3rd gen 1998 Upgrades

[Clemintine]

Hey all,
I have a couple questions for you awesome people.
Recently, I purchased (rather, upgraded) from my 91 to a 98 SR5 4x4. Love it. It's awesome. Already in really good shape. (female owned, don't think it ever saw gravel). Took it out in the high desert last weekend and she performed excellent.
So, I just sold my 91 and am going to use a little bit of the cash to upgrade my current truck, Sofia.
Currently running aftermarket 16" rims with BF Goodrich AT 235/70/16. Yes, they're tiny, but I exchanged from my 91 and put my orig from 98 265/75/16.

So my question, I want to get suspension all around, but I don't have a ton of cash. I have about $1000 for them, and then I'll buy 285/75/16. Been reading a lot about tire size. I believe I'll be able to mount these with a 2" suspension lift, and no body lift. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Other question is: Cold air intake. Anyone have any advice?
I live in SoCal, where it's super hot in the high desert, and am thinking that with the slight boost of hp and a more direct airflow, this will be better for the engine.

Bottom line is, I don't know much about suspension, or the choices. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jgue467]

Welcome to the club!

Others will chime in with more expertise but I think some rub will still occur at mid-turn especially to the left. May need to hammer some metal down.

4Runners already come with a CAI from the factory. No after market stuff will help the meek 5vz, it is what it is, reliable with medium power and that's about it.

Spend some money on the common failure points, radiator which can lead to pink milkshake if the tranny cooler leaks inside it. The other achilles are the LJBs, when those fail and they do, it is catastrophic, drops to the ground immediately. Luck and enjoy.

 

[Clemintine]

Welcome to the club!

Others will chime in with more expertise but I think some rub will still occur at mid-turn especially to the left. May need to hammer some metal down.

4Runners already come with a CAI from the factory. No after market stuff will help the meek 5vz, it is what it is, reliable with medium power and that's about it.

Spend some money on the common failure points, radiator which can lead to pink milkshake if the tranny cooler leaks inside it. The other achilles are the LJBs, when those fail and they do, it is catastrophic, drops to the ground immediately. Luck and enjoy.

Thanks! Because of this forum, that was the first thing I checked. LBJ are brand new, and isn't the 'pink milkshake' syndrome caused with auto trans? Mine is a 5 speed. However, the radiator is also new, so the next step for me is suspension, wheels, armor and then lighting. Trying to make a decent overlander...in time, and within a budget.

 

[levee-11]

Hello, I too have a 98, and a long list of what I want to do to it. I'm going to pass along the research I have collected in my research, although I'm sure I'm gonna forget some things and get them wrong, the general idea will be there.



For suspension/tires:

The popular choice is the Bilstein 5100's. This is a 3" suspension lift, and while it is a little bit on the stiffer side, they are a good setup. You can purchase them with the front coil-overs already assembled, or you can purchase them without. I don't know much about what springs people use on the front, as I am planning to just use what they come assembled with. As for the rear springs, a popular choice are the '99 tall coils, or some people will use springs from a LandCruiser (not sure of the year, I believe similar year models). These LandCruiser springs are about 3 inches of lift, maybe a little more. As I said I'm no expert, just trying to provide a little help with what I know. ToyTec also makes the Boss lift kit which is another popular lift kit. I don't know much about this lift and what spring combos people use, but I belive they may be a little more expensive, $1000 plus, and they might ride a little less stiff than the 5100s but don't take my word on that, I have not done a ton of research for the ToyTecs, but I've heard great things about them. There is a thread (I believe it is a sticky) where there's a very good outline for the suspension stuff for our runners, along with other peoples setups and their opinion on them.

As for tires...
I belive 285/70/16, or just about anything in the 285 range with 16 inch wheels is gonna rub with either the 5100s at three inches and the ToyTecs at three inches. I have yet to meet a person with tires this big or bigger that have not had rubbing, but with some trimming and modifying, you can make them fit pretty well. 275/80/16 may be a good alternative, still tall tires, but not as wide, and from what I know generally with the 5100s and the ToyTecs you can fit the 275s without rubbing (at least 275/70-75/16 not 100% about the 275/80/16 these are a little taller).


Armor

There's a lot of companies that make front/rear bumpers and roll cages, and sliders etc. Google "Third Gen 4Runner aftermarket bumper" and check the google images and see what you like, then check out what people on the forum say about that company. Personally I am going to be getting the 4xInnovations front/rear bumpers because they are direct bolt on, and I don't want to cut my frame because personally I like things to be reversible. I am also going to go with them for my rock sliders (they weld to the frame, but I'll let it slide... ha literally)



Air Filters

4Runners already come with a cold air intake, just get a K&N air filter, they are the best filters, and unless you want to seriously mod your air intake (or drill holes in the box like some do), a K&N air filter will be nice. If you want every little boost you can get from the engine, I would recommend disconnecting your battery for about 30 minutes and then use about a whole tank of gas, and that will re-program your ECU to how you drive and will adapt it a little better. Some people argue wither or not it works. I did it when I bought my runner about 9 months ago, and I noticed a difference.



Lights

I'm no expert on what lights to get. I have some rock lights on my runner that I wired up, some Hella 550s on the front, and some rear LED Cubes that I got on amazon. They work fine and keep out water (unless you pressure wash them directly oops...) and the rock lights have had no issues. You won't always go wrong with cheap LEDs from amazon, it's just the people who criticize you for using them that you have to watch out for. I'm planning on putting 2x6 LED bars on my front bumper when I get a new one, and adding some Ditch Lights


Hope this helped a little. If anyone finds flaws in this feel free to correct me, I don't want to be misleading, this is just the knowledge I've gathered that could be helpful to you since we're both relatively new third gen owners.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Hey all,
I have a couple questions for you awesome people.

Other question is: Cold air intake. Anyone have any advice?
I live in SoCal, where it's super hot in the high desert, and am thinking that with the slight boost of hp and a more direct airflow, this will be better for the engine.

Thanks in advance.

I highly recommend removing the stock air intake elbow or doing the deckplate mod (the results are basically the same). The intake elbow is held in by two 10mm bolts on the passenger's fender. Wiggle it out (there's a tab opposite the bolts) and ta-da, you just gained power.

Gains peak +10HP, +16TQ at 3000 RPM. That's for a stock 4Runner too! Props to Speedy for dyno'ing his:

If you want to chase more power you can check out my build for ideas. Other simple things you can do is an Airaid intake tube, high-flow dry filter from aFe (don't go oiled if you plan to off-road), and doing simple things like cleaning the Mass Air Flow sensor and replacing the front Oxygen sensor.

 

[Clemintine]

Hello, I too have a 98, and a long list of what I want to do to it. I'm going to pass along the research I have collected in my research, although I'm sure I'm gonna forget some things and get them wrong, the general idea will be there.



For suspension/tires:

The popular choice is the Bilstein 5100's. This is a 3" suspension lift, and while it is a little bit on the stiffer side, they are a good setup. You can purchase them with the front coil-overs already assembled, or you can purchase them without. I don't know much about what springs people use on the front, as I am planning to just use what they come assembled with. As for the rear springs, a popular choice is that '99 tall coils, or some people will use springs from a LandCruiser (not sure of the year, I believe similar year models). These LandCruiser springs are about 3 inches of lift, maybe a little more. As I said I'm no expert, just trying to provide a little help with what I know. ToyTec also makes the Boss lift kit which is another popular lift kit. I don't know much about this lift and what spring combos people use, but I belive they may be a little more expensive, $1000 plus, and they might ride a little less stiff than the 5100s but don't take my word on that, I have not done a ton of research for the ToyTecs, but I've heard great things about them. There is a thread (I believe it is a sticky) where there's a very good outline for the suspension stuff for our runners, along with other peoples setups and their opinion on them.

As for tires...
I belive 285/70/16, or just about anything in the 285 range with 16 inch tires is gonna rub with either the 5100s at three inches and the ToyTecs at three inches. I have yet to meet a person with tires this big or bigger that have not had rubbing, but with some trimming and modifying, you can make them fit pretty well. 275/80/16 may be a good alternative, still tall tires, but not as wide, and from what I know generally with the 5100s and the ToyTecs you can fit the 275s without rubbing (at least 275/70-75/16 not 100% about the 275/80/16 these are a little taller).


Armor

There's a lot of companies that make front/rear bumpers and roll cages, and sliders etc. Google "Third Gen 4Runner aftermarket bumper" and check the google images and see what you like, then check out what people on the forum say about that company. Personally I am going to be getting the 4xInnovations front/rear bumpers because they are direct bolt on, and I don't want to cut my frame because personally I like things to be reversible. I am also going to go with them for my rock sliders (they weld to the frame, but I'll let it slide)



Air Filters

4Runners already come with a cold air intake, just get a K&N air filter, they ake the best filters, and unless you want to seriously mod your air intake (or drill holes in the box like some do), and K&N air filter will be nice. If you want every little boost you can get from the engine, I would recommend disconnecting your battery for about 30 minutes and then use about a whole tank of gas, and that will re-program your ECU to how you drive and will adapt it a little better. Some people argue wither or not it works. I did it when I bought my runner about 9 months ago, and I noticed a difference.



Lights

I'm no expert on what lights to get. I have some rock lights on my runner that I wired up, some Hella 550s on the front, and some rear LED Cubes that I got on amazon. They work fine and keep out water (unless you pressure wash them directly oops...) and the rock lights have had no issues. You won't always go wrong with cheap LEDs from amazon, it's just the people who criticize you for using them that you have to watch out for. I'm planning on putting 2x6 LED bars on my front bumper when I get a new one, and adding some Ditch Lights


Hope this helped a little. If anyone finds flaws in this feel free to correct me, I don't want to be misleading, this is just the knowledge I've gathered that could be helpful to you since we're both relatively new third gen owners.

This is gold. Thanks tons!!

 

[Mayniac]

Hello, I too have a 98, and a long list of what I want to do to it. I'm going to pass along the research I have collected in my research, although I'm sure I'm gonna forget some things and get them wrong, the general idea will be there.



For suspension/tires:

The popular choice is the Bilstein 5100's. This is a 3" suspension lift, and while it is a little bit on the stiffer side, they are a good setup. You can purchase them with the front coil-overs already assembled, or you can purchase them without. I don't know much about what springs people use on the front, as I am planning to just use what they come assembled with. As for the rear springs, a popular choice is that '99 tall coils, or some people will use springs from a LandCruiser (not sure of the year, I believe similar year models). These LandCruiser springs are about 3 inches of lift, maybe a little more. As I said I'm no expert, just trying to provide a little help with what I know. ToyTec also makes the Boss lift kit which is another popular lift kit. I don't know much about this lift and what spring combos people use, but I belive they may be a little more expensive, $1000 plus, and they might ride a little less stiff than the 5100s but don't take my word on that, I have not done a ton of research for the ToyTecs, but I've heard great things about them. There is a thread (I believe it is a sticky) where there's a very good outline for the suspension stuff for our runners, along with other peoples setups and their opinion on them.

As for tires...
I belive 285/70/16, or just about anything in the 285 range with 16 inch tires is gonna rub with either the 5100s at three inches and the ToyTecs at three inches. I have yet to meet a person with tires this big or bigger that have not had rubbing, but with some trimming and modifying, you can make them fit pretty well. 275/80/16 may be a good alternative, still tall tires, but not as wide, and from what I know generally with the 5100s and the ToyTecs you can fit the 275s without rubbing (at least 275/70-75/16 not 100% about the 275/80/16 these are a little taller).


Armor

There's a lot of companies that make front/rear bumpers and roll cages, and sliders etc. Google "Third Gen 4Runner aftermarket bumper" and check the google images and see what you like, then check out what people on the forum say about that company. Personally I am going to be getting the 4xInnovations front/rear bumpers because they are direct bolt on, and I don't want to cut my frame because personally I like things to be reversible. I am also going to go with them for my rock sliders (they weld to the frame, but I'll let it slide)



Air Filters

4Runners already come with a cold air intake, just get a K&N air filter, they ake the best filters, and unless you want to seriously mod your air intake (or drill holes in the box like some do), and K&N air filter will be nice. If you want every little boost you can get from the engine, I would recommend disconnecting your battery for about 30 minutes and then use about a whole tank of gas, and that will re-program your ECU to how you drive and will adapt it a little better. Some people argue wither or not it works. I did it when I bought my runner about 9 months ago, and I noticed a difference.



Lights

I'm no expert on what lights to get. I have some rock lights on my runner that I wired up, some Hella 550s on the front, and some rear LED Cubes that I got on amazon. They work fine and keep out water (unless you pressure wash them directly oops...) and the rock lights have had no issues. You won't always go wrong with cheap LEDs from amazon, it's just the people who criticize you for using them that you have to watch out for. I'm planning on putting 2x6 LED bars on my front bumper when I get a new one, and adding some Ditch Lights


Hope this helped a little. If anyone finds flaws in this feel free to correct me, I don't want to be misleading, this is just the knowledge I've gathered that could be helpful to you since we're both relatively new third gen owners.

Super helpful!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sportscarfan]

So my question, I want to get suspension all around, but I don't have a ton of cash. I have about $1000 for them, and then I'll buy 285/75/16. Been reading a lot about tire size. I believe I'll be able to mount these with a 2" suspension lift, and no body lift. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I believe I went the cheapest route getting 285's to fit. 1" body lift and 99 springs. Springs were $60 (9 years ago). I cut my own lift pucks on the lathe and bought the longer hardware from McMaster-Carr. You will have to bash the pinch weld and possibly do some plastic reshaping with a heat gun if you have skinny flares and mudflaps.

 

[Clemintine]

my beast...

Here's what I'm working with. Great truck as a base.

 

[jgue467]

Very nice beast! Does Cali generally allow front window tinting? How about an eyebrow? nbd, just curious.

Hey seen this: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated!

 

[Clemintine]

Very nice beast! Does Cali generally allow front window tinting? How about an eyebrow? nbd, just curious.

Hey seen this: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated!

Thanks...it'll be a work in progress for a bit. This Covid BS has slowed the funds.
I haven't seen this link. Thanks I'll check this out.

 

[Clemintine]

Very nice beast! Does Cali generally allow front window tinting? How about an eyebrow? nbd, just curious.

Hey seen this: Absalom's Cookie Cutter 4runner Builds - New and Updated!

I’ve seen a ton of people with front tinting, but I do t think it’s legal. I got a warning in a different car for driver side tinting.

 

[Clemintine]

Thanks again for this insight Mayniac. Much appreciated. I was looking at the Bilstein as well as the Toytec suspension. I’m going to look further at your recommendations. I wish I was more mechanically skilled, especially for the big stuff (under carriage).