How do you keep the converter locked on the 4Runner?
2015 TE Modification option advice
- Thread starter dieck
- Start date
How do you keep the converter locked on the 4Runner?
Honu*
New member
few thoughts some coming from a FJC owner and just got a trail with KDSS
our previous trailer was very close to yours in many ways in weight size shape etc.
FJ had OME heavy/heavy shocks meaning the old heavy/heavy for just the rear so #800 I think they were heavy in front (dual batteris winch bumper etc... ) with the fridge in the back and water and other things tongue weight etc. they were perfect freaking awesome
downside was when not loaded they were a bit stiff I might go for the regular heavy at #400 I think ?
tires were 285 so the extra pounds
as far as MPG I always got about 12 without trailer and less with
all the armor mods over the time seemed to take almost 2mpg each time
tires and lift seemed to hit me for 2-3mpg
we would 4x4 into a place with our trailer often seems over %90 of getting to the trails is road
as far as towing heading up north for us in AZ we hit some good mtns and yeah its slower but we plan on that
our trailer is gone and we have been ultra lighting our gear so helinox chairs etc..... cutting as much as we can to save wear and tear
for sure how many expo type rigs so heavy loaded do have issues with breaking
so my plans thoughts on the 4runner
I WANT everything but reality is I dont want everything also
learning my lesson driving a heavy armored super off road machine last 8 years
lift: I want stiffer custom springs with 1" lift and use adjustable up front to balance I could go for 2" and be OK but less angle on the rear my FJ started throwing grease as boots broke down at 70K most likely do to a 3 inch lift ? not a big deal we all know lifts cause a bit more wear so not a big deal
could air bags help you out while towing ? might be a option
tires: I want pizza cutters but dont want a hit on mileage and look how many true expedition rigs use tires around these size IMHO not going to make a huge difference with a trailer in tow and even off its the driver not the lift that gets you through sections I have seen some amazing stuff on near stock rigs with folks that know how to drive them so stock size C load for me
I had the duratrac on my FJ awesome tire going to try the cooper AT/3 this time for fun I think but loved the duratrac !
roof rack might go with eezi awn if I go with full rack I had a gobi awesome build but weight !
front bumper ? I dont want to hit a deer and loose my lights and stuff on trails so most likely will get a bumper but would love a lighter one under #100
winch wise #8000 or #9500 again
armor wise ? hmmmm stock TE gas tank is good enough for the rare chance I think the rest of it ? not sure yet again weight and mileage might stick to stock or go with the lighter version of buds or something like that ? or aluminum ?
rock rails yes for sure wider ones I can use as steps and keep shopping carts at bay but I loved my old kick out AP versions on my FJ so kinda want that style again
why I went with the KDSS our daily driver and happy with it corners very flat for most our commute and hoping when loaded on corners will be a bit better load up a off road rig roof rack etc. take a hwy mtn corner and the lean is WHEEEEEE for me the wife not so much ahhahahahha
I do drive on the road a lot to and from camping and daily so on road characteristics are huge for me
also I know what we do now and its not rock crawling its more off road camping and taking easiest line so stock size wheels and proper suspension will get me there
may not look as cool or function quite as good but at 52 been 4x4 all my life I can drive off road pretty darn well and as they say its not the pans that make the chef !
sorry long and bad grammar but hope it gets your brain stirring more
our previous trailer was very close to yours in many ways in weight size shape etc.
FJ had OME heavy/heavy shocks meaning the old heavy/heavy for just the rear so #800 I think they were heavy in front (dual batteris winch bumper etc... ) with the fridge in the back and water and other things tongue weight etc. they were perfect freaking awesome
downside was when not loaded they were a bit stiff I might go for the regular heavy at #400 I think ?
tires were 285 so the extra pounds
as far as MPG I always got about 12 without trailer and less with
all the armor mods over the time seemed to take almost 2mpg each time
tires and lift seemed to hit me for 2-3mpg
we would 4x4 into a place with our trailer often seems over %90 of getting to the trails is road
as far as towing heading up north for us in AZ we hit some good mtns and yeah its slower but we plan on that
our trailer is gone and we have been ultra lighting our gear
so helinox chairs etc..... cutting as much as we can to save wear and tear for sure how many expo type rigs so heavy loaded do have issues with breaking
so my plans thoughts on the 4runner
I WANT everything but reality is I dont want everything also
learning my lesson driving a heavy armored super off road machine last 8 years
lift: I want stiffer custom springs with 1" lift and use adjustable up front to balance I could go for 2" and be OK but less angle on the rear my FJ started throwing grease as boots broke down at 70K most likely do to a 3 inch lift ? not a big deal we all know lifts cause a bit more wear so not a big deal
could air bags help you out while towing ? might be a option
tires: I want pizza cutters but dont want a hit on mileage and look how many true expedition rigs use tires around these size IMHO not going to make a huge difference with a trailer in tow and even off its the driver not the lift that gets you through sections I have seen some amazing stuff on near stock rigs with folks that know how to drive them
so stock size C load for me I had the duratrac on my FJ awesome tire going to try the cooper AT/3 this time for fun I think but loved the duratrac !
roof rack might go with eezi awn if I go with full rack I had a gobi awesome build but weight !
front bumper ? I dont want to hit a deer and loose my lights and stuff on trails so most likely will get a bumper but would love a lighter one under #100
winch wise #8000 or #9500 again
armor wise ? hmmmm stock TE gas tank is good enough for the rare chance I think the rest of it ? not sure yet again weight and mileage might stick to stock or go with the lighter version of buds or something like that ? or aluminum ?
rock rails yes for sure wider ones I can use as steps and keep shopping carts at bay
but I loved my old kick out AP versions on my FJ so kinda want that style again why I went with the KDSS our daily driver and happy with it corners very flat for most our commute and hoping when loaded on corners will be a bit better
load up a off road rig roof rack etc. take a hwy mtn corner and the lean is WHEEEEEE for me the wife not so much ahhahahahha I do drive on the road a lot to and from camping and daily so on road characteristics are huge for me
also I know what we do now and its not rock crawling its more off road camping and taking easiest line so stock size wheels and proper suspension will get me there
may not look as cool or function quite as good but at 52 been 4x4 all my life I can drive off road pretty darn well and as they say its not the pans that make the chef !
sorry long and bad grammar
but hope it gets your brain stirring more
Last edited:
Great post! Lots to think about. I'm definitely leaning towards going minimalist with this build. Main thing for us is two adults, two kids, three big dogs, and remote climbing trips ends up being a fair amount of stuff even when conservative on gear. I agree it's very capable and reliable in stock form. And I don't want to break down on our Mexico trips. More than fuel economy, range is important to me
Just trying to decide if minimal is stock sized duratracs or an ome 2-3 inch lift with pizza cutters.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Just trying to decide if minimal is stock sized duratracs or an ome 2-3 inch lift with pizza cutters.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
few thoughts some coming from a FJC owner and just got a trail with KDSS
our previous trailer was very close to yours in many ways in weight size shape etc.
FJ had OME heavy/heavy shocks meaning the old heavy/heavy for just the rear so #800 I think they were heavy in front (dual batteris winch bumper etc... ) with the fridge in the back and water and other things tongue weight etc. they were perfect freaking awesome
downside was when not loaded they were a bit stiff I might go for the regular heavy at #400 I think ?
tires were 285 so the extra pounds
as far as MPG I always got about 12 without trailer and less with
all the armor mods over the time seemed to take almost 2mpg each time
tires and lift seemed to hit me for 2-3mpg
we would 4x4 into a place with our trailer often seems over %90 of getting to the trails is road
as far as towing heading up north for us in AZ we hit some good mtns and yeah its slower but we plan on that
our trailer is gone and we have been ultra lighting our gear
for sure how many expo type rigs so heavy loaded do have issues with breaking
so my plans thoughts on the 4runner
I WANT everything but reality is I dont want everything also
learning my lesson driving a heavy armored super off road machine last 8 years
lift: I want stiffer custom springs with 1" lift and use adjustable up front to balance I could go for 2" and be OK but less angle on the rear my FJ started throwing grease as boots broke down at 70K most likely do to a 3 inch lift ? not a big deal we all know lifts cause a bit more wear so not a big deal
could air bags help you out while towing ? might be a option
tires: I want pizza cutters but dont want a hit on mileage and look how many true expedition rigs use tires around these size IMHO not going to make a huge difference with a trailer in tow and even off its the driver not the lift that gets you through sections I have seen some amazing stuff on near stock rigs with folks that know how to drive them
I had the duratrac on my FJ awesome tire going to try the cooper AT/3 this time for fun I think but loved the duratrac !
roof rack might go with eezi awn if I go with full rack I had a gobi awesome build but weight !
front bumper ? I dont want to hit a deer and loose my lights and stuff on trails so most likely will get a bumper but would love a lighter one under #100
winch wise #8000 or #9500 again
armor wise ? hmmmm stock TE gas tank is good enough for the rare chance I think the rest of it ? not sure yet again weight and mileage might stick to stock or go with the lighter version of buds or something like that ? or aluminum ?
rock rails yes for sure wider ones I can use as steps and keep shopping carts at bay
why I went with the KDSS our daily driver and happy with it corners very flat for most our commute and hoping when loaded on corners will be a bit better
I do drive on the road a lot to and from camping and daily so on road characteristics are huge for me
also I know what we do now and its not rock crawling its more off road camping and taking easiest line so stock size wheels and proper suspension will get me there
may not look as cool or function quite as good but at 52 been 4x4 all my life I can drive off road pretty darn well and as they say its not the pans that make the chef !
sorry long and bad grammar
Honu*
New member
I hear ya also the spring rate extra on OME I could be off on but the heavy seem to be the way to go over heavy/heavy if ya go that route
not sure if you are on expo ?
Expedition Portal but great site for camping/expedition etc...
will be curious what ya do for me I am curious if I go only pizza cutter C rating and with OME if I can be OK loosing 2 or so MPG ?
I know loaded up with everything many are getting close to 16-17MPG without a trailer ? still not to bad of MPG
but I am with ya OH MAN what do I do hahhahahaha
also the spring rate extra on OME I could be off on but the heavy seem to be the way to go over heavy/heavy if ya go that route not sure if you are on expo ?
Expedition Portal but great site for camping/expedition etc...
will be curious what ya do
for me I am curious if I go only pizza cutter C rating and with OME if I can be OK loosing 2 or so MPG ? I know loaded up with everything many are getting close to 16-17MPG without a trailer ? still not to bad of MPG
but I am with ya OH MAN what do I do
hahhahahaha
wfo9
New member
Stay out of 5th gear (OD) and keep the RPMs up. Manual shift mode...
wfo9
New member
If you leaning towards minimalist, don't skip the KDSS. The Toyota dealers in the Austin area are notorious rip off artists anyway, so do a proper nationwide search and find what you want. You will save thousands.....Great post! Lots to think about. I'm definitely leaning towards going minimalist with this build. Main thing for us is two adults, two kids, three big dogs, and remote climbing trips ends up being a fair amount of stuff even when conservative on gear. I agree it's very capable and reliable in stock form. And I don't want to break down on our Mexico trips. More than fuel economy, range is important to me
Just trying to decide if minimal is stock sized duratracs or an ome 2-3 inch lift with pizza cutters.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Take a look at posts by Justin
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/185581-j-hoss-zeus-build-thread.html
He lives here and has purchased two trails in other states... He can fill you in if you PM him...
I normally buy my toyotas in NM but always give the local dealers first shot at my business. RR Toyota played the usual games this time but Charles Maud toyota internet sales guys was really strait up and sourced one for me that has literally no Port Installed Options or dealer installed options which is what I want. 34,750 +TTL is a fair price to me. Should pick it up next week if everything stays on schedule.
Decided to pass on KDSS. Seems like a cool feature but unnecessary complexity. I did get the enttune radio upgrade which is all I wanted.
The base model TE really has almost everything I want from toyota.
Decided to pass on KDSS. Seems like a cool feature but unnecessary complexity. I did get the enttune radio upgrade which is all I wanted.
The base model TE really has almost everything I want from toyota.
Honu*
New member
I will post up how they work out just ordered the air lift kit
http://www.amazon.com/LIFT-60809-Series-Air-Spring/dp/B001CW6IBU
figured sub $100 worth trying out going to do a test load out of our camp gear to keep the sag down
http://www.amazon.com/LIFT-60809-Series-Air-Spring/dp/B001CW6IBU
figured sub $100 worth trying out going to do a test load out of our camp gear to keep the sag down
Speedy Gomez
Banned
Sweet Trail! Love it better than the so called TRD Pro!
