2000 4Runner SR5
3.4L 5VZ-FE - Supercharged!
4x4 Rear E-Locker 4.10 gears
5 Speed Manual - R150F
Natural White Paint
~126k miles
Built to take me wherever my biking, hiking, climbing and fishing adventures lead.
Most Current Photo:
IMG_6453 by
Christian Rooney, on Flickr
I decided that it was finally time to post up a build thread and share the handful of minor modifications that I have done over the years. I always enjoy reading other people's stories of acquiring and modifying their T4R's so I will share a bit of the backstory on mine.
I started out with a 2007 Xterra and immediately did some minor modifications to make it more capable for exploring the Colorado mountains: (33" tires, lift, sliders, skids, etc.)
My Xterra and buddy's 2002 4Runner (that may or may not have convinced me to get a 4Runner).
4Runner and Xterra by , on Flickr
Soon I was looking for something more capable. I found myself a 2000 TJ Wrangler and continued building it for more hardcore wheeling: (Atlas transfer case, NV4500 trans swap, Detroit rear locker, ARB air locker up front, full cage, etc.)
Jeep by , on Flickr
While it was a beast on the trails, I missed the comfort and reliability of a Japanese IFS vehicle on the road. A 3rd gen 4Runner seemed like the perfect blend of reliability, on road comfort and off-road ability. Like you all know, it is tough to come by the perfect used 4Runner, especially in the Colorado market. Finally, after a few months, I found The One!
A low mileage manual with an E-Locker popped up on Craigslist. It had previously been owned by an old lady that rarely drove it, then purchased by a guy who had taken great care of it and had done some simple, tasteful mods (spacer lift, wheels and tires, window tint, etc.) I drove up and bought it immediately with <80,000 miles on it. That was 5 years ago now and it has became the best vehicle I have ever owned!
Took it wheeling immediately after I bought it to break it in...
tubby by , on Flickr
My modification strategy was to keep it tasteful, and balance performance mods with the ability to handle most of the trails in Colorado and never have to turn around when accessing fishing spots, hiking trails, etc.
Suspension:
Front:
-Tundra Bilstein 5100 adjustable struts (lowest spring perch setting)
-Toytech/Eibach 620# coils
-4Runner top hats
-Toytec diff drop
~2.75" lift
Rear:
-OME 890 coils
-Toytec Boss extended length shocks
~2.5" lift
-Removed rear swaybar (sawzall style, lol)
Brakes, Wheels & Tires:
-OEM Sequoia/Tundra 5-spoke
-265/70R17 Pathfinder All Terrain tires
-Tundra 231 mm (13WL) red brake calipers
-Powerstop Slotted and Cross-drilled rotors
Engine & Performance Upgrades:
-Deckplate Mod
-K&N Drop-In filter (removed)
-OEM air filter
-Magnuson Supercharger
-URD 7th Injector
-URD Supergrip 2.2" Pulley
-Denso IK22 plugs
-LC Engineering short-throw shifter
Electrical Modifications:
-Disabled Daytime Running Lights
-Autocraft Platinum AGM battery
-Rear hatch LED lights
Interior Upgrades:
-Cheapo Costco neoprene seat covers (great fit)
-WeatherTech floor mats
-Katzkin? (PO installed) leather steering wheel cover
-Sony MEX-N5000BT stereo
-Autometer Boost/Vac gauge
-AEM wideband AFR gauge
-Panavise magnetic cell phone mount (trimmed)
-Rear cargo storage mod
-LED interior lights
Exterior & Cosmetic Upgrades:
-Rear hatch emblem removal
-Hitch flip mod
-Bedline (black) bumpers and fender flares
-Flexible front mud flaps
-Trimmed rear mud flaps
-Kuat NV 2.0 hitch bike carrier
-Supercharged badge
-20% Tint all around
-"TRD" stock engine skid plate
-American flag decals
-Power antenna delete (thanks carwash)
-Stubby antenna and power motor delete
Recovery/Backcountry Gear
-True Temper Axe stashed under rear seat
-Fiskars Hatchet
-30' Smittybilt Recovery Strap
-12V air compressor
-Hitch mounted recovery shackle
-Peak Power Inverter
-First Aid kit
-Cold weather gear
Exterior Lighting
-Hella Black Magic 500 driving lights mounted on front bumper
-Philips Diamond Vision Headlight bulbs
-Philips LED license plate bulbs
-Philips LED front corner bulbs
Thanks for reading! I'll try to keep this thread updated with mods and adventure pictures!