theshanergy's 2012 Toyota 4Runner

Doing this chronologically - first up on the mod list, custom aluminum shift knobs. Yea I'm a poser, so what, it's cool!

Some more goodies awaiting installation..

Wheels are 285/70/17 KM2s on MB TKO rims.

Suspension is OME 885/90010 front, OME 889/60080 rear

Suspension going in. I had read a bunch of horror stories about dealing with the KDSS system but it turned out to be pretty straight forward. The hardest part was getting the front coils seated without a spring compressor. Also the OME kit recommends a small strut perch spacer only on the driver side to deal with the Toyota lean, which I installed, but now my driver side sits about a half inch higher. I feel like that spacer would have been better on the passenger side, or just not used at all. Ah well, not a big deal.

Thanks guys.

Some more additions - added a full length Prinsu rack and 30" LED lightbar. I will probably add a few more LEDs to the rack as well for the sides and rear. Still have to figure out where to run the wiring.

Also put in some window visors so I can crack the windows in the rain.

Yea us Canadians always get shafted as all of the good stuff always comes from the states! Shipping and duties are a killer.

Some more pics - spent some time clearancing the fenders which was considerably easier than my 3rd gen was. These are only ~33" so no major surgery required, basically just realigning dust covers and whatnot.

I spent a long time going back and forth on whether I should put wheel spacers in. I actually bought spidertrax for all 4 corners but ultimately decided to just run right on the hub. The new rims are -6 offset so they already stick out more than stock. I really do like the look of the super wide stance but I figure the spacers add 24 additional points of failure. Better safe than sorry. I don't know though, maybe I'll add them in the future.

Yea I flexed it a bit just to test but haven't taken it on any trails yet. I'm getting an alignment done tomorrow morning so might do something after that or maybe on the weekend. Of course I got sick yesterday though so that might throw a wrench in the weekend plans, but we'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Re: armor, I've got some Demello hybrid rock sliders on order - they were supposed to be here yesterday actually but nothing so far. Hopefully they come in soon though. Beyond that I just have to decide between a hidden winch mount or a full on plate bumper. I told myself this was going to be a light build and I'm really trying to stick to that, but the proline elite bumper just looks sooo good. Very tempting :)

I actually just bought an awning, it's sitting in my garage waiting to be installed :) Got the ARB4402A which was pretty reasonable from amazon - http://amzn.to/2H0v7X9

I'm still in planning for my camping setup. In the past I've always just camped in the back of my truck which works great for short trips, but for longer trips it's a bit of a pain having to load and unload everything before you can get in bed every night. I'm toying with the idea of getting an off road trailer just for gear storage and then sleeping in the truck, but another option is to stick an RTT on the trailer. I don't think I can do an RTT on my roof as I've got a dog who refuses to sleep alone and it would be a pain getting her up there every night.

Thanks! Got the spacers from amazon - http://amzn.to/2H1SFuH

Have you seen what those xventure trailers cost?! More than my truck! haha. They're pretty sweet though. There's one on usedvic right now that looks like it would work but the guy won't get back to me.. must not want to sell!

^^ Thanks. I agree about the front end, though some of the nicer aftermarket bumpers seem to suit the updated style a bit better. Also, HIDs. I really miss HIDs but just can't justify the expense of a full retrofit. The newer models have factory projector lenses so you can just stick in any old HID kit and you're good to go.

Pulled off my running boards yesterday and installed some Demello Hybrid rock sliders. Pretty straight forward installation on these trucks - already has factory threaded holes in the frame rails so they just bolt right up. The only pain point is the KDSS unit bolted to the driver side frame which needs to be held out of the way before the sliders go on. I'm a little skeptical of the strength of the slider mounting bolts though as it's only ~8 M8 bolts holding it on along the bottom - I question whether that will hold up to the full weight of the truck smashing down on a rock. I may track down someone with a welder and add a few welds as well just to give me peace of mind.

Just a small update - I did some initial wiring for the lightbar and lights to come. My old 3rd gen wiring was a mess with relays and wires hanging all over the place, but I figured I'd do this one right. Got a Blue Sea Systems 12 circuit fuse block with a 150A circuit breaker. Also found this nice CNC cut bracket from Overland Equipped specifically for 5th gens. Now I just need some more lights!

Still have to finish adding relays and whatnot - just ran the wiring for the fuse box and lightbar so far. For the breaker, check the link above - it's on amazon. The 4awg wire I just had some scrap laying around that I used.

Another update - this one isn't technically about my 4Runner but I might as well add it here as it's part of the overall build. I found a really awesome trailer and just brought her home the other day. I got a tip about it before it was posted for sale and I'm so glad that I found it. We're going to be doing some longer trips over the coming year and this thing is going to be invaluable. It's a 1992 DEW Engineering CDN M101 Iltis off road trailer that has been masterfully restored by the previous owner. This thing is so ideal for what we're planning - it's fully wired with a deep cycle battery, lights throughout including underbody lighting, solar panels for charging, huge water storage with plumbing and water pump - also has a propane water heater so you can even have a shower in camp. It has a fold out table/kitchen area with an awning that extends overtop, and a CVT roof top tent up top. I'm super excited about this thing and can't wait to get it geared up and hit the road. Our first trip is coming next month where we'll be headed to Moab Utah for some desert exploration. Before that though we'll do some weekend trips just to test out the new setup and make sure we've got everything we need for extended camping.

150A is probably overkill for my needs really, but it all depends what you're running off it. I'll only be running lighting for the most part so I doubt I would get anywhere near 150A.

Unfortunately you can't run a winch through a breaker like this as the current would be way too high. You can't even really fuse them as even the biggest 12v fuses are underrated. It's always bothered me having a large gauge wire near the front bumper direct to the terminal but there just doesn't seem to be any safer option. Just waiting for the day I dead short a winch line - that probably wouldn't be a fun time.

^^ Logan that's a clean 4Runner! Don't even know how you got it that clean up on the trails, hah.

Another update for today - I installed my Warn VR8000 winch with synthetic line. I bought a Budbuilt hidden winch mount for it to hide it away in my bumper and it doesn't add too much weight. I also got a warn wireless remote for the winch so I can control it from in the cab. I'm surprised how well it works - feels just like the wired remote, no delay.

Well it's been a while since I've updated this thread but I've had a ton of adventures in the truck over the last year so I figure I'll post some pics. Most of these aren't on the Island so you'll have to forgive the somewhat off topic post. We've been road tripping around a good chunk of the US and also through Alberta and BC. There are a few shots on the north island as well.

Just an update with some new pics since I added my CBI front bumper and Dobinsons snorkel!

Hey thanks Llew - the first two shots were in Nanaimo, the third was Comox lake, and the last was up on green mountain.

Nice to hear you did some mods as well - the lift and tires should make you a lot more capable (not that you weren't already)! Hopefully I'll get to see you out on the trails again - I've recently moved up island so if you find your way up towards the Alberni Valley let me know and we can meet up for some exploration.

Some pictures from the yellow creek mine in Port Alberni

Small update - wired up some new LEDs in my front bumper, in addition to my roof bar and ditch lights. Pretty happy with my front lighting now. I think I'll add some rear LEDs and maybe rock lighting at some point too.

Pics

After a few recent wheeling adventures my factory skid plate was hanging on for dear life. Found a local company that makes pretty sweet aluminum skid plates for the 5th gens so I ordered one up! This is from GreenLane Offroad here on the Island.