Project 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner: Part 2 – Got Armor?

Project 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner: Part 2 – Got Armor?

by Evenor Contreras 

Since our initial build article, we’ve had the opportunity to lightly test the truck’s capabilities. The ICON Vehicle Dynamics Suspension system is a radical departure from the stock suspension.The on-road performance is amazingly comfortable yet inspires a definite increase in speed through the city corners. The off-road performance is as prescribed by IVD: brilliant; and we’ve not even put her to the test. In early November, we captured this moment in crossing terrain rarely touched since the late 1800s in Slagel Hollow, KT and managed to win the #IVD17K photo contest!

Performance aside, the TRD Wheels and Nitto tires make the truck; she looks good. Especially when contrasted with the stock vehicle. When deciding where to begin Part 2, we looked no further than the comments section! Everyone made it very clear how ridiculous the 4Runner looked with the factory running boards. However, this article is based upon much more than just looks. Our extremely capable truck is now backed by smooth steel plating guarding the vital organs. Now we’ve got armor and now we are ready to leave the concrete.

These are the components of the BudBuilt suit of armor.

These are the components of the OEM armor. It is reaching to even grace these components with such a term. Would you really hit the trails w/ that?

When a rogue pebble with a little determination could end your trail ride not to mention, your ride home, it’s time to step up to BudBuilt. Got armor?

The offroad world has little time for this all-to-important subject.  It is too often left at a crummy lift and the biggest tire possible.  Is armor really important for offroading?  What are the features that take your SUV or Truck from transport status to tank status?  We asked the man himself, Bud Rosenberger:  The design of the BudBuilt skids is made with years of off road experience and best practice engineering. Bud clearly describes next the features of Bud Built’s armor skid by skid.