JediWebDude build thread

April 2007: The trading in of the 2005 SR5 V6 for the 2007 Sport Ed V8.

In 2005, we purchased a slightly used SR5 V6 4WD to replace a gas guzzling 3/4-ton Chevy 4x4 pickup. I liked everything about the SR5, except the audio system. It was our family SUV and served that purpose well. We drove it from Dallas to Wash DC for a family vacation in 2006.

This is the only photo I can find of the SR5. On this day, we used it to pull a rented trailer for hauling landscape stone for our new house. That little kid in the white t-shirt is now 16 and driving my current 4Runner to school.


In early 2007, we decided we wanted to buy a camper trailer. As I explored the travel trailer options, I decided the V6 wasn't sufficient for towing the types of trailers we were considering. So I shopped for a V8 4WD with the upgraded audio system. At the time, we decided a Limited was not within our budget. In all of Dallas/Ft Worth, I found only one V8 4WD with the JBL Audio System...it was a 2007 Sport Edition. It was sitting in the showroom at Freeman Toyota of Ft. Worth. I called their fleet guy and worked a deal to get it under invoice. He gave me what I wanted for trade-in on the V6.

Next, we bought a used camper trailer. I also had a cargo trailer for hauling astro gear.






It was funny when we towed the camper to campgrounds, people would stare. I got the typical questions of "you tow with that?" while pointing to the 4Runner. Now when I off-road, the Jeep guys stare and ask me the "you off-road in that?" questions. Some things never change. Like the day I climbed the same mountain in Clayton, OK as all these Jeeps. The Jeep guys stared in disbelief. Several guys asked me how the heck I got up there.
 
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May 2012: Overland Warehouse full Radflo 2.5" suspension, All-Pro Offroad 3.5" Rear Springs, Toytec extended brake lines, SkyJacker Sway Bar Endlinks

Had the Cornfed spacers removed and this suspension installed, along with All-Pro 3.5" rear springs, which I painted blue.


365/122 - Overland Warehouse Suspension by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


365/192 - extended brake lines by VisualUniverse, on Flickr

I have received more PMs about those All-Pro springs than anything else on this forum. The reason I went with the springs was under the advisement of Overland Warehouse. Since I had the CBI rear bumper on order, they suggested I go with All-Pro's 3.5" springs instead of the OW springs. The suspension was installed prior to the CBI rear bumper arriving, so I had a slight stink-bug stance until the bumper was installed.

I also had Toytec rear extended brake lines installed, which you can see in the photo with the springs. I also installed SkyJacker swaybar endlinks.
 
Your rig is looking great Jedi !

Do you know what the rating is for those rear springs?

I have the OW rear springs which are ~ 220lbs/in and I am sitting flat. I'm headed for a saggin' ass when I install my drawer system so I need to beef the springs up a bit. OME 895's are ~ 260 lbs/in, wondering how the AllPro's compare.
 
jdkilroy said:
Your rig is looking great Jedi !

Do you know what the rating is for those rear springs?

I have the OW rear springs which are ~ 220lbs/in and I am sitting flat. I'm headed for a saggin' ass when I install my drawer system so I need to beef the springs up a bit. OME 895's are ~ 260 lbs/in, wondering how the AllPro's compare.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Sorry, I don't know. I have been impressed that loading up the backend doesn't cause sagging.
 
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October 2012: replacing rear door latch

Some of you have experienced the melting rubber latch, which left a black goo on your fingers every time you opened the rear door/gate. I still think this should've been a recall replacement. The replacement mechanism wasn't cheap, and the install took some time. Someone on Toyota120 posted instructions, which helped. I added a few photos with comments for the one screw that was difficult to access.


4Runner rear latch repair by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


4Runner rear latch repair by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
November 2012: Demello front bumper install

The bumper went on fairly easy. The instructions indicate that the OEM bolts need to be removed and replaced. However, I found that the OEM bolts were stuck on there. Tried hammering one out, but no luck. So just used the OEM bolts. Figuring out where to cut the wheel well liner was sort of challenging.

I think I spent more time removing the stock bumper than I did installing the Demello bumper.





Conner installs the Acro lights:


Done!


Clearance is nice:

Toyota Trail Riders day of off-roading by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
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Jason Demello came out to Lone Star Toyota Jamboree at the beginning of May. We had great conversations about the mods to our trucks. I am envious of what he's done...his rig looks great. We also talked about Canon cameras...he has a nice 7D.


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr

Demello customers group shot at Lone Star Toyota Jamboree 2013:

Demello customers - Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
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Funny I hadn't thought of checking for your build thread before. Guess I wouldn't have found it LOL... Great job! Yours was the very first 4R that caught my attention when I first was researching. Awesome how you'd end up finding me on T4R! I'm amazed you still have stock skids on! Budbuilts on order? =)
 
April 17, 2013: Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 17x9 rims

Having obliterated 2 sets of rims due to my rock-crawling obsession, I decided to listen to [MENTION=50591]gaterose[/MENTION] and get the bling rims rims with protective rings. Already the rings have proven their worth.


MT rims by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
nghiS4 said:
I'm amazed you still have stock skids on! Budbuilts on order? =)
Click to expand...

As much as I would like to have BudBuilt skids, I think they are too heavy. So far, the OEM skids have done their job. A bolt fell out at Jamboree, which is why the skid is uneven. About to do an oil change, so have to remove the skid and will get new bolts at that time. Also thought about getting a chrome Taco skid. I like how those look, and they are light.

As you are aware, doing a build thread for the 4Runner is a lot more affordable than doing a build thread for an Audi S4. =)
 
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Spring 2013: I do lots of photography...mostly astrophotography and landscape photography. Decided that my 4Runner might make a decent storm chase rig for shooting from a safe distance. I arrived at this storm too late for the funnel cloud, but just in time for the dramatic sunset and the remainder of the hail core (which was loud):


Storm Chasin' by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


Texas Storm Chase by VisualUniverse, on Flickr

This is usually the atmospheric photography I do:

3RF CSAC Observing Field by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
April 2012: WeatherTech laser cut floormats

It didn't take long for the OEM carpet mats to become dirt storage mechanisms that were a challenge to clean. Ordered some WeatherTech floormats. All was well until I experienced the dreaded "unintended acceleration" phenomenon. Thankfully, I was accelerating from an intersection and there were no cars in front of me. I quickly popped the shifter into N, only to hear the engine shoot to high RPMs. Using my heel, I was able to kick the floormat back enough to release the gas pedal.

Not being the type of person who supports the notion of America being the land of lawsuits, I decided to forgo the press release where I would tell a tale of fear and woe, and announce lawsuits against Toyota and WeatherTech. Instead, I snipped off a corner of the floormat nearest the pedal and all was well. Haven't had the issue since.


365/110 - weathertech by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
May 2013: video of my rig using the ARB locker (you can also hear my FlowMaster exhaust)

This kind gentleman shot video of rigs trying to get over this difficult spot. None of the FJ Cruisers were able to beat it. A 3rd gen 4R (Samstert4r), a Land Cruiser, and my rig conquered it. We all had rear lockers. While the FJCs had rear lockers, speculation was their shorter wheelbases were their hindrance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2JRUSY6rdc

Photos of the same scramble:


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr

I did it again the next day...more photos:

4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr


4Runners at 2013 Lone Star Toyota Jamboree by VisualUniverse, on Flickr
 
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jediwebdude said:
As much as I would like to have BudBuilt skids, I think they are too heavy. So far, the OEM skids have done their job. A bolt fell out at Jamboree, which is why the skid is uneven. About to do an oil change, so have to remove the skid and will get new bolts at that time. Also thought about getting a chrome Taco skid. I like how those look, and they are light.

As you are aware, doing a build thread for the 4Runner is a lot more affordable than doing a build thread for an Audi S4. =)
Click to expand...

Good to see your stock skids holding up through the much more extreme usage than I'm currently at. I have the Ricochet aluminum LCA skids (not yet mounted) & may keep the stock skids for the time being. If & when I do aftermarket skids, I may get the RCI aluminum ones.

And yes, aftermarket products for the 4R may be less per product than Audi, but I do believe I'll be spending much, much more on the 4R's total mod costs. :bounce:
 
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