nbtrdrunner
New member
Interior pics?
Ultimate Mall Crawler Build
- Thread starter OffKamber
- Start date
4Runner Review after a month of ownership and offroading....
ON ROAD:
I am very happy with the 4Runner. After installing the King reservoir shocks, tires, and a few adjustments with alignment... my 4Runner drives smoother and is more comfortable than a GLE350 and a 7 series BMW. I compared it with a 2018 GLE350 and the GLE feels more like a body on frame truck than my 4Runner. The 7 series is more rough on the road than my 4Runner. With the 34's and supercharger I feel that I have more than enough acceleration... so I'm happy with the ride. Note that I run 33 PSI in my 34" tires... which gives me a better ride as well. I know that 33 PSI + the caster will probably cause faster wear... I'm OK with that.
OFFROAD:
I have a JK on 40's that I take to the hammers. The 4Runner was built to be my daily driver and a light offroader. However, my definition of light offroading is John Bull in Big Bear. I am a bit disappointed with the 4Runner for one sole reason: articulation. My 4Runner with KDSS on 34's with Kings is only 40-50% as capable as a stock Rubicon offroad. I expected closer to 75-80% to be honest.
The reason for this is mostly because we do not have solid front axles. It is what it is and I was OK with that... it makes shit more of a challenge. HOWEVER, I expected the KDSS system to be better based on reviews I've read on this forum. I can't complain about it onroad, but offroad it is very limited even after you warm it up.
I truly believe (and may be wrong) that the 4Runner is more capable without KDSS. I would think that I can get better offroad performance and similar onroad performance with a rear anti-rock and a front disconnecting sway bar.
For now I am OK with it... eventually I may figure out a way to cut it off and make a better setup. Only damn reason I got a premium was for KDSS so I am kicking myself for spending a few thousand dollars for something I may just chop off.
ON ROAD:
I am very happy with the 4Runner. After installing the King reservoir shocks, tires, and a few adjustments with alignment... my 4Runner drives smoother and is more comfortable than a GLE350 and a 7 series BMW. I compared it with a 2018 GLE350 and the GLE feels more like a body on frame truck than my 4Runner. The 7 series is more rough on the road than my 4Runner. With the 34's and supercharger I feel that I have more than enough acceleration... so I'm happy with the ride. Note that I run 33 PSI in my 34" tires... which gives me a better ride as well. I know that 33 PSI + the caster will probably cause faster wear... I'm OK with that.
OFFROAD:
I have a JK on 40's that I take to the hammers. The 4Runner was built to be my daily driver and a light offroader. However, my definition of light offroading is John Bull in Big Bear. I am a bit disappointed with the 4Runner for one sole reason: articulation. My 4Runner with KDSS on 34's with Kings is only 40-50% as capable as a stock Rubicon offroad. I expected closer to 75-80% to be honest.
The reason for this is mostly because we do not have solid front axles. It is what it is and I was OK with that... it makes shit more of a challenge. HOWEVER, I expected the KDSS system to be better based on reviews I've read on this forum. I can't complain about it onroad, but offroad it is very limited even after you warm it up.
I truly believe (and may be wrong) that the 4Runner is more capable without KDSS. I would think that I can get better offroad performance and similar onroad performance with a rear anti-rock and a front disconnecting sway bar.
For now I am OK with it... eventually I may figure out a way to cut it off and make a better setup. Only damn reason I got a premium was for KDSS so I am kicking myself for spending a few thousand dollars for something I may just chop off.
baldrik78
New member
You'll kill the street handling by deleting the KDSS, as you are basically deleting the sway bar, and since this is your "mall crawler" that seems counter to your goals. Even if you do delete the the KDSS, I think you'll still be disappointed in the articulation - you'll never get close to what a solid axle does.
Haven't posted in a while. Working on bumpers, armor and roof rack right now. So will post about that later. Just got the 4Runner back from the interior shop. Did the following:
Leather on front and back seats.
Seat coolers and warmers on front seats.
Leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Put in black headliner. Used Mercedes material as that seems to be more resistant to tears.
Used the headliner to wrap as much of the plastic as possible on sides to blacken them.
Spray painted all other plastic black.
Leather wrapped grab handles (as black paint would eventually come off from constant use).
Soundproofing - Did not do whole vehicle due to weight... just tactical parts. Used about 100 pounds (VS 250 pounds for entire vehicle).
***Tried to match color to exterior. Seems no one makes the perfect green leather! Had to order this leather from Australia and wait 2.5 months. Closest I could find to match.
Leather on front and back seats.
Seat coolers and warmers on front seats.
Leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter.
Put in black headliner. Used Mercedes material as that seems to be more resistant to tears.
Used the headliner to wrap as much of the plastic as possible on sides to blacken them.
Spray painted all other plastic black.
Leather wrapped grab handles (as black paint would eventually come off from constant use).
Soundproofing - Did not do whole vehicle due to weight... just tactical parts. Used about 100 pounds (VS 250 pounds for entire vehicle).
***Tried to match color to exterior. Seems no one makes the perfect green leather! Had to order this leather from Australia and wait 2.5 months. Closest I could find to match.
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![IMG_1944[1].jpg](/data/attachments/298/298522-37a275d1f3a9cfae68d11ac059e18a77.jpg?hash=kTswoGkEAg)
ScarfaceT4R
New member
Damn dude, looks hella plush
michalik.piotr6837
New member
lol, thats so gross.... but hey... your car.
Did you get my PM's? I replied to you but not sure they went through.
Sounds like you were in same boat as me. Good call on no KDSS. Wish I could take it back. One more suggestion... if you decide to get bumpers... order them now. In the JK world everything is instant compares to the 4Runner world. I ordered front and rear bumpers in Sept. Got my front last month and am still waiting for my rear.
