surfbm build

[surfbm]

As she stands today:

Current Mods:
ICON Stage 2
285 70 17 Nitto Terra Grappler
LED Interior package
HID headlight replacement
Weather Tech Mats
Viair 400p
Bumper Valances (front and rear) painted black (updated photo incoming)


Sometime in the future:
Pelfreybuilt Sliders
Roof Rack - Gobi Rack or similar
255 75 17 In KO2, Falken, or Cooper
iKamper or similar RTT

___________________________
Picked up a 2014 trail 4x4 this weekend to replace my 2014 SR5 2wd. Couldn't be happier with the upgrade. Here she sits as I got her, previous owner included the following mods:
285 70 17 Nitto Terra Grappler
LED Interior package
HID headlight replacement

Motivation for the change was this is my adventure vehicle to show my 2 sons the wonders of the outdoors. While the 2wd 4Runner is a very capable vehicle, i want the security of the 4wd for solo runs with just me and the boys. After lift, the next focus will be camping gear and storage, thus the roof rack. Feel free to pass on any words of wisdom you have learned or things you wish you knew before buying/installing a particular mod I'm planning.

 

[old.ink]

Looks clean bud, very nice color! By the way, I was running 265s K02 which was 54lbs per tire, then I moved to 285s (Overland build) but I choose the P instead of LT, which is 52lbs per tire, weight less and they perform better. Im running 285s Falken A/T3W, my past 2 sets in my two Jeeps were Duratracs, very similar and you'll pay less. Duratracs were 3ply and the Falken are 4ply.

Good luck!

 

[surfbm]

Looks clean bud, very nice color! By the way, I was running 265s K02 which was 54lbs per tire, then I moved to 285s (Overland build) but I choose the P instead of LT, which is 52lbs per tire, weight less and they perform better. Im running 285s Falken A/T3W, my past 2 sets in my two Jeeps were Duratracs, very similar and you'll pay less. Duratracs were 3ply and the Falken are 4ply.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info! When I'm ready for new shoes I'll take a look at the Falkens!

 

[surfbm]

Just got off the phone with [MENTION=147187]OffRoadWarehouse[/MENTION]. Got a great deal on an ICON Stage 2 kit with rear track bar, Weather Techs, and a Viair 400P. Was originally planning on the ToyTec Boss kit, but after some research changed my mind to a Bilstien 6112/5160 combo. Called to get pricing, and for just a few bucks more settled on the ICON. Now I have to figure out a way to break the news to my wife. Wish me luck...

 

[surfbm]

The first crunch

So heres the story. Last Saturday my buddy and I went out in the rain for some mild off-roading on a small trail just a few minutes away. We encountered a 2wd jeep that was stuck up to the axles, and naturally pulled the jeep out. When i stopped my rig to unhook the tow strap (the jeep had a couple of teenage girls in it) i sank into a soft spot, and high centered on the left side.

My buddy behind me in an F-150 was able to pull me out, and i in turn pulled the jeep through and sent them on their way. Now with the trail to ourselves, and a only mildly chewed up trail, we decided to continue. I went first and had no problem getting through the soft spots and continuing. but my buddy in the Ford didnt quite make it through. The trail was too soft for me to back up to him and pull him out, so we tried for an hour or so to get him out with no luck. Eventually we decided that I should look for another way out, so i could come back behind him and pull him out. The wife and 2 kids had been in the car this entire time, and were getting restless, so i was in a bit of a hurry when i found a potential exit point between 2 gates (photo below taken a few days later after the rain).

I should have gotten out to scout, but like an idiot i didnt, misjudged the angle of a small hill between the fences and ended up scraping my rear corner panel on the fence post.

Im not so much mad at the damage, as i am mad at myself for rushing. Lesson learned. You cant be in a hurry while navigating obstacles.

 

[NOOB4RUNNER]

Picked up a 2014 trail 4x4 this weekend to replace my 2014 SR5 2wd. Couldn't be happier with the upgrade. Here she sits as I got her, previous owner included the following mods:

285 70 17 Nitto Terra Grappler
LED Interior package
HID headlight replacement

Ordered:
ICON Stage 2
Weather Tech Mats
Viair 400p

Sometime in the future:
Roof Rack - Baja Rack or similar
Possible return to 265 75 17 KO2 or Gen. Grabber for fuel economy as this is my daily driver

Motivation for the change was this is my adventure vehicle to show my 2 sons the wonders of the outdoors. While the 2wd 4Runner is a very capable vehicle, i want the security of the 4wd for solo runs with just me and the boys. After lift, the next focus will be camping gear and storage, thus the roof rack. Feel free to pass on any words of wisdom you have learned or things you wish you knew before buying/installing a particular mod I'm planning.

hmmm how many miles do those NITTO have?

I have some KO2 on my truck I wanted to change them to 285 mine have 6k miles on them only seen snow and road.

 

[surfbm]

hmmm how many miles do those NITTO have?

I have some KO2 on my truck I wanted to change them to 285 mine have 6k miles on them only seen snow and road.

They have around 20k miles on them. What size are your KO2s?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[NOOB4RUNNER]

They have around 20k miles on them. What size are your KO2s?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

They are 265.

 

[surfbm]

They are 265.

My buddy just got the 275s put in n the other day. I think that's the sweet spot size wise.

 

[surfbm]

Making Things Right

So I got the truck back from the body shop last week and they did a great job. Looks brand new!

I finally got a floor jack last night and was able to pull the wheels to chip off all the mud I accumulated during "the incident". Even the vent holes in the rotors were plugged all the way through with clay. Glad to have it cleaned up, and ready for the lift that should be here in the next week!

 

[surfbm]

Playing a bit of catch up! About a week and a half ago i headed up to Joshua Tree for the 2nd annual T4R.org and TW JT meet. It was a great trip with over 50 rigs in the same spot. We all had a blast exploring. It was great to walk around and see different mods on all the trucks. Definitely got some inspiration!

 

[surfbm]

This weekend headed out to Anza Borrego to see some of the Super Bloom of flowers and get a quick trail or two in. decided on Fish Creek Wash and had a blast. Not a crazy amount of flowers, but the recent rains have given the desert a beautiful look with all the greenery.

 

[surfbm]

California Coast Adventure

Just got home from a 7 day trip up to Oregon. Loved taking the 4Runner, and felt it was much more comfortable than other vehicles I have taken trips with. Our first stop was Pismo Beach as I have always wanted to camp on the water but have never done it. It was Spring Break and fairly busy but not too bad. Slightly noisy till around 2 or 3 though! :Cry:

She did well in the sand, but due to traffic we didn't have time to drive around the dunes. This is the morning as we were leaving:

Later in the trip, we stopped at the Jeddidiah Smith National Park in the Redwood forest. It was a great location and beautiful.

We spent a whole day here before moving on. Kids loved playing in the river.

We wrapped the trip up with a 1000 mile, 16 hour race down the 5. All in all it was a great trip, in no small measure due to the comfort of the 4Runner.

 

[surfbm]

It FINALY got here!

After a longer than expected wait, this finally arrived yesterday:

Will most likely install next week sometime.

Big thanks to [MENTION=147187]OffRoadWarehouse[/MENTION] for their help and service!

 

[surfbm]

Lift Installed

Finally had a chance to install the lift last weekend. I was concerned about the stiffness from the digressive valved Icons paired with the KDSS suspension, but after about a week of driving it, i am happy with the results. It feels a touch more stiff, but less harsh. So i can feel the road more, but speedbumps and other things that used to jar the truck feel much softer.

Here are the obligatory flex shots:

 

[surfbm]

About month or 2 ago i started getting really bad rubbing/grinding noise coming from my uni-ball joints on the upper control arms (https://goo.gl/photos/PdGbSSqmzStJeKTZ9). I bought some dry lube, and started lubing, but the noise never stayed away longer than a few hours. After some frustration, called ICON and worked a deal to get the new Delta Joints as a warranty replacement plus a few bucks to make up the difference.

I have had the Delta Joints in for a few days and man what a difference! Quiet and smooth!