My 2009 Trail Edition Overland build

[chmura]

I purchased a NorthStar Group 31m AGM battery.

I decided to run a large single battery instead of a dual battery. People that used this battery ran a ARB fridge up to 5+ days without starting the vehicle. I usually never let the vehicle sit for more than 24 hours without starting so going with a single battery for me was preferred.

I did not make any modifications to the OEM battery connections so I can revert back to OEM size battery in the future if I wanted to.

Few things to note that are 4th gen specific.

I had to remove the pos/neg posts of the new battery since they were hitting the hood when closed. I bolted them down into the threads using a 9/16" nut.

I made two positive and negative extension cables using 1 awg battery cables with 3/8" copper end terminals.

I removed the dual terminal on the negative side of the battery to gain more clearance between the battery and hood.

Happy with the results.

 

[socal-4runner]

I was going to get a similar battery and that's a great idea. I didn't want to go through the hassle of setting up a dual battery. Do you think that battery is enough to power a few led lights and some accessories? Also do you have a monitoring system in place for the battery?

 

[dkyleb]

I was going to get a similar battery and that's a great idea. I didn't want to go through the hassle of setting up a dual battery. Do you think that battery is enough to power a few led lights and some accessories? Also do you have a monitoring system in place for the battery?

I'm pretty sure you can run those accessories for a couple days straight with a big bad group 31 AGM battery.

Also, voltage monitoring is pointless. The only way to truly monitor battery capacity is via amp hour counting.

 

[chmura]

I was going to get a similar battery and that's a great idea. I didn't want to go through the hassle of setting up a dual battery. Do you think that battery is enough to power a few led lights and some accessories? Also do you have a monitoring system in place for the battery?

Yes its plenty to run LED's and a fridge. I am going to run all that plus a winch in the future.

Like I said people had used this single battery 5+ days running a ARB fridge without starting the vehicle. The vehicle started right up with no issues. I did not want the hassle of running a dual setup either along with the additional cost. Depending on what kind of camping you do but a dual battery setup was not needed for me.

 

[dkyleb]

Yes its plenty to run LED's and a fridge. I am going to run all that plus a winch in the future.

Like I said people had used this single battery 5+ days running a ARB fridge without starting the vehicle. The vehicle started right up with no issues. I did not want the hassle of running a dual setup either along with the additional cost. Depending on what kind of camping you do but a dual battery setup was not really for me.

Yep, this is preciously why I went with the exact same setup in mine.

 

[gm350reratliff]

These Northstar batteries are great! I was also going to do the 31M but didn't want to deal with it touching the hood so I got a 27F. I don't think I've ever heard the engine turn over so fast while starting. I can be in and out of the 4runner all day with the interior lights on, stereo going and it still starts just as fast. I imagine with a 31M, you could easily run a fridge for three or four days.

 

[chmura]

I mounted up a Hayden 678 transmission cooler. This was the hardest part figuring out a good way to mount it looking as oem as possible. Now all I have to do is run the lines parallel with the transmission lines that go to the radiator.

I did not use the mounting hardware that came with the cooler. No way I was going to use zip ties.

I used a thick piece of L shaped aluminum and a thinner piece of aluminum to make a small bracket and that I can bend and cut easily. At the top piece of the L aluminum I used a 1/2" spacer (see pic) for the cooler to be angled so the hoses can clear the center bracket. This angle is needed, if not then you will have no way to attach the cooler hoses to the cooler.

I used two existing oem threaded holes that were unoccupied. Only new hole I made to the 4runner was at the bottom of the angle aluminum piece which I used a metal screw. This is as OEM the install can get IMO.

 

[CoosTE09]

Did you need any extra hose other than what came with the kit? I ordered the Hayden kit yesterday, we just bought a 179 rpod so I figured I better be safe than sorry.

 

[chmura]

Did you need any extra hose other than what came with the kit? I ordered the Hayden kit yesterday, we just bought a 179 rpod so I figured I better be safe than sorry.

Hello, yes I had to buy an extra hose for it as the one that came with it was only good for one connection.

I hooked up the cooler yesterday. Pretty simple to hook up. The hard part was finding a very clean spot to mount it.

DO NOT use the zip ties.

 

[CoosTE09]

Did you just get regular heater hose?

 

[Mrtorque29]

Nice build

 

[unevolved]

Apologies if I missed it elsewhere, but are you carrying a full size 285/70R17 spare under there? I'd LOVE to not have to run a rear tire carrier, and I like the way that size looks on the truck.

 

[Donoharm]

One thing I did not like about the 4th gen 4runner was the end of the exhaust. There is a big resonator that hangs low, it was a big eye sore for me. To me even the 3rd gen and 5th gen 4runner ends of the exhausts look much better than the 4th gens.

Enough complaining so I took out the sawzall and cut away.

I am very very surprised that the exhaust noise did not increase at all. Toyota could of gone away from not even putting this resonator in. I been driving like this for a few weeks and no exhaust fumes in the cabin or anything abnormal.

I'm a person in the medical field... Just want to say be careful about this. Have personally seen people die from carbon monoxide poisoning from a cracked exhaust system. Should this not allow adequate ventilation, you may get co2 buildup in your 4runner.

 

[bd-wheels]

Nice Job!

 

[cmiller]

Nicely done!

 

[gm350reratliff]

Did you just get regular heater hose?

A little late but you need to run hose that is rated for oil, not just heater hose.

 

[chmura]

Labor Day weekend went to the Sierra Mountains for a quick camping trip.

Got a chance to test out my new GooseGear icebox storage cabinet with top drawer. Excellent product by GooseGear, and excellent customer service by them. Highly recommend them!

 

[chmura]

Small update to my build.

Purchased a new Autohome Medium Extreme roof top tent. Also purchased a 81 quart Alu-Box storage case and hard mounted it to my roof rack.

Went on a few trips with the setup.

 

[tellurunner]

Great photos! What trail is that?

What made you decide on the Autohome vs other hardshells such as James Baroud? Curious as I'm looking for a hardshell now.

 

[chmura]

Great photos! What trail is that?

What made you decide on the Autohome vs other hardshells such as James Baroud? Curious as I'm looking for a hardshell now.

I looked at the James Baroud and even layed in one and the length of them is to small for me. I am 6'1" tall. They make a XXL JB tent but it is very very large tent and it would look funny on my vehicle. The XXL JB tents are more for Land Cruiser size vehicles.

The Autohome Medium is 1-2 inches longer than the Large JB tent. 1 inch is alot when room is already limited and you want to stretch out fully.

Plus the track record of 50 years of Autohome in the business is nice since they have a recipe that works. The shape of the exterior of the shell I like more than the JB (looks more streamline to me). There is no wind noise at all going down 70 mph and I cannot even tell the tent is up there which is a surprise.