Warthog Build and Adventure Thread

[Antman]

QUESTION: For anyone else that tows, have you relocated the trailer electrical socket? What did you do to extend the wiring for it?

In the cold morning the cord on the trailer was like 3 inches shorter than when I last towed in the middle of the day. It would BARELY socket under the bumper and a sharp right turn would have pulled it out.

That T-Rex ate the sh!t out of your truck! LOL

Originally I used a coiled trailer plug extension wire to get to that trailer socket. It worked great - kept the wire from dragging, and the coils would stretch when the extra length was needed for turns, etc.

When that wore out (I tow A LOT), I cut the trailer wiring, extended it to the length that's perfect and covered it in some really nice wire loom and shrinkwrap. It works great. Nothing to mess with- simple like I like it.

 

[2014 Warthog]

I'm new here but thought I'd say hello. Just bought a 2016 TRD Pro in white. I had a 90s Pathfinder for so many years (followed by an Xterra, which was a POS), so I'm just now navigating my way around the T4R world. That's how I came across this thread (just finished reading the whole thing).

Great rig you've got. Loved your build pics. I'm starting off with a Gobi stealth rack and some RIGID lightbars, and a full set of skid plates. And maybe going to wrap it in matte white. Still trying to figure out what I want to do with bumpers (the truck is so new it's hard to think about cutting them), but I loved your comment about you worrying about resale, and then saying "Sc--w it!" and just making the vehicle you wanted.

Great to see all your pics, esp of Canyonlands (Elephant Hill!), Barker Ranch. Haven't been to either since the late 90s (overnighted at Barker for Y2K just for SnGs). Lots of familiar places in your pics! Am going to try to go to some meet ups in SoCal so if I see the Warthog, I'll say "hello"!

Cheers,
Slappo

Thanks for the visit! The runner will really go places that's for sure!

I'm sure I already said it elsewhere but this is a great time to reiterate:

Sliders are the most important armor you can have, they should come first. It's the #1 spot for damage from that I've seen on the trail and would have been for me if I didn't get them first thing

Second is lift and rear bumper. The rear end sticks out a bit and I was forever dropping it down on ledges and rocks even on easy trails before I got it lifted. Scraping the bottom of it (not too visible and I got lucky and never tore it off ) And also smashing the end of my tailpipe.

I still occasionally bonk the rear bumper going down a ledge but it's now just my rear slider when needed

I actually have so far (fingers crossed) never hit or scraped the front bumper at all!

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Speaking of towing......

Hi Warthog. First, I have to say I have fun following your thread. I am the proud #2 post on your, what is becoming a long novel, thread. So many mods, so many adventures and a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing.

Okay, now I need and would appreciate your feedback. Regarding towing....
I notice you now tow a little pop up camper. Very nice, I must say. How does Warthog tow with the lift? I know you really cannot give me a before and after evaluation, but I would like to know how it feels to tow with the ICON lift.

My back story is I started out with 2014 just like yours. Just recently I had the opportunity to trade up and now have a 16 Trail in Barcelona Red. With the Trail, I am contemplating lifting it.

On my '14 I had 5100s set at 1.75 in front and 5100s in the back. That is it. I feel like the truck was never level, so I am looking into the ICONS and BOSS that can be infinitely adjust fronts for the Trail. I also tow about, at most 3000 lbs. about 8 times a year. Whatever a tandem axle 8 x 14 trailer, 2 seat RZR and 2 400ex's weigh......haha... Just wondering if I am asking for trouble lifting the truck and expecting it to tow as well as my '14 did......

Ok, any and all information you can give me is helpful! Thank you.

 

[2014 Warthog]

That T-Rex ate the sh!t out of your truck! LOL

Originally I used a coiled trailer plug extension wire to get to that trailer socket. It worked great - kept the wire from dragging, and the coils would stretch when the extra length was needed for turns, etc.

When that wore out (I tow A LOT), I cut the trailer wiring, extended it to the length that's perfect and covered it in some really nice wire loom and shrinkwrap. It works great. Nothing to mess with- simple like I like it.

Thanks for the reply. I should probably just jump into extending the trailer wiring! Thanks

 

[2014 Warthog]

Speaking of towing......

Hi Warthog. First, I have to say I have fun following your thread. I am the proud #2 post on your, what is becoming a long novel, thread. So many mods, so many adventures and a wealth of information. Thanks for sharing.

Okay, now I need and would appreciate your feedback. Regarding towing....
I notice you now tow a little pop up camper. Very nice, I must say. How does Warthog tow with the lift? I know you really cannot give me a before and after evaluation, but I would like to know how it feels to tow with the ICON lift.

My back story is I started out with 2014 just like yours. Just recently I had the opportunity to trade up and now have a 16 Trail in Barcelona Red. With the Trail, I am contemplating lifting it.

On my '14 I had 5100s set at 1.75 in front and 5100s in the back. That is it. I feel like the truck was never level, so I am looking into the ICONS and BOSS that can be infinitely adjust fronts for the Trail. I also tow about, at most 3000 lbs. about 8 times a year. Whatever a tandem axle 8 x 14 trailer, 2 seat RZR and 2 400ex's weigh......haha... Just wondering if I am asking for trouble lifting the truck and expecting it to tow as well as my '14 did......

Ok, any and all information you can give me is helpful! Thank you.

Nice!

Well given the light weight trailer my experience might not match yours. But I did not experience any rear end sway of any king going around the twisty turny mtn roads. The only thing that really affected towing I think was the larger than stock tires

For a heavier tow I believe the prevailing wisdom is to get air bags for the rear to firm up the springs. Otherwise the tongue did not depress the rear end noticably. Same as when I run with the fridge and water in the back. Maybe a half inch at most.

But again... it's like only 150 pounds tongue weight

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Nice!

Well given the light weight trailer my experience might not match yours. But I did not experience any rear end sway of any king going around the twisty turny mtn roads. The only thing that really affected towing I think was the larger than stock tires

For a heavier tow I believe the prevailing wisdom is to get air bags for the rear to firm up the springs. Otherwise the tongue did not depress the rear end noticably. Same as when I run with the fridge and water in the back. Maybe a half inch at most.

But again... it's like only 150 pounds tongue weight

What tire size are you at now? 285s?
Yes, i absolutely agree, for sure getting the Air lift 1000 and WirelessOne set up, whether I lift or just level the truck.
I get what you're saying about the tongue weight, your experience is quite different than mine. Good to hear there was nothing to report towing with ICON, even if it is a light load. Thanks again. Now on to read Antman's thread and learn what he has .....

 

[2014 Warthog]

What tire size are you at now? 285s?

275s. I want 285s and 4.10 gearing, but those gears aren't made for the 8.2 diff

 

[jkd4141]

Thank you!

[MENTION=3475]warthog[/MENTION] ...............I read your entire post over the weekend, and it was very inspiring....and informing! It takes alot of time to take pics, and then post them with stories, but it helps alot of us new TR4 owners see what our vehicles can/cant do! I am kind of like you, at 57 years old and building my first expedition vehicle for my wife and I to see and explore some of the places in the USA that I have never seen in our coming retirement years!.................Thank your Sir!...........and keep up the good work!..............................Kevin, Derby Kansas

 

[2014 Warthog]

[MENTION=3475]warthog[/MENTION] ...............I read your entire post over the weekend, and it was very inspiring....and informing! It takes alot of time to take pics, and then post them with stories, but it helps alot of us new TR4 owners see what our vehicles can/cant do! I am kind of like you, at 57 years old and building my first expedition vehicle for my wife and I to see and explore some of the places in the USA that I have never seen in our coming retirement years!.................Thank your Sir!...........and keep up the good work!..............................Kevin, Derby Kansas

Thanks!

This site inspired me to do more than I've ever done with my trucks in the past so I'm glad I could return the favor.

See you in Moab sometime!

 

[3wbdriver]

[MENTION=3475]warthog[/MENTION] ...............I read your entire post over the weekend, and it was very inspiring....and informing! It takes alot of time to take pics, and then post them with stories, but it helps alot of us new TR4 owners see what our vehicles can/cant do! I am kind of like you, at 57 years old and building my first expedition vehicle for my wife and I to see and explore some of the places in the USA that I have never seen in our coming retirement years!.................Thank your Sir!...........and keep up the good work!..............................Kevin, Derby Kansas

Food for thought [MENTION=125451]jkd4141[/MENTION], and sorry to hijack your thread warthog. I did this last spring, and would do it again in a heartbeat. I was kind of inspired by a map making the rounds on Facebook on how to drive all 48 continental states in a given period.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/193390-last-hurrah.html

 

[BenSD]

I was driving on 15 north between vegas and St. George and saw you heading south a couple weeks ago with your trailer. Looks like you were heading back from an adventure just as I was starting mine!

 

[2014 Warthog]

I was driving on 15 north between vegas and St. George and saw you heading south a couple weeks ago with your trailer. Looks like you were heading back from an adventure just as I was starting mine!

Awesome

Yeah was heading back from a week in Moab with the trailer and the wifey.

Nothing hardcore this trip (for me anyway), mostly sight seeing. I've yet to upload the pictures, lazy me. Had mostly great weather!

Hope you had a great time

 

[NuclearN8]

Not sure this would work for the 5th gen but I use one of these on my wife's 07 limited. easy day, plug in play extension. I mounted it right next to the receiver centerline for when we tow our small fishing boat. done

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...unner/2007/HM43374.html?vehicleid=20071230091

(we don't do any extreme offroading (her 4runner is a pavement princess) so I wasn't worried about dragging it and ripping it off)

 

[2014 Warthog]

Not sure this would work for the 5th gen but I use one of these on my wife's 07 limited. easy day, plug in play extension. I mounted it right next to the receiver centerline for when we tow our small fishing boat. done

https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit...unner/2007/HM43374.html?vehicleid=20071230091

(we don't do any extreme offroading (her 4runner is a pavement princess) so I wasn't worried about dragging it and ripping it off)

Oh man that's perfect! I bought a generic 3 foot extender which worked but I could mount that one up to the bumper where it should be and get the current one out of harms way.

Heh wish I'd have seen that before spending 50 on the extension but I think I'm still going to get it. It'll be MUCH nicer in the end. Thanks!

 

[NuclearN8]

Oh man that's perfect! I bought a generic 3 foot extender which worked but I could mount that one up to the bumper where it should be and get the current one out of harms way.

Heh wish I'd have seen that before spending 50 on the extension but I think I'm still going to get it. It'll be MUCH nicer in the end. Thanks!

just check your oem connector cause it's not listed as compatible with the 5th gen for some reason on the e-trailer site. maybe toyota switched the connectors or something. If it doesn't fit you can always return it I suppose...

 

[Battle Wagon]

New to 4Runners and this forum. Just picked up a 2016 and hit George Washington NATL Forrest trails today. I've been scoping this build thread for a bit. Absolutely love the build and the hours behind it.

 

[LifestyleOverland]

This build was our inspiration back in '14 when we picked up our TE. Glad to see it's still going strong!

 

[2014 Warthog]

New to 4Runners and this forum. Just picked up a 2016 and hit George Washington NATL Forrest trails today. I've been scoping this build thread for a bit. Absolutely love the build and the hours behind it.

This build was our inspiration back in '14 when we picked up our TE. Glad to see it's still going strong!

Thanks

Though it could be going stronger. I still haven’t posted pics from my last trip! And then of course now the summer doldrums around here. I SHOULD be working on a couple of little projects while waiting for the summer heat to go away...

 

[2014 Warthog]

SO I noticed this the other day. Some POS ran into me in a parking lot, likely at work or when getting lunch. Hooray for the RCI bumper though! A little scrubbing and that paint and lens plastic residue will probably completely come off. I'm mostly bummed about not seeing what kind of damage they did to their car in the process

 

[RogueYota]

Great to see your new-ish trip reports! I'm planning on hitting up Rock Therapy this coming year if you had the inclination? Maybe Death Valley in Jan or Feb as well? Oh! The Methods look really good as well!