Kurtis T4R Build Thread

[Kurtis]

It's been a while since I've updated this.
Hood is painted and looks great.

Replace sway bar end links and bracket bushings. I'd like quick disco end links but I will live with it for now.

I had some extra spray on bed liner so I decided to paint my side mirrors with it since the mirrors have seen some major road dirt. I had to pull apart the door interior to get the mirrors off. But here is the result:

I'd had it with the shovel bouncing around in the back with no real way to secure it because I still haven't built my rear draw system. I made a couple of these little boogers:

I used a couple Quick Fist clamps that I had left over from my 3rd Gen P/U.

Holds it nice and tight. If someone decides to steal it then I guess they needed it more than me...

Kurtis

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

You mentioned this being your BOV, I'm assuming you have a YouTube channel, or at least watch some of the same people I do. My 4runner is my family's BOV, because it has the greatest offroad capability, and more importantly the best reliability out of all of our vehicles. Going to be adding a sleeping platform hopefully within the next 2 months, in time for Christmas. Anyways, yes 4runners do have a certain indescribable thing about them that makes us go mod happy. Check my new thread in the third gen section for the Kaboom bottle clock mod, that's today's addition. I'm going to make a BOV update for YT once that sleeping platform is done.

 

[Kurtis]

You mentioned this being your BOV, I'm assuming you have a YouTube channel, or at least watch some of the same people I do. My 4runner is my family's BOV, because it has the greatest offroad capability, and more importantly the best reliability out of all of our vehicles. Going to be adding a sleeping platform hopefully within the next 2 months, in time for Christmas. Anyways, yes 4runners do have a certain indescribable thing about them that makes us go mod happy. Check my new thread in the third gen section for the Kaboom bottle clock mod, that's today's addition. I'm going to make a BOV update for YT once that sleeping platform is done.

Yes, it is primarily our BOV. Right now it's only myself and my wife. There will be kids in the future. I've always been a Toyota guy. It just happened to be a 4Runner we decided on. I will also build a sleeping platform but eventually I will build a trailer that will hold a roof top tent. I keep doing fun mods like the sport hood because I enjoy modding vehicles anyway. It was my hobby long before I was a prepper. So I do it to keep sane just like you. As far as youtube channels. Engineer775 does some wonderful stuff. I wish we could settle down on a farm and prep to stay local but I am currently in the Navy and they are not fond of us staying in one place. Therefor we will prep to travel 300 Miles to our permanent location.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

Yes, it is primarily our BOV. Right now it's only myself and my wife. There will be kids in the future. I've always been a Toyota guy. It just happened to be a 4Runner we decided on. I will also build a sleeping platform but eventually I will build a trailer that will hold a roof top tent. I keep doing fun mods like the sport hood because I enjoy modding vehicles anyway. It was my hobby long before I was a prepper. So I do it to keep sane just like you. As far as youtube channels. Engineer775 does some wonderful stuff. I wish we could settle down on a farm and prep to stay local but I am currently in the Navy and they are not fond of us staying in one place. Therefor we will prep to travel 300 Miles to our permanent location.

I gotcha, I've been watching him for some time now, smart guy. I've been wondering about a sport hood, how much does that run if you get it from a junkyard or something? I'd love to buy my great aunt's farm across the street, 44 acres. She would never sell it, she got it after my great grandparents passed. When they had it, apparently it looked like "little Germany" haha.

 

[Kurtis]

I gotcha, I've been watching him for some time now, smart guy. I've been wondering about a sport hood, how much does that run if you get it from a junkyard or something? I'd love to buy my great aunt's farm across the street, 44 acres. She would never sell it, she got it after my great grandparents passed. When they had it, apparently it looked like "little Germany" haha.

I got a deal on a sport hood. The hood itself was $100 then I had to buy the insert crap for around $175 then $250 for paint. I got a hook up on paint because small business body shops get screwed. Did a cash deal.

 

[Kurtis]

I've been working on my roof rack for about 4 days now. I started with a couple ATV Cargo Racks from Harbor Freight.

I started with this:

Then this:

Then, I said **** it and didn't use the ATV Racks at all and started fresh.

Seriously pissing off the neighbors here.

I will need to aim them properly but the above shot shows the range of them pretty well. They lights are from Harbor Freight as well. The reason I picked them is because they actually had great reviews and I can replace all 4 lights 6 times for the price of 4 PIAA.

I still need to put expanded sheet metal on the flooring and put in the cross bracing. I will use bed liner on the whole rack. I am also planning on installing some lights for the sides and the rear.

I will be gone for the next 3 weeks defending freedom and democracy. I will have to finish when I get back but I will keep you guys posted.

Also have dual battery setup waiting to go in. Just need the time.

Kurtis

 

[GSPRunner]

I've been working on my roof rack for about 4 days now. I started with a couple ATV Cargo Racks from Harbor Freight.

I started with this:

Then this:

Then, I said **** it and didn't use the ATV Racks at all and started fresh.

I will need to aim them properly but the above shot shows the range of them pretty well. They lights are from Harbor Freight as well. The reason I picked them is because they actually had great reviews and I can replace all 4 lights 6 times for the price of 4 PIAA.

I still need to put expanded sheet metal on the flooring and put in the cross bracing. I will use bed liner on the whole rack. I am also planning on installing some lights for the sides and the rear.

I will be gone for the next 3 weeks defending freedom and democracy. I will have to finish when I get back but I will keep you guys posted.

Also have dual battery setup waiting to go in. Just need the time.

Kurtis

Good luck on your deployment. Wish you could join us at Evans tomorrow!

 

[PNWRunner]

Saw your rig today at T lake park and ride, I drive past there everyday on the way to work. I knew it was you after checking out the massive front bumper. looks good!

 

[Kurtis]

Saw your rig today at T lake park and ride, I drive past there everyday on the way to work. I knew it was you after checking out the massive front bumper. looks good!

That was my wife. She stole the 4Runner while my trip was being cancelled. My going out of town trip is delayed for now. A little progress has been made on the roof rack. Will be sure to post pictures when it's complete.

 

[Kurtis]

Well, I didn't leave as planned last week so I had some time to work on the roof rack. I won't be able to finish it until this next week end unless things don't go as planned.

I picked up the side and rear lights and built brackets for them. I also grabbed some 3/4" 9 gauge expanded sheet metal for the floor of the rack.

I spent most of today grinding down the welds and building the mounting feet. I chose to attach it the the factory roof rack base.
Here is the mounting feet. This was for mock up for measuring for the middle mount.

The side/rear light mounts.

After I spent the day grinding.

2 1/2 cans of Duplicolor Spray Can Bedliner. Still need another can for touch up.

I will run conduit for the wiring and drop thru the hole in the factory roof rack base for power. Overall I am pretty satisfied with it.

I other news, I just got my new orders. I will be moving. Fortunately we get to stay in the area. We will have to move up near Mt. Vernon area.

Kurtis

 

[Kurtis]

Well, it's damn close to being done. I still need to install the real Rocker switches. They should be here tomorrow. I picked out a 6 gang holder with Contura V Rockers. From these folks: OTRATTW I'll post some interior pictures when I get them installed and the dash lights come in since I also orders those along with some LED dome and cargo lights.

I don't have any good day pictures because I have been going to work and leaving work when it is dark outside. I pinky promise, as soon as I get a chance I will get some day time pictures.

Anywho, here is some porn for you.

Yes, this is my fat ass standing on it, on the truck.

Wiring for relays and terminal board. Also wired for future mods. Still need to install a few diodes for it to work exactly how I want it. I used a DIN pocket that came with the head unit stereo kit. It will work wonders to mount the Rocker switches to. I bought a secondary fuse block and mounted it on top of the factory fuse block. I'll get some picture of it if anyone wants to see how I did it.

Barely fits in the garage still. We are moving in the next 5 months. Hopefully, (cross fingers) I will have a shop and not a closet, I mean a one car garage to work out of.

Reminds me of Jurassic Park. I am just waiting for a T-rex to come out of the dark and try to **** with my 4Runner.

Oh, and **** everyone's clock color changing mod. I put a voltmeter in mine. It's a bad angle but it reads 13.80VDC All the dash lights are going to be blue, so this matches very well. This will go well with the dual battery setup when I get off my ass and do it. Future mods include a CS-144 Alternator for all the extra crap.

Sorry for the following ****ty pics. Same excuse as everyone elses.... 5 sec shutter, night pics, blah blah blah.
Low Beam

High Beam

4WD Daylight

Over all I am very happy with the roof rack/basket. I need some better day time pictures. If I did it all over again I don't think I would change a thing.

Kurtis

 

[Kurtis]

And it's done. Here are the rest of the pictures:

 

[SantaCruzRunner]

pure awesome man. now how much to make me one? haha

 

[4Running Daily]

That's sick!

 

[Kurtis]

pure awesome man. now how much to make me one? haha

I wish I had the time to build another one. But I'll take that as a compliment thou. This was my first real project with welding. I have been teaching myself how to weld and this was the result. I am pretty proud of it, though I am not nearly ready to tackle something like a rear bumper. Some day I will. The dash LEDs will be here Saturday, so I should be able to install them on Sunday.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Looks great. Question: Where did you get the switch panel from? I've been looking for something like that.

 

[Kurtis]

OTRATTW

They are Contura V rocker switches.

 

[Kurtis]

I got the dash LEDs in last week.

We decided to go find some snow. Tonga Ridge. Approximately 4,000ft.

We found one of the side roads that was still a virgin. 15psi in the tires did great. I think we are going pick up a real compressor tomorrow. My $15 walmart toy is not going to cut it.

Proof I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together.

Kurtis

 

[Kurtis]

Well, I got tired of it taking an hour to air up tires so this ARB CKMA12 is on it's was to the house. Somewhere around May we are planning on new tires 315/75R16 BFG KM2s, 5.29 gears, and an ARB in the front so I opt for the ARB. It will also save quite a bit of room compared to a full blown VIAIR setup.

Yesterday we ran into some folks in the snow, I backed up to let them pass. We didn't air down yet so we got stuck in the ditch. I got to use the winch for it's first real recovery. The winch kicked the alternators ass all over the place and stuck bubblegum in it's hair. So this will be here on Tuesday: Gold Duralast/Alternator (DLG1400-6-4) | 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood 8 Cylinders P 5.7L SFI OHV | AutoZone.com

 

[Big D's 4Runner]

Man this was one sick build! Just got my 4runner a few days ago and ready to start modding it. I love the bumper and roof rack.