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

If you're not up for modifying the H9 each time you need to replace one, these H11s come close to the output of the Philips H9.

Tungsram H11-55NHP/BP2 Nighthawk Platinum Automotive Bulb, 2-pack

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08B8Y259H

 

Hey Runners
Another set of tweaks… one many are bored with I know but to me it’s something I’ve liked since the first time I saw it and part of what drew me to the runner. The other, the wheels Im not as excited about but will keep it that way for awhile. Going all in on new wheels just isn’t something I’m ready to dedicate $ to —- yet

Already had the grille gutter guard on bottom and now have it on the top piece.

the grille valence was painted with SEM Trim black in satin and then clear coated with a 2K clear with a satin finish followed by a light wet polish.

Satin wrap the silver front and rear bumper covers comin Soon

some pics attached of course.

 

It looks fresh.... shiny...super clean. Awesome. Was the wrap expensive?

 

That’s what I do. Halogens lose some light output over time before they burn out. So about every 1.5 years I put in a fresh set of low beams. I keep a set of modded H9s and 9011s in my gear box just in case one goes out while on a trip.

 

Why not just replace them with lasfit LED bulbs? They have more output and they should last a very long time

 

There are thousands of posts on the web, in here and in other forums about why LED drop-ins are scientifically not right. Plus they are not street legal.

 

nice! i'm going to try and add the gutter guard to the top piece of the grill but I will need to cut out for raptor lights and wires..

 

In my experience, ( other than automotive use ), Halogen bulbs burn very hot.

 

Yes, that’s how they work. A pro as well as con.
Here’s some info on halogen bulb operation, courtesy of a Hella automotive lighting brochure. Page 7.
https://www.hella.com/hella-za/asset..._2012_LRes.pdf

 

I swapped out my window vent thingies for the AVS stick-ons. The passenger side front one would not close right every time and I got tired of messing with it. I have always had the in-channel ones since like 1993 and never had an issue until now. Now that I have these, I think these AVS ones seem superior in every way except resistance to breakage from shock/bending. Might be a good test to run, but the other ones seem a little more flexible. One of the AVS ones arrived with a crack along one edge…never had a crack in any of the other ones. lol Anyway, I appreciate the reviews on here. It make the choice easier for sure. Pretty satisfied with this change so far. Have a nice weekend!

 

Those look good! Looks like you went with the low profile stickons.

 

Yessir! I am mostly a function over fashion type, but they definitely look better.

 

The wrap isn’t expensive given the size needed being somewhat minimal. I only use 3M/VIVID.
Was hoping to get to it today but other demands on my time have ate me up today. But we have hours to go still so we’ll see if I have the gumption after my next task today - replacing bathroom faucets.

 

The top was an absolute BITCH.
The bottom I did in less than 20 minutes with grille installed. The top took me 2 tries and that was with it out of the truck laying face up on a table. She was just being mean for that one!

 

What did I do to my 4runner today? I loaded 2 MTB's on it. We had a blast! I also ordered new Nittos for my wife's 18 Nautica Blue 4runner. Productive day!

 

Today I added LED lights to the center console storage. Like many others I used a mercury switch to turn them on. I picked up 12 volts from the rear seat USB outlets. I used Posi-Tap connectors for the 12 volt connection. Easy and cheap mod. And well worth it.

 

I reclaimed it!!

My wife has been driving it for about a year now and she decided she wanted a Subaru Crosstrek instead; manual tranny, easier on gas, easier to park, that itch for something new I guess.

So we sold my Tacoma, and ordered her a 2022 MGM Crosstrek Premium 6MT.

I then spent about 2 hours fixing her biffs and cleaning out her nastiness from the 4Runner. Shit everywhere. Hadn't been vacuumed since the last time I did it before I gave it to her. Windshield cracked. Driver's mirror plastic cracked from her driving in into the side of the garage. Moss growing in the third brake light. I think there was a dead mouse or some other golf-ball sized smelly thing covered in fur under the back seat.

Deep cleaned it. Mended the mirror. Reinstalled my gun rack and HAM radio that she hadn't wanted in there. Cleaned it a second time. Reinstalled my recovery gear and tools. Changed batteries in flashlights. Checked over everything. Somehow she timed it to give it back to me with '22 miles' left on the tank. Gassed it up. Ung.

It's good to go now. It'll see infrequent use now, save for trips, since I have a commuter car to drive daily. I'm quite happy to have it back under my control and care - she's a great wife, but a nasty fucking goat when it comes to car care. And I honestly have missed driving it... such a great vehicle.

I sold the Tacoma for $29,500. I bought it for $29,400 a year and 20,000 miles ago. A guy is flying here from Sacramento on Tuesday and driving it back... which makes me think I underpriced it (Base 4wd 4cyl SR Utility). The Subaru is $24,500 and it's spec'd the way she wants it, actually built for her since Subaru takes orders. No markup. I can't believe you can buy a new car for that, and still somehow capitalize on the used car price increases when you sell. Crazy times.

 

A 4R rescue, nice!

 

How long is the wait for the Subaru?

 

Early June.

I told her if she fucks up the 4Runner between now and then I am leaving her. I also left a packet of Pledge Wipes on the driver's seat to motivate her accordingly.

 

My nephew ordered a Outback Wilderness in early March. It's supposed to show up in May.

 

Very nice. Source for the AVS?

 

Amazon

 

Awesome mod, do you have a link to the DIY for this?

 

This is where I got the idea . Read all the posts. A few posts later improved on the initial concept. I wired my two LEDs together and switched the negative. Then just ran one pair down to the 12 volts.

Good Luck, this is an easy one.

 

Not super happy about this

 

How did you get that mall crawling?

 

Those Parking lots are getting crazy!

 

this was very challenging.. had to cut out the pattern and the area to feed the wires through for the raptor lights on the rain gutter guard..had to take off top portion of grille.. def like the full look on top and bottom of grille..

 

It looks just swell!
Good work hangin in there with it!