$20K+ in mistakes to build a trail ready 4Runner with $40K in upgrades. Full rig walk around video.
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- Опубликовано: 20 июл 2024
- Check out our shop: www.sandycats.com/
Instagram: / sandycats_
After breaking 20K in parts on my 2019 4Runner I built this 2021 4Runner properly to handle any overlanding trail without the fear of breakdowns.
00:00 Intro
00:54 Background
08:05 TRD Premium
10:20 Front End
14:10 Under the Hood
18:47 Suspension
27:30 Wheels/Tires/Axles
30:46 Skids/Protection
36:00 Interior
38:00 Rear
41:06 Outro
41:57 Build Sheet 
Авто/Мото
Big fan of the weight conscientiousness. I’m going through the same thing and that means ground tent, hybrid front bumper, no drawers. Haven’t even blown outer tie rods or spindles on 35s doing Moab
Fantastic video, one of the more informative and helpful rig walkarounds I've watched. I appreciate that you paid attention to weight and tried not to overbuild the vehicle.
This is my 3rd video of yours and I gotta say the way you explain things makes a 35 minute a joy from start to finish. You’re killing it man so much valuable knowledge and experience in every vid, really great work I’m a big fan. Also, I take it you are mostly out west US but I’m in Wisconsin and I will tell you at night that upper light bar is amazing in the deep woods of the north its like a friggin jungle😂. Keep up the great work how lucky your kids are to have such a cool mom and dad👍
You have beautiful rigs. Your videos are very informative and helpful
Seen that badas$ runner and was driving behind you guys today on the 10 freeway for a bit and looked you up, really love the way the 5th gen looks hope to get mine on that level soon keep up the good work 👍🏻
Great video. That is an amazing amount of _useful_ information! Thank you.
Straight forward vid. Love the content.
For overlandind, a roof light bar is absolutely essential, mate! My first one was an absolute game changer for me and I could never go back to just headlights and a winch bumper mounted integrated 20" light bar! Lol To be fair my 4Runner is built for long range expeditions, in western mountains/forests of Canada, through to and around Northern Canada and even Alaska. Having a roof mounted light bar is an absolute essential! That big, tall, wide band of light casting hundreds of meters ahead of you is a game changer makes night time driving on trails 110% safer for too many reasons to list. Plus you can easily find camp at night, in the bush. You can't otherwise lol️
If you just drive local trails, head to local campgrounds or your build is for off road use, then a 20" bar in your winch bumper is all you need, but if you are into overland expeditions to remote places, especially heavy forested, mountains trails etc, then your RT light bar + ditch lights are absolutely essential!
Nice build though!
Great video and thank you for sharing the information!
Beautiful rig man!
I installed the DR.KDSS switch over a year ago and it is by far the best modification on my T4R. I use it every day.
What is this switch?
@@J.Young808 It's a switch that lets you deactivate the KDSS system with the push of a button. Makes washboard roads so much smoother. Heck, I use it on my drive to work on that one road that is littered with pot-holes.
drkdss.com/products/kdss-control-harness
Have a similar rig in the sands of Abu Dhabi. Stiffer = better for the high speed, bottomless sand we have here. Beadlocks are literally a lifesaver out here, where pop-outs can mean rolling. Internally mounted twin ARB is the way to go as well.
very well done video and great advice.
Very nice video and of course very nice rig.
Great video! So much to learn. Can't agree more about buying the best parts for your application the very first time. Not necessarily the most expensive parts, but the best for what you're wanting to do. Also, I think I know who you were talking about for the ucas...🤔lol. For a replacement of the Roam boxes, I highly recommend the Zarges cases. They weigh nothing and give you a ton of internal dimension. I have the same issues with Roam.
Thanks brother! Was looking into Zara’s for a while… just $$$. And you know I’ve been spending $ on the other build 😂.
@@SandyCats If you become an Overland Bound Member they have a slight discount on Zarges cases.
All you gotta do on the snorkel is put those mesh sock things on when you hit the trail, then take it off when done
I have to say my best advice is go to the best builder and ask them what they use and use that. They have the durability testing expierence because of their customers or they themselves have the vehicle. Probably coolest thing about gladiator so far is lack of supporting mods needed. I can go get 37s, triple bypass shocks, and all that's needed is a $500 geometry correction to get everything back in alignment. No need for bigger brakes, more power, gearing, drivelines upgrades...you can do all that but really you can just drive it as is and it's perfectly fine.
Wow man! Wow that’s all I can say! Great job!!!
I totally get the light bar thing on the roof, I don’t like it and not useful from what I can tell
I have a light bar behind the upper grille, after changing to TRD pro style grille
I have spot pods and combo pods on a hood mount with a mph t extension and the upgraded fogs, all Baja Designs.
I want to do one more set of spot lights behind the lower grille and that should be it. Tires are BFG KO2s and still have plenty of tread.
The suspension is Eibach stage one and everything else is stock. We only wheel once a month on mild to moderate trails, so keeping things stockish and have plenty of lighting, as we do night wheeling most of the time, is the way to go for our application
Will likely get an awning room and inflatable mattress for camping, with light camping gear and we are golden lol
Yeah curious how that e locker works out for you. I’m re gearing in Feb to 4.88 with 35s and RTT. But planning on adding an air locker to the front only.
I would suggest a pre-filter on your snorkel.
16:47 ok you mentioned the pre-filter
There is a Colorado (Air Down Gear Up) company that makes sleeping/drawer platforms for T4R, GX, LC they seem somewhat lightweight
That shit is super sick bro much props! I just use my TRD 4x4 off-road Tacoma just to go out shooting & light trails I don't do anything specific I have just a couple extra skid plates one to protect the catalytic converter from the tweakers & they also look pretty nice better than the factory one but I put the tonneau cover (bakflip mx4 looks hella clean) + tweaker resistant & I got the 6-speed manual so I can get thru sum pretty good sh#t I just don't choose the very hard trails maybe like 5 of 10 out of difficulty @ most I don't want to f#ck up my new 🛻💨 just have some fun with a couple friends 😁 b safe homie! 💯💪👍👍🛻💨
That was a great, thorough walkthrough. Thanks for sharing! I have the same thought process with regards to building my rig. How are your SPC UCAs holding? Mine were bad after 20k miles the x axis joints were got worn out. Had to replace it with accutune offroad’s UCA and no problems so far
Thanks! That’s the first time I heard of SPC getting worn out so fast! No issues here! The ones here are repurposed from my other rig so they have close to 20K as well. Will keep my eye on them now!
@@SandyCats I probably had a bad batch but yeah it sucks. Toytec wouldn’t warranty it. My mechanic also said that SPCs were just great for the fine adjustability for lifted/modded on road vehicles but once off road the joints fail. Accutune has FK rod ends with covers to keep dust and debris to a minimum. I haven’t heard a squeak yet but only 10k miles so far.
What are your thoughts on the Bilstein B8? I noticed you like to push your rigs, was just wondering if there was a difference between the Elka, and the Bilsteins. If you owned them could you describe please, looking to upgrade the suspension on the 4R too.
KC lights very useful in tall grass.
I have a '22 GX and I was wondering if you could do a similar video for your GX. I saw your other vid about the CBI products (and it kind of validated some feelings I had about going Victory Blitz, SSO sliders, etc.), but I would like to see you do an overview about the GX.
Yup. Already filmed it. Will have it ready for next week
@@SandyCats i’ll be looking forward to that review! You are one of the few RUclipsrs who don’t hold back on the good and bad and speak from a very neutral stance. Basically when watching your content you don’t come off as a fanboy of anything - Just very fair and to the point. Really appreciate your videos. Keep it up.
@@andyking4701 I truly appreciate it! That’s why I try not to take free stuff. Hard to be neutral otherwise!
What are your thoughts on in-coil airbags for the rear? I’ve also struggled with spring selection on my GX, and airbags seem like a potential option to account for the loaded vs. unloaded rear.
I got tired of poorly done alignments, so now I do them myself, lol. Helps save some money with the spring swaps. It’s fairly easy with the solid rear axle, and honestly very precise
I am planning on installing them on my other build with a controller to inflate/deflate in the cab as I have no sway bars there and want more stiffness on road and less off-road. I think with the controller it’s a great idea. Without it my fear is it will limit my flex off-road (I may be wrong though until I test). I didn’t want to over complicate these builds and the controller would do that.
I hated my AFE intake so much i cut it up and went with a warm air intake.. I had the hardest time trying to find the proper filter to buy I gave up.
38:10 Where did you get the long range gas tank installed here in CA? Great build!
Try RPM garage
nice budget build
Where did you get that side decal? Super job on your build. Love it 100%
Custom full wrap (mountains imprinted in wrap)
That is a seriously built rig. How does it compare in the rocks to a Jeep Wrangler? Do you find the 4Runner as being the better Overlanding platform? Thanks for an excellent video and well executed build. Tom
Honestly it’s comparing apples to oranges. I think it’s an outstanding overlanding vehicle and can outperform a Jeep in many aspects. But not on the rocks. I would say this 4R is as capable as a stock Jeep wrangler with 32” tires and only a rear locker on rocks. But for overlanding… I’d take this rig all day long. It’s ability to go a decent speed off-road in comfort and on road in comfort will outperform any Jeep no maltier how built up it is. That’s why I got the Toyotas… to overland (drive) for 10+ hours a day for multiple days… you want that comfort.
Also, is it easy to tell when you’ve bent a steering rod with the sleeves on? I saw these your last video, they seem like a great idea
You can see about 1” of the end of the sleeve. I use that section to adjust toe. My assumption is yes… I would know it’s bent by seeing less than that 1”. Also I would feel it on the road… too much toe in usually makes the tires chirp on the road. But these are just my assumptions for now (and hopefully forever 😂).
Thanks for the video!
What was causing the steering rack to go out on the Green 4Runner?
I have 35s on my 2021 4Runner and just want to prevent any issues. Thanks!
Bombing it in the desert. I do drive stupid sometimes. If your going fast and hit small rocks (too fast to slow down)… that usually does it. That’s why I’m not worried about this rig… it’s for my wife. I personally can’t help keeping the skinny pedal down so I got an LC200 rack.
@@SandyCats what’s the plan for 37s then? The Marlin Crawler RCLT kit?
@@Seanx25 yup. Already have RCLT kit on. Buildout out the rest of suspension now. Then a taco box (already have it).
Great video, currently slowly building a 21 4runner, looking to upgrade to 34s. If you dont mind i have a couple questions.
What offset wheels you running, the zero or -30s.?
Do you remember how close the 34s were to the top of the fender at full compression. Trying to figure bumpstops, I know you have the 1/2" spacer above the Elkas probably help you out.
Did you have to bend back the pinchweld for the 34s.
-30. But that requires more trimming (FYI). However, -30 will allow you to run gusseted spindles without wheel spacers. Without bumps I can be at least 1.5” past the fender. I’m losing about 1” of uptravel because I didn’t want to hack up the fender. I had to hammer the pinchwelds all the way… and hammer back the firewall a bit. I made a video on fitting 35s on a GX and it was actually more work on the 4R.
@Sandy Cats Thanks! You recall what spindles/gussets you went with?
@@tazeroy1129 I used smashed off-road. However I believe JC.Fabrication on IG now does direct replacement … id use him as his quality looks awesome on photos
@Sandy Cats I did some searching. Contacted dirt King and they're spindle gussets don't require -offset wheels or spacers. Figured I'd share for anyone looking to do the same.
@@tazeroy1129 That' interesting as they look very similar to mine which wouldn't work. But will def add that to next vid (GX walkaround) so others can look into it. THANKS for posting!!
Love the rig bro! Where in california are you based out of? Let me know if you ever need help shooting your YT content being thats what I do full time
Thanks. I’m in Upland
Great build. Consider changing out the Baja Designs SAE fog lights out. They're honestly complete crap, especially for the money. Instead, get the Diode Dynamics SAE version (Pro I recommend, the Max is too much money without a large noticeable difference).
Heard a few ppl say that. I’ve ran them (Baja) for 3 years w/o issue. But I haven’t tried the Doide SAE so nothing to compare to.
@@SandyCats I went through all of them before I settled on these. The Baja Designs SAE had less output than my factory led fogs. The problem is they simply place a metal blocker to reduce the light and try to produce a cut line. The Diode Dynamics does does through lenses and you get a perfect cut line with more output. I have the Pro version of both and the Max of the DD and personally, I'd just get the pro. Don't bother with the Max as the cost isn't worth the difference
20:53 do you think you could pushback the rear axle on a KDSS T4R?
Depends how far back. I think you can go back an extra 1-2”. After… about 1-2” your coils will be crooked.
Oleg have you ran a Magnuson on a 5th gen 4Runner before?
Yes… my green 4runner has a Magnussun
@@SandyCats Ah sorry, you probably even said that in the video...
Cool Hat. Where can I get one?
Soon!!!
Where did you get the wrap/decals?
Allied Print in Ontario CA
Buy once cry once 💭
Story of my life.
Big subscribe from me good stuff
Where did you get the graphics?
Had them done custom at local shop (Allied Print Co in Ontario)
Do you know if the SDHQ ABS guards will fit on a gusseted factory spindle from total chaos?
Yup
@@SandyCats thank you 🙏
Ineos Grenadier might end up being an answer to your (and my) prayers
Just looked it up. Definitely interesting concept. But I doubt it will make it to USA :(
@@SandyCats they already have a North America version in the plans. Check out Scott Brady’s review on RUclips
@@vladd5291 Didn't realize it's a solid front axle...
@@SandyCats that way you don’t need to spend $20k redoing the front
@@SandyCats TFL has a video review on the Ineos and they have always planned to bring a model to North America, I have a reservation for one.
“Buy once, Cry once”
That's a sweeeet Тризуб on the wall of the garage! Слава Україні!
40K?????????? rookie!! Im busting balls but I blew by that lol
my walkround is coming as soon as stellar built finishes it this week
😂😂😂
@@jailbreakoverlander seriously looking forward to that!!!
@@SandyCats you and me both, trying to get it finished in a hotel since last sunday
Take her to Paris
I'm still making up for it!
Can I borrow $32,895 please?
You said do it once, do it right but there's no such thing on something like that
Other than possibly an RCLT kit 😂…. Your doing it right! But maybe… this build is do the wifey… I think it’s a one and done thing on this one.
Слава Україні
Just curious for the modders out there who buy Off Roads and then modify them, is there is reason to just not pay up front for the Pro? Seems like after all the additions it’d end up saving you money.
Depends on how big tires you want to go. Anything over 32” (maybe 33” with Westcott Designs kit) your basically throwing away all the Pro stuff you paid for anyways as you need to replace it all. If you go 34” or taller… it’s best to go with cheapest options available that gives you rear locker.
Pro just costs more money for a pair of shocks. No reason to not save the 10k
Spending over $40k with upgrades and having a dirty engine presenting your video is not appealing. Your audience comes from wide range of background. It’s just my 2 cents worth of observation. Keep your videos coming…
I dont know about you but I care more about if they are actually using the rig as it’s intended and not as a pavement princess. Dirty engine bay tells me they’ve put it through its uses and can speak to what they have installed