Gabex35's Build Thread

[Gabex35]

Shortly after the big bear trip I ordered and installed a full length FrontRunner rack. Besides it being lighter, having more usable space, and being aluminum, i wanted the lowest profile for my future tire plans. i originally had the standard 60mm and 70mm (Front) feet but quickly opted for the low profile 40mm and 50MM feet.





with the lower profile feet, the 40" E series light bar didn't fit underneath so i mounted it to the front. I got a tremendous amount of noise out of it so i ditched it and got a 40" SR2 mounted on the bottom leading edge and it works perfectly.


Here you can see the clearance you get with the 40MM feet and the low profile XM radio antenna.


built some simple Maxtrax mounts out of aluminum stock and the matrix pins.


overall, i couldn't be happier with the setup. there are some pros and cons of course, i can't fit the FR table under the rack and it's a pretty tight fit for install but I've managed to get a system down to remove it. The truck is reckless most of the time unless i have a trip planned

 

[Gabex35]

In May, My wife, Daughter, and I took a quick weekend trip to camp in Big Sur.
We stopped in Santa Barbara for breakfast, played for a couple of hours in Pismo and ended up in Big Sur about 12 hours later.

Packed up the rig with all its new goodies and tried my best to keep things organized on this first official family trip.




We camped at Pfeiffer Big Sur State park and it was awesome. i highly recommend it for people passing through.


It's experiences like this that get me excited to take my wife and daughter to places we normally wouldn't go. Building the truck up gives me the piece of mind that if we decide to take it off the beaten path, we can enjoy ourselves and more importantly, make it home safe. Looking forward to many more trips with them.

 

[Gabex35]

After the Big Sur trip, i decided that the OME 896 rear springs weren't quite enough for the full load and decided to go back to the OME 897's i had purchased last year. its quite the stink bug when completely unloaded (No rack, swing out, and accessories), but i'm old enough to not care so much about looks alone and went with functional.


I played around with the idea of switching wheels but the 7" width of my buddies TRD wheels killed it for my future tire wants.


I also decided to upgrade my rear bumpstops since it was getting pretty heavy and desert go-fast is still something i enjoy doing.

I also decided that with the plan to lighten up the rig, i wanted to get some All Terrain tires. I was going to, and still plan to after this set, go with some 35" ATKO2 but will have issues with the way my KING reservoirs are mounted right now. so i ended up with 285/70-17's and am happy overall.

 

[Gabex35]

In June, A couple of buddies and I went to Baja for the 500.

We camped at this place along the main highway to Ensenada called Playa Saldamando and it was pretty great with fantastic views and a $15 camp fee.








After we checked out the tech inspections in downtown ensenada, we made our way to the scorching turf known as Ojos Negros. Had a chance to test the solar panel and came away happy with my overall setup. Thanks for the idea [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION]

 

[Gabex35]

So that brings me to my most recent update.

My wife and i would have liked to be able to set up camp and still be mobile for exploring or getting groceries. The RTT makes this almost impossible, especially with the annex attached so i got the go ahead to start building myself a trailer.

started on the frame last week and will hopefully have it done by the end of the year. I'm going to take my time personalizing it.


This is the end result goal. Simple, Strong, and just plain cool.


check out Box Rocket's Trailer Build on tacoma world. that guy has it all figured out.

 

[Gabex35]

I have also decided to make a big move to lighten up the rig since i will be towing in the near future.

I ordered up an aluminum Pelfreybilt bumper since they are having a sale right now.


i will have my Shrockworks bumper available for sale if anyone is interested.

Bumper will be for sale for sure and it may include Winch, and Rigid lights....maybe

 

[LawnDart]

I have also decided to make a big move to lighten up the rig since i will be towing in the near future.

I ordered up an aluminum Pelfreybilt bumper since they are having a sale right now.
View attachment 213958

i will have my Shrockworks bumper available for sale if anyone is interested.

Bumper will be for sale for sure and it may include Winch, and Rigid lights....maybe

Dang, guess you couldn't wait. Congrats.

 

[Gabex35]

Dang, guess you couldn't wait. Congrats.

The shipping from Oregon was kind of a deal killer for me. I'd also have to get the TRD Pro upper grill area and ended up wanting to get it color matched to my rig.

Thanks though for the info and offering to sell it to me first :thumb:

 

[blkhwk]

That was quite the update! Your 4Runner was a big inspiration when I got mine.

I've been on the fence about the Pelfreybilt bumper. Can't beat aluminum though.

 

[LawnDart]

That was quite the update! Your 4Runner was a big inspiration when I got mine.

I've been on the fence about the Pelfreybilt bumper. Can't beat aluminum though.

Steel will be an option in a few months.

 

[Gabex35]

That was quite the update! Your 4Runner was a big inspiration when I got mine.

I've been on the fence about the Pelfreybilt bumper. Can't beat aluminum though.

Thanks man!
the pelfreybilt does leave somethings to be desired but going from 200lbs to 60 is going to be quite nice. Don't get me wrong, the shrockworks is the best looking bumper out there and say its built just as well as ARB bumpers I've had in the past. My rig was just getting too heavy to now reggae and didn't really want to go that route if i didn't have to.

 

[blkhwk]

Are you able to give a price on the roof rack? I don't see it on their site.

 

[blkhwk]

Steel will be an option in a few months.

If i decide to go with Pelfrey it'll be aluminum. Just not that impressed with the design. Maybe I'll like it more when I see it in person.

 

[Gabex35]

Are you able to give a price on the roof rack? I don't see it on their site.

I paid $1,320 for the rack through frontrunner outfitters. Steve Hayes was my POC there.

 

[LawnDart]

If i decide to go with Pelfrey it'll be aluminum. Just not that impressed with the design. Maybe I'll like it more when I see it in person.

Lol then why would you go with it with that mindset.

 

[blkhwk]

Lol then why would you go with it with that mindset.

Nothing else out there that is aluminum. It'll be the last thing I get if/when I ever decide to get a front bumper. I really like the styling of the oem bumper so I'll run with it for a while.

 

[LawnDart]

Nothing else out there that is aluminum. It'll be the last thing I get if/when I ever decide to get a front bumper. I really like the styling of the oem bumper so I'll run with it for a while.

Aluminum has its pros and cons. I love the Pelfrey design overall.

 

[oldschoollear]

Sorry if already asked, but is FrontRunner making the full length rack available for 5th gens with all the mounting hardware or did you have to improvise? Thanks

Shortly after the big bear trip I ordered and installed a full length FrontRunner rack. Besides it being lighter, having more usable space, and being aluminum, i wanted the lowest profile for my future tire plans. i originally had the standard 60mm and 70mm (Front) feet but quickly opted for the low profile 40mm and 50MM feet.

View attachment 213931

View attachment 213932

with the lower profile feet, the 40" E series light bar didn't fit underneath so i mounted it to the front. I got a tremendous amount of noise out of it so i ditched it and got a 40" SR2 mounted on the bottom leading edge and it works perfectly.
View attachment 213933

Here you can see the clearance you get with the 40MM feet and the low profile XM radio antenna.
View attachment 213934

built some simple Maxtrax mounts out of aluminum stock and the matrix pins.
View attachment 213935

overall, i couldn't be happier with the setup. there are some pros and cons of course, i can't fit the FR table under the rack and it's a pretty tight fit for install but I've managed to get a system down to remove it. The truck is reckless most of the time unless i have a trip planned

 

[Gabex35]

Sorry if already asked, but is FrontRunner making the full length rack available for 5th gens with all the mounting hardware or did you have to improvise? Thanks

Unless something has come out in the last six months, they don't have a 5th gen specific full length rack. You will have to do some custom install work but it's not too hard if you're somewhat decent with tools.

 

[pmostaghim]

Sorry if already asked, but is FrontRunner making the full length rack available for 5th gens with all the mounting hardware or did you have to improvise? Thanks

I emailed them inquiring about the full-length rack. Their response:

"Hello - at the moment our full length 5th generation 4runner racks are in prototype/production stage and hopefully will be available in the next couple of months. As for weight all our roof rack trays are made of aluminum and the only part of the rack system that is metal is the hardware and the foot rails. If you have any other questions about the full length 5th gen 4runner racks please call us"


So I wouldn't count on it being ready anytime soon. Just a hunch!

Unless something has come out in the last six months, they don't have a 5th gen specific full length rack. You will have to do some custom install work but it's not too hard if you're somewhat decent with tools.

Does the rack frame need to be altered any? Any welding/etc.?