YETIX Build and Adventure Thread aka Travels with Savanna
- Thread starter YetiX
- Start date
YetiX
New member
ARB CKMA-12 Compressor Install
Tire pressure can make the difference between a comfortable trip and having your fillings bounced out and making it over an obstacle under your own power versus having to be winched. As such, the ability to adjust your tire pressures on the trail, up and down, is very important and one of the first off-road "tricks" I learned.
Although I had an Instant Air Supply tank, I was always concerned it would run out of air at an inopportune time and it was taking up space inside my 4Runner. I really wanted an air compressor under the hood but after doing a bit of research, I could not find that anyone made one commercially for the 4th Gen.
Then I found this thread by [MENTION=119302]4RunnerAquasport[/MENTION] where he made a mount out of a Simpson Strong-Tie nail plate. Bingo!! LINK His thread is great, but he has a V8 so there were a couple of minor differences which I'll highlight here.
I also referenced [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION]'s amazing thread for help with the wiring.
The most difficult part of this job for me was locating the plate the compressor mounts to. I finally found it at Dixieline (a local hardware store). The plate is a Simpson Strong Tie nail plate Part No. PSPN516Z. In construction, they're used to protect wiring from inadvertently having a nail driven through it. Home Depot carries them, but my local one did not have them in stock. You can order them on-line though.
For my install, I only had to drill one hole in my fender. I drilled a hole where the green circle is. If I recall correctly, it was a 3/8" hole. Also, since our airbox is located in a different spot, I was able to use the hole circled in red for the strap with an M6 bolt. The hole is already tapped which was nice.
So here's the finished mount after I assembled it and painted it.
And with the compressor mounted on it:
Mounted in the engine bay before the intake was put back in its place:
And then the finished project with the intake back in place but before I had wired everything up:
As I mentioned before, I used MTN4RNR's thread (post #434) for help with the wiring. I used the switch which comes with the ARB compressor but I don't like how it stands out and doesn't look stock. I ordered a new switch from CH4X4 and will be installing it soon.
Overall, I'm really stoked with how well it turned out. I was a little worried at first given how heavy the ARB Compressor is. But I now have thousands of miles with a bunch of off road trips with zero issues so I'm 100% confident in the mount.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Tire pressure can make the difference between a comfortable trip and having your fillings bounced out and making it over an obstacle under your own power versus having to be winched. As such, the ability to adjust your tire pressures on the trail, up and down, is very important and one of the first off-road "tricks" I learned.
Although I had an Instant Air Supply tank, I was always concerned it would run out of air at an inopportune time and it was taking up space inside my 4Runner. I really wanted an air compressor under the hood but after doing a bit of research, I could not find that anyone made one commercially for the 4th Gen.
Then I found this thread by [MENTION=119302]4RunnerAquasport[/MENTION] where he made a mount out of a Simpson Strong-Tie nail plate. Bingo!! LINK His thread is great, but he has a V8 so there were a couple of minor differences which I'll highlight here.
I also referenced [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION]'s amazing thread for help with the wiring.
The most difficult part of this job for me was locating the plate the compressor mounts to. I finally found it at Dixieline (a local hardware store). The plate is a Simpson Strong Tie nail plate Part No. PSPN516Z. In construction, they're used to protect wiring from inadvertently having a nail driven through it. Home Depot carries them, but my local one did not have them in stock. You can order them on-line though.
For my install, I only had to drill one hole in my fender. I drilled a hole where the green circle is. If I recall correctly, it was a 3/8" hole. Also, since our airbox is located in a different spot, I was able to use the hole circled in red for the strap with an M6 bolt. The hole is already tapped which was nice.
So here's the finished mount after I assembled it and painted it.
And with the compressor mounted on it:
Mounted in the engine bay before the intake was put back in its place:
And then the finished project with the intake back in place but before I had wired everything up:
As I mentioned before, I used MTN4RNR's thread (post #434) for help with the wiring. I used the switch which comes with the ARB compressor but I don't like how it stands out and doesn't look stock. I ordered a new switch from CH4X4 and will be installing it soon.
Overall, I'm really stoked with how well it turned out. I was a little worried at first given how heavy the ARB Compressor is. But I now have thousands of miles with a bunch of off road trips with zero issues so I'm 100% confident in the mount.
Let me know if you have any questions!
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
[MENTION=114745]YetiX[/MENTION] it looks like you could put a 5 gallon tank in there. Holy crap there is a bunch of room compared to the V8.
Love this forum!!
Very Nicely Done Sir!!
Love this forum!!
Very Nicely Done Sir!!
YetiX
New member
Thanks Max! The ham radio install is next which you helped with too.
ridefast
New member
This post encompasses a few months and a few days of work, but it makes more sense to do this all as one post.
I would really like to have a steel rear bumper with swingouts, but it's just not in the budget at this point. Since I really wanted to get my spare out from under the 4Runner, and get one the same size as the other four tires, I started keeping my eyes open for a Wilco Hitchgate LINK I also wanted to be able to carry extra fuel and water. After a couple of months of looking, I saw an ad for an original Hitchgate on Craigslist for $600 on a Saturday morning. I showed my wife and she said, "I bet you can get that for $400." So I emailed the seller and offered $400. When I heard nothing, I figured he wasn't willing to go that low. So imagine my surprise when I received a email Sunday afternoon saying, "If you can be here in 30 minutes, it's yours for $400." I was on his doorstep in 20 minutes.
These are the pictures from the ad. As a plus, it came with the license plate relocation bracket.
And installed on Hank for the drive home.
Nice find on the Wilco Hitchgate. How have the ridge grapplers been treating you?
YetiX
New member
Thanks, it was a very good deal.
The Ridge Grapplers are great tires. Quiet on the streets. Great traction off road. Very tough. As an added plus, they last a long time. Mine currently have about 40k miles on them with plenty of tread left.
ridefast
New member
Thanks that's great to hear! You have done a great job with your 4Runner!
Rocky Runner
New member
Just stumbled across your thread. Love what you're doing man keep it coming!
Also wanted to say thanks for the info on the Tablet mount. I've been looking to do this for some time. Now that I am starting over with a 4th gen build I'm looking forward to cleaning up the cockpit and running one of these mounts.
Also wanted to say thanks for the info on the Tablet mount. I've been looking to do this for some time. Now that I am starting over with a 4th gen build I'm looking forward to cleaning up the cockpit and running one of these mounts.
Just a bit off topic but I always wondered why pictures always get quoted. In some threads it adds a lot when someone quotes like a dozen pics. Not knocking on your inquiry though. Good info for everyone following the thread for sure.
YetiX
New member
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it. I sure as hell am. Btw, I added a second ball to mount my ham radio's face plate. Coming soon to a thread near you!!
One of my next projects to further clean things up is going to be to mount a dual USB outlet right below the RAM ball (assuming there's room). That will help keep the power wires shorter and more out of the way. I seem to always catch my phone power cord with my water bottle.
Some forums I am on automatically remove pictures from quoted replies. That's good until you want to specifically reference a picture to ask a question. When I quote posts with a lot of pictures, I'll remove the pictures from the quote, but not everyone takes/has the time to do that. It certainly makes pages longer.
ridefast
New member
Sorry if I offended by deleting some of the content from the post quote. My understanding is if you leave the brackets around quote you can delete whatever content you want. I usually try to keep the referenced content in a quote and delete the rest.
YetiX
New member
Went up to Julian a couple of weekends ago with my daughter. One of "our" things to do together is get lunch at Miner's Diner and then explore the area. Didn't get into much dirt because of the snow and rain which turned everything to mud and I didn't have anyone else with us, but it was still another great day in the 4Runner!
(You can see at least a couple of the changes that have been made recently . . . more to come.)
(You can see at least a couple of the changes that have been made recently . . . more to come.)
BrianSD_42
New member
How did the new hitch tire holder hold up on the short trip? Does everything feel locked down...
YetiX
New member
The Wilco has been on there since early April of 2018. It's been buried in sand in Anza and dragged across rocks in Big Bear. That thing is SOLID. It does not rattle and there are no squeaks. Wilco builds a solid product.
YetiX
New member
WARPED XIV - April 5-7, 2018
Back when I still rode motorcycles, every April I went to an event associated with the forum ADVRider.com and even organized it a couple of times. The event is called WARPED which stands for Western Adventure Rider Party and Endurance Drinking Event. The event is held in a campground near Kernville, California right on the Kern River, a great river for rafting and fishing. The event also serves as a fund-raiser for Stewards of the Sequoia.
Even though I no longer had a motorcycle, I still wanted to go so Miles (with his WR on a hitch carrier) and I drove our 4Runners up while Devin and another friend, Ben, rode their motorcycles up.
This year's event was very wet so I was really glad I had my awning. First thing we did when we got to the campground was grab a prime camping spot near the beer and set up camp.
On Saturday, the other guys all went for rides so I took my 4Runner up to Sherman's Pass to see what kind of fun I could find. Incoming photo dump:
Unfortunately, it was still too early in the season and snow had Sherman's Pass closed:
I went back down the mountain a ways and found an easy trail I had never seen before. It was paved (roughly) in parts but I saw some cool scenery and a Whitetail doe.
Then it was back to camp for the other part of the event, the raffle and endurance drinking. I won a cool aluminum beer growler with a keg cap (which unfortunately did not work).
Miles and Ben:
Devin
Next up, the return to Big Bear and we go down a Black Diamond trail (stupidly) . . .
Back when I still rode motorcycles, every April I went to an event associated with the forum ADVRider.com and even organized it a couple of times. The event is called WARPED which stands for Western Adventure Rider Party and Endurance Drinking Event. The event is held in a campground near Kernville, California right on the Kern River, a great river for rafting and fishing. The event also serves as a fund-raiser for Stewards of the Sequoia.
Even though I no longer had a motorcycle, I still wanted to go so Miles (with his WR on a hitch carrier) and I drove our 4Runners up while Devin and another friend, Ben, rode their motorcycles up.
This year's event was very wet so I was really glad I had my awning. First thing we did when we got to the campground was grab a prime camping spot near the beer and set up camp.
On Saturday, the other guys all went for rides so I took my 4Runner up to Sherman's Pass to see what kind of fun I could find. Incoming photo dump:
Unfortunately, it was still too early in the season and snow had Sherman's Pass closed:
I went back down the mountain a ways and found an easy trail I had never seen before. It was paved (roughly) in parts but I saw some cool scenery and a Whitetail doe.
Then it was back to camp for the other part of the event, the raffle and endurance drinking. I won a cool aluminum beer growler with a keg cap (which unfortunately did not work).
Miles and Ben:
Devin
Next up, the return to Big Bear and we go down a Black Diamond trail (stupidly) . . .
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K-D-Runner
New member
New grille?? I really like the look! Any information on how ya did it/cost?
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
YetiX
New member
Thanks! That grill, which has been replaced by a more traditional Satoshi, was made by a member on here. It's somewhere in my garage. I'll see if I can dig up his information. :thumb:
I think that I have now had 5 different grills/versions on there: original sport, sport plasti-dipped black, a Limited with the center plasti-dipped black, the one that's one there in these pictures, and the current Satoshi. The current Satoshi is the look I want but it's definitely rough from up close. I want to re-do the mesh but may do the Limited grill as a Satoshi.
I may have a problem.
hwell:
YetiX
New member
Big Bear June 22-24, 2018
Miles, Devin and I took a short weekend trip to Big Bear to camp and get a little wheeling in. Miles brought his son and I brought my daughter.
We left San Diego late Friday afternoon, fought through hell traffic, and got camp at Crab Flats Campground around 8. We quickly set up camp, had a couple of beers and turned in early in anticipation of a fun day Saturday.
On Saturday we had boil in a bag for breakfast and headed out north on 3N16 for a while before deciding we wanted to go somewhere else. I shot some video but cannot figure out how to embed it here.
We went back south and then Devin turned us down a trail. Somehow, Miles and I missed that it was a Black Diamond. (Memo to file, do not trust Devin, always verify the trail. This will come up again in a few months.) I did not get any pictures of us stuck on the black diamond trail, but did shoot video. I thoroughly tested both my skid plates and sliders.
Anyways, from there we went and explored some new trails and went to the fire lookout at Butler Peak. The views were amazing!
Oh, there are our rigs:
Then we headed back to camp for a late lunch and naps, pulling in some spectacular views:
Back at camp, kid had her own tent:
Had some hammock time:
I napped in the 4Runner:
We went into town for dinner (which sucked) and then back to camp for beers and fun:
And got "attacked" by these beetles:
This was not a photo-heavy trip, but we had a really good time and got some relaxing and laughs in. (Pro tip: Let a 10 year old narrate his dad's driving over the radio. :spit
Next up, rear hatch lights and an Odyssey battery . . .
Miles, Devin and I took a short weekend trip to Big Bear to camp and get a little wheeling in. Miles brought his son and I brought my daughter.
We left San Diego late Friday afternoon, fought through hell traffic, and got camp at Crab Flats Campground around 8. We quickly set up camp, had a couple of beers and turned in early in anticipation of a fun day Saturday.
On Saturday we had boil in a bag for breakfast and headed out north on 3N16 for a while before deciding we wanted to go somewhere else. I shot some video but cannot figure out how to embed it here.
We went back south and then Devin turned us down a trail. Somehow, Miles and I missed that it was a Black Diamond. (Memo to file, do not trust Devin, always verify the trail. This will come up again in a few months.) I did not get any pictures of us stuck on the black diamond trail, but did shoot video. I thoroughly tested both my skid plates and sliders.
Anyways, from there we went and explored some new trails and went to the fire lookout at Butler Peak. The views were amazing!
Oh, there are our rigs:
Then we headed back to camp for a late lunch and naps, pulling in some spectacular views:
Back at camp, kid had her own tent:
Had some hammock time:
I napped in the 4Runner:
We went into town for dinner (which sucked) and then back to camp for beers and fun:
And got "attacked" by these beetles:
This was not a photo-heavy trip, but we had a really good time and got some relaxing and laughs in. (Pro tip: Let a 10 year old narrate his dad's driving over the radio. :spit
Next up, rear hatch lights and an Odyssey battery . . .
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YetiX
New member
Shortly after the Big Bear trip, my battery started crapping out. I'd been wanting to put something a little more powerful in there for a while since I'm planning on, eventually, adding a fridge to the rear. After doing a bit of research, I decided to install an Odyssey Group 31 battery.
I've used Odyssey batteries in my motorcycles for years and they've never let me down. They are reliable and the Marine grade batteries provide both cranking amps and a deep reserve for powering a fridge. As it happened, right when I was looking for one, [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] posted that he was selling one. Since he was coming down for Trail of Missions anyways, he just brought it along with him. Thanks mang.
I grabbed one of the last Pelfreybuilt cages (since they were local) and ordered up some Slee Offroad bttery terminal extensions with military terminals. LINK
My friend Mitch [MENTION=67786]4RunAmok[/MENTION] who owns Adventure Wired came over to install the battery with new wiring and to install LED lights in the rear hatch.
The battery installed with zero issues:
Then Mitch installed LED lights in the rear hatch:
I'll add a photo later of how much light they put out, but suffice it to say they make camping a lot nicer. Being able to cook under the hatch at night and have extra light for the cooler, etc. is very helpful. They have their own switch and Mitch wired them into the hatch wiring for power since they draw so little power.
Next up, another trip to Big Bear with Devin, another trail that is more difficult than planned . . .
I've used Odyssey batteries in my motorcycles for years and they've never let me down. They are reliable and the Marine grade batteries provide both cranking amps and a deep reserve for powering a fridge. As it happened, right when I was looking for one, [MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION] posted that he was selling one. Since he was coming down for Trail of Missions anyways, he just brought it along with him. Thanks mang.
I grabbed one of the last Pelfreybuilt cages (since they were local) and ordered up some Slee Offroad bttery terminal extensions with military terminals. LINK
My friend Mitch [MENTION=67786]4RunAmok[/MENTION] who owns Adventure Wired came over to install the battery with new wiring and to install LED lights in the rear hatch.
The battery installed with zero issues:
Then Mitch installed LED lights in the rear hatch:
I'll add a photo later of how much light they put out, but suffice it to say they make camping a lot nicer. Being able to cook under the hatch at night and have extra light for the cooler, etc. is very helpful. They have their own switch and Mitch wired them into the hatch wiring for power since they draw so little power.
Next up, another trip to Big Bear with Devin, another trail that is more difficult than planned . . .
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