Fjorir Rennari - Mild 5th Gen Build Thread

Ive been holding off starting a build thread for my 4Runner for a while as I felt it was “deserving” of its own thread because the modifications I’ll be doing are as extreme as some. I realized that many other might be in my position of either building on a budget or trying to maintain on road performance while improving off-road performance.

To start, the title as many may be wondering is old Icelandic (Norse) meaning “Four and Runner” keeping in mind some translations are slighting different. In any case with my Irish/Icelandic roots I felt it suiting for my truck.

I’m trying to stay away from the “put a Gobi Rack, BFGs, and a Toytec lift on it” that you will find in many threads (to clarify, nothing wrong with any of that). I’m building this for my needs.

I have a wife and small son (9 months old as I type this). This is my daily driver and weekend family fun machine.

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I am! Here are some of the pictures and modifications along the way!

Day she came home:


TRD Skid plate added on day 2...


Front valance removed & painted:


Rooftop garage at work:


Added some shackles (visual only, installing recovery points soon):


Ellis Precision shift knobs:


LFD Off-Road ruggedized Cross bars (will upgrade side rails later form LFD) also blacked out bars:


Finally the biggest, TRD Bilstein suspension installed (sorry about the tags, was on the shops instagram, ha):





Every day I’m still loving the truck!

 

Here is a current list of everything I’ve done/tried on the 4Runner:

As of 6/24/18

2018 TRD Off Road Premium

- General Grabber AT2’s (265/70-17)

- TRD Skid Plate

- TRD Cold Air Intake

- Bilstein - TRD suspension

-Ellis Precision “Stealth” Shift Knobs

- LFD Off-Road steel ruggedized cross bars - PC black

- DDM Tuning HIDs -REMOVED

- Diode Dynamics Interior LEDs

- Diode Dynamics Exterior LEDs

- Blackout Emblem Kit

- Paracord grab handles

-Toyota all weather mats

 

TRD intake installed. Got the parts separate for much cheaper. I’m guessing no power gains but the sound.... oh man, well worth it.

 

From where

 

Hey, I got all the parts from Conicelli Toyota. Prices seemed good and their online ordering system was easy to search for the parts and they were in stock.

 

Anyone have thoughts on the mud flaps? On or off? I know the reason for having mud flaps.... but I’m not 100% sure they’re “needed” wondering how much better it’ll look without....

 

Got the new General Grabber AT2’s installed today. I’ve heard lots of bad about Discount Tires and poor balance jobs... mine are perfect, took it up to about 70 with no vibration at all, very pleased!

 

Finally got around to installed my rooftop cargo box. It’s a 42” Plano rifle case. Drilled and bolted to my LFD cross bars. Feels super solid. Will be driving it around to test it befor our 1000 mile trip to Canada in August.

 

Looks great! Keep up the good work.

 

Today is the day! My wife, son, and I head out to Canada for a week! We’ve planned a nice stop at Niagra so the little guy can gaze with wonder as well as some trail rides as a family when we get up there!

Tires are aired up to 34psi (normally 32) for the added weight and all highway driving. I have 2 quick tire deflators set to 32psi, and the other 2 set at 22psi (hot tire psi being 4psi more so cold should be 18psi). Oil level checked after I changed it last week, and windows are crystal clear.

Packing now until the wife gets home and likely hands me 50 more things to pack!



I’ll check back and update with pictures and stories along the way. I have my trusty GoPro with me as well.

 

Left the house at 1634 today. Just pulled in for our first stop in Virginia. Son needed a new diaper and some food.

 

And we’ve arrived in Rochester NY! 13.5 hours later. 4 stops total, filled up twice and maybe got 19mpg.... doesn’t matter we are here!

 

Last day in Rochester, spent it at the YMCA for my wife’s familiy reunion. Tomorrow morning we head up to Canada.

 

Finally found some trails with my brother in law! Short trip, about 10 miles of gravel and dirt trails. I’m using the truck for these types of trails so it’s great knowing now how well she handles them!

 

Another great day out with my 2 brother in laws and nephew. Went out to Nipissing Road in Ontario. We picked the trail up in Rousseau off old 141. Mostly gravel for the first 2 miles, then we took the straight path to stay on Nipissing road further north. Wasn’t on our GPS as you see below. Got to flex the suspension out and use the skids ha.

 

looks like a blast.! thanks for sharing

 

How difficult was it to install the trd CAI? I read that it doesn’t work with the newer models. Then I read it is possible with the relocation of some wires.

 

I had no issues he didn’t need to relocate anything.

You need to pull the 2 wires that run to the MAF from a loom in order make sure they have enough length as with the TRD intake the MAF plug is facing the front of the truck vs. the rear if that makes sense?

Nothing needed to be spliced or anything like that, mine fit great.

 

It looks like you're still running them.

Rears Cover a big void in the rear quarter panels. Leave them on. We trimmed at the little "step" in the plastic. Much shorter.

Not running the fronts anymore.

 

Ya I realized that void was there when I was running my rear diff breather. I do like the idea of trimming them a little. While having breakfast this morning with my wife and son I noticed the little step you mentioned. I’ll probably cut that a little with a razor knife or dremmel when I get home this weekend. I caught them a fair amount on the trails this week ha

 

Parked in the sun and fairly fresh utility knife worked well for me.

 

To wrap up the week + adventure we arrived home Friday afternoon. We had a lengthy 17.5 hour drive down from Ontario.

Today I got the inside all cleaned up and wiped down and a nice wash on the outside. Thanks to the many pop up rain storms on the way back I had less mud and dirt to wash off!

Glad to be home and excited to plan the next trip!

 

Very nice! Sub’d