FoundedSine14's build thread

[FoundedSine14]

I've really liked the OEM Trail Edition wheels with the 1.25" Spidertrax spacers, but I just don't really trust spacers. They're probably fine so let's just call it my own paranoia and move on.

I sprung for these Icon Rebound Pros in Titanium. They are 17x8.5 with 0 offset. I haven't had the chance to put these to the test yet, but they tout Icon's InnerLock so I'm excited to see how they do.

To compare wheels:

Before:
- Trail Edition: 17x7.5 Offset +15
- Spidertrax Spacers 1.25": Offset -31.75 offset
Resulting in 3.59" backspacing​

After:
- Icon Rebound Pro: 17x8.5 Offset 0
- Removed spacers
Resulting in 4.5" backspacing​

I feel a lot more comfortable with the new backspacing.

The stance is almost the same. The new setup has about 4mm less poke, but I don't mind since I also sprung for 34" Milestar XTs so all the trimming I've done up front is nearly adequate. I mostly have rubbing issues on the rear bumper plastic.

To compare tires:

Before:
- 285/70/17C KO2s: true diameter 32.7"​

After:
- 285/75/17E Milestar XTs: true diameter 33.8"​

Even though I ditched the spacers, I still went up about 15lbs per corner:

Before:
- 285/70/17C KO2s: 50.3lbs
- Trail Edition Wheels: 32lbs
- Spidertrax 1.25" spacers: 3.5lbs
Total 84.8lbs​

After:
- 285/75/17E Milestar XTs: 66.8lbs
- Icon Rebound Pro 17x8.5 ET0: 33lbs
Total 99.8lbs​

I definitely feel the added weight and diameter. I have not regeared yet, mostly because this is still the family vehicle and I don't want it out of commission for too long. I hope that'll change soon because regearing, lockers, and LT are so tempting! Been eyeing some GXs and 5th Gens to replace our 2006 Camry, then this 4Runner will become my full-time toy.

 

[shiftmx]

Nice build! I really like that swing out tire carrier. Do you have any pics of it during the weld/install?

 

[FoundedSine14]

Nice build! I really like that swing out tire carrier. Do you have any pics of it during the weld/install?

I do not, unfortunately. I paid a friend of mine to do the install since he's a certified welder and I have welded very few things so far

 

[FoundedSine14]

Basic maintenance this weekend:

• cleaned and oiled my reusable intake filter
• spark plugs
• oil change

I meant to take a sample for a Blackstone analysis then totally forgot! I did an analysis last time at 170k and now I'm at 175k so I doubt much has changed.

Spark plugs have been on my to-do list since I bought this truck so it feels good to finally have it done. The driver side coils were a PITA but after removing this vacuum hose then using my little 1/4" ratchet, it ended up not being too bad

I used a pick, like these, to get the connectors off of the coils. These pick tools are always on sale at Harbor Freight for like $1 or sometimes free

I was surprised to see 3 Denso plugs and 3 NGK plugs but I guess that's normal for 1GR-FE engines? Either way, I just replaced them all with Autolites that were on sale from RockAuto.

All 6 of the old spark plugs had oil on the threads and on the head around the plug mating surface. The coils were all dry, the valve covers were all dry. Only a little ring of oil where the plugs meet the head. I'm dumb and didn't get photos of that, but all 6 were like this.

Here's one of my new plugs compared to my old ones:

 

[AuSeeker]

Basic maintenance this weekend:

• cleaned and oiled my reusable intake filter
• spark plugs
• oil change

I meant to take a sample for a Blackstone analysis then totally forgot! I did an analysis last time at 170k and now I'm at 175k so I doubt much has changed.

Spark plugs have been on my to-do list since I bought this truck so it feels good to finally have it done. The driver side coils were a PITA but after removing this vacuum hose then using my little 1/4" ratchet, it ended up not being too bad

I used a pick, like these, to get the connectors off of the coils. These pick tools are always on sale at Harbor Freight for like $1 or sometimes free

I was surprised to see 3 Denso plugs and 3 NGK plugs but I guess that's normal for 1GR-FE engines? Either way, I just replaced them all with Autolites that were on sale from RockAuto.

All 6 of the old spark plugs had oil on the threads and on the head around the plug mating surface. The coils were all dry, the valve covers were all dry. Only a little ring of oil where the plugs meet the head. I'm dumb and didn't get photos of that, but all 6 were like this.

Here's one of my new plugs compared to my old ones:

The "3 Denso plugs and 3 NGK plugs" tells you those are the original plugs rom the factory, it has been said the reason Toyota did this was because each head came from a different factories (1 used Denso & 1 used NGK) in Japan before getting to the engine assembly plant, apparently Toyota had contracts with both Denso and NGK for spark plugs.

Anyway you got 175,000 miles on the original set of spark plugs...BUT I wouldn't wait that long on the second set, around 30,000 miles is normal/suggested for the V6, I also would suggest on the next set go with either Denso or NGK.

Also I'm not seeing the photo of the new and old plug?

 

[FoundedSine14]

The "3 Denso plugs and 3 NGK plugs" tells you those are the original plugs rom the factory, it has been said the reason Toyota did this was because each head came from a different factories (1 used Denso & 1 used NGK) in Japan before getting to the engine assembly plant, apparently Toyota had contracts with both Denso and NGK for spark plugs.

Anyway you got 175,000 miles on the original set of spark plugs...BUT I wouldn't wait that long on the second set, around 30,000 miles is normal/suggested for the V6, I also would suggest on the next set go with either Denso or NGK.

Also I'm not seeing the photo of the new and old plug?

Thank you for the heads up about my image links! I think I fixed them.

I definitely don't plan to go another 175k before my next set of spark plugs, but it's awesome to see what they're capable of. It's interesting that Toyota would choose different plugs per head - I would imagine they'd want them to be the same. But I'm not an automotive engineer so I won't pretend to be. In fact I did go to school for mechanical engineering but dropped out haha!

 

[AuSeeker]

I don't think Toyota choose to use different brands intentionally, I think it was more they are both of the same quality and it what they had at the different plants so it's fine to use them.

The gap on your old plugs surely so their age, it looks to be more than twice the gap of what the new plugs are.

 

[FoundedSine14]

I finally ditched my rear mudflaps and did some more trimming to accommodate the new 34s. Thankfully I was only rubbing on plastic, but I've been rubbing every time I exit my driveway until now.

Just cut the rear bumper cover from where it matches to the fender and take the cut to the end of the flare. Covered the cut with some of this "Car Edge Rubber Guard"

While I was in there, I hammered the pinch weld back and sprayed it down with some rubberized undercoat. I'm not too worried about how crappy it looks because I intend to ditch this OEM bumper cover at some point anyway.

I do technically need mudflaps so I'll whip up something temporary that I can easily remove when I get to the trails. Maybe using wingnuts or something? I'm accepting ideas if you have any!

 

[FoundedSine14]

I replaced a couple interior bulbs and must have shorted some circuit because all my interior bulbs went out and my key fob stopped working. It was an easy fix, just the 10A fuse labeled "DOME" in the engine bay fuse box.

I'm putting this here in case anyone else has this issue. It really caught me off guard and took me way too long to figure out what happened!

 

[FoundedSine14]

I'm installing this transmission cooler kit from Iconic Fabrication: 2003-2009 4runner Transmission Cooler Bracket Kit
– Iconic Fabrication

The install was easy, but relocating the horns was such a pain in the ass.

I'm waiting on a Blackstone Oil Lab kit before I do the plumbing because I want to get my trans fluid tested.

 

[FoundedSine14]

Cleaned my throttle body and MAF sensor. My throttle body was insanely dirty and the MAF was covered in dust. I am shocked at how even my idle is and how smoothly the power delivery comes on with these parts cleaned!

I used CRC Throttle Body and MAF cleaners. Used almost the entirety of both cans. Had to use a toothpick to get the gunk out of the corners of the butterfly actuator.

No pics of the MAF sensor, but cleaning it was seriously so easy. Just pull it out, set it on a paper towel or some cardboard and hose it down with the MAF cleaner.

There is a dental pick in the photos, but I did not use that tool to do any of this cleaning.

 

[FoundedSine14]

5th gen trd intake does not fit 4th gens

I did a stupid thing and bought a TRD intake off a 5th gen. Somehow I got it in my head that it would fit even though I can't find any sources that say that it will. In fact, there is at least one thread on this site that says it won't fit. But I hadn't read that before I made the purchase.

The lower airbox bolts right in. The grommet into the upper fender also fits perfectly. Everything lines up, but unfortunately it's way too tall so the hood won't close. You can see how tall it is in the photos.

Now, I'm still an idiot and I really like this intake so I'm going to try to make it work. Since I couldn't close the hood, I'm still running the stock intake, but maybe I'll cut a hole in the hood or something. Resale value be damned.

 

[tuborg_15]

Nice build coming along..

 

[FoundedSine14]

Got out to do some wheeling this weekend. Before I went, I changed out my trans fluid and sent out a sample to Blackstone. Also greased up my driveshaft and every bushing I could access, it's amazing how smooth the ride is when everything is properly greased.

Went up a trail called Rattlesnake out near Tooele, UT. Huge network of trails out there.

The 4Runner did excellent! 15 PSI in my Patagonias and the front swaybar disconnected. Approach and departure angles are the truck's biggest weaknesses, so I'm feeling some new bumpers in the near future

A-TRAC is also surprisingly capable so I don't feel the need to get lockers (yet)

 

[Basic]

Looks like a good time!

 

[FoundedSine14]

I'll probably regret this, but I cut out some of the insulation and hood support to fit my TRD intake box.

It "fits", but I still have a sizable hood gap so I'll have to figure something out.

But hot damn does the intake sound good!

 

[FoundedSine14]

I'm going on a multi-day offroad trip near Capitol Reef National Park through Cathedral Valley and the San Rafael Swell. I'll post a follow-up of the route we actually take.

For the trip, I made myself a mattress out of two of these: https://a.co/d/2I9ZjBd

Then just cut them to size. They got two thumbs up :thumb::thumb: from my garage assistants. (I used my leaf blower to get all the foam bits out of the car after this pic hah!)

 

[FoundedSine14]

Took a two-day trip through central Utah right around Capitol Reef National Park. The route was
1. Cathedral Valley Loop (starting in Torrey, UT)
2. Swingarm City (just outside Hanksville)
2.5 Goblin Valley Cutoff Road
3. Temple Mountain
4. Eagle Canyon to I-70

We fought a headwind the entire way from Salt Lake City to Torrey and I averaged 12mpg on the highway lol

It was ridiculously fun but definitely exposed many weak spots in my build:

• 
  I discovered that my walkie-talkie interferes with Android Auto and will turn it off, so I couldn't have my maps up on my headunit while talking to the rest of the convoy (not to mention no music).

• 
  The OCD swaybar disconnects are ridiculously difficult to use so I just left my front swaybar disconnected for the entire trip, even on the freeway. I'm not happy about that. I know Apex just released their discos but I think I'll just completely remove the front swaybar at this point. Rollover risk be damned.

• 
  My 80% Offroad spare tire swingout took a major beating. I like pretending that I'm a rally driver so the woops bent the hell out of the swingout arm. In it's closed position, the spare tire mount should tilt toward the vehicle but now it tilts away from the vehicle - so I've removed it for now until I can fix it or find a better solution.

• 
  The 34" Patagonias rub on the back doors so I'm going to get extendable links to push the axle back.

• 
  I lost a front fender liner and flare when I took a gigantic hit on a woop (I'm honestly surprised I didn't trigger my airbags) so I'm looking into fiberglass fenders. But I also don't really want to go that far unless I'm going to commit to LT. So I'll just fix the flare and liner for now

I had a lot of wins with my build, too though!

• 
  The Ironman Nitro suspension plus the 34" Patagonias at 20psi plus the front swaybar disonnected resulted in incredible handling for everything offroad. I had no issues going from fast dirt sections to light rock crawling to heavy sand.

• 
  I slept like a rock on my new mattress. Warm and comfortable

• 
  On-road, the tires are very quiet. I had no issues keeping up a conversation with my co-pilot (unless the wind was blowing heavily)

• 
  Had a decent water crossing and had no issues (granted, the CX-5 and Rav4 we saw also had no issues)

• 
  My skid plates totally saved my ass at one point where I probably would have killed my oil pan and trans

• 
  My new headlights are phenomenal. The HIDs look so good and the bi-xenons have incredible throw when the brights come on

Overall, the trip was awesome and I can't wait for the next one!

 

[FoundedSine14]

Took off my roof rack and spare tire carrier.

The plate with the threaded inserts got mangled on the tire carrier, so I reached out to 80% Offroad to get a replacement plate. I'll cut out the old one and weld in the new one and see if I can beef it up at all. Or I may just tap some threads into a piece of stock and weld the whole stock into the swingout arm. Either way, I have options.

It's apparent that this tire carrier was not made for woops and taking hits, and that's ok. Obviously nothing against 80% Offroad, I am just using this kit outside of their intended usecase! The whole carrier piece is still useful if I want to adapt it to a new rear bumper in the future.

I haven't really used my roof rack for anything other than carrying recovery gear and an awning, but I can easily fit that gear inside the cab. I also don't need to be carrying it 100% of the time. I have used my awning twice, so it doesn't feel necessary to carry either. So I took the whole rack off.

I adapted a luggage pod pulley kit to my garage ceiling to store the rack above the car. I am not confident in the pulley kit alone to hold the roof rack up, so I secured each corner with a ratchet strap around a ceiling joist.

Overall I really dig the "naked" 4Runner look, but now I have a ladder leading to nowhere. But it's so much quieter on the road. Almost all the rattles are gone so I'm tempted to just leave it all off forever.

 

[FoundedSine14]

I reached out to 80% Offroad about my bent swing out. They sent me a new plate and a koozy. Top notch service.

The only issue is that I suck at welding, so I'll have to put in some practice before I install this