Northeast Expedition's 2016 TRDPro build

[mace.]

Having a fully built 2007 FJ Cruiser before the 4Runner, and being the guy behind Northeast Expeditions, I knew the 4Runner wouldn't stay stock for long.

Being from CT, I'm curious as to what Northeast Expeditions is.

 

[YodaPride]

Congratulations on the new 4R!! I missed sign up for last years expedition and will not be able to make this years :redbrick:

I will be following this build for sure. And, will definitely be looking to join in on an expedition as soon as I can!!

Sorry, I think I got this expedition mixed up with the NH Overland Challenge. But, am also curious to hear about the NEExpeditions.

 

[NEExpo]

This kit was inexpensive but did the job well:

18pcs Deluxe White LED Bulbs 2010 2015 for Toyota 4Runner Interior Package Kit | eBay

The pack covered all of interior lights + the mirror puddle lights. Cool white light somewhere between 6000k and 6500k.

Nice! I'll check that out. Thanks for the link!

Sub'd, Leon is a good guy. I still have the BFG KM2 which you sold me, even though I don't have the truck anymore lol

Thanks for the kind words bud! Sorry to hear you don't have the truck anymore. What happened if you don't mind me asking?

Congratulations on the new 4R!! I missed sign up for last years expedition and will not be able to make this years :redbrick:

I will be following this build for sure. And, will definitely be looking to join in on an expedition as soon as I can!!

Thanks! Haha yeah that wasn't my expedition you wanted to sign up for hahaha.

Nice ride! I see you're nearby, I'm out in the western burbs of Philly. I also have a white TRD Pro and will be getting the Toytec lift as well, do you plan on putting it on yourself or do you have a trusted shop in the area? I've been searching for a shop but haven't had any luck in my area.

Also, know of any off road good trails around here?

Thanks! Yep very near by lol. I do plan on doing the lift myself. Only issue is once I pull the front strut assemblies off, the springs will have to get compressed and the assemblies will have to be disassembled to install the spring isolator bushing with longer top plate studs. I won't be able to do this part (disassemble) because the "rent a strut compressor" option is too dangerous. So what I plan to do is remove the assemblies from the 4R, take them to a shop and have them install the new studs and isolator bushing. After that bring it home and reassemble back onto the 4R with the top spacer. The rear will be a piece of cake. Putting it all on won't be for a while though. I still have a few suspension parts to order up and install at the same time for a more optimal ride.

There are a ton of good off-roading around here, as long as you want to do easy Sandy trail rides lol. [MENTION=86190]Alex T4R[/MENTION] can tell you about that lol.

Being from CT, I'm curious as to what Northeast Expeditions is.

Sorry, I think I got this expedition mixed up with the NH Overland Challenge. But, am also curious to hear about the NEExpeditions.

[MENTION=77504]mace.[/MENTION] [MENTION=109515]YodaPride[/MENTION] Northeast Expeditions is something I started after being shunned from the FJ community. It's an Instagram page that documents my adventures and explorations. I turned NEX into a club but after a year of it being a club, it just became too much to deal with. I shut the club part of it down and began doing my own thing again. I'm always open to people joining me on trips, either it be wheeling trips, camping, or even just day trips. I'm always exploring new places and trying to make life more enjoyable. As for attending overland challenges, that's something I don't plan on doing. They sound fun, but I rather not risk the damage I've seen others face. I don't need to prove my rig's capability to anyone. I like to go out, enjoy the sites, enjoy the occasional rock crawl or hill climb but do it responsibly and make it home with a rig to drive to work the next day. No, my build will not be a mall crawler, but I know that I won't put it through half the crap I put the FJ through. If y'all have Instagram, below is the link to the IG page. Check it out and follow if you want.

 

[NEExpo]

I got a package from Amazon today. Inside of it held the 128gb micro usb drive that I plan to try to fit all my music on and keep plugged into the 4Runner's USB port. Also had my new silicone key cover. Went to Pep Boys and picked up some Philips 194 LED bulbs, Philips 921 LED bulbs, and a Philips festoon bulb. Installed them all and modified the 194 bulbs to have a brighter output. For some people they would be too bright but for me they are perfect in the map lights. To modify the 194 bulbs, use a pair of pliers and pull off the opaque cover covering the LED bulbs. As for the festoon and 921 reverse light bulbs..they are junk. Don't waste your money. While they both might be "brighter" than the stock halogens; the light output on the ground from the 921s suck and the light output from the festoon sucks as well. If the festoon didn't have the opaque cover over the LED, it would be good for what it was. But I can't easily pop that one off. Might put a big SMD board in that overhead light like I did in the FJ Cruiser. Photos below show the goodies and lights.

Key cover



Philip 194 LED bulb modification and light output














Continued on next post below

 

[NEExpo]

Philips LED festoon light output (crappy compared to an SMD board)



Philips LED 921 reverse light bulbs. Light output on the ground blows and only will get worse once I lift the 4Runner. Don't waste your money on these bulbs.









In the photo below, you can see how shitty the light output on the ground is. The tail lights project a better light than the reverse lights.

 

[Alex T4R]

First I was giving a good offer on 2014 limited so I traded my white 2013 and then I was giving an amazing offer on Lexus GS F sport that I could not pass on, so I jumped on it. Let me know if you want the tire, I never used it, it is on 17 inch wheel from 4Runner spare.

 

[gqballa]

Great thread. Will follow

 

[mcarey86]

They are the driving beam. On my FJ I had the regular duallys in a fog pattern and they worked great. When I went with the D2s in the 4Runner I wanted a beam that is wide but also projects down the road a bit. These are not the DOT approved duallys so be careful if you decide to run them. I'm a law breaker so I don't care lol.


Thanks! :thumb:

That deal they ran was ridiculous. I'd buy a pair tomorrow at the price. Hell, probably two.

Still kicking myself for not picking them up then.

 

[NEExpo]

First I was giving a good offer on 2014 limited so I traded my white 2013 and then I was giving an amazing offer on Lexus GS F sport that I could not pass on, so I jumped on it. Let me know if you want the tire, I never used it, it is on 17 inch wheel from 4Runner spare.

Ah nice!!! You like the GS F? Miss wheeling any? I would be interested in the wheel and tire but after dropping over $2k in the last 2 weeks, I'm currently broke lol!

Great thread. Will follow

Thanks!

That deal they ran was ridiculous. I'd buy a pair tomorrow at the price. Hell, probably two.

Still kicking myself for not picking them up then.

I hear ya. I shoulda grabbed two as well. Two for almost the price of one.

 

[NEExpo]

Got home, posted the photos from today and the more I thought about it, the more the poor light output from the Philips LED festoon was eating at me inside. Went outside and pulled it out. Made quick work with the dremel and exacto knife to remove the opaque cover over the LED bulb. It's not much brighter but it'll be alright until I can grab a SMD board of the same color. I have two 30 SMD boards that would work, but they both are a warm white instead of a cool white..total bummer. Lol.









The light output photo from before was with both the map lights and dome light on. This photo below is just the dome light on.




This photo is with map lights and dome light on

 

[tral]

looks awesome!

Question on the DRLs... how did you turn them off? Did you do the pin thing?

 

[NEExpo]

looks awesome!

Question on the DRLs... how did you turn them off? Did you do the pin thing?

Yep! Bent the prong out of the way and plugged it back in. Worked perfectly.

 

[GG Allin]

What's the plan for those running boards? I'm looking for a set.

 

[NEExpo]

What's the plan for those running boards? I'm looking for a set.

Well, right now they're in the attic hanging out. I'm suppose to meet up with a guy this Saturday to see if they will fit his SR5. If they do, they're sold. If not then I'm good to sell them to ya. Shipping might be crappy. I'm in NJ, not sure if you're near by to pick them up.

 

[GG Allin]

Well, right now they're in the attic hanging out. I'm suppose to meet up with a guy this Saturday to see if they will fit his SR5. If they do, they're sold. If not then I'm good to sell them to ya. Shipping might be crappy. I'm in NJ, not sure if you're near by to pick them up.

I'm in Chicago. But I work in trucking and can probably arrange shipping that wouldn't cost too much. PM me if they don't sell.

 

[Alex T4R]

Ah nice!!! You like the GS F? Miss wheeling any? I would be interested in the wheel and tire but after dropping over $2k in the last 2 weeks, I'm currently broke lol!



Thanks!

I love the GS F sport, it is amazing and handles awesome. I do miss wheeling all though I didn't wheel that much. Let me know about the wheel cause I just want it out of my garage, it is taking up the space and I also have brand new in a box never used HiLift, but you probably have yours. Maybe one day I'll be back to 4Runner scene

 

[NEExpo]

I'm in Chicago. But I work in trucking and can probably arrange shipping that wouldn't cost too much. PM me if they don't sell.

Will do!

Ah nice!!! You like the GS F? Miss wheeling any? I would be interested in the wheel and tire but after dropping over $2k in the last 2 weeks, I'm currently broke lol!



Thanks!

I love the GS F sport, it is amazing and handles awesome. I do miss wheeling all though I didn't wheel that much. Let me know about the wheel cause I just want it out of my garage, it is taking up the space and I also have brand new in a box never used HiLift, but you probably have yours. Maybe one day I'll be back to 4Runner scene

Nice! I almost got a challenger instead of the 4Runner. But because I do so much camping and kayaking in the summer, I couldn't swap to a car. I hear ya about the wheel, what are you trying to get for it? Which hi lift is it? I kept my hi lift but if it's an extreme I might be interested in it.

 

[NEExpo]

The Toytec Lifts' 2" ultimate FJ Cruiser/TRDPro 4Runner lift arrived today. Time to deliver the springs to my local custom powdercoater to get stripped and sprayed flag red to match the front springs.



Took this photo on the way home from work. Sunset was just right and the location was great too.

 

[Jdavera]

Quick question - How thick are the top plate spacers ? 1/2" or 3/4" ?
Thanks

 

[NEExpo]

Tonight I put on my American flag decals under my mirrors on each door. Then I contacted an old friend and ordered up a set of his shock skids. These are seriously the best on the market. Can't wait to get them in. Should be here sometime next week and installed the same day. Install photos soon to come. Here's the link and a photo of how they look installed. FJToyman Offroad