What did you do to/in your 5th Gen today?!

[brentg]

Front Emblem Blackout

I painted the front emblem a matte black.

Process:
1. Remove emblem
2. Light sanding with 220 grit paper
3. Wipe down with denatured alcohol to remove oils - no ungloved touching after this until done painting
4. Light coat with SEM plastic adhesion promoter, wait 5 minutes, wet coat with adhesion promoter
5. Wait 15 minutes (plan your next mod)
6. While waiting, put krylon fusion plastic black matte can in hot water
7. Light dusting coat of black; wait 5 minutes
8. Light coat of black; wait 5 minutes
9. Repeat step 8 6-8 times....
10. Let dry for 24 hours

Doing it this way, you won't see the emblem take on a deep black color until the 4th coat.

The outcome is very even, but a slightly rough texture. I didn't clear coat it, simply because I don't have any on hand. I'll see if the sun or elements damage it too quickly and assess what to do then.

 

[Matteblack]

Just installed the Wits' End mount. I like it a lot. Currently I have a 1lb Amerex A620 Dry Extinguisher but I may go with a larger unit since there is a lot of space available. Well built mount with an easy install.
MB

 

[Tisoy281]

Ha, you caught me! lol I ordered SPC UCAs from Toytec like five minutes after the kit and they had a miscommunication and didn't ship them. Normally, that wouldn't have been a problem, but I paid for two day shipping because I'm going on a trip next week. Well, lemme tell you how awesome Toytec is: Anthony was super surprised, then really apologetic, then had me a tracking number for overnight shipping in like five minutes. Over. Night. That's gotta hurt your profit margin... Should be here in a couple hours and that's a quick install. Having them would have saved me some time on the front end yesterday (and a few small scratches on the shocks, lol), but I'm *THAT* kind of impatient with new hardware installs. #NoRegrets

That said, on the stock UCAs everything clears and it tracks *relatively* straight already. But I'd rather have it properly sorted, even if it doesn't absolutely need it. I'm putting in a diff drop too, even though that's not absolutely necessary either because I'd rather have everything in it's happy place instead of anywhere near maxxed out.

I'll definitely share all the alignment info as soon as I have it. And thanks for the compliment! I wasn't sure about the Limited front at first either and was planning an SR5 swap like a few people have done, but now that it's got wheels and lift, I'm really happy with the look. It doesn't have that skinny guy in a large suit feeling any more.

Also, this:
.

Man, I LOVE your Limited! This really gives me inspiration to get under mine and poke a hole in one of the XREAS shocks and get those SOB's out... LMAO! Then, and only then, will my wife let me spend money on "replacement suspension" (LIFT). I really like that way yours is set up, though!

 

[teotwaki]

I gave it a good cleaning, inside and out, in preparation for my upcoming annual Nevada & Mojave trip. I'll be getting it dusty and dirty on the trip, but I always like to start off with a clean vehicle. I also applied some Rain-X to the windows.

My trip is still a week away, but I'm really looking forward to it. I've researched some interesting sites to visit, and plan on doing a lot of video. I also have some new photographic equipment I want to try out.
.

Be sure to lets us know when you start to post a trip report!

 

[CavPro]

I got my Eibach Pro Truck kit from Toytec today. Had fun installing it. It took a few hours working pretty casually.

Removing the XREAS is pretty straightforward if you have the right tools. I did have to cut the front lines to get them out, but the rest of it was a piece of cake.

Pretty stoked on the results and I'll post more pics tomorrow after I get it aligned.

Pics before, during, and after:

.

I'm old enough to remember that around these parts that kind of dismantling to modify a new 4r is usually mocked, followed by you should have bought a SR5. Oh wait, that's for trdp's only.

Nice rig, and not a dig on owner of this truck at all, but is is funny reading some of the follow up comments.

 

[CRB Racing]

Finally got the 16” wheels mounted...
scs with 285/75x16 KM3

 

[I4N]

Not my first purchase but my first install. (Unless you count jdm shift knobs) Was able to do it solo using a toolbox and a floor jack. (I highly recommend this even if you've got a wingman it made it super easy to position things and take my time). It was really easy once I had the bolts in loose, to use the floor jack to position the sliders perfectly and then tighten everything down. Not that I have plans to ever take these off but I also used anti-sieze because stuck bolts suck. And a piece of the box made for a perfect work mat.

One thing I found is I needed an open end wrench for the bolt that is highest on the frame and closest to the front wheel. (too tight even for a lo-pro socket set).

It felt really good to wrench on a ride again, (something I haven't done in a very long time) I even miss the cursing and bloody knuckles. I love the results and feel a lot better about pushing things on the trails with a brand new rig and my daughter loves that she now has a "step" to get into the truck. Next week the suspension & wheels go in. Will post a better of the install as soon as I take one...

 

[NotPedro]

12v Always Hot

Used a great tip from these forums to make my 12v in the dash always hot so I can charge my phone, etc. even when the truck's not on. Super easy, but about the only thing I missed from my previous vehicle.

 

[BigCountryT4R]

Cleaned, installed all my JDM astar LED lights on the interior. Short a few so ordered some more. Got one of the backup lights below, man they are bright now.

Left new, right old backup lights.

 

[Dr. Monkeypants]

Man, I LOVE your Limited! This really gives me inspiration to get under mine and poke a hole in one of the XREAS shocks and get those SOB's out... LMAO! Then, and only then, will my wife let me spend money on "replacement suspension" (LIFT). I really like that way yours is set up, though!

Thanks man!

Can’t you just tell her it has a hole in it?

 

[Dr. Monkeypants]

Ah so no alignment yet. Just wondering because eibach says it's not necessary and plenty of people don't install the UCA's. Nobody has given any real feedback to the ride quality and tire wear tho. I suspect it's livable for most but worth the added cost to do it. I daily drove a drift car for a while... poor tracking gets old quick.

Arrrrrighty, I got the SPCs installed and I set them to their +1° caster setting and it ended up +4.5° on the rack, lol. Could have left it centered and it would have been spot on.

Took it for a little run around drive after the alignment and it’s definitely better, even though it wasn’t that bad before. Overall, I’m super happy with the wheel/tire/suspension combo. Really good ride balance.

 

[Ripper238]

I added a V1 radar detector, a set laser jammers (ALP) and my Python alarm with remote start to my new 4R.

Jammers are just below the the emblem and cosmetic bar.

 

[waverunner]

Upgraded the non JBL headunit

Tedious but gratifying when the job was done.

 

[brtnstrns]

Got my powder coated TRD Off Road wheels and Wildpeaks installed. Need to pull the center caps off and get them painted so the silver is gone and put the Spidertrax back on since the shop wouldn't mess with them (for the best). Hopefully do that tomorrow since it looks ridiculous with the wheels tucked in so much right now.

 

[ALLPRO4]

Tedious but gratifying when the job was done.

What unit/kit is that? Looks HELLA clean [emoji122]


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[rochmpr]

Went and had a little fun this morning. Ran Slick Rock Trail solo early this morning. Had the entire trail to myself. Surprising for a Saturday.

Slick Rock Trail

 

[waverunner]

What unit/kit is that? Looks HELLA clean [emoji122]


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Thanks!

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX - cheapest on amazon
Metra 99-8227CHG Dash Kit - you have to cut out the middle bar

Metra 99-8227CHG Dash Kit (Charcoal High Gloss) Fits select 2010-up Toyota 4-Runner vehicles — single- and double-DIN radios at Crutchfield

 

[jaemz]

Thanks!

Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX - cheapest on amazon
Metra 99-8227CHG Dash Kit - you have to cut out the middle bar

Metra 99-8227CHG Dash Kit (Charcoal High Gloss) Fits select 2010-up Toyota 4-Runner vehicles — single- and double-DIN radios at Crutchfield

how does the color for the dash kit match up with the rest of the interior?

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Finally got the 16” wheels mounted...
scs with 285/75x16 KM3

That Voodoo blue sure looks good!

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

50k miles on the ICON rear links, so it's time for bushing replacements and some maintenance on the heim joints.