2002 Operation Blackout

[LimitedBlack]

Drop those running boards and plastidip those rims! Haha it'll look a lot better, I took of my running boards within 30 minutes of the purchase haha instant lift!

Im gettin there ... ha ha! Wheels are up next after i finish the fender flares and get new tires ... bigger = better ... + I want to have my wheel weights moved before I paint em up ... I gotta do a trial run without the running boards, Im a short guy and I never realized how much I use them until I thought about taking them off. I agree that it looks better but I might have to go with at least some steps ...

 

[LimitedBlack]

Thoughts on these? I wanna take those running boards off but I am short and have a 4 year old ... without those running boards I would prob be ok but no way she could crawl up in there ... well she could but it would be a struggle ...

 

[JeepKiller]

Thoughts on these? I wanna take those running boards off but I am short and have a 4 year old ... without those running boards I would prob be ok but no way she could crawl up in there ... well she could but it would be a struggle ...

View attachment 141763

True haha, I had to repaint after the guy re-weighted mine. But those looks pretty sweet haha, or you could go with sliders . Btw have you gotten a lift yet? Or do you plan to?

 

[LimitedBlack]

True haha, I had to repaint after the guy re-weighted mine. But those looks pretty sweet haha, or you could go with sliders . Btw have you gotten a lift yet? Or do you plan to?

Yep ... Just going with the Highlander lift I don't need much just enough to clear some bigger rubbers LOL ... Any thoughts or recommendations? I like that you pretty much just bolt on OEM parts and roll with it ... Gonna need new shocks soon anyways. I figure I'm going for a tire up overhaul this summer (Tires/shocks/coils) at the same time ... $$$$$$$$$ :whipping2 It really NEEDS tires and shocks but the coils can prob wait but might as well while I'm under there ...

 

[Unner]

Im not 4wd but most everything through there is passable in 2WD if it hasn't come a monsoon ... Ive been through there several times. Some good places ...

Yeah most of the stuff around here isn't too bad either. Probably passable in 2WD, but I always run it in 4WD just incase. Last night was the first night I definitely needed it out here after all that rain we had the last two weeks or so. One spot was really bad with water actually moving across the trail. It was pretty deep and I was very happy to have 4WD. I ended up needing 4Lo later on too, but that wouldn't have happened had I stayed on the trail rather then venturing off on a smaller trail haha.

I've never been down there, but would like to sometime.

Thoughts on these? I wanna take those running boards off but I am short and have a 4 year old ... without those running boards I would prob be ok but no way she could crawl up in there ... well she could but it would be a struggle ...

View attachment 141763

Are they spring loaded, or do they always stay down?

No issues with keeping the running boards either. If you've got a small child I can completely understand wanting to keep them.

True haha, I had to repaint after the guy re-weighted mine. But those looks pretty sweet haha, or you could go with sliders . Btw have you gotten a lift yet? Or do you plan to?

I second the sliders idea! I'd like to get a set myself. I love the look.

 

[LimitedBlack]

I've never been down there, but would like to sometime.


Are they spring loaded, or do they always stay down?


I second the sliders idea! I'd like to get a set myself. I love the look.

Lets go .. Surely we can find some Bama people up on here to get out. I will follow you 4wd ppl so u can pull my a$$ out ha ha ... jk ... Ive never gotten stuck around here but I (usually) try to play it smart.

I think if I had different tires and about an inch more room (coming soon) I could get in and out of places just as well as some of my buddies with heavy 4wd trucks. This 2wd has actually really surprised me on multiple occations. If I suspect a lot of mud I will run chains but Ive only used them a few times.

The only real trouble I have run into is ground clearance on a few trips. I would love to have 2.5-3" but it is a daily driver and we take long trips in it. Gotta love the versatility of these things.

Those steps stay down and honestly, buying 4 of those would cost about as much (~150-200) as me and my buddy building some sliders so I will def consider that.

 

[JeepKiller]

Yep ... Just going with the Highlander lift I don't need much just enough to clear some bigger rubbers LOL ... Any thoughts or recommendations? I like that you pretty much just bolt on OEM parts and roll with it ... Gonna need new shocks soon anyways. I figure I'm going for a tire up overhaul this summer (Tires/shocks/coils) at the same time ... $$$$$$$$$ :whipping2 It really NEEDS tires and shocks but the coils can prob wait but might as well while I'm under there ...

The highlander gives you roughly an inch of lift (I'm pretty sure haha) so I think you could probably fit 31s or maybe 32s with some cutting.

 

[JeepKiller]

Yep ... Just going with the Highlander lift I don't need much just enough to clear some bigger rubbers LOL ... Any thoughts or recommendations? I like that you pretty much just bolt on OEM parts and roll with it ... Gonna need new shocks soon anyways. I figure I'm going for a tire up overhaul this summer (Tires/shocks/coils) at the same time ... $$$$$$$$$ :whipping2 It really NEEDS tires and shocks but the coils can prob wait but might as well while I'm under there ...

If you want the best mix of off and on road capability (and price) I'd go with the Nitto terra grapplers. If you want a strictly offroading tire then the KO2s are pretty popular, or the Nitto trail grapplers. And what do you plan on building the sliders out of? And will they be weld on or bolt on? Haha 150-200 doesn't sound bad at all haha.

 

[xfhfhfh]

I've painted many cars, and still don't understand how adhesion promoter works so well being so thick. Why can't they make some that goes on thin & even?

 

[LimitedBlack]

The highlander gives you roughly an inch of lift (I'm pretty sure haha) so I think you could probably fit 31s or maybe 32s with some cutting.

If you want the best mix of off and on road capability (and price) I'd go with the Nitto terra grapplers. If you want a strictly offroading tire then the KO2s are pretty popular, or the Nitto trail grapplers. And what do you plan on building the sliders out of? And will they be weld on or bolt on? Haha 150-200 doesn't sound bad at all haha.

I think those Nittos are about 30.5" I will def. look into those. I like the look a LOT.

The highlander gives you about 1" From what Ive read but really thats all i would need for what I want. I would get about an inch off the tires too so overall I would sit about 2" higher over what I'm running now.

Yea We would probably just fab something up bolt on out of some tubing we have laying around, I might have enough, but I will probably end up buying a piece or two ...

 

[JeepKiller]

I think those Nittos are about 30.5" I will def. look into those. I like the look a LOT.

The highlander gives you about 1" From what Ive read but really thats all i would need for what I want. I would get about an inch off the tires too so overall I would sit about 2" higher over what I'm running now.

Yea We would probably just fab something up bolt on out of some tubing we have laying around, I might have enough, but I will probably end up buying a piece or two ...

Well if you guys have any extra and wanna make another pair of sliders let me know haha

 

[LimitedBlack]

Well if you guys have any extra and wanna make another pair of sliders let me know haha

Ha ha! I feel like it would be easier to just buy them ... I am pretty sure it won't cost near that amount but its gonna cost a lot of "dammits" and "dohs" ...

 

[Unner]

Lets go .. Surely we can find some Bama people up on here to get out. I will follow you 4wd ppl so u can pull my a$$ out ha ha ... jk ... Ive never gotten stuck around here but I (usually) try to play it smart.

I think if I had different tires and about an inch more room (coming soon) I could get in and out of places just as well as some of my buddies with heavy 4wd trucks. This 2wd has actually really surprised me on multiple occations. If I suspect a lot of mud I will run chains but Ive only used them a few times.

The only real trouble I have run into is ground clearance on a few trips. I would love to have 2.5-3" but it is a daily driver and we take long trips in it. Gotta love the versatility of these things.

Those steps stay down and honestly, buying 4 of those would cost about as much (~150-200) as me and my buddy building some sliders so I will def consider that.

I'm definitely game to do something like that once it warms up a little outside. I know a lot of the trails up here are closed right now too due to hunting season. I've got a recovery strap always in the 4Runner so no worries there haha. I usually try and play it safe too and stay out of the mud because it's a total pain to clean, but sometimes I just have to go play in it... I haven't had any issue's with ground clearance yet, but I haven't done a whole lot of trails either, everything here is mostly flat and muddy it seems.

Even in 2WD mine does alot better then I ever thought it would have. I think the ATRAC really helps there.

They are amazingly versatile. I use mine as a work truck, off road vehicle, long distance vehicle, and my commuter usually. I love it!

The highlander gives you roughly an inch of lift (I'm pretty sure haha) so I think you could probably fit 31s or maybe 32s with some cutting.

Stock size 265/70/16 is a 31" tire, so you can already fit those. You can actually fit a 265/75/16 on stock suspension as well without and rubbing or cutting which is a 32" tire. I plan to get 265/75/16's eventually.

The last two years of the 3rd gen sat a little lower because Toyota wanted to lower the center of gravity due to possible rollover concerns so an 01-02 with the highlander springs will see anywhere from 1-2"'s of lift. At least this is what I've read from multiple places. I read about this until my eyes bled so I know this is what I want to do eventually as well. With a .5" from bigger tires, and 1-2"'s from the springs I think it is exactly what I would be looking for. Still completely reasonable as a daily driver, just with a more aggressive stance.

Well if you guys have any extra and wanna make another pair of sliders let me know haha

Me too! :lmao:

 

[JeepKiller]

I'm definitely game to do something like that once it warms up a little outside. I know a lot of the trails up here are closed right now too due to hunting season. I've got a recovery strap always in the 4Runner so no worries there haha. I usually try and play it safe too and stay out of the mud because it's a total pain to clean, but sometimes I just have to go play in it... I haven't had any issue's with ground clearance yet, but I haven't done a whole lot of trails either, everything here is mostly flat and muddy it seems.

Even in 2WD mine does alot better then I ever thought it would have. I think the ATRAC really helps there.

They are amazingly versatile. I use mine as a work truck, off road vehicle, long distance vehicle, and my commuter usually. I love it!



Stock size 265/70/16 is a 31" tire, so you can already fit those. You can actually fit a 265/75/16 on stock suspension as well without and rubbing or cutting which is a 32" tire. I plan to get 265/75/16's eventually.

The last two years of the 3rd gen sat a little lower because Toyota wanted to lower the center of gravity due to possible rollover concerns so an 01-02 with the highlander springs will see anywhere from 1-2"'s of lift. At least this is what I've read from multiple places. I read about this until my eyes bled so I know this is what I want to do eventually as well. With a .5" from bigger tires, and 1-2"'s from the springs I think it is exactly what I would be looking for. Still completely reasonable as a daily driver, just with a more aggressive stance.



Me too! :lmao:

Good to know haha, I'm the second owner and the previous owner must've put smaller tires on mine for some reason ? I'm sittin on 29s haha my mistake. And btw do you know if you could put a 33 inch tire on the stock wheels? The people I've talked to have said that not many companies make a tire that's skinny enough and 33 inches that would be safe to put on the stock wheels

 

[Unner]

Good to know haha, I'm the second owner and the previous owner must've put smaller tires on mine for some reason ? I'm sittin on 29s haha my mistake. And btw do you know if you could put a 33 inch tire on the stock wheels? The people I've talked to have said that not many companies make a tire that's skinny enough and 33 inches that would be safe to put on the stock wheels

That's strange. I don't know why you would put smaller tires on... You have 16" wheels right?

I' almost certain you can run a 33" tire on the stock rims. There are plenty of people on here that have. With 33" tires you will probably be rubbing though.

 

[LimitedBlack]

That's strange. I don't know why you would put smaller tires on... You have 16" wheels right?

I' almost certain you can run a 33" tire on the stock rims. There are plenty of people on here that have. With 33" tires you will probably be rubbing though.

Would spacers solve the problem? I want a wider stance with my lift anyways ... if so, with a 1.5-2" body lift, and 33'' tires, I would be riding about 3" higher (from the ground ... and with the 1.5" body lift to clear the tires that would be perfect ... Im on 30's now... that would be perfect even without the highlander coils ...

Am I understanding that correctly?

 

[Unner]

Would spacers solve the problem? I want a wider stance with my lift anyways ... if so, with a 1.5-2" body lift, and 33'' tires, I would be riding about 3" higher (from the ground ... and with the 1.5" body lift to clear the tires that would be perfect ... Im on 30's now... that would be perfect even without the highlander coils ...

Am I understanding that correctly?

I'm not sure if spacers would solve the rubbing. You'd have to look into that. I'm not sure exactly what is rubbing with 33" tires, if it is fender flares and body parts, or if the tire is rubbing on the control arms. If it is the latter then spacers may solve the issue.

I know with 33" tires some people say there is a decent notice in drop in power and MPG's without regearing so I'm not too interested in 33s for myself at this moment. I'll probably just stick to 32's.

I believe you are understanding that correctly. 1.5" body lift + 1.5" tire lift with 33" tires and that adds up to 3". Makes sense to me!

 

[ghcxhj]

You certainly aren't the only idiot. I'm here. This issue is redundant here, but you saved me time. Thanks!

 

[LimitedBlack]

Back in Business!

Im back! I hate I had to put everything on hold ... life catches up you know. I got around to blacking out the lower blinker lights and dropping the running boards today ... WHY did I wait so long?

I plan on installing the front lights and painting the undercarriage where the running boards left exposed as well as the fender wells to clean it up.

UPDATE on the bedliner: Its holding up GREAT! I got behind a semi truck a couple of weeks ago and a few rocks flew up and smacked my windshield and a couple of spots on the bumper. It did chip 2 spots but it was a cinch to touch up and you can't even tell. I LOVE the fact that it was so easy to fix ...

BEFORE:



AFTER:

 

[LimitedBlack]

DONE with the bedliner! ... On to the wheels

Fixed a NASTY gash in the rear wheel trim today and got the rest done to match ...

Garbage truck decided to run into me ... It is actually a lot deeper than it looks in the pic



Sanded the CRAP out of it and ...



Hit it with the bedliner:



MUCH better! there is still a hairline that you can see if you get up close. I wasn't able to remove all of the main scratch but its mostly repaired ... Really makes my flaky wheels look bad ... those are going black later this week (weather permitting) ...