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TerraCrawler
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TerraCrawler
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Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST Group 31 Battery
Here is a link to the Odyssey Battery:
Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST Battery: BatteryMart.com
Here is a link to the Pelfreybilt Battery Cage:
Toyota Battery Cage for Tacoma, 4Runner, & FJ Trucks | Pelfreybilt
You can read about some of the issues I ran into in my thread here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...-not-long-enough-new-battery.html#post2764660
Basically I had to extend the factory cables to reach. The newer Odyssey 31M is left side positive. The older models were right side positive. Left side positive is a much harder fit on the 4Runner.
I have it mounted in the Pelfreybilt Group 31 battery cage. To get the cables to fit I extended them using about 3" of 2AWG cable with lugs on it.
Here is a link to the Odyssey Battery:
Odyssey 31M-PC2150ST Battery: BatteryMart.com
Here is a link to the Pelfreybilt Battery Cage:
Toyota Battery Cage for Tacoma, 4Runner, & FJ Trucks | Pelfreybilt
You can read about some of the issues I ran into in my thread here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...-not-long-enough-new-battery.html#post2764660
Basically I had to extend the factory cables to reach. The newer Odyssey 31M is left side positive. The older models were right side positive. Left side positive is a much harder fit on the 4Runner.
I have it mounted in the Pelfreybilt Group 31 battery cage. To get the cables to fit I extended them using about 3" of 2AWG cable with lugs on it.
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TerraCrawler
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So much going on with TerraCrawler I have not posted as much lately but lots of stuff getting done. Literally packages arriving daily!
I was not that happy with my battery extension. So I went searching and decided upon the Blue Sea M-series Link Bus. If it's good enough for Blue Sea to use on their battery switches and similar, then it's good enough for me for sure! It's tin plated copper, which is the de-facto standard for solid battery connections.
Installed it, and now I can call my battery upgrade /done
I was not that happy with my battery extension. So I went searching and decided upon the Blue Sea M-series Link Bus. If it's good enough for Blue Sea to use on their battery switches and similar, then it's good enough for me for sure! It's tin plated copper, which is the de-facto standard for solid battery connections.
Installed it, and now I can call my battery upgrade /done
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TerraCrawler
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Today I also installed my Baja Designs Squadron Sport Work/Scene Lights. I did not wire them up. For that I have to fish the wires from the rear hatch to the engine bay, so not looking forward to it 
. I will have this done soon though, will be very nice when backing up to camp.
. I will have this done soon though, will be very nice when backing up to camp.Attachments
TerraCrawler
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RCI Offroad Sliders
Link to RCI Offroad Sliders
Picked up a set of RCI sliders after doing a lot of research on the different brands out there. As a bonus, RCI ended up shipping these just a couple of days after I ordered them!! Turns out I caught them at just the right time! A fellow 4Runner owner and Master Tech offered to install them for me and so here they are, I think they look great!
Link to RCI Offroad Sliders
Picked up a set of RCI sliders after doing a lot of research on the different brands out there. As a bonus, RCI ended up shipping these just a couple of days after I ordered them!! Turns out I caught them at just the right time! A fellow 4Runner owner and Master Tech offered to install them for me and so here they are, I think they look great!
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TerraCrawler
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Smittybilt Beaver Tail
I don't typical pull a trailer, although I would love to get a Turtleback Trailer or even a Dinoot to move my roof top tent onto. So my hitch wastes away. I picked up a Smittybilt step because its solid and an excellent design. I find it very useful to just get up onto the roof to tend to some things, even with the Gobi ladder I still find myself using it a lot.
I don't typical pull a trailer, although I would love to get a Turtleback Trailer or even a Dinoot to move my roof top tent onto. So my hitch wastes away. I picked up a Smittybilt step because its solid and an excellent design. I find it very useful to just get up onto the roof to tend to some things, even with the Gobi ladder I still find myself using it a lot.
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TerraCrawler
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Tyger Locking Hitch Pin
Link to product on Amazon
Shopped around for something to keep my Smittybilt Beaver Step secure, or anything else I may attach to the hitch. Lots of choices out there. I settled on this Tyger based on good Amazon reviews, it's black, and has a covered lock port.
Link to product on Amazon
Shopped around for something to keep my Smittybilt Beaver Step secure, or anything else I may attach to the hitch. Lots of choices out there. I settled on this Tyger based on good Amazon reviews, it's black, and has a covered lock port.
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TerraCrawler
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Front Runner Hi-Lift jack mount
Link to Front Runner Hi-Lift jack mount
Installed this jack mount and I really like it. One thing to keep in mind is that Front Runner racks have a cutout for a table slide to store under the rack. This jack mount covers that a bit. Because of this, I would only be able to use their 21.7" Prep table, not the 29.5" Camp Table (width). Normally you could just have it slide in an out from the other side, but I have my Eezi-Awn 1000 on that side. Now the awning is installed above where the table would slide in an out, and it would clear the table no problem, however the latch Front Runner uses swings open and you need around 3-4" of clearance for it! Any awning I would have would present an issue. I would really like the bigger camp table. When I get a rear bumper with swing outs, I will likely move the jack to that location. Although it is possible to mount the jack on the back of the rack, the documentation specifically says they recommend against this. Also that is where my Waterport shower is.
Just goes to show that its best to add one thing at a time, and think several steps ahead, as there are often compromises to make!
This jack has the ability to be secured with a cable lock, although I don't have really anything secured at this time. I mean, my $1500 Baja Designs Onx6 could be removed with a 13mm socket and about 60 seconds (2 bolts), so I am not sure it makes sense to go through all the trouble of putting cable locks on my $100 jack, $60 shovel, etc.
Link to Front Runner Hi-Lift jack mount
Installed this jack mount and I really like it. One thing to keep in mind is that Front Runner racks have a cutout for a table slide to store under the rack. This jack mount covers that a bit. Because of this, I would only be able to use their 21.7" Prep table, not the 29.5" Camp Table (width). Normally you could just have it slide in an out from the other side, but I have my Eezi-Awn 1000 on that side. Now the awning is installed above where the table would slide in an out, and it would clear the table no problem, however the latch Front Runner uses swings open and you need around 3-4" of clearance for it! Any awning I would have would present an issue. I would really like the bigger camp table. When I get a rear bumper with swing outs, I will likely move the jack to that location. Although it is possible to mount the jack on the back of the rack, the documentation specifically says they recommend against this. Also that is where my Waterport shower is.
Just goes to show that its best to add one thing at a time, and think several steps ahead, as there are often compromises to make!
This jack has the ability to be secured with a cable lock, although I don't have really anything secured at this time. I mean, my $1500 Baja Designs Onx6 could be removed with a 13mm socket and about 60 seconds (2 bolts), so I am not sure it makes sense to go through all the trouble of putting cable locks on my $100 jack, $60 shovel, etc.
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TerraCrawler
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Hi-Lift Jack Rattle Stop
Link to Hi-Lift Jack Rattle Stop
I bought this from Front Runner. I do think it was a bit pricy. What was crazy was the shipping, but I ordered many other items at the same time and got them to bundle this in since I was already paying a substantial shipping charge.
Other brands seem to be just as expensive
It keeps the jack silent when you go over bumps, does a decent job, not much to say.
Link to Hi-Lift Jack Rattle Stop
I bought this from Front Runner. I do think it was a bit pricy. What was crazy was the shipping, but I ordered many other items at the same time and got them to bundle this in since I was already paying a substantial shipping charge.
Other brands seem to be just as expensive
It keeps the jack silent when you go over bumps, does a decent job, not much to say.
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TerraCrawler
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Hi-Lift Jack Cover
Link to Hi-Lift Jack Cover
Was not happy about the price of this. Surely there are better options, this is the Hi-Lift branded cover. It fits good, albeit a bit tight. Its neoprene and uses a zipper closure.
Link to Hi-Lift Jack Cover
Was not happy about the price of this. Surely there are better options, this is the Hi-Lift branded cover. It fits good, albeit a bit tight. Its neoprene and uses a zipper closure.
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TerraCrawler
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Front Runner Eezi-Awn mount
Link to Front Runner Eezi-Awn mount
Link to Eezi-Awn Awning Mounting Bracket Set
So in case you didn't know, it actually requires (well not requires, I mean there are probably a dozen ways you can hack together a mount) two sets of mounting brackets to attach an Eezi-Awn Series 1000/2000 Awning to a Front Runner Rack.
Front Runner makes brackets. These are made of steel and are quite substantial and nicely powder coated. Eezi-Awn makes brackets but they are made of aluminum, so you can't just weld the two together. The Eezi-Awn brackets have an extrusion channel that is designed for the awning to slide into, which is real nice.
The main issue is that the brackets do not attach to each other! The fault is in the Front Runner brackets. The instructions that come with them show a design for the Eezi-Awn brackets that does not exist. I talked to Eezi-Awn and said that bracket has never existed, and they are not sure why Front Runner designed to that specification. The bracket has changed once over the years, but the Front Runner bracket would not have been compatible with the old style either.
So what you end up having to do is drill the Front Runner or Eezi-Awn bracket to make it all work. So you would end up spending about $80 total in brackets, and still not have something that works, you would need to modify them to get them to work. I am hoping that eventually Front Runner just makes a bracket that works with the Eezi-Awn brackets, or better yet, just make a bracket that attaches directly to the Eezi-Awn awning, perhaps by having its own extrusion channel, and that would be real nice, and a lot cheaper too!
Here are some pics where you can see the brackets do not line up. You could line up the bottom holes in each bracket, and then you would just need to drill out the top. However, if I did it again I would not do this. Instead I would push the Eezi-Awn bracket as high as I could up against the Front Runner bracket. This way, when the awning is installed the very bottom is about level with the bottom of the opening on the Front Runner rack foot rails. This way if you wanted to fabricate something that made use of those holes (table slide, etc) you could actually use it. The official Front Runner table slide would not work not he side of the vehicle the Eezi-Awn is on, because it has a swing out latch mechanism that would hit the awning........but you could certainly devise an alternate latch or other uses for the underbelly of the rack.
Link to Front Runner Eezi-Awn mount
Link to Eezi-Awn Awning Mounting Bracket Set
So in case you didn't know, it actually requires (well not requires, I mean there are probably a dozen ways you can hack together a mount) two sets of mounting brackets to attach an Eezi-Awn Series 1000/2000 Awning to a Front Runner Rack.
Front Runner makes brackets. These are made of steel and are quite substantial and nicely powder coated. Eezi-Awn makes brackets but they are made of aluminum, so you can't just weld the two together. The Eezi-Awn brackets have an extrusion channel that is designed for the awning to slide into, which is real nice.
The main issue is that the brackets do not attach to each other! The fault is in the Front Runner brackets. The instructions that come with them show a design for the Eezi-Awn brackets that does not exist. I talked to Eezi-Awn and said that bracket has never existed, and they are not sure why Front Runner designed to that specification. The bracket has changed once over the years, but the Front Runner bracket would not have been compatible with the old style either.
So what you end up having to do is drill the Front Runner or Eezi-Awn bracket to make it all work. So you would end up spending about $80 total in brackets, and still not have something that works, you would need to modify them to get them to work. I am hoping that eventually Front Runner just makes a bracket that works with the Eezi-Awn brackets, or better yet, just make a bracket that attaches directly to the Eezi-Awn awning, perhaps by having its own extrusion channel, and that would be real nice, and a lot cheaper too!
Here are some pics where you can see the brackets do not line up. You could line up the bottom holes in each bracket, and then you would just need to drill out the top. However, if I did it again I would not do this. Instead I would push the Eezi-Awn bracket as high as I could up against the Front Runner bracket. This way, when the awning is installed the very bottom is about level with the bottom of the opening on the Front Runner rack foot rails. This way if you wanted to fabricate something that made use of those holes (table slide, etc) you could actually use it. The official Front Runner table slide would not work not he side of the vehicle the Eezi-Awn is on, because it has a swing out latch mechanism that would hit the awning........but you could certainly devise an alternate latch or other uses for the underbelly of the rack.
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TerraCrawler
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Eezi-Awn Series 1000 2.5M Black Awning
I purchased the Eezi-Awn brand of awning because it generally has a very good reputation for quality, designed and built in South Africa. I am not sure if some things have changed over the years, but I have actually had two of these awnings and I can tell you there were significant differences in components and quality just between the two I have owned. I have no other awning experience to compare it to, I have never even used an ARB awning for example, although I do own a lot of ARB stuff including their Roof Top Tent.
I got the 2.5M because I like how it just gives extra coverage, and if its raining that can be nice. With it extending a bit to the front of the vehicle, you could open the drivers door to get something out of it and still be in shelter.
I could easily have bought the 2000, which is retractable, but I was discouraged from doing this from those that are experienced with it, as it is supposedly more difficult to deploy solo. I overland solo. I can tell you that setting up the 1000 isn't very hard by yourself, it does take some acrobats with the poles but it all goes fairly easy and putting it away just the same.
I have more to learn about this thing. I have noticed that when storing the awning in its case, its possible for some of the legs and poles in the case to puncture the canvas. I may wrap these areas that rub in electric tape or similar. Also there can be some noise from when its stowed, with the legs bouncing around. I think they should have made the pole stays foam padded. One of my units had messed up pole stays, they were damaged in shipping, I didn't even realize how messed up they were until I saw another series 1000. It was obvious to me that they never worked right however.
My first awning had shipping damage. No ones fault, not a knock against the quality of Eezi-Awn, I mean these things aren't designed to be kicked out the back of a UPS truck. I was able to make some repairs, but in the end the actual enclosure was compromised and so I had to swap the unit out.
The second series 1000 I got was also black. But its finish was what I could describe as a rattle can type paint, a very coarse, flat black, with a texture that was chalky so that if you ran a finger nail over it, it would leave marks. My first series 1000 had a baked on enamel type finish, probably powder coat. Was impressive and it was nothing to worry about. Why the difference in paint jobs between two units? I am not sure. The first unit had a different canvas roll than the second. The second in my opinion was made cheaper. It could be the newer series 1000 have cheaper paint and awning mechanisms but its also possible there is some other explanation, so who knows.
Sometimes I think I should have just did a basic 2.5M ARB awning, but it really doesn't matter, the hard casing is nice even though it was a bit more money, and I did like they offered it in black.
I purchased the Eezi-Awn brand of awning because it generally has a very good reputation for quality, designed and built in South Africa. I am not sure if some things have changed over the years, but I have actually had two of these awnings and I can tell you there were significant differences in components and quality just between the two I have owned. I have no other awning experience to compare it to, I have never even used an ARB awning for example, although I do own a lot of ARB stuff including their Roof Top Tent.
I got the 2.5M because I like how it just gives extra coverage, and if its raining that can be nice. With it extending a bit to the front of the vehicle, you could open the drivers door to get something out of it and still be in shelter.
I could easily have bought the 2000, which is retractable, but I was discouraged from doing this from those that are experienced with it, as it is supposedly more difficult to deploy solo. I overland solo. I can tell you that setting up the 1000 isn't very hard by yourself, it does take some acrobats with the poles but it all goes fairly easy and putting it away just the same.
I have more to learn about this thing. I have noticed that when storing the awning in its case, its possible for some of the legs and poles in the case to puncture the canvas. I may wrap these areas that rub in electric tape or similar. Also there can be some noise from when its stowed, with the legs bouncing around. I think they should have made the pole stays foam padded. One of my units had messed up pole stays, they were damaged in shipping, I didn't even realize how messed up they were until I saw another series 1000. It was obvious to me that they never worked right however.
My first awning had shipping damage. No ones fault, not a knock against the quality of Eezi-Awn, I mean these things aren't designed to be kicked out the back of a UPS truck. I was able to make some repairs, but in the end the actual enclosure was compromised and so I had to swap the unit out.
The second series 1000 I got was also black. But its finish was what I could describe as a rattle can type paint, a very coarse, flat black, with a texture that was chalky so that if you ran a finger nail over it, it would leave marks. My first series 1000 had a baked on enamel type finish, probably powder coat. Was impressive and it was nothing to worry about. Why the difference in paint jobs between two units? I am not sure. The first unit had a different canvas roll than the second. The second in my opinion was made cheaper. It could be the newer series 1000 have cheaper paint and awning mechanisms but its also possible there is some other explanation, so who knows.
Sometimes I think I should have just did a basic 2.5M ARB awning, but it really doesn't matter, the hard casing is nice even though it was a bit more money, and I did like they offered it in black.
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TerraCrawler
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FJToyman King Shock Skids
Link to FJToyman King Shock Skids
I recently purchased a complete King / Total Chaos suspension from Toytec and had it expertly installed by Rock Your 4x4 in Knoxville, TN. I saw a thread here on T4R and learned about shock skids! I picked these up for $150 for the pair, and I was very delighted when they came in.
FJToyman includes his awesome bolt bumpers with this application. The skids are very substantial and heavy. The powder coating or whatever type of paint process he uses is thick as hell, I mean not only is it super hefty but it has an amazing luster that is worthy of being put on a King shock!!!
On top of this, I ordered last minute, with my suspension already in the shop and ready to be installed in days. FJToyman got these in the mail ASAP and assured me it was shipped to get here in time, which it did. Very happy with this purchase.
Link to FJToyman King Shock Skids
I recently purchased a complete King / Total Chaos suspension from Toytec and had it expertly installed by Rock Your 4x4 in Knoxville, TN. I saw a thread here on T4R and learned about shock skids! I picked these up for $150 for the pair, and I was very delighted when they came in.
FJToyman includes his awesome bolt bumpers with this application. The skids are very substantial and heavy. The powder coating or whatever type of paint process he uses is thick as hell, I mean not only is it super hefty but it has an amazing luster that is worthy of being put on a King shock!!!
On top of this, I ordered last minute, with my suspension already in the shop and ready to be installed in days. FJToyman got these in the mail ASAP and assured me it was shipped to get here in time, which it did. Very happy with this purchase.
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jsauce
Junior Member
TerraCrawler
New member
Yes, they go on the end of the King Shock, and the FJ is the same setup as the 4Runner, so its a perfect fit.
TerraCrawler
New member
Suspension Installed!
Link to Suspension on Toytec
Link to FJToyman Shock Skids
My suspension was installed a few weeks back by Rock Your 4x4 in Knoxville, TN.
King / Total Chaos Complete (Toytec KS4R10), with adjustable compression, HD Springs and Skids from FJToyman.
Link to Suspension on Toytec
Link to FJToyman Shock Skids
My suspension was installed a few weeks back by Rock Your 4x4 in Knoxville, TN.
King / Total Chaos Complete (Toytec KS4R10), with adjustable compression, HD Springs and Skids from FJToyman.
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TerraCrawler
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Hi-Lift Red Jack
Link to Hi-Lift Jack
Not much to say about this guy. It's the original, probably most popular in use, at least for 4Runners. About $83 shipped on Amazon Prime. I have not had a need to use it yet, but now that I have my RCI sliders on, I can use them as easy jack points. I did not get a Jack Pad/Plate but may be considering one. I did buy the rattle stops and a neoprene cover.
Link to Hi-Lift Jack
Not much to say about this guy. It's the original, probably most popular in use, at least for 4Runners. About $83 shipped on Amazon Prime. I have not had a need to use it yet, but now that I have my RCI sliders on, I can use them as easy jack points. I did not get a Jack Pad/Plate but may be considering one. I did buy the rattle stops and a neoprene cover.
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TerraCrawler
New member
Overland Equipped Ladder Steps
Link to Overland Equipped Steps
I first saw these on Instagram, user apokaluptikos posted the idea and it was reposted by quickfistclamps and overlandequipped
Basically it allows you to add some nice, well made brackets to your Gobi (or other) ladder. I have seen people attach all kinds of interesting things using these. For me, I used it to attach my KrazyBeaver Shovel. It works really well. I do need to find a way to secure it, likely using a basic gun cable.
Link to Overland Equipped Steps
I first saw these on Instagram, user apokaluptikos posted the idea and it was reposted by quickfistclamps and overlandequipped
Basically it allows you to add some nice, well made brackets to your Gobi (or other) ladder. I have seen people attach all kinds of interesting things using these. For me, I used it to attach my KrazyBeaver Shovel. It works really well. I do need to find a way to secure it, likely using a basic gun cable.
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jrandom
New member
Sweet rig :thumb:
Like the battery bus bar solution.
Great info on the Eezi Awn. I appreciate the cander in the fit and finish, particularly compared to your older unit. I was seriously looking into them and have been very apprehensive due to the price, awning plus walls is nearly $1800! (Series 2000) And no floor! I can literally go through four ARB's for the same cost. Although I really do like the hard case, I think not that much
Like the battery bus bar solution.
Great info on the Eezi Awn. I appreciate the cander in the fit and finish, particularly compared to your older unit. I was seriously looking into them and have been very apprehensive due to the price, awning plus walls is nearly $1800! (Series 2000) And no floor! I can literally go through four ARB's for the same cost. Although I really do like the hard case, I think not that much
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