5th Gen Armor

I can’t recall the purpose of the extra brackets. It would probably stop making noise if I installed them properly. But I seem to recall it required welding or relocating brake lines or something. Basically something I wasn’t willing to do on my brand new Tacoma.

I was mainly curious if anyone had any noise issues after installing armor on their 4Runner.

How is everyone’s MPG after armor? I would like to do sliders and full steel skids. I’m just wondering what will happen with mileage.

 

Sliders but no skids here. MPG didn't change after sliders installed. Has actually been getting better of late - slowly climbing, 19.5 MPG last fillup.

 

Apologies - You installed sliders, but not skid plates. And your MPG didn’t change after your slider* install?

 

I have rci sliders and skids. I have zero noise related to them. I think you goofed up the install.

 

This is the most likely scenario.

 

Oops! Yes, sliders only, no MPG change.

 

I have sliders and skids and my MPG’s did not change either.

 

Nice! Aluminum or steel skids?

 

aluminum. I don’t wheel often or hard enough to justify the extra weight of steel. On my taco I had bamf steel and it killed my MPG’s by about 1.5.

 

Got my Shrockworks skid plates back from Springfield Powder Coating. They charged me $60 total for sandblasting and coating (hammertone black) for all 3 skid plates. I was shocked, thought it would cost more than that!

I have TRD Pro skid plate up front, the SW skids integrate off of that. Will work on mounting them today.

I didn't get a gas tank skid plate. The factory one is better than nothing.

 

Duuude the shockworks rear bumpers are sexyyyyyyy

 

Local small Tire / Repair shop charged me $50 to put them on. Had 2 guys working on it.
I tipped them $10 each. I helped out with those damn stick nuts. Seems I'm a master at them after putting the Shrockworks Sliders on myself.

We got 3 of the 4 allen head bolts back in.
I may redo the 2 bolts that are point down instead of up.

 

Got the Artec Full Skid Kit using their %19 off sale. A little over $2100 shipped to San Diego. Not bad considering how much you get. Pretty happy with them. Easy install and the coverage and fit is superb.

 

Literally bought your bed stiffeners and had to trade the Tsvo in for a 4Runner!!! Long story but am looking at your rack and maybe a front bumper but new 2020 has that radar trickery up front....

 

The Blitz bumper without tubework and the front Strike will not interfere with the trickery!

 

Brilliant! btw - now watching your 4Runner thread and really missing those MI winters!! 16 degrees is cold, but they are beautiful!

 

They are beautiful, but long!

 

I installed The Victory Blitz bumper on my 2020 and works flawless with the sensor

 

well crap....there goes my credit card home equity left kidney!!!

 

Yeah I’m checking on this one from Victory or southernstyleoffroad. I was planning on adding my Bajadesigns led 20 inch bar behind the top grille. I would like to do this but I don’t want to spend money for it since I’m not needing a winch. But it looks good and makes the led bar better location. Tough decision.

 

Been watching this since I took delivery of the runner. Only thing I’m finding hard is I don’t need or want a winch. In 10 years of having the Tacoma I never needed my winch or even used it except to unspool and respool. So added weight and expense..... I even left my winch on my Tacoma when I traded in.

 

this my third 4X4 with a winch, my last one an ‘07 FJ didn’t have one. The two with Winches both got me “unstuck” a total of 5 times and pulled about 7 other wheelers out, I own and operate funeral homes and have pulled many a flower van out of a cemetery and a a few of our hearses (the FJ did most with a tow strap and the ones I couldn’t get the proper angle on we paid a tow truck). I also have a tree farm and a winch is great for clearing the roads through the farm. For me the winch is peace of mind when wheeling but main use will be the others mentioned above (and I might have to pull my mother in law out of bed ).

 

so, honest question before I go down same route...what were you thinking you would do to need the winch? My plan/idea is to use mine for ‘adventuring’ - first service roads, early season scouting trips, WABDR and IDBDR. If a witch is really necessary for tat stuff then I just saved some moolah!!

 

I never had a situation where it was easier to winch out of than just throw a maxtrac down and creep out. I didn’t go as hard as other folks do simply because the Tacoma was the daily. If you think you’ll need it get it. But to me it was just another thing I paid a good chunk of change for that never was utilized. I’m not saying they aren’t necessary by any means. I’m just saying I personally didn’t need it.

 

That makes complete sense! Plus Maxtrax are cheaper than a winch!

 

After looking and looking, I ordered Budbuilt sliders, 5 degree angle, plated w/dimples up, and a kicker.

 

Look at the budbuilt slider install thread. I actually wrote up some more yesterday because someone asked me some questions. I think you made a good call, I am still happy with mine and took some pics of them after using them as a step everyday since we put them on. We are still very happy with our purchase.

 

Link?

 

My other build design plans are hefty alum. prerunner bumper with lights with warn winch and synthetic rope and a hefty fab rear bumper with lights. Besides wife and 4 big dogs all weight will be on the Boreas XT teardrop

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/budbuilt-rock-slider-install-5th-gen-4runner.9974/#post-94036

Took me a sec to figure out the link haha