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

You have a link for that kit?

 

Got it on Amazon, here's the link:

$82 ARB 170112 Differential Breather KIT Vent The air Pressure in drivetrain Assemblies Such as The differentials, Transmission and Transfer case.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QBQYNF0?smid=ASH3J3QJ61MH

 

The rack can be a tempting mounting location, but it's important to understand a little about how radio antennas work. Mobile antennas use the vehicle body as a "counterpoise" for the antenna. But the antenna mount needs to have a clean connection vehicle body for this to work properly.

This will mate to the outer shied of the coax. A simple continuity checker will verify this. There should be continuity (a dead short) between the threaded part of the coax connector at the radio and the mounting fasteners to the rack and to the negative power connector with the coax connecter disconnected from the radio and NO ANTENNA on the mount. There should be no continuity (open connection) between the center pin of the coax connector and the shield or negative terminal, but full continuity between the center pin of the coax connector and the center pin/tab of the antenna mount.

I'd also recommend using a quality antenna mount and coax. Tram/Browning used to be good names in CB decades ago, but they're now owned by Chinese manufacturers and the quality just isn't there. Look at Pulse Larsen, PCTel, Maxrad and EMWave for quality antennas and NMO mounts. Also, the "phantom" antenna as shown in post #25934 may look cool, but these antennas are sub-par performers at GMRS frequencies. You'll get better results with a simple 1/4 wire whip (about 6" tall) or a modest gain antenna (about 36" tall).

There are some very detailed, comprehensive, discussions on antenna and radio installations in several forums over at Radio Reference (radioreference.com).

 

Just returned from the first big trip with our trailer. Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Grand Teton NPs. 4R got through the sand dunes with the trailer with ease.

 

Simple, but got my plate moved to the spare tire to free up more space on the swing out.

 

Installed Nguyen Lo Pro bumper.

And burned in TCM recovery points.

Also cut the tail pipe.

 

I really like that bumper but the "for off road only use" caught my attention. Can anyone educate me on that? I don't think it's a general disclaimer but maybe it is.

Very nice. I am doing Moab next summer and the rear bumper dragging is expected. Had my eye on this as solution.

 

Looks fantastic! Can’t tell with the lighting, but is it painted Nauti blue?

 

FWIW, I'm gonna use it on the road. My factory bumper took a beating in Moab the 2 times I was there. The corners especially. Was just a matter of time before the bumper succumbed to the rocks. This was the highest clearance bumper that I found.

 

Yep. The wife insisted.

 

Been painting my new skids all week and finally installed today. Dang that was a lot of work lol.

These are super heavy,(and heavy duty…1/4in steel for the front two plates) but they seem to be the only option I could find that covers the LCA frame mount tabs.

In was thinking of lowering my lift a bit…but a side benefit of this skid setup, is that it lowered the 4runner for me.

This pic is shows the first three panels installed.

 

Had my guy burn some TCM recovery points.

You didn't paint HELP on it.

 

I installed some Air Lift airbags this morning in preparation for my dirt bike hitch carrier that I'll be using for the first time tomorrow. Between the bike, carrier and my gear in the cargo area it will be about 400 lbs. I'm sure it would have been fine without the bags but I got an open box Amazon warehouse score so these were only $90.

$122 Air Lift 1000 Air Suspension Kit 60804

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098BLD5B1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The install was straight forward but still a pain in the ass for me for two reasons. I have a coil spacer installed by the previous owner, which made getting the coil in and out a PITA by myself. The second problem was my own stupidity. I got the airbag in the coil, coil back in the truck, shocks/panhard/swaybar bolted back on, and then realized I didn't put a hose clamp on the connection on the airbag. After monkeying with it for too long, I undid my work and put the clamp on. Overall, took me about 2.5 hours.

 

Those coils are super fun even without a spacer in there

 

A couple of years ago I helped a friend install some long travel dobinsons coils and that was a SERIOUS pain in the ass. We had all the links disconnected to get them in there and then had a bear of a time getting all the links reconnected. Good times.

 

Getting the back area ready for the dogs.

 

Awesome. I did the same when I first got my 4Runner. Turns out the pups preferred the back seats!

 

What cover is that? Nice protection.

 

$45 rabbitgoo Dog Car Barrier for SUVs, Adjustable Large Pet Car Gate, Universal-Fit Divider Cargo Area, Heavy-Duty Wire Mesh Dog Car Guard,Van Vehicles Dogs Car Accessories Safety Travel, Standard Model

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RL61N8T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

$50 F-color SUV Cargo Liner for Dogs - Waterproof Pet Cargo Liner with Side Flaps, Comfort Dog Cargo Cover with Bumper Flap, Scrachproof Non-Slip Large Size Universal Fit SUVs Sedans Trunks Vans, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z7RS2SM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

I'd recommend using the factory bottle jack, and putting it in between the axle and the frame with some 2x4s for balance, stretching it out so you can easily take out / install the rear coils. It's not the safest method out there, but it worked for me pretty well. If you're concerned about it, you can also ratchet strap the jack in place so it doesn't pop out. Hope this helps

Red

 

haha that’s why I put up the barrier too!

 

That was going to be method if I couldn’t wrestle them out after a couple minutes of swear words.

 

Yeah I don't even bother trying to do it without the bottle jack. Even with a 6 foot pry bar it's still a nightmare to replace the rear coils

 

Washed, waxed and ready to head to Ocean Isle Beach, NC Sat morning!

 

disconnecting the sway bar end links helps a ton

 

man looks great, i might get that to haul any deer i get in hunting season!

 

For anyone adding rear air bags, you don’t have to remove the coils. You can do it all with the coils on the rig. Take all the tires off and the spare. Suck all the air out and cap the bags. Use lots of lube, window cleaner in this case, and wiggle them into place. I elected this route as I had already replaced my coils and knew how much of a pain they are. Anyway, worked for me and there are some videos online showing all the steps including cutting the interior rubber bumpers and such.

 

only $36!?!?!? Sold, just ordered it!!

 

3 city locations later I done found me a UCA 1-1/4" and a 32mm 1/2" socket. Buying crowsfoot next

 

Please post pic’s when you do! & glad I could help. Lol