RiFF RaFF's 1993 4Runner SR5 (Honey Badger) Build

[RiFF RaFF]

As you can see in my previous post the stock rear bumper was way over due to hit the scrap pile.

Time to shop for a replacement.

Since I really liked the fit and finish of the 4xInnovation sliders I felt that the rear bumpers would round off the installation of body armor nicely. I wasn't disappointed.

Thankfully my awesome son Andrew surprised me with the 4xI rear bumper before I could buy it myself for my birthday! What a great surprise! (Thanks again Andrew!)

Installation was easy with two people. Simply unbolt the old one (keep the bolts if in good shape - Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster are your friends!), and bolt in the new one. The Dupli-Color bed liner was applied before installation as there are areas of the new bumper that are impossible to paint after they are on.

NOTE: The spare tire has to come out!

Prepping and painting. I used emery cloth and denatured alcohol to clean and roughen up the metal surfaces.

Rear bumper - GONE!!

Always enlist the help of a friend! In this case my good friend, and wheeling buddy (even though he's 4Runner impaired - he's cursed with a Jeep Rubicon, but I don't hold it against him...LOL)

So that's what the spare looks like. The take down mechanism was severely rusted, and required a lot of PB Blaster to break it loose. Good thing I won't be needing it again! Who's the freaking genius that decided that putting the spare UNDER an off road vehicle was a great idea - idiots.

The carnage - note the PB Blaster stains on the driveway.

Installed! Much better than the POS stock bumber!

and the owner rejoices! Now the Honey Badger is starting to look like a decent trail rig.

Brings tears to ones eyes...sniff.

PEACE OUT!

Next - time to armor up the under side!

:ranger:

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Before I go into the under armor thing. It's time to name my 4Runner.

At this point in the build she hadn't been named yet, and this was weighing heavy on my mind as you can well imagine.

One fine spring day my beautiful wife and I were heading into Charles Town to do some shopping. As I was driving I notice a farmer plowing his field for the next corn crop. Suddenly it hit me! Remembering this YouTube video I had seen I yelled out - EUREKA! Of course my wife thought I had lost my mind, and asked what?? I got it! I know what the name for my 4Runner is!! With a long suffering sigh she asked .. okay what?

Think about it. She's slow, digs in the dirt, and just doesn't give a shit. She's a Honey Badger!! And the legend was named!

 

[ajohnson]

Nice! I plan on getting 4xinno sliders and rear bumper for my '87.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Nice! I plan on getting 4xinno sliders and rear bumper for my '87.

Be sure and order the DOM steel ones. I'm glad I did as they have saved me from a lot of body damage.

:typing:

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Skid plate time!

After some off road time the weak assed skid plate had see it's better days. Time to armor up!

This forum gave BudBuilt armor rave reviews. Both in fit (bolts right up), and heavy duty engineering. With that in mind I ordered a stock fitting BudBuilt skid plate. I wasn't disappointed!

Stock Skid - really beat up!

I couldn't find any pictures of the initial stock installation, but the skid came ready to install with all the holes pre-drilled, and matched right up.

Here's a picture of the BudBuilt skid after it was adapted to the Rough Country lift. Required some heating, bending, and new tabs welded. I also treated it with a rust sealer. Once again - very easy to touch-up after it gets banged up on the trail.

This is what I used on the skid plate. Turns rust back to metal, and protects the steel from further rust damage.

This is what the skid plate looked like before being treated.

Next - Honey Badger gets elevated!

:driving:

 

[Robmills72]

Will you post up a couple pics of your rear fender flares, I'm about to order the 4x innovations rear and I wanna see how you got Em to fit and if theyre secured on the bumper at all

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Will you post up a couple pics of your rear fender flares, I'm about to order the 4x innovations rear and I wanna see how you got Em to fit and if theyre secured on the bumper at all

[MENTION=92250]Robmills72[/MENTION]

You're going to love that bumper! I would really recommend using the Dupli-Color bed liner with Kevlar as you will most likely use the bumper to stand on. The extra grip will help alot.

I used the Bushwacker fender flares, and installation was a breeze. The only cutting I did was to a small section to go around the tube bumper.

Here's the before showing the 4xI bumper...

And here's the after - note the circular cut I did to fit around the tube...

Be sure and post your before and after pictures!

:bigok:

 

[volcom440]

Loving your build! Nice to see another coastie on here and another motorcycle enthusiast! Keep up the good work chief. Also, glad to see you came out alive of that wreck, i had a friend go down recently and he spent a week in the ICU. Scary stuff man...

 

[SR587]

sweet build so far! im fairly local to you too! the truck looks great! i have a buddy that lives in charles town. he used to have a pretty large white 1st gen 4runner but it was sold a few years ago. now hes got a modded excursion. anyway let me know if you go wheeling id love to come along! feel free to pm for info

 

[RiFF RaFF]

sweet build so far! im fairly local to you too! the truck looks great! i have a buddy that lives in charles town. he used to have a pretty large white 1st gen 4runner but it was sold a few years ago. now hes got a modded excursion. anyway let me know if you go wheeling id love to come along! feel free to pm for info

Thanks for the kudos. I've got to get motivated, and update my build. Still have a lot to add.

Right now The Badger is parked until the weather is nice enough to change out the driver's door (banged it up beyond repair on my last off roading adventure at The Cove.)

If you want you should check out our off roading club - "Off-Camber Crawlers". There are a bunch of folks out your way, and the best thing - it's not just a "Jeep Only" club.

When I get The Badger repaired I will definitely take a trip - most probably to the GWNF. I'll be sure and let you know.

Do you follow the Maryland / Virginia / WV / D.C. sub-forum threads? I usually post my plans for an off road adventure there in case anyone's up for a day in the woods.

Wish I could go this weekend. With all the snow the GWNF would be awesome!

:smow:

 

[SR587]

Thanks for the kudos. I've got to get motivated, and update my build. Still have a lot to add.

Right now The Badger is parked until the weather is nice enough to change out the driver's door (banged it up beyond repair on my last off roading adventure at The Cove.)

If you want you should check out our off roading club - "Off-Camber Crawlers". There are a bunch of folks out your way, and the best thing - it's not just a "Jeep Only" club.

When I get The Badger repaired I will definitely take a trip - most probably to the GWNF. I'll be sure and let you know.

Do you follow the Maryland / Virginia / WV / D.C. sub-forum threads? I usually post my plans for an off road adventure there in case anyone's up for a day in the woods.

Wish I could go this weekend. With all the snow the GWNF would be awesome!

:smow:

yeah i remember when that club started. ill have to looking into them more. i havent checked out the sub forum but i will now. With all the snow it would be so much fun!

 

[reallifedog]

loving this build. Keep it up Riff Raff!

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Our off roading club 'The Off-Camber Crawlers' did some trail clean-up, and wheeling at The Cove today clearing up the spring growth for the 101/201 area where people new to wheeling get the basics from the old salts.

Of course - had to do some poser pictures after we towed a boulder to the right spot. Come on guys - show us some IFS lov'n!

And some back articulation too!

A new path for hard angles we cut this weekend.

Break time.

What would the day be without a couple of mud hole pictures?

Just a note - I really hate mud! Fun to play in. No fun cleaning up the mess!

I have to get going and update my build thread. Latest addition was a set of Speed Bleeders to make bleeding the brakes super easy, and a one person job.

 

[541joseph]

Story on the drivers door?

 

[KidVermicious]

Story on the drivers door?

It fell off. Too many stickers.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Story on the drivers door?

We were mapping trails at The Cove when the lead driver lead us on a wrong trail. It was an ATV trail and in trying to negotiate an off camber reverse I slid off of a log. A tree stopped me from sliding down a rather long drop, but it did cave in the driver's door, and took out the window in the process.

It was pretty much destroyed. Only one I could find was the ugly gold color you now see. Still deciding on what to do about the miss-matched door. Think I'll just use some of my left over bed liner, and paint all the doors black.

Whatcha think? Sure beats being 'The Man With The Golden Door' ...

:thumb3:

 

[RiFF RaFF]

It fell off. Too many stickers.

Hey now ... none of that sticker envy Kid.

:thumb3:

 

[95newb]

1995 in trouble

i have only 30 psi in cylinder 6. No change with oil in cylinder and valves seem to be returning well. Also if i'm going to pull eveything out to get to the heads should i replace my water pump and thermostat?

Thank you

 

[541joseph]

i have only 30 psi in cylinder 6. No change with oil in cylinder and valves seem to be returning well. Also if i'm going to pull eveything out to get to the heads should i replace my water pump and thermostat?

Thank you

Yes water pump thermostat and timing belt. And maybe go as far as injectors

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Water pump, thermostat, check the radiator bypass tube for rust - replacing is recommended. While you have it torn apart this is a good time to replace the PCV valve, spark plugs (OEM ONLY!), check the anti-knock sensor, and anti-knock sensor pig tale. Replace if in doubt.