txbonds 15 4Runner Trail Edition thread

[Saker]

Anyone think some Rigid Dually D2's with Wide beam would be okay in the rear bumper? I had planned to use these up front and get some diffused or flood beams for back but since I already have these it would save some funds.

Just curious if the beam might be too much for the rear.

Rear light is always a good thing when you need it.
You could always wire them so they would be switched when you need them and not every time your reverse lights come on!

My back up lights are wired to light when my reverse lights come on but they are not as bright as the Rigids.

 

[txbonds]

Rear light is always a good thing when you need it.
You could always wire them so they would be switched when you need them and not every time your reverse lights come on!

My back up lights are wired to light when my reverse lights come on but they are not as bright as the Rigids.

Thanks.

I'm certainly putting something in there but didn't know if the wide beams might be too much. I'll probably not tie them to the reverse circuit and will put them on a switch. Just didn't know if I'd be better with a flood beam or a diffused beam.

 

[cjacob316]

Thanks.

I'm certainly putting something in there but didn't know if the wide beams might be too much. I'll probably not tie them to the reverse circuit and will put them on a switch. Just didn't know if I'd be better with a flood beam or a diffused beam.

I would probably prefer a wide beam to a pencil. When your view is obstructed it helps to light as much of the area ass possible.

I chuckled a little when I noticed your factory bumper hanging on the wall, and your spare looks tiny.

 

[txbonds]

I would probably prefer a wide bean to a pencil. When your view is obstructed it helps to light as much of the area ass possible.

I chuckled a little when I noticed your factory bumper hanging on the wall, and your spare looks tiny.

Yeah the spare is a little smaller than my main tires. It's a 32". Will prob pick up another Cooper but got this one really cheap. That said I bet the Cooper will look small too since they are skinny 33's.


On the light the d2 Wides look like they are a combination of a flood beam and a driving beam. I'll prob save them for the front and get some diffused floods for the back.

 

[txbonds]

Gave the lighting some thought and think maybe I'll just wire up the Wide D2s on the rear bumper. Then down the road when I have the funds I can pick up the diffused version and swap them out. The wiring would be the same so should be an easy swap.



EDIT: Scratch the above. I went ahead and ordered a set of the standard Rigid Dually Floods. Didn't realize how much cheaper they were than the D2's so it was easier to justify. Now my plan will be to put the D2 driving set on the front bumper and the D2 wide set on some CBI ditch light brackets I think.

 

[cjacob316]

Gave the lighting some thought and think maybe I'll just wire up the Wide D2s on the rear bumper. Then down the road when I have the funds I can pick up the diffused version and swap them out. The wiring would be the same so should be an easy swap.



EDIT: Scratch the above. I went ahead and ordered a set of the standard Rigid Dually Floods. Didn't realize how much cheaper they were than the D2's so it was easier to justify. Now my plan will be to put the D2 driving set on the front bumper and the D2 wide set on some CBI ditch light brackets I think.

Bumper looks great, I was going to eventually do the CBI until Shrockworks redesigned. They are only 3 hours from me so I can save a lot on shipping and use it to have them install because I know myself and I'll screw up at least the cutting.

 

[txbonds]

Bumper looks great, I was going to eventually do the CBI until Shrockworks redesigned. They are only 3 hours from me so I can save a lot on shipping and use it to have them install because I know myself and I'll screw up at least the cutting.

Yeah I like how the shrockworks one turned out but I already had this one on order by then. That said, I got this one in less than 4 weeks. Not so quick with shrockworks I gather.

 

[cjacob316]

Correct, and cheaper.

 

[txbonds]

Got trim on but killed my old dremel in the process. Had to stop cutting the door threshold to go get a new dremel. Will get back at it tomorrow and finish it up. Also need to get a little more edge trim from CBI as I couldn't find any local and they didn't send quite enough. LOL

Cutting the bumper

Used a dremel with cut off wheel for all the cuts (or melts rather)

Hows that for fancy close edge work

Corners turned out pretty good but I didn't get finished with the threshold due to dead dremel and not enough edge material.

Only real mess up was on the drivers side. You'll notice the gap at the back is slightly less than at the front. Neither end touch the bumper but not enough difference to mess with pulling it all apart to cut a little more. Not noticeable unless you are looking for fault.

And better shot of the side finished.

Just need to dremel a tad more on the threshold and then put the bolts across the back and on the fender flare.


.

 

[txbonds]

Before calling it a night after I got back from picking up a new dremel tool I decided to tackle the trailer wiring bracket. I took it off the frame and disconnected the trailer wiring from the two plugs snapped to the frame. From there, I removed some blue tape the factory had put around the tech flex wrap and rewrapped with my own tape to pick up some cable flexibility.

From there, I took the bracket and put it between some 2x4 and 4x4 material and beat the hell out of it with a 3lb sledge to flatten it out. Once done, I had to spend a few minutes truing up the hole that the trailer wiring socket snaps into, and now that the bracket is straightened and the wiring is loosened up slightly, this is the result.


It's up and out of the way now, but still hidden under the truck. (never mind those feet)

You could still hit it or snag it on something but its a lot less likely now that its up higher than the bumper rail itself.


.

 

[txbonds]

Will have to post a picture later but I managed to get the muffler bracket figured out for now. Took a length of pipe and bent the frame mounted hangers down quite a bit. Kept adjusting it downward until I was able to hang the rubber mount without the muffler hitting the bumper. I wasn't able to push the rubber mount all the way onto the frame hanger but it's about 85 to 90 percent of the way there and there is enough clearance that the pipe doesn't hit the bumper under use.

Eventually I'll probably come back and have it bent to go out the side but the above buys me some time to get that done.



Went ahead and ordered a dual can carrier and some ditch light brackets from CBI this morning. Also talked to them and they are going to send me some more trim material so I can finish across the back. With the lights this will get the rear bumper pretty much wrapped up for now.

 

[txbonds]

Maybe its just me but the bumpers on the back of the 5th gens look a little bloated compared to the 3rd gen. You don't notice it when looking from the back. Only when looking from the front towards the back. Doesn't look bad but I wish it were a little more tucked under the rear of the truck somehow on the sides.

Dual can holder and ditch light brackets on the way from CBI along with a strip of additional trim edging. Should be here in a week or so.

Anyway, got the truck out and drove a bit and it sure feels different with the weight back there. Really smooths out the rear suspension over what it felt like before. The springs were so stiff before without the weight. I'm just hoping that the Radflo 2.5 is going to be up to the task when I add the roof rack, skid plates, front bumper and winch to the picture also.

Some pictures of how it is currently sitting:

 

[cjacob316]

can you get a good shot of the license plate location and light?

 

[harkco]

Looks awesome! Take some more in the daylight with your swing out open and the table down, if you don't mind. I really like that feature.

 

[txbonds]

Tried to snap some with the better camera and flash but with the dark colors of the truck and bumper combined with the fact that it's dark outside now, they are hard to see. I'll try again tomorrow during the day with the big camera and post some more from somewhere other than my driveway. :bounce:

Couldn't really get a good one of the tag it's so dark and couldn't hold it still with longer shutter to get it lighter. I don't have the tag light mounted yet but it goes just to the right of the tag. That said, I have some LED tag light bolts also that I'll probably use instead of the small light that goes beside the tag. Not sure.


I need to route my CB cable, the tag light wiring, the rear bumper light wiring, etc. I am going to tackle all the wiring and switches in one project once I get the rear lights and the CB cable in hand. Will probably be a week or two.

 

[sschaefer3]

2.5's are the right shocks for all that weight. A 2.5 is the same as two physical 2.0 shocks which is what the stock shocks are.

I'm guessing it was a bit firm with the stock bumpers.

 

[harkco]

Just when I think I have my mind made up on a specific bumper, someone posts pictures like these and then I'm flip flopping all over the place. I am still amazed I ever made a decision on which suspension to go with.

Thanks again for posting pictures.

 

[txbonds]

Lowered the tire carrier down 2 notches. Not sure it helps much but the tire seems too high with the carrier all the way up where I had it. Not sure where most people with these bumpers are setting it but would be curious to know.

Doesn't look much different but you can sort of tell it's a little lower.

 

[txbonds]

Couldn't remember if I mentioned it but I ordered a 5th ST Maxx tire to put on my matching FN wheel for the spare now that I've sold the street tires and only have the ST Maxx tires. Should be here first of next week.


Also, decided to cut the factory mud flaps and make some fender fillers. Not sure if they will be noisy but will find out over the weekend with some trials. As it stands I was able to get 3 screws in each, and have a spot I can add a zip tie as well. As well I've got an idea on how to better secure them if needed.

CBI doesn't mention this in their instructions but I got the idea from looking at the Shrockworks rear bumper instructions. Having something there will be important to help keep dirt out of the cabin vents on each side. Shrockworks also shows using the lower plastic trim but I'm not sure if that is an option on the CBI bumper.

 

[cjacob316]

Can the single jerry can mount be mounted on the short end to allow something to be mounted next to it?