The 2016 ROAM 4Runner Build

[Titanpat57]

Hey All,

ROAM = Recreation Optimized All terrain Module. I've decided to carry over my trailer name to the truck as well...it's just the life style I'm living...:fear:

I never documented my first build (2010 Silver Trail) so instead of listening to [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] whine for the next six years...it'll probably be easier to document it...plus my mods are way cooler then his.

The second 4Runner is a 2016 TEP, no KDSS again, on purpose. Got white instead of silver. A few things I miss are the more utilitarian interior of the first truck, now this one is a bit more refined...not my style really..



and one with old 4Runner



First mod out of the gate was BFG KO2 275/70/17's E rated, installed at the dealer before pick up. Love them so far.

Next up was tinted front windows, 35% to match the rears, and Lam X fogs.

As she sits....


Some things on the burner..

- electrical upgrades
- North Star Group 31 battery up grade
--aluminum roof rack with integrated solar and light bar, my own design
- OME BP-51 upgrade
- New ARB front bumper and winch
- RCI aluminum skids
- Rocky Road slider / steps, using black OEM running board covers
- Custom drawers, a bit deeper and 6" longer then the last set.

These are the major ticket items....I know there will be smaller goodies along the way...let the mods begin!

 

[Titanpat57]

Next up was a 12 circuit panel in the jack area located at the rear of the truck.

I ran a 6 gauge wire from the engine bay, to the rear, hooked to a 100 amp Buss circuit breaker located under the hood.






I also added 12v outlets and USB's on both sides. The 12v sockets are all run with #12, and will power fridges, or what ever.




I also added a NoCo charging port, that will eventually tie into the solar on the roof. It has a neat little blinking light that indicates percent of charge in the battery. I also added a voltmeter to display the battery voltage.

 

[phillyd2]

) so instead of listening to [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] whine for the next six years..

Yeah, good luck with that

 

[Osmith]

Nice! I'm excited to see the solar powered light setup!

 

[weeeee]

op2:

 

[Titanpat57]

Next up...the North Star battery replacement :yo:

Battery is the PL-AGM-31M I got in a group buy here, and it ran at Tacoma World as well. Seems Sears Platinum AGM's are no more, so it time to look for an alternative...a buddy recommended this.




Initial impressions are favorable. Build quality looks good, as does the warranty. It's a tight fit side to side on the length, and it's about an inch higher then the stock, so the OEM hold down doesn't reach.





The terminals don't reach either, so I bought some thick wall copper at Lowes, crushed it in a vise, drill out new holes for the terminals, and bolted it back together. Is it safe?...lol...we'll find out. (if you do this shit to your truck and it cooks it, it's on you) I only do these kind of things because, it seems to make sense, and I don't know any better. I did order solid 3/16" x 3/4" copper from Mcmaster-Carr, to redo it, although I think it's fine as it is. It's very solid, bolted to the separate pieces of the terminal, which really made it easy to do it this way.









I had some 1/8" aluminum plate laying around. I cut it to size, drilled out some small holes, and siliconed it in place. After that I took some rubber roofing I had lying around, and cut and fit 2 pcs. of that into place, to supply a little cushion under this monster.











After the battery was in place...Murphy's f'in Law never takes a vacation day, so the hold down bracket was short. I had some 1/8" x 2" flat stock, so I bent up a new bracket to fit, and added the ROAM garnish...just to piss Jeff off.





Any you old school Chevy guys may remember the under the hood light that was featured in the trucks back in the 90's...I saw one on Fleabay for 30$, so I always missed it. Now I just have to convert it to LED...it easily reaches the back of the truck, and is magnetic.

 

[weeeee]

Seems Sears Platinum AGM's are no more, so it time to look for an alternative...a buddy recommended this.

After reading this I went to look on the Sears website. Dammit- the 31M is not there anymore. I was going to pull the trigger on one but was waiting for it to go on sale again.

 

[Antman]

Love you man!

Yes, your mods are cool!

But not as cool as mine.

Everybody can click on my sig below to see the difference...

 

[Rotorgeek]

Nice truck! I bought the same one. I love the location for the fuse block. Where did you move the tool pouch? Are you thinking about adding a second battery? I'm trying to figure out where to put it.

 

[1engineer]

Hey Pat,
When are you going to put in floor mats and LED lights so it can be a real mod?

 

[toseeg]

...no KDSS again, on purpose

Could you explain your reasoning for dropping KDSS? I will be making that decision in a little while. Thanks!

 

[Titanpat57]

Could you explain your reasoning for dropping KDSS? I will be making that decision in a little while. Thanks!

Because honestly...I just feel it's entire system hanging down, waiting to get caught on something. I can't point you to any specific article, it's just what goes through my head. Just seems like one more thing to go wrong.

I drive at least 90 miles round trip to work everyday, and so I have a great reason to have it. I get that it helps the ride, especially when I'm doing 99% on road driving, and 1% off road. It seems there are minor issues with fit on sliders and skids, but nothing insurmountable.

I would classify my style of off road driving as calculated....I'm perfectly happy with the truck as is, and would rather pump the extra grand into a serious suspension upgrade.

 

[Sundog7121]

Silver better.

 

[Jhalko]

It's so cute how you and [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] bicker, true love for sure...

:grouphug:

 

[Titanpat57]

Hey Pat,
When are you going to put in floor mats and LED lights so it can be a real mod?

lol..does the LED rear back up lights count??

It's so cute how you and [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] bicker, true love for sure...

:grouphug:

you have no idea what a pain in the ass that guy is...:hunter:

 

[fattire]

Wooooo! A [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] build! Lurked on your trailer build on ih8mud. Glad to see you documenting this here

 

[Jhalko]

you have no idea what a pain in the ass that guy is...:hunter:

That's between you and him. :boink:

But he did leave some space in his fridge to keep beer cold for me, stand up guy in my book. :clap2:

Looking forward to your build...

 

[kwill]

For us slow kids in the back of the room, could you explain a bit more about what you did and what is in the last picture of post #2? What is a NoCo charger? Thanks.

 

[Titanpat57]

For us slow kids in the back of the room, could you explain a bit more about what you did and what is in the last picture of post #2? What is a NoCo charger? Thanks.

Sure...no problem..

The rear 12 circuit box is for running separate circuits for each plug/usb. When camping I like the option to charge everything and anything.

This what I put in...

Robot Check

I cut off the existing fuse holder, since it would fused in the panel

and this would be the cord http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GC009-SA...=UTF8&qid=1454382927&sr=1-1&keywords=noco+sae to use between the panel and outlet..again, a bit overdone...but that's how I roll..

It Blue Sea 12 circuit panel runs back to the battery for its power, but also for charging from the solar. I run a small Dometic fridge 3/4 of the year, so once I get the solar panel mounted up on the roof (80-100 watt panel) when the truck is sitting, Ill plug into the panel, and into the NoCo charger (which is just a fancy little gizmo, I could've accomplished the same with a regular 12v male plug...but that's just boring) I'll also have to get a sense for how far the battery drops when in use.

The other bigger part of the puzzle is the fact that the small Li-ion charger available now, have changed things up.Robot Check I can throw that in the drawer, or mount it and leave it charging all the time. No need to have a second battery...most of these small batteries have enough power to start the truck several times from a full dead situation.

 

[kwill]

Excellent! Thank you.