Skyehunter
New member
1998 4Runner SR5 4x4 Auto
Suspension/Tires/ETC.:
Unknown front Coils w/ OME 891's
285/75/16 MTR's on painted stock wheels
Diff Drop
Recovery:
Hi-Lift Jack
Shovel
Axe
Snow Chains
Recovery Strap
D-Ring Shackles
Custom Pull out Drawer (Tools) – Replaced with Split design storage
Lockrite Locker
Armor:
Homemade Custom Rear Swing Bumper
Rock Sliders - Sacrificial steel tubes
Lighting:
Stock
Engine / Performance:
Rear Diff Breather
Interior:
Custom Cup - iPad Holder
Replaced with Split design storage
Safety:
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Storage:
Homemade Custom Roof Rack
Hi-Lift Jack Mount
Shovel Mount
Communication:
Ham Radio
CB Radio
5 Foot Firestik Antenna
Way Finding:
Droid
iPad w Bad Elf GPS Puck
Maps
GPS Notebook
Cosmetic:
Why?
Audio:
None your bizniz
TO DO LIST:
1. Move center console switches to dash
2. Fix Door Dent
3. Cup Holders
4. Paint – Monstaliner?
5. Awning
6. Snorkel
7. Ball Joints
8. LED lights
9. Real Sliders
So…it all started about 35+ years ago…the old man had an 1972 40 Series Land cruiser (still in the family and running). We would tool around in the California desert, learned to drive in the dirt…and have had Toyota’s ever since. Two years ago I had an 89’ mini with 135k on the clock. I was part way through a build when I was collided into on the freeway, totaling the truck. Next came this baby…she is a 98’ T4r. Got her with a clean one owner title and only 140k on the clock. The building started….
First, I realized that the front lift was a bit higher than the rear, rear end sag of course. So I picked up some OME 891’s and put in a Diff drop kit. Recovery and protection was on the top of the list. Hi-lift, shovel and CB transferred to the 4Runner. I did a bit of dash work and got the CB just under the AM/FM radio.
Shortly thereafter I built a roof rack. Welded up outa 1” square stick and did the diff breather mod. Bigger tires were in order when the wife graciously blew out my stocker tires. I was able to get a hook up from my buddy and owner of Full traction Off-road, had 5 tires (285-75/16 MTR’s) to my door in no time for a great deal. Threw some black paint on the wheels prior to rubberizing them. A little trimming was done to some plastic parts of the body/bumper and I removed a bunch of chrome blingy things. The Push bumper looked silly up front so off it went to salvage.
I do quite a bit of camping with my son (Hunter). So we decided it was time for a sleeping platform drawer system build. We put together a mock up setup that has lasted a few years.
Till now…With the addition of new tires, I had a bit of a fitment issue with the spare…well what the heck…time for a bumper built I figured. I started by pulling all the trash metal off the back. Left the side skirts and welded a plate to bolt on each side of the body by the tail lights. Made a few frame brackets that ran about 2 feet up the frame, threw in a cross member, tow port, and made a shear based swing gate. Subsequently…I have reworked the gate several times, raised the tire to prevent interference with my expo trailer I built during all this fun…and recently relocating the Hi-lift to the bumper as well in my weight reduction attempts.
I built a Notebook swivel platform for the cab, this was later modified to run my iPad/Bad Elf GPS system. Of course…I needed power so a few electrical mods were done to increase USB and Cig lighter ports into the dash. ABS bypass was done while under the dash. Somewhere along the line I passed the HAM test and installed a removable HAM radio to the glove box. I moved the mag mount CB antennae from the roof after welding up a tail light antennae bracket.
Hunter and I continued to push the vehicles capabilities…tougher trails, longer trips... Time for a Locker. I picked up a Lockrite and did the install the night before a camping trip. A faulty diff bolt broke during the gear install and I was fortunate to find a local diff shop (Arizona Differential) that donated free of charge two replacement bolts.. Off we went camping…ended up discovering a cheap and psudo-effective alternative slider idea on the trail with a local club member (Copperstate Cruisers). I ended up using thin walled square (yes square) tube as sacrificial pinch weld protection. Can’t beat the price of $15, till I bite the bullet and make some real sliders.
The recent adventure gave motivation for better comfort while camping/sleeping. So, I ditched the roof rack temporarily (weight reduction) demolished the mock up drawers system and built a split storage system with specific item placement construction. This was based on a list I kept of frequently used camping gear. The un-used gear was stored for another day. I moved the hi-lift to the swingate bumper after removing the roof rack. Built a removable aluminum table that mounts to the swingate as well.
Somewhere during all this chaos I managed to build an expo style trailer from a boat trailer I had. I modified the frame and suspension on it, and built a storage box. Don’t use it much though; enjoy the freedom of not dragging it around.
I am sure this addiction will continue, with the “TO DO” list growing faster than the completed list.
…to be continued…
Suspension/Tires/ETC.:
Unknown front Coils w/ OME 891's
285/75/16 MTR's on painted stock wheels
Diff Drop
Recovery:
Hi-Lift Jack
Shovel
Axe
Snow Chains
Recovery Strap
D-Ring Shackles
Custom Pull out Drawer (Tools) – Replaced with Split design storage
Lockrite Locker
Armor:
Homemade Custom Rear Swing Bumper
Rock Sliders - Sacrificial steel tubes
Lighting:
Stock
Engine / Performance:
Rear Diff Breather
Interior:
Custom Cup - iPad Holder
Replaced with Split design storage
Safety:
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Storage:
Homemade Custom Roof Rack
Hi-Lift Jack Mount
Shovel Mount
Communication:
Ham Radio
CB Radio
5 Foot Firestik Antenna
Way Finding:
Droid
iPad w Bad Elf GPS Puck
Maps
GPS Notebook
Cosmetic:
Why?
Audio:
None your bizniz
TO DO LIST:
1. Move center console switches to dash
2. Fix Door Dent
3. Cup Holders
4. Paint – Monstaliner?
5. Awning
6. Snorkel
7. Ball Joints
8. LED lights
9. Real Sliders
So…it all started about 35+ years ago…the old man had an 1972 40 Series Land cruiser (still in the family and running). We would tool around in the California desert, learned to drive in the dirt…and have had Toyota’s ever since. Two years ago I had an 89’ mini with 135k on the clock. I was part way through a build when I was collided into on the freeway, totaling the truck. Next came this baby…she is a 98’ T4r. Got her with a clean one owner title and only 140k on the clock. The building started….
First, I realized that the front lift was a bit higher than the rear, rear end sag of course. So I picked up some OME 891’s and put in a Diff drop kit. Recovery and protection was on the top of the list. Hi-lift, shovel and CB transferred to the 4Runner. I did a bit of dash work and got the CB just under the AM/FM radio.
Shortly thereafter I built a roof rack. Welded up outa 1” square stick and did the diff breather mod. Bigger tires were in order when the wife graciously blew out my stocker tires. I was able to get a hook up from my buddy and owner of Full traction Off-road, had 5 tires (285-75/16 MTR’s) to my door in no time for a great deal. Threw some black paint on the wheels prior to rubberizing them. A little trimming was done to some plastic parts of the body/bumper and I removed a bunch of chrome blingy things. The Push bumper looked silly up front so off it went to salvage.
I do quite a bit of camping with my son (Hunter). So we decided it was time for a sleeping platform drawer system build. We put together a mock up setup that has lasted a few years.
Till now…With the addition of new tires, I had a bit of a fitment issue with the spare…well what the heck…time for a bumper built I figured. I started by pulling all the trash metal off the back. Left the side skirts and welded a plate to bolt on each side of the body by the tail lights. Made a few frame brackets that ran about 2 feet up the frame, threw in a cross member, tow port, and made a shear based swing gate. Subsequently…I have reworked the gate several times, raised the tire to prevent interference with my expo trailer I built during all this fun…and recently relocating the Hi-lift to the bumper as well in my weight reduction attempts.
I built a Notebook swivel platform for the cab, this was later modified to run my iPad/Bad Elf GPS system. Of course…I needed power so a few electrical mods were done to increase USB and Cig lighter ports into the dash. ABS bypass was done while under the dash. Somewhere along the line I passed the HAM test and installed a removable HAM radio to the glove box. I moved the mag mount CB antennae from the roof after welding up a tail light antennae bracket.
Hunter and I continued to push the vehicles capabilities…tougher trails, longer trips... Time for a Locker. I picked up a Lockrite and did the install the night before a camping trip. A faulty diff bolt broke during the gear install and I was fortunate to find a local diff shop (Arizona Differential) that donated free of charge two replacement bolts.. Off we went camping…ended up discovering a cheap and psudo-effective alternative slider idea on the trail with a local club member (Copperstate Cruisers). I ended up using thin walled square (yes square) tube as sacrificial pinch weld protection. Can’t beat the price of $15, till I bite the bullet and make some real sliders.
The recent adventure gave motivation for better comfort while camping/sleeping. So, I ditched the roof rack temporarily (weight reduction) demolished the mock up drawers system and built a split storage system with specific item placement construction. This was based on a list I kept of frequently used camping gear. The un-used gear was stored for another day. I moved the hi-lift to the swingate bumper after removing the roof rack. Built a removable aluminum table that mounts to the swingate as well.
Somewhere during all this chaos I managed to build an expo style trailer from a boat trailer I had. I modified the frame and suspension on it, and built a storage box. Don’t use it much though; enjoy the freedom of not dragging it around.
I am sure this addiction will continue, with the “TO DO” list growing faster than the completed list.
…to be continued…
Last edited:
