. I own two of these rigs and have seen it all...

Sure, can do. The bumper is pretty far down the list though. Unless you want to buy an 07 Harley that is :frog:

But yeah, I'll let you know. Everything is stock on this, so however it came from the factory.