Ryguytheman's SR5 Premium - Build and Adventure Log

[ryguytheman]

I wanted to get some lighting photos taken for comparison. The pictures below are a demonstration of output by stock headlights, my 20" light bar, and my LED pods (and combinations of these).

It's not completely dark out, the sun had just set when I took these. But it shows the performance pretty well. The pods have a lot more range than shown in the picture, but they are ditch lights and I have them angled as such.

No lights:

Stock headlights:

Just the 20" light bar:

Just the LED pods:

Light bar and pods:

 

[ryguytheman]

1,100 lbs of flagstone in the trunk. And I thought it drove like a pig before...

Looking in my rear view mirror on the way home gave me a view straight down at the pavement.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

1,100 lbs of flagstone in the trunk. And I thought it drove like a pig before...

Looking in my rear view mirror on the way home gave me a view straight down at the pavement.

Starting to look like a trophy truck there lol

 

[ryguytheman]

I was able to finally guilt the wife into joining me for some wheeling for Fathers Day. Only made her cry once! Little man was a trooper, as always.

 

[Venture20]

Great looking build! I'm looking at the bumper/winch combo and was wondering how you like them. Specifically, if the solenoid mount allowed you to avoid bending the tubing in front of the radiator and how you manage without the access holes.

 

[ryguytheman]

Great looking build! I'm looking at the bumper/winch combo and was wondering how you like them. Specifically, if the solenoid mount allowed you to avoid bending the tubing in front of the radiator and how you manage without the access holes.

Thank you!

The bumper and winch have served me well, no complaints whatsoever. You are correct, I did not have to bend the coolant line to fit the winch. The winch has (I think) two mounting locations for the solenoid, which was convenient.

I honestly haven't really had a need for the access holes. When I need access, I just pop off the radiator cover in the engine bay, and it's easy to reach down there for whatever I need. Just last weekend I needed to detach my rope to give it a good cleaning, and was able to fit both arms down there and get to everything I needed to remove and reattach the rope.

I will say that if I had to do it all over again, I would go with a full steel bumper instead of the slimline design, simply for added protection. The slimline looks and performs great, but I put a lot of dings and scratches on what is remaining of my bumper cover. In most situations, it's just a stylish winch mount without a whole lot of protection offered. Though it does serve as a good lighting mount and recovery point location.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

I honestly haven't really had a need for the access holes. When I need access, I just pop off the radiator cover in the engine bay, and it's easy to reach down there for whatever I need. Just last weekend I needed to detach my rope to give it a good cleaning, and was able to fit both arms down there and get to everything I needed to remove and reattach the rope.

On that note, it seems you actually get yours out on the trails so I’m curious given the capabilities of the 4Runner how many times you’ve found yourself in situations that required you to pull cable. Either to continue onward through something you wouldn’t have made it through without or in a recovery capacity where you would have been FUBAR without it.

I’d like a winch/lo-pro for peace of mind. I’m curious if it would truly be my security blanky/show piece or if you actually find yourself using it.

I’ve pushed mine through some seriously deep mud/muck but thankfully with the rear locker and A-Trac/MTS I’ve never needed to be recovered.

 

[ryguytheman]

On that note, it seems you actually get yours out on the trails so I’m curious given the capabilities of the 4Runner how many times you’ve found yourself in situations that required you to pull cable. Either to continue onward through something you wouldn’t have made it through without or in a recovery capacity where you would have been FUBAR without it.

I’d like a winch/lo-pro for peace of mind. I’m curious if it would truly be my security blanky/show piece or if you actually find yourself using it.

I’ve pushed mine through some seriously deep mud/muck but thankfully with the rear locker and A-Trac/MTS I’ve never needed to be recovered.

I have needed to use my winch several times. It's not unlikely that just having one has pushed me to try things that I shouldn't. But it was worth every penny based on the amount of times I have had to use it, and where. I can't even imagine the amount of time and money it has saved me. Where I wheel, it could be a while before anyone comes across you in your stuck vehicle, especially in the winter.

There was a day back in January where I needed to winch myself out of a tight spot at least 4 or 5 times in that one outing. I didn't even bother respooling it, just wrapped the line around the bullbar for ease of access. Deep snow, tough trail, and overconfidence...

But yeah, like you alluded to, it's also good to have if you just need a little extra boost to make it through/over something, whether it be be a big rock or a 4 foot snow drift. It's a last resort, but keeps me moving if I want to use it.

Overall, I try to make tow straps work (if I have a buddy with me) before thinking about the winch, but that can't always be done.

I'm about to buy an extra line to carry with me in case of a failure.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

I have needed to use my winch several times. It's not unlikely that just having one has pushed me to try things that I shouldn't. But it was worth every penny based on the amount of times I have had to use it, and where. I can't even imagine the amount of time and money it has saved me. Where I wheel, it could be a while before anyone comes across you in your stuck vehicle, especially in the winter.

There was a day back in January where I needed to winch myself out of a tight spot at least 4 or 5 times in that one outing. I didn't even bother respooling it, just wrapped the line around the bullbar for ease of access. Deep snow, tough trail, and overconfidence...

But yeah, like you alluded to, it's also good to have if you just need a little extra boost to make it through/over something, whether it be be a big rock or a 4 foot snow drift. It's a last resort, but keeps me moving if I want to use it.

Overall, I try to make tow straps work (if I have a buddy with me) before thinking about the winch, but that can't always be done.

I'm about to buy an extra line to carry with me in case of a failure.

This is exactly the feedback I was looking for. Thanks.

Given that I take only take solo outings because adult loner with no friends into this bs, I’m beginning to justify it more and more. My rig is capable enough now to get me stuck further out, which is problematic.

Anything you’d do different in hindsight re:winch/bumper beyond going whole-hog on a full front bumper?

 

[ryguytheman]

This is exactly the feedback I was looking for. Thanks.

Given that I take only take solo outings because adult loner with no friends into this bs, I’m beginning to justify it more and more. My rig is capable enough now to get me stuck further out, which is problematic.

Anything you’d do different in hindsight re:winch/bumper beyond going whole-hog on a full front bumper?

Nope, I don't think so. People rag on Smittybilt's quality, but my experience couldn't be further from that. It has worked every time I needed it to, even though I probably don't give it the amount of care that I should. Solid machine.

The bumper has been great too. Looks cool? Check. Sturdy as hell? Check. Useful? Check. My only problem is that it doesn't have the coverage to protect against stuff like this:

FYI, that last photo... I should have used my winch there to guide me on a straight line through the snow. Instead I slid off the trail and into a tree. Lesson learned.

 

[Wolfman’s Brother]

HOLY SH1T

Can’t imagine the wife was thrilled with that one Lol.

I’ve wrinkled up my fair share of vehicles so I know that gut wrenching feeling all to well. I had a close call on a greasy off camber trail and almost slapped the rear quarter into a tree. The pucker was real.

Baller move though to just fix it, and head back out there though. Hat tip.

 

[ryguytheman]

HOLY SH1T

Can’t imagine the wife was thrilled with that one Lol.

I’ve wrinkled up my fair share of vehicles so I know that gut wrenching feeling all to well. I had a close call on a greasy off camber trail and almost slapped the rear quarter into a tree. The pucker was real.

Baller move though to just fix it, and head back out there though. Hat tip.

Yeah, I got away with ignoring some smaller stuff without fixing it, but I couldn't ignore that. More detail back on page 1 of this thread. But yeah, on to the next one!

 

[ryguytheman]

Couple more photos of the aftermarket lighting, I'm still impressed.

 

[ryguytheman]

Bumper Cut 2.0.

 

[ryguytheman]

Mild drive down Rampart Range with the family. Followed this up with an oil change for both diffs.

 

[ryguytheman]

Hit up Mosquito Pass, Weston Pass, and Mt. Lincoln over the weekend. Passing oncoming traffic was sketchy to say the least on the back shelf of Mosquito (pic 3).

 

[ryguytheman]

Few More

 

[Blinkyjoe]

So....you're standing with your munchkin downslope from a lifted 4runner with a rack...and you're taller. Perspective????? Or are you one o them tall ones?

 

[ryguytheman]

So....you're standing with your munchkin downslope from a lifted 4runner with a rack...and you're taller. Perspective????? Or are you one o them tall ones?

I'm a tall one. 6'7".

I do make the 4runner look small.

 

[ryguytheman]

Short video from a rutted spot on Mosquito Pass. Looking at the video, it doesn't look all that difficult. I remember doing this stretch prior to lifting the truck, and I was scraping all over the place.

Video Link