Desert Dawg build...what a switch!

[Desert Dawg]

Finally got word from Trail Duty that Gobi has shipped my new rack! Woohoo! Should be here in another 5-10 days, so can't wait to get that puppy mounted.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Trucks Unique may have there machine updated but it may be a toss up whether or not you get anybody good on it. Last time I checked they did have a younger guy ( I think his name was Travis or Josh) that was ok at it. I would tell them exactly what you want and they should be able to do it.

It drives me nuts having someone else do the tires/alignment on my vehicles these days. Thats what I used to do ( for over ten years ) and it seems that I took more pride in my work and was a little more careful. I wish I had my own rack, I would dial it in for you.

Well, I went to ABQ Tire first as that is where Desert Rat recommended I go after refunding my money for the alignment (which after I thought about it that made sense as they're not about to recommend a direct competitor...lol), so thought I would try. They have the update machines and specs so figured if anyone can dial this in, they probably can. After hooking up the 4Runner, they call me over and said the alignment Desert Rat performed is in spec and their machine was given closr to the same numbers so from their perspective all looked good and didn't want tp perform/charge me another alignment. When I mentioned that I have a soft right tendency, they said if anything my truck should drift a bit left according to the settings. Of course...lol.

But then they measured the distance between the leveled lift platform and the frame; they found the passenger side is still a half inch lower than the right after adjusting the coilovers. The tech thought that might contribute to the truck wandering towards the right, but he also recommended that I cross mount the tires in case one the tires is causing the drift.

Before going to Trucks Unique, I am going to have Desert Rat readjust the right side a tad more and see if that doesn't fix the issue after they redo the alignment again. Except for that small issue, truck is riding and performing great with the new lift and tires!

 

[4runner4rever]

Well, I went to ABQ Tire first as that is where Desert Rat recommended I go after refunding my money for the alignment (which after I thought about it that made sense as they're not about to recommend a direct competitor...lol), so thought I would try. They have the update machines and specs so figured if anyone can dial this in, they probably can. After hooking up the 4Runner, they call me over and said the alignment Desert Rat performed is in spec and their machine was given closr to the same numbers so from their perspective all looked good and didn't want tp perform/charge me another alignment. When I mentioned that I have a soft right tendency, they said if anything my truck should drift a bit left according to the settings. Of course...lol.

But then they measured the distance between the leveled lift platform and the frame; they found the passenger side is still a half inch lower than the right after adjusting the coilovers. The tech thought that might contribute to the truck wandering towards the right, but he also recommended that I cross mount the tires in case one the tires is causing the drift.

Before going to Trucks Unique, I am going to have Desert Rat readjust the right side a tad more and see if that doesn't fix the issue after they redo the alignment again. Except for that small issue, truck is riding and performing great with the new lift and tires!

INteresting! I love the setup you have so far and has solidified my decision in purchasing a white TE! And the 17x9 seem like a good medium. Great job, bro! HOw's the power on those? Obviously when i test drove them, they seemed nice but you came from a truck (F-150) and i was wondering what you thought about the 4.0. I have been (still am) deciding between this and the tacoma.

Thanks!

 

[Desert Dawg]

INteresting! I love the setup you have so far and has solidified my decision in purchasing a white TE! And the 17x9 seem like a good medium. Great job, bro! HOw's the power on those? Obviously when i test drove them, they seemed nice but you came from a truck (F-150) and i was wondering what you thought about the 4.0. I have been (still am) deciding between this and the tacoma.

Thanks!

Man, it is amazing how many spelling errors I find when I re-read my posts....lol. I need to slow down my typing.

Back on topic:

Thanks for the compliment!

To be brutally honest, you really can't compare the power/torque delivery coming from my EcoBoost (with some mods); I know the 4Runner (and Tacoma) has much less power/torque than the F150 but it also really "feels" slow when it comes to initial acceleration (especially after the mods with larger/heavier tires). It's all relative of course, but it is amazing how much more powerful the much larger/heavier F150 setup was compared to my current 4Runner setup (horsepower and torque deficit despite the weight differences).

Having said that, I still find the 4Runner "competent" enough for getting up to speed and definitely for highway cruising. I just have to be more careful about when I decide to pass or turn in front of upcoming traffic compared to the EcoBoost (mine had minimal turbo lag). But the tradeoff is much better maneuverability and responsiveness when driving in traffic and around town, and I love being able to fit into smaller spaces. Plus, I really wanted a trail vehicle and the 4Runner tops the much larger F150 in that regard too.

Overall, I think the power is fine and I don't regret the mods at all. In some ways, power aside, I enjoy the 4Runner more over my F150 as a daily driver and real trail rig. I just really wish TRD would come out with the supercharger for the current Gen and then all would be good!

 

[Desert Dawg]

Had an unexpected delivery today! I called Trail Duty last Friday afternoon about when my Gobi Stealth Roof Rack would be shipped and they said it was being sent and I should have it within 5-10 days, and 3 days later....wallah!



I ordered mine with the sunroof panel so I can remove in the future if I ever decide to add a low profile sunroof that I can fit under. Also received the rear ladder and wind deflector.



Even better, looks like everything arrived and all in great shape. Gobi did a nice job packing/wrapping everything up. Bummer as I need to be away on travel so won't be able to install it until maybe this weekend. I also need to select some lights for the light bar.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Okay, I couldn't wait...lol. Took me about 3 hours to remove the factory roof rack system and install the Gobi, but purposely took my time to make sure I didn't screw it up. Got too dark to take some good pics, so will do so when I am back from travels by the weekend. I have to say that I was very impressed with the build quality and fit. The instructions/figures were a bit primitive but had enough to figure out what to do. In the meantime, took some quick cell pics inside the garage after all secured.

Apologies for the crappy cell pics:






I had about 2.5 inches to spare to fit into garage but it fits! Got too late but still have to install the rear ladder and figure out some lights for the rack. Once all done, I'll post some better daytime pics to show the entire build.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Looks real good!

 

[harkco]

Looks great! What are your plans for lights? I have a Gobi rack on order as well - I went with one without the vertical bars at the front of the rack, however. I can't seem to make up my mind between a 30 inch combo light or 4 6 inch lights.

Okay, I couldn't wait...lol. Took me about 3 hours to remove the factory roof rack system and install the Gobi, but purposely took my time to make sure I didn't screw it up. Got too dark to take some good pics, so will do so when I am back from travels by the weekend. I have to say that I was very impressed with the build quality and fit. The instructions/figures were a bit primitive but had enough to figure out what to do. In the meantime, took some quick cell pics inside the garage after all secured.

Apologies for the crappy cell pics:









I had about 2.5 inches to spare to fit into garage but it fits! Got too late but still have to install the rear ladder and figure out some lights for the rack. Once all done, I'll post some better daytime pics to show the entire build.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Looks real good!

Thanks Ron... Definitely think the rack works well with the other mods!

Looks great! What are your plans for lights? I have a Gobi rack on order as well - I went with one without the vertical bars at the front of the rack, however. I can't seem to make up my mind between a 30 inch combo light or 4 6 inch lights.

Thanks harkco! I am not sure as I haven't measured the spacing yet but was thinking of maybe a center 10-inch LED flanked by 4-inch LEDs on either side but also considering having four 6-inch across as well.

 

[TXmike]

Paul, just got done going through your build process. amazing job! I'm a new T4R'er, actually I don't even have mine yet. wont be here till the 25th and wont be ready till after July 7th. But so far you have done nearly everything I have planned for mine. so its really exciting seeing what it will look like before I even get mine, lol. he he he. what does it look like from the rear with the ladder?

 

[Desert Dawg]

Paul, just got done going through your build process. amazing job! I'm a new T4R'er, actually I don't even have mine yet. wont be here till the 25th and wont be ready till after July 7th. But so far you have done nearly everything I have planned for mine. so its really exciting seeing what it will look like before I even get mine, lol. he he he. what does it look like from the rear with the ladder?

Thanks! I have to say that the 4Runner is definitely fun to mod especially if you're going to enhance the off-road look and capability; also, it is extremely helpful and enjoyable to have a great forum like this where a lot of folks are willing to shares ideas and experiences too!

I ran out of time to finish the install before I had to leave on business travel for the week, but I am back home tonight. So the plan is to install the cargo ladder this weekend. I also plan on taking some much better quality photos of the finished build (so far).

 

[Desert Dawg]

Finally got the cargo ladder installed. Had a hard time believing I could get the bent flange in between the liftgate gap with the body, but finally braved the instructions....they were right...lol.

 

[Desert Dawg]

 

[Desert Dawg]

So still have to go get my roof rack lights, but here's how she sits so far with everything:

 

[Desert Dawg]

 

[Desert Dawg]

 

[sandcrawler]

slightly off-topic

is that your personal garage? i've never seen that kind of recessed floor in a garage before.

 

[Desert Dawg]

is that your personal garage? i've never seen that kind of recessed floor in a garage before.

Yes, it is. Typically homes here have a bumper stop with a raised walk pad in front wherever there is a doorway into the house; I have two doorways into the house and so designed mine a lot deeper for workbench area, workout area, and storage areas.

 

[Desert Dawg]

So my 40-inch lightbar came in at Desert Rat; it's the new curved style that matches the curve of the roof. I think it looks pretty cool and can't wait to mount it but I have to fabricate something to attach to the Gobi roof rack.

Anyway, it's a Night Stalker 40-inch Combination CREE LED with Long Range and Fog/Flood Beams:

 

[Desert Dawg]

I fabricated some mounting hardware to attach the 40-inch lightbar to the Gobi roof rack; I think it turned out pretty darn slick if I do say so myself...lol.

I took some 1/4-inch thick flanges and drilled additional mounting holes and cut the flange to length in order to fit between the Gobi roof rack rails while clearing the wind deflector and trying to get it all level and centered. A lot of dry fitting and adjusting but got 'er done.