My 2014 TE build thread

[Klevrboy]

Thanks! We have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. It's definitely been a slow process to get it where it's at today.

It just turned 70k today. Little quick snow shot.

My dad says "you can have it right or right now". I want it all NOW. But more importantly I want it right. It's very difficult to prioritize. With age comes wisdom. If I pace myself I can have everything i want but with quality products. Great job getting what you want. The Runner looks awesome.

 

[RDN4JC]

love the build.

 

[Pedro60]

I agree, they seem really nice. I met them a couple years ago at the Overland Expo and they seemed cool but very committed to offering stuff for our Toyotas.

The overall installation of the bumper is pretty straightforward. You can shoot me a PM if you hit a roadblock with something.

If you plan on installing this bumper by yourself, get some longer bolts and run them through the nuts welded on the back of the frame horns. You can use them like studs and will help position the bumper. Also, pick up some nuts so you can tighten them down.

Man that's a great idea with the reversed bolt. What are the specs on that bolt? :nod:

 

[gm350reratliff]

Man that's a great idea with the reversed bolt. What are the specs on that bolt? :nod:

I believe the bolts I used are grade 8.8 M10 x 1.25 x 50mm. They are the exact thread of the factory bolts just longer. The entire bolt is threaded obviously. I had 6 of them so four on the outside of the frame and the other two for the inboard positions. If I ever pull off this bumper again, I'd probably swap these bolts out for grade 10.9 bolts. I also used 7/16 grade 8 bolts instead of the 3/8 bolts Pelfreybilt sends for the bumper reinforcement brackets. I would have used 1/2 bolts for those but I'm out of those and I didn't feel like making a trip to town.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Yah my coater got mine on Monday and we picked a color today. Bumper was also coated today as well. Like you said Pelfreybilt told me only semigloss black. Your pictures looked like it came white thus why I asked. How's the quality of Pelfreybilts powdercoat? Also what color did you go with so folks know? It looks like it matches really well.

Pelfreybilt replied back to me and said they use BENGAL WHITE for the white powder coat they don't actually offer. It does match the OEM white pretty good.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Put on some new shoes today. 285/70/17 Nitto Ridge Grappler.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Had a pretty good road trip last week in the 4runner. We visited 4 National parks, a couple state parks, Moab, and Salt Lake City. The 4runner was flawless but having 3 adults and 2 kids plus everyone's luggage did move some 4.56 gears up on the list. We encountered rain, snow, rocks, sand, and lots of pavement ranging from racetrack smooth to really rough, all of which the new Ridge Grapplers handled with confidence.

First we stopped at Mesa Verde National park. Pretty amazing how these people lived back then.

There was a cool tunnel inside the park that you drive through. Reminded me of the tunnel in 'Back to the Future' so I had to take a picture.

Next, we made it to Moab and visited Arches National park. We all really enjoyed this park as it offers some astonishing scenery and multiple hikes to get out and stretch your legs.

After hiking around various arches all morning and half the afternoon, we decided to take Salt Valley road out of the park and visit some less traveled arches. Salt Valley didn't disappoint, there's sections of boulders to climb over, slickrock, deep sand and the scenery is amazing. The best part was only seeing one other person out there. The bad part was that my wife has a new camera she's getting used to and accidentally hit some button that severely washed out several pictures, most from the hardest part of the trail. She did manage to get some good ones in though. Seriously, these pictures don't do this trail justice.

Again, I was very impressed with the grip of the Ridge Grapplers on the rocks and in the sand.

Next, we visited Canyon Lands NP and Dead Horse Point State park (forgot to take a sign picture).

Mesa Arch is probably the most scenic arch due to the breathtaking view beyond it. Unfortunately, it was a overcast day and we were a little late getting there (sunrise is the best time) so our pictures don't do it justice.

We decided to take Shafer trail and Potash road back to Moab. This trail is super easy but it was getting sandy and kind of washboarded when we drove on it. I aired down just to smooth out the ride.

 

[gm350reratliff]

We also visited Capitol Reef NP. Unfortunately, we were a little behind schedule and there was rain/snow moving in so our visit here was cut a little short. We're definitely planning on going back some day as there's a lot to see here.

Found this interesting rock inside Capitol Reef. From one angle it looks like a snakes mouth wide open, from another angle it has a face. ET phone home?

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the 4runner in the snow as we made our way to Salt Lake City but again, the 4runner handled it great. Even though we only had about 1.5 days to check out SLC, I really liked it. We're definitely planning on revisiting there as well. So the main reason we drove to SLC, my wife is a huge Eric Church fan and she had tickets to his concert there.

The next day was Sunday and we both had to go to work Monday so we made a beeline back to NM.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Added a couple things tonight after dinner. RCI aluminum transmission and transfer case skid plates. Probably one of the quickest mods I've ever installed on this 4runner, the fit and finish is perfect.

 

[Blade Runner]

Added a couple things tonight after dinner. RCI aluminum transmission and transfer case skid plates. Probably one of the quickest mods I've ever installed on this 4runner, the fit and finish is perfect.

I concur. Easiest install. Great product.

 

[Hbryanlopez]

Nice setup! Do you still have your oem bumper? I'm planning on doing a 2014 facial swap on my 2011.


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[gm350reratliff]

Nice setup! Do you still have your oem bumper? I'm planning on doing a 2014 facial swap on my 2011.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I do. It's just sitting here collecting dust.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I got a couple nice pics of my 5th gen on a little trail ride we took yesterday on Mt. Taylor. My wife was driving the 5th gen and I was driving the 4th gen. Not really any very technical trails but the scenery and weather was awesome. My friend and co-worker Andrew and his girlfriend tagged along in his Tacoma.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Changed the rear diff oil the other day and it hit me that I never relocated the rear diff breather. I've had the parts for probably two years but somehow slipped my mind. Started digging through my toolboxes and sure enough, I found the parts still in the bags.

I ran the new breather up by the fuel filler neck just like how I installed the breather on my 4th gen.

 

[Ryan1975]

[MENTION=32290]gm350reratliff[/MENTION] - Saw your truck picture in another thread, how are you mounting your traction aids to the stock roof rack?

-Ryan

 

[gm350reratliff]

[MENTION=32290]gm350reratliff[/MENTION] - Saw your truck picture in another thread, how are you mounting your traction aids to the stock roof rack?

-Ryan

So on our 5th gen I've just been using bungee cords to the factory crossbars. Cheesy but I can get them tight enough that the Treds don't move at all and its free and easy. A roof rack is definitely in the plans with a proper mounting method.

On our 4th gen, I drilled holes in the cross bars that I sealed with silicone, and I use four 1/2" hitch pins, two with padlocks (I live in NM). I may do the same with our 5th gen at some point as well.

 

[gm350reratliff]

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to attend the FJ Summit again and we brought both 4Runners. Both 4Runners did great and we had a great time again. Truly a 1st class event. Still have a bunch of pics and vids to go through but here's some that I like so far.

I also had the opportunity to lead two trails this year, Imogene Pass and Black Bear Pass. I used our 5th gen to lead on Black Bear.

 

[gm350reratliff]

After several months of waiting, the snorkel finally arrived! Had to wait a couple days to find time to install it but after dinner Saturday night I went ahead and installed it.

My wife was pretty excited about it so she even gave a helping hand.

Not really in any kind of a hurry, it took us about 2.5 hours including putting the tools away. The instructions and template are right on with this kit.

 

[harkco]

Just curious - what did you use to cut the hole in the fender? I'll be doing the same in a few weeks.

After several months of waiting, the snorkel finally arrived! Had to wait a couple days to find time to install it but after dinner Saturday night I went ahead and installed it.




Not really in any kind of a hurry, it took us about 2.5 hours including putting the tools away. The instructions and template are right on with this kit.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Just curious - what did you use to cut the hole in the fender? I'll be doing the same in a few weeks.

I used a 4" hole saw to make two 4" holes then used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut out the rest. Used a file and some #180 sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges followed by a couple coats of white paint.