Limb Riser/Do it Yourself

I've searched much for 4Runner Limb Riser kits; the best I could come across was an outfit out of Australia, but I reached out to them and never heard back. The kits they have are not for 4Runners, but I thought I could still use one of them.

However, I decided to do it myself. Here's my parts list (all from Amazon) and an unbelievably awesome, self drawn schematic with some of the words cut off--sorry but thank you very much--and, yes, I misspelled ferrule:

1. Two Nilight NI-KIT01 LED Mounting Bracket Kit for Horizontal Bar Tube Clamp Roof/Roll Cage Holder; these will be used on the Shrockworks Brush Guard top tube

2. Two Handster Work Light Mounting Clamps 0.75’’/ 1’’/ 1.2’’ Universal Tube Mounting Brackets; these will attach to the GOBI Rack

3. Black Vinyl Coated Steel Aircraft Cable 1/8" VC 3/16" 7x19 Wire

4. 2 of 3/8" x 6" - Jaw & Jaw Galvanized Turnbuckle

5. A 2.3 Inch Stainless Carabiner Clip Heavy Duty Snap Hook

6. IWISS Wire Rope Crimping Tool for Aluminum Oval Sleeves,Stop Sleeves,Crimp Ferrules

7. Glarks 210Pcs 6 Size Aluminum Double Barrel Ferrule Crimping Loop Sleeve for Wire Rope

 

I finished my limb riser installation project last night; pictures to come soon. Here's what I've learned:

1. The large crimping tool was absolutely necessary (see the list above)
2. Buy extra ferrules, they are really cheap, and when you mess up (yep, messed up--twice), there is no fixing it. You will have to bin the mistake and start again.
3. While I do have the risers installed, it would have been far easier if I put another D-ring (Carabineer) on the top clamp (on the Gobi rack), and then attached the crimped cable to the carabineer versus crimping the ferrule over the vehicle. Meaning: do the crimping on the ground, or on a work table, it'll be a whole heck of a lot easier than trying to crimp the ferrule while attached to the clamp.
4. Open the turnbuckles all of the way (meaning: extend each threaded side of the turnbuckle as far out as it will go without it coming apart).
5. Make the riser cord as tight as possible through proper length cutting before attaching to the turnbuckle, very little slack is necessary; the length should be long enough to create a crimped loop on each end. The turnbuckle will tighten the cable. Make it taut or the buckle will bounce all over the place when driving
6. You will not need to buy #7 on the list above; buy the ferrules from Home Depot, they come in packages of 2 for $1.79 (1/4 inch). Suggest 4 packs, giving you 8 ferrules. You'll need only 4 to do the job, but best to have extras on hand.
7. On my list in the previous post, #1, and #2 will vary depending on the kind of rack and brush guard you have (or don't have). The nice thing is each clamp comes with a number of different sized inserts for differing tube diameters.
8. For those that don't have a brush guard mounting option, see me post below on brackets to use in lieu of the clamps.

That's it for now on lessons learned; if I think of any more, I will update the post. As well, I'll post pictures soon of the final outcome. Overall, I'm very happy with the looks (and hopefully the function).

Joseph.

 

PICS!!!

 

So what is this the purpose of a "riser" ?

 

To keep tree branches (limbs) off of the vehicle, the windshield, etc -- hence the name: limb riser

Hope this helps. Best.

 

Can you open the hood with them attached?

 

ahh I was drawing a blank on what it was too, nice work

 

With mine I can, but I purposely installed them with a carabineer at the turnbuckle (and front clamp), so that I could have a quick release on them for that very reason.

 

Very NICE!! Think I might modify the front hardware with some sort of boot? (only while in the woods) to help minimize damage to my truck when the cable gets destroyed by some overzealous limb, or (more likely) my overzealous approach.Thanks for the pics as well!! How do you like the Schrockworks bumper? Mine only has the center tube, so I would have to figure out another approach for any limb risers. hmm..

 

Love the bumper. Great approach clearance and well-mounted steel. I really like the hidden winch, too.

Good suggestion on the boot.

For your bumper with no tubing, perhaps look for a bracket to screw into the crack between the hood and the quarter panel.

 

Cool! think I like the lower right one the best. The one in the upper photo seems like it could REALLY ruin your day with a big limb. On the bumper, did you install it yourself, and were there any 'gothcha's' while assembling?

 

The bumper was installed by the 4x4 shop I use. (High Country 4x4)

 

Awesome mod! Only thing I would do different is modify the rear hardware to have the end of the cable on the bottom. Limbs could hang up on the cable the way you have it currently. Or am I missing something???

 

thats what I was thinking.

 

Turnbuckle is a closed loop, and can’t really hook something; although, I concede anything could happen with respect to limbs.

As well, you’ll need a quick(er) release for engine access; Having the quick release at the top makes it a bit harder to do so (but again I concede not off the charts difficult).

Short version: a bit of a personal choice really; but I am an advocate for the buckle at the bottom as are most users of limb risers.

Be well, and good luck to those adding the mod.

 

Question:

im eyeing up this bumper... what is the distance between the top of the bumper and the bottom of the tubing (where your lights are) does the bumper already have a hole to mount lights where you did?