The Build Thread of my Rocky !!!

[Leucifer]

Gorgeous build. Honestly, really love this.

I'm right now getting ready to pull the trigger on a 4Runner and was planning on Barc Red, but after seeing this..... damn. You threw me a curveball. lol Your rig really looks that sharp.

How do you like the matte black? I'm in SoCal myself also, so my concern on the black has been over turning the vehicle into an oven in the sun (I plan to do some wheeling in the southwest, Death Valley, El Centro, etc.) Do you find it appreciably warmer with the matte black vs the original paint?

A lot of your set-up is pretty similar to what I had in mind for myself, so seeing your build thread, and reading through...... thank you for sharing your experience. It's given me some valuable insight. Genuinely appreciate you sharing it all here.

 

[TheWraith]

Gorgeous build. Honestly, really love this.

I'm right now getting ready to pull the trigger on a 4Runner and was planning on Barc Red, but after seeing this..... damn. You threw me a curveball. lol Your rig really looks that sharp.

How do you like the matte black? I'm in SoCal myself also, so my concern on the black has been over turning the vehicle into an oven in the sun (I plan to do some wheeling in the southwest, Death Valley, El Centro, etc.) Do you find it appreciably warmer with the matte black vs the original paint?

A lot of your set-up is pretty similar to what I had in mind for myself, so seeing your build thread, and reading through...... thank you for sharing your experience. It's given me some valuable insight. Genuinely appreciate you sharing it all here.

It's hottt!!!
If I had the cash I would re paint it in Cement.

 

[Leucifer]

It's hottt!!!
If I had the cash I would re paint it in Cement.

Lol. Good to know. Red or white it is then!
Still, looks damn sharp. Enough to make me second guess things.

 

[TheWraith]

Lol. Good to know. Red or white it is then!
Still, looks damn sharp. Enough to make me second guess things.

White because you can cover the scratches better

 

[DeepSea]

ok heres the answer to your question... I hope this helps out everyone thinking of doing a Body Lift ...

2010 to 2013 All 4runners
completely possible if your SR5 with a 4wd dial selector. Or Trail edition requires you to adjust the transfer case lever to work. Warning rear bumper cover has no more support and cannot be used as a seat.

2014 + 4runners SR5 or Trail or Limited or TRD Pro:

Problem #1: Toyota Changed the design of the steering shaft. So the steering shaft spacer no longer works.
Solutions:

1)2" BL is possible if you dont mind cutting and welding an extension for
the steering shaft.

2)Or you can buy an extension from Austrilia which takes a bank
transfer for $230 bucks on a part that your gambling matches the
right to our steering shaft.

3)Or you can add a 1/2 inch spacer where the steering column mounts
under dash to bring the steering shaft down lower and stretch out
all the u joints and steering couplers. But you lose alot of steering
wheel adjustment angle.
​

Problem #2: Finding out I cant shift to 4Lo because of the angle of the shift knob. Only a problem for Trails and TRD Pro Models.
Solutions:

1) Have to make adjustments to the shifter.

2)Do some more cutting under the console to get the angle needed.
​

Problem #3: No more structural support for the rear bumper skin.
Solutions:

1) add some more foam to stiffened support the rear bumper skin.
​

Problem #4: Theres 4 bolts on the bumper support. 2" BL Requires you to make up brackets for your bumper support. So you wont have a 2" gap in between. The 1" BL you can still use the factory holes minus
Solutions:

1)Fabricate New Brackets and weld them to the frame so they're strong enough to support new after market bumper down the road.​

Problem #5: Having a 2" Gap of day light around the body and the frame. Factory Gap guards can no longer be used.
Solutions:

1)Fabricate new Gap Guards from scratch.
​

So ultimately ... I just give up on the BL ... The straw that broke the camels back ( almost broke mine too) was when I sat on my rear bumper to put my work boots on to go into work and slipped off because the rear bumper. Because the bumper support is 2" inch lower and I thought I ripped my rear bumper completely off. And I pulled a muscle in my lower back and I still had to work 12hrs Shift. Pissed me enough to say F#@K it !!! and take it off completely.

In conclusion:
If you have a 2010 to 2013 Trail Edition with KDSS ... The 2" BL w/ a 3" Suspension lift ... Is the highest you can go without deleting the KDSS system. And be able to run 35" Tires with a aftermarket bumper. And some supporting mods... i.e. BMC, Fender Liner Mod, & Pinch weld mod...

Stoked I read this and thanks for posting as I was considering the BL on my 15' Trail. I'm still going to do a 1" just to be a bit higher and to clear the Deegan 305/65/R17 I just ordered. BMC regardless. For the transfer case lever, I will add an extension and 1" additional foam for the rear bumper support.

 

[stikky]

lol i recognize a lot of these places. living in riverside currently.

 

[TheWraith]

just an update...
wifey got in a crash with Rocky a while back and we've been fighting with the other parties insurance. And in 2months into it ... they changed their story say they'll pay only 80% of the damage. Even though the police report pinned their client at fault...

I dont know if y'all wanna see the pictures but it breaks your heart... But there are some plans for Rocky and I have some new parts that need to be installed soon... Keep you updated

 

[clo_iam]

just an update...
wifey got in a crash with Rocky a while back and we've been fighting with the other parties insurance. And in 2months into it ... they changed their story say they'll pay only 80% of the damage. Even though the police report pinned their client at fault...

I dont know if y'all wanna see the pictures but it breaks your heart... But there are some plans for Rocky and I have some new parts that need to be installed soon... Keep you updated

Boo sorry to hear that bro. Hope everything works out

 

[djo.bike]

Great build!

Sorry to hear about the accident, always a pin to deal with insurance companies.

 

[mcunkelman16LE]

Quick question on swapping the front end for the TRD, what all had to be replaced? I have a 2016 LE and I hate how low the nose is on mine. Tried talking to the dealership about just replacing essentially the front bumper below the headlights but they couldn't give me an answer.

 

[TheWraith]

Quick question on swapping the front end for the TRD, what all had to be replaced? I have a 2016 LE and I hate how low the nose is on mine. Tried talking to the dealership about just replacing essentially the front bumper below the headlights but they couldn't give me an answer.

The only difference is the skin ... Mine is a Trail Edition; so all I need to do was swap out the grill mesh without the toyota emblem and then add the front grill garnish ... and thats it

 

[TheWraith]

never got to update this ...

dont buy the GOBI upgraded gas shocks for your lift gate ...
Because:
1) they are crap
2) GOBI dont warranty them or they pretty much gave me the run around
3) They failed on me. Right where they clamp onto the body. As I was closing the lift gate the clamp gave out and popper right out; into my tail light ( meaning they punch a hole in it ).

I replaced them with these and were cheaper and have better warranty ... These are for people using ladders and added weight...

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/lift-supports-depot-gas-charged-liftgate-lift-support/

 

[iceman05]

Awesome Rig

Very nice build on your rig! I just got mine this year and slowly but surely adding some upgrades to it. Good to see a fellow kabayan here. Mabuhay! :bluejump:

 

[TheWraith]

Well like I said Rocky has been in the shop battling the evil insurance companies. Because my wife got in an accident back in March 22nd 2017. It was pretty back accident all around for my wife and Rocky. My wife left the scene in a ambulance because she couldnt feel her legs. DONT WORRY !!! The Wifey is fine ( thank you for asking ) ...

And then there was a mishap with the shipping company scratching and cracking and crushing my 1st bumper. The bumper I order from from Fernando [MENTION=160707]Proline4x4bumpers[/MENTION]... The 1st bumper took 3 weeks to make and was held by the shipping company for 2 weeks. And when they finally delivered it. It was damager to hell!!!

Then there was a 2 week lag time between Ak1 Motorsport, Fernando @ Proline4x4 and the stupid Shipping company. After another week of limbo?!?!? Fernando said dont worry Justin !!! it isnt your fault... I'll deal with the shipping company and your bumper is being made. Two weeks later your bumper is in paint. A week after that ... Your bumper is being shipped ... Before I knew it; it was november...

Either way ... Fernando is an awesome and trust worthy vendor !!! He already knows who I am when I call him for technical questions. And he is always helpfull. Need more vendors / companies like this ...

 

[TheWraith]

so heres the pics of the damages ... this is not for the faint of heart...

The impact bent and blew out the icon shock ...

here she is loaded up the following day heading to Ak1 MotorSports:

 

[TheWraith]

As you guys know ... I prototyped the Fat Pat's Body Lift for 2014 to current 4runners ... And its only obivious I went with a 1" BL from Fat Pat's Body Lifts [MENTION=14772]shootmymime[/MENTION]
And heres the install of the Body lift @ Ak1 MotorSports

and of course you need to add a 1" foam to the rear bumper soo they also did that for me too ...

 

[TheWraith]

with Fernando [MENTION=160707]Proline4x4bumpers[/MENTION] help getting me my 2nd Bumper and a better shipping company. The bumper was delivered...

heres me and the family picking Rocky up at Ak1 MotorSports

At home Finally !!!

ps.

for people interested in getting this awesome modular bumper from Fernando @ Proline4x4 a little hint ... torque these inner bolts to about 80ft lbs

 

[TheWraith]

And finally ... heres a Glam shot of Rocky in my drive way @ daylight

 

[TheWraith]

Swapped out the TRD intake filter to a AFE Power 31-10208 Magnum Flow Pro Dry S air filter...

And actually gain some gas mileage back. Very satisfied with this product.

 

[TheWraith]

swapped out all the interior lights with LED's ... wasnt bad for $17 bucks on ebay