What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

I did the same=best all-round tires I've had on a 4WD!

 

Got an appointment set up for a BMC and check-up on just what in the hell is going on with my vehicle. Describing my issues even had them confused as to what's going on. So, hopefully they can get everything sorted out and fixed up so I can fit 33s.

Speaking of 33s...After a remarkably bad day I got home and had a pleasant surprise waiting for me!

 

Looks great! … What size tires are you running?

 

As I mentioned before, in April, I had my local auto body shop install my SPC Upper Control Arms (bought off Amazon) and do a BMC for me. I had it arranged so the tire shop across the street would install 285/70R17 Yokohama Geolandar MTs the same day after the BMC / UCA's were done.

Funny thing, the tire shop guy told the Auto Body Shop owner that the tires weren't rubbing at all. I picked up my 4Runner at the Auto Body Shop. Backing up at full crank - I had major rubbing (loud) on the front bumper. Auto body shop owner was like "Well that will teach me to takes someone else's word for it and not verifying!" The body shop trimmed the front bumper and pushed the liner forward, while I waited.

I could've easily asked them to do the viper cut on the front bumper. It would be the same amount of work as just trimming it to prevent rubbing. I didn't though.

The Autobody shop charged me under $350ish for installing my UCA's, BMC, and trimming the bumper so my 285's will fit.
I didn't get the best deal on the tires but I figure, I'd rather support local businesses when possible.

The tire shop has taken care of me previously with installing my heavy Shrockworks skid plates for next to nothing ($50 + tip).



One more little fun story, a few months ago (May or June) I went off roading with a bunch of Jeeps. I was pushing hard / taking every hard line and really impressed the guys with me. Turns out I put a small dent in the front quarter panel of my 4Runner in an off camber section. I didn't even notice it when it happened.

I took my 4Runner back to that same auto body shop and asked if they could knock the dent out. The owner did it himself, in about 30 minutes, with me standing there. Then he wouldn't take any $$$ for it! His response was "I'm sure you'll be back with something more significant in the future!"

 

cleaned the windows on both 4runners

 

Thank you! I'm running BFG KO2 LT275/70/R17 (Stock Size - E Rated). I went with an E rating since I will likely be pulling a trailer in the future.

 

Plans changed a bit. On the way to work this morning my vehicle started pulling to the left hardcore and the steering wheel started shimmying like mad. Called the off-road shop who I have the appointment with for fitting my 33s, I described my issues to them and they said that it sounds like my alignment wasn't done properly. Sadly, they're closed on the weekends.

Finally got hold of another tire shop that is open and they said the same things: If it's pulling that hard and my steering wheel is shaking like that? Then whoever did my alignment didn't do it right...*sighs* So, gonna limp up there first thing tomorrow morning for another alignment. Here's to hoping that I can get my beast tracking straight again! Maybe that will explain the rubbing with stock tires on the driver's side as well, which has gotten a bit worse as-of today.

 

Ordered wheels when I picked up my 4Runner. They came in yesterday, ran over and picked them up. This is what they look like installed.

 

Decided to go with an older 5th Gen console bezel since I hate carbon fiber and there isn’t any of that crap anywhere else in the truck. Also kicked it back with the FJ shifter

 

Received my compressor of choice, the Viair 400P-RV Auto. I had better get busy choosing some Molle Panels!

 

Installed KDSS spacers

 

@Reldn i tried look back but didn’t see this anywhere. What exactly changed before the pulling issues do you have aftermarket uca’s or lca’s? I saw someone did an alignment have you gotten under the truck with and verified your cam bolts are tight ? Reason I’m asking is we had a similar experience in the Tacoma where a shop “best shop in town” didn’t tighten the top nut on our spcs to spec and barely tightened the cam bolts and we lost our alignment about 20-30 miles later and had to be towed our 35” tires were all the way into the firewall at a turn

 

Noticed today my steering wheel is going to start peeling soon, only after 2½ years.

 

I've got aftermarket UCAs on it(installed back in May), and it had been driving straight and true until after I got the new wheels installed at the dealership and had to go back in because the TPMS sensors weren't responding. Then it started pulling to the right and rubbing slightly. So, I got it "aligned" at a shop and now it's pulling extremely hard to the left, rubbing like mad and you can even see that something is off with my driver's side tire.

 

Its a known issue. I wrapped mine in a leather cover.

 

high clearance bumper "viper" cut

 

Thank you! Here's another view of both sides with my new USR LED headlights that I installed today

 

That viper cut looks cleeeean as hell!

Today, I got some new rubber and some yakima hd crossbars mounted up top.

Cooper at3 4s in stock size, including the spare, till I decide on another wheel and tire set. Then these will be for winters. Debated another set of falkens, but I’m trying to support US manufacturing.

 

Look at those calves

 

Installed FSW -10 Matte Bronze Wheels
Duratrac 285-70-17

Call me ms saigon, owner of of saigon's happy house of massage, Because I rub alignment tomorrow to hopefully jack caster forward to avoid BMC

Had fun with my hood bulge

and went to Saugatuck

 

Took my 4Runner and just parked it for now. That appointment for yesterday to get it aligned was an absolute waste of time. Told them over the phone that I drive a 2021 4Runner and they told me no problem, bring it in and we'll get it taken care of. Took it to the place yesterday morning, told them once again that I drive a 2021 and was told no problem, we'll get it taken care of. Waited in there for a little over an hour only for them to come back out tell me that they haven't even LOOKED at my vehicle because they "don't have the ability to work on '19-'21 Model years." To say I was livid is putting it mildly.

Sad thing is, they did the same thing to a guy who came in right as we got there. They told him they could do something for him when he called and to come in, but, after getting there they suddenly "couldn't help him".

I finally managed to get an appointment in to the place that installed my lift, so, they are at least familiar with my 4Runner and willing to work on it. I can drop my vehicle off to them Wednesday morning.

In the meantime I may go and knock out the Fender Liner mod in preparation for the day it drives straight again and I get my 33s put on.

 

Gobi Stealth Roof Rack got installed with ladder. Still waiting on the kings. I was told maybe October to put the lift, wheels and tires on

 

Installed a anti-glare hood scoop vinyl decal on another members 5th gen a few days ago. Came out pretty good. And the matte black looked good on the white with all the other trim.



https://www.etsy.com/listing/106635...al&ref=sr_gallery-1-26&organic_search_click=1

 

Got a nice sticker...

(The joke is there's no student drivers. This sticker is to see if this could avoid impatient drivers tailgating me)

 

Nice Looking Ride! … on first pic you can slightly tell as it’s sits that there’s a negative camber going on … Love those wheels

 

Final Quest to convert all Old School Light Bulbs to Modern LED and get rid of the whimpy turn signal lights
Installed Lasfit LED Bulbs (Amazon):
Rear Turn Signals (T-7440A) Amber - Super Bright - They will get you noticed!
Front Turn Signals (T-7443A) Amber/Amber - Not a fan of the White/Amber switchbacks, used all Amber
Backup Lights (Yorkim 921) - 2000 Lumens - Had to electrical tape bulb to socket to light to prevent falling out into housing - no fun having to remove rear housing to recover bulbs.

 

no sanitizer on mine ! Only a touch of clean warm water on a soft cloth.

 

put new stickers on my wife's license plate

 

Didn't get to post this until today but a big thanks to OldRed again for the awesome harness to get this installed. I absolutely love it and it was so easy to do. MPGs are better than that now, a whole 16.1

 

This looks great!