4xFish 5th Gen 4Runner build

[m(a)ce]

I mounted & wired up some lights to the Gobi rack.

I ordered the stealth rack with custom light bar brackets to run a 6"/20"/6" LED setup. EAD made this easy and didn't charge extra (& saved me from having to spend anything on extra Rigid mounts/clamps).

I decided to remove the mount for the 20" and start with two 6" Rigid spots in the front. I ran IPF lights on my last Gobi and used them periodically but I didn't feel compelled to start with that many light$ on top.

For the back I went with a pair of diffused Rigid lights. Figured this would come in handy at basecamp, while wrapping up after evening fishing, etc. I put the lights on the passenger side so they wouldn't be in the way when we climb the ladder (yes it actually gets used). I rearranged the yak mounts so the J cradle would be on passenger side and the yak would clear the lights.

To wire them up I found some good threads on T4R forum. The Gobi comes pre-wired on each side (front to back) with 2 wires. I used one run to power the front lights and set both grounds through one of the bolts that holds the rack on. I ran the power wires through the gap in the tailgate into the rear header. From there I fished them down to the rear wheel well and ran the wiring along the door frame to the sPOD.

The Rigids are bright. Honestly I'm probably more of a incandescent warm light guy. But I do think the function (brightness) and low draw of the LEDs. For now the two 6" lights seem like enough light for my needs. The only addition up front I could see are some flood or combo lights lower (on a bullbar or recessed in the grill).

 

[m(a)ce]

CB & USB

Had a chance to do some more wiring on the swank tank.

First off - power!

In order to power our iPhones & iPads when the truck is switched off I decided to wire up a Blue Sea dual USB to the passenger side of the center console. Location is out of the way but close enough to the control center.

Next was the CB. I had a good experience with the Cobra 75 I'm the JKUR and figured the clean install would work as well in the 4R. I opted to hide the box in front of the shifter below where I mounted the sPOD switches. I mounted the Firestik antenna on the hatch with a Diamond K400 & FireRing FME coax. I can't speak highly enough of the FireRing FME coax with the low profile barrel connection- it allows you to unscrew the larger connection and reduce the diameter from 3/4" to 3/8". This makes fishing it through the vehicle a lot easier!

Note: the clearance by the transfer case is tight but I checked it a few times in N & 4LO (before & after cutting) to make sure it cleared. It does.

Here's everything buttoned up:

For the mic I decided to go with a Gear Keeper retractable holder. It's kinda like a zinger that would hold your nippers or forceps for fishing. For me it makes finding & releasing the mic effortless & not a distraction. I did a quick check in the overhead console to see if I might mount it there but decided to clip it to the passenger side visor for now.

Next I'll be working on the rear storage. We're heading on a road trip in a couple weeks so it will be good to get the cargo area situated.

Once we get back from the trip I'm planning on finally addressing the suspension & lifting it.

 

[bonomonster]

Very nice build

 

[m(a)ce]

Very nice build

Thank you!


Cargo Storage

Finally got around to getting the cargo area situated. I liked the idea of the built in sliding tray but every time I went to use it stuff fell off. I started strapping my fridge down and that helped. I didn't want to do a drawer system due to the weight & cost. Moreover I wanted to maintain flexibility to haul stuff.

I decided to install a Mac's Custom Tie Downs Versa Track. This would let me keep the gear lashed down but give me the option to easily remove & reconfigure.

Before you drill check the underside of the sliding tray. Lots of obstacles to avoid on the handle side. I ended up offsetting mine a little more driver side to clear them. I also used smaller washers on some of the bolts. My load isn't so crazy so I'm not concerned.

I decided to use my Bundu boxes to store my gear. They're light, relatively inexpensive & sturdy. Only complaint is that you have to choose between the plastic latches that break or the metal ones that fall off some times haha. I have Bundu boxes set up for fishing, recovery, etc. For now I strap them down but i have on back order a Stratchit from Front Runner which should be even faster.

I have a couple more of the tied downs that I will use on the back side to secure my recovery gear/Viair compressor separately.

I'm happy with how it turned it. Not too spendy & I've definitely increased to functionality of the sliding tray.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Nice work there ^, how many of those boxes would fit next to the fridge with the back seat up?

 

[m(a)ce]

Nice work there ^, how many of those boxes would fit next to the fridge with the back seat up?

You could go 3 vertical in that stack.

If you weren't going to use the tray regularly you could do 2 stacks of 3.

For my use I want to keep the slide usable so I'll strap the recovery gear/compressor down. My recovery gear, fishing gear & food items will stay in the truck, rest of camp gear will get stowed in the Manley trailer.

I'll keep my tool box in that extra space & perhaps something else. Under that area is another storage compartment. There's also space under the slide that I might tuck some additional recovery gear or misc stuff.

You might be able to fit the Front Runner Cub packs where I have my recovery gear/compressor. Haven't measured it out.




delivered by winged monkeys

 

[Ryanmb21]

Cool, thanks.

 

[m(a)ce]

you're welcome 👍


delivered by winged monkeys

 

[StagNW]

This is a great build. Very tasteful.

 

[stringtwelve]

Nice build! Just bought the wife a 2014 TE to chase my FJ45 Troopy with so I'll be following along with your setup for ideas.
We're looking at lift kits and wheel/tire combos first. Any suggestions on 3" lifts that won't degrade the ride?
Love your sliders and skid plates, btw. Added to the list...

 

[m(a)ce]

This is a great build. Very tasteful.

Thank you!

Nice build! Just bought the wife a 2014 TE to chase my FJ45 Troopy with so I'll be following along with your setup for ideas.
We're looking at lift kits and wheel/tire combos first. Any suggestions on 3" lifts that won't degrade the ride?
Love your sliders and skid plates, btw. Added to the list...

Congrats! Sounds like a nice combo of vehicles.

I know more about Jeep lifts than Toyota so take that into consideration!

I looked at OME & Icon to start. From what I'm gathering OME is more set it & forget it. Icon a little more race inspired & the tweaking/rebuildability that comes with it.

Others seem happy with Toytec. The one wild card interesting lift is from Sonoran Steel. They use TRD Tundra progressive coils which in theory could offer a good on road/off road combo.

Hope that helps as a starting point. I'm planning on finalizing mine in August.


Look forward to seeing your build & I'll poke around to see if I can see some pics of your Troopy.

 

[fireball]

Truck is looking great! Love the attention to the small details.
I think Sonora is definitely worth a call. Steve was a lot of help when I was planning my third GEN suspension set up.

Where and when is the next trip?!

 

[m(a)ce]

Truck is looking great! Love the attention to the small details.
I think Sonora is definitely worth a call. Steve was a lot of help when I was planning my third GEN suspension set up.

Where and when is the next trip?!

Thanks Ben! We hit up the VTO Bennington or Bust trip in Caitie's Rubi & more recently did a Smoky Mountains trip. (Post below)

How about you guys? How's your rig coming along?

 

[m(a)ce]

Smoky Mountains Trip

We had a longer distance trip on the calendar with our good friend Overland Chronicles. Originally we were heading to South Dakota but realized our visit would coincide with the Sturgis rally. We decided to postpone that trip and head south. Our destination would be Great Smoky National Park for some camping, fishing & adventure fun.

We decided to take the swanktank for the trip & see how she'd do as a towpig for the Manley.

The trailer tracks incredibly well & it's easy to forget it's there. It also makes packing a little easier. We kept our fishing gear, food & cooking supplies in the truck and stored clothes, etc in the trailer.

We split the trip with a stop over in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our first campsite set the tone for the trip: camping by pretty streams & bear activity in neighboring sites.

We tried coordinating a meetup with Mountain State Overland but unfortunately it didn't work out. We're looking forward to a meetup in the future!

We pushed down to the Smokies through beautiful country.

Hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway for some sweet views.

The towns outside the park are worse than Jersey shore towns. I can say that since I'm from NJ. But once you push through the noise you're greeted by incredible country, wildlife & switchbacks!

We did some hiking

And some fishing...which in the Smokies involves hiking. DirtandDresses referred to it as being a little mountain goat. With lots of small water, sneak up on a pool, make your first cast counts. Give it a couple more casts then move upstream hopping from boulder to boulder. She ended up with the most fish. It's funny how excited you can get from such small fish. Most of them were pizza topping size.

We did find some nice pools & actually had 3 river otters come through. (Only got a bunch of crappy iPhone pics not worth posting)

Very excited to see otters!

For the final part of the trip we detoured to Asheville for some solid beers & tasty nibbles. It was a superbrief visit but served as good recon for future visits.

We got back home with 1800+ miles on the truck and countless memories. The truck & trailer did well & had no issues to speak of. We did come back with the usual ideas on how to improve our setup...and more importantly daydreams of future adventures.

 

[m(a)ce]

Tonight the swank tank is in the shop getting an Old Man Emu suspension installed.

Very excited!