time to drop the bass and build the 4runner!

Okay, so it's build time. Let's go back in time to begin.

Here we are stock.

 

The first mod was to add the TRD skid plate.

This was an easy mod aside from the fact that you need to use your body as a jack to support it whilst bolting it on.

 

Then I added Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires in the stock size. These didn't last because they just wouldn't balance right.

 

Then I added the Apex Overland recovery points. The grey stuff you see is anti-seize which got EVERYWHERE.

Also, despite what one video showed, you really do need to take off the TRD skid plate for this install to work well.

 

Then the Mickey Thompsons were exchanged for some good ole fashioned KO2s.

 

Then came the running board delete in anticipation of my new sliders.

 

Sliders arrived…







Everything was well packaged and I damaged.

I decided to chase the threads the least toxic way I could figure - some brushes and rubbing alcohol. Worked really well.

 

Now, on to the install…

I was doing this by myself, so I opened up my garage door in case I needed to yell for help.

After struggling to get these things started, despite having all the right tools and ideas, my neighbor comes strolling up, and asked if I needed a hand.

I said yes.

He then proceeds to hop down and basically installs the dang things with me just handing him bolts the entire time.

His degree was in automotive engineering, and so he knows a thing or two.

Everything goes great, except for the parking brake line bracket on the driver’s side. Turns out that whoever installed that one self tapping bolt at the factory didn’t do a great job of it, which sort of messed it up.

Since he didn’t like how it was going in, we decided to go for plan B.


I went out and bought a tap, and he’s going to sort it out for me tomorrow.

So basically, if you are me, do not attempt the install by yourself. If you are my neighbor, you’re going to do it with few problems.

I’m not kidding when I say he had the first one bolted up in less time than I had taken to clean the bolt holes.

 

Looking good so far!

Just a heads up to look out for rust under the top plates. Debris will collect underneath and mine were really bad after a few years, in spite of regularly blasting the mud out from underneath. It might be worth spraying wool wax or fluid film up into the corners.

 

Look forward to more updates.

 

Will do! Thanks for the tip.

 

Now just need to get lunch and then enlist my neighbor’s help.

 

The cleaning and prep work sometimes takes longer than the install work but worth it when you do it right. Also makes install easier.

Looking good, keep those updates coming!

 

Thanks!

My neighbor was REALLY impressed with the build quality of them - especially the welds. I'll take his word for it.

 

Prep work is always 90 percent of the job.

 

Latest mod. Still need to install.



Small bend thanks to the mail guy, but should straighten out just fine.

 

Instructions clear, Carry on. Over!

 

Make sure you don't install it upside down!

 

Install went smoothly.

Dealer license plate rack had little tabs that retained the plate, so needed to bend things to slide the plate out.

Started reinstalling the new rack and then discovered that I really needed to bend the license plate a bit so that the foam blocks underneath the plate, which were fairly outboard, kept the plate from contacting the body.

A few strategic flexes of the old plate, and then it was quickly installed with no hassle.

No photos, because if you don’t know what a license plate rack looks like on a vehicle, then it’s time to log off the internets and go outside.