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

For me the front took less time then the rear, about 20 minutes, just reaching up with the bumper still on. As long as you have an idea of where the clips are and how they work it's pretty quick. I think with the rear the biggest PITA is clipping the sides of the bumper back in under the taillights. Took me a couple tries to get it to seat properly.

 

Radios are really (oversimplifying) line of sight. So if someone is behind you it has to go through the front windshield AND the rear window instead of just the rear window. I've also read that around the ditch light mount area is about the worst place possible since the metal on the A-pillar is right there, and why people do the bull bar antennas further from the metal body, and you want it up to the roof line to easier get to the other side.

The antennas that come with these are probably pretty crappy. I was going to try to find a good review of the antenna and see if something else on Amazon would be better.

 

From Midland radio’s web-site

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0531/2856/0817/files/Unknown-57_1024x1024.jpg?v=1680637836

ANTENNA TIPS AND TRICKS

1. To maximize range, mount your antenna as high as possible.
2. Don't install a bullbar antenna with the base near or above the roof line.
3. Don't install a fiberglass antenna on a lip mount, as it is not secure enough.
4. The best place to route your cable from the cab to the front of the vehicle is through the firewall. There should be a rubber grommet you can use for access.
5. When attaching your antenna mount to the coax cable, do not over-tighten.
6. To properly ground your antenna, ensure the mounting surface is bare metal without powder coating or paint. Additional antenna grounding is not necessary with GMRS, but may help overall performance.
7. To avoid signal obstruction and interference, keep your antenna away from light bars, GPS antennas, cables, roof racks, air scoops, etc.
8. When routing the antenna cable always keep it away from power cables, intercom cables, ignition cables/coils, engine electronics, and any other cables.
9. If radio interference occurs, clip ferrite core beads to the antenna cable to suppress noise.
10. Always avoid tightly coiling or bundling any excess antenna cable. If the cable is too long, shorten it by cutting the cable and using a PL259 Male Crimp Connector kit. You can also route the cable to use the excess length.
11. Use hooks and cable wrap to secure the cable. Avoid zip ties if possible.

This just shows the obstruction density and which DB antenna you might want to use.

 

Yes!

 

I've considered replacing mine. I've also considered simply having them wrapped. I'm curious if there are cost benefits to wrapping (haven't had it quoted yet). It sure would save the hassle of removing them, I figure.

 

Drove just over 500 miles today from Fort Worth Texas to Stillwater Oklahoma and back. My son was home from college for the weekend and left his backpack at home which just so happened to include his computer.

It was some good bonding time for me and the 4Runner lol

 

I'm sure some savings could be available, but probably not a significant amount, especially if you chose an aftermarket valance, which is pretty inexpensive. But taking the bumpers off wasn't difficult.

 

One of the Diode Dynamics LED map light bulbs I installed last year had failed, so I replaced both with the Cartrimhome full-panel LED map light:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9CNJ68G https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D9CNJ68G

The existing bulb sockets and diffuser lenses, including the dummy lens in the middle, are removed. The new light's wires pass through the bulb socket hole to the top side of the console, where it plugs into a breakout harness supplied with the light. I wrapped the wire in Tesa tape so the stock reflector won't cut into it.





The new map light's lens is capacitive touch (similar to the GX550) and can switch between white and red light. Hold your fingertip on the lens to dim.





Brightness compared to the Meso dome light, each at its respective max setting:

 

Anymore pics and info of your setup? Just picked up a 22 Nautical sr5

 

I have been dreaming about pulling the paneling and installing insulation for a while, insulation was $180 shipped, took about 8 hours. Very happy with how it turned out and built a new platform while I was at it (still unfinished). AC is off most of the time now until outside temps are 80+, very interested to see how it feels this winter. More to come!

 

Sure--welcome! I really need to do a proper wash, just been hosing it down all summer.



I'll probably add a couple more of the stacktech mounts; really hard to beat the convenience and they have held up well to abuse. Starlink now has a stealthy cover.

 

the mother ship has arrived! Take me take me!!! Bad ass!!

 

Awesome thanks. any info on the specs

 

Brakes and rotors all around with a full fluid flush.

A/C serviced.

New NGK plugs.

Front/rear diff and transfer case serviced and flushed.

Rotated tires for the last time on this set.

 

Curious how many miles? Since new? Have you owned it since new? Were these the 1st plug changes? if so is Toyota still doing 1 bank NGK ,the other Denso? I was surprised when I learned that on my 2008 FJ. After that R&R @ recommended mileage ( looked brand new, no wear) I didn't change the 2012 FJ's, traded @ 78k, 2015 Tacoma Ext Cab @ 82k & last 4Runner @ 68k all on original plugs.Always ran fine & MPG stayed basically the same. Again just curiosity only.

 

No bought used back in July as an early bday present when I traded in my 2015 Tacoma prerunner, this is me getting the services to ground zero a bit at a time so I know where and when everything has been done. On the upside my mechanic said it had been very well taken care of prior to my ownership. But I can already tell the difference across the board, especially the brakes.

 

Took it down to the beach for 5 days. Sitting by the railway station. Getting ready to do the railway cars.

 

New Battery, Project Farm highly recommended EverStart. Vast improvement on CCA’s 530 vs 710

 

Who sells those ?

 

Walmart… Costco was a week to 10days backordered on the Interstate AGM’s… so looked into these..same price 179.99 w/4yr warranty

 

Yes. I switched to Walmart 7 or 8 years ago and get that platinum level battery. I've yet to have a bad one amongst 5 various vehicles.

I used to do Sears Diehard with the thinking that if you ever do have a problem, there was is always a Sears around. But not so much anymore. Walmart has become more ubiquitous than Sears. I like Costco, but they are not in every little town everywhere.

 

Took off predator steps. Lightly sanded and spray painted. Listed for sale

 

Looks good. What did you get?

 

Been looking at that one or the Costco Interstate..

 

I've always had good luck with everstart batteries

 

My Toyota dealer installed a Toyota 7 year battery for $198.

 

Was it the Panasonic battery, or something else?

 

A 7 year battery? What black magic is this?

That's a deal then. Dayum