Building an Expedition-Worthy 2005 4Runner

[DrJohn]

Hi All, I'm back after a hiatus with a new name to reflect the sale of my Tacoma. My previous tag was ArchaeoTaco, and here was my build-up thread.

I sold my taco last year because my wife and I moved to England. But we're back in Colorado now, and I acquired a new platform for building something to get me into the mountains and more, a 2005 4Runner (V8 engine).

I went with the 4Runner instead of a Tacoma because I was heading towards closing the bed of the tacoma with a hard shell anyway, and the wheelbase of the tacoma seemed a little long for some of the tight spots I found myself in. I did love the taco though, and there are definitely some trade-offs.

The first order of business will be to remove the running boards and weld on some sliders. I already placed an order for sliders with the guys at Armorology, and they are getting powder coated right now. I chose the Hybrid Slider, which has a square bottom tube and a round side tube.

If you notice in the before photo, someone in a Uhaul dented the rear bumper a week after I bought the truck. :Wow1: So I used the insurance money toward a CBI custom rear bumper. That one's about 3 weeks out from being finished.

After that, I'll need to get it ready for expedition travel: suspension, tires, front bumper, lights, rack, fridge, rooftop tent, etc. :coffeedrink:

Current Mods:
-OME 886 coils (front) and 896 (back); Nitrocharger sport shocks
-Armorology hybrid sliders
-ARB front bumper
-Warn XD 9000 winch
-IPF 900XS auxiliary lights
-255/75R17 Goodyear MTR Kevlars
-ARB rooftop tent installed with Thule Complete Crossroad System
-ARB Fridge-Freezer

Before any mods:

Current:

 

[DrJohn]

First Question - Tires

Old Man Emu suspension is on the way :ylsmoke:

I chose the Heavy Load front and back springs, and Nitrocharger Sport struts, which will provide 2.5 inches of lift.

Which brings me to the question, which tires should I get?

I'm debating between the BFG All-Terrain, or Mud-Terrain, but I'm open to other suggestions.

I used Maxxis Bighorn MT's for my Tacoma. They were tough as hell, and great in the mud, but there was a significant loss of performance on the pavement, and lots of road noise. So I'm kind of leaning towards the All-Terrain, as long as they will get me out the muck when it rains on the trail.

Also, what size would be best for 2.5 inches of lift, without having to do massive cutting? 255/85R16?

 

[Jacket]

Congrats on the 4Runner and welcome back. I remember your Tacoma as it bore a very close resemblance to mine.

For your tires, are you going to get new wheels? Those look like 18's on the truck now? If you didn't like the Bighorns for their road manners, then I'm not sure you'll be much happier with the KM2's. But I've run a bunch of sets of BFG AT's, and they are very durable off road yet also pavement-friendly. Not available in 255/85 though....

PS - You could have just had your screen name changed so that you didn't lose your "history" here.

 

[Photog]

2005 4Runner Sport. Should have 17" wheels.

Tires to fit, with the OME lift, would be:
255/75R17
275/70R17*
285/70R17*
* with SpiderTrax adapter/spacers.

Many people have said the BFG A/T's do not do well in muddy situations. The tread does not clear the mud well enough.

I see you have already found Toyota 120 forum. Are you posting over there also?

 

[SirCampalot]

Excellent platform for an expedition rig in my opinion. When I bought the FJ, I was really torn between the dubcab taco and the 4runner v8. All excellent choices.

What are your plans for dealing with the XREAS suspension? Are you going to gutt out all of the XREAS components?

 

[Photog]

The XREAS will have to go, when the OME goes in.

My XREAS parts are on my garage floor. Nobody seems to have any use for them.

 

[DrJohn]

Congrats on the 4Runner and welcome back. I remember your Tacoma as it bore a very close resemblance to mine.

For your tires, are you going to get new wheels? Those look like 18's on the truck now? If you didn't like the Bighorns for their road manners, then I'm not sure you'll be much happier with the KM2's. But I've run a bunch of sets of BFG AT's, and they are very durable off road yet also pavement-friendly. Not available in 255/85 though....

PS - You could have just had your screen name changed so that you didn't lose your "history" here.

Thanks for the return welcome

My mistake on the wheels - I'm keeping mine, which are 17 inches. Anyone know the best tire size for no rubbing with a 2.5 inch lift?

I definitely should have just changed my screen name...didn't know it could be done.

 

[DrJohn]

2005 4Runner Sport. Should have 17" wheels.

Tires to fit, with the OME lift, would be:
255/75R17
275/70R17*
285/70R17*
* with SpiderTrax adapter/spacers.

Many people have said the BFG A/T's do not do well in muddy situations. The tread does not clear the mud well enough.

I see you have already found Toyota 120 forum. Are you posting over there also?

Excellent, you answered my previous question about tire size.

That was my concern with the all-terains, as I've seen some poor mud reviews. Those Maxxis Bighorns did get me out of some hairy situations on ATV trails after a day of surveying in the rain.

I'll definitely post over at the Toyota 120 forum too.

 

[DrJohn]

Excellent platform for an expedition rig in my opinion. When I bought the FJ, I was really torn between the dubcab taco and the 4runner v8. All excellent choices.

What are your plans for dealing with the XREAS suspension? Are you going to gutt out all of the XREAS components?

Many thanks :victory:

The FJ is a great platform too - my wife had one before we made the move to England, and I took it out completely stock on some relatively difficult terrain. It was a hard choice between the FJ and 4Runner, and in the end it came down to the V8, sunroof, 4 doors, and the incentive package the dealership was running at the time.

I was thinking of disconnecting and capping the XREAS lines, and then installing OME shocks and coils. Do you know if it's this easy?

 

[DrJohn]

The XREAS will have to go, when the OME goes in.

My XREAS parts are on my garage floor. Nobody seems to have any use for them.

That's another option, just pulling them out. I'm sure OME is much better anyway.

 

[DrJohn]

New Suspension Arrived

Speaking of Old Man Emu, look what arrived today

 

[SirCampalot]

Let the fun begin!

 

[Photog]

..............
I was thinking of disconnecting and capping the XREAS lines, and then installing OME shocks and coils. Do you know if it's this easy?

There is a connection for each XREAS shock, that has a valve to seal off the system. The shocks can be disconnected at these points, and removed. Then the remaining lines can be capped. OME shocks & springs go in, and off you go.

The problem with this is, the XREAS cylinders are mounted to the outboard sides of the frame, and get in the way of mounting rock sliders (if you are planning thos in the future.

 

[DrJohn]

There is a connection for each XREAS shock, that has a valve to seal off the system. The shocks can be disconnected at these points, and removed. Then the remaining lines can be capped. OME shocks & springs go in, and off you go.

The problem with this is, the XREAS cylinders are mounted to the outboard sides of the frame, and get in the way of mounting rock sliders (if you are planning thos in the future.

Hopefully the guys at Armorology have dealt with this issue before because the rock sliders are scheduled to be welded on next week.

 

[Photog]

They will probably need to remove the XREAS cylinders and lines. Don't be supprised when they bring this up. Or you could have the installers of the OME suspension, remove the XREAS parts.