Keeping it simple: Single vendor for armor?

Panzerpatty

Panzerpatty

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Just got a 2015 TEP W/KDSS. I have about $15k to spend on upgrades and I'm thinking about buying all my armor (Front/rear bumper w/spare carrier, sliders, skid plates, maybe winch) from Shrokworks so I can keep my sanity and not dig through 9000 threads of people discussing the nuances of front bumpers. :shocked:

Heres my question: are there any major complaints or concerns on any of the shrokworks armor? Any conventional wisdom that I'm missing?


Thanks
 
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Panzerpatty said:
Bummer. I'll put in a call to inquire on lead times.

PS. We have the same exact truck!
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Shrockworks is hands down the best quality you can buy. I am completely satisfied with them and I have everything they sell for the 4Runner
 

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[MENTION=92539]Panzerpatty[/MENTION], there's a consolidated front bumper thread on the Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's thread located on the main page of the 5th gen forum.

here it is for your convenience:

Front Bumpers for 5th Gens

just make sure if you go from manufacturer to manufacturer to piecemeal armor together that they all work together. IIRC some skids wont go with other manufacturers sliders.

also you bought a brand new truck and have 15k leftover to blow on armor?
 
Panzerpatty said:
Just got a 2015 TEP W/KDSS. I have about $15k to spend on upgrades and I'm thinking about buying all my armor (Front/rear bumper w/spare carrier, sliders, skid plates, maybe winch) from Shrokworks so I can keep my sanity and not dig through 9000 threads of people discussing the nuances of front bumpers. :shocked:

Heres my question: are there any major complaints or concerns on any of the shrokworks armor? Any conventional wisdom that I'm missing?


Thanks
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They have to mine the iron by hand, transport it by longboat to Volundr the Smith's so that he can shape and hammer the pieces with his mighty forge, then only the finest volcanic ash can be used to coat the still smoldering glimmering steel, then transport it to your longhome or 4x4 shop on oxcart on the fleece of 100 lambs to honor the fine craftsmanship.

If Thor needs his hammer refinished, then you're proper ****ed because he jumps the queue.
 
Thanks, I read through those which was great for the stats on all the options. Looking more for opinions before I pull a big trigger.

I got a great job and decided that the signing bonus should go towards something I want.

HerT4R said:
[MENTION=92539]Panzerpatty[/MENTION], there's a consolidated front bumper thread on the Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's thread located on the main page of the 5th gen forum.

here it is for your convenience:

Front Bumpers for 5th Gens

just make sure if you go from manufacturer to manufacturer to piecemeal armor together that they all work together. IIRC some skids wont go with other manufacturers sliders.

also you bought a brand new truck and have 15k leftover to blow on armor?
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I,d spend the time and go through the posts. I had the same thought as you, one vendor keep it simple. After looking through everything there are slight variations about each product I liked more than the other. So from my original thought of Shrockworks everything, now my list is Bud skids, CBI rear, 4x4 labs front, and OPOR sliders.
 
Titanpat57 said:
You forgot...."in your opinion "

There's some great products out there
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Sorry...I should have qualified the statement fist. I had no idea that anyone would take what I say as the absolute final word.

But it should be also known that my opinion is backed up by 3 different builds spanning 11 years. Each of my 4Runners ended up running Shrockworks after extensively reviewing and researching every option I could find.

Also, I am a very picky person when it comes to detail. It is a fact that Shrockworks customer service and build quality are far superior to anything I have ever seen or experienced. Many companies I researched had the usual number of complaints and posts from unsatisfied customers. The only issue I have ever seen from anyone in the 10 years I have been buying Shrockworks products is that the build time is longer than most. It is my opinion that quality is worth the wait. So I was at peace with a longer build time if it meant I was getting craftsmanship that was head and shoulders above the rest.
( obviously "in my opinion" )
 
Panzerpatty said:
Just got a 2015 TEP W/KDSS. I have about $15k to spend on upgrades and I'm thinking about buying all my armor (Front/rear bumper w/spare carrier, sliders, skid plates, maybe winch) from Shrokworks so I can keep my sanity and not dig through 9000 threads of people discussing the nuances of front bumpers. :shocked:

Heres my question: are there any major complaints or concerns on any of the shrokworks armor? Any conventional wisdom that I'm missing?


Thanks
Click to expand...



nothing wrong with going one direction or the other and plenty of fabricators sell quality products CBI, SW, Budbuilt, Demello, RCI to name a few that come to mind.

With 15k your 4runner will look the part:cheers:
 
I would spend most of the money on fancy suspension. Depending on how you plan to use your 4runner you can look at other options too than the ones mentioned.

For example: I have no intentions of rock crawling my 4runner and just want to do overlanding type use. So I'm thinking of the ARB skid plates. I would also add in a fuel length fuel tank skid from RCI in aluminum as ARB does not make a gas tank skid.
 
If you went with all one supplier, I'm betting you could probably swing a deal to buy everything at once.

Shrockworks makes great stuff, from what I've seen, but I was quoted a year long wait for a bumper. I'm very happy with my CBI rear bumper, and it was only about an 8 week wait. Now that they're building a front bumper for the 5th gens, they're worth looking at as well.

Also, bear in mind that you WILL need to upgrade to a heavier spring rate when adding armor, so be sure to budget for suspension upgrades as well. After adding sliders, front and rear bumpers, winch, dual battery, drawers, roof rack, etc, my TE is just under 6000 lbs.
 
Hellamatic said:
If you went with all one supplier, I'm betting you could probably swing a deal to buy everything at once.

Shrockworks makes great stuff, from what I've seen, but I was quoted a year long wait for a bumper. I'm very happy with my CBI rear bumper, and it was only about an 8 week wait. Now that they're building a front bumper for the 5th gens, they're worth looking at as well.

Also, bear in mind that you WILL need to upgrade to a heavier spring rate when adding armor, so be sure to budget for suspension upgrades as well. After adding sliders, front and rear bumpers, winch, dual battery, drawers, roof rack, etc, my TE is just under 6000 lbs.
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I'm new to the 4Runner and have a basic understanding of suspensions, so please bear with me.

For adding ShrockWorks front and rear bumpers (no winch, no sliders, no other fancy bits), do you really need to beef up the suspension if you intend to rarely take the vehicle off-road? Or is the suspension advice more for someone who intends to off-road quite a bit?
Pardon my ignorance.
 
bloodninja said:
I'm new to the 4Runner and have a basic understanding of suspensions, so please bear with me.

For adding ShrockWorks front and rear bumpers (no winch, no sliders, no other fancy bits), do you really need to beef up the suspension if you intend to rarely take the vehicle off-road? Or is the suspension advice more for someone who intends to off-road quite a bit?
Pardon my ignorance.
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Front and rear plate bumpers hang a tremendous amount of extra weight on the leading and trailing edge of the vehicle. Front bumpers are usually about 135lbs(without winch) and rear are often well over 200. This type of weight in the center of the vehicle would not have much impact on the dynamics of the suspension (like two passengers...) but, it has a significant impact out on the edges. To maintain good handling and existing ride height you have to counteract this weight with higher spring rates and possibly different dampening (higher spring rates sometimes beg for more rebound dampening).

Even with the proper suspension, that extra weight is a real downer for vehicle performance both on and off road. Don't do it unless you really need it.

I personally want bumpers bad, but I'm not willing to take the weight hit just yet. Aluminum, would be the way to go if someone offered it, but nothing is offered at the moment. My plan right now is to do something custom that is more of a hybrid setup.

I don't think most people give weight enough consideration. Your truck will perform better in every possible way by keeping the unloaded weight down as much as possible.

Adding armor and not really using it offroad is a ridiculous thing. But it is your truck to do whatever you want with.

If you ever want to do any serious stuff off-road, the stock bumpers just don't cut it due to the limited approach and departure angles.
 
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Shrockworks I have their StepSliders, love them, have taken some hits with them nary a complaint. They are still top of my list when/if I drop for a front bumper.

If you are worried about lead times, don't just order them group buy in the fall and you will get them in spring, perfect time to install (and one less winter on them)

I too like their stuff. BUT:
1. I prefer the design of Budbuilt skid plates (also come in 1/4 aluminum) I just noticed he has 3/16 stainless too, interesting
2. 4x4 labs Rear Bumper has what looks to be the best departure angle and nicest integrated design.

You should do some research! I recall reading some manufacturers (can remember which) gas tank skid can mildly interfere with the rear suspension and need a minor modification.
 
bloodninja said:
I'm new to the 4Runner and have a basic understanding of suspensions, so please bear with me.

For adding ShrockWorks front and rear bumpers (no winch, no sliders, no other fancy bits), do you really need to beef up the suspension if you intend to rarely take the vehicle off-road? Or is the suspension advice more for someone who intends to off-road quite a bit?
Pardon my ignorance.
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I would seriously consider rethinking the "no winch" idea. I have found the winch to be incredibly usefull.
 
bloodninja said:
I'm new to the 4Runner and have a basic understanding of suspensions, so please bear with me.

For adding ShrockWorks front and rear bumpers (no winch, no sliders, no other fancy bits), do you really need to beef up the suspension if you intend to rarely take the vehicle off-road? Or is the suspension advice more for someone who intends to off-road quite a bit?
Pardon my ignorance.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Bumpers add weight that these vehicles were really never intended to handle.
 
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