UFG8R Runner's Build Thread - Toyota 4Runner Forum

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 01:28 PM

Before we begin: a little history.

My second vehicle was a 2000 Tundra— I had it for 9 years and 145,000 brutal miles. My rockin' Tundra was crushed by a quad-tire dry docking forklift, a tree fell on it and crushed the front end, and it was rammed in a hit-and-run by a Honda Accord. After all of this, it still ran like a top, but was ravaged by a number of nasty war wounds— but the damage was cosmetic.

Enamored with looks and enticed by 403HP, I decided to leave Toyota and buy domestic. Enter the 2008 GMC Sierra Denali. This was the beginning of an error.

After only 4 years and 57,000 miles, I had 6 door handle failures (the handle would pretty much rip off in your hand), 5 door lock failures, a leaky transfer case, a leaky steering box, a radiator failure, and a steering knuckle that was shot.

It was time to admit a mistake and switch back to Toyota.

After researching 4Runners exhaustively and stalking this forum for months, I finally decided to purchase my own Runner.

I must say, a big part of my decision was made because of the wealth of information available on this forum. Have a problem? Somebody has encountered it and has been kind enough to post a full write-up.

So, here she is. My new, 2012 bone-stock 4Runner sitting in front of the dealership

MeBe4running · 04-29-2012, 01:38 PM

Nice ride! Welcome UFG8R Runner! Many wonderful, wise and even witty members here to help with all those mods that lay ahead!

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 01:39 PM

....and on to the first "mod": Canvasback Cargo liners.

I must say, I'm very happy with this product. If you have a dog or dogs (two golden retrievers for me), this is a must.

Installation takes 5-10 minutes, quality and fit are exceptional, and the velcro that Canvasback uses is very strong. I am very happy with this product.

I went with a "pattern" to hide the dog fur, and because it's awesome.

MeBe4running · 04-29-2012, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFG8R Runner

....and on to the first "mod": Canvasback Cargo liners.

I must say, I'm very happy with this product. If you have a dog or dogs (two golden retrievers for me), this is a must.

Installation takes 5-10 minutes, quality and fit are exceptional, and the velcro that Canvasback uses is very strong. I am very happy with this product.

I went with a "pattern" to hide the dog fur, and because it's awesome.

Agreed. My dearest mother has 4 labs and uses something similar, the hair is still a nightmare but more bearable with a cargo liner. Do I see a Toyota emblem to the left there... looks like some good mod's where already planned ahead?

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 01:52 PM

After slobbering over the sheer awesomeness of some of the Runners on this forum, I decided to do my part and set my Runner apart.

For those of you that have gotten the bug too, you know exactly what direction this is headed in.

And on to my next upgrade...Spidertrax wheel spacers (1.25").

Quality is excellent, installation is simple, and the results are impressive. I've posted photos to show what the spacers look like with the stock Limited wheels / tires.

Two things of note:
1. I feel like the vehicle is more linear and stable with the spacers on. It just seems to track better.

2. There is slight rubbing with the factory tire size when you put the spacers on. Nothing to worry about, probably not even any trimming needed.

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 02:01 PM

So those of you with a sharp eye probably noticed something was up in the last picture.

...."wait, those don't look like Limited headlights."

Nope, guilty as charged. And that brings us to the next mod: swap out for the TE headlights and a Satoshi grill.

I must say, these relatively small adjustments really made the Runner stand out from the crowd. People started complementing my truck when I pulled up...comments ranged from "it looks great" to "that thing is clean" to "it kind of looks like an angry cougar."

Naturally, this encouragement just gives me all that much more motivation to keep modding.

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 02:22 PM

I'm sure many of you spotted an item of interest in one of the prior photos...a certain box in the cargo area.

After exhaustive research, I settled on an ICON Stage I lift and Light Racing UCAs. I gave serious consideration to the Toytech ultimate, but I kept hearing murmurings that the ICON was #1 for on-road handling—something I view as of paramount importance. More on that later.

Because I plan to load the Runner and do a good bit of towing, I supplemented the ICON with an Airlift 1000 kit for the rear. I haven't towed anything of consequence yet—but as soon as I do, I'll make sure to log on and share my thoughts.

I must say, I was quite concerned about disconnecting X-REAS. The stock vehicle rides and handles quite well, so it's a little scary to change what is already a good product. Thanks to some great info and words of encouragement from members of this forum, I decided to take the plunge.

I wanted to drive the Runner a bit before posting my thoughts on the ICON. It's been 2 weeks and about 800 miles, so here are my initial impressions:

1) ICON is definitely stiffer than stock. No surprise here, many members have chronicled this fact. I am not unhappy in the least with the stiffer ride, but it is worth mentioning that you won't have nearly as much cush for your tush.

2) The ICON swallows big bumps whole. No, seriously—I'm impressed. Speed humps, rough expansion joints at high speed, cruddy road surfaces— bring 'em on. The ICON take take all of it in stride, maintaining composure in a way the factory suspension never would have.

3) Handling with the ICON rocks. For people like me concerned about changing the vehicle's height and handling dynamics—forget about it. It has less body lean than it did with X-REAS, and it feels unflappably calm and composed.

mikey's2010SR5 · 04-29-2012, 02:23 PM

More importantly, WHAT IS IN THE ICON BOX?

EDIT: Never mind you posted first

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 02:50 PM

So, I must admit: I agonized a LOT over the tire choice.

For now, I want to keep my stock limited rims. I actually really like how they look...but the fact that they are only 7" REALLY makes me want to punch a baby.

My Runner came with the factory Yokohama Geolander G96B's. One of the things I hoped to do was minimize the weight difference between my factory tires and whatever I replaced them with. Rotational inertia is definitely your enemy for gas mileage, braking, and power drain.

Because many F150's and Chevy / GMC pickups come with a factory 275/55R20 tire size—and because there are many great & inexpensive tires in this size due to this fact— 275/55's were the logical choice.

But it wasn't the choice I went with. I'm want my Runner to look cool while being as practical as possible...so taller is better, right?

In a practicality vs. awesome debate, "awesome" won outright. I knew I had to go for the 275/60's as about the biggest tire I could safely fit on the stock rims.

I looked hard at the Cooper ZEON LTZ's. The tread pattern looks attractive and aggressive, most reviewers love them, and you don't see them every day. But after looking at the specs carefully, I saw the 275/60R20's weigh 53lbs(!!!) each. That is 17lbs more per tire than the factory Yokohama's. No bueno— power, braking and MPG would be destroyed on the alter of awesomeness— and I may be able to get a similar look with less sacrifice.

I also like the Cooper Discoverer AT3's...but I just didn't think they look quite aggressive enough.

After a lot more agonizing, I went for 275/60R20 Nitto Terra Grapplers. They weigh about 42 lbs per tire compared to the 36lbs for the stock Yokohamas...which I consider not too bad for a much larger tire.

Thoughts on Terra Grapplers:
1) They look great.
2) They're very quiet. Almost no noticeable difference from stock tire sound.

Overall, I'm very happy with the choice. I think they look aggressive and complement the factory wheels quite well.

UFG8R Runner · 04-29-2012, 03:05 PM

So here she is....I waited to post my build thread until I had my Runner mostly the way I wanted it.

I must say, I'm very happy with the way my Runner is turning out— I really like this thing (much more than I ever liked my '08 GMC Sierra Denali I traded in for the Runner). I have a few more ideas in mind, but I'm done spending $$ for a little while.