My 4th Gen 'Bastard Child' Build

[xxaarraa]

3Many trips, many snowstorms, hauling everything from motorcycles to concrete blocks and countless smiles. I figured I should post a build thread to document its evolution. It is a bastard because it is somewhere between a Trail, Sport and a Limited now, though it started life as a lowly SR5.

Day I bought it - 08 SR5, 50k miles, 100k mile Toyota certified warranty. I traded in my 09 Taco for this and had them swap out my wheels/grabber AT2s.

The first thing I did as soon as I got it was a full brake job - rotors and pads all around. I also did spark plugs, diff fluid changes to Mobil 1, threw in Weathertechs and an AFE pro-dry filter from my Taco, and other routine service that wasn't interesting enough to take photos of.

Got rid of the running boards, trimmed the front fender, moved the liner forward, and installed my spidertrax I had laying around from the Taco.

Installed a DDM Tuning 5000K/55W HID kit.

Installed a Sony BT-4000 head unit and external mic:

Had Gaterose make me a Satoshi and installed the Hellas I had laying around from the Taco (this setup went away in a few months).

Installed LED DRL strips

Installed an Avid wrap-around light bar

Installed an ARB awning on the stock roof rack.

Full awning install write-up here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...4th-gen-stock-roof-rack-install-hardware.html

Installed a RAM ball mount for the tablet in the ashtray area:

Installed proclip vent mount and wireless charging pads for my cell phone and tablet. HANDS DOWN BEST MOD I HAVE EVER DONE!

Full wireless charging docks write-up here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/151632-my-ashtray-navigation-tablet-mount.html

www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs...-charging-your-cabin-smartphones-tablets.html

Did the HCF delete:

Installed FJ springs and Bilstein 5100s all around.

Ditched the front swaybar - was getting in the way when wheeling.

Mounted the hi-lift on the Avid lightbar:

Mounted CBI's bolt-on sliders:

Got the full 5 piece Budbuilt skid plate package:

Full skid kit install write-up here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/155552-my-budbuilt-5-piece-install.html

Installed a Uniden/K40 CB radio setup:

 

[xxaarraa]

Installed FJ Trail edition wheels and Goodyear Duratracs (loved the old Grabber AT2s, but Duratracs are way better)

Did the "yellow fog light mod" - love this!

Mounted a shovel to the stock roof rack:

Installed a "lift kit" after driving 6 months/10k miles on just the FJ springs and 5100s - maxed out the 5100s in the front, daystar 2" spacers and 5100s in the back, FJ springs all around, LR UCAs, Toytec diff drop, and custom made extended sway bar links for the back.

Installed leather seats from a donor 08 SR5.

Full seat install write-up here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...g-4th-gen-sr5-cloth-seats-leather-thread.html

 

[xxaarraa]

Added a couple of wheel chocks to the stock roof rack to carry my race wheels to the track and back each time (this has since been painted black). I am maxing out that stock roof rack and bolting on all kinds of crap to it!

Got the interior trim "hydro dipped" in CF. The CF was just for kicks, it came out OK.

Added a front hitch receiver and cargo basket (VERY happy with this, increases cargo capacity manifold).

Full hitch install write-up here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/179072-4th-gen-front-hitch-cargo-basket.html


Pressure washed the engine bay for the first time in almost 100k miles.

Seafoamed the intake manifold and gas tank, replaced all the spark plugs with NGK double platinums (I previously did a plug job about 40k miles ago):

Replaced the cabin air filter for the first time in almost 100k miles. I dunno, I think I could have gotten a bit more life out of the old filter. lol.

Don't have pics for this, but did a complete brake job @90k. Upgraded to the slightly bigger "sport" edition calipers and rotors in the front. Replaced rotors and pads in the back too.

Don't have pics for this, but took a wire brush to the underside and frame, scraped off some rust and hit it with a couple of cans of rustoleum. Plan is to do this before each winter.

After a year of riding without it, I put my swaybar back on. I upgraded to Jeggs frame bushings with grease zerks, and Mstudt's extended end links.

I removed my budbuilt front skid to make room to work. The 4 original frame bolts that I removed (those that hold the swaybar and frame bushings to the frame) would not thread back in. I went to Home Depot and picked up 4 brand new M10 x 1.25 bolts, but they wouldn't thread either. Very puzzling.

So I took my tap set and chased all 4 welded nuts on the frame with the M10 x 1.25. Looking at the tap afterwards, it was apparent why the bolts wouldn't thread. A year of rust and grime had clogged up the threads.

Then it was a simple matter of bolting eveything up.

I say simple, but I spoke too soon. While bolting the budbuilt front skid back up, I sheered one of the bolts right off. It's now only held on by 3 instead of 4 bolts. At some point, I need to go back, use an ezout or a bolt extractor and get the bolt out of there and redo this. Not looking forward to this. But oh well.

Instant difference to steering feel. The old solid truck steering is back. I plan on running a swaybar all the time from now on.

 

[xxaarraa]

Made an awesome storage and sleeping platform with a friend's help.

Full sleeping platform thread here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=184572

March 2015:
The original FJ coils were too soft and my "supposed to be 3 inch" lift ended up being much less. So I Redid my lift with OME 885/895 coils, Toytec top out spacers, OME trim packers and steel braided extended brake lines front and rear. I already had the diff drop, LR UCAs and extended swaybar end links.

3/8/15: Added limb lifters:

Full write-up here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/191077-4th-gen-limb-lifters.html

4/12/15: Added storage on ceiling (interior).

Full write-up here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ing-storage-idea-implemented.html#post1980298

 

[Brutalguyracing]

looking good
do you have any more info on the rear sway bar ext.
i am doing icon overland spring in a bit and i guess i will need them
also how does the awning mount to the the roof rack?
thanks

 

[ADRay]

nice build. how do you like the budbuilt skid plates?

 

[xxaarraa]

looking good
do you have any more info on the rear sway bar ext.
i am doing icon overland spring in a bit and i guess i will need them
also how does the awning mount to the the roof rack?
thanks

Awning is mounted with some $10 home depot L brackets. Like so. I subsequently trimmed them and painted them black, but you get the idea.

Yes, rear sway bar links thread here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...sh-extended-rear-sway-bar-links-write-up.html

 

[xxaarraa]

nice build. how do you like the budbuilt skid plates?

I like them a lot. Very beefy, well engineered, Bud put a lot of thought into his skid plate package. His customer service is also excellent.

However, do know that they take up noticeable ground clearance. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to go higher and got an actual lift kit (as opposed to continue running the original setup of just FJ springs) - I started rubbing the belly more with them on.

 

[ADRay]

I'm considering the gas tank plate for my 03, prior to lifting.

Where do you go off road in MA? I'm i recent transplant from NH.

 

[xxaarraa]

I'm considering the gas tank plate for my 03, prior to lifting.

Where do you go off road in MA? I'm i recent transplant from NH.

The gas tank skid is good, doesn't take up any clearance. The mid skid and transmission skid hang low and take up an inch or so. They are HEAVY. About 150 lbs total for all 5 (easily).

I go wheeling in NH! I dont know of any places in Mass and I live right in Southie so definitely nothing around here.

 

[ADRay]

if you haven't been to Exploring NH already:

ExploringNH Forums

I've been a member since it started, but haven't been on a ride since 2009 (with my 98 taco).

I'm going to try to make the Anniversary Run this year.

 

[xxaarraa]

if you haven't been to Exploring NH already:

ExploringNH Forums

I've been a member since it started, but haven't been on a ride since 2009 (with my 98 taco).

I'm going to try to make the Anniversary Run this year.

I am a member of eNH, that's the group I do most of my wheeling with! Hope to see ya at the anniversary run.

 

[xxaarraa]

Updated the thread with a bunch of upgrades from this summer.

 

[swapmeet]

@xxaaarraa

How has the awning been over the long haul? Do you get a lot of wind noise from it? MPG's suffer much?

Nice build over all. I have the full RCI skid kit on the way for my truck.

 

[xxaarraa]

@xxaaarraa

How has the awning been over the long haul? Do you get a lot of wind noise from it? MPG's suffer much?

Nice build over all. I have the full RCI skid kit on the way for my truck.

No noticeable wind noise and zero mpg loss from awning. I like it, used it two-three times this summer at the race track. However, I find I'd use it more if the legs supported themselves in a stable fashion on concrete. I find that I have to park in a way that I can have grass to my left and then sink the legs into the grass.

I might look into those ez-up leg support things that are available.

 

[swapmeet]

No noticeable wind noise and zero mpg loss from awning. I like it, used it two-three times this summer at the race track. However, I find I'd use it more if the legs supported themselves in a stable fashion on concrete. I find that I have to park in a way that I can have grass to my left and then sink the legs into the grass.

I might look into those ez-up leg support things that are available.

I wondered the same thing when I was looking at pics on Google Images. I wonder if you could make bases that the legs slot into?
Maybe thats what you're talking about.

Most anytime I would use the awning I would be a the lake so i'd have dirt to stake it down etc.



Feel free to post some pics of your scooters too... because reasons.

 

[macgyver_ga]

Looking good!

Great minds think alike... I recognize your username from TW. I also see you're fond of red golden retrievers and silver 4runners. We picked up my wife a silver 4runner recently.

How do you like the ride with the FJ springs and 5100's? I'm gonna put some 5100's on the wife's T4R after the first of the year and I'm on the fence about what springs to get. I had 5100's on my taco and I have a set of them on my Tundra (both cranked up to 2.5 on OEM springs).

Btw... Here's my current red golden (he's 6 months old). His coat is starting to get darker.


Lost this guy back in May to cancer at 8 years old (he was my co-pilot for many years with the taco).

 

[xxaarraa]

Feel free to post some pics of your scooters too... because reasons.

Here's one of them:

Here's the other:

Here's the awning in action:

Here's me!

 

[xxaarraa]

Looking good!

Great minds think alike... I recognize your username from TW. I also see you're fond of red golden retrievers and silver 4runners. We picked up my wife a silver 4runner recently.

How do you like the ride with the FJ springs and 5100's? I'm gonna put some 5100's on the wife's T4R after the first of the year and I'm on the fence about what springs to get. I had 5100's on my taco and I have a set of them on my Tundra (both cranked up to 2.5 on OEM springs).

Btw... Here's my current red golden (he's 6 months old). His coat is starting to get darker.
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Lost this guy back in May to cancer at 8 years old (he was my co-pilot for many years with the taco).

Those are two VERY beautiful dogs. Goldens are such a gift. He makes me smile every time I see him and his constant cheerfulness is a bright spot in my life. I am sure you feel the same way about yours.

The ride with the FJ springs and 5100s is VERY good. With the LR UCAs, diff drop and suspension lift, it's weird to say, but my truck actually rides better than it did pre-lift.

Yeah, I had an 09 Taco and did a lot with it including driving across country. I liked it a lot, but ultimately, the stupid ass gear ratios on the 6 speed killed it for me and I went to the 4R and never looked back.

 

[macgyver_ga]

Those are two VERY beautiful dogs. Goldens are such a gift. He makes me smile every time I see him and his constant cheerfulness is a bright spot in my life. I am sure you feel the same way about yours.

The ride with the FJ springs and 5100s is VERY good. With the LR UCAs, diff drop and suspension lift, it's weird to say, but my truck actually rides better than it did pre-lift.

Yeah, I had an 09 Taco and did a lot with it including driving across country. I liked it a lot, but ultimately, the stupid ass gear ratios on the 6 speed killed it for me and I went to the 4R and never looked back.

Yep. I agree completely. Walker, (the little guy pictured) is my 4th golden retriever.

Ok cool. I know my wife will be way pickier about how it will ride than me. She won't want anything too rough. I honestly don't mind a little bit of a stiffer ride. I'm used to it bc every vehicle I've ever owned has had aftermarket suspension (lowered & lifted). When I first bought my tundra, the thing rode like a big sloppy boat. The 5100's & E load range BFG's stiffened it up a bit and I like it much better.

I had a 6spd too and hated the gear ratio on the highway. Spinning almost 3k rpm at 75mph sucks. 1st and 2nd gear were awesome offroad though. In 4lo and 1st you could just dump the clutch and go without giving it any gas. Also nice for descending steep hills. I was only getting about 15mpg w/ the 6spd, 285 duratracs, and the lift so I basically didn't lose any fuel economy switching to the Tundra.