What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

Pulled a cubic yard of rock on Friday. Turns out that little trailer is only rated for 2k lbs, so I am glad I didn't try for 2 cubic yards (1cb yd weighs ~2500lbs). It pulled just fine but I don't think I would try to get close to 5k lbs

 

Yesterday I went to Byrd's Adventure Center in Ozark, AR. Had some fun there and then went on some trails in the Ozark-St. Francis national forest. Then stopped at this super popular cafe. I just ripped this picture from google, but it was packed with motorcycles, sxs, atvs, and 4x4s. 1 hour wait for food!4runner did just fine, but I stuck to beginner/moderate stuff. Plenty of sxs only trails around here. Gonna need rock sliders soon, I scrape on those predator steps all the time

 

Not much of an accessory but figured I would throw this decal/emblem on the dash piece

 

Installed Toyota Rock Rails

still looking for suggestions for a solid shop to work with in the PDX area-I am looking to go with a mild lift. My Rig has KDSS and that needs to be kept operational.

I did speak with one shop about which system, height etc., and their first comment was to disconnect/cap off the KDSSSsystem and then lift...so scratch one shop off!

 

38 psi and adjusting the shocks for comfort helped my mpg. 17 mpg after 30 miles of combined driving. Not too bad with 34 inch tires and a lot of crap on the roofrack

 

Thank you very much.
Just created a little video thanking everyone and also I bet this would be a valuable "how to" video.

How to reset maintenance reminder for 4runner with key fob-
https://youtu.be/MAP4u2uk3CY


Also my old video,
How to reset maintenance reminder for 4runner with smart key (non keyfob models)-
https://youtu.be/8dwdx9lmv68

 

Today I plasti dipped all the chrome emblems. Rain made it dificult but I think it turned out ok. Cheaper than the sick ontop ones.

 

Mounted my ProClip mount + magsafe holder. Love the placement (hate too many screens/lights in my line of sight). Surprisingly holds my iPhone 15 Pro Max securely and attached/detaches easily.









Will finish wiring up and conceal white Apple cable with some black gaffers tape as soon as my USB-C to USB adapter comes in.

 

Got DS/PAX windows 3mIR tinted. Gonna order the Brite Box Anytime Fog/Driving light W/Small Blue switch. Added some faux CF too.

 

You might try using black heat shrink to cover the white cable, plus if you melt the heat shrink in the shape that you want it to stay, it'll hold it's shape for a long time

 

Before building the inside I soundproofed the entire inside of the vehicle, top to bottom and front to rear, with sound-damping foam (

Noico RED 315 mil 20 sqft Car Sound Insulation, Heat and Cool Liner, Self-Adhesive Closed Cell Deadening Material (PE Foam Sound Deadener)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QW2RL2Q?ie=UTF8&th=1) and in the same manner added havelock wool insulation (https://havelockwool.com/van-insulation-products/), which, aside it insulates the cabin really well for winter travel and Arizona's summers, it cuts down on a lot of the noise whether on the highway or offroad. In the 60k plus miles driving around since the built, I have not noticed any distracting noise, other than occasionally hearing the water sloshing in the water tank on the floor behind the seats.

That said, and for comic relief, from your profile, the US Army shield, something you might appreciate--the following noise cancelation desensitization. After 10+ years of bouncing around in the back of jeeps before the HMMWV (and once or twice in a gamma goat), 2.5 ton, 5 ton, M113, M557, CH47, UH-1 before the UH67, C130, C17, and C5 in the US Army Infantry there is very little noise, if any, that bothers me when on the trails. Not to mention, there are very few spatial positions or environmental noises anywhere, whether on the trail or at an airport, that keep me from sleeping when I need to be sleeping.

Nonetheless, as of yesterday, without conscious awareness, I did not notice any noise in the ~200 miles I drove on the highway since moving the heater. Later today I am headed on a week-long trip to Tuweep and Whitmore Canyon, AZ, and will pay attention to any noise then. However, with the night temperature being in the low 30s on this trip I am sure the heater will come in handy regardless of the noise, if any noticeable.

 

Not as much work when compared to the overwhelming benefits. While I don't recall exactly, I believe it took 3-4 afternoons. One for the lower cabin, one for the ceiling, and another 1-2 days for the doors and hatchback. But likely 1-2 days if done from sunrise to sunset. Not knowing where in the country you travel, since you have the cabin exposed, I would recommend adding insulation at the same time too.

While anecdotal and by no means scientific evidence, I added these temperature measurements from the 4Runner sitting on the street in front of the house in Apr 2021 in Phoenix, AZ showing the outside and inside temperatures throughout that day, which I consider impressive temperature documentation knowing how hot it gets inside any vehicle, anywhere on the planet, north or south, when it's hot outside. Additional anecdotal evidence, this summer, while working at nighttime, I slept in the 4Runner during the day. The highest outside temperature was 119F and I stayed very comfortable with a 5k BTU window AC through the hatch window, and even had to cover myself with a Walmart sleeping bag because the AC temp was too cold for my tolerance, which I am a wimp when it comes to being cold (but in the summer at 119F outside!).

Additionally, yes, it's pretty quiet inside too. And, yes, I would take the time to do the same to any future overland vehicle. It truly is worth the time and effort for the comfort.

Good luck with your project.

 

I liked the RCI engine skid plate so just ordered skid plates for transmission, transfer case, rear axle, fuel tank, and a bumper filler. All steel. My mpg

 

Coming in a few days

 

The rear is finally all black. Had to buy 2014+ tail lights, plasti dipped the trim garnish and letters and vinyl wrapped bumper chrome strip. Again, needlessly time consuming and expensive. Now I need some of those TRD pro wheels.

 

WOW just checked to see asking price of my trade. I figured $33k
https://www.bennetttoyotapa.com/used-Allentown-2018-Toyota-4Runner-TRD+Off+Road-JTEBU5JR9J5556864

 

Broke it’s Cherry

 

As a fellow pre-facelift (2010) owner, FUCK those chrome strips on the front and back. Dumbest shit ever. Took me forever to blackout all the fake chrome on mine. Congrats on getting yours done. Looks good

 

WOW!! WTF !?!? Way over the edge, eh??? YOU Don't Lkie Chrome??? So NO one Should??? Hello It's 2-XX +-!!! Like chrome/Like Black out!! Relax !! Or ?????????

 

Your first time playing Led Zeppelin in it? What have you been listening to? Lol.

Congrats man.

 

I got 5 Grey Toyota rims, BFG 275/70-R17s K02s, Pacific OEM TPMS Sensors, and Black Toyota Lugs and Locks. The rims, lugs and 4 locks were via Amazon. The 5th lock I ordered from McGard, along with a spare “key”.

The spare is mounted on a Westcott Design hitch mount tire swing, which is very solid.

I’ve had the rims and tires since July… two 1500 mi plus roadtrips… Everything was smooth right out of Discount Tire… No shaking and no shimmying. In fact the steering wheel shimmy I had at ~58 mph right off the lot, is gone. No ride quality or noise issues for me either.

I had to do the fender liner push, and I still need to get the heat gun out and have a word of prayer with the passenger mudflap bulge. Also had to do a minor (3/4” wide at the bottom) trim on the driver’s fender opening on the front side. I used an Xacto saw instead of a Dremel, and got a super clean cut with no anxiety or oopsies.

 

I found these Cubby Drawers by SR Design on Etsy. They are 3D printed, and available in assortment of designs and color options for both the upper and lower Cubbies. Fit is excellent, and the handle is easy to get ahold of.

On my recent road trip I had the small one full of quarters for laundromats, and I stuffed all the CC receipts in the large one, so as not to make “The Financial Dept” upset. I also got an short USB extension, so my Thumby with all my tunes is out of the way.

 

The weather has been fabulous the last few days, so I got to the rat killin’ with decals.

First I did the TRD Off Road “Mountains Garnish” decal from The Custom Garage on Etsy. I got Silver, and it matches the lettering perfectly. Installation per the instructions was a breeze. I did as suggested, and left them on overnight, before peeling the carrier.

Next I added the “Mountains and Trees” glove box trim decal from M&M on Etsy. Again, followed the instructions and it was easy. I did find that some of the really narrow portions of the decal had a tendency to want to come away with the carrier, so peel VERY slowly, and if you see a bit of decal coming up, ease the carrier back down and rub the offending bit down. I had one spot that took me half a dozen tries, but it is on there perfectly now.

Tomorrow I’ll start on the Acorn Graphics rear quarter window “Mountains and Trees” decals. I got the precut ones and am going to do the wet install for the first time.

 

Thanks Man! Love the Led Zeppelin
And enjoy mostly Rock music back to the 60’s.
Yup hit the 500 mile mark

 

Looking good!! I’m leaning towards the mountain decal for my rear window.

 

Not sure why Toyota doesn't have a dome light for the rear hatch area, so I installed one myself. It's supposed to be for an RV so I figured what the hell. I put the switch next to the cigarette lighter outlet (newer 4Rs have a 110V outlet). Getting to the headliner was kinda annoying though and had to run the wire to the engine bay but it turned out good. Tired of using a flashlight back there to find tools

Before:



After (only the new light is turned on):



Here's the light itself:



And finally here's the switch:

 

Added my canvasback yesterday. Black with red stitching. Had these in my 20 AG Pro and loved them.

 

I've got a set just like that, and hopefully the nice weather will hold so I can get them installed. Looks awesome!