Yarden's 2014 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 Build

[High_Country]

The 2014's did get a 'facelift' over the 2010-2013 models. All 2014's EXCEPT THE LIMITED's have the sharky, aggressive, gill-face. The 2014 Limited's do have a different, more pedestrian looking front end like the 2010-2013 and they have chrome cladding.

I'm guessing what you saw was a 2014 Limited.

 

[yarden]

I agree with you totally. To answer the question, it depends on the year of 5th Gen (2010 - 2013, or 2014+).

2014 was a mid-cycle refresh and the grill that everyone either loves or hates is on the SR5 and the Trail, whereas the Limited has more of what you are describing in appearance (blingy with chrome) and bumper shares more similarities in my opinion to the previous 5th Gens while utilizing the more aggressive headlight look of the 2014's.

...and to answer a previous question on the shrockworks... the headlight inserts are also metal (not plastic). Everything is show quality powdercoated steel. The did an awesome job.

 

[yarden]

Small, but a necessity:

ARB D-Shackles + Daystar Isolaters

 

[yarden]

Diehard Platinum 31M Battery Upgrade + Tacoma S-POD

I already knew I wanted/needed to do a battery upgrade. I played around with the idea of dual batteries but with space being limited on the 2014's it is almost certainly a choice between the dual battery or a compressor. I really wanted the convenience of a compressor. For my wiring management and electrics, I was going to do a clean install using a Blue Sea fusebox. But when I mentioned it to Josh @ Baertrax... He said, "If you want something really clean... have you checked out S-POD". I had ironically just read a magazine advert on it and had assumed it was strictly a Jeep thing. This ended up being the perfect solution and since it utilizes a low voltage cut-off I had no concerns with putting thoughts on a dual battery setup to the side.

I ordered the S-POD online and then called and spoke to the owner directly... who is super nice guy. S-POD really know there customer service! For those that really like techy stuff, S-POD also has a bluetooth adaptor so you can control anything connected to it (Rack Lights, Refrigerator, Compressor, etc.) via your phone and never even have to enter your truck.

For the battery, we were able to modify the tray to fit and then we just had to slightly bend the battery terminal just a bit.

Here is the diehard 31M and the S-POD after installation (I will post more pics later):

 

[yarden]

ARB Twin Compressor + ARB 1 Gallon Air Tank + Remote AIR Line

Anyone who has seen the 5th Gens knows that there primary place to mount the compressors is on the rear Passenger Side firewall. Most installs I saw were vertical, but I really wanted to also utilize the ARB 1 Gallon Air Tank accessory as well so that I could run my air tools in the field. The fit was tight and I already knew there was going to need to be custom bracket work. Josh @ Baertrax Offroad Fabrication in Dallas said they could handle it no problem. The tech who has been working on my truck over @ Baertrax is Mike and he has done some awesome work (wanted to give a shout out to him and another warm thanks for the care he took with my truck).

With an almost purpose defeating inconvenience of opening hoods for compressors I also wanted a remote air line that I could hook my tools to and work from without every having to pop it.

This compressor will also run my front and rear lockers which I will hopefully install, budget permitting, in the next couple of months or less and we will then run a remote rear air line to the rear of the truck as well.

Here is the install:

ARB 1 Gallon Aluminum Tank mounted underneath:

Remote Air Line:

 

[4Rescue]

AHA thanks for that info, def saw a Limited then aye...

DAM MAN!!! Those are some great updates, and I love the way you mounted the ARB comp. Looks very slick/stealthy esp. considering there isn't as much room in the engine bay as there used to be in older trucks (possibly the understatement of the decade), and I like the remote chuck too, I'm doing the same thing (eventually) on my build cause as you said, cracking the hood to access the air comp./chuck seems silly to me if you;re designing it from scratch. Also now need to check out the SPOD box cause I was going Blue sea (I'm doing dual bats) and was also under a similar assumption that it was a "Jeep thing" and it's SO CLEAN looking to boot, plus the blue-tooth option is pretty cool esp. since it's a redundant control option not "the" control option. Love that those Shrocks bits are metal too, that bumper is a VERY nice piece of kit aye. Can't get over how much it just "belongs" on that truck. SO many good upgrades already man!!!

I'm subscribing to this build cause I what it's becoming/where it sits now. No offence of any kind intended to other 5th Gen owners/their builds, but this has become my personal fav. both in overall looks and the mods done to it. Everything just looks so well thought out and like you're using the "do it right the first time" ethos... love it.

Cheers

Dave

 

[yarden]

Thanks so much for your compliments 4Rescue. I really appreciate it.

I have taken my time over the months to try and plan everything out and pick what I consider the best options for my family and I's needs. I want to keep this truck for years to come, if not forever, so picking the most quality parts I can has been key... even if the build takes longer because of budget restrictions/limitations with placing the more expensive options. Reliability track record of everything I have been installing has been my number one focus. For example, I went with the Warn M-8000s because of it's longer track record over the less expensive VR series. I am sure the VR series is great... but having the decades old proven reliability of the M-8000, combined with the benefits of synthetic line is why I chose it. Also, I knew I didn't want to try and yank out a winch from a hidden winch mount for later replacement/upgrade.

Another example is I went with the more robust, actual metaltech sliders, rather than the OPOR -- even when the sell was still going on back in May. For me, an extra $150 is worth it considering LC guys have been singing their praises for years. They just arrived two days ago, so should have pics of install soon. I am sure OPOR is great... but I was seeing mixed reviews in regards to reliability (bending under pressure)... nothing 100% confirmed, I didn't want to take that chance with only $150 upgrade on the line now, rather than the price of the OPOR's + $750 later if they fail.

 

[yarden]

S-POD CONTROL MOUNT

We did this the day of the S-POD install, but I wanted to post where we mounted the switches. We used the sunglasses holder as the mount so everything is easily accessible from the overhead center console:

 

[yarden]

We have a Japanese foreign exchange student staying with us for a month so we made a special trip down to the hill country. We first went to Longhorn Cavern and then over to Enchanted Rock for another hike to the top. After that we explored CR315 and some of the other beautiful unpaved roads of the area to get some sightseeing in. I used the adventure motorcycle book for the hill country which was a great resource.... but was please to see Toyota had all the roads already in the Nav. That is something I have been extremely impressed with... even the State Park roads are detailed in the factory Nav.

Anyway, I took some pictures along the way and thought it would be a good time to show the latest additions....

Metaltech Sliders
A month or so ago, my metaltech sliders came in (actually took longer to get than my shrockworks!) but man are they nice. I ordered them when metaltech was running the sale on the OPOR sliders, but after reading alot of positives on the OPOR, I still came across a few unconfirmed posts regarding OPOR's durability. Considering that it would only cost a couple of hundred bucks more max, I opted for the true metaltech sliders. LT and Ryan were awesome to deal with.

ICON Stage 2 Front Suspension + Metaltech/ICON Rear Long Travel w/ 3" Lift HD Springs
Also, for an update... after a few weeks with the shrockworks and the winch on the front, I wasn't happy with the sag. It handled just fine, but the truck was no longer level and the front rake was driving me crazy. I had always been an OME guy, but after reading so many good reviews and hearing great things I actually went with the adjustability (and more comfortable riding) ICON Stage 2 Kit w/ ICON Tubular UCA's. For the rear, I was ready to get the spacers our of there because I thought it was time to make the leap to a full 3" and if I was doing it... might as well do it right and get some wheel travel. I contacted Ryan again and went with Metaltech's Rear Long Travel setup with their 3" lift HD coils.

After some tweaking to get everything leveled the ride is phenomenal.

THULE XL625
Finally, I have been working to try and decide on the best storage for all of our gear. I have the GOBI and I wanted to utilize the third row because we have a large family. I went with a Thule XL625 Cargo Box to keep our bulky/lightweight gear dry and dust free. There is still enough space on the rack to put our OzTent's when we get them purchased and then those tents will zip into our Foxwing Awning providing a dry & nice shade camping experience.

A cool, mostly dry river bed we crossed:

Some dust art:

That just about completes the primary list of mods I wanted to accomplish. I am really happy with how the truck turned out. In the future I may add a rear bumper, but for right now, I like the truck as is and more than suits my needs. Now I will divert mod money saved and focus on trip/travel/exploration so I can continue using the truck for it's purpose! ARB Lockers are still in the plans in the coming months but with the A-Trac I haven't had any issues yet and think we should be good for what we want to do with the truck.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Such a nice truck, make me want a white one.

 

[brian0128]

This is a really clean build. I just purchased a 2015 Trail and will be using some of your choices in the selection of parts.