Steve’s 2016 Toyota 4Runner Modification and Adventure Thread

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Steve

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Couldn't post these yesterday. Here's with the new tires. And I did the blackout kit for the logos.

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I've got about 120 mies on it so far, and all but the first 50 on the KO2 tires. I definitely made the right choice, Firm, but not harsh. Not noticeably louder, and steers the same. I'm a happy camper!
 
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Steve

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Were those blackout logos hard to install. Look great.
Thanks! Nope, easy as pie. I cleaned the surface with alcohol, peeled the backing off of the double-sided tape, and stuck the emblem over the existing emblem. I held each in place with a towel for about 20 seconds to make sure they were well seated. I did the first one without a towel, and didn't feel like I was getting even pressure, plus, I didn't want to crack the thin plastic.

Welcome, to the Overland Bound forum, by the way!
 

Steve

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Lighting Test Baseline to compare when I install aftermarket lighting. Taken at 9:00 PM May 9, 2016 with Nikon D750 and Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 lens set at 24mm. ISO 640, Exposure 1/2 second at f/4.0 Manual Mode. There is a slight color shift in the sky, but the exposure remains unchanged throughout the sequence.

I like using this spot, because I can see the height of the lighting on the trees on the left, and the spread of the lighting in the field on the right.

No Lights



Daytime Running Lights



Low Beams



Low Beams w/Fogs



High Beams



I have not performed the Independent Fog Light Modification yet, so I can't get a photo with just the fogs, or with the high beams and fogs. I'll try to get that done before swapping to the Xenon Depot HID kit and the Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber fogs.

For the comparison photos with the modified lighting, I'll adjust the timing to get as close to the same ambient light as I can.
 

Steve

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Wow, it's hard to believe how much the bulbs have dimmed on mine. They are much more yellow than this too.
It could be color shift in the image, too. I let it use auto white balance.

Yesterday I did the Antman Independent Fog Light Modification, but it didn't work properly. I just got done fixing it, as I had a bad contact in one of the terminals I crimped on. So I'll add "Fog Lights Only" and "Fog Lights and High Beams" tonight (if it isn't raining.) Then I'll swap in the Xenon Depot HID kit and the Baja Design Squadron-R Pro fogs.
 

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OK, now that I have my bad terminal connection sorted on Antman's Independent Fog Light Modification, I took another full sequence of photos.

As before, these were taken at 9 PM on my Nikon D750 in manual mode for consistent exposure. 24mm Lens, ISO was set at 640, 1/2 second exposure at f/4.0

This gravel drive works nicely, because it shows the height of the light output on the trees on the left, and the spread in the field on the right.

No Lights


DRL Only


Stock Fog Lights Only


Stock Low Beams Only


Stock Low Beams and Stock Fog Lights


Stock High Beams


Stock High Beams and Stock Fog Lights


Next up is swapping over to the Xenon Depot HID Kit (using @MTN4RNR's fine tutorial) and the Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Fog Lights from Total Automotive Performance. Then I'll add those photos to the sequence.
 

Steve

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I'm not sure I like the Thule Hull-a-Port Pro that far out, but it's needed if I'm squeezing the extended Yakima LoadWarrior between them. The Outback used two separate rack configurations.

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I'll try the basket up there tomorrow when Deb is here to help. We gotta pick up a Costco 3-step folding stool!!

I'm still not sure which mount I'm going to use for the awning. The side of the basket is perfect, but awfully high, and can't be used when a kayak is mounted. The RhinoRack Foxwing awning mount clamped under the passenger side kayak racks will probably be better, but then I won't be using those gorgeous and expensive FourTreks mounts. I'll just fiddle and see what works and what doesn't.
 
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Steve

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Thule Crossroads 450 with 58" square bars, two Thule Hull-a-Port Pro kayak racks, and a Yakima LoadWarrior with 18" extension on my new Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium. I haven't quite figured out where to mount the ARB 2500 awning yet.

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Steve

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Well, that's really disappointing! I took it out on the highway after I posted the photos, and it thrums horribly! I can feel it through the whole vehicle, and feeling the headliner, it noticeably shakes.

I had this happen when I mounted the basket/fairing/LED bar on my Outback, but the basket was way up in front of the sunroof. Moving it back 4" completely eliminated the problem.

But with the 4Runner, the basket is already as far back as it can go, starting behind the sunroof. It might be the folded kayak racks. I'll try it again with them upright, and then take them off and see if that helps. Or try moving everything forward a bit.

I've got a lot invested in these racks, and would hate to have to go a different route now...
 

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I installed the Baja Designs Squadron-R Pro amber wide fog light kit today. I got them through the Total Automotive Performance group buy on T4R.org. These things are crazy bright!!! I'll adjust them when it gets darker. I should have marked the height of the OEM fogs on cardboard to know how low to adjust them...

Here they are with the stock high beams, Xenon Depot HID low beam kit, and the OPT7 32" LED light bar on the Yakima LoadWarrior.

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Steve

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And here's the ]Xenon Depot HID kit (Philips 4300k) low beams




Compared to the stock low beams (same exposure, just later in the evening)
 

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Here's the whole new sequence. All photos shot at 24mm, ISO 640, 1/2 second. f/4.0, manual focus, auto white balance.

DRLs Only



Xenon Depot HID kit (Philips 4300k) Low Beams



Xenon Depot Lows Beams and stock High Beams



Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Wide Cornering Fog Light Kit Only



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams and Baja Design Fog Lights



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, and Baja Design Fog Lights



OPT7 32” C2 Series LED Light Bar (Flood/Spot) on Roof Rack



Baja Design Fog Lights and OPT7 Light Bar



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, Baja Design Fog Lights, and OPT7 Light Bar
 

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WOW!! :laughing:I do believe you are set my friend for forward lighting.


Here's the whole new sequence. All photos shot at 24mm, ISO 640, 1/2 second. f/4.0, manual focus, auto white balance.

DRLs Only



Xenon Depot HID kit (Philips 4300k) Low Beams



Xenon Depot Lows Beams and stock High Beams



Baja Design Squadron-R Pro Amber Wide Cornering Fog Light Kit Only



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams and Baja Design Fog Lights



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, and Baja Design Fog Lights



OPT7 32” C2 Series LED Light Bar (Flood/Spot) on Roof Rack



Baja Design Fog Lights and OPT7 Light Bar



Xenon Depot HID Low Beams, Stock High Beams, Baja Design Fog Lights, and OPT7 Light Bar
 
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Steve

lost again...
Founder 500
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Traveler III

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Lorain County, OH, USA
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Steve
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WOW!! :laughing:I do believe you are set my friend for forward lighting.
Probably too much, if I'm being honest. The Baja Designs are a little overwhelming compared to what I was expecting. Their web site shows a very wide and very narrow beam pattern, not something that's gonna burn the trees overhead! :)

On the other hand, I can probably eliminate the basket with the OPT7 LED bar and move my kayak racks in to reduce the noise level...