LifestyleOverland
Member
2014 4Runner Trail Edition
Current Mods:
ICON Stage 2 Suspension (tubular UCAs)
OME 2899 Rear Springs
BFG KO2 275/70R17s
SCS Stealth 6 Wheels
Bud Built Sliders
ARB Dual Compressor (portable skid)
ARB 50qt Freezer/Fridge
Uniden Bearcat CB
Larsen CB Antenna w/Diamond Rack Mount
Yaesu FTM-400XDR Mobile Ham Radio
Larsen Dual Band (2m/70cm) Antenna
Tekanosha P3 Trailer Brake Control
Gobi Rack
Gobi Hi-Lift Mount
Four-Treks Pull-Pal Mount
Southern Style Speed Slimline Bumper w/25" LED Bar
Southern Style Offroad Rear Bumper System
FTS Snorkel
Smittybuilt X20 10,000lb Winch w/Synthetic Line & Remote
National Luna Dual Battery System
Shrockworks Auxiliary Battery Mount Sytem (modified)
Odyssey 34R-PC1500T Primary Battery (reverse pole)
Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT Auxiliary Battery
Bluesea 6 Pole Auxiliary Fuse Block
OPT7 Front Rack Mounted Spot LEDs
Nilight Rear Rack Mounted Flood LEDs
OBDII Bluetooth Interface
Ram Tablet Mount
Samsung Tab 2
Torque App
Carista App
Upcoming Mods:
Skid Plates (Brand TBD)
Rear Storage and Fridge Tie-Down (hand-built)
DAY ONE - Blank Slate:
We originally went to buy an FJ Cruiser and after test driving 4 of them we decided to try out the 4Runner... and that's all it took. For just a grand or so more we found there were a lot more bang for the buck in the 4Runner. Not to mention the ease of rear seat access for putting our one year old (at the time) into the car seat was much more convenient. The 4-wheel drive amenities with the traction control, rear locker, crawl control, and terrain selection is what sold us since this is going to be used in the New Mexico wilderness quite often.
The goal here is a mild build with focus on quality of components since they are for functionality, not looks. "Function first, form later."
With less than 400 miles on the odometer, we were carefully applying the desert pinstripes in the New Mexico wilderness when we found the first weak point on the rig and put a decent gash in the factory Dunlop "AT's".
Needless to say we were parked in front of Discount Tire the next morning when they opened and promptly fitted our first set of BFG KOs in 275/70R17.
Since moving to KOs, and now the KO2s; we haven't had a single tire issue. The 275/70s were also the perfect size since they had zero rub and allowed us to fully flex without any contact.
The first outing also identified the need to get a bit more clearance as we broke in the factory skids plates on a few boulders. So, with a lot of research we opted to go with the Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 2 suspension system, including upper control arms (tubular).
We completed the install mere hours before rolling north to Lake City, CO and the Alpine Loop Trail. The new suspension did not disappoint.
To be continued...
Current Mods:
ICON Stage 2 Suspension (tubular UCAs)
OME 2899 Rear Springs
BFG KO2 275/70R17s
SCS Stealth 6 Wheels
Bud Built Sliders
ARB Dual Compressor (portable skid)
ARB 50qt Freezer/Fridge
Uniden Bearcat CB
Larsen CB Antenna w/Diamond Rack Mount
Yaesu FTM-400XDR Mobile Ham Radio
Larsen Dual Band (2m/70cm) Antenna
Tekanosha P3 Trailer Brake Control
Gobi Rack
Gobi Hi-Lift Mount
Four-Treks Pull-Pal Mount
Southern Style Speed Slimline Bumper w/25" LED Bar
Southern Style Offroad Rear Bumper System
FTS Snorkel
Smittybuilt X20 10,000lb Winch w/Synthetic Line & Remote
National Luna Dual Battery System
Shrockworks Auxiliary Battery Mount Sytem (modified)
Odyssey 34R-PC1500T Primary Battery (reverse pole)
Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT Auxiliary Battery
Bluesea 6 Pole Auxiliary Fuse Block
OPT7 Front Rack Mounted Spot LEDs
Nilight Rear Rack Mounted Flood LEDs
OBDII Bluetooth Interface
Ram Tablet Mount
Samsung Tab 2
Torque App
Carista App
Upcoming Mods:
Skid Plates (Brand TBD)
Rear Storage and Fridge Tie-Down (hand-built)
DAY ONE - Blank Slate:
We originally went to buy an FJ Cruiser and after test driving 4 of them we decided to try out the 4Runner... and that's all it took. For just a grand or so more we found there were a lot more bang for the buck in the 4Runner. Not to mention the ease of rear seat access for putting our one year old (at the time) into the car seat was much more convenient. The 4-wheel drive amenities with the traction control, rear locker, crawl control, and terrain selection is what sold us since this is going to be used in the New Mexico wilderness quite often.
The goal here is a mild build with focus on quality of components since they are for functionality, not looks. "Function first, form later."
With less than 400 miles on the odometer, we were carefully applying the desert pinstripes in the New Mexico wilderness when we found the first weak point on the rig and put a decent gash in the factory Dunlop "AT's".
Needless to say we were parked in front of Discount Tire the next morning when they opened and promptly fitted our first set of BFG KOs in 275/70R17.
Since moving to KOs, and now the KO2s; we haven't had a single tire issue. The 275/70s were also the perfect size since they had zero rub and allowed us to fully flex without any contact.
The first outing also identified the need to get a bit more clearance as we broke in the factory skids plates on a few boulders. So, with a lot of research we opted to go with the Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 2 suspension system, including upper control arms (tubular).
We completed the install mere hours before rolling north to Lake City, CO and the Alpine Loop Trail. The new suspension did not disappoint.
To be continued...
Last edited:
I'm waiting on my TE w/ KDSS yet -- have been told it will arrive near the end of July. Then I will be totally broke for while since I'll begin all of my mods.
Dude.
