Crowdad Build 2.0

[crowdad]

Hey everyone. New to the 5th Gen side of the forum but not to T4R.ORG. I have been in the 3rd gen side of things for the past 7 years and really enjoyed my time there. I built up a quiet 97' Runner as my daily driver and mild adventure vehicle. It was great fun and extremely worth the investment.

Crowdad Build Thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/209623-crowdad-build.html







We also have a 2013 GX 460 we have used on our Family Adventures







After we had our 3rd child my wife tried to talk me in to getting a new vehicle and starting fresh. I figured I would play along and I put an order in for a 2016 TRD Offroad Tacoma 6spd manual. I was really pumped about the truck upon ordering it but after my second test drive I determined the rear seats were just too small. Also the Tacoma World guys were EXTREMELY negative about the new engine, new tranny and overall build quality of the Tacoma. Needless to say I was turned off and somehow set my sights on a 2016 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited 6spd. I got to drive it for a 2 day test drive and it was fun and all but just didn't have the cargo or utility or build quality my old 97' 4Runner did. Finally I put away my derision for the look of the new 4Runner and went and test drove one. I got over it immediately. I loved it.

The dealer had a hard time finding one but I finally ended up with my 2016 Nautical Blue Metallic Trail Edition Premium on 5-28-16 and within an hour of it being in my driveway the running boards came off.







The stock Dunlop tires that come on the TE are almost laughable as offroad tires and with a trip planned to Colorado in July I went ahead and cut to the chase and slapped on some BFG KO2s in 275/70r17 flavor.... So much better!




As of now I have also ordered White Knuckle DOM Bolt on Sliders. I am still deciding how and when to lift the truck.

I am excited to be in the new ride and to start a new build. I know I will learn a lot from all of you here as I have been perusing some amazing builds and some very helpful threads.

More to come and thanks for reading!

 

[mccamp82]

Shoulda got the Coopers, man!

ha....excited about this new thread. You need to get a new lens or 2 to go with this so you can take some super sweet photos on your trips.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Great color.

 

[crowdad]

Is this a new ride for you? Looks great. I am really liking the color too as it looks different in different light conditions.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Is this a new ride for you? Looks great. I am really liking the color too as it looks different in different light conditions.

I bought it July '15. Bought my wife a white SR5P in March '15 and liked it so much I traded my Yukon Denali in on this a few months later. I owned a bunch of 3rd Gens previously.

The color is awesome. Only issue is it shows everything and I'm anal about keeping it clean. I love it though, it's my mobile office. I may swap the Trail wheels out for some FN fx TRD Pro look a likes. And I have some 5100's sitting here waiting to go on. Other than that it's done.

 

[crowdad]

Well I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on a introductory lift. I didn't necessarily want to go all in at this time and spend tons of money right up front as I wanted to take this build slow and steady and enjoy a semi close to stock ride for a while.

Front: Bilsteins 5100 adjustable shocks set at 1.75" with my stock springs.

Rear: Toytec SuperFlex 2" Coils with stock shocks. RCC2.0 - ToyTec "Superflex" Rear Coils (FJ & 03+ 4Runner) I probably will need to go to a longer shock to really utilize the flexiness of these

The rear will sit a bit higher obviously but with pulling a boat and loading it with gear on trips I like the idea it can compress a little without sagging. The front change was not as dramatic as I thought it would be set at the ~1.75" notch. I am certain the rear will settle a bit and it will look pretty decent within a couple weeks.

New SuperFlex 2" coils

Rear Installed


The 5th Gen is a little more of a chore to lift the front than my old 3rd Gen. The sway bar and the Tie Rods are pretty much in the way and I had to disconnect them both. Simple removal but just one more step.

So new... Feel a little guilty messing with her!






All done with an ecstatic son!




I feel like this is a great lift height for the tire size I have on (275/70) and am pretty happy that it is subtle yet functional.

 

[mccamp82]

Looks really good, man. Did you measure to see how much actual lift you got? I've always been a fan of a little bit of rake so i think it looks really sweet. And the tires are a great size.

How do the Billy's feel compared to the stock shocks?

 

[mccamp82]

When do those sliders come in? Can't wait to see those.

 

[crowdad]

Looks really good, man. Did you measure to see how much actual lift you got? I've always been a fan of a little bit of rake so i think it looks really sweet. And the tires are a great size.

How do the Billy's feel compared to the stock shocks?

When do those sliders come in? Can't wait to see those.

Thanks Camp. I didn't measure a before and after unfortunately! I can go measure the front and rear later though. I think the rake looks pretty decent too.

Sliders are expected end of June! I think the Nautical Blue will look good with some more black accents like bumpers and sliders. I have been told I have a soccer mom color so maybe the sliders will help the look! Though I could not care any less what someone may think. In person, this color is growing on me more and more!

My ride is almost exactly the same after installing the lift. REALLY pleased with it as I felt guilty doing anything to it being so new. The nose doesn't dive as bad as it did stock and I have a tad bit more feed back from the road on the front end. The rear feels plush and smooth.

 

[Simpleman74]

how much of a chore were those rear springs? I am installing some SAW 1.5" coils this weekend. Rig looks great, I dig the 3rd gen!

 

[crowdad]

how much of a chore were those rear springs? I am installing some SAW 1.5" coils this weekend. Rig looks great, I dig the 3rd gen!

Thanks Simpleman! I will miss the 3rd gen.

The rear was really straight forward. With putting it on jackstands and taking the wheels off it took a little over an hour.

Place rear of truck on stands on the frame.
Undo the shocks top nut and sway bar end links with the axle supported with a jack and then let the rear down. I used another small jack to offset the axle angle and the old spring fell out and then squeezed the new one in there.

If you have KDSS good luck. I did the same lift on our GX 460 and it took at least twice as long!

 

[Simpleman74]

Thanks Simpleman! I will miss the 3rd gen.

The rear was really straight forward. With putting it on jackstands and taking the wheels off it took a little over an hour.

Place rear of truck on stands on the frame.
Undo the shocks top nut and sway bar end links with the axle supported with a jack and then let the rear down. I used another small jack to offset the axle angle and the old spring fell out and then squeezed the new one in there.

If you have KDSS good luck. I did the same lift on our GX 460 and it took at least twice as long!

good to hear, no kdss for me!

 

[Jasalvas]

Looks great! Now for some adventure pics!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[crowdad]

Looks great! Now for some adventure pics!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ha thanks! Tell me about it! Off road adventures are hard to come by down here in Texas unless you have a loads of private land you can go on. There are one or 2 off road parks but they get a little repetitive after a couple trips.

I am really ready to see what this thing can do off road compared to my 3rd. I wonder how much bigger and heavier it is going to feel on tight trails and decline/off camber situations.

Thanks for reading

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

Love that color! The lift and tires do a lot to the look and ability of the truck. Nice work!

 

[jdm_rider]

you're the only other nautical blue 5th gen build I've seen :nicethread:

 

[crowdad]

Love that color! The lift and tires do a lot to the look and ability of the truck. Nice work!

you're the only other nautical blue 5th gen build I've seen :nicethread:

Thanks guys! I am digging the color more and more. Really happy this was somehow the only one available around the Austin area. Made my decision a lot easier. I didn't realize it was such a rare (less desirable?) color when I got it. Literally all my cars have been silver, white, and black... glad I have some color in my life!

 

[MichaelH4]

I've got a blue 5th gen as well, best color 4Runner! Love the build so far, any plans on different wheels?

 

[MichaelH4]

Also whose jeep is that in the original post? looks good with the rack

 

[crowdad]

I've got a blue 5th gen as well, best color 4Runner! Love the build so far, any plans on different wheels?

Thanks Michael. Good to see another NB 4Runner!

As of now no plans for the wheels. I am super picky about wheels. On my old 3rd gen, I had to talk myself into buying the Toyota TRD wheels. I actually like the stockers right now. If did anything it would be TRD wheels in some form or fashion trying to stay as close to Toyota looks as possible.

The Jeep is my father in law's. It's a really nice hard rock edition. It probably cost about 6-7k more than my TEP! Its loaded.

Driven it and his old 2010 wrangler quite a bit. They are fun but it is really more of a toy(as his is) than a good everyday vehicle.