Dobinsons 2016 4Runner Trail Build

Hey guys,

I'm a bit slow to get all of this up, since the truck has had a few things added and taken away already, but I wanted to share it anyway, get some feedback, and some ideas for what to do next.

We started with a 2016 4Runner Trail, black - chosen so that it will scratch better than any other color offered!! And scratched, it is!!!

Anyway, the dealer had installed some N-Fab side steps, so we kept them on for now.



Then added some Bushwacker flares and Katzkin leather seat covers inside.

Next was to check all the suspension from the Prado 150 non-KDSS models would suit our requirements. Unfortunately we didn't get any photos of this, but we had a great riding 2" lift front and back using Dobinsons twin tube shocks and struts, comfort load front coils (C59-448 and GS59-221), then C59-325 coils and GS59-701 shocks in the back. We ran that on stock wheels and tires for a few weeks. That all went on no worries, then came the exciting step. How to get more lift and more flex?

We enlisted the help of our Aussie counterparts to hand build a set of Dobinsons MRR (Monotube Remote Reservoir) struts and shocks for this black beast, adding some extra length front and rear to get some more travel. We accomplished that..... Had to quickly add some Icon upper control arms on the front. We checked the rear and grabbed bump stop spacers and an adjustable panhard rod, but upon installation and measuring everything, the panhard rod really wasn't needed. The axle was within an inch of where it should have been. We put it in anyway since we'd spent the money on getting it sent by air.

Variable rate coils? Yes please. We made a 3" variable (progressive) rate coil for the back first, then the Dobinson boys wound up a few samples of front variables for the struts. This proved to be very difficult, as getting the winds just right is extremely tricky. After 2-3 tries, we halted the front just for now to focus on a few other projects, and added the C59-302 onto the MRR's, and having an adjustable coil seat, we were able to set the height exactly where we wanted it to be.






Tires were added, 285/65R18 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro muddies, on some 18x9 Fuel Wheels. Tire clearance is pretty good all around. Bit of rubbing on the front body mount, but everyone loves that noise anyway, right?

Flexing it out a bit, just after adding some 2" bump stop extensions on the back to keep our meaty tires nice and new looking, and extended stainless steel brake lines. We definitely got a lot of flex in the rear (sway bar removed), and are super happy about that. We have been working on twin-tube shocks the same length as these prototype MRR's. Those should be here by the end of the year. We still haven't put the sway bar back onto the rear, but we're not really missing it. The shocks and coils are really stabilizing this truck really well.




So as it sits now, we have 3" lift front and rear, running the prototype struts and shocks, off the shelf front coils, and prototype rear variable rate coils, but production units of those coils are on the water.



Front first prototype bumper is on, but we have some changes to make before we show the full pics of that.
Here's a teaser:


Next we will be adding our Sensu Awning to the factory roof rack, adding the Dobinsons dual roller drawer kit to the back end, and start figuring out a rear bumper option.

More flex shots? Why not....

 

Very cool, what travel shocks are they and what spring rate?

 

Hi Mate. The shocks are 28.7" open, 17" closed. The springs are variable rate, but we hold that information pretty close to the chest, sorry. The springs currently installed are for medium to heavy load rear, 100KG of additional constant weight.

 

Cool, no worries, MT links on there too?

 

MT bump stop spacers, but no links (no rear sway bar right now).
We will be coming out with adjustable rear sway bar links in the near future, as well as trailing arms to flex better.

 

We had the time today to test fit the smaller roller drawer kit we make into the 5th gen today. I knew by all measurements it would fit very well, but it's better than expected. The 4runner floor is nice and flat with everything removed back there, and the drawers slide in and fit on the carpeted floor perfectly!! We're going to do some more checking, but it looks like we won't bother making side panels for this, so that the outlet can still be easily accessed, and besides, the drawer side panels take up space and weight themselves. Since these drawers fill up most available space, I think it's best to leave them like this. We will probably carpet the sides of the floors just to finish them off.

We're debating now whether to drill the floor to bolt it in (as instructions show), or add some turnbuckle tie downs to the side of the drawer system, tied into the factory tie downs (need to find the ratings of those). All 4 factory tie downs are still accessible.

Part number is RD80-1001. $1010.00, as shown in photos.

Either way, check it out and let me know what you think!!

Empty, ready to be filled.


Unpacking from the box. Drawers are fully assembled together.



Great fit!!

 

Are the rear seats 60/40 or 40/20/40? Can the middle be folded down by itself?

 

They're 60/40. the middle is just an armrest thing to pull down with cup holders.

 

Nice build! Looking at getting a trail premium, can you explain why you chose the non kdss version? I'm trying to understand what exactly kdss is, and if it is better than atrac for off-road.

 

In your post above there were some pending decisions. Did you finalize everything??

 

Yeah the best bet is to drill and bolt them through the floor of the truck. We didn't do it on ours yet as we've been busy running some other projects but I sold some to a customer off this forum and that's exactly what he did. It would be best secured with bolts through the floor.

 

You will want to go ahead and search The Forum about what KDSS is and how it works. Or look on Wikipedia and you will find it very fast. Most people doing what we all do would prefer not to have it just out of simplicity sake.

Our company truck does not have it but my personal 2014 4Runner Trail premium does have it.

 

Took the drawers out today. We do too many deliveries locally with the 4Runner right now to have them in. Anyone local need a good price on an open box set of drawers?? haha

 

In for the build. Looking good!