My new 2024 5th Gen 4Runner

Had Kens Kar Kare (10653 W M-21, Fowler MI) install

• June 16th at 8am (2025) - Dropped Off

• June 18th at 3pm (2025) - Picked Up

Would I recommend Kens Kar Kare to anyone for installation work? Absolutely.. awesome crew and very happy with the work. My only grip is they are so far away (almost 2hrs) but I'm willing to travel for such great service.

Dobinson IMS Suspension System

• 2 x DOBINSONS COIL SPRINGS PAIR (BLACK) - C59-302B

• DOBINSONS 2.2" IMS MONOTUBE STRUT - EXTENDED TRAVEL - IMS59-50574

• 2 x DOBINSONS 2.2" IMS MONOTUBE STRUT - EXTENDED TRAVEL - IMS59-50574

• DOBINSONS COIL SPRINGS PAIR (BLACK) - C59-327B

• 1 x DOBINSONS COIL SPRINGS PAIR (BLACK) - C59-327B

• DOBINSONS 2.2" IMS MONOTUBE SHOCK - IMS59-50701

• 2 x DOBINSONS 2.2" IMS MONOTUBE SHOCK - IMS59-50701

JBA High Caster Upper Control Arms (Required W/ Lift For Proper Alignment)

Strut Caps

Off Road Alignment Service

Super Bumpstop Kit

BORA Off Road Wheel Spacer Set, Black 1.25"

Copper Discoverer Strong Hold AT

KensKarKare_2024_Toyota_4Runner_TRD_Off-Road_Premium_invoice.pdf

So what's Next?

Need a winch and roof rack so carefully approaching how I want to do this with what products.  A huge fan of companies that give any kind of military discount and both C4 Fabrication and Cali Raised both offer a discount for military.

PARTS LIST

ELECTRICAL

• AUXBeam AR-800 (8 Gang) and Power Tray $358.85 - purchased 2025.10.29

• Left Mount from 4Runner Lifestyle on left $110.76 - purchased 2025.10.29

Really like the Middle Mount to utilize those cubbys that don't really get used

FRONT BUMPER

C4 Fabrication LO PRO w/Full Height Bullbar Powercoated (SKU: 1100-1114-30-FH-01NA) & 30” combo beam lightbar (PN# 70-3013) ($885) Front Bumper with Warn VR EVO 12-S winch (PN# WAR103255) ($1070) Factor 55 Fairlead (PN# 00016) ($110) Winch Shackle Factor 55 flatlink black (PN# 00050-04) ($160) —total from c4fabrication TOTAL without install $3500. (C4 offers military discount)

ROOF RACK & LIGHTBAR

CALI RAISED LED PREMIUM ROOF RACK (part# CR2836) with 43”Lightbar (part# CR4292) with 360 Lighting kit (part# CR3818) plus wiring harness (part# aaa9290) TOTAL without install $1998. (Cali Raised offers military discount)

KC Universal Wire Hider $25 -  https://www.kchilites.com/universal-wire-hider-kc-6300.html

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER

So I could possibly install all of this myself but the difference is I need this to be a solid install so when I'm in the middle of a tough adventure I don't get stranded due to a loose wire or something not working like it should especially the winch.  I decided to go with Yota Xpedition since they have a pretty great following and they are the closest to Michigan that I like for the install that specializes in Toyotas

Yota Xpedition -- 8007 Quarry Rd, Alburtis, PA 18011 (9hr drive)

They only install what they carry and they are not fans of Warn Winches and I don't see any winch as reliable.  Never had any issues with my warn 12k winch on my K5 blazer

DECISION: no. Willing to drive to a toyota focused facility.  I do not want to drill holes to do this install and want high quality.

Unlimited Offroad

sent email asking for a quote evening of 2025.10.31 (anders)

Kens Kar Kare (Expedition Vehicle Outfitters)

called on 10.31 and started the process for a quote

2025-11-03

Talked to Ken Jr (Expedition Vehicle Outfitters) and he's on his way out to the SEMA show in Vegas but asked if I could text him the request (as shown in previous post) and they worked up the following quote.

QUOTE TOTAL: $7649

Front Bumper Quote :$4800

• $1159 - C4 4Runner Lo-Pro Winch Bumper (Full Height Bull-Bar powder coated)

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• $ 875 - 30" LED Light Bar: Baja Designs S8 30" Driving / Combo Amber [PN# 70-3013]

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• $  83 - Baja Wire Harness: Baja Designs S8/IR Wire Harness [PN# 64-0122]

• $ 950 - Winch: Warn VR EVO 12-S [PN# WAR103255]

• $  88 - Fairlead: Factor 55 1" Thick Gunmetal Gray [PN# 00016]

• $ 146 - Winch Shackle: Factor 55 Flatlink Gray [PN# 00050-06]

• $1220 - Labor (assuming $150/hr * 8.1hrs)

• $   55 - Freight

• $.  92 - Shop Supplies

• $ 199 - Tax

Roof Rack Quote: $2900

• $850 - Cali Raised Premium Roof Rack [PN# CR2836] The dimensions of the roof rack inner area is 82"x48"

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• $370 - 43" Dual Focus [PN# CR4292]

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• $306 - 360 Lighting [PN# CR3818]

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• $250 - 360 Wiring [PN# AAA9290]

• $976 - Labor (assuming $150/hr * 6.5hrs)

• $107 - Tax

AuxBeam Install

PAID DEPOSIT 11/5/2025) which covers parts: $5353.87 (already purchased the auxbeam and power tray so just paying for labor on that)

Yesterday I ordered some recovery gear from a Michigan company I met at a Discover 4x4 Adventures event in 2022 called Snow Way Dude. Crawler Offroad.. great bunch of people.

Text Ken’s Kar Kare today and they said only thing they are waiting on is the wiring harness for roof rack lights. Getting close

Got a call today and they scheduled me in for Jan 5th and need it for a week. Getting before measurements to see if the extra weight decreases my space between tire and fender

FRONT 7 1/2" from tire to fender

REAR 8 1/2" from tire to fender

Interested in a swing out tire carrier with shelf.

This one slides into the hitch (NOTE: No recovery points using something that slides into hitch)

• Ultra Swing by RIGd

This is a full install which includes cutting the bumper and splicing in the wire harness to relocate the rear camera. NOTE: Viking4x4 does not do installs but super friendly crew.

• Viking Adventure Rear Bumper

Purchased a couple of items in preparation of some upcoming winter wheeling

MORRflate Compressor with 4 tire inflate/deflate

Element Fire Extinguisher

Hitch Holder for my Factory 55 receiver recovery

So its been a bit since my last update. Some stuff I don't care for and others I love so let me update you since I've been across country and to several offroad events.

First major change was adding the Dobinson Suspension Kit. Honestly I feel this was the best purchase I made. The ride is incredible and I love the stance and my 4Runner performs awesome on or off pavement. Without a doubt I would go back to Dobinson for this exact same kit.

Cooper Tires would I buy them again? Not sure. They haven't been as bad as the Goodyear Tires I had that started cupping for no good reason which Goodyear did not stand behind on there warranty so they are dead to me. I love BF Goodrich KO2's but they aren't the same with newer models. I don't have an answer but I feel as though I would not go back to Cooper Tires but can not give an exact reason why. I think its they are not naturally balanced like other tires I've had so there is a vibration when driving my 4Runner at or above 80mph.

Next was the CaliRaised Roof Rack which includes the lightbar across the front and cube lights on either side. Quality of Cali Raised roof rack seems to be there so nothing against Cali Raised. I originally purchased the roof rack to accomplish two goals which is 1. give me a light bar for that night driving and 2. plan was to add a roof top tent. Well plans change. The lightbar is so dang bright that if I'm offroading with anyone, I can not turn it on. Its just too bright and same goes for the cube lights on the side. Figured I'd use them when camping but its too bright. Easier to just carry a portable light. Also downfall of having all these lights on your roof is you have this wire that runs up the edge of your windshield from engine compartment to the roof rack. Doesn't look horrible but not exactly sexy either. If I did this again I would not get a roof rack. I just don't use it.

Front Bumper with winch, lightbar and AuxBeam. Absolutely would do this again. Its awesome and love the look of my 4Runner with the bumper upgrade. I have used the winch to test but never needed it since I do have a 4Runner. I run the amber Driving Light on the bumper all the time since it just makes my 4Runner look more bad ass.

AuxBeam its super easy to turn any of my lights on and off with a push of a button.

So what about the MorrFlate 4 tire air compressor. I have used this alot and very happy with it. When I need it, the thing just works. I have nothing negative to say about it since it just works as you want it to and yes I would recommend.

Element Fire Extinquisher I would get again and again and again. They take up less space than a traditional Fire Extinguisher and they work a ton better. They don't expire as quick as a traditional and so you are more likely to have a working method of putting out fires with you by just carrying an Element with you. Easy to carry.

BuiltRight HitchHolder seemed like a good idea. Its heavy duty but nothing keeps the hitch from rattling or working itself loose. I would not purchase this again and honestly I took it out and put it on my shelf to collect dust until my next Garage Sale.

Today ordered by Rigid Ultraswing which includes Ultratable.

Need to order a Rear Camera Relocation Kit and Rigid doesn't have any for the 4Runner so looking at possibly doing the C4 Fab kit