What would you do with $5000 on your 4Runner
 

Apologies if this thread exists.

I have been thinking about trading in my 06 4Runner for no other reason then I am getting kinda bored of it. I was thinking the new WRXs but I would miss the SUV so I was thinking what if I just spend $5,000 on my stock 4Runner to make it it better.

Problem is I have no idea what I would do. I am hoping that the good folks here could provide some idea's for me. :)

I would go ahead and get the WRX , and then come back crying.

I have a feeling this is going to be a popular post with tax refund season coming up, but I have no feedback for ya.
If you're thinking about trading in your 4runner, I'm sure you'll be able to find a buyer for it, potentially on this very forum. good luck to ya.

i would buy king suspension the whole way around, 33's, and odds and ends with whats left over. my .02c

This is my list in order of priority



Lift
Wheels and Tires
Skid Plates- full set
Sliders
Rear Diff Locker
Hidden Winch Mount
Winch
Ditch Light Brackets
LED lights for Ditch Brackets

A new set of wheels (I have brand new rubber already) and one SICK audio system.

Oooohhhhhh what I could do with 4k worth of AV gear

if you're thinking about getting rid of it, spending $5000 wont change that. Dump it, put the 5k+ trade in on a vehicle you want.

Ive done it so many times i cant even count. Never spend money when you're bored because after a month youll be tired of it still. Get something new that will excite your vehicle passion again.

It's not that I dislike my 4runner. I just have some things I have issues with.

Such as that the anti-lock brakes freak the heck out on even the smallest snow patch, while the stereo sounds good I miss the new cool stuff like bluetooth and navigation that the new cars have, and I have been commuting with it more and the braking sucks but that is only compared to me being used to commuting with my ladies VW Golf so I get that its all relative. :)

5k could get you a nice new double din and new speakers. Price match and find what you want at lowest cost. Braking may be changed or helped out by a little spending.

If you're not tired of it or dont dislike it then upgrade it. Remember its 6-7 year old vehicle. Things have come a long ways in 7 years.

You need to drive off road.

With my basically a stock 4runner (minus upgraded shocks) it is incredibly capable. The traction control system is the bomb offroad. I've never had any problems with abs thus far. I drive up obstacles and scratch my head at the top thinking "how did I just do that?" But that's why I bought it. To use it off road.

Basically if you aren't using your vehicle for what it's designed for and just want to change the looks of it, get a new car. Obviously you don't NEED to spend money on it, or should I say waste, if you aren't going to use it accordingly.

As to using it for what it is "designed for" here it is in Canyonlands on White Rim.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1k54j3hmii...2020.19.40.jpg

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1k54j3hmii...2020.19.40.jpg

But on top of that I also have a job to get to, groceries to buy, bars to drink at, etc. It's not a dedicated rig.

To answer your question this is what I would do:

New coils
255/75/17 MTR
Arb lockers front/rear
Front runner roof rack

That would about eat up that $5000 budget.

Save your money. Put the cash into an investment and turn it into more money.

If you want a new stereo because you want new features, then buy it. Don't throw money at your truck just because everyone else is doing it. If your truck serves your needs the way it is, then just drive it and find a way to enjoy. Or dump it and get a WRX, a handful of speeding tickets if your lucky not to kill yourself in it, and then sell it later on after you can't fit your family in it.

Or just keep your 4runner and address your braking issue and enjoy a decently engineered and built vehicle that will last you a long time without the hefty maintenance costs of other vehicles.

I don't think a wrx is gonna take you there, just sayin'... if you don't have one offroad capable vehicle in the stable how will you get there to enjoy that view?!

ok I can't resist giving you my opinion on your question because I've been there myself...

first and cheapest option is to swap vehicles with your lady once in a while (but be careful, I let my wife drive my 4runner and she took it over as hers so I had to go buy a whole separate one for me).... and/or in the meantime upgrade the stereo and speakers and get the best garmin navigation unit money can buy with BT built in and rear view camera... I think it's like $400 so for that plus the stereo expense (maybe another 1000) you could have a totally up to date in terms of technology 4runner for $1500... save the other $3500 for a rainy day or take a vacation with your lady.

I would get a mild suspension lift. Tinker with scion radio upgrade. And pay off a big chunk of my truck as well

You don't mention if it is a V6 or a V8 but a quality catback on a V8 ALWAYS puts a smile on my face.

You should look through other build threads on this site and see what you like and don't like. Nobody here can tell you what you like, and everyone has different taste. That's why all of our trucks are unique overall. For example, when I bought a 4Runner, all I knew I wanted was a suspension lift. Everything else happened from seeing what other people do and gathering ideas from that.

I don't know much about mechanics so I would just do cosmetic stuff.

Lift
Wheels and Tires
After market running boards
Black LED head/tail lights
Back up camera (already upgraded the stereo Pioneer AVHX 4500 bt)
Possibly some new speakers and a sub
Body color door handles

I plan to plastidip my grill black this weekend! :)

I spent roughly:

Icon 2.5 - $2100
Tires - $600
Traded my OE wheels for '13 TE Wheels straight across
SW Bumper and paint - $2100
Perkins Roof rack with integrated 40" LED Lightbar - $1500

An amazing vehicle now and best looking one in town...not to mention capable...

So you've got $5k burning a hole in your pocket?

If it was me I wouldn't do a damn thing to the 4runner.

Set aside maybe $800 - $1000 of that money and take an epic trip somewhere in your 4runner.

Put the rest of the money in the bank.

payment to principal:yo:

Make it easy for yourself, get the Icon Stage 5 suspension kit and call it a day!

Here's what I did a couple years ago
 

Not quite 5 grand worth but still, this is where I started with my 08
http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/a...6.jpg~original

Boost and a brake kit.

New wheels
275/70/17 BFGs
Some sound system upgrades.

Or

An aluminum utility trailer

Or

Down payment on a new TE.