Liquidmantis's modest [boring] build thread

[Liquidmantis]

While this will be a slow, basic build, filled with redundant copying of other people's stuff, I enjoy checking out others' builds and finding new stuff so I figured I'd contribute and maybe, just maybe, someone would find something useful in it. If nothing else, hey, who doesn't like 4Runner porn?

I don't plan on "serious wheeling", I just want a capable camping and exploration vehicle. I keep telling my Jeep brother that if it comes down to playing on rocks I'd rather be on my mountain bike. So currently I'm checking off some obvious items and then I'll address any weaknesses or needs as I go.

My truck was delivered on Pi Day, I lucked out and was at the dealer when the truck arrived. PDI and dealer installed stuff ended up pushing me to the next day, but I took her home with 2 miles on the odometer.

I quickly replaced the OE all-weather mats with WeatherTechs, and since I needed to change from a long history of roof racks for bikes to a hitch I bought a 1Up USA rack with two add-on trays for a modular capability of up to four bikes.

I also ditched the original wheels and tires for the TRD Pro wheels and 275 K02s for a massive improvement in looks. The shop guys were even commenting on how good it looked.

Before:

After:

Short term plans are:
* Done! Black out the roof rack rails
* Done! Plastidip the Trail faux aluminum bumper bits
* Done! TRD Pro grill conversion (waiting for the parts and walking funny for a while)
* Done! RCI rock sliders (ordering after payday)

Medium term plans are:
* Winch and bumper - considering an Undercover with recovery points as I like the front end, but need to see if I want additional clearance.
* Modest 2-3" lift - considering Icon Stage 3 but still learning and deciding.
* Skids - Full RCI aluminum set is at the top of the list.
* Roof rack - camping with a family of four+dog and taking bike gear means cargo space is at a premium. I imagine a roof rack will be a necessity but I'm trying to avoid too much wind noise when unloaded.
* Rear bumper - I like the look, just not sure about the trade-offs, mainly resale value concerns, visibility, and interference with the hitch-mount bike rack.

 

[Liquidmantis]

Alright, phase 1 of my face and butt work is completed. Stupidly spent money, but I love the look. Phase 2 is plastidip'ing the faux-luminum bumper valances but it's waaay to windy right now.

Before:

After:

 

[funken]

Damn, you and I have the same tastes.

- Switching from Taco to 4R
- MGM
- 1Up rack
- Switching tires immediately
- plasti dipping front valence.
- Live in CO
- DW-link bikes

Jealous! Hopefully I'll have one soon.

 

[Liquidmantis]

Damn, you and I have the same tastes.

Awesome! And good eye on the bike. That's my Mojo HDR, which luckily I really love so I can focus my play money on the Runner for now. I might be shopping for a new HT 29er later this season though.

Trying to start the Plastip'ing on the front now. Wind has died down a bit and I moved my woodworking tools and benches around so I can at least get the nose inside the garage door.

 

[Liquidmantis]

Alright, I was truly fighting the wind so my results might not be the best they could have been, but that's okay because I had some lift from my tight masking along the top anyway and will want to reshoot at some point. For the rear I think I'll do like DipYourCar recommends and just mask an inch back from the edge as I think the valance has enough of a gap at the top to still "self-cut" the Plasti Dip anyway.

Anyway, front is completed!

 

[marshal]

you have an incredible first name

 

[Liquidmantis]

No, you do!

 

[Liquidmantis]

She needs a wash but today I Plastidip'ed the Trail silver valance and knocked out the chrome. For the chrome I sprayed four coats of matte black Plastidip then two more with the graphite metalizer. I think it's a great match for the TOYOTA badge on the front TRD Pro trim.

 

[wadle5]

No lift required and no rubbing with the oversized KO2s on stock suspension? Runner looks great btw!

 

[Liquidmantis]

No lift required and no rubbing with the oversized KO2s on stock suspension? Runner looks great btw!

Thanks! She's definitely coming along. I had a slight rub on the driver side mud flap at full left lock. And just enough on the passenger side at full right that I could see it in the dust. A few minutes with a heat gun solved that easily though; I just reshaped the "bubble" that was causing the rub. I think it's just the way my alignment was done as there is plenty of clearance on the front liner.

 

[Liquidmantis]

My RCI sliders arrived and were immediately mounted! KDSS was no real issue.

 

[slynchrva]

Do the RCI sliders angle up slightly or are they completely flat?

My RCI sliders arrived and were immediately mounted! KDSS was no real issue.

 

[jthompson261]

Good looking trail

 

[Liquidmantis]

Do the RCI sliders angle up slightly or are they completely flat?

They're angled up. I'd guess it's the "normal" 15˚ kick up. You can get a hint of it in that last picture. I can take one in profile if you like. I haven't actually "field tested" them yet but I'm really happy with the sliders.

Good looking trail

Thanks! She still has a ways to go but is coming along. I'm on budget lockdown for the next couple of months unfortunately. Can't wait for the lift!

 

[Liquidmantis]

I didn't take pictures but in the last few days I got my HID lowbeams installed, fabricated a bracket for my new ARB twin compressor and got it mounted, and put my old Yakima crossbars on so that I've got a place to carry my new MaxTrax and an axe and shovel. I also got the ARB diff breather kit but haven't installed it yet. My goal is to have it installed too before our trip to Ouray next weekend.

 

[KeithMaine]

Howdy, your truck is looking great. I got a kick out of your comment to your Jeep brother... my threshold isn't a mtb bike, it is trail shoes... if I can run it faster than I can wheel it. then I park. Like your build, mine is designed to get into the backcountry and back, not the last 40 yards up a trail before turning around. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my rodeo.)

Ouray next weekend? RockyMountain Overland is headed for Sedona if you want to be warm. FYI, I was camped near Leadville this weekend close to Weston Pass and it was 32 degrees!
Stay on it!

 

[Liquidmantis]

Howdy, your truck is looking great. I got a kick out of your comment to your Jeep brother... my threshold isn't a mtb bike, it is trail shoes... if I can run it faster than I can wheel it. then I park. Like your build, mine is designed to get into the backcountry and back, not the last 40 yards up a trail before turning around. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my rodeo.)

Ouray next weekend? RockyMountain Overland is headed for Sedona if you want to be warm. FYI, I was camped near Leadville this weekend close to Weston Pass and it was 32 degrees!
Stay on it!

I know! That would be a blast, but the reason for the pre-season Ouray trip is my folks are coming up from the Texas Hill Country for my mom's 60th. I've warned them that it's too early in the season but as much as I've tried you can't postpone birthdays.

 

[Frat_4runner]

just poking through your build thread and noticed you live in lakewood, my sister lives in lakewood also. i go out to see her a couple of times a year, i may have to meet up with you and find some cool trails to wheel!

 

[singletrackftw]

All of this is in such good taste, even down to the hitch rack. Not trying to thread jack but the 1up is SO superior to all other hitch racks. The rest are riddled with janky plastic bits and they rattle around. 1up was money well spent. Also - look into Treks Procaliber SL for your 29er HT. I'm biased towards trek but their G2 geometry on their HT's is absolutely unbeatable!
Nice job spending the extra cash on the black 1up too.

2016 SR5P 4wd - FN wheels countersteer X - 265/70 BFG KO2 - Bilstein 5100 (1.75 setting) - NFab side steps - TRS Morimoto 4300k HID kit - NOKYA yellow fogs & DRLs

 

[Liquidmantis]

just poking through your build thread and noticed you live in lakewood, my sister lives in lakewood also. i go out to see her a couple of times a year, i may have to meet up with you and find some cool trails to wheel!

I'm new to this so I'm just starting trail hunting myself. Give a heads up when you're headed this way though as there a several of us in the general area and we could probably get a little 'Runner outing.

All of this is in such good taste, even down to the hitch rack. Not trying to thread jack but the 1up is SO superior to all other hitch racks. The rest are riddled with janky plastic bits and they rattle around. 1up was money well spent. Also - look into Treks Procaliber SL for your 29er HT. I'm biased towards trek but their G2 geometry on their HT's is absolutely unbeatable!
Nice job spending the extra cash on the black 1up too.

Thanks! I definitely like looking at her, admittedly I haven't done much more than make her into a TEP Pro so far.

I'm loving the 1Up. It's so fast to mount/dismount a bike, and it's solid. I have the fat bike spacers on the interior tray and it's been awesome being able to easily haul my Pugsley. It's not a long-term opinion yet, and I haven't used the add-a-trays to carry multiple bikes yet, but yeah, I'm very happy with it. The black was a no-brainer for the direction I wanted to take my build, I just hope the ano holds up.

That's a beautiful picture! I'm envious of your house. We're in a long-term flipper for now to get good school location but I can't say I'm thrilled with the place.