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

Ah yes, The Peoples Republic of Illinois. I unfortunately live there. Literally every day they are taking away our second ammendment rights. I'm leaving as soon as I can retire.

 

That seems like a lot of trouble to go through just to be a rebel instead of just mounting the front plate and moving on with life.

 

2 minutes once a year is worth it to me to not drill into my bumper. To each their own.

 

3m velcro

 

To be fair, if a plate wasn't pre-drilled on my 2024, I could see me being rebellious as well. My wife and I plan on road tripping through the US a lot, so I have been mindful about some of the mods I have done so far (lights, tint).

 

What’s with today, today?
LONG ONE COMING
…I dunno how why what or when aligned today but here it goes

Bit of info to know, I HAD a 2 day turned 4 day wknd coming up for rausch creek park…pending…
Went to tire shop to get new 255/80/17 duratrac rts on—was able to ditch 1.25”spidertrax, no rubbing—shop couldn’t do alignment—went to other recommended shop 45min away that had tools—get there, they can’t either…too much play in SPC ball joint or bearing, I forget—contact original shop in PA for invoice since they won’t honor it(manufacturer problem) to send to SPC—checked schedule to see when I could have time to come in after wheeling to save on alignment(might as well just get it after since my alignment is basically on point)—NOW I WORK THE 10TH SUPPOSEDLY…—checked with work, might be able to fix that tomorrow when actual boss comes in—drive home(45) n get a call from “new” shop that it’ll be covered by warranty n coming in this week—cool
Here’s where it gets interesting or something…
The past few days the thread “SPC failures” has popped back up n @djwantke was featured up in the great north for being the guinea of the new 2025 SPC sealed jaunts at his local shop…so I call SPC
—speak with the dude, explain what’s up, he mentions the good news was coming tomorrow—sending out brand new everything tomorrow right from SPCs shelf—free free free—new warranty n all
Sooooo long story short
What’d I do in my 5th gen today?…
New tires, no alignment, busted UCA, hate authority even more n drove all round Delaware for like 6 hours

Side note:
Hopefully tomorrow my boss will remember he hooked me up n change it back, if not, @FN2187 im still game to get there, just might make more sense another time…I’ll be in touch

 

Scheduled an appointment to have the windshield replaced after coming out to this after work. I have no idea how this happened I’m 99% sure it wasn’t there this morning but I did drive into work when it was still dark.

 

That looks like a rock chip that spider webbed out across your windshield. I bet it happened on your morning commute and you didn't notice it because it was dark or hear it because of road noise. I hope your insurance covers windshield replacement. I know that some don't. Mine does, the deductible is only $50!

Which is great because glass now costs about $1600 because of all the sensors and cameras.

 

In Texas, you're suppose to have a front plate, but I don't. I haven't had any issues, yet. Mainly because I drive like you do. I don't give cops a reason to pull me over. But I have thought about getting this, so I don't have to drill into the front bumper:

$60 License Plate Holder Front Bumper Mount Bracket Compatible with Toyota 4Runner 5th gen N280,Crown,Mirai,No Drilling Installs in Seconds Front License Plate Bracket

https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-4Runner-5th-gen-N280/dp/B0DDC87XFY?th=1

 

I just have a front plate cuz it's not a big deal. The world knows that my county will pull you over for anything possible cuz of LivePD.just don't give them a reason. It's not the hill i wanna die on

 

Finally installed my front and rear dash cams.

I used a VanTrue N4Pro (with a 512 chip) in the front and a VanTrue N4 (with a 256 chip) facing the rear through the back window.

Wired the front facing cam (windshield mounted) to the OBD port and it can stay on with the ignition turned off, always has power for parking alerts.
All the wires are hidden.

Wired the rear facing cam to the cigarette adapter plug in the back. Most the wires are hidden and I need to do some more work on the area around the rear cig adapter power plug. The rear camera works automatically when the ignition is on & off.

Both front facing and rear facing cams have secondary 180 degree cams and this gives me a double view to document the video front & rear.

The rear mounted bracket snaps to the headliner plastic plug, got it at Esty.com and it made for a piece of cake installation for the camera mounting to the bracket.

Some pics below:



^^^ Front cam



^^^ Front dash cam



^^^ Rear dash cam and I can unplug it if I have to load something big and the camera is in the way



^^^ Rear wiring is behind all the panels except in this area, I will fix this tomorrow.

I hate tailgaters and people who are on my back bumper at red lights ... this rear cam has a tendency to push them back a little when they can see the camera through the back window. Some people even put their visor down.

The front cam video quality is excellent.

The rear cam is an older model, but still very good quality.

The only downside to this entire installation is ... the sun visor on the passenger side will not go up all the way. I tested several locations first with the camera suction cup mount and this was still the best place to mount the front facing camera.

 

Job well Done!!! congrats on the sober journey & enjoy your nice 4R

 

Installed Arksplash guards , both front pieces were ripped off.

 

Mine 4Runner is a 2015 so I don't have all the fancy window stuff just heated wiper option and an electrochromic rearview mirror.

I have $1k deductible so I'll just pay this out of pocket. I have a glass guy I've used several times in the past on other cars and he charges me $300.

 

Sure wish I had known/thought about that eight months ago!

 

Where was this taken at? Looks local to NM.

 

If you drill holes to mount the mounting plate you won't see the holes .

 

Dude I read this all and happy I did.
Good luck with ur SPC’s! And with ur boss and days off.

Question: how long did SPC say they honor a warranty for folks? I’ve had two failed balljoints sets, and bushings, I should really put some pressure on SPC with phone calls and get something free…cuz now I’m specifically getting publicity my regions 4wd
community specifically around SPC so I could cause problems for them a little via social media.

 

Rock chip. I have one in a similar spot on my windshield along with another up higher that was repaired. These windshields are rock magnets.

 

Not compared to FJ's

 

Finally gave it a wash after 3 months. I normally do not go through car washes but this will have to do until I can hand clean it.

 

Where did you get the mount for the rear facing camera? Can’t figure out a real good way to mount mine that I like, that is pretty clean

 

So Cal
Anza Borrego

 

Midnight Black looks good

 

It sure does! But man it takes approximately 3 miles of driving after washing before it starts looking like dumpster again.

 

That's quite the odyssey! Hope everything gets straightened out for you, I know that has to suck. Just keep me posted @scottiezilla - the wife is outta town this week and doesn't know I planned an offroading/camping trip not long after she gets back. We can always reschedule without issue

 

I’m not married but I’ll just go ahead n say

KING

 

Ordered a C4 Hybrid bumper. Now the wait begins for the 14 week wait period

 

It will fly