Unevolved's 2005 4Runner Build

[unevolved]

It's about to be decision time for new tires. Front runners are 265/70R17 (+1") and 275/70R17 (+1.5"), both E-rated KO2s.

Decision factors-
Spare tire well is 32" across. 275/70R17 is 32.2" nominally. May be a snug fit, require ratchet strap, etc.
Vehicle is 99% daily driver, about 75 miles a day. Neither one of these tires will improve my mileage, but the 265/70R17 will have less impact.
275/70R17 will likely be a little better off-road due to the larger size, but the 265/70R17 will be an improvement over what I've already got.
275/70R17 will LOOK better, being the bigger of the two.
265/70R17 is a more common size, so if I have to get a replacement in the middle of nowhere, I'm more likely to find a tire that's the correct size.

So, all that being said. Anyone have strong opinions?

 

[tx_shooter]

Strong opinion about E rated tires - a lot more weight than is really needed. I dropped from E to standard truck tires and saved 12 lbs a tire.

 

[tex]

Do the 265 in C rated. I ran them for 33k miles on the 4runner and they were great.

 

[unevolved]

Good to know, thanks. According to the weights listed on Discount, the C rated tire is 6 lbs lighter than the E rated.

 

[Anathollo]

Strong opinion about E rated tires - a lot more weight than is really needed. I dropped from E to standard truck tires and saved 12 lbs a tire.

Same here. Ran em for years and never had an issue offroad (only tire issue I had was my fault).

 

[unevolved]

Finally got around to mounting the roof tent on the Prinsu. I'd heard people say it was tough to mount and remove, but doing it this way I'm actually pretty happy with the process.

I bought some lengths of 1" x 2" 8020 extrusion. I had them cut to 47.0" and the ends tapped 1/4-20. Mounted them on the bottom of the tent where the other extrusions were:

I used some fender washers to space them about 1/8" off the bottom of the tent to help them line up with the slots in the roof rack better. Reassembled everything, then set it on the roof with the help of a friend:

The outer perimeter frame of the tent base is resting on the side rails of the roof rack, so it's extremely sturdy. Since the new rails fit in between the existing Prinsu rails, they help support the tent while you're getting it in position. It's actually easier than the old way where you had to keep it from scratching the roof. Once it's lined up, it drops down between the rails, and it's secured to the rack with some 1/4-20 button heads.

I've still got room to mount some gas cans in front of the tent, thinking about laying them down flat to cut down on drag. I can get three up there in the space in front of the tent, which would be an extra 16 gallons.

 

[Oswego]

Good to know, thanks. According to the weights listed on Discount, the C rated tire is 6 lbs lighter than the E rated.

I've run both with zero issues. Truck now has E because they are stronger. That said I know people who rip open the sidewalls of C rated tires all the time. If you can drive correctly without dragging your rear tire into sharp rocks/roots/etc. you should be fine. If you drive like poo or need extra protection get the E rated

 

[Silverback]

I've run both with zero issues. Truck now has E because they are stronger and now dry rotted. That said I know people who rip open the sidewalls of C rated tires all the time. If you can drive correctly without dragging your rear tire into sharp rocks/roots/etc. you should be fine. If you drive like poo or need extra protection get the E rated

FIFY

 

[unevolved]

Took advantage of some Thanksgiving sales. Went with 265/70R17 KO2s, including the spare. I've got about a fingers gap between the spare and the pan hard, I don't think a 275/70R17 would have fit. Not to mention that's a pretty hard size to find in stock, if I destroy one of these somewhere it'll be pretty easy to find a replacement.

 

[Anathollo]

View attachment 7883

Took advantage of some Thanksgiving sales. Went with 265/70R17 KO2s, including the spare. I've got about a fingers gap between the spare and the pan hard, I don't think a 275/70R17 would have fit. Not to mention that's a pretty hard size to find in stock, if I destroy one of these somewhere it'll be pretty easy to find a replacement.

Lookin good! Now you just need to take those mudflaps off before your tire does it for on the trail...

 

[unevolved]

Lookin good! Now you just need to take those mudflaps off before your tire does it for on the trail...

Right now, they still serve their purpose on the highway of keeping me from sandblasting the paint off. Until I rip them off, I'll probably keep them.

 

[tx_shooter]

I used a dremel tool to trim my back mud flaps 3" shorter. I have not noticed an increase in mud/dirt on that part of my 4Runner. It can be hard to tell with all the other dirt on my rig though.

 

[Mauzer]

My tire claimed one so I just took the other off, I have a chrome bumper (for now) so no worries about paint

 

[Silverback]

Urban Dictionary: Mud flaps

 

[unevolved]

Installed a Hewitt SAIS bypass the other week, my air pump started making a ton of noise one morning so I installed the bypass before it failed completely and threw a bunch of codes. Got this kit, installation was very straightforward and it works exactly as advertised. No more problems.

Other than that, it's just been a nice little DD. Towed a full Uhaul trailer from TX to NC without a complaint, haven't done anything but change the oil since then.

Starting to work on a design for my own rear locker controller. I decided to go with an Arduino for the brains, I can integrate it with the OEM 4WD computer so it'll only engage when the center diff is locked, just as a safety measure. I can also program in some more diagnostics (flash different codes if different things aren't behaving properly, for example) than the OEM center locker controller has. Made some friends with some people at Motec and MilSpecWiring.com so I'm sure the harness will be hilarious overkill, but last approximately 400 years.

 

[unevolved]

Decided to go a different route with the rear locker controller, just going to use four relays. Using a fuse/relay box I got from here.

Made a mounting bracket from some 1" x 1/8" aluminum angle to mount to the inner fender, and some M6 rivnuts to hold the tray:

Fits great:

Cut the flange off the end of the tray, because it's stupid to have bolts underneath that panel that would be a massive asshole to remove once it's installed and wired.

Mockup fit. I still need to do the support on the inboard side, but so far so good. All the wiring will be below this panel, so it's important that it be able to lift up without too much headache.

 

[unevolved]

Dang, it's been a while since I've updated this. Although, I guess not much has happened. Lightning update:

• Sold the RTT in late 2018. Decided it's basically a commodity these days, and when my little girl is old enough to go camping I'll buy another.
• Bought a house.
  
• Kenwood double-DIN head unit died and I replaced it with a Pioneer wireless Carplay unit- big fan.

• Replaced the OME suspension with some Bilstein 6112s and 5160s, with Wheeler's Offroad T12 rear springs:

Bonus little helper:

Since I've had some unexpected free time this week, I finally started making some progress on the rear locker wiring harness that I planned out (literally) years ago.

All splices between the new harness and the (new) OEM E-locker harness are M81824 splices:

Halfway done with the splicing:

All wrapped up with ATUM glue-lined heat shrink at the joints and DR-25 for the main sections:

I still need to make the switch harness and tie it in under the dash before it'll work, but this was a big step forward. My goal is to have it working before I go back to work. Certainly have enough time now. Haven't gone wheeling since I moved out here, but I'm hoping to head out to Uwharrie after the world re-opens. I know that'll just increase my desire for more armor and hardware, though.

 

[Taco Loco]

Dang, it's been a while since I've updated this. Although, I guess not much has happened. Lightning update:

• Sold the RTT in late 2018. Decided it's basically a commodity these days, and when my little girl is old enough to go camping I'll buy another.
• Bought a house.
  
• Kenwood double-DIN head unit died and I replaced it with a Pioneer wireless Carplay unit- big fan.

• Replaced the OME suspension with some Bilstein 6112s and 5160s, with Wheeler's Offroad T12 rear springs:

View attachment 22527
View attachment 22528
Bonus little helper:

View attachment 22529

Since I've had some unexpected free time this week, I finally started making some progress on the rear locker wiring harness that I planned out (literally) years ago.

All splices between the new harness and the (new) OEM E-locker harness are M81824 splices:

View attachment 22530

Halfway done with the splicing:

View attachment 22531

All wrapped up with ATUM glue-lined heat shrink at the joints and DR-25 for the main sections:

View attachment 22532

I still need to make the switch harness and tie it in under the dash before it'll work, but this was a big step forward. My goal is to have it working before I go back to work. Certainly have enough time now. Haven't gone wheeling since I moved out here, but I'm hoping to head out to Uwharrie after the world re-opens. I know that'll just increase my desire for more armor and hardware, though.

nice work, and what city do you live near?

 

[unevolved]

nice work, and what city do you live near?

We're in Mooresville, just north of Charlotte.

 

[Taco Loco]

We're in Mooresville, just north of Charlotte.

nice, you have a ton of beautiful NF land just NE of you/ - jealous.