Mstudt's SR5 Build & Adventure Thread
- Thread starter MStudt
- Start date
MStudt
official vendor
Onto the next small project.
I've had a 4xInnovations rear bumper for the last couple years, and love almost everything about it. I decided to get the fold down cook tray, and the latching system is the only feature that I never cared for. It doesn't latch very well, has a ton of play in it, slaps the rear hatch, and make noise.
I decided to give it a little update last night. I pull off the old hardware, and mocked up a new system that utilizes magnets to hold it closed. I had a couple extra T4R brackets that I use on antenna mounts, and those will be welded to the tray. Each bracket has a small bend edge that can be used for hanging a bag, or anything else that might be needed around the cooking area.
This is just about complete, but will need to get it powder coated next week before I put it back together.
I've had a 4xInnovations rear bumper for the last couple years, and love almost everything about it. I decided to get the fold down cook tray, and the latching system is the only feature that I never cared for. It doesn't latch very well, has a ton of play in it, slaps the rear hatch, and make noise.
I decided to give it a little update last night. I pull off the old hardware, and mocked up a new system that utilizes magnets to hold it closed. I had a couple extra T4R brackets that I use on antenna mounts, and those will be welded to the tray. Each bracket has a small bend edge that can be used for hanging a bag, or anything else that might be needed around the cooking area.
This is just about complete, but will need to get it powder coated next week before I put it back together.
Road Bull
Senior Member
Nice. I got my 4X Innovations with the fold down table too. My latches for securing the table in the stowed position showed up bent. The table is too heavy for those latches anyway. I just took the table off altogether. I do like your fix though. Rig's looking good man. Glad you are getting out to have some fun with it.
MStudt
official vendor
I'm pretty sure one of the latches on mine was broke when I got it. From day one they didn't fit together very well, and were constantly slapping the rear hatch. These two small magnets should take care of that.
Mike
MStudt
official vendor
Moving onto the next rear bumper/tire carrier mod. There have been a couple times that some sort of lighting would have been great, and that leads me here. I picked up some microphone stand parts along with some Cat Eye LED's, and a waterproof switch that I plan on mounting to the tire carrier.
Below are the parts I'm using for the lighting. I'm still waiting for a couple access covers, screws, drill bit, tap, sealant, and hole saw in order to make this work.
Below are the parts I'm using for the lighting. I'm still waiting for a couple access covers, screws, drill bit, tap, sealant, and hole saw in order to make this work.
weekendclimber
New member
Moving onto the next rear bumper/tire carrier mod. There have been a couple times that some sort of lighting would have been great, and that leads me here. I picked up some microphone stand parts along with some Cat Eye LED's, and a waterproof switch that I plan on mounting to the tire carrier.
Below are the parts I'm using for the lighting. I'm still waiting for a couple access covers, screws, drill bit, tap, sealant, and hole saw in order to make this work.
You running this through the swing out tubes to hide the wiring? I used some rubber grommets for the license plate wiring for running those wires through the tubes, but I'm thinking about adding some permatex to seal up the holes even more. Would you recommend that?
MStudt
official vendor
My plan is to run everything in tubes to hide as much as possible. This would include the license plate lights as well, and I'll hook those up at the same time. I would seal your holes with permatex or something similar to help keep out water/moisture.
For the cook light I'm going to drill a couple 1" in the tube that holds the tire. One on the top of the tube, and another on the cook tray end. I'm having a couple 2" x 2" x 1/16" covers cut that'll allow me to mount the gooseneck direct to, and the other for the switch to mount to. Those covers will have tapped holes on the swing to screw into. These will serve as access points in case I have wiring issues later. For the license plate I'm leaning towards making a couple more plate that I can add some liquid-tight grommets to. Or, add some Submersible Cord Grips to.
I have a bunch of supplies showing up tomorrow, and should start on this project next week. I'll be sure to get some good pictures posted.
Mike
MStudt
official vendor
Got my access covers cut earlier this week for the cooking light setup. Last night I was able to drill the 2 larger holes for the light, and switch. All the screw holes have been tapped, and just need to cleaned up. I have a few more holes to drill, and covers to make in order to wire the license plate lights. After everything is done on the carrier I'll strip it down, and get it powder coated.
weekendclimber
New member
That looks fabulous :mullet:
MStudt
official vendor
We've been getting the 4runner out more lately, and we've both realized how much we missed it. This past weekend we did a short 1 night trip to an area that's been closed for the last year. I guess people haven't heard that it's now open, and because of this we didn't see a single person.
weekendclimber
New member
Three sisters. Nice area!!
MStudt
official vendor
This was the view from Hiyu Ridge looking east at Three Sisters. Super quiet area, maintained forest roads, and tons of views.
Mike
Great thread. I've spent the past couple of days reading it all at work to get to the end. Looks like exactly the kind of build I want to end up with my truck; an easy camping rig for 2 people.
I will say that I'm a little let down that you went with a Prinsu rack instead of your own because (unless I misread that part) I was looking forward to finding a local(ish) rack to buy instead of going commercial.
Edit: oh yeah, did you run into any Gamblers over the weekend? Gamblertown/Camp Moondust was in Chemult and my route to & from took me through Eugene. I'm not sure where any of the waypoints were this year because we were posted up at the HooptieX course both Friday & Saturday watching corners. 3 years ago we were all over that area you were camping in before getting to base camp at Hoodoo.
I will say that I'm a little let down that you went with a Prinsu rack instead of your own because (unless I misread that part) I was looking forward to finding a local(ish) rack to buy instead of going commercial.
Edit: oh yeah, did you run into any Gamblers over the weekend? Gamblertown/Camp Moondust was in Chemult and my route to & from took me through Eugene. I'm not sure where any of the waypoints were this year because we were posted up at the HooptieX course both Friday & Saturday watching corners. 3 years ago we were all over that area you were camping in before getting to base camp at Hoodoo.
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MStudt
official vendor
If you're interested in a platform, mine will be for sale this fall/winter. It's time for me to design a new one that better suits our needs. I did end up going with a Prinsu rack due to time constraints. I've been happy with the rack, but still think about making one on my own in the near. I've been working on replicating the Whitson rack for myself.
We did see a few people at Lowell Pass on Sunday that were part of the Gambler, but that was it. We talked about running it this year, but that didn't pan out. Maybe next year we'll enter.
Mike
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I need to maintain the usability of my rear seats so while that's tempting, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to figure my own out. I was playing around with the idea of using 80/20 stuff to build it as I have no welding skills and am not really interested in the weight of a full wood setup.
MStudt
official vendor
Don't use 80/20! They think their product is made of gold.
My next platform will be from extruded aluminum. If all goes well I plan on releasing a kit at the beginning of 2020. It'll be considerably cheaper than the GooseGear option, and just as high quality.
Mike
I will stay tuned then. Early 2020 is likely as soon as I can do something more permanent. I've got some 3/4" ply leftover from a sleeping platform I put in my old Safari and I can repurpose for the time being. Was thinking I'd go simple with just a platform I can slide bins underneath as a stopgap anyway.
MStudt
official vendor
Had a small upgrade today that I wanted to post, and also a milestone. Today I hit 200k, and don't have any intention of stopping there. We had talked about selling the 4runner within the year, but have since changed our minds. Rather than selling we're going to make some inprovements on it, and some are still in the works. I have some King coilovers on order that'll be in on Monday. I'm now deciding if I should invest in an LT kit or rebuild the front end yet again.
First improvement was getting rid of my Prinsu rack. This was one of the first racks Prinsu (Zach) made before CBI bought them out, and was 79" wide. My new rack is 43-1/2", same hieght, and has awning mount that hug the rails. Unlike most awning mounts, these only stick about around an inch. A little about the rack, and it's parts. The side rails are cut from 1/4" aluminum. Both the mounting feet, and awnings are from 7 ga cold rolled steel. Everything is powder coated matte black, and all the hardware is black stainless. Well, except the carriage bolts securiung the feet to the extrution.
First improvement was getting rid of my Prinsu rack. This was one of the first racks Prinsu (Zach) made before CBI bought them out, and was 79" wide. My new rack is 43-1/2", same hieght, and has awning mount that hug the rails. Unlike most awning mounts, these only stick about around an inch. A little about the rack, and it's parts. The side rails are cut from 1/4" aluminum. Both the mounting feet, and awnings are from 7 ga cold rolled steel. Everything is powder coated matte black, and all the hardware is black stainless. Well, except the carriage bolts securiung the feet to the extrution.
