High Clearance Mod for 5th Gen 4Runner

In this episode we'll show you in great detail how we installed Southern Style Offroad's Stage 2 High Clearance Side Protection to our Hybrid Slimline front bumper.

[@joelfernandez950]

This was hilarious but also helpful! Love how you guys made something so simple into something so fun to watch. Good job y’all

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Joel!

[@maximilianbutton5389]

Merri, the bleeding incision scene is priceless!!!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Maximilian Button thanks Maximilian!

[@maximilianbutton5389]

Wanderlost Overland just Max is fine. I’m the guy in a silver GX470 you guys met on Old Chicago parking lot last month. Are you planning to go to the river road rally park in the next few weeks? I haven’t gotten my BFG KO2s yet, but I’m hoping if it’s not too wet my stock Michelin Defenders will do the job as Lon as there will be someone out there to recover just in case. Look forward to seeing you both again soon. Max

[@WanderlostOverland]

Maximilian Button Hi Max, I remember you. Just didn’t know what you preferred. We will probably go back to the rally park in Nov. We’ll keep you posted.

[@maximilianbutton5389]

Wanderlost Overland sounds great! Thanks!!!

[@alechardesty4135]

lol I like y’all’s videos a lot. I have been in huge debate on what bumper to get. This convinced me to go with what y’all have. Also y’all’s ending scene of the scripts you follow and say are hilarious , really shows the time it takes to put these videos together with editing as well. I tip my hat and will have a beer to that . Thank you for this video y’all 🙏🏼

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks!!!!

[@mst3rmind879]

Great video!!! I'm looking at front bumpers right now, and you guys just convinced me to go SSO. Really clean looking! Great video you two!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks!

[@sellsn01]

Man you all have a steady hand! I think I’d have to have a drink or two to calm my nerves enough to do that lol. I like it!

[@WanderlostOverland]

sellsn01 😂

[@RiverRatsTotalOutdoors]

Love it, exact same setup I am going to do this winter on mine!!

[@MrFrame1979]

Looks good, I just wish they’d send something to cover up all of the stuff you can see from the side now.

[@rjvitez]

Love the bloopers at the end but overall the installation video was awesome. Considering on getting the ss off-road clearance and bumper.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching Ryan! Southern Style makes top notch products that's for sure!

[@fireguy2525]

Love the shirt and it was great meeting y’all at ATR this year.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Jason Fritz Thanks, great meeting you too. Had great fun and looking forward to next year!

[@johnpremeaux9280]

Ordered mine on 11/27/19, Hope to see it soon. Awesome video!!! Going to follow it to do my install. Ty

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching John. We're sure your install will go off without a hitch.

[@user-ok5yi2kc2w]

01:23 Thank you for the clarification. I almost ordered the High Clearance Mod for my C4 Low Pro Bumper without knowing it does not attach to anything other than SSO Bumper.

[@carletos]

You should make a video of all your bloopers. You guys are hillarious!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Ha, we are idiots, aren’t we? 🤣

[@sillyboy32]

another awesome vid. I just ordered these up. Thanks!

[@WanderlostOverland]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@albertarooftoptenters]

I really like the look. Thanks for the ideas.

[@WanderlostOverland]

It's our pleasure!

[@TexaSteven]

Watching y’all cut into that bumper made me say OUCH!! But it does look good afterwards

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks!

[@alexpolidoro4126]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!!

[@daved7024]

You guys are great! Nice mod!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Dave!

[@tylerschrader68]

You guys are awesome thank you for the video!

[@WanderlostOverland]

YOU'RE AWESOME TYLER! Thanks for watching!

[@sedricjoplin7788]

That's cool have a great day

[@peten6445]

Looks great!!

[@peacefulheart6able]

Omg, you look so cute with the hat and pigtails!

[@WanderlostOverland]

sandy j6 thanks ☺️

[@jupiter22177]

Great video. Subscribed.

[@michaelf2394]

Great video.

[@klaw3397]

Looks awsome

[@yotaman492]

Looks good. 👍

[@codyb6106]

That looks great.

[@WanderlostOverland]

cody bordelon thanks Cody

[@sillyboy32]

8 weeks later, my kit just arrived! We are getting a big storm this eve here in the Boston area. Perfect night to get this done. Your videos have been awesome helping me do lots of my own mods. Thanks so much! Next up will require the shop. Losing the 275 KO2s and going to 285 Ridge Grapplers going on a set of Icon rims and changing my front springs to 650lbs. With winch, SSO Slimline front bumper, skids, battery sliders, Im getting a lot of sag on the Kings and the ride hide requires a ton of preload.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching! We're extremely happy we are of help in your build!

[@yeethawt9160]

Surgery successful! The blood for special effect made me laugh!

[@Sam-gw9qv]

Great work

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Sam!

[@potatomonster7]

I really want to order These just to try them on my relentless fab stingray.

[@neilmarshall4927]

Awesome!

[@ktmxcracer]

Great instructions but some one please hand them an award for the corny add ins.

[@ericmills1212]

Awesome

[@needtoknow204]

Great video

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks for watching!

[@AustinLWright]

You two are hilarious.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Austin! p.s. Just a reminder: Our t-shirt fundraiser for TreadLightly ends October 19th. Make a donation and get a cool Wanderlost t-shirt! Here's the link to our fundraising site. It explains all the details: markmerri.wixsite.com/wanderlost-overland

[@kallenhunstiger7970]

My next mod!!

[@WanderlostOverland]

Kallen Hunstiger I know, it’s pretty awesome, right?

[@bthompson1767]

Good vid

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks!

[@bobquattrini1787]

Looks nice...

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Bob!

[@ricksanchez3867]

Im 100% getting that when I bust my bumper on the trails

[@WanderlostOverland]

It's pretty cool, gets a lot of looks!

[@MM13916]

Thanks again for a solid video tutorial! Did y’all notice the high clearance wings rubbing the power steering tubes that protrude down? Dejavú question from when I installed the bumper and asked ya the same thing!

[@WanderlostOverland]

No rubbing this time.

[@AudaciousMarv]

"We got a bleeder !" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@edwinrivera5155]

Aahahaha funny dys video..great info

[@edgarbaron2561]

Great video, but I dont see how these improve aproach angle when the front bumper still retains the lowest point in the front.

[@tjmltv]

It looks a lot better

[@WanderlostOverland]

tjmltv 😎

[@tjmltv]

@@WanderlostOverland I thought you had the c4 bumper

[@willernst]

Nice! This does a great job of still maintaining the 4Runner front end, which is why I went with the SSO Slimline, too. I’d be curious to hear if this impacts your gas mileage... I’ve already lost a fair amount...

[@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf]

It looks good and any impact would be negligible

[@toooodie8750]

I want to do this to mine but worry about the exposed area to rust and debris. Is there a cover (besides the one shown) like a fender liner made for this ?

[@MrDebacle]

Great tutorial! Would it be possible to heat up the fender liner, bend it and zip tie/bolt it somewhere so it covers the new gap instead of just cutting it?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Many people do that with mixed results. I say go for it and if it works out great, if not you can always cut 'em out.

[@sillyboy32]

one other question. Have you folks had to upgrade front or rear springs with the added wt? I'm going with the slimline new rear bumper. Already have the OME +440 springs on the rear, but i did order up some 650springs for my front King Coilovers. getting a lot of nosedive and having to set too much preload for an even stance with the standard kings springs

[@WanderlostOverland]

We run the ToyTec Boss suspension without any sag, nosediving, or any other problems.

[@sillyboy32]

How are you liking the Nittos? I live in the northeast, currently on KO2s, but just love the look of those Nittos. I am wondering though how the do in the snow?? and on wet roads...... Just waiting for this high clearance mod to come in. Ordered up from SSO back in November, and still waiting!!

[@WanderlostOverland]

The Nittos do well in snow and even good on ice. A heavy downpour where there's an inch of rain on the road causes a little bit of hydroplaning but that's rare. We're very happy with them.

[@FrenchHawk878]

I wonder how much bigger tires you can put on with this clearance? Also, do you feel the suspension “inner fixins’ “ are too exposed? Is that something to not be worried about? Dirt, rain, road grime, etc.?

[@WanderlostOverland]

The cut makes it possible to run 285/70/17 with absolutely no rubbing. The exposure of the suspension doesn't cause any concern. However the backside of the foglights are exposed to everything slung up by the tires.

[@stevenmullins374]

If I'm getting the bumper and high clearance kit all at once, would it be better to do the high clearance cutting when the bumper is off anyway? Any thoughts on that?

[@WanderlostOverland]

It really doesn't matter on or off. Thanks for watching!

[@ICohen424]

If you cut a bit less of the body, would it have fit into the "wings" better and hidden more of the weather strip or is that going to show regardless?

[@WanderlostOverland]

The body butts up to the wings. After our first offroad trip we realized that there actually needs to be a space between the body and bumper wings to accommodate the flexing of the body vs. frame.

[@FrenchHawk878]

With this mod seems like 33 inch tires on a TRD pro is possible without adding any lift.

[@davidbruton4768]

You two make this stuff look fun. How did sexy papi hurt his hand?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Fighting wolverines in Alaska.

[@dandodge4815]

So after doing this mod, what size tires could you fit with a 3 inch lift kit? 33”? 35”? Or would they still rub in the back side of the fender near the doors....

[@WanderlostOverland]

33"s will fit even without the huge high clearance cut if you trim a little of the inner fender and push it forward a bit. Fitting 35"s will definitely require a body mount chop.

[@andrewmassie2774]

I'm in the process of installing this myself. Do you happen to remember the size of the body mount bolt for the washer resavor?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Sorry, I don't remember off hand.

[@gregm8871]

Man I'm still on the fence about chopping my fenders. I have a new 19' Pro in voodoo blue and really want to do it. Question though: I don't yet have a slimline bumper, though when i do eventually get one I'll likely go with SSO. Can I do the chop before installing it?

[@WanderlostOverland]

I wouldn't advise it. It needs to be cut just right to align with the wing.

[@gregm8871]

@@WanderlostOverland Gotcha, thanks!

[@greydenhickle8805]

where did you get that black fender liner? i can't find it on the SSO website. does it come with the low profile bumper?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Are you talking about the rubber ones?

[@jordanyoung3073]

😂😂😂👏🏽👏🏽

[@aleksandarrikic9208]

What was that black stuff that bled?

[@titotobias8009]

Your funniest video yet. Do you have KDSS?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Thanks Tito! We don't have KDSS.

[@Reverend1776]

How do you guys like the Ridge Grapplers? Any excessive rubbing issues?

[@WanderlostOverland]

We're extremely pleased with them! They do great in packed snow and ice and seem to be wearing nice. They rubbed the front fender liners ahead of the front tires until we pushed the liners forward.

[@tgour17]

Does this help clear larger tires, say 295/70/17, without doing a bmc?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Not for sure, I wouldn't count on it.

[@SierraSunset1]

Can you still use this kit an not make the cut so high? In other words, can you mount the support and the bumper cut be lower than the bracket in the front?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Nope, it needs to be cut in a specific way to fit.

[@mtnbiker49]

Welp, there goes the aerodynamics.

[@dansemec3381]

If you want aero dynamics go buy a Prius

[@1986GaryJr]

or an aircraft lol@@dansemec3381

[@josemaldonado8815]

Excuse me, are these bases universal for any brand of bumper or a specific brand? and how can I get them? my bumper is victory

[@WanderlostOverland]

Nope, these will only work with the Southern Style bumper.

[@sedricjoplin7788]

How many miles on the fj I have a 2009 with 205000 it's a 6 speed manual

[@WanderlostOverland]

We got you beat by two years and 40,000. .... '07 with 245,000, automatic. Still going strong!

[@thegan9143]

Well you can call the 4runner nice looking from the side but the front…kinda like a sick catfish look going on. The aftermarket bumper helps.

[@WanderlostOverland]

It's certainly not for everyone. When we first saw pictures of it we weren't sure if we'd like it. Now that its done tough, we love the look and especially its functionality.

[@thegan9143]

Does look better with the cuts made. I've never loved the front end on the newer 4 runners and wonder why they don't share the front with the Tacoma. @@WanderlostOverland

[@MichaelKeelphotography]

What do you think of your front bumper setup compared to the C4 Fab brand? Anyone on here compare before? I'm undecided. I want to get the center winch bumper. Was going to get high clearance also from C4 + the winch bumper then ran across Southern Style. Opinions anyone?

[@WanderlostOverland]

C4 makes a nice bumper. We like the fact Southern Style offers powder-coating though. We also think the SSO recovery points are stronger and put less stress on the front panel of the bumper.

[@MichaelKeelphotography]

@@WanderlostOverland Which winch did you decide to go with? And thank you for answering . Very helpful to know.

[@MichaelKeelphotography]

@@WanderlostOverland also any recommendations on a solid rear bumper without swing arms. just the bumper?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Smitybilt 8500, that's what SSO recommended to surly fit without any problems.

[@WanderlostOverland]

If no swing-outs it's basically all about aesthetics and if you want to cut the bumper surround at the corners..

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

What tires and size? Thanks Chris

[@WanderlostOverland]

Nitto Ridge Grapplers, 285-70-17

[@rodeomelo]

What’s tire size you use?

[@WanderlostOverland]

285-70-17

[@eg7737]

Are you in Florida by any chance

[@WanderlostOverland]

Nope, north-central Illinois

[@MzRtS12]

Great videos thx, the kit and bumpers are made great but the instruction that comes with it aren't 😅

[@WanderlostOverland]

Yes, most instructions do suck. That's what got us interested in doing videos like this.

[@reedstember4061]

I may be wrong but since it had all the shit still underneath it doesn't seem to add any clearance whatsoever.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Overall ground clearance isn't effected but the approach to the front tires is greatly improved.

[@damacknificent151]

Ouch... that hurts.

[@WanderlostOverland]

It's like pulling off a band-aid. Do it fast and it only hurts for a little while!

[@tombalistreri4355]

hi, can this be put on with the stock bumper or do you need that hybrid front bumper.

[@WanderlostOverland]

It can only be used with Southern Style's Slimline bumper.

[@sedricjoplin7788]

What happened to the fj

[@WanderlostOverland]

We still have it! Now we have two money pits. LOL

[@JPJamster]

Does your runner have KDSS?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Nope.

[@JPJamster]

@@WanderlostOverland thank you. Your rig is awesome, love watching your videos and how you both work together!

[@BurtBowers]

Dr Butcher...

[@nict5828]

1 to 10 . How hard is it?

[@WanderlostOverland]

1= easy, 10= hard, I'd give it a 5.

[@Bru946]

Lol the surgery

[@VsixtyFive]

Did this mod effect gas mileage ?

[@WanderlostOverland]

Not enough to notice.

[@dylanbieber9351]

So I have a question I did everything to a T. And my passenger side bumper is pushing out. Should I try trimming a bit more off the bumper so the stage 2 isn’t pushing on it outwards

[@WanderlostOverland]

Yup, we had to do a little trimming afterinstalling too.

[@benjaminsecora3768]

This video is so incredibly boomer its unreal.

[@WanderlostOverland]

THANK YOU!!!

[@manchild111]

With all due respect. I think it looks horrid from the side. BUUUT Bad ass from the front. With that said, I would NOT do this to mine if I had a 5th gen. (3rd G owner here) The Dr scrubs and hitting the artery was funny as shit. Hahahaha..... God Bless.

[@WW-wf8tu]

As a 5th Gen. owner I agree. Butchered it up. If you want to save a penny and butcher your new rides.. go for it. To each their own. But I did not spend over 40K to hack my rig to bits.

[@dyauswinters]

@@WW-wf8tu hahaha hack your 40k investment to bits!?? Seriously?? That's minor cutting. Plus the benefit and the look is totally worth it. Everything is in the eye of the beholder. But this is certainly NOT hacking your vehicle to bits😂. Probably costs about $200 to replace those front trim pieces.

[@jeep6242]

There is so much crap and plastic out in ahead of the front tires it's amazing. This is not just a Toyota problem I guess but a modern vehicle problem. I just can't deal with it though. Everything older has so much more clearance even at stock ride height. This gen of vehicle just hasn't grown on me either style wise. People love them but they still look fugly and terribly optimized for clearance to me. Cool product and video though.

[@WanderlostOverland]

jeep6242 thanks...I think 😁

[@fredsausage2688]

Hope you kids plan on keepin that rig for a long time cause trade in value ain't gonna be worth diddly.......

[@WanderlostOverland]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[@jdmrookie7618]

The most boomer thing I’ve ever seen lol

[@WanderlostOverland]

THANK YOU!

[@bertornelas6642]

Why??? Who goes off road?😏😏😏

[@josepena8784]

Ke manera de desmadrarla 🙄

[@sandrapena9753]

Jose Pena 😂😂

[@marcuspeters9166]

don't like it

[@markhudson2997]

Way too cut up for a daily.

[@WanderlostOverland]

Ah, but it is! :)