My name's Zack and this channel is dedicated to my adventures. Located in Washington with roots in Alaska, I hope to take you along as my mini-fam explores the area!
Really good setup, I'm looking for a low profile platform to not lose headroom and have a little storage. You did a fantastic job!! Thanks for sharing, I have a 23 4Runner so looking for different ideas with camping and traveling.
I just installed this mod on my 2024 4Runner. What I noticed was when it was still light out in the morning, but I turned my headlights on, it would go too dim. Not anymore. Thank you so much for this video.
I should, but at the moment I don’t have any! In general though if you’re willing to build it then doing the measuring isn’t too much more work though. I believe in you!
Two questions: What is the diameter that you cut the 2x4s down to? And what is the distance from the edge to where you made the notches to expose the front D-Rings? Thanks!
I recommend watching my “leveling platform update” video where I show how I improved all the tie down points! As for dimensions, sorry I don’t have any on hand. I ripped the 2x4s down so with the 1/2 on top it matches the height of the folded down seats. Approx 2-2.5” if I recall.
So, the weight you saved by going with 1/2" ply instead of 3/4" ply, you added back, or more, with that center support. Would you do that again? I guess that depends on how much weight you plan to put on that platform.
Not sure if I fully added it back, but you’re right that it’s not a full savings. I would do it again, because even with 3/4 ply I think it would bow in the middle under enough weight, especially since this leveling platform has no “back” support. If it was a drawer box or something the. 3/4 may not bow, but for this application I think you’ll need a middle support no matter what. With that being said, I think the 1/2 saves a bit of weight and material for sure.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend - Ranger Scott! He was just a little guy when you built your bed platform with slide out tray (your solo trips, sleeping in the back). Scott's at a great age now for you to enjoy exploring as a family. Zack, you were a big inspiration for me (2.5 yrs ago) when I got my 2022 TRD-OR with some of the mods you did and showed in your videos. Hope you're having a great summer 2024. All the best Zack! - Brian - Calgary Alberta
I just installed trd fox shocks and forgot to loosen the valve and when I put everything back vehicle is leaning to the right I can’t fix please help me
Equalizing the system seems to be hit or miss on whether it fixed the lean problem. A lean of some sort seems to be inherent in Tacoma/4Runners, I guess due to the weight distribution (fuel tank, etc). However, if you do try the equalization method it is performed AFTER installing a lift, so you could still do it.
In this build, NO! But if you look at my channel I have a follow up to this video where I talk about all the changes I made- including anchoring it to all 4 tie down locations.
Dang! The quality is really nice. Seems there aren’t many options for hidden winch cradles, if I were to do it now without options I’d get one of those mid-bumper replacements that replaces the center bottom section entirely.
Probably would of been easier to weld the bent round tube and supports square to the square tubing. Then cut your square pieces that attach to the frame on a 20° angle
That’s an idea for next time! However; then the square tubing wouldn’t be flat below my pinch weld? Anyway, lots of good ideas for next time, I might redo these this summer! My friend bought a legit bender too which is a game changer.
Great work and great video. Your a surgeon with that angle grinder! I’m planning my rock sliders as well and I think a round tube below the pinch weld will make it easy to eye ball the angle and tack it in to position.
Thanks dude. Yeah I think you’re right about round tube under the pinch weld making it easier. Hopefully can just cope and rotate. I should do that for round 2!
My sensor wire fell down into that open space below. Any recommendations on how to get it out? I've tried an angled needle nose but it is too low and hard to get to the windshield in the way
@@GrizzlyPath flimsy dry cleaner hanger, bent with a little hoop at the end got the wires up. Then needle nose, to grab the bottom part of the plug and pull through the hole. Success! Super grateful cause I thought for sure I wasn't going to get that back.
Is it still working ok for you? Mine works for 5s and then it goes black. I have heat shield the lines but nothing...just tryinf to figure out what the issue is. Thank you.
Yes, mine works well. Hmm… I would start by tracing all your wiring, see if something is broken. Sounds like power is being cut since the camera does work for a min.
That extra thing goes outside so you can have an inside/outside temp. However, the one I bought wasn’t waterproof so it died pretty quick. I’d tuck it somewhere out of the weather if possible.
Thanks for the video. I'm about to lift 2'' using dobinson kit. I was going to add kdss spacers but looks like you don't even have the spacers in front at 3.5'' lift. I do not have lean on my GX460. So I looks like I can skip the spacers and add this adaptor instead. Do you have spacer in the rear? I see some vehicles kdss component making contact in the rear
Yeah I don’t have the KDSS bracket spacers in front or rear and so far it’s been fine. I can’t see any binding or limitation on the KDSS system. Maybe if I go taller I’d need them. This adapter isn’t 100% necessary, but it definitely seems to align that bushing better so I expect a bit more longevity out of it.
About to start this build over the weekend. Curious on how you went about cutting the winged section. Do you have measurements and how large of a sheet of plywood did you start with?
I started with a standard 4x8 sheet and cut it from that. I can’t remember the measurements, but I basically just trimmed cardboard to check fitment and then traced that onto the plywood. Cut it out with a jigsaw. Should go pretty smooth- just be aware it won’t be as easy to install/remove because the wings require you to turn the plywood sideways slightly to get it through the hatch. Have fun!
Interior carpet used: Home Depot TrafficMaster Dayside - Color Ebony 6 ft. Indoor/Outdoor Texture Black Carpet Model# MK22W180072S Internet# 302721625 Store SKU# 1002655844
I recently did the shocks on our GX460 and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get the sway bar bolted back on. This was EXTREMELY helpful and you've saved me an embarrassing visit to the shop. Thank you bro.
I might also drop from 2-burner to 1-burner stove, I'd hardly notice the difference in 90% of my camping situations and two-burner stoves are horribly unpackable lol
Thanks for sharing this video. Two questions, which tie down are you using to hold the plano totes? Also, did you have to modify the rear anchor points for the ceiling net? Hard to see on the video. Cheers,
Thank you! 1) I usually use cam straps but for things on the roof sometimes I’ll use ratchet straps, 2) I did modify them! Remove the OEM hook and you can use the threaded hole to screw in some eye-bolts. I think they’re m8 maybe.
@@GrizzlyPath Hey man, just wanted to drop by and thank you again. I got a 2024 4Runner SR5 last week (Canadian trim with the third row) and went to Banff for a week. I basically copied your loading plan, and it worked out great. The system is so easy to load and unload. Since I don't have a roof rack I had to push the 2nd-row seats to their most forward position in order to load the tent and screen canopy horizontally behind the cooler/plano tote. But since my daughters (5, 8 and 11) are still young they still had 'okay' leg room and we managed just fine.
Thank you for your very helpful video. I do wonder after having watched many videos about sleeping in car and staying stealthy about it when in cities... Why not get the windows tinted dark??? You do that and maybe wrap your window inserts in black cloth (stapled to inserts?) and no one would ever know you're in there. I keep seeing people in minivans and suvs talking about staying stealthy but i never see them tint their windows. 5% (darkest tint) for areas you dont need to see through (rear corners) and 35% (darkest legally allowed for front-sides) would be perfect. You can still see through the windows you need for that. And black cloth inserts behind 35% tint just looks like super dark tint. So at night time no one would ever know you're in your car. The rain guards help with rain (of course) and with ventilation. You put some for of screen on the ventilation to keep bugs out... and you're good.
So is the whole problem with the KDSS and lifts, is the fact that the bushing wears out sooner? I’m losing sleep trying to figure out how to lift my TRD Off-road 😅
Not really the bushings, but as you approach the flex limits of the KDSS system (3.5+”) your lift will start working against the system so you need to modify it for the new baseline vehicle height and/or flex capabilities.
If you want to bend any pipe like a pro, without deformation on the curve, follow the rules. First, cut rounded steel plate and weld at the end. Next, fill pipe with water and add fain grain sand. Fullfil to the top, then weld second end.
I’m sorry I don’t! However, it’s pretty straight forward to measure. Ensure you leave 1/8” of clearance on all sides to account for carpet. Measure for total height from floor up to top of carpet angled piece behind seats. That’s what you want it to be flush with. I recommend you check out my latest update video on this platform, I made some important upgrades that I wish I did the first go around- learn from my mistakes!
Thanks! Great video. Do you know if I can stack those plano totes as you did in the video on 7 seater 4runner? I'm in Canada and SR5 here only comes out as 7 seater. Since 7 seater has a little raised floor, wondering if I can stil stack 2 planos.
Hmm, it cuts up your bumper so the valence hides it which is nice. With this particular hidden mount I don’t think you could do it clean, but there might be others that require less cutting. Otherwise I’d look into one of those low pro units that is metal and you cut out the entire lower portion of the bumper.
There are a lot of options out there, I’d say just find one that fits your budget. Bilstein 5100 + lift springs of your choice are the baseline. Beyond that there’s adjustable like Ironman FCP, Toyotec, and beyond!
