Guidos GoldRunner build

[vonguido]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum as well as new to Toyotas and subsequently 4Runners. This is to document my build and learning as I go.

I came from the Jeep world and after getting frustrated with doing all the maintenance I could and still having it in the shop for one reason or another I finally got rid of my last Jeep and bought a 2015 Honda Accord Sport....cruised around in that for the past couple years, then got married and found out we are having a baby due in October(we both have two -6yr old boys from previous relationships), so it was time to upgrade her vehicle.
Traded in the Accord for a 2016 Honda Odyssey

Which left me with her old vehicle a 2004 Nissan Xterra w/ 191,000 miles on it [emoji848]

Well after some inspections and three mechanics later for quotes. I came to the realization that it was going to cost a truck load of money to keep her running and it wasn't worth it.
I searched and searched for a better option, enter the new to me 4Runner.

2005 4Runner Limited, under 70,000miles, V8, the interior is in amazing condition, she only had one previous owner...an older gentleman who always had it garaged and maintained.

Drove the 3hrs to get her and brought her home.

Now for ideas....
I want to take care of as much maintenance items as possible and build smart, not impulsive...that'll be a challenge. I don't want anything crazy lift wise 2-3" max, tires no larger than 33-34". Ideally just adventuring and long distance travel/overlanding.

First things on my list:
*Fluid change to all synthetics
*Rotating and balancing current tires
*A good detailing to the interior and exterior
*Weather tech floor mats
*Rutech bypass kit
*Larger battery - Looks like the Odyssey is the battery of choice.
*diff breathers
*do something about the horrible headlights - ideas anyone??

My first real adventure date is not until end of summer into fall - Overland Expo East is the big one. So I have time to build smart and get the details done right.

- Sean

Current setup as of 10/20/18:
Rutech bypass kit
OME 886/895
Bilstein 5100s
ARB Front Bumper
Smittybilt X20 comp winch(needs installed)
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3 285/70/17 tires
87,000 miles

 

[rickashay]

Congrats on the 05'! Looks like a nice, clean example, and with the V8 to boot!

Your initial mod list is very close to my own. The bypass kit was a necessity for me too to keep my low mileage (like yours) 4Runner on the road for years to come. Lots of good info on the forum... excited to see where you go with it!

Headlight options: projector retrofit or do the 06-09 headlight upgrade. I'm in the middle of a Lexus LS430 projector retrofit on mine right now. Very excited to see the output once they are all back together!

Addison

 

[vonguido]

Got the tires rotated and balanced this past weekend, as well as ordered the weather tech floor mats which should be here soon.
The Rutech bypass kit has arrived just waiting for some open time to get it installed.

Some pictures from the other day after getting cleaned out.

First "mod"

It adds some HP right?


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[vonguido]

Congrats on the 05'! Looks like a nice, clean example, and with the V8 to boot!



Your initial mod list is very close to my own. The bypass kit was a necessity for me too to keep my low mileage (like yours) 4Runner on the road for years to come. Lots of good info on the forum... excited to see where you go with it!



Headlight options: projector retrofit or do the 06-09 headlight upgrade. I'm in the middle of a Lexus LS430 projector retrofit on mine right now. Very excited to see the output once they are all back together!



Addison

Addison I have been a huge fan of all your builds. Been following them on ExpeditionPortal for awhile now.
I'm following your lead with a lot of the things I would like to do to mine. Although mine will be a lot slower lol.

How difficult would it be to do a projector retrofit w/ the Lexus LS430? or similar for someone who has never dabbled in lighting to that extent?

Looking forward to your updates as they come, cheers.

Sean

 

[rickashay]

Addison I have been a huge fan of all your builds. Been following them on ExpeditionPortal for awhile now.
I'm following your lead with a lot of the things I would like to do to mine. Although mine will be a lot slower lol.

How difficult would it be to do a projector retrofit w/ the Lexus LS430? or similar for someone who has never dabbled in lighting to that extent?

Looking forward to your updates as they come, cheers.

Sean

Thanks Sean. The LS430s are proving to be quite difficult so I wouldn't recommend them if you've never retrofitted before. However the new morimoto mini D2S stuff is so good and takes almost all the guess work out of retrofitting.

Or I may be offering a GB for 4Runner retrofits (03-05') in the spring. I would be using solely Morimoto Mini D2S projectors. The "VIP" stuff requires too much custom work (time) to make it worth doing.

 

[vonguido]

Thanks Sean. The LS430s are proving to be quite difficult so I wouldn't recommend them if you've never retrofitted before. However the new morimoto mini D2S stuff is so good and takes almost all the guess work out of retrofitting.



Or I may be offering a GB for 4Runner retrofits (03-05') in the spring. I would be using solely Morimoto Mini D2S projectors. The "VIP" stuff requires too much custom work (time) to make it worth doing.

Thanks for the info, I will have to look into the mini D2S. I would be in for the group buy for sure because these headlights are horrible.


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[vonguido]

Some updates:

Received my weather tech floor mats today and put them in. I'm super pumped for this because Ohio is suppose to get some snow tonight.

Also snapped a picture under the hood...apparently somebody liked to mark reminders on parts...

It's going to be a little slow until money makes itself available. [emoji24]

I'm looking for recommendations on a front bumper....it's between Pelfreybilt, ARB, or Relentless Fab. If anyone has thoughts who have them let me know pros/cons.

Also looking into a new battery - I'm thinking Odyssey or Sears platinum- and then a dual battery setup which will be National Luna and then a switch panel - leaning towards "switch pro" over the spod.

Took the pup for his first ride in the 4Runner...he was happy at first then realized we were going to the Vet [emoji58] Pre:

Post: all though he loved the heated seats

Short list for things to come:

Power Steering fluid replacement
New Battery - still figuring out what's best
Removing factory step bars
National Luna Dual battery system
Homemade drawer system for the rear
Cooling system flush
Synthetic oil change
Toyota replacing my cracked dashboard - pictures to come.
New front bumper/winch
Switch Pro switch management system

Tuesday she's getting inspected by Toyota so I have a baseline as well as inspecting the cracked dash.

- Sean


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[rickashay]

Short list for things to come:

Power Steering fluid replacement
New Battery - still figuring out what's best
Removing factory step bars
National Luna Dual battery system
Homemade drawer system for the rear
Cooling system flush
Synthetic oil change
Toyota replacing my cracked dashboard - pictures to come.
New front bumper/winch
Switch Pro switch management system

Tuesday she's getting inspected by Toyota so I have a baseline as well as inspecting the cracked dash.

- Sean


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- I'm picking up my Group 31M Odyssey on the weekend. Others have done it, looks like a tight fit.
- I have an aluminum Pelfreybilt that I'm picking up this weekend. Aluminum cause I'm trying to stay light and I don't run too many "Hardcore" trails. Really like the clean and simple aesthetics and design
- Also picking up a ComeUp 9.5 RS winch. Good price point and world-wide have a reputation that is hard to beat. New to the NA market so not as widely known...yet. They have their winches on all of the Arctic trucks. Super pumped to try this thing out.
- LOL, I just ordered a Switch-Pro

In summary - great minds think alike? All of the bumper choices you have are excellent though, just thought I'd state my reasoning.

Tuned in for more. What size tire are you going to run?

 

[vonguido]

- I'm picking up my Group 31M Odyssey on the weekend. Others have done it, looks like a tight fit.

- I have an aluminum Pelfreybilt that I'm picking up this weekend. Aluminum cause I'm trying to stay light and I don't run too many "Hardcore" trails. Really like the clean and simple aesthetics and design

- Also picking up a ComeUp 9.5 RS winch. Good price point and world-wide have a reputation that is hard to beat. New to the NA market so not as widely known...yet. They have their winches on all of the Arctic trucks. Super pumped to try this thing out.

- LOL, I just ordered a Switch-Pro



In summary - great minds think alike? All of the bumper choices you have are excellent though, just thought I'd state my reasoning.



Tuned in for more. What size tire are you going to run?

I like the Pelfreybilt offerings a lot, but I would get it without the hoops, because the pictures I have seen with the hoops it looks really wonky. Like they just kept the dimensions from the Taco bumper.
I have no desire to run hardcore/rock trails, I also like the cbi front as well.
The ARB because it's tried and true but sticks out a decent bit.
Relentless fab because it just looks flat out mean lol.
So many decisions lol.

I remember reading an article on expo portal about the ComeUp winch.
I feel like everyone nowadays is Warn or bust. Which is fine but the premium price sometimes is steep. I'll have to do some reading on them.

Yes indeed great minds think alike. Lol.
I'll be anxiously waiting some of these parts going on your vehicle.

In terms of tire size the jury is still out because my lift decision is still up in the air - no larger than a 33-34, I'd love 35's but not sure of the practical nature of them for me right now.
I see 285s is the tire a lot of people are running though.
I like Icon and Radflo. I had Fox shocks on my last Jeep and loved them.
I'm also really intrigued by the OME BP-51s even though they are made for 5th gens, I have seen/heard people running them on 4th gens with minor modifications.
I like the extended travel setups, so up to a 3" lift.
I feel like Radflo is the front runner for me right now - ordered through Metaltech, unless a GB comes up on one of these systems. I can afford resi's in the Radflo but not in the Icons. I'd rather be overbuilt than under-built.
I'm open to comments on all of these because I'm still very new to the Toyota realm.

I value the feedback, and will be anxiously awaiting your updates on your build Addison lol.

-Sean


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[Mytoy4]

Adorable!! Welcome!

Post: all though he loved the heated seats

 

[vonguido]

Adorable!! Welcome!

Thanks. He was not very happy with me after getting his shots and his ears cleaned out. The look says it all [emoji17]


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[yournameguy]

What breed pup?! He looks just like my furry amigo!

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[vonguido]

What breed pup?! He looks just like my furry amigo!

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Black lab/shepherd mix. He's a great companion.

 

[justinfetalvero]

Nice and congrats on the 4Runner! I just picked up an 05 Limited V8 in White a month ago and LOVE it! Do you have Rear Air Suspension on yours and if so, how are you planning on lifting the rear? Thanks!

 

[vonguido]

Nice and congrats on the 4Runner! I just picked up an 05 Limited V8 in White a month ago and LOVE it! Do you have Rear Air Suspension on yours and if so, how are you planning on lifting the rear? Thanks!

Thank you for the kind words.

I do not have the rear air suspension, however, I do have the XREAS system.
I was looking at ordering a Radflo kit from metal tech, but my money has been pulled elsewhere which sucks. So honestly at the moment I'm looking at just going with the tried and true/K.I.S.S. - Old Man Emu lift kit.
My only dilemma there is the stiffness of the springs. I know I will eventually have a front bumper of some kind(ARB/Pelfreybilt), sliders and a CBI rear bumper w/ swing out. I will want the heavies with all that added weight.

I still have a lot of maintenance items I'd like to attend to first though. New battery, fluid flushes, etc.
All I have had time to do so far is just drive and enjoy it. However Overland Expo East is on my radar as my first real travel plans in the 4Runner so I got time.

In terms of updates, I did install the Rutech bypass kit last weekend and it was so easy a caveman could do it....highly recommended first mod for any v8 4Runner.

-Sean


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[whyowyo]

...So honestly at the moment I'm looking at just going with the tried and true/K.I.S.S. - Old Man Emu lift kit.
My only dilemma there is the stiffness of the springs. I know I will eventually have a front bumper of some kind(ARB/Pelfreybilt), sliders and a CBI rear bumper w/ swing out. I will want the heavies with all that added weight.

...

-Sean


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Bought my '03 V8 with 886 front and 896 rear installed. As of now there is no extra weight front or back. The ride is a little stiff, but tolerable. Way better than an old school lifted leaf sprung truck.

Compared to the XREAS I'd guess that the sway control will be comparable with the heavy springs, but with a less compliant ride.

 

[vonguido]

Bought my '03 V8 with 886 front and 896 rear installed. As of now there is no extra weight front or back. The ride is a little stiff, but tolerable. Way better than an old school lifted leaf sprung truck.



Compared to the XREAS I'd guess that the sway control will be comparable with the heavy springs, but with a less compliant ride.

Good to know. I have seen others buy the coils but run 5100's instead of the OME shocks. At the rate things are working out I will run whatever setup I get for a couple years.
I want to make sure I get my maintenance and small stuff done but also the bumpers.
I want to start getting out there and camping and getting my boys exposed to it and have some more fun.


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[justinfetalvero]

Thank you for the kind words.

I do not have the rear air suspension, however, I do have the XREAS system.
I was looking at ordering a Radflo kit from metal tech, but my money has been pulled elsewhere which sucks. So honestly at the moment I'm looking at just going with the tried and true/K.I.S.S. - Old Man Emu lift kit.
My only dilemma there is the stiffness of the springs. I know I will eventually have a front bumper of some kind(ARB/Pelfreybilt), sliders and a CBI rear bumper w/ swing out. I will want the heavies with all that added weight.

I still have a lot of maintenance items I'd like to attend to first though. New battery, fluid flushes, etc.
All I have had time to do so far is just drive and enjoy it. However Overland Expo East is on my radar as my first real travel plans in the 4Runner so I got time.

In terms of updates, I did install the Rutech bypass kit last weekend and it was so easy a caveman could do it....highly recommended first mod for any v8 4Runner.

-Sean


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Yea man, I feel you with doing the maintenance items first. It's so easy to want to get everything done as soon as possible lol. After searching around, I am going to convert to coil springs in the back and remove the air bags but keep them. You never know when you could use them again. I was wondering if I could use the factory air compressor to put air bags in my springs. Not sure yet though.

I decided to go with the Toytec Ultimate lift Kit. Will be some time before I order it though since money is tight right now.

What is a Rutech bypass kit?

 

[vonguido]

Yea man, I feel you with doing the maintenance items first. It's so easy to want to get everything done as soon as possible lol. After searching around, I am going to convert to coil springs in the back and remove the air bags but keep them. You never know when you could use them again. I was wondering if I could use the factory air compressor to put air bags in my springs. Not sure yet though.

I decided to go with the Toytec Ultimate lift Kit. Will be some time before I order it though since money is tight right now.

What is a Rutech bypass kit?

Maintenance is the key. All about the details.

heres a link to the Rutech bypass kit, also explains more in detail about it.
https://rutechsolutions.com/

 

[vonguido]

Not a whole lot to report on the 4Runner. Been busy with work and now I'm the sole income for the family since the wife is no longer working.
Still trucking along on trying to get maintenance stuff taken care of before I get into the fun stuff.
I did however get my replacement dash installed. Took the dealer about 1.5months to get the dash in, no more cracks [emoji51]

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