Rabbo's T4R Build

[nick_rabbo]

Hey guys,

I'm sorta new here. Bought my first SUV last year and have been in love ever since. I anticipate a lot of future tinkering with it as long as I have it, so wanted to find a place to document it along the way.

2005 V8 4WD Sport Edition
Galactic Gray Exterior/Gray Cloth Interior
Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area.

So far, I've just done minor things like replacing bad bulbs, replacing differential oils, and greasing up driveshafts.

Yesterday, finally got new tires put on with a modest Daystar lift. I figured I'd ride out the stock XREAS until they go bad. Speaking of XREAS, some hydraulic oil spilled out from their lines when installing the spacer lift, hope that doesn't hurt anything. Maybe I need to refill some of that fluid.

Before lift:

After kift:

After Spidertrax wheel spacers and KO2s:

There's definitely some rubbing with the 275/75/17 sized tires. Had to remove front mudflaps and cut inner fender liners sections from front.

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[nick_rabbo]

I noticed the driver's side running board was sagging towards the rear passenger door. So I took the opportunity to just take them off along with rear mudflaps. I'll have to admit, it was very strange looking at the vehicle with them off but I think I'll eventually get used to it. Also, it doesn't hurt that this mod is good for an extra 8 wheel horsepowers!

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[bombventure]

Looks great! Funny thing, I took mine off today too during my lunch break. Gotta wash her before I take some pics though!

Very clean rig you got! [emoji1303]


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[BriAntic]

I'm digging that color, how many miles are on it?

 

[nick_rabbo]

LoL!

"Hey where do you wanna go for lunch?"

"Oh I'll pass, gonna uninstall my running boards real quick. You go ahead."

I pictured it funny in my head...with the assumption it's an office setting.

Appreciate it, mine needs a wash bad too. Those pictures made it look cleaner than it is haha. Thank you. Yeah when I was shopping for a 4th gen 4runner, I had told myself I want the v8, the AWD, blak/gray cloth interior, and the galactic gray was a must. I don't know, maybe the titanium gray on my old S60R made me like this color (see pics).

Currently has 160k miles on it. It's weird, I know nothing has changed but it feels higher off the ground without the running boards.

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[nick_rabbo]

What should I do next? Have a few things in mind to pick from.

I want the 04,05 rear hatch spoiler.
I want to tint the windows.
Maybe plastidip wheels black?



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[ThatSickRip]

Looks great! That the Daystar 2.5/1.5 kit?

 

[bombventure]

Haha yeah pretty much (except I work at a veneer mill [emoji23]), I was looking through a thread earlier that day of other rigs with them off and was amazed by the extra “lift” look it gives to them. Was immediately happy with the results, and now I just feel dumb for ever keeping them on lol

But yes that is a very nice color! Have you thought about blacking out your front and back bumper accents (silver pieces)? I did plasti-dip on both front and back on mine, matched my 4Runner better with the wheels I got. It’s nice making a 4runner your 4runner! Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours!

Edit: yes, definitely tint the windows!!


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[nick_rabbo]

Looks great! That the Daystar 2.5/1.5 kit?

Yup. Very straightforward and decided with this lift because:

- I don't go off roading too much. Don't have much choices around where I live.
- But still wanted a lifted look.
- Wanted to get more life out of stock suspension before I invested in a proper 3" lift.

Also, I have the spidertrax wheel spacers on all four corners. Tires are 275/70/17 KO2s.

Haha yeah pretty much (except I work at a veneer mill [emoji23]), I was looking through a thread earlier that day of other rigs with them off and was amazed by the extra “lift” look it gives to them. Was immediately happy with the results, and now I just feel dumb for ever keeping them on lol

But yes that is a very nice color! Have you thought about blacking out your front and back bumper accents (silver pieces)? I did plasti-dip on both front and back on mine, matched my 4Runner better with the wheels I got. It’s nice making a 4runner your 4runner! Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours!

Edit: yes, definitely tint the windows!!


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Ahhh makes sense haha.

And yeah I actually was thinking of that this morning and I came across a post with a picture of how it would look, at least from the side. The wheels and the roof rack were plastidipped. I think it looks pretty sweet. I know I want black wheels so I thought I might try plastidipping mine before I bought a set of procomps. By the way, it would be awkward if this was your 4runner lol.

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[bombventure]

Ahhh makes sense haha.

And yeah I actually was thinking of that this morning and I came across a post with a picture of how it would look, at least from the side. The wheels and the roof rack were plastidipped. I think it looks pretty sweet. I know I want black wheels so I thought I might try plastidipping mine before I bought a set of procomps. By the way, it would be awkward if this was your 4runner lol.

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Haha yeah that’s not my 4R but it does look like it! My roof rack was already black so thankfully I didn’t have to bother with that, or I probably would’ve done that as well when I did the bumpers & front grille.

Here’s mine for an idea of what it looks like blacked out(before I removed the ugly running boards):

If you plan on buying a new set of wheels and are pretty confident in your ‘painting’ skills I’d say go for it. I’ve never plasti-dipped wheels myself but if the same rules apply you can just peel it off if it looks like shit lol

Edit: sorry for the weird angled pictures, currently at work and the 4Runner is at home or I would’ve posted better ones for you as reference!


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[nick_rabbo]

Haha yeah that’s not my 4R but it does look like it! My roof rack was already black so thankfully I didn’t have to bother with that, or I probably would’ve done that as well when I did the bumpers & front grille.

Here’s mine for an idea of what it looks like blacked out(before I removed the ugly running boards):

If you plan on buying a new set of wheels and are pretty confident in your ‘painting’ skills I’d say go for it. I’ve never plasti-dipped wheels myself but if the same rules apply you can just peel it off if it looks like shit lol

Edit: sorry for the weird angled pictures, currently at work and the 4Runner is at home or I would’ve posted better ones for you as reference!


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Man that looks great! What size are your tires, they look gigantic lol.

And I was thinking of nabbing the Procomp series 69 wheels matte black in 17" x 9". Would kinda look like this. I like either black or dark bronze wheels but I'm thinking maybe black would look better considering the color of my vehicle.

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[bombventure]

Man that looks great! What size are your tires, they look gigantic lol.

And I was thinking of nabbing the Procomp series 69 wheels matte black in 17" x 9". Would kinda look like this. I like either black or dark bronze wheels but I'm thinking maybe black would look better considering the color of my vehicle.

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Thanks man, and good choice on the wheels! That style is what I first was looking at when I got my 4R! Personally, I’d go with black as well, but the dark bronze might not look as bad as you’d think. But, I agree that black would look better with the color of your vehicle!

Oh and the tires are 285/65r18 - 33’s, or 32.6 if we’re getting technical haha

 

[NinjaOne]

For what it matters, my dark bronze wheels rarely look bronze.

Honesty, with the galactic gray I'd prob. leave the factory wheel color, especially if you tint. If you are set on changing, black is prob. or gray/gunmetal rather than bronze.

 

[bombventure]

For what it matters, my dark bronze wheels rarely look bronze.



Honesty, with the galactic gray I'd prob. leave the factory wheel color, especially if you tint. If you are set on changing, black is prob. or gray/gunmetal rather than bronze.

I totally forgot your 4R has dark bronze wheels, one of my favorite builds on here! They look great on your rig!

The mention of leaving them factory color is a good option too. 4th gens look good with alloy wheels.


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[nick_rabbo]

For what it matters, my dark bronze wheels rarely look bronze.

Honesty, with the galactic gray I'd prob. leave the factory wheel color, especially if you tint. If you are set on changing, black is prob. or gray/gunmetal rather than bronze.

I'm so glad you posted here. I remember seeing some really cool wheels on a 4unner before but I couldn't seem to recall the brand. But now I know, SCS! Their wheels are beautiful.

So I'm really liking these 3 options. Of course, keeping the factory wheels can be a 4th option.

Please let me know which you guys think is nicest. I'll ask some real life human friends too for their feedback and then decide [emoji16]

1) SCS SR8 in Matte Dark Bronze

2) SCS F5 in Matte Jet Black

3) Procomp Series 69 in Matte Black

For kicks, I also included some variations of the F5 with spoke decal and lugs to match just to get an idea.

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[HCWatson997]

I'm so glad you posted here. I remember seeing some really cool wheels on a 4unner before but I couldn't seem to recall the brand. But now I know, SCS! Their wheels are beautiful.

So I'm really liking these 3 options. Of course, keeping the factory wheels can be a 4th option.

Please let me know which you guys think is nicest. I'll ask some real life human friends too for their feedback and then decide [emoji16]

1) SCS SR8 in Matte Dark Bronze

2) SCS F5 in Matte Jet Black

3) Procomp Series 69 in Matte Black

For kicks, I also included some variations of the F5 with spoke decal and lugs to match just to get an idea.

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I like the SCS F5 or the Procomps the most. I think the color accents on the others aren't very appealing honestly but if you like them, go for them. I'm thinking about getting some Procomps with the D window.

 

[bombventure]

That matte dark bronze looks pretty damn good seeing it like that! The SR8 and F5 are both killer options! It would look great either way!


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[nick_rabbo]

Anyone recommend certain pads for the runner? I'm in need of front pads for both wheels and I asked when I happened to be at dealership for something else.

Toyota:
$260 for OEM with installation.
$85 for OEM pads alone.

Also stopped by Pep Boys on way home.

Pep Boys:
$150 for Wagner QS with installation.

In addition to pad recommendations, what about rotors (IF I need and IF they can't be resurfaced)?

Thanks!



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[nick_rabbo]

Does anyone know what this hose is?

I usually see it dripping something, probably water, after I shut the vehicle off and it's sitting. I'm guessing it's AC related.

Picture is from top of motor looking down on passenger side.

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[nick_rabbo]

So I went to Northwest OHV offroad park in Bridgeport TX this past week. It was technically my first time ever going "off road" and goddamn it, why, whyyyyy did I have to go!!! This is now going to be a new money pit hobby for me just like photography a few years back.

I had so much fun and man this 4runner really surprised me at how capable it was. Not that I was doing anything extreme but there were lots of things that I thought I would struggle with that ended up being so simple. Can't wait to go out next time.

In the mean time, I took some footage with my drone and put together a quick little video. Forgive the amateur nature of the video, I was trying to do all these things at the same time:

1) Drive the vehicle
2) Fly a drone and follow vehicle
3) Figure out what settings to offroad in
4) Follow abysmal map of trails they gave me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6K-w96c1iE

And took some stills too, downsized in resolution: