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

I installed the Dr. KDSS control unit yesterday. Essentially a switch that turns your KDSS system on and off as needed. As most know the KDSS system kicks in over 12 mph to stiffen up and secure the ride and decrease body roll.

In theory being able to deactivate it when say driving 15-40mph over rough stretches on-road or fire roads washes etc will soften up the ride some

so far only tested out on smaller side roads going 20-40mph in my area riddled with small pot holes and imperfections and by my highly calibrated and sensitive Ass-O-Meter it seems to soften them up about 15-20% when KDSS is on and working

next I will like to try it off-road

https://drkdss.com/

https://trail4runner.com/2022/01/06/kdss-on-off-switch-for-the-5th-gen-4runner-install-review/

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7lttwrVL0Dk

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rYsGh6gpayU

 

Finished the job with the two-piece transfer case skid plate from RCI.

 

Fueled up twice this week, gotta love the stock gears on 315's lol!

 

Installed black rails & took off the silver ones. Blind spot side mirrors installed. Diff breather done. New black oem lugs too & had to get another key. Fuck those key prices….

 

Can I ask where you found the black rails? I’ve tossed around the idea of getting mine coated but it may be easier just to replace them.

 

Actually it doesn't. The instructions say models with safety system it would interfere, but so far, it hasn't.

OAN:

Added a yellow light bar to the bull bar. For a "cheapy" from Amazon, pretty decent on light output. And fixed the awkward looking "O."



Here's light bar I got off Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VGCF2G8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

I was just helping a friend to purchase just Lasfit H11 and found this coupon called "VIP2". Just sharing that code if anyone needs.
(I don't know if they will stop the code as it gives a big discount)

 

The 4Runner's old engine air filter is Toyota OEM Denso, but surprisingly has Fram's logo on there too! Replaced it with a Fram Extra Guard CA10835.



Test fitted a replacement wheel as a spare, Touren TR65 17x7.5 +20mm, among the cheapest alloy wheels readily available new on the market, heavy. Surprisingly it has a 106mm centerbore, no hubcentric ring required, but needs low-profile conical lugnuts:

 

Purchased a single tire for the spare, MotoMaster X-Trail A/T in 265/70-17 (32"). Looks like a Falken AT3W knockoff, also with severe snow rating, made in USA:

 

Cleaned up and assessed trail damage from my last trip.

 

Over the weekend, installed a snorkel, resulting in a purchase of new fender liner clips, then made a 450 mile trip to get my dog from my daughter at college. I do believe I have a higher mpg now, but not really a good test.

 

how are those Geolander MTs on the highway, noisy?

 

Yes, but not too bad. I did come from 50k on Nitto Trails, so it wasn't really a noticeable difference. I did take a hit on mpg with each upsize though. Averaging around 16mpg on a few hours of 60mph driving with some lights yesterday. Daily driving with a mix of highways was down to 13.5 before the snorkel.

 

I will say they saved my butt in a deep fender depth water hole back in November.

 

Just installed the black valences from 4Runner lifestyle. And am about to get the windshield replaced.

 

Did you have to remove the rear bumper to replace the valance? Or were you able to snake your fingers in there to remove/replace those clips?

 

yes I had to remove the rear bumper but it wasn’t that bad.
The front was a pain trying to get all 13 of the clips out, went from the top and got a few of them.

 

Just checked, sold out...

 

When i decided to buy them they were too, I put my email in to get notified once back in stock. I think I only had to wait about a week or two.

 

Almost finished with a rear storage drawer/slide out table/base for sleeping platform thing. I wasn’t 100% sure (still not lol) what I wanted the final thing to look like or accomplish, so I have been designing it as I build it. I also don’t regularly build stuff or do woodworking so I’m kinda winging that part of it too lol, but overall I’m pleased with it so far.

just need to remake the divider in the drawer (that was just a test fit…last thing I did today), and make another 1-2 of them as well. Add the slide out tables/counters (I left a gap underneath both drawers), add the main top that will be fixed and then add another top that I can slide forward for a bed when needed.

I will probably eventually go back and either drill a bunch of maybe 3/4 or 1 inch holes in the sides and back or cutout some 6x12 panels or something to save some weight as this material is around 2-3.5lbs per square foot (1/2” to 3/4” thickness), but it was free as I work at a plastics company and it’s also durable, strong, slides easily against itself, etc.

 

A very clean and professional look to it. I’m always curious about these builds, and what the final weight ends up being. Nice colour too.

 

Installed the Cartrimhome knockoff TRD skid plate for KDSS models. It isn’t exactly 0.25” thick aluminum, just under at 0.22”. To install it, I did have to remove the protection under the stock skid enforced radiator brackets (as someone else warned me). I’m not fully comfortable with how close the sway bar comes on the driver’s side when extended due to KDSS. It does clear though, I’d say about an 1/4” or just under. I saw someone suggest to use slightly bigger spacers and longer screws. That would also allow me to put the radiator enforcement brackets back. For anyone that will be doing hardcore offroading I’m not sure I’d recommend it. But anyone that is more of an easy off-roader, fire road / forest trails this will provide a bit more protection over stock skid plates. I didn’t realize how heavy the stock skid plate is, so a small weight savings with this one.

 

Thanks! I’ll definitely post the final pics. I’m still thinking of little modifications and some things I want to clean up (get rid of most of those brackets inside the drawers and just add a ton of recessed screws on the outside joints instead, now that I know it fits and slides well)

the material has an orange peel type texture to it (it’s basically a plastic cutting board but for outdoors use), so it’s hard to see scratches, etc, which helps.

but I should be finished next weekend

 

Tougher to find M8 spacers than I thought man. Replaced missing hardware from full length ARB skid plate. FSR's rattled a few of the included bolts and spacers out...before my dumbass invested in a torque wrench.
Next up, Spidertrax wheel spacers.

 

What this for? Seems to be the only thing really different than the real TRD skid.

 

Loaded up the wife and 3 boys and headed to the Smoky Mountains for a long weekend.

 

To access the oil filter without removing the whole dang skid?

 

Darn.. that sucks... you'd expect a shop would install things properly or make good on their mistake but I'm not so surprised; most people don't have any work ethic or any morals.. whatever shop that was, who knows maybe sales guy probably was drewling over the comission and didn't care if none of the techs were qualified enough to do it. R, you seem to have allot of those negative and expensive experiences? But in the end, you'll do it better yourself: don't loose heart, keep on going..

p.s. nobody is perfect and you'd be surprised at how comforting it is (for some of us) to see your videos: about your journeys, installs and your spiritual relationship with our father in heaven (you aren't alone, you are just more visible)

 

4mm Allen key to oil filter access panel. Figured I’d do oil changes in-between dealer planned service cycles.