RR 5th Gen Custom Off-grid camping Build

[rainesrunner]

Hi everyone.
Here's our 2020 5th gen 4runner build thread.
We bought the vehicle primarily for off-grid camping and exploring this magnificent country.. we're not fans of crowded campsites

First couple of things we did was add the frontrunner slimline ii roof rack which then enabled me to add the primary recovery tools; maxtrax and a shovel.

I'll be posting more of the mods we've done very soon.
Enjoy!

And please ask any questions about anything we've done.
Stay safe out there.

 

[rainesrunner]

Custom Kitchen / Storage

We'd had experience with running a camp kitchen out of the back of our previous vehicle (a soft roader) this included slides for a cooler and the stove as well as a drawer for kitchen storage (plates, utensils etc).

For the 4runner we wanted more pantry space and the ability to upgrade as our camping needs evolved without a total ground up re-design.. for us this means eventually using some goose gear elements.

We started with the goose gear Plate System and then custom built our storage solution on top of that.

Not wanting to drill into the goose plate we started with a 1/2inch ply bolted to the goose gear plate using the goose gear fittings. This enable us to bolt slides etc in any order to our new base plate without damaging the goose gear plate.. once again, with an eye to future mods.

Then we added a custom drawer (1/2 inch ply) for the kitchen, moving our slides over from the previous vehicle, 1 for the cooler (which has now been upgraded to a fridge) and 1 for the stove (which doubles as a cutting board).

We quickly added the victory 4x4 side molle panels to enable the victory 4x4 shelf for pantry storage above the kitchen. Our panty currently consists of 2 clear boxes that fit on the shelf that we remove before cooking anything,
This is not a perfect setup, for one we need to remove the pantry boxes to get access to the pantry goods. This is a short term compromise as we will be expanding again soon.

A pleasant surprise during this build was the storage behind the cool / fridge slide. some of my tools go in this space as well as one of my jack plates.

 

[rainesrunner]

Custom Onboard Compressor Setup

In the past we had a very cheap compressor.
Once we upgraded the tires on the truck it became obvious how inadequate that would be so I researched the options.

I purchased a Viair 440p, and ran it for several trips as it's intended. Portable connection direct to the battery terminals and portable storage. I learnt that these compressors get really, really hot. And take quite a long time to cool down. I also learnt that I dislike having to open the hood to connect the compressor.

Obviously an onboard compressor under the hood is a great solution for some people. I didn't want to go this way for several more reasons;
1. Engine bays aren't exactly protected environments and if I was going to use a really good compressor I wanted it to last.
2. Having to open the hood every time to connect the hoses makes for a lot of people passing you to enquire if you're ok.

However, having a permanent battery connection was something I wanted.

So I came up with this hybrid solution;

1. Have a qualified electrician run a fused 40amp circuit into the rear storage bay on the 4runner.
2. Mount the compressor on the victory 4x4 shelf with enough free-space to allow for cooling.

This solution works great for me. I open the rear hatch to attach the hoses so no more engine bay usage and it's permanently powered off the main battery. Of course I never run the compressor without the engine running.

Another recent benefit we've discovered to this setup is when we decided to try adding our blow-up mattress to the RTT for added comfort, the compressor is very easily used to blow up the mattress in the RTT!

 

[rainesrunner]

Custom Structured Rear Seat Storage without taking out the seats!

When my wife and I go off-grid camping, having a bunch of loose bags and camping goods rolling around the rear seat of the 4runner got old pretty fast.

In researching a solution (there are some great ones from goose gear and others) my wife told me she didn't want to remove the rear seats anymore than is easily done using the OEM setup.

We came up with this solution.. a custom built 1/2inch ply storage 'box'.

It has storage locations for my recovery gear box and some tools on the passenger side, an upright 20lb gas bottle on the driver side and it even contains a lockable cubby where we store electronic devices and cables.

Our clothing bags which are not heavy sit on the top of the cubby.

It even has a shelf for my wife to use for her 'extra' bags !