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

I'd say I could kiss ya but that would be weird lol. But seriously, thank you!

 

Looks nice. I think the tinted square would bother me though. Maybe it only looks doubled at certain angles I remember driving an older Pontiac GTP with a HUD. Looked ok on a plain windshield, but maybe being recessed in the dash helps.
https://youtu.be/0fPsUnK0dCo

 

My first job out of high school was a Chevy dealership in Memphis, TN detailing cars (I was in college in early 2000s if that tells you how long ago this was lol). And at that time, the Corvette was really the only Chevy model with a HUD. It was an expensive option then too. Of course, I also learned to drive a manual tranny on a Corvette at the back of the lot. It was fun.

 

New to the forum...first post! 2015 4Runner Trail Premium. Just added a Dobinsons IMS 2.5" suspension, Dobinsons UCA, Freedom LCA, and 285/70/17 Yokohama Geolandars!

 

Welcome

 

Looks great! Wondering why you changed out lower control arms? Haven't seen to many do that

 

Thanks! I had not heard of many people replacing LCA either, however when I was talking to a shop tech he said he recommended replacing them for a variety of reasons I can't even remember. The 4runner is new-to-me as of recent so replacing anything gives me piece of mind. I wasn't about to spend 2k on the total chaos set he recommended but the Freedom's were only a couple hundred.

So long story short, no real reason besides being upsold. Definitely not required, but hey, shiny new parts are always nice lol.

 

looks great!

people are zooming in on your pic including myself haha. any pics of the suspension?

 

Good to know regarding lca's! Ive heard from a number of mechanics that unfortunately they have been known prematurely wear on Toyota's. But I've also heard dirty old OEM Japanese parts are quite stronger than shiny non Toyota replacements

 

I haven't heard the LCAs wearing out as much as the bolts seize up, making alignments impossible after a while. At least here in the rust belt.

 

Yeah that was the main reason he was giving me. Only way to get them off would be to cut them if they seized and it would have to be replaced.

 

Here’s a few pics. Plan to clean up the rusty spots once it warms up a bit here in New England.

 

Been slowly adding to my 40th Anniversary Edition.

Just added:
Cali Raised side projection ditch lights and low profile mounts.
Raptor lights
Prinsu full length roof rack & Ladder
SPC Adjustable UPC's

Installing soon:
Aux Beam 8 way light panel, mounted on Overland Equipped mount.

On the way:
Cali Raised bolt on rock sliders with kickout and step panel.
Cali Raised 43" multi color light bar (Have to cut the 40" Prinsu cut out 1" on each side and notch to fit but looks amazing when done)
LED Fang Lights

 

Yikes both rear shock bellows had fallen all the way down. Cleaned exposed rods, enlarged bottom drainage holes. Replaced the shops tie straps with stainless hose clamps

 

Simply and oil and filter change today.
Shake my head each time at how dumb it all is. Way more difficult than it needs to be. Three different socket sizes, really Toyota?
Only vehicle that’s a whole other level of dumb to change oil on I’ve encountered is my daughters VW.
That and other items with it cured me on that NEVER will do another German vehicle.

welp even though the Runners oil change process hoops are dumb I LOVE this black beauty

 

If it makes you feel better, the 2023 highlander has a fully carpeted underbody. I shit you not. A bunch has to come off to get at the filter. Dumb. It’s a bit mindboggling really. Takes longer than the 4runner.

I bet you anyone that takes a highlander to a dealer or quick lube will either have their carpeting thrown away by the oil tech, or will never ever have the filter be changed out (but be charged for it).

This is from when I changed the oil on my parents brand new highlander…

 

Looks good! Congrats! I’m considering putting 285/70s on my factory offroad wheels.

You have KDSS. Make sure to read up on the threads about corrosion and how to regularly remove the skids and hose out dirt from the accumulator area.

Also, any other pics of that lower control arm? Looks like a stock LCA, but hard to tell from that angle.

 

Didn't really do anything, but got my MESO puddle lights in from 4Runnerlifestyle.com. install next week on my days off.

 

Hi everyone, thanks to this post and the people who replied to the message, I learned a lot in this post.

 

My wife's 2020 Highlander has that too. I noticed it when I was installing her running boards. Hers only has half of that though. Maybe some has already gone missing

 

That’s really odd. Gosh I would think that carpeting would hold moisture up there? Maybe not I assume it’s for sound deadening material?

 

A lot of new vehicles have this fuzzy cardboard covering the bottoms and even in the wheel wells. I guess it's sound deadening but I can see the roads littered with this crap as it deteriorates with time and getting torn off.

 

I thought they were really well made skid plates that contoured to your vehicle. Carpet? Why? To act as a splash guard perhaps?

 

Get some more picture! Stance looks great

 

Decided to pay it off a year early, which means more money for mods!

 

Don’t get me wrong. This is “engineered” carpet for lack of a better word. Looks like dense, smooth, indoor/outdoor carpet. It’s not going to deteriorate, but I can see it possibly coming off if a lube tech breaks plastic clips or re-installs them wrong. Which is why I doubt they’ll get reinstalled, or taken off for the filter replacement.

I bet they’re mostly for aerodynamics, and sound deadening. They dont work well as splash shields, as everything behind them was sprayed with salt.

4runner oil changes are nothing crazy in comparison.

 

If they’re missing from over the filter, I have a good guess why lol.

 

looks like you had a great day!

 

my 2011 sr5 went to 156k before i replacef the lca. Not because I forced to, just felt like it was time to freshen the front end up.

 

thats a 2.5” lift? Looks way higher than that unless the pictures skews things.