Flask TL's Sleeper Build

[FlaskTL]

So I have been lurking on here for long enough and its time I start posting about my build.

Background:
I'm a former Jeep guy.....was really into it, but got tired of spending $$$ every other month just to go back out an break something else...I was also a lot younger then. I caught the overland bug several years ago. I'm also a big hunter and have been fortunate enough to take some killer trips and meet some awesome people following my passion to be outside. Long story short after filming for friends in my spare time, I along with 3 friends decided to combine our passion for hunting and overland travel together. This build will be for my vehicle that will take part in a great deal of our travels over the next few years, some of which will potentially be featured on a network. The Trans America trail and the original route 66 route are two main objectives for the project. This vehicle has received some sponsorships so I want to be up front about that...but my opinion on any and all gear used will be honest. While I am still new to a Yota, I'm by no means new to going offroad. I say this as I have a great respect for quality gear and manufactures that stand by the products they sell.

Vehicle:
2012 SR5 4Runner.
Millage at build start: 30,000.
No previous modification.

Goals for Build:

Sleeper/Grey Man- My former jeep (95 YJ) was heavily decked out and honestly caused me to get more attention than I would like. I didn't like coming out of REI to find some wacko underneath my ride "admiring my rocks lights and skid plates" (Not Kidding) Another time I found a kid sitting in my driver seat (Doors were removed...I know I know) and looking around the inside of my jeep. All this said I don't want to attract a bunch of attention rolling down the street. Some of you might remember me asking about bumpers in an earlier thread I started. I was looking at the Schrockworks front bumper and wasn't into a hidden winch mount...that changed. So long story short I'm going for a sleeper. I want most people to not give my rig a second thought when I drive to work everyday.

Low Weight -Honestly I'm trying to make sure anything that is placed on the vehicle has a purpose. Unnecessary items cause unnecessary weight. The more weight on the vehicle the less efficient it becomes and the harder it has to work. I am trying to keep this simple. Skids and protection will occur, but you won't see a fridge installed in my rig. Why? Its not that I have a problem with them...but I need that space for other gear. (Guns, Bows, Rods, etc.) Not to mention I am very happy running an MSR pocket rocket with mountain house...thats how I pack for hunts and thats what will transfer to this rig. For my purposes less is more.

To Learn- Like I said, I am new to this platform. While I'm excited I have a bunch to learn. So going through the vehicle little by little will allow me to learn about my new platform. Also posting in this thread and keeping it up to date will allow me to pull from the knowledge that so many of you have. I'm very excited to say the least.

I'm starting this late at night and will add notes/pics of whats been completed thus far over the next few days. I just touched down from a long trip and I am jet lagged like crazy. I'm a full time recruiter for my day job so my schedule is always changing. This will keep my progress slow due to random interruptions that are bound to happen.

Mods List:
*=Sponsor

Windows Tinted-11/18/14
AirRaid MXP Snorkel Ready CAI- 11/19/14
Toytec Boss Suspension System-11/23/14
Light Racing UCAs- 11/23/14
Bud Built Hidden Winch Mount- 11/23/14
*WARN M8000S- 11/23/14
*5 BFG All Terrain T/A 285/70/17- 11/25/14
Escort Passport 8500- 11/25/14
Custom Rock Sliders- 1/18/15
*Gibson Performance Stainless Exhaust- 1/21/15
Weathertech Floor Liners- 1/24/15

To Come:

Remove 3rd Row
Custom Locking Storage Box/Sleeping Platform
Electronic Gun Lock (Shotgun and maybe AR)=Bear Medicine
HAM Radio
Aluminum Skid Plates
Gobi Rack
ARB Mini Compressor
ARB Air Lockers
Rigid Lights- Front Light Bars, Camp Lights, and Duallys for Reverse Lights.
Tailgater Switch
Rigid Strobe KIT and IR Strobes for Emergencies. (This is strictly for rescue purposes if we were to ever need it. I can give you plenty of reasons for these)
Interior Tie Down Brackets
Quick Detach Mount for spare fuel.
Interior Rear Hatch Button

I honestly think thats it for now. I will add pics for what I have up to now over the next few days. Glad to be here. Sleep is needed.

 

[itsdchz]

Great start! Pics would be awesome!

There may be a couple of people willing to buy your 3rd row and swap for their no row...

 

[NuclearN8]

I like it although it's gonna be hard to maintain that "sleeper" look you desire with a Gobi roof rack in top... Although functional I wouldn't consider this a sleeper item... As well as any sponsorship stickers you have to put on your 4Runner... Sponsors generally want free Advertising for providing their gear, my experience anyway.... Look forward to seeing how it turns out

 

[FlaskTL]

I like it although it's gonna be hard to maintain that "sleeper" look you desire with a Gobi roof rack in top... Although functional I wouldn't consider this a sleeper item... As well as any sponsorship stickers you have to put on your 4Runner... Sponsors generally want free Advertising for providing their gear, my experience anyway.... Look forward to seeing how it turns out

Personally I don't think a Gobi makes it look out of place. Just like an FJ going by with one. Plenty of people run them here in Nash for kayaks and such, so I don't think its going to stick out. Hell, 3 people in my neighborhood have them. To me its just like a bike rack.

As far as stickers go...none of my sponsorship agreements stipulate that I have to place their logo on my rig. Even if I do apply them, I would do it during filming periods only before removing them after a trip. Windex, razorblades, and paper towels make for easy removal from my rear side windows. This isn't my first time to have sponsorship. Most of the advertisement will take place on the program if it goes to network. They also reserve the right to use photos of their products on our vehicles for advertisement.

First pics coming sometime tonight. Just picked up and installed my weather techs this afternoon.

 

[AZrunner11]

Looking forward to your build and seeing those custom sliders. I'd be interested in running a part of the TAT with you or wheeling in general.

 

[TRD4runnin]

Who sponsored you the BFG KO tires?

 

[FlaskTL]

Rock Sliders

The start to the Rock Sliders.

This was completed with the help of my great friend and shooting buddy Brent. Brent's work is pretty well known throughout the offroad industry. He use to run his shop Trailworks Offroad full time. When he did, he was well known for some insane rolling chassis and complete builds that have been all over. Simply put he is a master when it comes to bending and welding tube onto a vehicle.

I know some people are scepticle of weld on sliders. Simply put this is such a cheaper option due to much less time and strength is just as good. Yes, there is some flex in them but you will get that with a bolt on slider as well. Bolt on sliders can uninstall quite nicely but I don't intend to ever take rockers off once they are installed thus for me...save the money and go the weld on route. You will notice I did't replace the rocker molding once removed. Once we pulled it off the look didn't bother me and I didn't see the point in trimming my stock ones or buying aftermarkets. Nothing against those ideas but I was happy enough and called it good. We ended up using a 2inch dimple dye on the plate. I have seen some people use diamond plate, but I personally don't like the look. Initially I just wanted a pre-runner look with supports (Like Schrockworks and Budbuilt) However, I realized the lady would appreciate a little more something to place her foot on when climbing in the vehicle.

1st picture is placing the main tube.

2nd pic is Brent at Trailworks working on a few welds.

3rd pic is some random rubber that caught between my inner fender well and mud flap.

4th pic is with main tube tacked in place with supports.

5th pic is underside of supports and frame.

6 and 7 are pics of second tube and dimple dyed plate being added into place.

8th pic is final mock up before paint and install.

Finished pics to come.

 

[FlaskTL]

Rock Sliders Finished.

After the final touches were put on the rockers, we rattle canned them in flat black before welding them into place. The drivers side slider was resting on the pinch weld in a very small spot toward the front wheel. We were able to create a gap and all is well.

The rattle can spray job was temporary as I planned on getting these sprayed with Line-X. I knew it was going to cause a small problem with Line-X since I couldn't take the rockers off to have them sprayed. The guys at my local store were cool about it and knocked in right out. Price for sliders sprayed with regular black Line-x was $200 plus tax. I find it funny because my friend had his sliders for his jeep sprayed last week at the same spot for $300 plus tax...and his were removed for the treatment. Oh well I'm not complaining.

Here are two quick pics of the finished rockers sprayed and installed on the vehicle. I will get a better one uploaded when we get some decent weather outside and I can take the time to get a quality pic.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

If you're thinking about going the stealth route, I would talk to your buddy Brent about doing a under skin bumper set-up.

Gut the existing Aluminum bumper bar and crumble supports and build essentially a hidden winch bumper underneath it. Then trim the plastic bumper skin for some slightly better approach angles, If weight is a consideration, thick aluminum square/round tubing and plate should make it strong enough for off-road use; but impart weight savings. I would do the same to the rear bumper (though this will be trickier as the frame rail ends terminate exactly under the rear bumper skin, so bolt-on/weld-on steel "wings" to the frame rail under the bumper skin may be better.) These would provide some benefit off-roading while maintaining an almost stock appearance.

You'll have less space to work with than most aftermarket bumpers, but you should still be able to fit a nice winch cleanly out of public view as well as gain some protection on the front and rear ends (though it'd obviously tear up the plastic bumper skin if it ever came to testing the under armour.

As for the roof rack, if you go along the lines of a Gobi-Stealth rack or another similar low-profile rack; most people won't think twice about it probably.

 

[FlaskTL]

Bud Built Hidden Winch Mount & Warn M8000S

Pretty straight forward install. I'm not the best at writing instructions so hopefully picture will help. This was my first experience with Bud Built. I have to say that I am very impressed with the customer service and speed of delivery. Simply put....Bomber American Made Products. I see myself quickly calling them up to order my aluminum skids.

WARN M8000S- I normally prefer a 9.5k winch. (Just what I have always had) However, the M8000S will get the job done just as well and it comes with synthetic line (hints the M8000S) You actually save yourself about 300 bucks by purchasing a winch already with synthetic line, instead of having to buy synthetic line in addition to the winch.

I like synthetic line for two reasons..First is that its much safer. It doesn't carry a charge and if it snaps it will lay down. I have seen this first hand a few times. (You should still follow proper winch safety) Second...lighter weight.

I didn't really get any photos of the winch other than the final assembly.

1. Unboxed mount.

2. Mount bolted in place. Note the heater insulation tube that was used to create a barrier between the winch and hose behind it. The two were rubbing and we didn't like it so we zipped tied to small sections into place and boom...no chance of friction related problems.

3. Decided to weld a vertical tab so that the solenoid could be angled for easy "plug and play" access. To me...its honestly perfect. I can walk right up and get to work instead of fighting to access the solenoid location like on other hidden winch mounts I have seen on other vehicles.

4. Finished product. Forgot to put the protective sleeve on the M8000S...oh well not hurting anything and actually leaves me more room on the fairlead. This makes it easier to wind.

 

[FlaskTL]

Toytec BOSS

Couple of reasons I went with Toytec.

Coil Over set ups are just nice. My ride quality is much better over stock with this lift and most importantly I didn't break the bank. I did order the light racing UCAs at the same time. At first I thought I was wasting money...so glad I got the UCAs. My local alignment shop actually thanked me too when I first took it in after lifting it. I went with the Light Racing UCA's because I'm not the biggest uni-ball fan. Old School ball joints work for me. I also decided not to run spacers. I do have some rub after this lift but nowhere near being bad.

I really like being able to adjust my ride height to some degree. Not to mention the fact that I have nearly eliminated my drivers side lean. I will say that the spanner wrenches I received with the kit SUCK. It is very difficult to work with them. We have found it much easier to use a punch and hammer to adjust the coils. Judge as you may...but it works and is much faster.

I will admit I didn't get but 2-3 photos of the suspension install. It took all day to knock out the winch mount and lift. Even with plenty of experience lifting vehicles...Toytec not supplying detailed install instructions was kind of crappy. None the less we got it done. Here are the few pics I have...for now. I will add current pics later tomorrow when I can get some. Last photo is of my current refinishing project for a client of my side business. Every single one is getting completely refinished. Will have to put next few mods on hold for a week.

 

[On Point]

This is exciting!