[Fisheroon]

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!

[Fisheroon]

Within the first few months of owning my new 4Runner, I got to work on some simple cosmetic changes.

Removing Plastiip applied on bumpers by PO and painting with Rustoleum Bedliner. Painted flares to match:
4Runner photos by , on Flickr

Much better!
4Runner photos by , on Flickr

Next was DIY "TRD" skid plate graphics, made with a stencil I cut out:
IMG_3169 by , on Flickr
IMG_3170 by , on Flickr

I think that the black bumpers/flares and subtle skid plate paint looks sharp.
Untitled by , on Flickr

[Fisheroon]

The previous owner had installed a spacer lift that gave Tubby a nice stance, but at 100k miles, it was ready for a suspension refresh and a proper lift.

Parts assembled for Tundra Bilsteins and Eibach coils up front:
IMG_3035 by , on Flickr

Toytec Boss shocks to match up with the OME 890 rear coils:
IMG_3033 by , on Flickr

Testing out the improved articulation:
IMG_3198 by , on Flickr

Pleased with the travel, for IFS...
IMG_3413 by , on Flickr

The mountain roads had taken a toll on my stock brakes, read beyond warped, so it was time for Tundra brakes!

Out with the old...
B8731BC5-999D-4587-8D5F-59C4EBEE4695 by , on Flickr

Such a huge improvement over stock!
CDC2E0D7-0B22-4C73-9F3E-5D4312249715 by , on Flickr

7E0F182F-86F0-4D07-A3F3-298281CC7724 by , on Flickr

[Fisheroon]

The hitch flip mod is a great way to free up some extra clearance in the rear and can be done pretty much for free if you are lucky enough to have the right hitch.

Mocking up the fit before cutting:
IMG_3120 by , on Flickr

Finished off with some edge trim:
IMG_3233 by , on Flickr

I like the fact that it raises my Kuat bike rack for better clearance with the bike on the back!

4Runner photos by , on Flickr

[T4topher]

Nice truck man!

[Fisheroon]

I use the rear cargo area for camping/sleeping so it was important to me to have more storage room and better lighting.

I followed the steps here: storage compartment mod to increase the storage area in the rear.

6162A084-0E65-43D6-AE83-61BF50BB75F1 by , on Flickr

Lined with carpet and filled up with gear:
AC21BB64-61BA-47FA-B0E5-1B8672AAD1EC by , on Flickr

Wired up a super bright LED light into the switch for the stock dome light. Definite improvement in light output:
A41D5DAA-EE77-42D5-981B-25DC12C0C3B6 by , on Flickr
7A43548A-6BB9-4004-A44E-15939B3BC1EA by Christian Rooney, on FlickrDC839C33-72CE-45C4-BB6F-A96A7E28B0C0 by , on Flickr

[Fisheroon]

Originally Posted by T4topher

Nice truck man!

Thanks! Yours is very nice as well!

[Fisheroon]

I was ready for Tubby to not be so "Tubby" anymore, so I pulled the trigger on a Magnuson supercharger. I put in some Denso IK22 plugs (two-steps cooler) I'm impressed with how easily it pulls up the mountain passes now, even with the stock pulley. It's actually super fun to drive now with the 5-speed. Definitely happy with this improvement in power!

4Runner Supercharger by , on

Autometer boost gauge installed in console. Seeing about 6-7 psi at 5800 ft.
4Runner Supercharger by , on Flickr

Link to first hard acceleration after install:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ygJmOAUoI

[Lamer]

Originally Posted by Fisheroon

I was ready for Tubby to not be so "Tubby" anymore, so I pulled the trigger on a Magnuson supercharger. I put in some Denso IK22 plugs (two-steps cooler) I'm impressed with how easily it pulls up the mountain passes now, even with the stock pulley. It's actually super fun to drive now with the 5-speed. Definitely happy with this improvement in power!

4Runner Supercharger by , on

get your self the Intake Silencer/dampener removal kit. (Someone sells them here, they replace that plastic box just before the throttle body. and do the throttle body "D" plate mod to get a touch more/smoother air flow into that supercharger.

rig looks good, love the white.

[Fisheroon]

Originally Posted by Lamer

get your self the Intake Silencer/dampener removal kit. (Someone sells them here, they replace that plastic box just before the throttle body. and do the throttle body "D" plate mod to get a touch more/smoother air flow into that supercharger.

rig looks good, love the white.

Thanks man! I had been considering the ISR mod, but I wasn’t aware of the “D” plate mod. I’ll have to look into that.

[Fisheroon]

Took advantage of some nice weather to touch up the front bumper paint that was peeling and chipping.

Before:
IMG_3179 (1) by , on Flickr

After:
IMG_3187 by , on Flickr

Always under the watchful eye of the Roxy dog. I seem to have to touch up the front bumper every 6 months or so which is starting to get old... Time for a powdercoated tube bumper?
IMG_3184 by , on Flickr

[Fisheroon]

After the supercharger install, I needed to monitor the AFRs so I installed an AEM wideband gauge. I'll have to see if I can figure out how to datalog with it so I can tune the 7th injector. I mounted it in the center console since it seemed like it might be too distracting at night to be mounted on the A-pillar.
IMG_3189 by , on Flickr

IMG_3195 by , on Flickr

While I had the dash torn apart, I also decided to trim off half of the Panavise mount since passengers always seemed to be hitting their knees on it.
IMG_3192 by , on Flickr

[Fisheroon]

Installed a short-throw shifter. The LC Engineering kit came with good quality parts (even included thread-locker) and pretty decent instructions. The install was pretty easy, too.

IMG_3202 by , on Flickr

One added benefit/side-effect was the less interference with the cup holder due to the shorter throw. The pictures aren't taken at the exact same angle, but I think that they help to show the fairly significant difference.

Second gear before:
IMG_3205 by , on Flickr

Second gear after:
IMG_3215 by , on Flickr

IMG_3213 by , on Flickr

I am very happy with the short shifter kit. Gear engagement is quicker, crisper and more confidence-inspiring than stock. Another benefit that I have noticed is less vibration and movement in the shift knob after the install. This kit is arguably the best $100 I have spent on the truck!

[phattyduck]

Originally Posted by Fisheroon

Took advantage of some nice weather to touch up the front bumper paint that was peeling and chipping.

Before:
IMG_3179 (1) by , on Flickr

Is the chrome section scuffed up? The joint between the plastic and metal sections probably moves slightly, cracks the paint and causes the chipping.

To do it right, you'd need to make sure the chrome is all scuffed up, and disassembly the bumper, paint the pieces separately and then re-assemble.

-Charlie

[Fisheroon]

Originally Posted by phattyduck

Is the chrome section scuffed up? The joint between the plastic and metal sections probably moves slightly, cracks the paint and causes the chipping.

To do it right, you'd need to make sure the chrome is all scuffed up, and disassembly the bumper, paint the pieces separately and then re-assemble.

-Charlie

Yes you’re right. I should disassemble it and do each piece separately. I’m always too lazy and just spray it as one piece. But I have scuffed up the chrome pretty thoroughly with a wire wheel and sand paper. Thanks for the idea!