4X4 Noobie Needs help with EXPEDITION 4RUNNER Project Plans

KokaneeRanger

KokaneeRanger

New member
experienced 4x4'ers PLEASE HELP!!

Hi, I am a Noob when it comes to building my own 4x4.
I have experience 4x4ing in Vancouver BC. I want to build an Insane 3rd gen 4runner that will allow me to explore very mountainous terrain for up to a week at a time.

I dont know anything about the customization of a 4x4 Ie what shocks/lift to use and any other mechanical parts like lockers and special gears.

It will be a 2000, 2001, or 2002. I have not bought the vehicle yet. But I will choose which one to buy after hearing opinions from more experienced folks like yourselves.
I will be getting all the customization work done through custom 4x4 shops. And Money is not "THAT MUCH" of an issue. Unless something is extremely ridiculously expensive..

What I want on the Rig:
-extra larger fuel tank for long expeditions
-GPS, CB Radio, Satellite Radio
-heavy duty rubber lining the entire ground

-5 forward facing roof fack mounted hella lights
-4 forward facing bumper mounted hella lights
-2 rear facing roof rack mounted hella lights
-2 hella lightson each side facing to the sides of the vehicle mounted on the roof rack
-rock lights illuminating the ground directly under the Rig (so i can see where my tires are at during night time rock crawling)

-Lift with maximum clearance for large rocks and boulders but not too high that would cause sacrificing center of gravity.
-all parts associated with lifting, ie struts stabilizers and anything else that will help me off road. (i have no idea wat all the other stuff is??????????)
-pushed out tires to the sides, giving the vehicle a low center of gravity (dnt know wat that is called)
-heavy duty front bumper with winch slots
-8 ton winches front and rear
-snorkel
-possibly a super charger
-full intake and muffler customized
-skid plates protecting everything under the Rig
-any other worth it performance mods????


Questions I need help in answering:

1. If I went with a diesel engine to allow me to go greater distances, how would that change the performance?
2. Which model would be best for me? 99, 00, 01, 02?
3. In order to pass boulders from 2ft to 3ft in height, What setup and what sized tires and what size lift is ideal?


Any opinion is appreciated. Thanks!!

EDIT*****

My purpose is to explore, camp, enjoy, and to photograph the back country of British Columbia. Mostly the Southwestern Portion. It is a very alpine area, with lots of steep climbs and winding river valleys with creeks and river crossings. It rains alot and there is snow most of the year in the higher elevations.
I will have to encounter and be prepared for:
-MUD
-SNOW
-GRAVEL ROCKS FROM PEBBLE SIZED TO 3 FOOT BOULDERS AND INCLUDING ROCK LEDGES
-A CONTINUOUS ASCENT UP A STEEP AND VERY ROCKY ROAD WITH SMALL STREAMS AND CONTINUOUS BOULDERS THE SIZE OF BASKETBALLS
-LOTS OF VERTICAL CLIMBING, up to a 45 degree on average sometimes more steep.
-RIVER AND STREAM CROSSINGS
-LONG AND SNAKY MAINTAINED GRAVEL ROADS
-UNMAINTAINED LOGGING ROADS

Seeing all the other 4x4'ers going up in the bush all have serious rock climbing modifications with roll cages, even tires above 40 inches. They mostly do it for the sport and challenge, While my rig will be more expo oriented, but will still require me to pass large boulders and rock ledges.... These guys will intentionally take the harder way up the mountain for the fun of it, as I would simply like to get to a very remote location, taking the easiest way up.
My expeditions will last on average a few days and possibly up to a week. I plan on traveling up to 250kms/155miles in 1 direction. MAXIMUM 350kms/220miles in 1 direction....

FOR PICTURES OF THE AREAS I WANT TO VISIT, PLEASE SEE MY POST ON PAGE 2 WITH PICTURES
 
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Well first off anything is possible with the right amount of money so your plans are reasonable. Secondly i would look for a 99-00 with a locker. This will get you most of the amenities that a 01-02 have but those model years only come with a center locking diff, not an electric locker. The locker trucks also come with 4.30 gears so you can run 33's w/o a problem.

OME coils and struts up front and out back will probably be your best bet. Its affordable, works great on a expo rig cause it can handle the added weight of bumpers, winches, roof racks, gear etc. and it rides good while doing it.

Depending on what year and miles the truck has you buy will depend on what your final cost will be but you can plan to spend an easy 20k on it if you buy everything new.
 
thanks for the reply, I cant wait to get started on this, I want to educate myself more about the mechanics and tuning of 4x4ing. I am a long haul truck driver and have lots of experience 4x4ing on average terrain.
 
You'll have to post pics as you put something together, this would be my dream runner by the sounds of it.

trailmix is right, money will make anything possible, just depends on how much of it you want to let go.

As for Limited/SR5, if I rememeber right I don't think there are any functional differences between the two, mostly based on comfort. So if you like leather/moonroof etc. I'd go Limited. It's possible for SR5's to have that too just not as common (if that's important to you).

Good luck and keep us updated. Welcome also btw (awesome screen name too!).
 
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thanks! yeah lol, kokanee is good. I will definitely create a detailed build thread with tons of pics when i make the move towards this project. I may have to wait till after summer this year. (2011)
 
Where are you located? If you live near anyone with experience on here I'm sure you could get some help installing any/most of the stuff you plan on doing and save a lot of money. Just because money isn't a big deal doesn't mean you shouldn't try to save some.

*totally skipped over the Vancouver BC part.. I'm guessing you live around there?
 
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Since your in the Great White North,
try to find a diesel 4Runner. Your milage will increase as will your range. Possibly negating the need for the extra / over sized fuel tank.

If you want to do some serious off roading, put a solid axle under the front, replacing the IFS set up. Much less likely to break when you are days away from a repair shop.
 
Sounds like a great project. Definitely keep us posted. I would try to get as hands on as possible because if you are planning on doing long expeditions, you will break things. That's pretty much a guarantee.
 
KokaneeRanger said:
1. Is it possible to install a newer aged V8 in the 3rd gen?
2. Which model would be best for me? 99, 00, 01, 02?
3. What would be better suited for my use: Limited or SR5 ?
4. In order to pass boulders from 2ft to 3ft in height, what sized tires and what size lift is ideal?


Any opinion is appreciated. Thanks!!
Click to expand...



1: You'd be better off installing a supercharger on the 3.4. You can install a newer V8, but it's going to cost you more than you pay for your 4runner initially.

2: Honestly, the year doesn't matter that much...because: with what it sounds like you want to do, you should be looking at 35's, and ARB lockers front and rear with 5.29 gears.

3: Personal preference. Both are equally capable when modded.

4: For your lift and tires, I would go with some coilovers in the front, and some LC coils in the rear. And 35" tires. Look at www.sonoransteel.com His 1.2 lift should be about perfect for an expo rig that still has to climb big rocks.
 
zombietruck.jpg~original

zombie2.jpg~original
 
Speaking from experience here as a person who has built a truck specifically for long distance unsupported vehicle dependent expeditions, I can tell you that there are some things on your list that are just bling and would be unnecessary for the expedition traveller.

A couple questions first...

First question: Where will these expeditions be?

If you bring a blinged out truck to most 3rd world countries, you will attract attention that you don't want, and will probably be robbed / extorted on multiple occassions.

Second question: How long will these expeditions be?

If you are going somewhere truly remote, you will need to put less junk on your truck in favor of more weight carrying capacity for supplies. My truck is very heavy with bolted on junk, so I made a trailer that can haul extra supplies (which also supports my glamping habit :) )


Ok. First off, that is lots of lights. With that setup, you will have serious light reflection off of the hood of the truck... an issue you will have to deal with.

Invest in recovery gear before you start tearing into the truck. People take stock trucks around the world all the time.

Increasing fuel capacity should be high on the list when building an expedition truck. The 4Runners are particularly poor in this category, but have ample room for an auxiliary tank or fuel can basket in the stock spare tire location.

You would be much better off with a Tirfor hand winch then a mounted rear winch. Tirfors can be used from the side as well, in case your best extraction line is perpendicular to the way the cehicle is pointed (which does happen sometimes, BTW). They can also serve as a backup in case your front winch goes out.

Snorkels are nice to have, but in my experience, most of the people who have them do not have properly installed snorkels. A test is to put a plastic bag over the intake head. If the truck keeps running, the snorkel is not functioninfg properly and your engine will be sucking water when it goes for a swim.

Stay relatively close to stock specifications. If you have a truck that has a highly modified drivetrain, it will be both more likely to break and more difficult to fix. Add the limited availability of parts in remote places, and your attempt to enhance your truck's capability will get you stranded. With 4Runners, choosing a tire size bigger then 33" is asking for trouble. In all honesty, I believe 265/75/R16 (32") to be the best balance of capable and reliable for the 3rd gen trucks.

As mentioned, with long term heavy use, stuff will break. Do not go on an expedition in a highly modified truck that you do not know how to work on. Period.

1. Is it possible to install a newer aged V8 in the 3rd gen? Yes, but better don't.
2. Which model would be best for me? 99, 00, 01, 02? I would recommend 99, but they are all comparable, and each has its quirks.
3. What would be better suited for my use: Limited or SR5 ? No real difference, but the limited models often have a factory rear locker.
4. In order to pass boulders from 2ft to 3ft in height, what sized tires and what size lift is ideal? An expedition with 2-3 ft, high boulders? Where are you trying to go? Its very difficult to have your cake and eat it too. See above.

I could talk to you more about this, but these type of questions will be better answered on a forum dedicated to expedition travel. Go check out ExPo.

A recent picture of my 4Runner. I would feel comfortable taking it down the Rubicon or around the world.

BigBend424F.jpg~original
 
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As I am intending to use mine for disaster response purposes, I have been brainstorming about many of the same things.

One thing to consider, are you going to have a regular...camp site so to speak. If so you may can take a trailer as mentioned before and just leave it during the day. No need hauling extra stuff around if it's not needed.

Have you considered buying one that has many of the things you are looking for? Might save you a ton of $$$ if that matters, I think I read Millerpka was selling his a couple of weeks ago, looks very capable.

Another consideration, especially if you do add all those lights, is power consumption. I haven't done the numbers, but my KC lights, just 2, will suck up at least 100 watts each. With around 1 Kilowatt, you would kill a battery fast, and a standard alternator can't keep up with that. A high output alternator would be necessary and probably a 2 battery setup.

MrLeary, I like that trailer, mind if I ask what kind it is?
 
I am from Vancouver BC, Yeah I do plan on doing whatever I can on my own, but for the harder things I plan on resorting to a shop for custom fabrication or anything else...
 
Very good point. Yeah at first i was thinking of letting shops do most of the work, but now after hearing opinions, my attitude has shifted to a much more hands on project, which is a good thing. it will just make me enjoy my own toy even more and give me that education i require to venture out there
 
Good points, yeah i was expecting to over haul the electrical system for the lights. Lights are a must where I will be going (North shore mountains in vancouver BC, very alpine rugged terrain)
and yeah a trailer is a good idea, i am pondering the possibility of adding that into the project. I would need it if I have 3 passengers with me, more ppl more gear...
 
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