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

LOLOL.... this issue is very familiar to me. DO NOT ask why!!

 

For what it’s worth, it’s for the best that it bent. Instead of being strong enough to lever at the mounts themselves.

I made a rack with a similar a cantilevered overhang. Except, mine is probably strong enough to do damage to the roof rack or mounts if it somehow got snagged upward or pushed on by a tree or something like that. Currently, I’m trying to puzzle out how to make a couple of legs to brace the cantilevered part against the roof. I also want the legs to prevent limbs from getting underneath on the off chance they pull upwards on the rack. The legs will also serve as a windfairing mount, so I can gain back at least 1mpg lol.

Unfortunately, if people here haven’t figured it out, I tend to overthink every little detail. So it’s taking me forever to commit on how I’m going to do those two stupid little legs.

What I finally did with my 4runner today (actually a couple days ago) was to finally cut those two legs. But the more I think about it, I’m worried that the body flexing off road may cause those legs to push pretty hard at the roof, since the rack is pretty stiff, (and the body flexes enough to feel in how doors close when highly articulated). So I want to distribute the pressure on some type of dense padding between the roof and the legs.

I’m kind of struggling on how to figure that out lol. Right now the idea is a hard rubber mat (thin semi truck mudflap material) taped to the roof itself as a landing for the legs, with a softer dense foam on the bottom of the legs themselves. And possibly some type of way to adjust how tight the legs contact the roof when I bolt the rack down. I’m looking for tight against the roof, while allowing for a little give.

If anyone has any idea on a I good dense foam material that fits the bill, I’d appreciate them (or any other ideas on the legs for that matter)!

Here are some pics on the general idea (the legs aren’t welded on yet, just placed for visualization).

 

I was around the mountains where I got stuck in snow. The trail was narrow so I didn't take any chances with locker or momentum. I un strapped the shovel from the rack to break the ice and create some traction. One end of the strap was around the rack and the other end came under the tire. The 4Runner bent the poor thing.

 

Winch installed; the A6 plate holder was overly long for my angle so I cut it down. Waiting on a fid to delete the thimble for a metal-free setup.

 

I broke the rear deck lid garnish (where it says 4Runner) and had to have it replaced. It’s plastic and houses the license plate lights, the handle for lifting the hatch and the backup camera. Cost me $1000 to have it fixed.

 

Daaaang, that sucks! I’m surprised at how much it cost to fix. Was a garage door the culprit?

 

McSpazatron, yes, garage door. I barely touched the door and it snapped all the plastic brackets that hold the big garnish piece on. None of the electrical was damaged except the backup camera. Toyota did a good job putting it all back together Zane if I file a claim with my insurance, about $500 would be covered. Don’t know how much my insurance would go up.

 

That's why all the trouble spots on my garage door are generously padded.

 

Your black center caps look great. Did you paint them or buy them like that?

 

All I did was remove the aluminum ring, and sprayed the aluminum toyota emblem with plasti-dip.

There are little tabs on the backside of the cap that you can gently pry straight to remove the aluminum ring and emblem.

 

On the flipside, Stay away from this guys overlays: https://www.ebay.com/str/z4square

I've had them come off multiple times. To his credit, he's sent replacements but the product seems subpar

 

Thanks for the info. I think this will be my next project

 

less of what I did and more what the work parking garage door did, as I was exiting the garage the door started to come down and hit the roof rails and crossmember. I'm really glad I didnt freeze and watch it close on my moon roof or try to back up and take out the gate arm that had already come down behind me. Looks like the damage is just paint transfer and I have a claim in with work.

 

I’m thinking it’s too much, comments?

 

The receiver plug might put it over the edge. I think one emblem stands out better than two.

 

I’m trying to not make it too gaudy but seems like I have

 

What wax did you use? Also, what do you wash your Runner with?

Kevin

 

Water, garden hose, micro fiber, meguires wash shampoo. Then turtle wax hybrid wax.

 

New PROPER shoes, Nitto Terra Grappler 2's 265's. Bye Bye crappy dealer road tires.
And a grill emblem from the kiddo.
Next on the list, install the Bilsteens in the garage and get that nose up.

 

Finally got some cross bars so I could install the roof basket. Just in time for the gear we'll need to carry on a Christmas week road trip.

Excuse the rubber ducks...they belong to our 3 year old and we're not trying to look like Jeep owners!

 

Change the rear USB ports to USB-C. Took 45 seconds at most



Edit:
for those who want the link

 

Surrounded, as usual.

 

Ask if they want to play "Follow the Leader."

 

updated my 4R.com profile photo albums
too many folks talking big game spittin deep knowledge but give little help back to the community or documentation of their handywork. I've had a lot of dudes ask me for photos of what lies under the bumpers or behind the dash!

 

@sparkydog33
Couldn’t find the part on Toyota website so I got it from here.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256...il_item.2.7a35f19c0OKptt&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

It’s essentially what comes in the Highlander. It came with a wire harness but I didn’t need to use it. It’s plug and play with the original harness from the 4R.
Works great.

 

Received a shipment of speakers today. Would appreciate some guidance. Mainly, the Crutchfield’s rear door bracket comes with a set of “speed clips”. They are meant to clamp onto the circular hole where the speaker sits into. But I really don’t want to do metal-metal surface contact. Plus, I think the truck already has those green nylon anchors for screws right?
i bought the Infinity Reference 9632 6*9 for the front, and Kicker 47KSC504 co-axial for the rear (the Kicker is 5.25” diameter).

 

I havent done the front as I have the 2.4A that was pre installed by the dealer (this one https://parts.priceleblanctoyota.co...T_LGCA7qKyOeeGpWMs2IK8qZ1i0oZ8ZxoCkhEQAvD_BwE)

for now it's sufficient and gives me the ability to use USB-A (just the normal USB ports) without using an adapter.

The main reason I installed USB-C at the back is to charge my ipad. The link for it is in the quoted message below

 

I did the Christmas lights on the rack thing again.

 

You just did that so we'd stare at your rack.