Where do I start, suspension?
 

So I've owned my 88 for 4 years now. Picked it up from a family that flips cars. They claimed they did a rebuild on the engine(22re) before I bought it.... Fail!! Blew on me one year later. Now I'm a 3500 dollars in the hole college student without a car. So I bought a 92 previa for $1000. Drove that for a year then sold to my dad for $1000 because my neighbor had agreed to sell me his 2003 Hyundai for $1000 (Big win for the 4runner). I sold the Hyundai for $2000(less than I wanted) and got the 4runners engine rebuilt, completely this time with a new block, by a great mechanic. So now I'm the proud owner of a mechanically sound 22re 4runner( new engine, radiator, alternator, water pump, battery, distributor, fan clutch....etc.)

Where do I go from here?

I want something that will get me pretty much everywhere that I need to go as a mountain biker/rock climber. I don't need a crawler, just something that will get it done.

My first thought is suspension, can anyone tell me why everyone loves OME? It seems like I'm leaning towards starting there.

Is was gonna do a KnN intake upgrade but someone said its bullshit... Any thoughts?

P.S. I tried to search for some threads on O M E suspension and maybe I suck but I couldn't find anything. Links to some other threads are welcome!

P.P.S. maybe this will turn into a moderate build thread!:wof:

You already have that. A bone stock 4Runner will get you to any trailhead anywhere. Without any mods at all you can take that truck 99.9% of the places it's legal to drive, including some places that don't look like roads at all. You don't need to mod, you just need a little more confidence in yourself and your truck.

I like my OME springs - they're a great option if you decide to lift the truck, and ride much better than stock on the dirt. It's a bit of a rough ride on the pavement, and it'll raise your CoG and wind resistance, making for worse handling.

Skip the K&N intake. You'll get better returns by replacing the stock intake tube with aluminum or stainless and heat-wrapping it.

i'll echo what kidV said. in stock form, your runner is pretty capable of getting you to a trailhead. if anything, rather than a different suspension, you might find that a locking rear diff would be of more value to you, and perhaps some slightly more aggressive tires (depending on what you currently have), but those aren't absolutes. unless your existing suspension is junk, and needs to be replaced anyway to make for a better ride.

If you decide on a lift, OME is a great way to go.
Moderate lift and better than new ride and handling.
Then some 32's, and maybe a locker, and you'll be able to go anywhere you need to.

But we forewarned - once you start, and see how much better your 4Runner looks, and performs off road - you won't be able to stop the modifications!

It's a disease! RUN away while you still can.

:painkiller:

This. Locking an axle is one of the best bang for your buck things you can do for better off road performance. Maybe some bumpers/skid plates and a winch.

Seems like ome is the way to go. I agree stock is already bad ass, but I want more. I was thinking, in this order:

1.OME
2.Front bumper(Those addicted ones look nice)
3.rear bumper(trail gear)
4.locker(maybe)
5. Then maybe my tires will be bald enough to get some bfg at

Now I'm just daydreaming :)

I'd do sliders and skids first, if you're looking to armor up. Then I'd do the rear bumper before the front - departure angle on these trucks sucks, but the approach is pretty good.

Watch Craigslist for tires. Good tire deals pop up from time to time. Great way to get a set of 31s for cheap.

If better off road is your goal, I would do the locker first, then as Kid Suggested rear bumper and sliders.

throw some good 32's on, trim the fenders where necessary, and use it as is.

Locker first...then you'll figure out where ya need the armor..:playball:

Definitely - locker first! After you install a locker you'll be amazed on the added ability to get in and out of places that were impassable.

:boink: