This is what it sounds like, when the doves cry

[officerdan]

Just kidding. I think I can finally post my own thread here after posting most of this in the what did you do to your 4runner today thread. Hooray! I am also copy pasting over from expedition portal (since I could post there). Also if you haven't added this extension to Chrome, its a life saver: Photobucket Hotlink Fix. All of my pics will be hosted there, and this will fix all those pages where the links got severed.

My name is Dan, or "Officer Dan" on the internet because of these videos:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Te0V71sGoxA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Anyway, this is a place for me to document and share the stuff I do to my (new to me) 2007 4Runner V8 Sport with 180k on the clock that I drove out to Phoenix, AZ from Abq to scoop up. I previously had a Montero that I sold when we thought we were moving, then things changed and we cancelled the move and picked this thing up to continue our adventure times.

Luckily it is already mostly done, but I will be making videos about the things I mod and or add to it, as well as cataloging adventures.

Picked her up looking like this:



With these very very tasteful mods already done:

• 2 inch lift with rear AllPro coil springs, front Tacoma TRD springs
• CBI Front Bull Bar Bumper painted OEM Shadow Mica color
• 9K Winch with Amsteel Synthetic Rope, 2 winch controllers, 1 wired, 1 wireless
• RCI full Skid Plates, including the heavy duty gas tank Skid Plate
• AllPro Rear Lower Control Arms, with the Johnny Joint on the frame side
• CB Radio
• Rear Electric Locker from a FJ Cruiser
• Stubbs Heavy Duty Sliders
• Pioneer Head Unit with Bluetooth, Aux, USB, Rear Backup Camera, and Front Bumper Camera
• 33" Goodyear Duratrac tires
• Customized factory wheels with the inserts painted body color as well
• FUMOTO valve to drain oil

What I did immediately was change the tires (we had a blowout on the freeway bringing her back to abq) and wheels (I didn't mind the wheels it came with, I'm just not a fan of shiny stuff on vehicles), for a set of BFG AT KO2 285/70/17 wrapped around some RRW RR2-V wheels in 17x8.5 0 offset. It now looks like this (just imagine the bolts as they sent me the wrong version of the wheels):

I also got my Amazon on and changed out the headlights for HIDs as well as all of the interior lighting for LEDs, and that made a world of difference on both fronts. I don't have any pics, but I am sure you know what those look like.

Next up on the change list was a real rack. So I peeped the internet and found one I thought looked the coolest, and bought the Prinsu one. I made this set of videos assembling, building out, then installing it to my 4runner.

4th gen Toyota 4Runner Prinsu roof rack assembly with light bar!
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4th Gen Toyota 4Runner Prinsu roof rack rack build / ideas
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TVOtPbUYn4Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

4th Gen Toyota 4runner Prinsu rack install 2003-2009
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fbU7uLERu0g" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On the rack, I now have a light bar, 5 gallon fuel tank, a smittybuilt hilift, mud ramps, axe, shovel and that 110 shipped cheap 8 ft. amazon awning. I also got a used smittybuilt rooftop tent and that will be going on as soon as winter is over and we can go out into the wilderness for camping type activities.



Since my Yescom 6.6' x 8.2' amazon awning was sent to me upside down I was in a pickle... we don't get much rain here in NM, and I haven't even used it while camping yet. Anyway, we got some torrential downpours and my awning decided to fill itself with water because the zipper is upside down when its installed properly. I was gonna leave it, but even if it only rains once more, i'd have to open it and dry it out. I reached out to them, and they gave me 20% off and told me how to do it, so I made a little review / fix video on how to correct the "factory" flaw.

Overview / how to fix the Yescom awning! Zipper upside down?
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Finally got to take it out and out her through the paces. She did really well, but the fenders in the rear were rubbing like crazy. Some pics, then on to the fix.







How to trim rear fenders and bumper for 33s, 0 offset and spacers - 4th gen 4runner v8
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I also got ripped off by china and made a pretty funny video about it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bqeFB9LGzQk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I will be posting more videos / pictures / mods when I get around to needing them. I try and make a 4th gen video every time I search and can't find one for what I am doing, so hopefully they will help some folks out.

Love,

Dan

 

[officerdan]

Here is some light testing I did whilst installing the roof racks light bar. I also plan on adding aux lighting to the side and back of the rack as well, but thats gonna be a bit later on:

No lights


Hid headlights only




Hids and fogs




Hids, fogs and bumper light bar




Hids, fogs, bumper light, roof light

 

[officerdan]

saved for later use

 

[Roamed YT]

All of your Expedition Portal links are broken...

 

[Terminator03]

Welcome aboard Dan! I LOVED that video! Is that an ‘03, or ‘04 Cobra? As you can see from my screen name, I have one of those too. Those are some badass driving sequences! Mine is a Whippled 10th anniversary black convertible btw.

 

[officerdan]

Damn! I'll get those fixed tonight. At least the videos work lol <3

 

[officerdan]

Welcome aboard Dan! I LOVED that video! Is that an ‘03, or ‘04 Cobra? As you can see from my screen name, I have one of those too. Those are some badass driving sequences! Mine is a Whippled 10th anniversary black convertible btw.

It was an 03 with some basic power mods, a hydro ebrake, custom extended flcas and a bit of extra angle. Fantastic car with the IRS for sure they can be pretty nasty, especially whippled!!!! Glad you enjoyed the vid

 

[Berty_K]

How's the Yescom awning? Would you buy it again?

I'm having trouble justifying an ARB awning, with the Yescom coming in at half the price.

 

[Jarheadoo7]

Wow.

Pretty awesome first post.

 

[officerdan]

How's the Yescom awning? Would you buy it again?

I'm having trouble justifying an ARB awning, with the Yescom coming in at half the price.

So far so good, had it out shooting in our desert a few times, in decent wind. As long as you tie it down well, it should do great for you! I still have yet to have it open for camping or have it rain while open, but i'll update when we do.

For the price, you can almost get 2 of these for the same price as 1 arb.

 

[officerdan]

Wow.

Pretty awesome first post.

Thanks man, in the short time i've owned the runner, this forum has been a godsend for little stuff. I just wanted to give back when I could

On a side note, the pics should be fixed now!

 

[officerdan]

Got the roof top tent on. I was in a hurry to get it in before it started raining so I didnt film the process. Also installed lights on the side of the rack, as well as inside the awning cover with a wireless clicker. Now if we have to pee at night we can turn the area lights on before stepping out of the tent! I'll eventually make videos for both.

Mounted and fully expanded!


Lights on the rack


Lights inside the awning


I'll post up some night shots tonight.

Passenger Side lights off


Passenger side lights on


Awning lights off, just unzipped


Awning lights on, just unzipped


Going camping tomorrow for a night to shake everything down. Pumped!

 

[officerdan]

Took a quick drive down south!

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[hinmo24t]

cool video - lol at 'not the best idea with incoming traffic, but f it - we made it'

 

[momo.75]

Glad to see you came to T4R!

 

[officerdan]

Wind 1, Yescom awning 0.

But I got to make a repair video for those in the same boat as me.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ypmlIu9zxf0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[officerdan]

5 years later, quite a few camping trips, youtube videos, breaks fixes, I am still loving my 4th gen.

After reading a thread from Dirtco about building a camping trailer way back in 2020, I got inspired to make one of my own, and 5 short years later, and lots and lots of mistakes, we went camping with it for the first time.

I was going to make a whole new thread about the build, but because it took me so damn long to finish it, I lost one of the phones with most if the footage and gave up. I have a few pics of it in various stages, so I'll post those up.

I had previously flipped a harbor freight trailer I used on a crazy thing called drift week. To fix it I had to buy a whole extra trailer just for the wheels and axle, and was left with everything else just sitting around. Luckily my good friend Scottie gave me his old Lincoln welder, and I spent a few days on youtube learning to weld, and 5 years later and tons of trials and tribulations, popped this thing out.

Cut down, fully welded frame. hand built a custom wood drawer box, modified a roof rack, added electrical, hot water, air, solar, a shower, 33" tires, timbren 3500# axles, height adjustable 270- degree awning, custom paint and way more than I can even remember. I even took a shard of metal to the eye.

I just did a walk around on it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPfj5pH5HRc&feature=youtu.be

Just waiting on the roof top tent to come in and we will hit the trails again!

 

[officerdan]

And the 99% finished product.

 

[momo.75]

That turned out really cool!

 

[officerdan]

That turned out really cool!

Thanks a ton, can't wait to get the tent on and upgrade the water capacity.