Desert Dawg build...what a switch!

[Desert Dawg]

I love the mounting location of my D2s; they are not tucked in behind the grille where some of the light gets blocked and I personally think they give the 4Runner a more custom look. They are very stable; no shaking at all (just make sure you have a solid back flange underneath the cross member).

I have the 50231 D2 Driving Light so not sure if that is the same set you have but it is definitely not for highway use; thay have a pretty good spread and really light things up!

 

[KodiakJones]

None, those are the factory cloth seats. I am considering some Wet Okoles or maybe even some leather Katzkins (black with red piping to tie into the ractory red stitching in door leather).

I have something like this in mind:

Desert Dawg,

Have you decided what to do with your seats yet? My 2014 TE came with stock cloth seats. I really wanted leather AND cooled seat (my girlfriend gets really cold and always wants to blast the heat. I figured with her seat heated I could hit the cooler if she was blasting the heat so we both stay comfortable. That and no summer swamp ass or back sweat...but I digress).

I went with Katzkin black leather with red thread and a cool two color perforated leather for the center of the seats.

Worth
Every
Penny

 

[Desert Dawg]

Desert Dawg,

Have you decided what to do with your seats yet? My 2014 TE came with stock cloth seats. I really wanted leather AND cooled seat (my girlfriend gets really cold and always wants to blast the heat. I figured with her seat heated I could hit the cooler if she was blasting the heat so we both stay comfortable. That and no summer swamp ass or back sweat...but I digress).

I went with Katzkin black leather with red thread and a cool two color perforated leather for the center of the seats.

Worth
Every
Penny

The Katzkins look great....thanks for sharing! I have not ordered mine yet as I still have to look into an interior shop to purchase and install (I am on the road and away from home too much to rip out my seats and try the install myself). Now you got me anxious to get mine...lol.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Finally installed my Air on Board switches; one for my roof mounted LED light bar, one for my pair of D2 driving lights, and one for the winch. Unfortunately, the winch switch is defective so it's just being a "blank" right now but I don't have my winch yet either...lol.

 

[budsrunner]

Thanks guys; great suggestions!

I have not removed the spare yet to try a dry fitment, but I did take some measurements. While there is about 1.5 inches of clear space between the factory spare and rear sway bar, there is only about 1/4 inch clear between the spare and tow hitch mount or rear bumper cover tab.





So with the factory spare measuring about 31 inches wide, I need about an inch either way to fit anything near 33 inches so that is not going to happen. Not sure how anyone squeezed a 33 inch tall tire in there for a 2014 model, but the only possible solution is to offset the spare tire mount on the frame but that would take some spot on measurements and welding to move the tire forward about 3/4 inch or so. I also thought about taking the rear bumper cover off and see if I can move the tow hitch mount out more, but I would still hit the bumper cover tabs that I can't move. :shrug:

Ron, your idea about runnning same height but narrower tire for a roof fitment might be a fix, otherwise I will just have to make do with the front to rear tire swap if I ever do get a flat.

I cant download a pic on my phone. But I have a 285 bfg ko2 under my 14 trail. Fits just fine with no rubbing

 

[NoDak]

now the question is, can you actually slide a receiver in there w/o hitting the tire?

 

[Desert Dawg]

I cant download a pic on my phone. But I have a 285 bfg ko2 under my 14 trail. Fits just fine with no rubbing

Yeah, I didn't believe it but it fits...lol.

now the question is, can you actually slide a receiver in there w/o hitting the tire?

It does!:banana:

 

[monstajp]

Beautiful truck.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Desert Dawg,

Have you decided what to do with your seats yet? My 2014 TE came with stock cloth seats. I really wanted leather AND cooled seat (my girlfriend gets really cold and always wants to blast the heat. I figured with her seat heated I could hit the cooler if she was blasting the heat so we both stay comfortable. That and no summer swamp ass or back sweat...but I digress).

I went with Katzkin black leather with red thread and a cool two color perforated leather for the center of the seats.

Worth
Every
Penny

For those of us stuck with the cloths, would you mind sharing how many pennies your Katzkins cost you? Also, who did the install?

 

[THEROK]

I saw a silver 14 here in Newport Beach with similar mods and thought it might be yours. Glad I clicked.

For whatever it's worth here's my Toyota struggling in Vegas as I'm a fan of the 4Runner esp ones done up like yours.

Many thanks!

 

[Desert Dawg]

Beautiful truck.

Thanks monstaijp!

 

[Desert Dawg]

I saw a silver 14 here in Newport Beach with similar mods and thought it might be yours. Glad I clicked.

For whatever it's worth here's my Toyota struggling in Vegas as I'm a fan of the 4Runner esp ones done up like yours.

Many thanks!

Nice looking rig and thanks for the compliment too!

 

[toyohtadude]

Subbed for all the valuable information on my favorite build here! Well done! I just picked up my 2015 Trail Edition and have been looking at everyone's builds, choices, issues, etc... Going to enjoy this forum as much as I did at Tacoma World.

Your T4R is awesome!

 

[Desert Dawg]

Subbed for all the valuable information on my favorite build here! Well done! I just picked up my 2015 Trail Edition and have been looking at everyone's builds, choices, issues, etc... Going to enjoy this forum as much as I did at Tacoma World.

Your T4R is awesome!

Thanks Eric! I am glad you can get some useful info out of the thread!

 

[Desert Dawg]

So I finally got my SouthernSS Slimline Hybrid front bumper from Endless Horizon Expedition! I have been so excited waiting on this puppy to arrive and get my winch ordered as well.

First the good news; the bumper looks to be well-made and very stout.



Now for the bad news; the bumper arrived in a very large cardboard box that was loosely stuffed with corrugated paper, Styrofoam, and bubble wrap but the bumper itself was not wrapped at all. It obviously shifted a lot during shipping as most of the thinner Styrofoam was cracked or broken into smaller pieces which eventually provided no protection whatsoever. It looked like some kid with no knowledge or experience with shipping heavy items had any idea on how to strategically wrap and pack to minimize movement or damage and just threw whatever he/she could find into the box. I am surprised there wasn't newspaper as well...lol.

The bumper was also filthy from either sitting around on the warehouse floor too long and was also literally covered in broken pieces of Styrofoam. I cleaned it up with a vacuum and damp cloth but just annoying that I had to do so.

So after cleaning it up I got to see how the bumper was covered in scuff marks and scratches from the shipping and lack of adequate protection; in some places, the powder coat that I paid extra for was damaged right to bare metal.

I know you can properly ship large heavy items like this as my ADD bumper for my F150 was a lot bigger and heavier and was professionally and appropriately wrapped and shipped as it arrived with no damage at all.







Also, the powder coating does not seem to be evenly applied as there is discoloration across the bumper, and on one corner there are actually bubbles underneath the marred the surface.








Overall, I am highly disappointed in both SouthernSS for their finishing and Endless Horizon Expedition for their lack of care in packing the bumper. I really don't want to deal with the hassle of finding another powder coating shop and having to pay (probably even more locally) to redo the bumper, and also don't want to have to repack this and haul it to UPS to return it. But I don't like the received look of the bumper and won't install it. I will have to contact them and see what my options will be.

A real bummer to spend several hundred dollars and lend support on getting a new product to market only to receive this and now have an extra hassle to deal with. :moping:

 

[txbonds]

That sucks. Sorry to hear it.

 

[2014 Warthog]

Well... mine came in basically the same condition and i agree with what you are saying. Most of the damage in in spots tha are either out of sight or will be damaged on trail anyway.

When i got my cbi rear bumper, it was shipped on a pallet and still had major pwdercoat damage

I similarly read them the riot a t so hopefully theyll do better i the future but the only realistic choice is the touchup the damage, install and enjoy!

Youll scuff it worse the first time you bottpm out on a dune

 

[Desert Dawg]

Well... mine came in basically the same condition and i agree with what you are saying. Most of the damage in in spots tha are either out of sight or will be damaged on trail anyway.

When i got my cbi rear bumper, it was shipped on a pallet and still had major pwdercoat damage

I similarly read them the riot a t so hopefully theyll do better i the future but the only realistic choice is the touchup the damage, install and enjoy!

Youll scuff it worse the first time you bottpm out on a dune

Yeah, I totally get that but like I said if others can take the time and ship things correctly (like ADD) then I do expect the same especially for the price they charge (and for the extra price I paid to have it shipped). I can accept some damage if things are out going to be out of sight after some touch up and installation but a lot of the scuffing, bubbles, scatches, and discoloration will be very much in plain sight after installed. I have no issues that it will get scratched up when I use it, but it would be because I used it and did it myself and not because of someone who doesn't care and I end up with something subpar for my money to begin with. But the fact that the powdercoating is not very good, scratched easily, and have bare metal showing right out the box is just unacceptable. Maybe they can send me some touch up spray paint with their powdercoat color that will blend better.

 

[txbonds]

For the $1k+ they charge with shipping and powdercoat it should be treated better when packing for sure.

Yeah, I totally get that but like I said if others can take the time and ship things correctly (like ADD) then I do expect the same especially for the price they charge (and for the extra price I paid to have it shipped). I can accept some damage if things are out going to be out of sight after some touch up and installation but a lot of the scuffing, bubbles, scatches, and discoloration will be very much in plain sight after installed. I have no issues that it will get scratched up when I use it, but it because I used it and did it myself and not because of someone who doesn't care and I end up with something subpar for my money to begin with. But the fact that the powdercoating is not very good, scratched easily, and have bare metal showing right out the box is just unacceptable. Maybe they can send me some touch up spray paint with their powdercoat color that will blend better.

 

[Mooney]

So I finally got my SouthernSS Slimline Hybrid front bumper from Endless Horizon Expedition! I have been so excited waiting on this puppy to arrive and get my winch ordered as well.

First the good news; the bumper looks to be well-made and very stout.



Now for the bad news; the bumper arrived in a very large cardboard box that was loosely stuffed with corrugated paper, Styrofoam, and bubble wrap but the bumper itself was not wrapped at all. It obviously shifted a lot during shipping as most of the thinner Styrofoam was cracked or broken into smaller pieces which eventually provided no protection whatsoever. It looked like some kid with no knowledge or experience with shipping heavy items had any idea on how to strategically wrap and pack to minimize movement or damage and just threw whatever he/she could find into the box. I am surprised there wasn't newspaper as well...lol.

The bumper was also filthy from either sitting around on the warehouse floor too long and was also literally covered in broken pieces of Styrofoam. I cleaned it up with a vacuum and damp cloth but just annoying that I had to do so.

So after cleaning it up I got to see how the bumper was covered in scuff marks and scratches from the shipping and lack of adequate protection; in some places, the powder coat that I paid extra for was damaged right to bare metal.

I know you can done properly ship large heavy items like this as my ADD bumper for my F150 was a lot bigger and heavier and was professionally and appropriately wrapped and shipped as it arrived with no damage at all.







Also, the powder coating does not seem to be evenly applied as there is discoloration across the bumper, and on one corner there are actually bubbles underneath the marred the surface.








Overall, I am highly disappointed in both SouthernSS for their finishing and Endless Horizon Expedition for their lack of care in packing the bumper. I really don't want to deal with the hassle of finding another powder coating shop and having to pay (probably even more locally) to redo the bumper, and also don't want to have to repack this and haul it to UPS to return it. But I don't like the received look of the bumper and won't install it. I will have to contact them and see what my options will be.

A real bummer to spend several hundred dollars and lend support on getting a new product to market only to receive this and now have an extra hassle to deal with. :moping:

The timing on this really hits home. My bumper was supposed to be shipped out last Friday with yours, but after numerous calls to Lee for a tracking number and no luck, I finally put on the Rambo gear. Lee said the shipping company wouldn't return his calls, I asked for the information who shipped their bumpers and got the following: Royal Mail & Parcel: Shipping Service Metairie LA, Mailing ...
Shipping Service Metairie LA, Shipping Service, Mailing Service, Mailbox Rental Service, Packaging Supply Store, Packaging Service - Royal Mail & Parcel

Spoke with AJ who proceeded to tell me they were out of boxes so my bumper never shipped, therefore no shipping number. This was six days after EHEO dropped off the bumper and I had requested expedited shipping options. AJ had no answer as to when he would have an appropriate box, but said it would be soon. After explaining this was unacceptable , that I would look to EHEO to find someone else to ship, he explained they were the only game in town that can ship large packages so EHEO has to use him. Pretty sure my BP was 300 over 120 at this point and he knew it, took a deep breath and said I'll find someone out of town to come get the bumper. AJ then replied that he would find away to get a box that day and guaranteed he would ship before end of day and finally provided a tracking number.

It didn't ship that day, in fact it was picked up at 7:02p the following night. AJ explained that only he wraps, packs and ships these bumpers, not EHEO.

Sounds to me like Kevin has designed and built a great bumper, but then it's out-sourced to someone for powder coating (they were backed up so mine was sent plain metal) then shipped by some arrogant A-hole that seems proud to hold EHEO hostage as he's the "only game in town."

So what starts as a great product gets handed down through a chain of careless folk not waving the EHEO brand.

Sorry to hear DD, we pay good money, wait many weeks to get our hands on something special, but once it leaves EHEO it seems contracted help just doesn't have the customers best interest at heart.

Hope EHEO can find better contracted help . . . SOON!