I currently have a 2017 Ford Escape. I plan on selling it, and after paying off my loan, I will be left with about $10k. My plan is to buy a 4R for no more than $15k as to alleviate my car payments compared to what I have been paying for my escape.

I have always loved the look of the 4Rs when they're fully modded out with bigger tires, skid plates, roof rails, etc. Basically anything that adds to the rugged look is what I want, but I realized this would allow me to actually go places I never thought possible.

I posted for help on the 4runner subreddit, and they eventually recommended I come here saying that I should poke around and figure out what I want to do with my 4r, then make a build based on that which is smart. That being said, I don't even know where to begin.

I saw regearing is necessary to get better mileage again after lifting and getting bigger tires, but how do I decide what size lift / tires I want? What should I consider when making a build to decide what parts I need?

I found the best years for me are an 06-09, and I feel like I should buy stock as to try and find something not abused (hopefully) then mod it from there, as opposed to buying something modded out but has been driven up and down a thousand trails. Outside of this, I dont know where else to go in terms of knowing what to get.

Any help would be appreciated!

Buy the truck with the cleanest frame and best overall maintenance history available. Be in not rush and expand your search outside of your immediate area.

Once you get one do all baseline maintenance first before getting into mods. Then take it out and see how far it can take you. You’ll figure out these things are pretty capable stock. This will also help you identify your priorities for the build and budget/plan accordingly.

Regarding gas mileage you’re looking at the 15-20mpg range no matter what. Regearing could help if add 35s and a lot of weight, but you might never go that far with your build so don’t dwell on that.

My recommendation is to do some off roaring - whether in a stock vehicle so you get your feet wet or rent through a vehicle - where are you located?

Off roading means different things in different parts of the country too

There’s some learning curve - not a ton but you’ve gotta learn the basics of the vehicle - 4wd, hi and lo. The center locking diff most have. Other things like understanding airing down, atrac, articulation, attack and departure angles. Most importantly is vehicle recovery or rescue if you get stuck

Once you’ve decided it’s a hobby you enjoy - set your budget. You can either start cheap and replace piece by piece if you Continue to enjoy and want to get bigger and better or go the “buy once cry once route” and pay for higher end suspension, tires skids bumpers protection from the start

Good luck

As others have said you should start with trying to find a nice clean 4runner with thorough maintenance records. Being that you're looking at 4th gens (atleast presumably since you've posted in the 4th gen section), you have the option of getting in a V8 4runner... the best of all the 4runners . Then you should also be looking for a 4runner that has 4wd being that you want to go offroad. Past that there is multiple trim levels and options to look for as well. Things can get a little crazy when you're first trying to figure out what you want. Basically SR5 is the base trim, then there's sport edition in the middle, and there's limited at the top. Any of which can be v6 or v8, 2wd or 4wd, and can have certain features like upgraded jbl sound system and other add ons. I say figure out what best suits your needs, then spend the time looking for the best example that matches your desires. Then as others have said I would drive it stock for a while, these trucks are quite capable even in stock form, from there decide what upgrades best suit you. A cheap lift and some 33s can take you just about anywhere but the sky is the limit when it comes to mods... Once you go down the rabbit hole, you'll never come back, but man will you love it! Cheers!

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My suggested four step plan:

1. Find the cleanest one with the most complete records that your schedule allows for. Ask yourself going into it if you feel like you could easily turn around and sell it for what you are paying for it. If you aren't towing consider the V6; from a maintenance, reliability, fuel economy, and weight perspective it is the superior option.

2. Catch it up on any maintenance or repairs it needs done

3. Put on a set of all terrain tires

4. Hit some easy trails, drive slow, and be really conservative. Preferably wheel with some buddies (just in case you get in over your head). While you are out there using your truck, be observant, take note of what you want to change For example; I didn't think awnings were all that important, well over and over again I have been in a situation where I wish I had one. So now I know if I buy one I will use it. Ideally before you make any modification/purpose you already know you will use it.

My philosophy is that solutions lie in problems, in order to see them you just need to have a clear view of the totality of the problems. So go out, wheel a stock (save for good tires) 4runner, see what problems come up, and keep it conservative so those problems aren't so big you end up having a bad day. Repeat until you end up with a BEAST.

In addition to what others have said already:

Offroading: do all sorts of terrain fully stock (just with good stock sized tires). Only then will you learn what you actually need to improve.

The suspension is the most obvious needed improvement but you won't know why until you have done all sorts of terrain fully stock.

A small lift like 1-2" is always good IF on a good suspension (old CV boots may hate any lift though so that's something to bear in mind).

Bigger tires are purely optional and have more drawbacks than advantages until you start doing some really serious all-around mods after years of offroading and accumulating experience. Then, for a crawling oriented rig you could start doing a number of mods. But none of that makes sense at the start.

For more of a go-at-good pace vehicle not meant for very difficult trails, suspension and quality stock size tires is all that's needed. Strong skids are always good, too.

But, again, drive a bunch of trails and terrains fully stock to get a good feel for the vehicle and then start modifying.

My 2c.

Hey man don't go knocking the reliability of the V8, it's arguably one of the most reliable engines ever produced. After all it has been dubbed the magical "million mile engine" lol. And it turns my 285/75r17s with ease, no regear needed. But it does get a little sad looking at my mpg so you got me there, sigh

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I would buy stock for sure. A modded 4runner that's been taken care of by someone mechanically inclined usually wouldn't sell unless they're getting a decent chunk of their mod investments back. I started out stock. I went with a 3" lift kit from skyjacker. Includes upper control arms, extended sway bar end links and differential drop designed specifically to to keep the geometry of your truck as it should be. No crazy cv angles or whacked out camber and castor. Very affordable and fully capable. I live in rural North Arkansas and spend half my life in our national forests on some very technical trails haven't had any issues and the suspension is awesome. 2 grand on struts from some of these companies is nowhere near necessary unless you're doing the Baja 1000 at 100 mph. For the tires I went with the largest size before having to regear, 33's. One of these days I want to go bigger on tires and regear but that's getting into serious off roading territory. I built my own custom front bumper. That's gotta go asap! This will get you started without spending a fortune and take you pretty much anywhere with the right driving skill.

Truth be told I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder. To me the V8 over V6 attitudes reek of non-turbo, non-M, non-track pack, your-car-is-worthless-unless-it-is-the-top-trim pretentiousness. People seem to frame this decision like it is 240hp 1GR vs 381hp 3UR, that isn't close to reality. I see so little performance gain between the 1GR and 2UZ, I do not see how the V8 for performance crowd has a leg to stand on. Let me make my case:

What do I get in return for choosing the 1GR?
>1 generation newer engine design
>Better overall efficiency (especially compared to the 02'-04'non VVT-i 2UZs)
>Better fuel consumption
>180-200lbs less weight
>No timing belt weaknesses and related maintenance
>2 less cylinders and related valves, ignition components and fuel delivery (Less to go wrong, less to replace for maintenance and less constant parasitic drag)
>No klugy secondary air injection system
>No starter motor hidden between the heads where it gets baked
>More room to work on the front of the engine
>More engineering margin on the entire drive-train (because it was built for the 2UZ)

What do I give up?
>707ccs of displacement
>31hp and 37ft-lbs of torque
>A torque peak 300rpm lower.

Choosing the V6 was a no brainier for me

The V6 is a great motor. You can’t really go wrong either way. The benefits and downsides of each are minor. I’d advise the OP not to have his/her heart set on a motor and just fined the cleanest truck. Took me 6+ months in California.


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