Finally got some work done on the 4Runner.
If you remember, this is what my driver's side quarterpanel looked like with the 4Runner tailgate.
![](http://www.rockfrogs.org/Pictures/2007-trips/BV-Carnage/010.JPG)
And what it looked like after converting to a truck tailgate
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/tailgate-conversion/013.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/tailgate-conversion/014.JPG)
After quite a bit of welding, grinding, and laying my first body filler - here's what it looks like now
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/tailgate-conversion/025.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/tailgate-conversion/026.JPG)
It still needs more sanding and some primer but it felt good to make it look somewhat better than it did before.
Also worked on the front bumper. After adding a winch, the front receiver hitch is blocked by the roller fairlead. I cut the Trail Gear winch mount reciever out and added a new piece of 2.5" x 2.5" under it. I now can use both the roller fairlead & front reciever hitch at the same time!
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/front-bumper/013.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/front-bumper/014.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/front-bumper/015.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/front-bumper/016.JPG)
With the winch installed
Installed the winch Monday night and realized that warn doesn't supply the M8000 with a solenoid bracket to mount the solenoid control box to the winch
![Shake :shake:](https://board.marlincrawler.com/Smileys/marlin/shake.gif)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/winch/001.JPG)
I had to cut off the forward facing light tabs to install the winch. I also had to cut down and pound out one of my front rock light tabs.
![](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11AIGHg2fbL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Here's the Warn bracket for $12
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/winch/002.JPG)
Here's mine for free (minus about half an hour of labor)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/winch/003.JPG)
What it will look like installed. Still needs painted.
Also worked on the rear bumper on Monday. I decided to cut out the rear crossmember that I had tacked into place 4 years ago. I didn't feel it was beefy enough to mount a rear bumper to since it was only 1/8" thick 2" x 3" tubing. The rear tailgate support is now welded to that crossmember.
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/006.JPG)
Tailgate supports welded back onto the 1/4" thick 2" x 3" rear crossmember. I used some 1/4" plate as spacers after having to cut & grind them off of the old crossmember.
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/007.JPG)
Ready for a rear bumper
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/008.JPG)
Rear crossmember isn't coming out any time soon
![Cheesy :D](https://board.marlincrawler.com/Smileys/marlin/grin.gif)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/009.JPG)
Adding some 2" x 2" .120 wall supports towards the middle of the crossmember to an existing crossmember. Should help with the heavy pulls from the planned middle reciever hitch in the rear bumper
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/010.JPG)
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/011.JPG)
Adding some corner gussets as well to help with those heavy tugs
![](http://www.volcom.rockfrogs.org/rear-bumper/012.JPG)
Starting the tube work for the rear tube bumper. Took my dad & I quite awhile to figure out the bender to get these 2 pieces bent. Hopefully the rest will go faster.