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

Hotwired the weather station and ran the led lights mainline to this end led light in the storage attic.

 

How does access to the frig work? I really like your set-up and shelving.

 

This is NICE!!! Good job. If only it fit a family of 6 I would be all over it.

Have you done a weigh in? What are your temps at?

 

Thanks. Mostly me, like 99% of the time. When My Life comes alone we use the amenities during the day, including nap, but don't camp/stay in the vehicle overnight but at a hotel/other.

The last weigh-in was Dec 2021, fully loaded, including My Life and her roll-on suitcase.

The temps are outside and inside of the vehicle. The RedVision BMS monitors the battery and water tank temps.

 

The tailgate has to be open to open the drawer. It's a draw (no pun intended) back. The only other place it could open inside was between the doors and that area is occupied by the port-a-potty that be used inside if needed. It helps to be 5'5".

 

Thanks. Since it's mostly me, I took out the back seats and built a skeleton inside, using the seat anchor points, and built it from there. On the shelves, instead of wood, I used bungee cords to keep things from falling out. It's lighter and easier to find things. That said, plan to use cedar planks on the attic storage for looks but the smell keeps insects and rodents out of the vehicle.

 

Couldnt justify spending $200+ on sway bar links so found some inexpensive alternative by Moog. Also was about to install the 10mm spacer on the rear driver coil then I noticed something weird when taking measurements. Instead of it leaning to driver side, like it was after running the the lift it was obviously leaning to the passenger side. It was more confusing to me that it was leaning this way since I filled gas to 3/4 tank, normally I would go fill to 1/2 but the lever got stuck. Not sure if the adjustment to the front driver coil that I did few weeks ago finally settled and caused this?

 

Ah, now I see the handle I think. Missed it the first time. Thanks!

Do you have a build thread? I'm real curious now.

 

You have any skid plates or armor? Curious on my weight need to run it down to the scales soon. I know it feels over loaded lol

 

Rock sliders, hatch ladder, and 12k winch but NO skid plates/armor.

 

This is so cool, I have been thinking about a side storage/shelving idea but didn't now where to start. Do you have a boil thread with more details on this?
Great work!

 

Thanks!

What is a "boil thread"?

Sounds a bit corny, while I can conceptualize I cannot visualize thus didn't know where or how to start either. Watching others (many others--vans, trucks, SUV, and even tiny homes, etc.), I put the wanted (mock) systems on the garage floor to see if would fit first. Then took apart the inside (to include the rear seats as I'm mostly alone) to find anchor points. From there, like a 3-D puzzle, started putting pieces together (and taking apart and putting them back together again and again and again) and continue to do so. Lots of frustration but significantly greater reward with utility.

Hope that helps.

 

lol sorry I meant a "build" thread.

Thanks for the photos! I'm not familiar with that material, I only build a wood platform so far. Is this just resting on the side? Or actually screwed it in?

 

NO build thread. I have a few pictures but mostly being creative. That said, it can be quite frustrating sometimes too. But in the long run much worth it.

This material is aluminum extrusion, while more expensive than wood it's significantly stronger, allows you to do things you would NOT be able to do with wood, and while a bit heavier than wood somewhat about the same weight of equal wood support. The latter meaning, if you need a 2x4" wood structure strength, likely 1x1" aluminum extrusion is more than enough, and possibly overkill, and those two are about the same weight. Additionally, a bonus 1x1" takes up less area than the 2x4". Also, while you could change the wood it's limited as to how may times you can puncture the wood, whether nail, screw, bolt, etc. That's NOT an issue with the aluminum extrusion. While like wood, you could NOT make it longer once cut you can reposition the anchor points almost indefinitely without weakening the aluminum extrusion because of puncture. 80/20 (https://8020.net/product-basics) likely the most common provider and available on Amazon, however, shipping could take 6-8weeks. Tnutz (https://www.tnutz.com), while limited stock, is a less expensive dealer and shipping is significantly quicker. That said, on some pieces it's the opposite, Tnutz is crazy expensive because of the shipping and I opted to wait the 6-8 weeks shipping from Amazon. It's also available at Grainer? (spelling), while less expensive than Tnutz shipping it's more expensive than Amazon if you need it sooner than 6-8weeks. I used mostly 1x1" and a few pieces 3x1" bought on Amazon and get the less expensive hardware to put it all together from Tnutz.

It's bolted into the vehicle's anchor points, sometimes you have to be a bit creative as to which anchor points will capture the structure but it's NOT going anywhere. Hope that helps.

 

Careful.....Giant LEGO

 

How are you liking those ridge grapplers? Any issues with clearance or trimming?
Looks great!

 

Got some new tires bfg km3

 

Emptied and cleaned the port-a-potty (that's been sloshing in the back for 2 weeks now without smell). Forgot it was used on the last trip.

NOT sure if it'll hold up but added bungee cord to store the cast iron skillet. And added LED lights to the lower section because when the full bed is deployed it's hard to see the Foodi panel, even during the day.

 

this. Sony xav-ax8100 and really bitchin' wallpaper

 

Exactly what was the jab you are referring to?

 

You have put alot of thought, effort, and attention to detail on your rig. Wow!

 

Only rub in full reverse. Other than that, smooth ride.

 

@The Knitted Brow does that little table attach to the hitch mount? your build is very impressive!!

 

Thanks. Trying to replicate a more nimble and stealth version of a 4x4 van we traveled in, with many of the same amenities but more offroad capability. The van had every creature comfort, including satellite DirecTV, here at top of Engineer Pass, CO watching POTUS44's State of the Union Address (2011), and while very offroad capable and got us to lots of places it did NOT get us to every place the 4Runner can.

 

Thanks. It's a charcuterie board from Amazon (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HD3TTZS?ie=UTF8) that I trimmed the handle width and depth on to snuggly fit under the hitch pin. I was surprised it worked. It easily supports our meals and drinks, NOT sure it supports more than 10-15 lbs. Make sure the engine isn't running as the exhaust is near.

 

What size are the new KO2's? Look good!

 

its not important.

 

added the top shelf Molle rack from victory 4x4 to my rear molle set up. Mostly plan to use it to store dog stuff (blankets, leashes, bowls etc) and get stuff off the back floor so the dogs can lounge out. As you can see, the height is perfect for your furry friends having plenty of headroom. Pictured is my 62 lb silver lab. Her slightly taller brother also fits nicely.

 

There is no such thing as a Silver Lab? She's a beauty!

Kimo just hit the 64# mark at 8mo. My previous lab (also a chocolate) was 110 at his heaviest. I think Kimo might hold steady around 95 tho the best are the hundo mark.

 

When you swapped valances, did you have to drill the front plate bracket in yourself? Haven't seen much coverage on this.