KB Customs in Westminster Maryland

Just wanted to throw out a plug for the fantastic work Kyle from KB Customs did on my 2020 TRD PRO. If you need any honest, detailed and experienced shop to do any work, look him up:

 

Hello fellow Frednecker!

What did you have done?

I see you have your Pro Roof Rack for sale! I have been meaning to take mine off as well.

 

I had watched youTube horror stories about taking off the OEM Roof Rack. So I reached out to Kyle at KB Customs. Kyle took off the OEM and installed the Prinsu full roof rack with 40" light bar and installed the switches in the interior console. He also re-wired my ditch lights that I installed and made it a lot cleaner. Couldn't be happier.

 

Eldersburg here. I'll definitely check them out. Thanks for the tip

 

I have been debating about going rackless or adding the Sherpa Crestone Rack. I honestly don't have a need for a rack, unless I decide to get some kayaks in the future. Please update when you sell your rack. I was hoping to unload mine for $250 some day. If you have multiple local suitors it may prompt me to take it off sooner than later. Thanks for the info!

 

I can 2nd this. He installed my Dobinsons IMS lift, UCAs, and mounted the 285/70s back in December. I have KDSS and was a little skiddish of doing it myself - after speaking with him I trusted his work. Good work, good communication, and seems knowledgeable.

 

Very nice rig FN! Yea definitely going back to see Kyle to get the Westcott Designs 4Runner TRD PRO FOX lift kit installed.

 

Good to know! A few hours away from me but if I need something it's nice knowing someone with 4runner experience is relatively local.

 

Thank you very much! He's reasonably priced as well - his quote came in under a shop in NC that specializes is 4runners and dobinsons in particular. They estimated 8-10 hours labor (they said they could get me out in a day if they put 2 people on it). Not sure why they thought it would take so long if that's what they specialized in (labor price was reduced since they were familiar with dobs) but Kyle also had me in/out in a day - not sure if he had help.

 

Good to know that there is an apparent trustworthy option nearby - less than one hour from me. I am at 22 months and 35,500 miles. I am wanting to do some upgrades when my tires are ready for replacement. I like the stock Pro Fox suspension. The Westcott spacer lift or Eibach Spring lift are on my radar. I'm not ready yet, but I have wrestled with the option having the work done by a trusted retired mechanic working out of his personal garage for cash versus someone that specifically works with 4WD vehicles and suspension systems. Based upon the number of people that have done a lot of these suspension upgrades on their own, I would imagine that an experienced mechanic would be able to handle these suspension options. Any input? Thanks!

 

I am not knowledgeable enough on suspensions to know the correct answer but am willing to give my opinion.

Everything on my 4runner that I felt comfortable doing and just bolted on (low pro bumper, winch, sliders, full skids, full length roof rack), I've done myself. My understanding is the suspension is bolt on as well and had it not been for my KDSS, I would have done that myself as well. I would suspect that an experienced mechanic has dealt with suspensions and should be able to handle coil spacers or coil replacements as long as they know how to use a coil compressor.

A word of caution though about keeping stock shocks and getting spacers or new coils - the shocks are only designed for a certain extended length and I believe lifting will cause them to bottom out before the modified suspension bottoms out. Someone with more knowledge than me can confirm or correct

 

Yes, I believe there is a loss of down travel with these two options. Admittingly these options are for aesthetics at this point in my life. I am almost 61 and have had some good 4WD's in the past - 77 Bronco, 88 4R, 76 Bronco and 06 Jeep Rubicon - and would seek out 4 wheeling trails back in the day. But my 4 wheeling at this point is more out of necessity than adventure and there has been no snow in MD this winter either. That being said, a suspension mod for me is completely unnecessary. I am very active - mountain bike, ski, hunt, fish, hike and would like to add kayaking someday, which all entail driving to a trailhead or parking lot for the most part. So rationally, I don't NEED a suspension mod which probably applies to 97% of all 4R owners. But damn, a modest lift and 285's / 33's look great!

 

Haha, welcome to my world. The roof rack makes it easy to throw the kayak and pelican cases on much more easily but the worst "off-road" conditions the 4runner has seen so far are the forest roads of Green Ridge. Even there, after coming into the park on roads I wouldn't take at least a crossover with AWD, I've passed civics or sedans coming down the gravel road in the other direction that makes me feel like a moron for the work I've done (pretty sure you can get all the way down to Bonds landing in a car from a certain direction).

I have no desire to seek out spots to push or damage the vehicle since it's still a daily driver so my mods are mostly cosmetic as well. I would like to go up to Roucsh Creek (PA) or some trails in GW/Jefferson to do some offroading/camping where the mods would be more useful. I also still have dreams of grandeur out west in CO or MT where it would be more at home but the reality is there isn't a lot close by.

And yeah, I've been disappointed with winter this year. We're due for another 2.5-3' "snowmageddon" but I don't think it's in the cards this season - it all went to CA this time.

 

So true! Growing up / driving in Gaithersburg in the 80's it was mostly power lines and farm fields (mud holes) locally or heading to the mountains of VA & WV, but that's no longer available.

I did a 20 day mountain bike trip out west this Fall to CO & UT and hit a jeep trail one day outside of Crested Butte. Went to Moab for three days, but I was biking and not interested in 4Wheeling since I wanted to make sure I would make it back to MD. It would be great to live out west and do weekend excursions where the 4R would excel. We don't have that conveniently at our disposal. If I wanted a hardcore 4WD I would have bought a used beater Jeep. On the other hand the 4R is refined and rugged, has great utility, allows me to sleep in it and is my daily driver as well! So in 22 months I engaged the 4WD a few times last year in the little bit of snow we had, one day in CO Jeep trail, and occasionally on the forest roads of the Frederick Watershed while mtn biking just to exercise the 4WD - pathetic!

How is it throwing a kayak up on the roof? I don't own a kayak, but I am interested in having one in the near future. I despise the Pro Roof Rack, but question removing it and replacing it if I don't really have a need for a roof rack at this time. I removed the rear seats in their entirety and have plenty of room inside for me, myself and I. I am leaning towards the Sherpa Crestone Rack if and when I replace it. I see you have the Gobi Rack.

This Fall I plan to road trip / mtn bike in the MT, WY, OR and ID area. I love the car camping experience in the 4R.

 

At the trailhead to the Dr Park Trail outside of Crested Butte, CO. This is at the top the jeep trail to get to the trailhead.

 

Home sweet home! I slept inside for 17 days of the 20 day trip! Loved it!

 

Nice! I think the 4runner is the perfect vehicle for sleeping inside if I were alone but I have a younger daughter I'm trying to teach the appreciation of the outdoors to - we go on regular short and easy hikes and occasionally take out the kayak my brother gave to me.

I think your rack would be fine for a kayak with a couple of ratchet straps - but I would probably tie in the front of the kayak to the stock tie down hooks in the front for stability. Here is a pic with the kayak on before the lift - just realized we haven't taken it out in quite a while!

 

Ehhh... I just saw how far away the kayak was from the front. I had two 600lb. ratchet straps on it and it was fine - I usually put 3 on now since I have the longer roof rack.

With the pro roof rack, if you are driving short distances (we usually go to Black Hill regional park in Germantown), you would probably be fine with just a couple of ratchet straps on the rack. If you are driving longer and higher speed interstates, you probably want to look at securing the front end.

Edit: this is probably confusing because I said 3 straps with full length rack and there are only 2 on it in the pic. I was fine with 2 straps (front/back) but I use 3 now because I'm paranoid. That's 3 straps over full rack - the pro rack can probably accommodate 2 straps (mid/back) and I would think that's fine for shorter, lower speed trips. With 2 straps i was back roads under 50mph. Depends on the length of the kayak.

 

Two people sleeping in the 4R would be possible, but tough with gear and to your point awkward with a non-spouse given the small space. Fortunately, my wife has no interest and my three boys (22, 19 & 19) are doing their own thing (post college, college & Army). So the 4R is all mine and therefore plenty of space - perfect for one person! So easy to roll in and out of campgrounds, or discreetly sneak a sleep somewhere.

I would be leery of putting a kayak on the short Pro Rack.

 

Yeah, my wife has little interest but still wants to be part of camping trips with our little one. Agree on the stability of a kayak on pro roof - then again, I do tend to over engineer. Shorter routes may be OK, but interstate speeds would probably be a wind resistance/physics problem

 

PM me if you want - we can throw my kayak on your rack to see how stable it is if you really want to know. I'm all about real world tests

 

I am in nearby Urbana in Frederick County and mountain bike occasionally in Black Hill Regional Park. Beautiful lake! My wife paddle boards there and my brother fishes there quite often.

 

Thanks for the offer! I actually have one of my brother's kayaks at my house now and I should check it out. But I am looking to purchase a heavy duty / stable / wide kayak that I can possibly put a deer in. I want to access some of the public hunting islands on the Potomac River for deer and turkey hunting in the future. My attempt to tackle the wilds of suburban Maryland! My kids have a 16 foot john boat with a 25 HP, but I want to add to the adventure! A trailer would be the easy way, but they are expensive and a pain in the ass to store in planned community / HOA.