FREEDOMEDIA Build - Hawaii

[DeepSea]

This is my 1st build thread. I've been a long time Toyota 4x4 truck guy since I started driving at 16 in 1992:

Here is a partial highlighted list: 84' T4R, 97' FJ80, 07' FJC, 12' DCLB Taco, and now my 2015 T4R TE

I bought this 4Runner from a dealer in 2016 with only 628 miles. I must mention this is the newest car I've ever owned since I always buy used.

Right away i took it the closest beach access to test the 4x4 and I must say it handled the soft sand like a dream. The stock tires just floated over the sand and I never had to air down. It actually surprised me how well it handled since I've always had a lift and bigger/wider tires on my previous Toyotas. Sorry for the overly filtered/saturated images as I was in HDR mode back then thinking everything looked better that way Last pic is how it currently looks.

 

[DeepSea]

1st immediate mod was lift and tires. I got sponsored by Eibach and SPC to use their parts on my YouTube channel under the truck build section. I did not get a wheel/tire sponsor but do have a dealer account with 4WheelParts so it made it a little bit cheaper than full retail (If any of you guys are on Oahu, I can get you a better deal as well). Went with 285/70R17 KM2 on ProComp 17x9 Vertigo Wheels. Here is the video we did:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bLOa-Pi4W1I?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[DeepSea]

A few pics from around Oahu. The 1st one next to blue Trail is getting my Recon sticker. I really like that rare color.

 

[DeepSea88]

HOOYAH DEEP SEA!!!

I've seen your videos on youtube and they've been helpful to say the least. Glad to see a deep sea brother killin' it with the 4Runner!

 

[doghart]

Great looking rig!

I dig your YouTube Channel as well. You convinced me to go with the OMU lift on my build in one of our conversations there.

Finally got my TRD wheels (Yesterday) after months of waiting. Should be getting the lift and tires soon.

Good to see you posting on the forum.

D

 

[DeepSea]

HOOYAH DEEP SEA!!!

I've seen your videos on youtube and they've been helpful to say the least. Glad to see a deep sea brother killin' it with the 4Runner!

Thanks my brother!

Great looking rig!

I dig your YouTube Channel as well. You convinced me to go with the OMU lift on my build in one of our conversations there.

Finally got my TRD wheels (Yesterday) after months of waiting. Should be getting the lift and tires soon.

Good to see you posting on the forum.

D

Right on thanks bro! Let me know when it's installed, I'd like to see :cheers:

 

[SATSTRAIL]

Your truck looks awesome! One of my favorites. I have have the same truck just a 2016 and I hope my lift turns out half as nice at least. I plan on using your KDSS lift install method on your YouTube video.

 

[DeepSea]

Your truck looks awesome! One of my favorites. I have have the same truck just a 2016 and I hope my lift turns out half as nice at least. I plan on using your KDSS lift install method on your YouTube video.

Sweet man! Which suspension did you decide on? The KDSS actually rides incredibly nice and from what I've researched, it's specifically designed for off-roading. It allows longer down travel/deeper suspension articulation. Check out this article from 4x4 Australia:

https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/road-tests/1606/toyota-prado-kdss-test

 

[DeepSea]

Really liked the KM2 setup for a while but kept seeing guys running 12.5 wide tires and decided I wanted to go that route. Plus I find it's better to sell/switch tires out with at least 50% or more tread left that way you can get some cash back out of them vs not. Decided on the Mickey Thompson Deegan 38s in 305/65R17 because they're the lightest in weight in that size and less dense E rated compound (2 ply). No company makes C nor D in that size for 17s.

It definitely took a little fender flare trimming and the BMC to clear this size but love the stance. The ride quality was a bit stiffer than the KM2 since they're E vs D rated as well as the MPG dropped from 17 to 15-16.

Shortly after that, I installed Fat Pats 1" body lift to help further the wider tires. This took about 5 full hours of trial and error to do but am happy I did in the long run. I have another thread here with details & pics:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/236913-installed-1-body-lift.html

Here are post 1" body lift pics. One showing the fender trimming & BMC:

 

[SATSTRAIL]

Sweet man! Which suspension did you decide on? The KDSS actually rides incredibly nice and from what I've researched, it's specifically designed for off-roading. It allows longer down travel/deeper suspension articulation. Check out this article from 4x4 Australia:

https://www.4x4australia.com.au/reviews/road-tests/1606/toyota-prado-kdss-test

My set up isn't as fancy as yours but it should do the trick for my needs. I am going with 5100s all around and adding the Toytec Ultimate adjustable coil over springs to the front. For the rear I have Wheelers T13 coils. Initially I was just going to use the stock front coils and set the 5100s at 1.75 but then realizing there is no definite guarantee of what the rear lift on the T13's will amount to I decided it would be better to have something more adjustable for the front and that's why I went with the adjustable front coil overs. I'm anxious to get all this stuff installed but time is the enemy..

 

[DeepSea]

My set up isn't as fancy as yours but it should do the trick for my needs. I am going with 5100s all around and adding the Toytec Ultimate adjustable coil over springs to the front. For the rear I have Wheelers T13 coils. Initially I was just going to use the stock front coils and set the 5100s at 1.75 but then realizing there is no definite guarantee of what the rear lift on the T13's will amount to I decided it would be better to have something more adjustable for the front and that's why I went with the adjustable front coil overs. I'm anxious to get all this stuff installed but time is the enemy..

No brother, fancy is guys dropping 4-7k on reservoir Icons, Kings, etc...
What you're going with is perfect :cheers:

 

[DeepSea]

A video and a few pics from a drone shoot I did at Kaena Point, Oahu with a couple other 4Runners and a Taco

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WZHUrIYyCxo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[riskybusiness]

Are most of these taken out at the end of Farrington Hwy?

 

[DeepSea]

Are most of these taken out at the end of Farrington Hwy?

Kam Hwy on the North Shore side at Kaena Point

 

[riskybusiness]

Awesome! The rig looks good. I miss the North Shore, I was just there back in April and really tried to convince my wife that we needed to move!

 

[Jaydub514]

Just wanted to say, love all the videos on YT and a really cool build - really makes me want to visit one day!

 

[2L8IWON]

Hey brother, I sent you a PM with a couple of questions.

Take care, great looking rig!

Jesse

 

[ToyoT4R]

Nice rig! We used to be able to go wheeling on Maui but since I moved off island there are almost no places left to go off-road there. Good to see there are some places on Oahu where you can have some fun in the dirt/sand.

 

[pondark]

Nice rig my braddah! Lookin solid and clean


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[DeepSea]

Just wanted to say, love all the videos on YT and a really cool build - really makes me want to visit one day!

Nice rig my braddah! Lookin solid and clean


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks boys!

Nice rig! We used to be able to go wheeling on Maui but since I moved off island there are almost no places left to go off-road there. Good to see there are some places on Oahu where you can have some fun in the dirt/sand.

Thanks bro. We really only have three legal off-road spots nowadays here on Oahu and even those are being regulated by bird lovers now. Actually makes me want to move back to the mainland, especially after seeing all the fun the overland guys are having out there!