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

Hah!
Ya man my sponsors figured out the 4R is my wife and kids daily and only conservative wheeling is allowed at this time, so I got dropped.
Understandably, I had to delete their stickers. Their loss
jk

 

What prompted the removal of the other stickers? Any issues with Icon, Pro Comp, BC4runners?

 

Funny ur the first person to ask, most have seized the perfect opportunity to bust my balls that I finally de-stickered.

I've actually had no bad experiences at all, I like those stickers / brands. But nothing lasts forever I always say, and my tastes keep changing in styles.

 

Does anyone have recommendations for a good radiator guard?

ivd noticed my radiator has small rock impacts and I don’t want it to get worse


Anytime I buy a new bike I add one right away since it’s more exposed. Now I’m thinking I want to do the same to the 4Runner

 

If you like graphics from Toyota. 24% off and free shipping.

https://autoparts.lhmtoyotalemongro...runner-tire-tread-graphics-package-pt92989240

 

That's what we do best on this site, right!?

 

I'm adding aluminum mesh to the whole grille tomorrow night.
Prolly helps a little, the grille is gaping otherwise.

Radiator guard on the inside, smart idea.
*edit: I suppose my answer to your actual question is no, lol

 

The Home Depot Gutter Guard mod was popular a few years ago. I'm not sure with the 2020 and newer models if the sensor will allow it. I have an '18 SR5. The gutter guard is $5. You will need 2 of them. It fit on the lower grill with no cutting at all. I had to make a pattern and cut the GG to fit the top grill. Attached with zip ties.

Or you could go all out.

 

Thanks @djwantke @Stoney Ranger

The sensor is on the outside so I don't think it'll be an issue.
For that price, it doesnt hurt to try at least.

 

Did my exhaust yesterday. Went with the Flowmaster Outlaw Extreme Cat-Back Exhaust System. Got it from a buddy of mine who had it for a few months but ended up going a different route.

 

First of all, that's your A/C condenser...

I've used this mesh on three of my Tacoma plate bumpers with good results. The powdercoating has demonstrated good durability. Pick a size and color that fits your application: https://www.customcargrills.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Perf-Hex

 

Working on my mini-camper organization. With the overhead molle shelf, I decided I wanted something to hang from it to organize lighter items (clothes etc). I eventually found the Pack Gear Hanging Suitcase Organizer on Amazon. It comes in four sizes - this is XL. It's a light fabric, but the zippers appear quite solid. Seems to fit the bill and no overland tax. I'll see how it holds up over time...

 

So it just dumps underneath the vehicle? Is that street-legal?

 

Dumps right before the rear axle & idk I guess it depends on what state you’re in if it’s street legal.

 

265/70's but no spacers.
Bilstein 5100's up front on second clip (.85")
I have contemplated spacers for the look, but not interested in trimming body or frame. Think I will leave it as is.

 

Lol AC Condenser eh

 

@Texas-Gorilla @TRDGrey2021
I bought new, and for 6 years I said there’s no way I’m cutting and chopping body and frame, not interested. Then I did it. For $300 cash I got both sides done professionally (body mount chop, fender liner cutting & fender mount chop + wheel well firewall hammering)
I did viper clearance cut my bumper myself.
BMC is the only thing you don’t want to tackle yourself without welding exp.

I also run 1.25 Spidertrax spacers.
I bought them for a reason, the stance.
I wasn’t interesting in reversing the install and taking a small loss attempting returning to USA from Canada.

you probably also want to buy or bought them and installed them for a reason; the look. Make it work I say.
GOODLUCK

 

We will see. It has never been clear to me what config will actually rub. Maybe with .85 up front, no need with spacers?

 

Sure man
You're talking about wheel spacers, not suspension spacers right?
Any config at all with 1.25" (-32mm offset) wheel spacers will rub. My 17" wheels are 9" wide, 0 offset. If you have negative offset your trajectory will rub even more than me. If you have OE wheels at approx. +5 to +15mm offset wheels, you'll rub less.

I also run Bilstein 5100's, on all four corners. But I added lift springs and UCA's - so I run the spring perch on the lowest groove setting, 0⁰/0"
I think you should consider wheel spacers. The 4R stance looks much better wider, the tires are tucked too far in imo.
Keep in mind, clicking up the spring setting to .85" or higher or even adding lift springs, will not stop the rub (from larger tires or wheel spacers) believe it or not. The Tinkerer on YouTube, and others, explain well how lifting you're IFS 4R won't allow you to fit larger tires or wheel spacers. It's just an illusion.

These really helped me, I'ma visual learner lol
https://youtu.be/33VewJFda1Q?si=-da86U3j6DhbjHs6
https://youtu.be/LAYGdcKSA3o?si=2NREyTfdAMTFInM_

 

In past years I've had rocks actually penetrate the radiator, causing leaks, so ever since I've been installing mesh in the grilles of all my vehicles. With my 4Runner I used the Home Depot gutter guards mentioned above as they are cheap and black powdercoated to boot. Easy to install on the back side of the grille by removing the top cover. And the radar is not effected at all. Works great as a bug catcher to boot - they can clog up the fins.

 

Did you end up getting a BMC? I have almost the same setup you described and I'm about to pull the trigger on the chop

 

Thanks for those, had not got around to really looking into it yet.

 

Ya man I pulled the trigger. It wuz well done

 

Appreciated my 5th gen even more after seeing the leak of 6th gen images.

 

Cornfed 1 inch lift in the front. Look a lot better now than before.

 

Very Clean! Nice work, did you do it yourself?

 

Heck no! Haha
Paid the guy $300CAD cash to take care of it at his home shop, he works for a reputable local off-road shop/fabricator. He was so fast, he even chopped and welded by fender mounts, cut the fender liner behind the wheel, hammered the wheel well firewall, sprayed out everything black. I just walked over to Cabela's for 2-3 hours lol
We did this so I could try to run 35s in the future.

 

Now I brushed my fender mounts with flat black tremclad rust paint, and the housing behind the rocker panels that I removed for more clearance

 

I finished this phase of my budget friendly storage platform based on YouTuber Overland Engineer's first version.

I had a old piece of 3/4" plywood handy. Then a quick trip to Home Depot for 2 pine 8ft 2x8s and a piano hinge. I decided tried Behr polyurethane/stain combo to finish it out. It came in for less than 60 bucks. I also sliced the back corners of the Husky liner for the refit - not sure if this stays or not.

I will use this to store recovery gear and tools. I'm sure things will change but needed something quick hence the budget route.

Next steps are to first add struts to make the lid easier for my wife to handle. I will then build out over the back seats to expand for use as a sleeping platform.

 

Yep, which is more expensive to fix than radiator, since A/C evac and recharging often can't be done correctly with DIY equipment. Need a service cart that can meter the refrigerant.