On to the belly armor, when I think skid plates I think Bud Built. The 1st and last name in Armoring you 4Runner or Tacoma.
Belly Skid: which is comprised of front and belly.






Painted Wheels: well because the stock ones just aren't as cool!





With the sides armored it was time for a little frontal protection.

Front Bumper: TJM-17





Limit Straps: a combination of Sonoran Steel parts and Kartek offroad, welded into place and 100% effective.



CB antenna mount: The next mod was a cb antenna mount. I cut into the bumper using an uni-bit and mounted it up.




Sliders: totally custom and good to go, I went with a local offroad shop though a little pricier I felt good knowing I was supporting local business.




In the begging she was a 2002 Toyota 4Runner with 69k automatic transmission with the SR5 package and leather seats. The running boards wear the 1st things to go, much to my wife's dismay. I waited about 2-3 months before ordering a lift for the truck.

Lift: consisted of the standard Sonoran Steel package at the time. Gains were expected to be 2.3"-3"

Tires: At the time I was running 285.75.16 BFG AT's measure 32.? X 10.? and an offroad set of 285.75.16 Interco SSR's which measured out 33.9" X 11.?

 

Lets not forget the front locker with manual hubs and the rear LSD with 4.56 gears:










1" wheel spacers were used instead of shaving or replacing the UCA's:

Awesome homemade Yakima highlift mount:









Almost forgot the ShadyBoy canadian awning:






ARB Bumper for a Tacoma:





9k Tmax re-clock:


Hannibal Roof tent:




Hannibal Roof Rack:




Some interior mods which consist of

Roll Bar:



Garmin 276C GPS:




Engel 45 Freezer/Fridge and slide:



SuperLift TrueSpeed calibrator:

New shoes 285.75.16 Cooper STT:









Additional clevis attachment point


1" Body Lift

 

I had to modify the radiator fan shroud to accommodate the new tray. The new tray is wider that the batteries but this may be because it is meant to fit older or newer optima's. One tightened the batteries aren't moving, the NL solenoid was easy to install. I will get another wire to run it behind the fender wall so I don't have an exposed + wire running randomly across the engine bay even though it's only 16".







Aaron
Well here is my old dual battery setup and prep for the new one, the picture of the fuse box tab shows removal of the lower leg support but does not show tat the silver tab in the picture has been removed entirely.






Teaser and comparison




level with turn signal


I have been long awaiting a pair of whelen TIR6's to come available used (new $100ish ea). I found some on ebay for $40ea. and jumped on them This mod was to an ARB and required some grinding of the original opening top and bottom only. It required bending the old mounting tabs back as to utilize them to hold the new lamp in place, that and a snug fit ensure it won't be going anywhere.

Aaron
I think it had 5 or 6 flash patterns and a steady burn. I picked it up on eBay, I have yet to replace it but think I will use the Lisc. plate mounted type next time around. Though if no more of that kind of work comes up then no go. And no no secret agent man here I do road construction and safety barrier systems.




Aaron
All the traction aids in action:









While the climbs don't look steep let me assure you they are!

 

Soon to add


for $150 plus paint. I was going to powder coat em but for financial reasons I will just spray paint them like my others.

Aaron

 

OME N85's





Aaron

 

The legendary $150 LX450 wheels





Aaron

 

Finished product pictures to come, I promise. I just wanted to note for anyone looking for this information, as all I ever found was pictures that I had to make generalized assumptions from. The late model Land Cruiser and LX450 wheels (95-97 for sure) have more offset than the earlier ones (90-?) as to which years had what I'm not certain. That being said I would wager that the later Land Cruiser and LX450 wheel is believed to be a 4.3" & change offset and are 8" wide, this is equivalent but slightly less than the Limited 5 star with a 1" wheel spacer though, the clearance on the 5 star's with wheel spacer between the tire and UCA was obviously great where I have a hands width now. But I'm just happy to have clearance and not be using any wheel spacers at all. The LX450 wheels took quite a bit of weight vs. the Limited 5 star, the tire size didn't change so the wheel mass must have.

Aaron

 

Aaron

 

The Sonoran Steel Fabrication (SSF) Extreme Duty Lower Links showed up today and will likely be installed tomorrow. While perhaps overkill for my type of wheeling and travel, I don't have my co-pilot spotter with me so a little insurance goes a long way, in the event I land on something a little harder than anticipated.

Aaron

 

Ok install done and it took about 10 minutes alone. This write up on Parks Offroad sums it up.

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...steellinks.htm

Aaron

 

Ohhhh look whats next!



This should go in shortly, estimated time 1-3 weeks. My 4Runner motor has 238K and is doing fine, but a small oil leak and weeping have started soooo better safe than sorry.

A