Mrs. Backslider's 2017 4runner SR5 Premium Build

Purchased new on May 17 (I think) 2017.

When we bought this vehicle we had no intent to modify it in any way. We very quickly realized how capable and comfortable it was on trails in comparison to a full size truck and started building it for that purpose.

As she sits today:



Stuff I've done to it:


Drivetrain:

• ECGS 4.88s
• Rear e-locker

Wheels/Tires/Suspension:

• Level 8 MK6 wheels
• Toyo Open Country AT3 285/75r17
• Front Shocks - Dobinson's MRA59-A574
• Front Coils - Dobinson's C59-352
• Rear Shocks - Dobinson's MRA59-A575
• Rear Coils - Dobinson's C59-701V
• Dobinson's extended/adjustable sway bar links
  
• Dobinson's adjustable rear lower control arms
• Dobinson's adjustable panhard bar
• $696 SPC Specialty Products 4RUNNER & FJ UCA (PAIR) 25480
  SPC upper control arms

Brakes

• R1 Concepts slotted and drilled rotors front and back
• Remmen HD pads front and back

Roof Mounted Accessories:

• Ecotechne Roof Rack
• Xprite 38" LED Light Bar 180W Flood Beam Super Slim Single Row Off Road LED Waterproof Work Lights Fog Driving Light Compatible with Jeep Truck ATV UTV SUV Cars
  Xprite 38" single row light bar
• 5" LED Light Bar, AAIWA LED Pod Lights 2PCS Off Road Lights, 9600LM Flood LED Work Driving Lights Fog Lamp for Jeep ATV Truck Boat
  Cheap AAIWA flood lights off Amazon (they work great!)

Armor/Recovery:

• CBI single swing rear bumper
• Custom built rock sliders from Tom @ Automail Industries in Provo, UT
• $952 WARN 100022 Semi-Hidden Fixed Winch Mount, Fits: Toyota 4Runner (2014-2023)
  Warn Semi-Hidden winch mount bumper 100022 (REPLACED 4.16.21)
  
• MetalTech 4x4 Fortress Front Bumper
• X-Bull 13000lb winch
• $72 Smittybilt A.W.S Aluminum Winch Shackle (Black) - 2820
  Smittybilt 2820 Shackle
• $108 X-BULL New Recovery Traction Tracks Sand Mud Snow Track Tire Ladder 4WD (Red,3gen)
  X-Bull recovery boards (have used several times, including as a bridge, and they're still going strong!)
• RCI engine/front differential steel skid plate
• $101 Hi-Lift Jack HL484 48" Hi-Lift Black Cast and Steel Jack for Tractor
  Hi-Lift 48" jack
• Angry Beaver shovel
• Full tool set, with some limitations, stored in vehicle drawers
• Well equipped first aid kit stored in vehicle drawers
• ARB single compressor

Electrical:

• $385 Odyssey Batteries 34R-PC1500T Automotive/Light Truck and Van Battery
  Odyssey 34r deep cycle battery
• SDHQ battery terminals
• S-TECH Universal 6 Position Complete Programable POD System
  S-Tech Switch Panel
• $73 Blue Sea Systems 4366 Water-Resistant Accessory Panel with Circuit Breaker, 12V Socket, Dual USB Charger, Mini Voltmeter, Black
  Blue Sea 4356 Electrical Panel installed in cargo area for fridge/accessories

Accessories/Lighting:

• 52q CSI refrigerator/freezer from @Mike's Custom Toys
• RAM Mounts X-Grip Phone Mount with RAM Twist-Lock Suction Cup RAM-B-166-UN7U with Medium Arm for Vehicle Windshields
  RAM Mount B-166-UN7U windshield mounted phone mount
• Custom/homemade rear drawers
• All internal and external lights updated to LED
• 55w HID from XenonDepot

Future Upgrades:

• Need to order a customized licenseplate now that Utah offers the heritage B&W plates!
• Would like to upgrade the head unit to something with Android Auto

I know there is a lot that I'm forgetting above - I'll add things as I remember.

The 4runner quickly became our adventure vehicle. We've done 10-day trips that spanned ~800 miles of 90% dirt roads. We've grown to love this vehicle and it spends about 70% of it's drive time off road. I'm indecisive and have gone through several different sets of wheels and tires, suspension, and other junk. I think it's about where I want it.

Some glamour shots:




03.12.21

Got the new Dobinson's MRA setup installed. Still waiting on rear trailing arms, panhard bar, and new bumpstops.

 

Nice build/ Runner Bud !!

Got my wife her 3rd TR4 last September (16’ NBP SR5-premium)not allowed to mod it YET- LOL
She’s never had so many creature comforts and LOVES it !!

 

That thing is freaking awesome! My wife has a 16 4Runner nothing like yours but they are super fun vehicles. Hopefully you will post more pics of your adventures!

 

Elberta Utah in in Dec 2018

 

Jacob City Trail earlier today

 

looks great ! excellent platform

 

What angled mount did you use for your traction boards on your roof rack??

 

I had some brackets built - I drew them up and had a local fabricator make them for me. Cost me something like $80. I still have them kicking around somewhere....

They were really simple with bolt holes to mount to the rack and 2 holes for thumb screws to mount the traction boards.

 

Thanks!

 

That 4Runner looks great! I’m glad to finally see it. Hey what’s going on with that trailer beneath the RTT, looks like it’s hinged on the passenger side...?

 

Yeah, it opens up nicely even with the tent deployed. Right now I just have things in bins in there, but I will probably build out a sliding drawer with my stove and a sink. It's really nice for offgrid camping. It's light as a feather and can be towed almost anywhere.

 

I’d like to see it open if you get a good shot. Looking at these, I can’t imagine how it opens with the RTT atop. Great set-up, sounds like!

 

The RTT hinges where it opens, so when you open the trailer the tent partially hinges closed. If you lay blankets and pillows flat and dispersed inside the tent you can actually fold everything up inside too. The trailer lid has a single gas shock that helps immensely with opening the lid with weight on top. It also has a full access door on the rear of the trailer. I don't seem to have any pictures on hand, which is weird because I take pictures of everything. I'm going to go out in a few minutes and I'll demonstrate what I mean. =]

 

Obviously it opens with the tent closed up too.

 

Very cool! Thanks for the demo.

 

Took about 7 minutes..

It's very nice for camping far away from people. I didn't have the trailer in these pictures - the main problem with RTT camping is that if it's roof mounted you have to pack everything up if you want to go explore trails or move around. The trailer allows you to set up a base camp that is still highly mobile, but allows you to lock up and leave for the day if you wish.

Yes, that's a shovel and baby wipes.

 

Yeah, I’m well aware of the limitations of an on-truck RTT. The one I got was very heavy for me to stow by myself... and I had to carry an A-ladder... ... so I sold it. Now I rock an REI Half Dome when it’s just me, and a Gazelle hub tent when it’s a family trip. I liked being off the ground, but I like fast flexibility and independence more. Maybe someday I’ll pull a trailer.

 

We were in Zion in July 2017 when it rained like mad and flooded. We were in our very nice ground tent in the South Campground when the first storm rolled through. The ground was moving. Literally .5 seconds outside of the tent and you were soaked to the bone. No tent would have been able to remain dry with 6" of flowing water on the ground. I think I would have tried to stick it out but had my almost 2 year old daughter with us at the time so I stowed the family in the 4runner while I packed us up wet and we drove to a hotel. The park was badly damaged by 3-4 days of severe rainstorms that caused flash floods and ruined trails and closed down for several days after. That's when I decided I needed the RTT.

We do two basic types of camping: Out in the middle of nowhere where you couldn't get a large trailer if you tried, and in national and state park camp grounds. We just ordered an RV to increase comfort when doing the second type. I considered getting rid of this trailer but I love the ability to have a pretty comfortable and prepared camp out in the middle of nowhere.

I'd probably just car camp if it weren't for the kids.

 

That's a good looking 4runner.

 

Thanks! It's pretty dang good at what it does too!

 

6.03.2020

Full exterior detail

 

You and this 4runner are one of the reason I bought my wife a 4runner. Great looking 4runner!

 

Ha! I'm not sure if I should say "you're welcome" or "sorry"

Thanks for the compliment. We put it to good use. I'm going to go out and install some rear spacers today to compensate for some of the additional weight I've added.

 

Just installed new backup camera - haven't had access to my backup camera since installing my rear bumper long ago.

Right now I just used some double sided tape to make sure that I was ok with the position. Ordered stainless hardware to complete installation when it arrives.

 

Just placed an order for an ARB CMKA12 compressor. Local buddy has a 4runner specific mount for under the hood on the passenger side that he's going to give me cheap.

Setting up for regear and adding air locker around Sep 1.

Any recommendations on 4.56 or 4.88? I run 285/70r17 but may eventually move to a 285/75r17

 

Installed a ARB single compressor, switch is too large for my blanks so I wired the isolator and locker 1 as is, ordered new switches that ill swap out when they arrive.

Made an appointment to regear to 4.88 and add a rear air locker on Aug 3-4.

Have a trip to White Rim for 2 nights late August, will need to drive the 4runner alot to break in gears before leaving.

 

Hi, Mike! Checking out this thread again: we’re due for new tires on our 2001 4-runner, and I’m thinking about planning suspension upgrades in time to buy during BF sales (if there are any). To verify, are you still super happy with those BFG K02’s? Do you mind telling me what all you tried before? Asking because, for price and overall planned use, we’re also looking at Falken Wildpeak A/T3W’s. Probably gonna stay with 265/70R16 for now. Still trying to work out whether the planned suspension swap will give me room for a larger tire- but this size looks good on it, and I don’t imagine it will do more than moderate off-road exploring (always supported by other trucks) so we may leave it alone.

Second question: can you give me more info about what about the Dobinson’s that drew you in? Are they more capable, adjustable, or increased travel, compare to Bilstein options? And did you need to swap in the SPC UCA’s to get alignment?, or for better performance?

Finally, I’ve been brought up to think spacers are anathema, but most of the 4Runner builds I’ve read have a front driver lean spacer. Looks only, or more than that?

 

Did you get your locker installed?!!

 

I love my KO2's, this is my third set across the old Tundra and this 4runner. They are amazingly well-mannered on the pavement, quiet and capable in inclement weather including deep snow. They are just aggressive enough offroad, and do well on hardpack, gravel, and sand (I run them about 20PSI in dunes).

I have also run Patagonia Milestars (MT) and Mastercraft Courser CXT on this 4runner. In both cases they were an E load range tire which is just a bit too much for this light of a vehicle. If you get the Falkens, KO2s, or any other tire really, the main thing I would go after is a tire in a C load range. Still stout enough for mild-heavy offroad, but soft enough that they are comfortable and quiet on the highway.

I have steered clear of the Falkens due to experiences with their performance tires on cars. I haven't used their AT or MT tires, but I know a lot of guys who do (very popular 4runner tire) and have nothing but good to say about them.


Dobinson's has a great reputation in Australia. I first heard about them just as they were starting to gain popularity in the US. They are extremely capable and robust at a very competitive price point. Mine just hit 2 years old a week or so ago (Amazon photo sent me a "this day 2 years ago" notification of the day I installed everything) and they still feel amazing both on and off road. I have run more expensive options from popular US brands on both the Tundra and the 4runner, and will never again do so. OME or Dobinson's are your best bet until you're ready to spend $3000 on some Fox or Kings.

They have an adjustable shock but I just have the standard gas shocks. If you end up going with Dobinson's I know a dealer for them and may be able to get you a deal. Let me know. I got UCAs because my front lift is around 3.5" and my caster would have been off. My front is mid travel, but I did go with the long travel rear set up.

I personally look at Bilstein 5100s as a very entry level option, but they are great for the price and what they bring to the table. Check out some of the Aussie reviews on Dobinson's - those guys put their trucks through hell and cannot legally lift them. They all run Iron Man, Dobinson's, or Old Man Emu.

 

No - steenking ARB doesn't have the locker in the US at all. It's ordered and paid for, ETA Aug 26th. Going to tow my trailer around White Rim without regearing and adding lockers for now. I did get the new switches and the compressor is 100% wired up with both a main and air locker switch ready to go though.

Unfortunately I think the shop dropped the ball a little bit on getting the part and didn't realize it until the day before install.