Inside the Bonkers Moscow Mule 4Runner - 42" Tires, Dual Cases, Reverse 4 Link, & More

The crew at Stellar Built finally gave us what we’ve been asking for - a deep dive into their legendary Moscow Mule, and holy cow, this 4th gen 4Runner on 42s is absolutely bonkers. After watching their latest Rig Check video, it’s clear why this truck has become such a conversation starter in the wheeling community.

The Moscow Mule isn’t just another built 4Runner - it’s what happens when you take the “cut everything off” approach to building a crawler. Dimitri wasn’t kidding when he said they stripped every single Toyota component from the frame. We’re talking about a complete ground-up rebuild that makes most “built” rigs look like weekend warrior setups.

Starting with the foundation, they swapped in Dana 110 axles from an ‘05 and up Super Duty, giving this thing the beef it needs to handle those massive 42-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers. The front axle sports modified Weaver Fab knuckles that have been machined for high steer, paired with RCV inner shafts because nobody wants to be swapping axle shafts on the trail. The steering setup runs through a rebuilt FJ80 steering box with a 105 series sector shaft - basically the beefiest Toyota steering components you can bolt together.

What really sets this build apart is the suspension geometry. Instead of the typical three-link with panhard bar setup most crawlers run, they went with a reverse four-link in the rear. The upper links face backward while the lowers point forward, creating a setup that eliminates the need for a panhard bar entirely. It’s not common because the driveline angles get tricky, but when done right, it offers incredible articulation without the binding issues you sometimes get with panhard setups.

Those 14-inch King coilovers front and rear required some serious surgery to fit. The frame got notched and reinforced with quarter-inch plate, while the body needed trimming to clear the shock towers. Inside the cab, they built custom caps to seal everything up while still allowing shock service access. The attention to detail here is what separates a professional build from a backyard hack job.

The dual transfer case setup is where things get really interesting. They kept the factory 4Runner case in back but added a Marlin Crawler taco box up front, giving them a mind-bending 11.28:1 crawl ratio when both cases are in low range. That’s low enough to idle over most obstacles without touching the throttle, but they also have the flexibility to run just one case in low for situations where you need traction but not full crawler mode.

The armor package follows Stellar Built’s signature style with those dimple-die sliders and integrated bumpers. The front bumper houses a 12,000-pound Come Up winch while maintaining their distinctive double-circle tube design. But the real party trick is the rear bumper - they ran the exhaust straight through it, keeping those pipes protected and way up high where rocks can’t touch them. It’s one of those details that makes you wonder why more builders don’t think about exhaust protection from the start.

Rolling on 20-inch KMC Grenade beadlocks wrapped in 42-inch Nittos, this thing has serious presence on the trail. The move from 17s to 20s might seem counterintuitive for a crawler, but it eliminates the excessive sidewall flex they were getting with the smaller wheels. Plus, those dual valve stems with monster valves make airing up and down a breeze.

The Moscow Mule proves that when you commit to doing something right, the results speak for themselves. This isn’t a weekend project or a budget build - it’s what happens when experienced fabricators decide to build their dream crawler without compromise. From the custom frame work to the integrated exhaust routing, every detail serves a purpose.

Stellar Built has already hinted at building a “brother” to this truck, tentatively called the Jagger GX. If it follows the same no-compromise approach as the Moscow Mule, we’re in for another treat. You can follow their progress at stellarbuilt.com or check out their Instagram @stellarbuilt for updates.

The Moscow Mule represents everything we love about serious crawler builds - thoughtful engineering, quality components, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to make it work right. It’s trucks like this that push the envelope and show what’s possible when you refuse to accept “good enough.”