A Family-Built 4Runner With No Compromises

4Runner Of Exotic Features

Meet Adam Nguyen, a Southern Californian based out of Fountain Valley. Adam is the builder behind this Nautical Blue Toyota 4Runner. This truck isn’t just a random build for fun and capability; Adam sold his custom 4th Gen 4Runner to build a family vehicle for himself, his wife, and kids to go out and have fun in! The exterior features on this rig include AlphaRex MK II Nova Series headlights, a Vidal Metal Worx Nighthawk 5G front bumper with its clean and slick look providing its high clearance needs, and McQueen 4-inch fiberglass fenders to give it that wide feel when cruising. The 4Runner’s exterior has also been upgraded with a Bison Gear roof rack with a table and best-in-the-business illumination from Baja Designs, including a linkable LP4, RTL, S2s all around, and a 20-inch S8 light bar.

Now, let’s get into some other details and look at the 4Runner’s impressive suspension system. Starting in the front is a Total Chaos long-travel kit with King shocks and 600-pound springs to keep all that weight up when going through rough terrain. This long-travel kit is the 3.5 option, which offers a wide range of street and off-road capability. The coilovers in the front measure 2.5×8 inches with 3.0×8-inch Pure Race bypasses. Rocking in the rear is a big set of 2.5×14-inch custom bypasses, also made by King. Surrounding those shocks is a set of Total Chaos upper and lower control arms, allowing maximum travel and wheel management in the front. Total Chaos tab gussets and Apex Chassis tie rods keep the steering on that independent suspension stout through hard corners and berms. DuroBump stops in the front and rear provide soft and slow compression towards the end of its shock life. Also underneath this rig is a set of skid plates, but not just an OEM kind. Adam’s 4Runner is rocking a Vidal Metal Worx full skid plate to stop junk and debris from potentially damaging vital parts of the vehicle.

Jumping into this build a little more reveals a set of trusty PRP limit straps to keep the shocks from overextending when fully drooped out! An Agency 6 shackle block and fairlead, in combination with the Superwinch 10,000-pound winch, have also been added up front. Keeping the edges clean and protected is a set of Westin Automotive sliders composed of pure beef and sleek looks. Keeping the vehicle in motion is a set of Toyo R/T Trail tires in a staggering 35×12.5R17 size, and they are wrapped around a set of 17×9 KMC Grenade beadlocks in a -38 offset.

Helping push those big rubbers around is a Toyota 4.0L V6 built and managed by The Overland Shop and Shift Autowerx in Santa Ana, California. Keeping this four-liter breathing and turning hot to cold is a K&N cold air intake, and belting out a sweet tune is a Magnaflow Overland Series exhaust system. Running through the tech department also uncovers a JS alternator, a Switch-Pros 9100 switch system, Agency 6 tie-downs, and an Optima battery that keeps that power stable and reliable in all weather conditions—sitting or driving! A MinWin fuse box riser and an Acumen Camera dash cam have also been added to capture all the crazy things happening on the roads of California. Keeping the wheels turning and properly lubricated is a set of Premier West Gears with a 5.29 gear ratio and Eaton ELockers, which are the same lockers I run in my own personal rigs! Just flip the switch and you’re ready for trails, and with another flip, you’re back on the road cruising. Bringing all this gearing to a halt when hauling the mail out in the desert are R1 Concepts braking components in the front and rear from its off-road/tow performance brake pads and rotors with all-new brake lines to boot.

From front to back, top to bottom, and inside and out, there is no shortage of creativity and thought put into this build. We thank Adam for allowing us to feature this beauty and to be able to create something special for all to enjoy and learn about. If you see Adam out on the trails or just driving around town, say what’s up to him for us! Until next time, keep that tread off the pavement!