🛠️ Member Build Brian’s "Goldbug" Build

[mobin_ch]

There’s a skid plate for the rear differential on the build page but it doesn’t seem to be available yet.

Do you know the exact Toyota part number for that Rear Diff Skid Plate?
(I did some research on the internet and I am getting two different Toyota Part numbers for that)

Thanks.

By the way Congrats on your LC and appreciate you sharing the info and details for the installs.

 

[Markarian421]

Do you know the exact Toyota part number for that Rear Diff Skid Plate?
(I did some research on the internet and I am getting two different Toyota Part numbers for that)

Thanks.

By the way Congrats on your LC and appreciate you sharing the info and details for the installs.

It doesn’t seem to be in the system yet. Don’t get the one for the Tacoma, it’s probably the same plate but the LC needs different mounting hardware.

 

[Markarian421]

I installed the Diode Dynamics HitchMount LED Pod Reverse Kit. Pretty easy:

• Remove the hitch cover if you haven't already.
• Find the trailer plug to the left of it, look underneath and unplug the large round plug going into it. There's a tab on top you press down to release it, if you press that and wiggle it a little you'll feel a click when it releases and then it comes right off.
• Plug in the in line adapter (first image below) and run the cable over and through the hitch mount.
• Probably cable tie it all up somehow, I used the exhaust support.
• Plug the power cable into the pos and slide it in until it clicks. And maybe further. See below.
• Put on the half hitch cover probably.

When you slide in the pod, it's sticking out pretty far when the tabs click in place (third photo). You can easily slide in in further (not too far if you want to easily remove it -- ask me how I know) and I don't see it going anywhere. But if I want it actually secure in place with a lock, it seems like it will be sticking out pretty far. That may require more examination later. I ran out of sunlight.

From the left side:

From the back/below, cable tied to the rubber exhaust mount.

Slid in until the tabs clicked in.

Slid in a little further. Don't go beyond this unless you want to have to remove your tire, or use a couple pencil erasers to edge it slowly forward a quarter inch at a time, to get it back out.

Video demonstration:

 

[Markarian421]

Swapped in WeatherTech floor mats in cocoa. They’re a very dark color, the camera makes them look lighter. I think it works with the Java leather?

 

[Markarian421]

Swapped in the RAV4 volume knob. As mentioned by EOD Guy you have to remove the spacer on the back, it pulls off fairly easily. Getting the factory knob off takes some effort. This is a huge improvement, the factory knob is too small and slick.

 

[Markarian421]

I got out my oscilloscope and measured the waveform coming out of the back AC socket for this thread:
Installing a DC-DC Converter (aka alternator charger or DC-DC Charger)

I want to revisit this when I have time, the curves below are averages, I want to see what the individual ones look like.

 

[Markarian421]

I installed the Greenlane rock sliders today. They have a pretty good installation video you should watch:



Additional details:

• I put Fluid Film on the frame everywhere the mounting plates would go, because I didn't like the idea of water creeping in there and causing trouble.
• The front mounting points only take two bolts. They show this in the video, otherwise you might think you're missing a couple bolts. There's a third hole on the frame even but it's not threaded.
• As they show in the video I used copper anti seize on all the bolts. Kind of wish I'd used aluminum instead because the copper looks like rust!
• When you're done, torque everything to 25 ft lb / 34 Nm. Except the long bolt -- they told me to just torque it until you start to see the fender washer bend.
• Three additional details for the driver's side which aren;t shown in the video:
  • The odd man out single smaller short bold goes at the front of the third plate from the front on the driver's side.
  • On mine at least at the front the inner rail and/or front mount conflicted with a cable/wire harness that's fixed in place. (I'll note that as I was prepping for the install I saw it and thought it was a terrible place for wiring and it should have more protection!) I was able to pull that out with a trim tool, then clipped the mounting peg off the back. It then sits on top of the inner rail which gives it a good deal of protection.
  • The exhaust makes dealing with the long bolt a pain on the driver's side!

Now the photos. First, I had an additional complication: one of the mounting plates was bent in shipping. Which is amazing given how well these are packaged! We strapped it to a 2x4 and I used some scrap wood and a rubber mallet to bend it back flat.

Next I sat it next to the Land Cruiser to see where the plates would go, and then painted the frame with Fluid Film. A single 8oz can is more than enough for this job.

I must be at a picture limit because I can't add any more photos? To be continued...

 

[Markarian421]

On the driver's side, here's the troublesome cable that I pried off with a trim tool. There's just a small peg on the back holding it in place (and in the way).

Finally, here's the special bolt on the front of the third plate on the driver's side:

Completed result (still on the ramp):

 

[EOD Guy]

I must be at a picture limit because I can't add any more photos? To be continued...

Picture limit should be 25 per post.

 

[Madscientist]

Nice write-up on Greenlane slider installation. I'm leaning towards these as light protection for the few times a year I could be traveling on moderately rocky terrain.

 

[Onyx]

On the driver's side, here's the troublesome cable that I pried off with a trim tool. There's just a small peg on the back holding it in place (and in the way).

View attachment 24889
View attachment 24890

Finally, here's the special bolt on the front of the third plate on the driver's side:


What is this cable for?

 

[Markarian421]

Answers in reverse order:

I don't know what that cable is for. Stock it wouldn't be impossible to smash it on a rock. It's now tucked up just inside the body panel on top of the slider.

Nice write-up on Greenlane slider installation. I'm leaning towards these as light protection for the few times a year I could be traveling on moderately rocky terrain.

They feel pretty heavy duty, I'm sure they're more sturdy than the factory sliders on my FJ. But aluminum won't slide over rocks as nicely as steel, and a hi lift jack will probably scratch them up. As someone who tries not to slide over rocks and to avoid situations that would require a hi lift, I'm fine with that!

Picture limit should be 25 per post.

I think it was a file format issue -- I'd try to add the image and it just would not work. Eventually I got an "invalid image format" message. When an iPhone is involved and you try to get an image, it's somewhat random chance whether you'll get a jpg or an heic format image. I don't think the site likes heic.

 

[Madscientist]

They feel pretty heavy duty, I'm sure they're more sturdy than the factory sliders on my FJ. But aluminum won't slide over rocks as nicely as steel, and a hi lift jack will probably scratch them up. As someone who tries not to slide over rocks and to avoid situations that would require a hi lift, I'm fine with that!

I'm of the same perspective- would rather not be in a position where I have to 'slide' the rig over rocks (I am a timid 4WD enthusiast coming from a Subaru where I didn't think about such things); just looking for some piece of mind in the unexpected scenario where I can't avoid a rock and the rocker panel side-swipes or lands on a passing rock large enough to do some damage (the predator steps I currently have look like they will be a liability on rocky terrain). The 'sliders' will largely be used as a step. Their light weight is a plus, as I would like to keep the weight of my mods minimal.

 

[Markarian421]

Out of the garage with the new Greenlane sliders.

 

[Alpha Puppy]

They look nice! Glad you were able to straighten the mounting plate and did not have to deal with the hassle of getting a replacement.
Let us know how well they work as a step both for the front and back. But pretend you are 88 and not as spry when doing it. Worried about my parents when they next visit... I've got the FE rock rails which are worthless as a step so will have to do something soon. Thx.

 

[MTR]

I find mine to be fairly useful as a step. The rear kick out (if you get it) is wide enough that my 4-month old German shepherd can use it to step down from the vehicle, but not large enough for him to step into the LC (or maybe he is just clumsy).

My 93 year old father says the slider helps him enough getting into the front seat of the vehicle that he doesn’t need a separate step anymore. He still tends to slide out of the LC instead of use the step.

 

[Markarian421]

They look nice! Glad you were able to straighten the mounting plate and did not have to deal with the hassle of getting a replacement.
Let us know how well they work as a step both for the front and back. But pretend you are 88 and not as spry when doing it. Worried about my parents when they next visit... I've got the FE rock rails which are worthless as a step so will have to do something soon. Thx.

I noted a few posts back, we're coming from an FJ Cruiser which had rock rails tight to the body, and my wife and I are both used to the big step up and down. The running boards were actually kind of annoyingly in the way for us. But my parents (who are in their early 80's and have had knee replacements) did need a step stool to easily get in and out.

In this case: the bump out gives a nice wide step for the back. In front it's not as wide but it made a good step for getting in and out when it was up on the ramps. But also less annoying to just step over it if you want. It's a bit higher than the running boards. Mine have the 12.5 deg. tilt, the flat version would be a little lower. I haven't had a chance to get my parents' opinion since I replaced the running boards.

 

[advnt4re]

Looks good! Quality detailed write-ups and product reviews. Nice to see another sf bay area native on these forums, we definitely to need to figure out a way to get some locals together for a meet and greet.

 

[kyakaddict]

First not very exciting change: I removed the cross bars. The design that doesn't allow them to be moved makes them of very limited utility. I have an old set of square Thule crossbars I'll use when I need to transport my kayak.

Current plans subject to change at any time:

• Dongar Pro powered Garmin dash cam for the front. Done
• Garmin mini 3 in back -- need to figure out a good way to route a cable. Done for now, I need better cable routing.
• Transmission skid plate (might arrive today?) Done
• Michelin X-Ice Snow tires on these 20" wheels for winter driving to places that have winter (winter where I live is just rain). Done
• Tacoma TRD wheels for the rest of the year. I can spend a whole additional month being indecisive about what tires to put on them!
• Greenlane rock sliders -- in progress

View attachment 20812

I also removed the cross bars and am using a Yakima cross bar with fairing. The increased height of the roof line has made mounting my whitewater kayak more problematic, so I also got a step to help: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3WTS7JR?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Marksman]

Not to derail this thread (great write-ups by the way), but I couldn’t help but notice the storage pouch that you have mounted to the passenger side of the console in one of the pics above. Would you mind sharing where you sourced that from?