Geologist's Build Thread 03 SR5 4WD V8

[Geologist]

Hi there. Been lurking here and 120 for quite a while, and my ride is finally worthy of a build thread. Bought my 4Runner in May 2012 after about 3 years of saving. I love it, and that's a complete under-statement.

Here's the dealer pic right after I purchased it, bone stock with 72k miles.

After a few months and a few off-road/camping trips I put on some 265/75/16 Nitto Terra Grapplers. A significant upgrade, as the stock size was too small for my taste. The TGs are great off road. Snow, mud, rocks... I have not been stuck yet.

A pic with the new tires at Coyote Flats, outside of Bishop, CA.

While I was saving for the lift I built a cargo drawer. I wasn't sure if i would like it, but it's so useful I don't think I could do without it now.

I used 28" drawer slides purchased from Amazon, and included 2 locking compartments in the back (seats have to be folded down to get at these).

I designed it to be level with the wheel wells in the back, and consequently the height puts Saba Dog at a good level.

This is the last stock pic before a friend and I installed the lift. This is at Burbank City landfill. It's gnarly road to get here, and I used to have to walk. :biggrin2:

Put the lift on using the "no spring compressor method." After MUCH (another under-statement) consideration I decided on the following suspension components: Bilstein 5100's all around (fronts at 2.5 setting), FJ springs on the front, Toytec Superflex rear coils, Light Racing UCAs, Spidertrax, and Energy swaybar bushings. The ride is improved from stock and I gained much needed ground clearance.

Here's a level pic after the lift settled.

And here's a few flexing

I also plasti-dipped the grill, logos, and a few other things, and added the TRD decals.
Next up will be sliders, skids, and a proper roof rack... but I'm not holding my breath

 

[Mytoy4]

Welcome! Coming along well. Sure nice that you have beautiful area to venture into. Love your dog!

 

[downpour11]

Nice cargo box!

 

[Geologist]

Welcome! Coming along well. Sure nice that you have beautiful area to venture into. Love your dog!

Thanks! We got her a few months ago from the pound. She's some kind of Husky mutt.

Nice cargo box!

Thanks! I got tons of ideas from T4R, 120, and FJ forums.

 

[Geologist]

Took the family up to San Bernardino NF (near Big Bear) on Sunday. Had to get out of the city for a day. Didn't attempt anything too challenging, but there are a TON of cool FS roads and trails to explore.

Here's the poser shot of the day, near Hannah Rocks (excellent bouldering).

We stumbled across this fire lookout atop Butler Peak. You can park at the base of those boulders and hike right up to it. Amazing views in all directions.

Even found time for a family portrait.

We were out there from morning til dark and only saw 1 other truck, and it was a couple who man the fire lookout during the day in the summertime.
We're heading to Coyote Flats near Bishop, CA this coming Friday through Monday. Can't wait!:banana:

 

[Geologist]

Finally got around to upgrading 4Runner. The past few mods I've made have been repairs and higher mileage maintenance items. I'm up to 150k now.
Within the past month I've installed:

-Icon extended travel remote reservoir front coilovers. My 5100s were SHOT

-Icon piggyback rear shocks (given to me by an FJ buddy, with only 10k miles on them)

-2016 4Runner TE 17" wheels, purchased from another T4R member, and 285/70/17 Goodyear Duratracs. The 15mm offset of the new wheels and wider tire allowed me to eliminate the Spidertrax and keep the tire flush with the fender.
Shown here next to 265/75/16 Terra Grapplers and my stock wheels, and my helper.

Before and After

 

[kyle_uran]

Looks great, OP!

I have a 03 as well, black plastic molding as well, though truck is maroon. I definetly love the TE wheels and larger tires :bigok: I plan on lifting mine by years end. I'm leaning towards OME, though that Icon set up is nice.

 

[tay4R]

Nice drawer setup! Built one myself too.

How do you like the Icon Extended Travel Remote Reservoirs setup so far? Been eyeing them myself for a long time but just haven't pulled the trigger. I've got toytec installed all around right now.

 

[connor981332]

Would you say you were disappointed in the Bilsteins? Or do you feel like you got a lot of good use out of them?

Also, sick build. If I could afford the coilovers, I would do the same thing.

 

[Geologist]

Would you say you were disappointed in the Bilsteins? Or do you feel like you got a lot of good use out of them?

Also, sick build. If I could afford the coilovers, I would do the same thing.

Sorry for the late reply. I was happy with the bilsteins overall. Having them at the highest setting probably wasn't the best, would have been better with a longer coil at the 0 setting. Got 65k hard miles out of them before I noticed some oil seeping. For the price, they were great. The icons are definitely an upgrade tho.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[HIMILESV8SPORT]

That's the same question I had. Thanks. Have only 4,000 miles on 5100's now, wondering how long they'd last. FJ coils are currently on them, but have Tacoma off road springs I could swap on there, anyone with a suggetion on those springs on 5100's?

 

[pschieti]

Nice truck. I know a few geologists who would be very jealous of that rig.

 

[4runner_noobie]

nice

 

[DRG1017]

Very well thought out build. Nice.

 

[Geologist]

I'm gonna update this build thread over the next few weeks. It'll take some time because the 4Runner has been through a lot of changes since my last post, and it's currently in the garage undergoing a full suspension overhaul. This is my setup before the overhaul began. It was a solid setup that served me well for years.

GENERAL
-4.88 Nitro Gears
-ARB Air Lockers Front & Rear
-SCS SR8s in Gunmetal
-BFG KM3s 315/70/17
-RCI Off Road Sliders
-RCI Off Road Skid Plates (Steel)
-Gobi Roof Rack
-DIY Switch/Relay/Fuse System
-Mostly Cheap Lights

FRONT
-Icon 2.5" Extended Travel Remote Reservoir Coilovers (700lb coils)
-Total Chaos UCAs w/ Icon Delta Joints
-Demello Off Road 3-Hoop Front Bumper
-Smittybuit X20 10k Winch w/ Synthetic Line
-CBI Ditch Light Brackets
-Rigid Dually Ditch Lights

REAR
-CBI Bumper w/ Single Swingout
-Metaltech Adjustable Upper & Lower Links & 3
-Metaltech 3" Bump Stop Drops
-Icon 2.0 LT Rear Shocks (Metaltech Spec'd)
-Dobinsons 749v Coils
-Dobinsons Adjustable Sway Bar End Links
-DIY Cargo Drawers

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[Geologist]

I'm digging those tires. I'm hoping to ride through the rocks as well one of these days.

These are the first tires I bought twice. Great on and off road, rocks, sand, snow, mud, you name it.

 

[Geologist]

Front bumper build

I was able to borrow a JD2 tube bender from a coworker, and decided to make my own bumpers. Here are some photos from the front bumper build:

Finished product

Top main tube was 6 bends on 1 plane

Checking the angles

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Wrap-around frame mount and lower cross tube. Everything was templated with cardboard and cut with an angle grinder. Super high tech.

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Tied in to the frame horns

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Gusseting the frame mount

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More strength

Figuring out the angles for the mid tube. This one had 4 bends on 1 plane then 2 offset bends. I messed up the first time I tried this by offsetting one bend up and one bend down. Lesson learned.

Starting to look like a bumper

Made a fully boxed winch plate and tied it into the mid tube and lower support tubes

Working on the hoops. This is a very happy face after messing up 2 side tubes trying to get the bends and notches right. I think this photo was taken at like 1am. My neighbors love me...

Tube work done and it fit up nicely

Dimple died lower plates (14ga) and license plate tabs

16ga filler plate up top

Ready for paint. I added side support tubes from the frame mounts out to the mid tube. This made it a lot stronger and virtually eliminated any wobbling while driving (which was minimal to begin with). It'll also help keep things rigid when I'm up against a rock with the bumper.

Painted with VHT Roll Bar and Chassis Epoxy Paint (satin)

 

[OffRoadRy]

You have some serious fab skills. That bumper looks awesome.

 

[zothen]

Hi Alex, I’m very much enjoying your instagram posts showing your latest build! A couple of questions…

How much suspension lift do you have?

Do you have any body lift and if not, did you consider one? I’m wondering with a 2” body lift could you have eliminated or vastly reduced any of the firewall work.

I would imagine you are going for lowest center of gravity while still allowing those larger tires, but I’m curious to what all you considered in making your decisions. How about wheel offset and pushing the tires out further?

I have 4th gen I’m looking to build up and trying to determine between 34s, 35s, or 37s and watching your work as well as other the work of other users on here is a big help, thanks!

 

[PDP1230]

Came a long way. Looks great!