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'23 Limited Backwoods Adventure Mods Grill install

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by tk421, Oct 7, 2024.

  1. Oct 7, 2024 at 10:33 AM
    #1
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    I couldn't stand my grill. I wanted a bit more clearance up front and landed on the Backwoods Adventure Mods hi-lite no bull bar grill. I didn't know enough about what was behind the plastic to trust spending over $1K on something I couldn't ship back. Props to Backwoods, Lil' B and Dark Runner Overland for having a published Limited compatible grill. There are only a few grills that will say on their website that it fits the Limited. I also didn't want to mess with my TSS. I do still have to figure out what I'll do with my front camera and parking sensors. I almost swapped my grill with a TRD one and went with a lo-pro winch bumper but after paint it would probably have cost the same and been a lot more work.

    Nevertheless, IT IS DONE! I'll get another photo showing the skid plate installed later. Found out one of the bolt holes was slightly jacked so I need to get a tap. I've got a bit of cleanup to do on the plastic edges. Also will get some better shots of how I bolted up the solenoid and added a power cutoff for the Warn winch.

    Very pleased with how it looks. Measured the height of the front wheel well and I've only lost 1/4". Well done, Backwoods. I'll save up for a bumper now (and maybe try to get a rock to rip the corner loose next trip so I can justify it to the wife).

    https://backwoodsadventuremods.com/...overland-front-bumper-no-bull-bar-launch-list

    PXL_20241005_145356894.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241005_160311912.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241005_163024113.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241005_195040833.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
     
  2. Oct 7, 2024 at 10:46 AM
    #2
    catbrown357

    catbrown357 New Member

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    Did they provide a template for the cuts?
     
  3. Oct 7, 2024 at 10:49 AM
    #3
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Not exactly but the video has a very detailed approach for where and how to measure. On the link I put above if you scroll down a bit there is a a link to an install video in the description. They gave 3 points to measure from. I used painters tape and cut with a air saw. Never used one before. I can give more explanation on how I cut if needed. There was one metal piece I had to remove and then a smaller flange that I cut through. Everything else was plastic.
     
  4. Oct 7, 2024 at 3:32 PM
    #4
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    Ascend Fabrications also has a Limited compatible bumper.

    IMG_0751.jpg

    I’d recommend some Trim-Lok to clean up the edges
     
    Maximumdarkside likes this.
  5. Oct 8, 2024 at 6:55 AM
    #5
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    I like the look of that too. Nice. I'll check out the Trim Lok. TY.
     
  6. Oct 8, 2024 at 7:16 AM
    #6
    Manhattan

    Manhattan New Member

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    @tk421, as a member of the Limited club, I'm lovin' this. Thanks for the detailed writeup. Gonna need more "after" pics!
     
    CC-2224 and tk421[OP] like this.
  7. Nov 5, 2024 at 1:53 PM
    #7
    CC-2224

    CC-2224 New Member

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    I want to do the same thing to my limited. What issues did you have with the sensors and the tss sensor? I can see that the TRD skid also fits reasonably well.
     
  8. Nov 5, 2024 at 3:09 PM
    #8
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    TSS works like a charm. I should do the install with the sensors this weekend. It finally cooled off here so I'm willing to work outside again. I'll be getting creative with the front camera. More to come on that.

    I'll post photos. So far it's been great. I am still tweaking the adjustment on the aluminum shell.
     
    CC-2224 likes this.
  9. Nov 6, 2024 at 6:57 PM
    #9
    CC-2224

    CC-2224 New Member

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    I am wondering how well the TRD skid fits with the bumper. I have a TRD skid but I am wondering if it is worth purchasing the additional skid.
     
  10. Nov 7, 2024 at 6:14 AM
    #10
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Last edited: Nov 7, 2024
    CC-2224[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Nov 7, 2024 at 5:45 PM
    #11
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Update. Installed the sensors up front. Work well. Measured halfway horizontally between the two angles (about 16" total, 8" halfway) and then 2.5" down from the horizontal ridge.

    PXL_20241107_234617124.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241107_234622274.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2024
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  12. Nov 7, 2024 at 5:50 PM
    #12
    andrewtheadventurer

    andrewtheadventurer New Member

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    That looks way better
     
  13. Nov 7, 2024 at 5:51 PM
    #13
    andrewtheadventurer

    andrewtheadventurer New Member

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    Are your cuts straight?
     
  14. Nov 7, 2024 at 5:53 PM
    #14
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Heck no. I sucked at it. I used an air saw. Should have used a rotating cutter thing.
     
  15. Nov 7, 2024 at 5:53 PM
    #15
    andrewtheadventurer

    andrewtheadventurer New Member

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    Bruh
     
  16. Nov 7, 2024 at 6:03 PM
    #16
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Knock off Trim Lok FTW.
     
  17. Nov 12, 2024 at 12:12 PM
    #17
    CC-2224

    CC-2224 New Member

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    Looks good, no error codes with the sensors?
     
  18. Nov 12, 2024 at 12:21 PM
    #18
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    No. I left the parking sensing off until I got these plugged in..even when I did it just gave me an notification that something was wrong with the sensors...but not an error code or anything. Now that they are plugged in and parking sensing turned back on it is all good. No errors.
     
  19. Nov 12, 2024 at 12:23 PM
    #19
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Hindsight is a bitch.
     
  20. Nov 12, 2024 at 4:50 PM
    #20
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

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    Big fan of the Backwoods bumper. For anyone looking to make cuts in the plastic, I'd recommend and oscillating saw. Cuts like butter and has plenty of control. Installed two bumpers like that and real happy with the results.
     
    tk421[OP] likes this.
  21. Nov 13, 2024 at 7:37 PM
    #21
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    On question
    I'm going to try to pull off my bumper on some rocks so I can justify to my wife I need that bumper.
     
  22. Nov 24, 2024 at 6:59 PM
    #22
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Pretty excited I finally got around to designing my solution for the front camera without drilling or cutting my grill. I'll post the final pics tomorrow. Here is what I have so far.

    PXL_20241124_201523690.jpg
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    PXL_20241124_201539154.jpg
    PXL_20241125_012240369.jpg
    PXL_20241125_012220293.jpg
     
  23. Nov 24, 2024 at 7:02 PM
    #23
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    Updated pic showing the skid plate BTW. Ignore the missing OVS awning. It'll be back this week.

    PXL_20241124_184155476.jpg
     
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  24. Nov 24, 2024 at 7:44 PM
    #24
    Dabigono

    Dabigono Just Joined

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    It’s the best front bumper I’ve seen on a Limited, it really transformed the look
     
  25. Nov 25, 2024 at 4:12 AM
    #25
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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    Do you have a rear bumper already picked out?
     
  26. Nov 25, 2024 at 4:58 AM
    #26
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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  27. Nov 25, 2024 at 6:43 AM
    #27
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Nice work!
     
  28. Nov 25, 2024 at 7:36 AM
    #28
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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    I did it! I got the camera installed and it's good to go. I bought a piece of sheet aluminum to make the mounting bracket. I used these to create compression to hold the bracket. See photos. If only I get could it to be HD :( I did put one felt stopper above the camera and bracket to sit against the metal. My intention was to not damage the bumper at all while keeping my front camera install. Someday I might install the Nakita front camera near it for a HD view when climbing but we'll see.
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TZNF7B4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

    PXL_20241125_145916345.MP.jpg
    PXL_20241125_145857877.MP.jpg
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    PXL_20241125_145801453.MP.jpg
    PXL_20241125_145844820.jpg
     
  29. Nov 26, 2024 at 4:54 AM
    #29
    Kezin

    Kezin New Member I guess?

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  30. Nov 26, 2024 at 5:51 AM
    #30
    tk421

    tk421 [OP] Breaking things just to fix them.

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