Hey everyone, let me start this off the same way every one else does. I'm new to the forum. I have been a Toyota fan my entire life. Mostly consisting of first and second gen tacomas. But my love for 4runners grew quickly after i bought a first gen a few years back. Recently ran across a deal on Craigslist for a 4th gen 4Runner I couldn't pass up. Bought this 2003 sr5 completely stock with 168,000 miles from an older couple for $6,500!! May not be "that" great of a deal, but I'm super strokes about it. So I figured I would document my build process. I'm not going to go super crazy and SAS it and put 40's on it, but I am going to make it trail capable. We have quite a few light to moderate trails right by my house, so I'm mainly going to increase clearance and add a little body armor to protect it on the trail. Here's a picture of it:

Here's is a list of what I plan to do right now:
Satoshi grill mod (grill currently removed, trying to work up the courage to start cutting it up)
1.25" body lift (currently on the way)
3" front 2" rear leveling kit (trying to decide which brand to order, probably will go with an eBay kit but if anyone has any suggestions on brands please throw them out there!)
17x8.5 SCS stealth 6 matte gun metal wheels
285/70-17 nitto terra grappler g2 tires

Still adding things to the list, but please every one help with some input on what leveling kit I should get?

More pictures and updates to come as I start getting parts here!

Even though this isn't a 4th gen, thought everyone may enjoy seeing the first gen I owned a few years back that started my passion for 4runners!

Welcome to the forum! Look forward to seeing the progress

what kind of lift are you planning on?

This is the lift I am thinking about right now. Please feel free to give your opinion on it. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=300680232664

That's a good start. Cost effective. That lift with the body lift and a little trimming you could be running 35's like me.

Well, I've actually been going back and forth between 35's and 33's but I'm leaning more towards 33's.

Looks like the v6, if it is I wouldn't go to 35's unless you can regear it. The V8 doesn't care. Lol

Yeah that's what led me to decide on 33's. I may later down the road but for now I'm going to stick with stock gearing. I was actually looking into air lockers this morning but that idea what short lived when I realized the prices!

Ya those things are crazy expensive!

285/70-17 nitro terra grappler G-2's came in today!

I have a question and I'm hoping you all can help me out a little... I ordered the 1.25" body lift front 4crawler. I found a write up on it on Toyota120 and it seemed like that would be the best body lift to get. The question I have is, they say on the 4crawler website that you can move your front bumper up one notch to compensate for the gap that the body lift will create. I don't understand what bracket that they are saying you can move it up a notch. Has anyone else done this lift and can you explain to me where it is that I move the bumper up one bracket?

SCS stealth 6 wheels came in today! Super impressed with the finish but not so sure how I feel about "MADE IN TIWIAN" stamped on the side of the boxes... But anyway, can't wait so see what they look like with the 33" nitro terra grapplers wrapped around them! Sorry for the slow progress, just waiting on parts to get here!!