JustSomeName's Golden State RUNNER Build Thread

[JustSomeName]

Golden State RUNNER
2008 Galactic Grey SR5 4x4 V6​

To mark (a little more than) one year of owning my 4Runner (and being a member of this site), I thought I'd start my own build thread.

First, a little background: When looking for a car, I was looking for an SUV that I could bring up to Tahoe with me, since I go about 10-12 times a year, and I also wanted something that I could take camping and do some light off roading with.

I ultimately decided on a 4Runner, really liked the look and absolutely LOVE being able to open/close the rear hatch window. After about two months of searching for the color I wanted, at the right miles, and in my price range, I finally settled on a 2008 SR5 in Galactic Gray with ~50K miles on it.

When I got it, it was bone stock a base model SR5, didn't even have the OEM spoiler, cargo cover, or the JBL sound system. In hindsight, I think I would've waited it out and found one with at least a spoiler and/or JBL sound system, but I digress...

Here's a picture of the car the day I got it, bone stock:

The car currently (as of August 2017):

Some of my favorite pictures:

 

[JustSomeName]

CURRENT MODS:​

Suspension:

Icon 2.5 Adjustable Front Coilovers
SPC Performance Upper Control Arms
ToyTec Diff Drop Kit
ToyTec Swaybar Relocate Kit
Wheeler's Superbump Front Bump Stops

Bilstein 5100 Rear Shocks
MetalTech Rear Lower Links
ToyTec Adjustable Panhard Bar
ToyTec SuperFlex Rear Coils
WabFab Extended Rear Swaybar Endlinks
Wheeler's Superbump Rear Bump Stops

4Crawler 1in Body lift + radiator drop bracket
Spidertrax 1.25 Wheel Spacers
Energy Suspension Polyurethane front/rear Sway Bar Bushings

Gray 4runner TRD Pro Wheels (Part #PTR20-35110-GR)
Hankook DynaPro MT 285/70R17

Exterior:

Lighting:
"eBay Special" 32in CREE LED Light Bar
Volt HID Kit 35W 4300K H11 Low Beams
Volt HID Kit 35W 3000K 9006 Fogs
Phillips CrystalVision Ultra Xenon 9005 High Beams
Lamin-X Yellow Fog Light Films
LED Hyper White Rear License Plate Lights

Armor:
BAMF Weld-on Sliders w/o kickout
BAMF LCA Skids
RCI Front Skid Plate
RCI Transmission Skid Plate
RCI Transfer Case Skid Plate

Decals/Badges:
Plasti-dipped Badges
FJ60 Grill Emblem (Part #75311-90K00)

OEM Hood Deflector (Part #PT427-89060)
OEM Galactic Grey door handles 1e9
WeatherTech Sunroof Deflector
WeatherTech Window Deflectors
Golden State Warriors License Plate Frame
Satoshi Deep Dish Grill
EBay Replica OEM Spoiler
OEM Toyota 2" Hitch Cover

Interior:

OEM Cargo Cover (Part #64901-35040-B0)
OEM Dual Outlet Smokers Kit (Part #74110-35010-B0)
OEM Driver Side Grab Handle Bar (Part #74603-60010-B0)
OEM Spider Net (Part #PT347-89030)
OEM Sunroof & HomeLink Overhead Console (Part #63670-0W040-B0)

Wood Grain Steering Wheel Cherry Wood/Black Leather
Lexus GX470 Wood Grain Shift Knob Cherry Wood/Black Leather
WeatherTech DigiFit Floor Liners
WeatherTech Cargo Liner
Broadway 360mm Curved Rearview Mirror
LED Hyper White Lights

Car Electronics
Pioneer AVH-2300NEX Head Unit
Pioneer TS-A6966R 6x9 Front Speakers
Pioneer TS-A1676R 6.5" Rear Speakers
Pioneer ND-BC8 Backup Camera

CB Radio Setup:
CBI Antenna Mount
Cobra 75WXST CB Radio
FireStik 4' Antenna
FireStik FireRing 18' Cable
FireStik Heavy Duty Antenna Spring

Under the Hood:

TRD Oil Cap (Part #PTR35-00110)
side cut exhuast + deleted resonator

 

[JustSomeName]

Right after I got the car, there was an OEM part i really wanted to add on I wanted, namely the cargo cover and found it used on eBay

 

[JustSomeName]

My first mod was to upgrade the headlights/fog lights to HIDs. Through browsing this site, I chose the Volt 35W set.

I chose White (4300K) for the H11 Low Beams. And Yellow (3500K) for the 9006 Fogs.

For a more vibrant Yellow effect, I also put on Yellow Lamin-X films on the Fog Lights as well.

 

[JustSomeName]

Next, was for the suspension lift. I went with Icon adjustable coilovers in the front and Bilstein 5100 shocks & ToyTec Superflex Coils in the rear.

Additionally, I also got the SPC Performance Upper Control Arms, Spidertrax Wheel spacers, ToyTec swaybar relocate kit,http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com...or-07-09-FJ-05-UP-Tacoma-03-09-4Run_p_12.html and the ToyTec Diff Drop kit.

I got all the parts here and there and put everything on all at once.

 

[JustSomeName]

After the lift, I got some new wheels and bigger tires to match the ride height. I really wanted the Black TRD Trail Team 16' FJ Wheels but couldn't bring myself to drop $1000+ on a set of wheels, so I went for the next best thing, I got a set of 5 OEM FJ 17' Wheels on craigslist for a quarter the price and rattle canned them matte black.

I then read that it was possible to install the TRD center caps from the trail team wheels onto these FJs with some dremel work , so I got a set of 5 of those and installed them. For more info, you can read up on my install in this thread:

TRD Center Caps on 17' FJ Wheels

As for the tires, I chose all terrains since I knew I would do alot of snow driving, I was torn between the Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armors and the BF Goodrich TA KOs, I ultimately chose the Goodyears because at the time, they were almost 200 cheaper for a set of 4. I wanted 285s, but I didn't want to do a body lift, so I chose 275/70R17 Load C. Also picked up an almost bald Wrangler Silent Armor in the same size as a spare and was able to fit it in the stock spare tire carrier.

Again, in hindsight, I'd probably would've gotten 285 mud terrains and just got the body lift as well. Probably will do so when it is time for a new set of tires.

 

[JustSomeName]

After the suspension upgrade, I wanted to do something that would increase the comfort for the driver.

My friend suggested I get a wood grain steering wheel. At that point, I knew no 4runners, not even Limited ones came with a factory steering wheel. I did some research and found out the steering wheel from the 4runner's richer cousin, the Lexus GX would fit on our cars. I also found out that they charge upwards of $600 for a used one and I wasn't going to pay that much for a steering wheel, no matter how nice.

Again, I researched and found someone here that got one for less than half the price and very close to where I live in the Bay Area, i thought perfect! But the thread was several years old and the phone number listed was disconnected. After a couple hours of searching all over the web, I found out the shop was moved to gilroy, so I contacted him and he told me he had two colors for the 4runner, I ultimately decided to get the cherry wood.

I drove down there. bought it and had him install it all for around $200, much more reasonable than $600+ for OEM. I must admit, it's definitely not as nice as Lexus factory wheels, but it's good enough!

4th Gen Woodgrain Steering Wheel

Here's a picture of the steering wheel:

And for good measure, I picked up a matching woodgrain shift knob from a Lexus GX470 from eBay.

 

[JustSomeName]

By that time, I had gone to Hollister a couple times and up to Tahoe a handful of times and got the OEM mats pretty dirty, so my next purchase was a set of WeatherTech all weather liners for the front row and back row, as well as the cargo area too.

Also picked up the window deflectors.

 

[carcrazysammy]

Looks great. Where do you do your offroading? I ask because I am in Concord/Sonora CA.

 

[JustSomeName]

Next was a CB Radio. I didn't want a big ass head unit taking up space in the interior and was looking for a model that was an all in one, head unit, mic, and speaker all in one piece. I decided on the Cobra 75WXST. Since I don't always have it on, I tucked the 75WXST's receiver underneath the center console and easily plug/unplug the CB Radio as necessary. While unplugged, I keep the CB's head unit in the glove box.

For the components, I went with Firestik's 4' antenna, FireRing cable, and antenna spring.

 

[JustSomeName]

I saw that Bay Area Metal Fab was doing a Black Friday deal on sliders w/o kickout, so I jumped on the deal and picked up a set of the no kick out sliders, powder coated. Since the shop was about an hour away from me, I requested to pick them up myself to get them installed there as well.

 

[JustSomeName]

I had a shop delete the resonator and relocate the tail pipe to come out from behind the rear passenger tire. So far it's helped a bit with the sulfer smell when the window is down, but not a huge difference from before.

 

[JustSomeName]

Got the weathertech sunroof visor as a gift to match the window visors I already had

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Very nice truck, we have a lot of the same taste with the weathertechs, and bosch icons, etc. definitely loving your truck. I'm confused because I didn't think they had GG in 08, I thought it was only shadow mica, but from the pics, it's hard to tell how dark your paint is

 

[JustSomeName]

Very nice truck, we have a lot of the same taste

thanks bro, great minds think alike!

 

[JustSomeName]

Some random photos from this past snow season in Tahoe

A couple rolling shots

]

Somehow, found our way onto Lake Tahoe's beach

And finally, a photo of my car with my friend's Isuzu Trooper with a 3' OME lift

 

[ebg18t]

Nice build!

 

[momo.75]

i love that rolling shot!.....:artist2:......:thumb:

 

[Whodat504]

Where'd you get the grill guard or bull bar whatever you wanna call it? I like it.

 

[macoyle]

Looks good buddy! I love the rolling shot!