DMRPHY03's 5th Gen Storm Trooper Build

dmrphy03

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Hey crew! I just bought my 2018 T4R TRD ORP last month and I am obsessed! I am starting a build thread to help any and all members out with similar mods they may be wanting to do to their runner. I can only dream of being half as awesome as [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION], but hey...we all gotta start somewhere! I have already done a few things to her so the first few posts won't have any how-to info or progress photos, but I will try to include links for all of the products and I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.



I will also be uploading pictures/videos from time to time of off-roading trips. I am in North TX so the good trails are a little far from me, but I will do my best to get to them as much as possible and keep the thread updated with good content! Feel free to stop by, introduce yourself, and ask any questions you may have about my build-in-progress!



Cheers! :cheers:



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Blacking out logos...

I know this is a pretty common mod, but its the first one I did and I don't even understand why they would put silver badges on a white vehicle, lol! I used plasti-dip as it is really inexpensive, quick, and easy to do.

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Nice! I picked up a white TRD a week ago as well. All I've had time to do is get it tinted and install a ram mount for my phone. The last of the suspension was delivered today with my box from xenon Depot. I'd love to install it all this weekend but not sure I'll have time.

Can't wait to see what you do to yours. I'm already loving mine. Only took about a week to get used to the lack of power.

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Tires...

Tires were an immediate necessity because those Bridgestone Duelers they put on at the factory are hideous and have no business being off of pavement! So many different styles and sizes out there; however, I wanted something more aggressive, a bit bigger, and I REALLY wanted the white letters facing out, so that narrowed my options down quite a bit. Low and behold, the BFG KO2s in a 275/70-17. Much better.

**Please feel free to subscribe to the thread as I have MANY more posts coming with mods I have done and mods I have planned for the near future!**

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Nice! I picked up a white TRD a week ago as well. All I've had time to do is get it tinted and install a ram mount for my phone. The last of the suspension was delivered today with my box from xenon Depot. I'd love to install it all this weekend but not sure I'll have time.

Can't wait to see what you do to yours. I'm already loving mine. Only took about a week to get used to the lack of power.

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Awesome man, would love to see some pics!

Funny you mention the lack of power...I came from a 2017 Dodge Charger 392 Scat Pack with almost 600hp at the rear wheels (pictured below). It was a blast, but not practical at all. Needless to say, getting used to the lack of power in the T4R was tough for me too, haha!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the thread man. Many more posts to come so keep checking back from time to time!

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Even more ironic, I came from a RAM 1500 Hemi truck, 8 speed, bolt ons, hemifever 92 octane tune, etc. With the low 1st and 2nd gear plus a whole stack of gears for it to run through, this truck surprised a lot of vehicles on the road.DSCF7834.jpeg

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Tires were rubbing, and the rims needed to go to the dark side...

Well, increasing the size of the tires left me with a very unattractive rubbing noise coming from the front end, either when in reverse or turning up inclines. I am pretty happy with the suspension on these things and wanted to take advantage of the nice ride for as long as possible, so I went with some spacers to hold me over. I went with the cornfed 2"/1.5" kit, which can be found here: 10-16* Toyota 4Runner Cornfed Suspension Lift kits. Install was super easy, and it rides great with no added harshness or anything. Be prepared to do an alignment though, it will throw the camber off. While installing the spacers and knowing I would need an alignment, I figured it would be a great time to go ahead and swap out to the wheels I wanted as well. I was torn between some XD Grenades and the TRD wheels, but ultimately decided to go with the TRD wheels as I love the factory look they provide as well as the stance and offset. Last but not least, we ALL know that when you lift a vehice you have to put some steps on it to be able to get in! ;) Sooo...I went with the n-fab steps as I personally love the way they look. Find them here: https://www.amazon.com/T1464R-Textured-Toyota-Runner-LIMITED/dp/B00JY03Y8M. I am not sure yet if I will be doing anything hardcore enough to warrant sliders, but if I decide to then so be it. I will throw some sliders on it if necessary. Before and after photos below.

FYI...Once the factory suspension starts wearing out (only 1500 miles on it at the time of this post), I will definitely be pulling the spacers and putting some higher end stuff under there. I haven't had the opportunity (or need) to research all the different options for lifts, but I know toytec and icon make some good stuff so I will cross that bridge when it comes.

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Excited to see this build thread! This is exactly the T4R I'm looking for as well. Keep us posted!

Thanks man! I'm really excited to keep modding and sharing with everyone! Please feel free to subscribe and keep checking back from time to time, I will be adding a lot more stuff soon!
 
Needed more accents...

I wanted to add some more black accents to contrast with the white and I am a big fan of the look of wind guards and bug deflectors on the 5th gen runners. I went on to the trusty amazon to take advantage of my prime membership and ordered the AVS (Auto Vent Shade) set. I went with the 3M wind guards instead of the in-channel ones, simply because they had better reviews and I had read some negative remarks from people about the ones that go in the window channel. The bug deflector is your typical screw on, under the hood. Everything went on really easy, and took less than 30 mins including prep time!

Link for wind guards: https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-94242-Ventvisor-Deflector/dp/B003ZJ16K6 and bug deflector: https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Ventshade-25053-Bugflector-Shield/dp/B003ZJ2HMM

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Watch out for cops...and the sun...

I don't like speeding tickets. At all. The Escort Passport Max to the rescue: https://www.radarbusters.com/Escort-Passport-Max-Radar-Detector-p/passport-max.htm. I have had the Max for a couple of years now, but it works great so I have just transferred it over when buying a new car. I also got this cool, rear-view mirror mount: https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-Mirror-Detector-Bracket/dp/B00TKVCTZEI (the questionable review rating comes from people not doing their homework, this thing is AWESOME) as well as this nifty wire tap: https://www.amazon.com/Radar-Mount-...D=419P6B2i4jL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail that plugs straight in to the back of the rear-view mirror to provide power and prevent having to run any wires.

I have always had "eyebrows" on the windshields of my vehicles to help with the brutal sun here in TX, so it was only a matter of time before I got this in to get one as well. Looks great from the inside and out, and truly acts as a great visor to keep the sun out of your eyes. Fortunately, the dealer installed some really nice tint in the T4R, so I didn't have to worry about getting all of the windows done as well.

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The similarities in our situations are cracking me up. I also did a rear view mirror mount from Amazon for my Passport 9500ix. After a road trip to Seattle this past weekend where it wouldn't stay put I returned it. I also wasn't thrilled with the amount of viewing space it took up. I'm still searching for a resolution. I really don't want to suction it to the window in this rig but it might end up front center bottom again with a hidden hardwire.

I also tinted my entire front windshield. I'll start a build thread shortly rather than clutter yours up.
 
The similarities in our situations are cracking me up. I also did a rear view mirror mount from Amazon for my Passport 9500ix. After a road trip to Seattle this past weekend where it wouldn't stay put I returned it. I also wasn't thrilled with the amount of viewing space it took up. I'm still searching for a resolution. I really don't want to suction it to the window in this rig but it might end up front center bottom again with a hidden hardwire.

I also tinted my entire front windshield. I'll start a build thread shortly rather than clutter yours up.

No worries at all man! I welcome the replies, thoughts, opinions, input, etc. I hate to hear about your experience with the rear-view mirror mount though. This is the 3rd vehicle I have used it in and absolutely love it. Now that you say it, I think I do remember it taking a little bit of getting used to in the first vehicle I had it in, but now it's almost like it would be really awkward for me to not have it sitting there, lol.

You know, when I went to put the eyebrow in, they told me about a product that they have to cover the whole windshield with; however, they decided to wait until after the brow was installed and I was ready to leave to bring it up :doh: It got my attention for sure though, as it was a really light tint and did a great job of keeping the UV rays and heat out. They had a little demo setup to where you could test it out. Pretty cool stuff. I think they said it was like $150 for the windshield and it was made by SunTek, a pretty big name in the game.
 
Now for some fun stuff...

I had been doing a lot of surfing in the forums and was really digging the look of the low-profile, mid style front bumpers with the winch mounts in them. I found a few companies that made them, did some research and came to a decision. I went with the WARN 100022 Semi-Hidden Winch Mount Front Bumper Kit: https://21motorsports.com/warn-1000...MI4874ivTo2wIVhaDsCh3WOwBiEAYYAyABEgI0kfD_BwE. I decided to go with this unit for a few reasons. First being no lead time, I ordered it from the link provided and had it drop shipped within 2 business days. Also, WARN is a big name and they have a great reputation and will stand behind their product. This bumper also has large cut-outs to access the winch, making life SO much easier. Last but not least, the fairlead for the winch is vertical on this unit, as it should be. All of the other models have an angled fairlead and I just wasn't a fan of it. The WARN is cheaper than the competition as well, but not by that much so I just saw that as an added bonus. I am not bashing any of the other companies making these bumpers at all. In fact, I have read a lot of great things about the other models as well. I just did my research and chose what worked best for me.

As far as the winch goes, I went with the Smittybilt 98510 Gen 2 X20 10k Comp with synthetic rope: https://21motorsports.com/smittybilt-98510-x2o-10k-gen2-winch/. I know, I know...a WARN bumper and a Smittybilt winch?! Well, let's face it, I am not off-roading this thing on a regular basis and really just wanted a stout winch to get me (or others) out of the occasional sticky situation. That said, price was a big factor here. I just couldn't justify spending another $250+ on a winch with WARN's name on it, that essentially does the same thing. I would have splurged if it was being used regularly though, I will say that. I also really liked the wireless remote on this Smitty model, it's super convenient. I have had to use it once so far to move a fallen tree out of the road and it performed beyond expectation!

I installed both of these myself and it took about 4 hours. It wasn't a hard install by any means, just a little tedious and time consuming. The provided instructions on both units are pretty good and you will do fine as long as you have some minor mechanical skills and don't mind chopping up your front bumper.

**PRO TIP: If you contact the company in the links above directly via phone and talk to Justin in sales, then he will cut you a great deal on both items as a package, shipped to your front door. He gave me a very generous discount for buying both of these from them!**

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The boxed/packaged Warn bumper barely fit in the back of the runner!
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In these last couple of pics you will see some red shackles with black isolators that I added to the rings on the bumper. I went with these shackles: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rugged-...BEgKsUPD_BwE&dclid=CLyOq7j56NsCFRm9TwodMi0JeA and these Daystar isolators: https://www.quadratec.com/products/92144_901X_PG.htm.

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I don't have any plans to do a bumper or winch in the foreseeable future but if I were to it would look something like that. I've seen a few great looking ones, just not something I want/need yet.

That being said, I wasn't aware WARN made a bumper like that. They are local to me, very local. Maybe I'll have to talk to some friends who work there to see what they can do. WARN has been pretty generous in the past with local folks who promote their stuff. I've connected a few friends with them and traded winches/bumpers for use of their rigs in advertisements.

If the price is right I'd throw one on now.
 
Let there be LED light...

I kind of spoiled myself with my last few cars by putting LEDs in them. The white light looks so nice whether its coming from headlights, map lights, puddle lights, reverse lights, license plate lights, etc. When it comes to the interior bulbs, I went straight to amazon as I have used them many time before with great luck. You will need two packs of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VVWTPT1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and a pack of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZKTXJA4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to replace all interior lights, courtesy lights, license plate lights and (factory) reverse lights. All extremely quick and easy to install. Inexpensive mod that gives your runner a great look.

I also went ahead and did the tail-to-turn mod by Diode Dynamics while I was at it: https://www.diodedynamics.com/2014-2017-toyota-4runner-tail-as-turntm-module-backup-module.html. This is a pretty cool kit because it bypasses the ugly amber turn signals in the rear and uses the factory LED brake lights as the turn signals as well. You can also opt to hook up one more wire and it turns the old turn signal outlets in to reverse light outlets that can be supplied with bigger and brighter white LEDs so people REALLY know when you are backing up. The Diode Dynamics kit has great video tutorials online and is very easy to install. I think it took me about 15 minutes for both tail lights. I used these bulbs to replace the old turn signals, which are now reverse lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07414XVKT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. The output on these is AMAZING!

When it came to the headlights and fogs, I did a LOT of reading and researching and went back and forth many times before pulling the trigger on a set. I was sold on the XenonDepot kits until I came across a particular thread on here (I wish I knew the guy's name so I could give him credit) referencing some LEDs off of amazon. I figured being a prime member and having the simplicity of hassle-free returns, why not give it a shot at least? So, I went ahead and purchased these for the lows and fogs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXMIRY6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 as well as these for the highs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XBD2Z8V/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. The lows and fogs went in VERY securely with little to no play in them. After testing them at night, I was pleasantly surprised with the output and decided to keep them in. The color is great, the pattern is perfect, and they throw a great amount of light to be able to see whats in front of you. The highs on the other hand, did not fit well in to their socket and they had some play in them so they went back to amazon. When I returned them, I came across these: https://www.amazon.com/Cougar-Motor...pID=51eyTXd5FvL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch, which had great reviews so I thought what the heck and ordered them. These lights are freaking awesome. They are SUPER bright and I have no issues seeing way ahead of me when the high beams are on.

A little side note...I did the DRL mod mentioned in this forum, which completely deactivates the DRLs from running. I don't like the way they look and I didn't want to have any voltage/flickering issues with the LEDs. I run my headlights at all times to maintain visibility on the roads.

I will be posting some photos of all of the lights, but unfortunately proper lighting colors are just hard to capture on a camera. Though it may be hard to tell, all of the lighting is super bright and a nice, crisp white color. Looks very clean.

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Diode Dynamics Tail-to-Turn with old turn signals as new reverse lights:
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Low Beams:
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High Beams:
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I don't have any plans to do a bumper or winch in the foreseeable future but if I were to it would look something like that. I've seen a few great looking ones, just not something I want/need yet.

That being said, I wasn't aware WARN made a bumper like that. They are local to me, very local. Maybe I'll have to talk to some friends who work there to see what they can do. WARN has been pretty generous in the past with local folks who promote their stuff. I've connected a few friends with them and traded winches/bumpers for use of their rigs in advertisements.

If the price is right I'd throw one on now.

Give them a shout dude! Even retail on it is only like $799, so I'm sure you could get a killer deal on it. I would be really curious to hear what they are willing to do for you. Keep me posted if you don't mind!
 
Awesome build. I'm in Frisco, just picked up the same truck and will be going for a similar look. Presently sitting at Discount Tire!

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Awesome build. I'm in Frisco, just picked up the same truck and will be going for a similar look. Presently sitting at Discount Tire!

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Ha, that’s awesome! Is that the Discount off of 423? Good choice on tires for sure! ;)


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