Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

In your place, I would go through the build thread directory. Most people list their mods in the first post or two. Build a list from the mods of interest. Bonus: people often include writeups on how they did the mod.

Originally Posted by FNG!!

Thank you for the tip, Bluesky. I had no idea, I will set up the build thread directory and have a look!

Originally Posted by FNG!!

Hey Importman, thanks for all your suggestions and feedback, much appreciated! A few comments to your post:

I will call and ask my insurance agent again, but I am 99% sure she said it was lift that would cause insurance issues. She checked with the underwriter and he cleared the aftermarket headers and exhaust. But yeah, if no one else has ever heard of a lift causing issues with insurance then maybe she is mistaken.

I'm definitely considering the TRD black wheels.

Mine did have the spoiler, thankfully - IMHO the 4Runner kinda needs them. I guess if you have a large roof rack or something then I can see how they'd become an issue, but I'm glad mine came with the spoiler for sure.

I definitely want to upgrade the stereo! It currently has the JBL cassette tape and 6 disc changer combo installed. Sound is fine, but given the lack of USB or even 3.5mm aux input jack, I have been reduced to (and I am not kidding you here) using a tape adapterwith 3.5 mm male connector which I then plugged into a 3.5mm female stereo to Lightning dongle that came with my iPhone! Yes, the 1990's are apparently still alive and well

I am definitely on the lookout for a good recommendation for a stereo head unit. I would prefer to keep the amp and speakers stock. Head unit should definitely have either USB or 3.5mm aux female input. What Sony model did you use and was it pretty simple to install or did you need a special mounting kit? Any issues with it either during or after installation? As an aside I've seen a post somewhere that showed a guy who installed a capacitive touchscreen head unit on his Tahoe that connected to the battery indicator and even the tire pressure so he could get a readout on his screen. Probably this was for a newer 4Runner but still pretty cool.

I had never even thought of doing a dimmed mirror, great suggestion. I will definitely look into it - that would be a huge plus.

Thanks a ton for the map light mod info, I had never heard of it until I read your post. I will look it up and it definitely sounds like something I will do. I couldn't understand why the interior roof light would turn on when the doors were open but not the map lights in the front! Makes me wonder what the Toyota designers were thinking. Glad to know there's an easy workaround.

I also plan on upgrading all the interior lights to LEDs - I found a really handy how-to guide with pictures and tips.

Appreciate your help!

Originally Posted by Napalm

I need to do this for mine. How hard was it to find a rear spoiler already painted for a 4th gen?

Originally Posted by Bluesky 07

You're very welcome. The directory is here (and stuck on the top of the 4th Gen section). Also, many members link their build threads in their sigs so if you see something you like in someone's post, you can often go right to their build thread.

Another useful sticky in the 4th Gen section is the maintenance & repair writeup compilation put together by @y=mx+b .

Originally Posted by Napalm

I’m new to the 4Runner world, but I will say one of my favorite mods that I’ve seen for our 4th gens is a set of TRD Pro wheel/tire take offs. It looks aftermarket, without looking aftermarket.

I’ve heard the Gibson CatBack exhaust is nice, but I’ve got no personal experience with it.

Originally Posted by 4RunnerAquasport

If your OEM exhaust manifolds are still good, that's rare any more. Most people complain of cracks and ticking, and then find there are very few solutions.

So a lot of us went w headers instead of replacing w the very expensive OEMs.
The corrosion problem was real for the early run of Doug Thorley's, especially for the. 05' and up crowd. The EGR tubes rusted quick on those guys.

They had a run of decent quality SS units, but w material shortages, I hear the wait times are pretty long.

The swap to headers is a full commitment for sure. Emission constraints aren't cheap either.

For now while your OEM manifolds are still good, you could just go with a Thorley Y-pipe (URD doesn't make one for the 03'-04') or a custom Y if you're so inclined. The factory Y borders on death by strangulation. Its just plain terrible.

Then put a larger diameter pipe between the Y and a performance muffler.
I went w one from Vibrant Performance.

This would be the most bang for buck solution and not make the emission gods angry.

Originally Posted by importman

Just remembered something. When you get ready to replace your head unit it's the perfect time to install a backup camera. It's a little bit of a job but not too bad. It's definitely worth it to have one and since it has to connect to the head unit that's the best time to do it. Also, with the Sony unit, and I'm sure most others you should get a microphone so you can do hands free calling which is much safer and convenient. I mounted mine at the little overhead console where the sunglasses compartment is, and I've never had any problems with people being able to hear me during calls.
All this talking about mods has got me in the mood to do something else to mine. Not sure what it'll be just yet but since the bug has hit I'm sure I'll come up with something. Good luck with yours and have fun!

Originally Posted by FNG!!

This is awesome information, thank you so much. Exactly what I was looking for in terms of the exhaust. Good to know that the factory Y-pipe is not the most efficient, to put it lightly if I catch your context from above.

So a pretty dumb question, but I am going to ask anyway, if the headers are still good, which they seem to be, then the aftermarket Y-pipe, whether Thorley or custom, would connect from either downstream side of the headers and back towards the straight section of the exhaust (which you recommended to replace with a larger diameter pipe vs stock), then to the performance muffler (I have pretty much decided on the Magnaflow at this point). For the time being I won't cut off the resonator but instead see how it sounds as-is.

Is that description accurate? Sorry, I know it's a noob question, but I'm here to learn and appreciate your patience.

Where on the line do the O2 sensors and catalytic converters live?

Thanks in advance! Enjoyed the quip about not making the emission gods angry

Originally Posted by ads2539

Re. your 1990’s tape adapter, there are gadgets now that let you send an fm signal to the radio. I used one before I upgraded my head unit to a bluetooth enabled model.