Teach's T4R Education

[Teach]

I have recently joined the 4Runner world. No old T4R that i eventually put out to pasture and now a new one. Just simple evaluation of wants, needs practicality, and fun.

Let's go back a bit first. After daily driving a Mustang 5.0 for years, I needed a new daily.

My parents bought new car, they kept their old Chevy Equinox due to the trade offer being so low ($500). Essentially, they said, 'Take it!", so i did. I subsequently drove the "Mom Car" for 2 years before time took its toll. Repairs were adding up, and putting money into the car wasn't making sense. Plus I wanted to get back into a truck again.

Moved to a 2014 Tundra Crewmax for 18 months. After initially loving the size and spaciousness, it eventually came to be a nuisance; for me at least. I was filling the back seat with gear/tools; effectively, voiding the point of the massive cabin. Moreover, the MPG was, well bad! Overall, I just wasn't utilizing it well.

Research began. I wanted something with creature comforts, room, a place to store gear and tools, all the while being, comfortable and practical for traveling. A mid-size SUV it is.

For me, the draw to the 4Runner was simple. After checking out a buddy's 2012 SR5, i was sold. I week later, I drove home in this.

 

[Teach]

Week 1 Mods

-Blackout Valences
-TRD Pro Grille
-Removed NFab Steps

Started with the simple easy stuff. Subtle changes in the right direction.

Lesson learned: Don't drop the plastic clips from the radiator cover, and subsequently have to fish them out from your skid plate

 

[Teach]

Week 2 Mods

-Suspension
-Tint

Snatched up one of the FJ 6112/5160 Kits. As my thread title indicates, this is an education in offroading. I wanted subtle. After all, the truck only had 500 miles! I wanted a slightly better look, but also some better on and offroad manners.

As for the tint, I went DARK. 5% on the fronts, 18% overlays on all rearward windows, and a 5% brow strip. Also, went full ceramic. It hasn't gone full-blown Texas heat yet, but multiple days this week it touch 90* and the interior was considerably cool.

Lesson Learned: Drop the skid plate. Then disconnect the sway bar from both sides. :ybrick:





Soda can for size reference.

My dad came over, and we knocked it out on a Sunday afternoon. I did but KYB top hats, and let a local shop assemble the coilover. I was able to get it aligned the same day.

 

[Teach]

Week 3 Mods

-Lighting

After trudging through countless threads, the same names continued to persist. I went with the Xenon Depot HID kit. Phillips 4300K bulbs. There was a sale going, so picking up a set on XD Led fog bulbs was an easy choice.

Additionally, I wanted to install a light bar. Drilling into the pillars was a no-go. Given that a full-length roof-rack is a long way out, behind the grille was the best option. Choices were Rago and Caliraised. As a Texan born and raised, and subsequently finding Rago was Texas based, Rago won! I snagged an Auxbeam 32" bar off Amazon.

Lesson Learned: Buy a better light bar. Output isn't terrible,but I wasn't very happy with the harness provided. Would have liked some water proof DT connectors. May go back and change this later. Or move up to a better light down the road

Also, read my wiring diagrams. With all the variations in factory buttons and wiring colors, some of the how-to threads were a bit overwhelming. That is, until i read the wiring diagram...

Here are the results:



HID wiring. Just zip ties and double-sided 3M. Mounted the ballasts under the plastic cover with 10lb velcro.



Used Rago factory style button for the LED bar



LED Bar mounted



HIDs and LEDs



Everything lit up!

 

[Teach]

Week 4 Mod

-Roof Rack

Nothing big this week. I pulled the roof rack, sanded with some 220 grit, cleaned, and let her rip. I used Rustoleum 2-in-1 Primer Paint in matte black. Matches really well, dried fast, and went on smoothly.

Lesson Learned: It was a good day. Prepped, cleaned, and all was good!

 

[jron4]

you've been busy. nice clean tasteful mods

wish I could go that dark on the windows

 

[Teach]

you've been busy. nice clean tasteful mods

wish I could go that dark on the windows

Thanks. That's the look I'm going for at the moment.

Windows are darker than the limit. It's worth it for the heat savings (ceramic) and also the look.

 

[jron4]

Thanks. That's the look I'm going for at the moment.

Windows are darker than the limit. It's worth it for the heat savings (ceramic) and also the look.

In my state its a $250 ticket. And considered a moving violation and affects your insurance. And you cant pass inspection since inspections are now monitored with multiple cameras and viewed by the state :mmph:

 

[Teach]

In my state its a $250 ticket. And considered a moving violation and affects your insurance. And you cant pass inspection since inspections are now monitored with multiple cameras and viewed by the state :mmph:

We have a "visual" inspection as well. They check for cats and window tint. But the small mom and pop shops don't worry about it.

 

[jron4]

We have a "visual" inspection as well. They check for cats and window tint. But the small mom and pop shops don't worry about it.

that used to be the case, last year it changed to 5 cameras. I believe its one on each side of the vehicle and the tech wears a camera and its actively monitored by the state.. bull shit. I used to go to a guy who didn't check a single thing lol
We do have the ability to get a doctor note to have darker tint, I could do it But I don't want any extra reason to be stopped in a deep blue state while carrying firearms in the vehicle. Headache I'd like to avoid