this is my 4runner! there are many like it, but this one is mine!

[bradze]

first pic is how I found this thing at the dealer when I wasn't all that impressed with the boring '18 limited I actually made an appointment to test drive. second pic I took the other day when I saw a twin of the black pearl.

I just got a '16 SR5 that had some goodies already installed. it came with 17" TRD wheels, 285/70 BFG T/A KO2s, Revtek 3"/2" lift kit, and an aluminum ARB roof rack with some LED lights mounted. car even had the emblems blacked out, front windows tinted, side window vent things, and a hood deflector. I added westin hdx running boards and an alpine stereo with GPS right from dealer. Ive transferred my 6.5' ARB awning from my lesbaru. I plan on adding my sPOD and a few more lights and my switches. today I just added a WARN semi hidden winch mount and a Smittybilt xrc gen 2 9500lb winch. it will also be getting a hilift jack carrier that mounts on winch. no need for a ridiculously heavy and overpriced rear bumper. I'm not gonna make my 4runner 6500 lbs like in this video I watched. I do a lot of overlanding which is why I got this thing and making the mods I'm doing.

however up next is a digital guard dog pushbutton start install along with a homelink rearview mirror and better speakers. the pushbutton start is gonna be a major ordeal and I'm not even the one putting it in. I wont touch anything electronic.

I'm also gonna make a wish list cause why not. I'm gonna put this stuff on eventually. I plan on getting
ARB dual compressor
ARB diff breather
ARB locking front and rear differentials
OPTIMA battery
hood louvers



also since I'm new to 4runners, ill probably have even more questions. does the stock SR5 come with 3 skidplates. it looks like there is a section missing under the transmission.


does anyone else have an ARB roof rack? I wanna mount a fairing and a lightbar on the bottom. its so F'ing loud!

 

[mo_mo]

also since I'm new to 4runners, ill probably have even more questions. does the stock SR5 come with 3 skidplates. it looks like there is a section missing under the transmission.

Congrats!


You've got the right skids. There is a gap that is only filled with a plastic plate on the Limiteds as a splash guard...SR5s and Trails/ORP/TRDs don't get them. You have to go aftermarket if you want more... or you could buy the plastic plate but it's not going to help as a true skid.

 

[bradze]

really, that's weird. those tabs on the back made me figure there was another skid plate.im assuming the previous owner actually used the car. I see tons of rock chips, a couple bashes in engine skid plate and hopefully no one would just buy shit like that cause it looks cool. a couple bolts didn't look like Toyota ones when I took off front skid plate today, 2 bolts were missing on plastic skid plate up front.

 

[bradze]

also I need to trim the bottom of the front bumper in front of tires. it rubs in reverse at full lock. curious if anyone has been successful with just a heat gun or if i need to cut. and I was a dumbass and didn't get a front swaybar relocation kit like I should've gotten right away. a frame support for the winch mount rubs sway bar under flex. i'm surprised warn didn't design this feature into kit. I love this car by the way, my new obsession. my kid and I are calling it the black pearl.

 

[bradze]

I have a question about the atrac. ive read conflicting things. ive read it comes on automatically in 4hi, and when you switch to 4lo you need to turn it back on. ive also read you can only use it in 4lo. so which is it?

 

[Cymon]

I have a question about the atrac. ive read conflicting things. ive read it comes on automatically in 4hi, and when you switch to 4lo you need to turn it back on. ive also read you can only use it in 4lo. so which is it?

4Lo only. The VSC can be turned on and off in 4hi and 4 low.

Do a quick google of “a-trac 5th gen T4r” and you’ll get tons of info on it.

 

[2012sr5]

I have a question about the atrac. ive read conflicting things. ive read it comes on automatically in 4hi, and when you switch to 4lo you need to turn it back on. ive also read you can only use it in 4lo. so which is it?

What [MENTION=120701]Cymon[/MENTION] said.

4lo only. It's a pretty remarkable system. I have been in some situations where I was absolutely sure I was stuck. Threw it in 4lo, turned on ATRAC, and crawled right out.

Your mileage may vary. :shrug:

 

[unsub1]

Hey! A familiar face from the OB group. Interested to see what you do.

 

[bradze]

thanks everyone. and im going to transfer my outback's sPOD and some lights. i've already put the awning on. looks awesome on the matching ARB rack. but it was such a pain to get it to fit. hopefully I figure out how to get pics up soon. the 4runner is purty.

 

[willo]

Who installs an spod on an outback? Damn son.
Meh, I put A/Ts on mine back when I had it.

I just picked up my 16 Trail over the weekend. Good stuff.

 

[CoolMax]

I plan on getting hood louvers

but why?

 

[bradze]

well I think they look cool and theyre actually functional. I guess everyone will think its dumb but I think cars that have hood louvers built in look great. hood scoops are kinda cool looking, but don't serve much purpose. I prefer things that are sexy AND serve a purpose. I ABHOR fake scoops

 

[PaulB-2006 T4R]

I ABHOR fake scoops

They are not fake because they are good for scooping bugs. :vader:

 

[bradze]

true. theres that.

 

[bradze]

Who installs an spod on an outback? Damn son.
Meh, I put A/Ts on mine back when I had it.

I just picked up my 16 Trail over the weekend. Good stuff.

yeah, somebody told me when I had my lesbaru, "damn, that's the first time i've seen one of these on anything other than a jeep."

 

[ray k]

"Lesbaru" that's funny! I've never heard that before[emoji23]

yeah, somebody told me when I had my lesbaru, "damn, that's the first time i've seen one of these on anything other than a jeep."

 

[bradze]

"Lesbaru" that's funny! I've never heard that before[emoji23]

I actually bought chrome letters from autozone and spelled out lesbaru in a style similar to the SUBARU across subarus from the early 2000s. I kept it kindda subtle to it almost looks like its supposed to be there. sorry don't know to post pics

also this pushbutton start seems like it will be a total nightmare. the audio place that told me which system to buy wasn't able to install it in one day. so I brought the truck back for 2 days this time. the system is in but the vehicle wont start and tech support is closed for the weekend. I already paid 800 for the digital dawg system. now I think my electrical system will be about as reliable as an 80s chevy crapalier.

 

[bradze]

so yeah I haven't had my 4runner for a week now. im borrowing/renting a Taurus. I hate that car so much! so this digital dawg kit plus a couple other installs cost me like 3 grand. all because im a ****ing ***** and want my car to be perfect. but theres been SO many problems installing it so far. but at least all the connections are being soldered so they wont shake apart. probably the worst thing I could have ever done. but we'll see when I have to get the car towed and the system taken out. anyway, im just curious as to if the limited awd system with the center locking diff is in any way capable offroad. does the limited have atrac? I wanted that interior so bad. can you still ad front and rear locking diffs?

 

[bradze]

if you were a girl and added haha before that nice, it would mean you would rather die than continue this conversation. anyway I figured the limited at least has atrac but it doesn't really matter since I already spent ridiculous money on my sr5 which I don't even have! they ****ed up my window decal as well, not really ****ed up but crooked and a few bubbles. not impressed at all. when I pay for stuff I expect perfection. well I don't need to rant. itd be nice if I could overcome my fears of electrical stuff, but I sorta have PTSD in that area. I started a fire in Iraq while changing an engine because of my half-assed battery disconnection. pictures coming soon I hope...

 

[bradze]

um I think this is gonna work. my daughter was mad at me I turned around and took this picture I sorta have a twin in my town. must be an army guy, that is half this town. im medically retired army. anyway I think this will work. my 4runner, the black pearl, is on the right.

and a picture of lesbaru right before transmission died and I had to get towed up that boat ramp