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

So…funny story, I had it for around a year. And always wondered if it worked. Seemed like I never got any kind of boost on my trips.

Yeah, turns out, with my cell service being a first responder network, it’s on a special frequency that is not compatible with weboost. So my girlfriend is the only one that may have benefited from it I sold it a couple of weeks ago.

I will say, seems about everyone in west Texas has one.

 

Disclaimer: I purchased the weBoost because of the work I do throughout rural Arizona and I need an Internet connection for documentation. It being for work as an independent contractor I can, and did, write it off. While it makes a huge difference on whether or NOT I have a connection for work, which is 100% text and NOT images/video that requires a strong connection, I would NOT have purchased it for personal use alone as the purpose of getting out into the middle of nowhere is to get away.

That said, the weBoost antenna does make a huge difference. Just this weekend I was in Glen Canyon, AZ, it's in the middle of nowhere and where the line of sight connection is lost inside the canyon. Yet, had a connection with the weBoost that fluctuated between 0-4 b bars, but had a connection. While in the canyon I was waiting for a call and thus had the indoor antenna directly attached to the back of the phone. If I removed the antenna from the back of the phone it lost the connection (the phone NOT the antenna lost connection). While the bars fluctuated between 0-4 bars once connected it held onto the call without dropping. NOT sure if holding the call was because of the antenna but I am sure that without the antenna I would have NOT captured the call. A misconception of the weBoost (and similar products) is that it creates a connection. It does NOT. The weBoost antenna, and I guess every antenna, only facilitates a connection but does NOT create a connection. Additionally, the weBoost antenna only functions while powered. When I had the antenna connected to the vehicle's start battery the moment it was shut off the connection was lost. Now I have the antenna connected to the house battery and am able to continue using the antenna after the vehicle is shut off. Huge difference. Lastly, and the main reason I connected the antenna to the house battery, the weBoost antenna will drag or extend a connection from outside its reach into an area where there is NO connection, like inside a canyon where line of sight is lost. However, the weBoost antenna dragged whatever connection was outside to where I was inside Glen Canyon. The moment the power to the antenna is disconnected that dragged connection is lost. Thus, by keeping the antenna power on with the house battery it's possible to still have a connection inside Glen Canyon.

I understand the reason for mixed reviews, it's a lot of money if it does NOT meet expectations. Many of the reviews I read are due to NOT knowing what they do NOT know. For example, (1) That the weBoost antenna facilitates a connection and is NOT a signal by itself. (2) That there is NO connection after losing power and when power is reconnected there still is NO connection. (3) And the likes. Anyhow, hope that helps. Again, had I NOT been able to write it off (~$600) I would NOT have purchased it. But, now that I used it successfully, it makes a difference. Still NOT sure I would purchase on my own.

 

Stock bumper but the swing out is from Rigd Supply

 

NOT wanting to open the hood to access the winch control made access through the grill. https://www.4runners.com/threads/wh...h-gen-4runner-today.2261/page-600#post-302197

 

Final project! also painted the grill center with bedliner along with the valance area, the letters are black with a matte clear, to give the "ghost" effect. But now since just need to put on more layers of ceramic wax. Now to start gathering material to fab up a lower front bumper and bike carrier.

 

Yeah there are trade-offs when you want a winch and keep the truck’s face intact. I have a couple of remotes, so if I have to use the manual controls a lot of stuff failed to get there. Sure as I DON’T create that access I will get somewhere and need it. @The Knitted Brow

 

I understand completely. My only reason for connections in remote areas is the need to stay informed of severe weather and radar access. The areas I go tend to suffer from flash flooding and tornadoes in certain times of the year.

The one thing you brought up that is a concern is a constant flow of juice from a power source. To properly benefit I need to start figuring out a power solution. I use a Jackery 850 for my fridge (An insulated cover has improved efficiency by almost two-fold) however if I dont wheel long enough to top off the juice it could take awhile to top off the power bank.

 

By no means an expert, I would consider a weather radio with a proven reliability record for decades over unreliable internet access for current weather updates, especially regarding those areas and weather phenomena you mention. While visual radar access is a huge benefit it's NOT a benefit if unreliable.

Solar, in any form--permanent install vs temporary foldable, is the best source for keeping your power bank charged when NOT moving enough to use the alternator.

 

We have a weather radio, it is indeed a godsend, the radar "want" is for sure a first-world nerdy thing,

I do have a 100w solar panel from Jackery, the issue is when weather is cloudy the watts coming in turn into a trickle. Im considering either doubling the panels or looking at a second battery source (it just seems like a PITA and expensive)

 

sold this on CL for $140 , helping to offset the cost of my lo pro bumper from SSO!

 

lmao good luck on your side! Mine went in trash

 

You're "Good Luck" must've worked, he sold it!

* In reality he sold it prior to you wishing him good luck but hey, it all helps!

 

I was saying good luck on his side to sell it for that. Any time you can get good money for stock parts is a win

 

Today I took pride in that my 4Runner on 295s is doing better on gas than my wife's stock Highlander. (I'm averaging about 16 atm)

 

Yep! Good on him. I planned to trash mine since my buddy that works at the recycler just got this in a couple days ago. Apparently they are not in high demand.

 

I agree it was lucky to happen to find someone who needed it! Either way, this is so much better!

 

Kensington area

 

Ha, thanks! the brackets are meant for ditch lights which you would put in both sides. They are just much lower profile than the one cbi sells for an antenna. I have a whip and a firestik firefly 3’ so should be ok with either one of those. The weboost seems much beefier so it was prob smart of you to put the longer bolts, can’t imagine thats what lead to the failure, seems like you got a lot of miles out of it tho! I too prefer symmetry but I also hate unused brackets! Might have to get a gmrs radio just to have something to put on the other side…

 

I know I know.... Another Runner with a back window decal but this one my wife designed and I cut out and applied haha!

 

I have heard it a few different ways. One way is… It is recommended to have your hood up that way if that line snaps it hit that and slow down the object vs hitting something or someone else (new hood would be cheap compared to a new hood, glass, and whatever else it hit). So while you have the hood open you have easy access. None of this applies to me anyways as my bumper has built in access.

I don’t necessarily support the hood being open. Because the flying object if stopped by the hood may go down into the engine and break something that could be REALLY expensive. So whatever you decide I am sure it will be right for you.

 

Rope that goes limp is the only way to go! Worth every penny for that safety factor alone.

 

Yep I use synthetic all day long. I have been curious what would happen if my factory 55 link broke or at least the object it was hooked to broke? That thing would be a rubber band with a bullet on the end of it. I have thought about getting rid of it for that reason.

 

I think the rope would go limp and put drag on the broken link. Disclaimer: I have not seen that happen, and I bombed college physics lol

 

That looks good! I really like it!

 

Love it, among all the other rear window decals. And, especially like it on the MGM. Don't suppose you and your wife are looking at a business opportunity?

 

Funny you say that.... Haha. I make and sell some other vinyl products on Etsy (and here). I sell hood hood glare deflectors for the 4Runners and also protective strips that keep Prinsu etc from rubbing through your paint. I sell stuff here to forum members essentially at cost. The design on this one is good but the backing and installation I haven't worked out yet... It was a VERY tough install. I will add a thread when I have something I am confident people can install without incident!

 

right on. i was in fishtown for almost 10 years before heading across town to near the art museum. if youre heading out on trail rides, hit me up!

 

Killed my battery doing dumb stuff with my pops on Friday so I now had an excuse to drop in a yellow top and pre-wired some more goodies that are coming in the mail. Also ordered some new trail headlight assembly cause I can’t quit that OG look.

 

I thought the whole reason for synthetic line was to avoid that very issue. My understanding was that synthetics stretch way less than steel cable, therefore storing less energy that could launch shackles, hooks and such into people or vehicles.

i’d appreciate the correction if I have the wrong impression