I mostly just help other users on the Forum and post in my build thread.

For myself, I keep my vehicles basically OEM stock and do very few modifications on them. If I do modify anything it's easy removable. [ well except for my frame rebuilds as I intentionally seal all the frame holes shut when I rebuild/ repair the frames] which was done to keep rig road worthy.

I am really just curious as our users opinion on wither to keep them bone stock or to modify them. Also your reasons for modification of the 3rd gens.

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I believe in adapting what ever I'm driving to where ever my stomping grounds currently is. And right now where I am is lots of privately owned lands. And there are lots of paved roads.

Would love a modded out rig, sure I would, if I were in CO, OR, ID or WA. But then again how is that practical for where I am now? It would only be a magnet for unsavory people.

That being said, mostly stock. A mild 2 inch lift (for flooded roads) and KO2. I'm even thinking the KO2's are over kill for where I go. Defender ltx would have been a better fit.

Mine is modded a little, I have a 3” lift but I will admit it wasn’t really necessary for what I do, but the original suspension was shot so I figured I might as well lift it, and it has come in handy at times

I also have a locker, which I find extremely useful, and some extra lighting, a Bluetooth capable head unit is nice. Other things are just upgrading parts that are necessary maintenance, like replacing all bushings with poly

I will eventually get a first gen and I plan to keep it mostly stock, more of a mild restoration than a build

I’ve been trying to keep everything stock in the engine and transmission, mainly because I’m not craving extra power, nor am I crawling rocks. What comes with my ‘01 is all the capabilities I’ll ever need, if I add more, it would be wasted on me, or it would prompt me to do something stupid.

My approach to my truck is mainly restoration, and when necessary or available/affordable, make it better. Mostly I’m just enjoying driving this thing.

Being I have had Toyotas since before I was old enough to drive. I got hooked on their longevity. The 80s trucks would be rusted to nothing and still have a good drivetrain in them.

As I got older I learned to fix them myself and started basically restoring them. Its probably one of the reasons I leave things mostly bone stock.

In my area the rust belt is hard on things. So learning to weld and restore panels became a necessity if I wanted to run older vehicles and have them look decent.

Now it's more of a hobby. I always enjoyed fixing things so I just document and try to teach others how to restore and weld. By seeing how I changed my techniques and they way I do things. Others can benefit from what I learned over that past 30 years.

I just enjoy hearing others stories of their 3rd gens and why they did the things they did. As there nothing wrong with keeping them bone stock or completely customized.

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I have 2 01's both are stock for all intensive purposes. except for the radios

since I have 3x 3rd gens now...

1 is going to be a trophy truck... shooting for long travel and also trying to figure out rear long travel as well.

1 is a winter beater, 3" lift, rear disc brake conversion, track bar correct.

1 is a custom project for next summer.

why have just 1 truck when at this point you can have multiple and do different things to each of them? as long as $ allows I guess.

Modified for sure. I'm perfectly fine with irreversible modification as well, but too lazy for anything too serious so drive train wise my rigs mostly stay close to factory. Body, interior, etc is all fair game and usually doesn't stay stock long once I get my hands on something.

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Recently acquired first 4Runner 2000 limited which should serve my usage as OEM configured but will likely change with light modding partially utility and partially for looks.

Needed tires at purchase so upped from OEM 265/70/16 to 265/75/16 slightly bigger for looks and a bit of ground clearance gain for no additional work, Not enough change in speedo to worry over.

Running board removal, Might help with the station wagon look and less too drag in the woods.

Gray wire mod, Probably not required cheap easy why not?

Better lighting output probably just go with brighter bulbs, At my age driving at night is less fun.

Would like to do something with the fuggly front bumper both for looks and something with better ground clearance, Thinking DIY as I cant see dropping almost 1/4 of the purchase price on a bumper = COB

Taste Great, Less Filling.

I have a 2000 that's mostly stock and it will stay that way.

My 1998 is heavily modded for serious mall crawling.

OEM all the way, baby.

However I’d love to have a new stereo that included Bluetooth so I could listen to the tunes on my iPhone.

One of the best things I've done to my 2000 so far. I went with a Pioneer double din that came with a mic and a backup camera option that included the ability to turn the camera on while driving for trailer view, etc.

It has performed perfectly. Sounds great hands-free, and quickly connects to my phone. You can watch DVDs and stream Pandora along with all the other functions that modern cars do.

The OEM radio could easily be put back in.

My exact philosophy with all my cars. I've done the double din blue tooth head unit, very mild lift to get rid of the curse of the station wagon stance, added a backup camera and put in new leathers with a heated seat kit.

All of what I've done have really modernized the 4runner without getting too far away from their OEM greatness.

Thanks for starting this thread Brillo as it is good to hear what others
want from their rigs. I especially like the looks of @UnderFire 's Rig as it
has a good balance of tire to lift, roof rack and lights! As others have said
and I am in their camp at the moment with mostly stock items. I did however
do the breather tube Tim had on his video as mine rusted shut and cost me dearly to redo the axle seals. I also did Leon's ( Spiker ) hood struts which gets that hood up higher and the support out of the way. I also just ordered a blue tooth ( C57 ) for hands free phone use and a RAM mount kit for the GPS system for traveling. Other than that I always wanted a good CB radio
( President ) unit installed for the long rides along the thruways. As you know it's been a long journey getting the 02 Sport up to snuff with basic maintenance items such as brakes,timing belt water pump kit, upper and lower suspension arms, exhaust, fender, bushings all around, emergency brake replacement, shocks and springs, and many other needed upkeep. The project continues as like most used vehicles I came across in these parts, people drive em until they need to much upkeep and move on!

"This is my 4runner!
There are many like it, but this one is mine!"
Like most machinery, they are the end result of compromise.
The initial purchase is the canvas, the foundation. Then we tailor it to our needs or wants.
I live in rural AZ. Our (unincorporated) town has hundreds miles of dirt roads, many get washed out when it rains and may not get repaired for months or years.
So my needs might be different from someone that lives in a large city and goes skiing occasionally.
Will a stock 4runner work in both scenarios? Yes. Could changing or modifying key components make it more efficient or safer for different uses? Yes.
So "stock or modified?" The answer is up to the individual.

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