Desert Dawg build...what a switch!

Love what you did to your runner! Just got my silver trail. I want to get a more aggressive look (and I love the TRD Pros) by painting/wrapping my front and rear valences black. I read that you got a vinyl wrap put on yours. Can you tell me about that? Are you happy with the outcome of it? Would you do the valence's differently? What would it cost to get a professional to wrap it and is it easily removed? Thanks for taking time to share!
 
Weshwey said:
Love what you did to your runner! Just got my silver trail. I want to get a more aggressive look (and I love the TRD Pros) by painting/wrapping my front and rear valences black. I read that you got a vinyl wrap put on yours. Can you tell me about that? Are you happy with the outcome of it? Would you do the valence's differently? What would it cost to get a professional to wrap it and is it easily removed? Thanks for taking time to share!
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Thanks; the 3M vinyl wrap is holding up great. I had it done at a local pro wrap/tint shop and it cost about $100. I was considering painting it but glad I didn't as I ended up purchasing a Slimline Hybrid winch bumper that the new owner is going to put on. I was just out in San Diego this past week and got to ride around in my 'ol 4Runner with [MENTION=125143]SD G-Mote[/MENTION] and it still looks great.
 
Desert Dawg said:
Thanks...I am having them mount the lights underneath the top horizontal portion of the grille, so they going to custom make a mounting flange that will secure them1.
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Is it possible to recreate or get the directions of how to make these flanges so I can do it on mine. I like the idea of putting it in front of the grill. If someone else has done this, please feel to add on how you did it.
 
atlt4r said:
Is it possible to recreate or get the directions of how to make these flanges so I can do it on mine. I like the idea of putting it in front of the grill. If someone else has done this, please feel to add on how you did it.
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Just used about a 2"x2" flat piece of aluminum and drill out a hole just big enough for the LED moutning bolt. Use a lock nut and bolt and you're all good to go!

 
Desert Dawg said:
My kid decided to try some 4wheeling on his own...didn't work out so good...lol.

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Go easy on him! We all have been there, done that, we all learn (well most of us....) and i'd much prefer my child be out responsibly offloading (assuming he wasn't tearing up private property) then playing video games all day or shooting up.

However someone needs a lesson on off road driving/ recovery. Looks like he got "stuck" and just decided to keep it gunned and dig himself a bigger hole haha
 
Engineer said:
Go easy on him! We all have been there, done that, we all learn (well most of us....) and i'd much prefer my child be out responsibly offloading (assuming he wasn't tearing up private property) then playing video games all day or shooting up.

However someone needs a lesson on off road driving/ recovery. Looks like he got "stuck" and just decided to keep it gunned and dig himself a bigger hole haha
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Totally agree with you. I had to show I wasn't happy about being dragged away from work and hauling myself out into the desert but in the end we had a good laugh. He was safe and learned something.

The funny part is we were planning to head out on the weekend so I could teach him some things, but he couldn't wait...lol.
 
Desert Dawg said:
Totally agree with you. I had to show I wasn't happy about being dragged away from work and hauling myself out into the desert but in the end we had a good laugh. He was safe and learned something.

The funny part is we were planning to head out on the weekend so I could teach him some things, but he couldn't wait...lol.
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I'll remember this. Mine just got his license and is driving the 80... Did you tell him he obviously needed more skinny pedal? I'll tell mine to make sure he has his passport for when he digs to China. Lol. That's a great story though and I'm looking forward to wheeling with my boy!
 
Looks like he needs 4wd?

My daughter turns 16 in a few weeks. Wants an FJ... but I told her she can't have one unless she learns to drive it offroad first. She just like the way they look....and said she would be happy with a 2wd model.:crazy: I told her maybe a 2wd 4r (which she does not want). I just can bring myself to purchase a 2wd FJ. Her second choice is a Jeep. LOL
 
bimrunner said:
I'll remember this. Mine just got his license and is driving the 80... Did you tell him he obviously needed more skinny pedal? I'll tell mine to make sure he has his passport for when he digs to China. Lol. That's a great story though and I'm looking forward to wheeling with my boy!
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haha...yeah, lots of fun and nervous times as well when they start. I'll be taking mine out to the Rio Puerco where he can really flex (but we'll be avoiding the dunes...lol). Have fun with yours! :cheers:


wfo9 said:
Looks like he needs 4wd?

My daughter turns 16 in a few weeks. Wants an FJ... but I told her she can't have one unless she learns to drive it offroad first. She just like the way they look....and said she would be happy with a 2wd model.:crazy: I told her maybe a 2wd 4r (which she does not want). I just can bring myself to purchase a 2wd FJ. Her second choice is a Jeep. LOL
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I had a hard time getting the 2WD 4Runner myself, but my wife and insurance helped with that decision...lol. But have to agree, a 2WD FJ just sounds wrong too! Jeeps are cool but about as unsafe a vehicle you can get as a first car for a kid (handling and side safety are horrible); I rather see her in the 2WD FJ!
 
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Desert Dawg said:
To my friends here on T4R.ORG, I thought I would show my progress so far on my new 2015 Tundra 1794 Edition CrewMax 4x4. As you recall, I wanted to get back to a full sized truck that would suite my needs as a daily driver for work and family but still allow me to get out on the weekends and perhaps the occasional trail. So I set this up to haul my bikes and camping gear for the weekends while being my urban hauler as well.

Stock truck right off the lot:



My first mod was to dechrome the truck and add the TRD PRO grille with custom paint to match. I then went with the Toytec BOSS suspension set at 3.25-inches up front and Coachbuilder rear shackles combined with TIS 535B 20x9 wheels and the new Cooper STT PRO tires (LT295/60R20). I also added a Linex spray-on bedliner, Bed Rug bed mat, Truck Covers USA retractable tonneau cover, Yakima rack and mount system, n-Fab bumper light bar mount with Rigid 30-inch dual row light bar, and some other tidbits.

My previous 4Runner build was really successful as a daily driver and great weekend trailer, but the Tundra is suiting my needs for more room and hauling convenience. I am not done but hope you like my progress so far:
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I definitely like the bed mods. I'm switching to the new F150 as a better tow vehicle (only towing max of about 7000lbs). Like the tundra, but I like the 22mpg highway I was getting when I rented the F150 for a week to test it out. I'm looking to go a similar route with the tonneau cover when I get my truck, definitely checkout out the truck covers version. Only other cover I found that's similar is the Pace Edwards JackRabbit with explorer rails. Definitely looking for that retractability with crossbar and accessory availability. Have you had any issues with leaks with the Truck Covers one? Great looking truck! Definitely sharing similar ideas as an urban hauler/adventurer.
 
G8RB8_12SR5 said:
I definitely like the bed mods. I'm switching to the new F150 as a better tow vehicle (only towing max of about 7000lbs). Like the tundra, but I like the 22mpg highway I was getting when I rented the F150 for a week to test it out. I'm looking to go a similar route with the tonneau cover when I get my truck, definitely checkout out the truck covers version. Only other cover I found that's similar is the Pace Edwards JackRabbit with explorer rails. Definitely looking for that retractability with crossbar and accessory availability. Have you had any issues with leaks with the Truck Covers one? Great looking truck! Definitely sharing similar ideas as an urban hauler/adventurer.
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Thanks for the compliment!

Yeah, for regular towing use, the F150 is probably a better choice but get some real world numbers for towing from the F150 forums; I had both the EcoBoost and 5.0L engines and can tell you they do not get anywhere near 22 mpg highway (unless you are driving consistently at lower elevations on mostly level road over distance and driving under 65 mph…if that is the case, you will see around those numbers) but towing is much, much less. Nonetheless, the Eco is definitely stronger but the 5.0L has a more linear delivery and typically returns better real-world towing mileage despite what the marketing folks or fanboys state.

I do love the versatility of having a rack system over the retractable bed cover; carry skis, snowboards, or bikes while having the secure storage for any and all gear! I had the Pace Edwards JackRabbit Full Metal Jacket on a couple of my Fords and it performed well although got somewhat noisy and would bind a little after some uese. The TruckCovers USA is high quality and holding up very well...so far, but I believe it is slightly more expensive too.
 
Desert Dawg said:
Thanks for the compliment!

Yeah, for regular towing use, the F150 is probably a better choice but get some real world numbers for towing from the F150 forums; I had both the EcoBoost and 5.0L engines and can tell you they do not get anywhere near 22 mpg highway (unless you are driving consistently at lower elevations on mostly level road over distance and driving under 65 mph…if that is the case, you will see around those numbers) but towing is much, much less. Nonetheless, the Eco is definitely stronger but the 5.0L has a more linear delivery and typically returns better real-world towing mileage despite what the marketing folks or fanboys state.

I do love the versatility of having a rack system over the retractable bed cover; carry skis, snowboards, or bikes while having the secure storage for any and all gear! I had the Pace Edwards JackRabbit Full Metal Jacket on a couple of my Fords and it performed well although got somewhat noisy and would bind a little after some uese. The TruckCovers USA is high quality and holding up very well...so far, but I believe it is slightly more expensive too.
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Ha 22 mpg highway was just me in the truck nothing else, bed empty, and maybe a backpack (and in lowland elevations without much grade). I got about 18-19 in the city and combined, which is was my 4R gets now, so not much change there. I fully expect to get closer to 10-14 when I tow mainly because I go up into the mountains. I got 9.5-12 with the 4Runner but it would strain a bit on higher grade passes. I plan for the same MPG just more power available to make it not feel like the engine is working so hard to get to the top and to actually dry camp, since the trailer would exceed tow rating of the 4Runner if I put anything in it (with kitchenwares and a house mattress and propane it was at 4900lbs but GVWR is 6800lbs). I only towed it 9 miles each way to live in for the past two years. Sitting in storage till I get back from the sand box.
 
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G8RB8_12SR5 said:
Ha 22 mpg highway was just me in the truck nothing else, bed empty, and maybe a backpack (and in lowland elevations without much grade). I got about 18-19 in the city and combined, which is was my 4R gets now, so not much change there. I fully expect to get closer to 10-14 when I tow mainly because I go up into the mountains. I got 9.5-12 with the 4Runner but it would strain a bit on higher grade passes. I plan for the same MPG just more power available to make it not feel like the engine is working so hard to get to the top and to actually dry camp, since the trailer would exceed tow rating of the 4Runner if I put anything in it (with kitchenwares and a house mattress and propane it was at 4900lbs but GVWR is 6800lbs). I only towed it 9 miles each way to live in for the past two years. Sitting in storage till I get back from the sand box.
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Okay, that makes sense...lol! I agree, the mileage is not much difference than the 4Runner and I thought it felt strained during mountain driving and high speed passing too. The F150 will serve you well! Still, miss having the 4Runner for daily roundabouts and tight trailing.
 
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