JohnTheLuck 2016 TE Build Thread

[JohnTheLuck]

Hi all, this thread is to document a modest overland build of my 2016 4Runner Canadian Trail Edition. This is the first 4X4 truck I ever own. My experience in this domain is limited to a few Wrangler Rental in Moab and Ouray, enough to convince me I had to dig into it sometime. Now is the time!

Some background on me. I bought my first car in 1987, a Toyota Corolla SR5. After a really bad service experience in 1988 (same dealer where I bought the 4R...) I promise myself to never return there and I then went to Honda for all following vehicles: 1989 Honda Civic Si (loved this one so much), 1997 Honda Civic EX, 2007 Honda Civic LX, 2007 Honda Odyssey, 2015 Honda CR-V (wife).

I probably don't have the skills of many excellent builders around here, but I intend to document it if this could help someone. My objective is to build an expedition rig but not an extreme rock crawler since I am a bit shy against damage and critical situations!

So here she sits for now (2017-10-23):

Stock:

2016 Trail Edition (canadian package)
- Classic Silver Metallic
- Alloy Trail Edition rims 17x7.5 (sold)
- Bridgstone Dueller P265/70R17 tires (sold)
- KDSS system
- Sunroof
- Running boards (removed)
- 5 seat Black SofTex with red stitches
- No sliding tray

Build:

Drive train and suspension:
- ToyTec BOSS suspension lift kit (650 front, Superflex rear, diff drop)
- SPC Light Racing UCA
- BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 LT275/70R17 E
- FN wheels f(X) Pro 17x8 offset 0 in gunmetal

Armor:
- RCI Rock Sliders (no top plate)
- RCI Aluminum Full Skid Plates Package

Misc exterior:
- PROTEX Base Kit film protection (hood, fenders, mirors)
- XPEL Prime XR window tint (88% front, 35% back)
- 3M 1080 vinyl hood and scoop wrap
- ARB170112 Differential Breather Kit
- Eezi-awn K9 2.2m roof-rack
- Custom wind deflector for Maxsa Innovation Escaper Buddy
- Morimoto H11 2Stroke 2.0 LED Bulbs Low Beam

Misc interior:
- Husky WeatherBeater (#99571 Front+Back, #25741 Cargo)
- Trail Grid Pro Dash Camera Power Adapter

Recovery:
- Maxsa Innovations 20333 Escaper Buddy Orange Traction Mat
- HL-484 Hi-Lift jack 48in
- JakJaw Recovery Tool (JAKJAW101)
- Smittybilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal Air Compressor
- Smittybilt 2733 Tire Repair Kit
- NOCO Genius GB40 Boost Plus 1000A 12V UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter
- ARB705 2 3/8in 30ft Snatch Strap
- ARB220 Recovery Damper
- Smittybilt 29312B 2in Receiver Mounted D-Ring Shackle
- BubbaRope 176745 Gator-Jaw Soft Shackle

Protection:
- Tag Tracking System
- Viper LCD 2-Way Security + Remote Start System + GPS
- McGard Wheel Locks
- Viofo A119 V3 Dashcam

Communication:
- Midland 75-822 40 Channel Handheld CB w/Mobile Converter Kit

Navigation:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Garmin GLO GPS Receiver
- Android Gaia GPS application

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[JohnTheLuck]

:cheer2: I pick her up tonight, after waiting for mostly 3 months since my dealer is under allocation for these beasts. It had only 4 km on the odometer.

I have big plans for it, but it will be a modest start since my first travel with her is scheduled in a few weeks already. After the trip, I will have more time to take care of her.
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[Ryan1975]

Looks Great stock! Wish those tires were options on my trail.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Looks Great stock! Wish those tires were options on my trail.

I made them installed at the dealer, so it feels a bit stock for me !!!

 

[JohnTheLuck]

I got my 4R back from the shop who installed some thief protection during the last two days. Tag Tracking and Viper should do the trick. Now, I feel better.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

I went to a local shop to install a hood protection film, Protex, similar to 3M but adapted to our cold climate. Nothing fancy, but should protect from small rocks and sand spread onto roads during winter.

 

[GabrielM]

Bonjour Jean!

Nice to see another 4Runner Trail in the area!

Found your thread while lurking these KO2 tires. If you ever want to try out your truck, feel free to come over at Club / Forum TORQ.

Do you have any plans with your truck?

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Bonjour Jean!

Nice to see another 4Runner Trail in the area!

Found your thread while lurking these KO2 tires. If you ever want to try out your truck, feel free to come over at Club / Forum TORQ.

Do you have any plans with your truck?

Bonjour!

I am just back from Moab. I left with only 158km on the odometer. I was in town during the week before Easter Jeep Safari. We left after one week due to an emergency at home, shortening the trip a full 4 weeks... Will go back during this fall, hopefully.

Edit: Content moved to my adventure thread
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[Shando]

Salut Jean!

I am also in Montreal, and I just bought an SR5 in classic silver in January. I just got some ko2 in stock size last week, they are awesome! Which shop did you use to install the protex?

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Salut Jean!

I am also in Montreal, and I just bought an SR5 in classic silver in January. I just got some ko2 in stock size last week, they are awesome! Which shop did you use to install the protex?

I went to Lebeau, Pointe-Claire. Installation was done by Protex technician on site. Give them a call; great service and a lot cheaper than at the dealer.

 

[Shando]

That's perfect, I am in the west island. Can I ask how much it costs?

 

[JohnTheLuck]

That's perfect, I am in the west island. Can I ask how much it costs?

If I remember correctly it was around 329 or 349.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Newfoundland Trip

Nothing new to report on the build side, being busy with many family issues and a canadian dollard so weak that any mod costs more every day. This sucks. But it will eventually be done.

My wife has been put on a work leave for a temporary issue, and we decided to leave for a few days with the 4R to see a part of our country we never visited, Newfoundland. May and June are the best months to see icebergs coming from Groenland and traveling near the northern shore of this big island. This is far from an EPIC trip and is not intended to be on trails. But it makes us thinking what we want the 4R to eventually be.

Edit: Content moved to my Adventures Thread.
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[JohnTheLuck]

Edit: Content moved to my Adventures Thread.
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[JohnTheLuck]

Window tint

Nothing major to report on my so sloooowwwwww build, but I am back from Pelti West Island where I had professional installation of XPEL PRIME XR window tint, 88% on front windows, and 35% on the back. I had sunburn on my arm during my previous Moab trip even when windows were up. The film block IR and UV rays very efficiently.

The following picture was taken with the passenger side windows down.

I am very pleased with the result. No way I would have been able to install it myself, even the professional installer had a few headache with the back window due to some dirt left from my Moab trip under the lower trim. Lesson learnt: window tint must go while still brand new!
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[rannydice]

Suuuuuuper jealous of all the places you are traveling... I miss living where there are actual MOUNTAINS.

4R looks good, I'll be on the gradual track myself. Keep it up! :snacker:

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Suuuuuuper jealous of all the places you are traveling... I miss living where there are actual MOUNTAINS.

Since you are living in Tennessee, you are much closer to Moab than me. I am myself a bit jealous... I live in Montreal, in the eastern part of Canada in the St-Laurence River plain. No mountains with good scenery nearby. The few trails around here are in wooded area; mud and trees; not my thing at all. I prefer driving the 3700 km to Arizona, Utah, or Colorado to have fun.

Don't eat too much popcorn while waiting my super slow build...!!!

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Vinyl Hood Scoop

Continuing on the build side, I went to UNLTD Media (formely Sticky Graphix) for professional application of 3M 1080 Film Wrap on the hood and scoop. I chosen the Matte True Black color.

This was an easy mod for me since I only removed the hood scoop and putting it back. This was a good choice since I don't have a lot of patience for these delicate tasks, mainly the wrapping of the scoop insert which took most of the time. The removal of the scoop allow a super clean install with no silver paint visible at all. The vinyl on the hood follows the hood lines and goes down to the Protex film on the front without overlapping.

With the low morning glaring sun, the reflection on the hood and scoop is reduced to a bearable intensity. Sorry for the crappy picture toward the sun with a dirty lens, showing from my driving position.

Now away from the glaring sun.

I am super satisfied with the quality of the install done by UNLTD Media and highly recommend them.

Next mods should show bigger progress on the build side but will be a lot more costly since our lagging Canadian dollar. Stay tuned!
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[Raymich24]

Jean - Nice rig and build/adventure thread. I know what you mean about slowly getting your rig built up. So far for me only husky liners/mats, xenon hid extreme with Philips bulbs for the low beams, then onto a front runner 3/4 rack later this year. I have the same 2016 tep w/kdss. Nice color by the way I look forward to seeing what you do next.

 

[JohnTheLuck]

Thanks!

I am planning our next adventure trip in the Southwest for late October to early December. Hopefully the weather will be good. This might become an EPIC thread, who knows!!!

On the build side, I might do Cymon Rear Differential Breather Mod For Dummies before since I might be crossing some wash or creek.

I am also searching for a different insurance company which will tolerate future mods more than my current.