Monkey Wrench official money pit and adventure thread

[Monkey Wrench]

Hi everyone, here is my 2008 family truckster SR5. Just picked it up from the original owner with 105k and it's in great shape. Glad to be back in a 4Runner after over a decade of driving Tacomas.

This thread will show the work I've done, more to share info about "normal" mods- not planning on a solid axle swap anytime soon... Also, I plan on driving it all over the west so this will be a documentary on my travels.

Here is what I've done so far:

Old Man Emu 884 front springs with sport shocks, and Toytec superflex coils with OME shocks from a LC80 (it's the OME kit from toytec)
After about a thousand miles it sits at 23" up front center of hub to fender, and 24" in the back. RSG Offroad in Denver was able to get it into alignment without having to replace the UCAs. On a side note the OME front extends an extra inch compared to the original struts.

BFG mud terrain 255/75r17 take-off from a Rubicon, couldn't pass up 5 brand new tires for $500

RCI skid plates (front, transmission, and transfer case) and sliders. Everything bolted right up without any issues. I picked everything up at their place in Ft Collins. Very impressive operation where they make everything on site in a really clean and organized building. Super nice people, too.

CVJ CV axles with their long travel boot- the're red so good for 5 hp

Routine maintenance- all fluids changed, spark plugs, filters etc

Just roof basket on the OEM rack- seems sturdy and well built, nice and low profile. Bonus is that it also carries two bikes with a built in fork mount set up.


Looking forward to the first trip to Moab in early May to Lockhart Basin and Elephant Hill/Beef Basin!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Great looking '08! After owning a black '08 for 8+ years, I wish mine was white. Ours has been a great vehicle and has taken us all over the country without a glitch.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

My last Tacoma was dark grey, and it showed every little scratch from branches on the trail, so I wanted white for the new rig. I love the look of black vehicles, but they take too much work to keep clean.

Glad you've had a great run with your '08, 4th gen 4Runners are tough to beat!

 

[havoc531]

I'm liking all the RCI armor, especially those sliders. Only issue is my pregnant wife sometimes drives the 4Runner, she's a shorty and it's lifted a bit over stock. How well do those sliders work as running boards? Wifey would not be happy without a good place to step up and hop into the driver seat!

 

[Monkey Wrench]

I'm liking all the RCI armor, especially those sliders. Only issue is my pregnant wife sometimes drives the 4Runner, she's a shorty and it's lifted a bit over stock. How well do those sliders work as running boards? Wifey would not be happy without a good place to step up and hop into the driver seat!

The sliders work really well as steps/running boards. Makes installing kid seats easy as well as accessing the roof rack. They are angled up only 10 degrees so they feel stable when standing on them, yet still tuck up tight enough to the body. Very happy with the RCI products.

 

[rickashay]

Welcome! Nice rig and looks super clean. Always love threads with decent photos, especially when they incorporate the travels someone does with their built rig. Looking forward to your adventures!

 

[Marfy]

Welcome! I need me some skids...

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Welcome! Nice rig and looks super clean. Always love threads with decent photos, especially when they incorporate the travels someone does with their built rig. Looking forward to your adventures!

Thank you! I look forward to taking the "new" 4Runner out on some fun adventures.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Welcome! I need me some skids...

Thanks. Have you beat up your fuel tank skid? It's the only skid I didn't buy, and am a little nervous after realizing how low it hangs down...

 

[Inv4drZm]

Thanks. Have you beat up your fuel tank skid? It's the only skid I didn't buy, and am a little nervous after realizing how low it hangs down...

I'll jump in here and say I'm going to be making one eventually for mine. My brother is jealous of the 4Runner's extra fuel capacity, but I'm jealous the FJ's extra clearance. I'm not sure if all the dents I have in the factory gas tank skid are ok or not. Before a gas tank skid, I would get lower link skids that are in the last 2 pictures below. I use those all the time, they are the All-pro ones.

A recent obstacle I scraped my gas tank on:

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Here are some photos of past 'yotas, thankfully the '64 FJ40 is still in the collection!

 

[Monkey Wrench]

'64 fj40

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Inv4drZm- thanks for the advice about the fuel and link skids. I was wondering which ones would be most needed, looks like I'll be getting some link skids.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Just got back from Moab, with a trip into the Needles District of Canyonlands via Elephant Hill with an exit out of Beef Basin. Such a beautiful area!

 

[Monkey Wrench]

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Just installed 255/80r17 Cooper ST Maxx tires and couldn't be happier. They fit great and no rubbing. All I've done is take off the mud flaps, but I think the tires would clear with the flaps on. Also, I am running Light Racing upper control arms so the alignment is dialed in at 3 caster and 0 for toe and camber- they might rub if caster is too low

 

[Monkey Wrench]

No action shots since I was solo, but had a blast at Arches NP and Canyonlands NP. I've driven the trail out to the Dollhouse in the Maze district and elephant hill in the needles district, just have to do the White Rim trail! Also checked out the Cleveland Lloyd dinosaur quarry in the San Rafael Swell, very cool area and need to spend more time in the Swell when I'm not on a work trip.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Nothing like southeast Utah!

 

[Monkey Wrench]

I joined the dark side and switched to 285/70r17s after being a fan of 255/80s for a few years. My biggest hesitation with the wider 33s was rubbing and bad gas mileage compared to skinny 33s. The trimming was just a small piece of the stock plastic bumper with the 4Runner trail/FJ cruiser wheels. And the new KO2 285 in load C is 8 pounds lighter per tire than the Cooper ST Maxx in 255/80r17, so my mileage has gone up 1.5 MPGs. Plus the ride is so much smoother with a softer and wider tire.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Plenty of UCA clearance without wheel spacers. I just needed to push the fender liner forward and trim a small section of the front bumper.