06 Sport 4x4 Questions Before Road Trip

[OK4Runner06]

Hi all, just some quick background info about my 4Runner. It was previously my mom's, she bought it new in 2006 and drove it until it had about 75k miles on it about 2 years ago. She was going to trade it in and I decided to buy it from her instead. I now have 122,500 miles on it.

Currently the main thing I need is some new tires. Of course in looking into tires on this site it starts making me want to consider getting some sort of lift. I have mostly had Jeep Wranglers over the years so this is a much different beast in terms of work I can do to it. The Wranglers I had were so basic and simple I installed most anything I wanted on them with no problems. I'm a little more nervous to do that with this 4Runner. Is it likely that there would be any problem with the current suspension if I just add the Daystar 2.5/1.5 set up rather than also getting the FJ coils it seems many of you go with? With the mileage that is on the vehicle I wasn't sure if the FJ coils would be needed sooner than later or not? This vehicle has mostly highway miles, not much off road whatsoever previously.

My next question is a tire question I know has probably been asked many times, but I cannot find any specific answers to this yet. Does anyone have the 265/65R17 BFG All Terrains on their stock 4Runner, and does anyone have the same tires on a lifted 4Runner? I've been debating whether to go with those or the 265/70R17's because if I don't do the Daystar leveling kit I don't want to have the tires rubbing badly.

Lastly, is there any maintenance items I should be focusing on around this mileage and age of the vehicle based on any of you experience? The reason for all of this is that my wife and I are taking a trip up to our cabin in Chama, New Mexico (northern New Mexico for those not familiar) around January 4th and will likely drive up to Pagosa Springs, Durango, and maybe Telluride while there. I have to get the tires for sure before the trip, but considered the issue about getting the leveling kit or not, larger tires or not, and any other maintenance I may as well get out of the way before we leave.

Any input or info is much appreciated! Sorry for the long "question"! :thumb3:

 

[JustSomeName]

first off, welcome to the forum!

read up on all your options as well as what size tires fits with what lift here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

as for deciding between fj coils & a spacer lift, the shocks on any car are going to blow eventually, they dont last forever. i've seen people post their shocks going anywhere from 120k-180k, depending on how hard they're driven, and it doesnt seem like yours was driven too harsh, if at all. but since you're already the 120k range and deciding between spacer or suspension lift, id personally just go for the FJ lift, you'll eventually have to replace the shocks soon anyways and if you're considering a lift, the fj coils will ride a bit more like OEM compared to the harsher, stiffer ride you'll get from a spacer lift. the price isn't that much of a difference since im sure you'll be getting the fj coils used anyways

and lastly, if you can install stuff on a jeep no problem, i don't see why you shouldnt be able to do so on a 4runner. suspension installs are pretty straight forward as long as you have the correct tools to work with

 

[oljedi11950]

Agree 100% with justsomename fjs & shocks especially driving where you're going lotta roads up & down there , lastly winter time up there all your fluids , diff, oil, anti freeze , tranny drain & fill , normal stuff I'm sure you're aware of ! Tires are kinda what YOU like most here like an AT for a DD , good all around tire .

 

[JB.]

Does anyone have the 265/65R17 BFG All Terrains on their stock 4Runner, and does anyone have the same tires on a lifted 4Runner? I've been debating whether to go with those or the 265/70R17's because if I don't do the Daystar leveling kit I don't want to have the tires rubbing badly.

FWIW, I ran the 265/70/17 on stock suspension for 60,000 miles with a ton of offroading. I could get a little rubbing near full steering wheel lock under some specific circumstances when they were new and had full tread depth but it was mild and rare and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.