Exporunner's Build Thread

[exporunner]

Greetings all,

Another long time forum watcher here who figured it was finally time to start a build thread/log sheet. I was a long time Jeep guy having owned two wranglers and a cherokee, I'll see if I can find some pics of them for reference, currently still have one wrangler which is my other obsession. Blasphemy here I know Main focus and direction for this build will be general maintenance and up keep as well as starting to build up for long distance traveling across country and beyond. Looked forever to find a clean 5-spd unfortunately no factory locker but definitely some type of lockers in the future. I appreciate all the help this forum has provided and look forward building up the runner.

Current Specs:

1999 Toyota 4runner "Highlander Package" 4wd
Purchased with 168,000 miles in Virginia
5-spd manual transmisson
Custom Roof Rack
Custom Rear Storage Box w/Hi Lift storage
Cobra CB Radio w/antennae
255/75 R17 BFGoodrich MT tires on 17" FJ steelies
265/75/R16 on OME five stars
Side step delete
Deckplate mod
Tepui RTT
*Currently have 906 rear springs in mail

Most Current Image:

Future Modifications:

OME or toytec lift
ARB front winch bumper
Warn M8000 winch
Shrockworks Rear Bumper + Tire Carrier
Dual Battery System
weathertech floor mats
Some type of fridge
And many other things Im probably forgetting or havent seen yet...

And of course it wouldn't be worth viewing without pictures. Heres a from the online advertisement,

 

[exporunner]

Pictures of when I went to see it in person and first pictures after owning it, I have a feeling this will be a pic heavy build sheet hang on...

 

[exporunner]

I also pretty quickly did the deckplate mod and side step delete and picked up a set of front mud guards which I later found out are almost impossible to find the drivers side I think...I went to the dealer and according to them found the last drivers side mud guard in the US haha sorry everyone...

Here it is without those pesky side steps but no mud guards yet I'll have to see if I can dig up a picture with those on at this stage

 

[exporunner]

Next mod came from my Wrangler which I had a custom roof rack made by a local fabricator unfortunately don't have the space for a welder or anything at the moment...damn city living...heres the original design based off of the land cruiser gamiviti rack design on my wrangler. I had at the time a Garmin Rack but I wanted more of a flat rack so that I could more easily mount my RTT to the roof and really liked the simplicity of the gamiviti design.

Designed and sent off to fabricator

finally product ready for paint with wrangler looking on in anticipation...

 

[exporunner]

Moved my Cobra CB radio over from the Wrangler too. I was able to fit in the stock cd player spot as I usually only listen to either my radio or iPhone through the cassette player. I was able to trim the stock radio mounting bracket and move the radio to the bottom and cb on top just fits

 

[chimpy]

Looking good dude!!:nod:

 

[exporunner]

Looking good dude!!:nod:

Thanks Brian!

So after putting the rack on my Wrangler I got the 4runner and starting thinking how I could adjust the old rack to work on the much longer and narrower 4runner so heres what I cam up with

cutting the rack into quarters

[/URL]~original[/IMG]

lining up new pieces

inserting metal tube fills

clamping the metal tube fills in

and all assembled on the floor

 

[exporunner]

Heres a few pics with the rack mounted up on the 4runner starting with the mounting supports

and then a couple shots of the whole system I ended up making some limb risers which also help to pull the rack down and keeps it nice and tight to the roof put still leaves me enough room to pop the sunroof

 

[exporunner]

Road around with it like this for awhile but then came across a good deal on some BFG Mud KMs on fj steel wheels I always love the look of steel wheels all functionality heres the pic from the ad

decided I didnt want to do the complete black on black so I went with a dark grey color which I think adds a nice touch to runner

 

[chimpy]

Great conversion job on the rack! As far as the wheels go, the more I see the steelies , the more I like them. Good luck with everything. Looks like you are going in the right direction for sure.:nod:

 

[shootmymime]

yes indeed, how did you end up mounting the rack to the roof. better pictures please?
ps. i really love the steels

 

[Skidmarcx]

Sweet rig... like the other I'm admiring your rack!

 

[shadow247]

Looking good. I'd like to see a little more about that CB install. I want to add a CB and would rather not chop up my ashtray if I can help it. Having it mounted like yours would be sweet.

What model CB radio is it?
Looks like you reused the factory radio brackets right?

 

[Scat Adams]

Lookin good! Those wheels are *****in!

 

[exporunner]

thanks for all the comments and yea im really happy with how the steelies turned out and glad to hear there are some other fans out there too. anyway I got some pics of how the roof rack attaches basically just took two L angle brackets from home depot and cut them in half and bolted them together and then just used the existing mounting bolts to mount it to the factory rack track. the rack is held to the L brackets by 4 u bolts and then held down in the front with the cable ties heres some pics. Havent had a chance to get any pics of the cb assembly but Ill get on that as soon as I can. The cb is a cobra 18 I believe Ill have to get back to you on that though not 100% at the moment