Hey all, I have a 1997 4runner all stock and I have 5000 dollars saved up. I've been wanting to make my toyota awesome for some time. Problem is I don't know much about cars and offroad mods. I was thinking maybe getting a small lift so I'd have more clearance for bigger tires. What kind of tires / wheels would you suggest? What size tires and wheels and how big should the lift be? I'm not gonna be a hardcore rock crawler but I'd like to be able to do some decently difficult trails. Should I get cold air intake and some better exhaust? I guess what I'm asking is if you had 5000 dollars to put in to a stock 97 4runner what would you do? Thanks!
5000$ into my 1997 4runner. Suggestions?
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SCRunner12
New member
Where in California are you? That will help spend some of your money. Honestly if I had $5000 for my 4runner and it was stock, I'd spend it accordingly.
Supercharger - $1500
URD upgrades - $1000
Lift - ~$1000-1300
Tires/Wheels - ~$1200-1400
Whatever was left over went to a sliders and skids. This is the higher end of prices for those items as deals can be had. It all really depends on what you want. Do you like mud terrains or do you drive too much and need all terrains? 285/75/16 or 285/70/17 are very popular sizes and require a 3" lift. The Toytec Ultimate or Boss kits are nice and complete, but lifts can be had for less.
Don't get a cold air intake just yet. I'd do the deckplate and removing the elbow mod first and then see if you still wan the CAI. Also an exhaust will help, but mostly in the sound department.
Supercharger - $1500
URD upgrades - $1000
Lift - ~$1000-1300
Tires/Wheels - ~$1200-1400
Whatever was left over went to a sliders and skids. This is the higher end of prices for those items as deals can be had. It all really depends on what you want. Do you like mud terrains or do you drive too much and need all terrains? 285/75/16 or 285/70/17 are very popular sizes and require a 3" lift. The Toytec Ultimate or Boss kits are nice and complete, but lifts can be had for less.
Don't get a cold air intake just yet. I'd do the deckplate and removing the elbow mod first and then see if you still wan the CAI. Also an exhaust will help, but mostly in the sound department.
alaskaflyer
New member
Lift
Wheel/tire
front and rear bumpers
all these things you can do yourself if you have limited mechanical abilities, a supercharger may be a little difficult for your first mod! Keep it simple, start with things you know you can do build your confidence in wrench turning then go from there. It's an addiction we all have!
Wheel/tire
front and rear bumpers
all these things you can do yourself if you have limited mechanical abilities, a supercharger may be a little difficult for your first mod! Keep it simple, start with things you know you can do build your confidence in wrench turning then go from there. It's an addiction we all have!
Man, I hate to be Debbie Downer here, but I would not drop $5,000 into a '97 4Runner unless I was looking to make a serious trail rig.
Start slow - maybe a small lift, some meatier tires and some protection. Enjoy it within its limits and then work your way up depending on what you want to do.
Start slow - maybe a small lift, some meatier tires and some protection. Enjoy it within its limits and then work your way up depending on what you want to do.
zooroadbaja
New member
Figure out what you want to use your 4runner for then go from there.
Sounds like you're new to this. Since you say you want to hit some difficult trails, the following:
-Lift (shocks and coils)
-Bigger tires (maybe rims depending on what look you want)
-Armor (sliders and skids at least)
Even after all that, you'll prob still have a good $2,500 left over. You can burn that up with front and rear bumpers...or hold onto it and spend slowly overtime. You're bound to break stuff off roading...so beware.
Best option: GIVE ME THE $5,000!
-Lift (shocks and coils)
-Bigger tires (maybe rims depending on what look you want)
-Armor (sliders and skids at least)
Even after all that, you'll prob still have a good $2,500 left over. You can burn that up with front and rear bumpers...or hold onto it and spend slowly overtime. You're bound to break stuff off roading...so beware.
Best option: GIVE ME THE $5,000!
Atrox Caeda
New member
Inexpensive lift, tires, sliders, locker, M1A, gas money.
tx4r3g
New member
all that stuff is great guys its what I want to do to mine as well. who about some PM. timing belt water pump new radiato. upper and lower bj. control arm bushings. spare. cvs diff and trans fluids changed belts hoses. ck everything over that way when he is out on the trails he has a better chance of getting home. just my two cents worth. now if all that is good to go then spend it on all the cool stuff.
I have a '97 4Runner that I bought new, which is nearly stock: V6, 4wd, 5speed manual, E-locker, leather, moonroof, Dynomax Ultraflow muffler, and some LT265/75R16 tires.
It will work on some fairly difficult trails, just the way it is. The factory diff-lock makes a big difference.
It sounds like your 4Runner will probably handle the fourwheeling you would want to subject it to, just the way it is. Maybe just some slightly larger tires that will work with the stock suspension.
If I were in your shoes, I would do some preventative maintenance, and then just drive the 4Runner. It's capabilities in stock/nearly stock form might surprise you.
I would then invest what's left of the 5k, in something that will give you a return on your cash.
That's probably not what you envisioned, but you asked.
Thanks for all the helpful speedy reaponses guys. Its so cool to see such a big 4runner community.
Ok so with the lockers should I get both front and rear or just rear? And would an air compressor be for like airing up and down my tires?
I want kind of a do it all tire. This will be my daily driver as well. Theres just so many brands and treads i dont know where to start lol.
Also, has anyone ever heard of or done rubberized coating on their 4runners instead of a paint job? Any idea how much that costs?
Ok so with the lockers should I get both front and rear or just rear? And would an air compressor be for like airing up and down my tires?
I want kind of a do it all tire. This will be my daily driver as well. Theres just so many brands and treads i dont know where to start lol.
Also, has anyone ever heard of or done rubberized coating on their 4runners instead of a paint job? Any idea how much that costs?
zooroadbaja
New member
I would just get a lift, tires, and sliders, and take the runner out and see how it does. You'd be surprised what 4lo will get you through. The compressor is for the lockers. As far as tires I'll leave that open to you or maybe someone will chime in. I've always used BFG AT.
BrianSD_42
New member
Here's my 2 cents ....
Unless it is your dream ....DO NOT get a super charger .... total waste for the cash unless it came that way factory. I say this because A LOT (corrected) used TRD SC I have seen threads on BREAK down conveniently after the buyer paid the seller and parted ways, for sure within 6 months use. So $1500 for a SC, another $1000-$1500 for a rebuild that you didn't see coming ... totally not worth it. There is a better way, its called don't go bigger than 33s, even then may need to regear.
$200 - Buy a K&N CAI .... awesome for $200 cost. Don't listen to the haters, 99% of who have not actually owned a true K&N CAI. I love mine and it is actually California legal unlike the deckplate mod.
$250 - Pair the K&N CAI with a high flow exhaust like a Borla or Flowmaster. I highly highly suggest adding a Tundra (used) factory resonance silencer directly after the muffler. You will have to go hunting for one at a scrap yard.
$800 - Good tires at size 33" max. I like BFG AT or General Grabber.
$1200 - Sonoran Steel 1.2A lift kit. I cannot stress enough how great a kit this is for the "new guy" in the 4Runner community. It worked great for me and many other members, even many who build freaking awesome rigs (Dirtco) for example.
Also see: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101758-**rickashays-ome-vs-trd-tundra-lc-review**.html
$80 - LUND Bug Shield. Available on AMazon. Pics in my thread (and others)
$750 - ARB Bumper. Enough said. Expect to pay $750 - $850.
$200 - PIAA Fog Lights. Worth the money. I've had mine 5+ years. Great company.
$400 - Rocksliders or sliders .... use the search function.
$320 - BudBuilt or Savage offroad front skidplate. You don't need the whole kit unless you are really really hardcore and you can always add the rest years later.
$600 - some badass wheels like proComp or other. I prefer the factory 16" 5-stars (see my pics) or the 17" Landcruiser wheels like in COB's thread. I had mine Powder-Coated.
$1000-$1500 for unexpected maintenance. If you are anywhere near 150k miles or more this is a must. There are so many things that will likely come up by the time you hit 200k miles. I'm at 217k and have owned my Runner for 10+ years now. Check out my thread for details.
$300 - Window tinting, again heres my suggestion: don't do more than 50%. It's cool when you are 20 but down the road (when you realize not being able to see you your side windows at night is incredibly dumb) you may regret the limo (5-10%) tint.
$20 - upgrade your battery (negative) to chassis ground wire to 4G .... like now. Search for the "Big 3 upgrade" --> even if you don't do the entire upgrade just this one cable will make a noticeable difference. I have 217k miles on original alternator and nearly all my charging and battery issues were fixed by this one cheap upgrade. My ScanGauge II now reads 14.2 V consistently.
THINGS I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BUY until I first took care of the above list ....
1) a roof rack. The factor rack is great and 98% of the roof racks drive around empty even on the trails. .... I'm just saying guys (sorry).
2) a winch. A good winch is pretty expensive and probably heavy. Save yourself the $500 and find a friend to wheel with so you don't need a winch.. Great for the semi-pros and pros but MOST 4Runner owners, even those who offroad 5x times a year do not need a winch.
3) do not buy tires bigger than 33" for any daily driver.
GOOD LUCK. Whatever you don't walk into a Offroad Warehouse type of (everything truck) 4WD store and ask for advice on lift kits. If you don't go with the Sonoran Steel than do a lot of reading (here) and purchase your own parts. There are many threads on this but I still recommend the SS 1.2A kit. You will not be disappointed.
Unless it is your dream ....DO NOT get a super charger .... total waste for the cash unless it came that way factory. I say this because A LOT (corrected) used TRD SC I have seen threads on BREAK down conveniently after the buyer paid the seller and parted ways, for sure within 6 months use. So $1500 for a SC, another $1000-$1500 for a rebuild that you didn't see coming ... totally not worth it. There is a better way, its called don't go bigger than 33s, even then may need to regear.
$200 - Buy a K&N CAI .... awesome for $200 cost. Don't listen to the haters, 99% of who have not actually owned a true K&N CAI. I love mine and it is actually California legal unlike the deckplate mod.
$250 - Pair the K&N CAI with a high flow exhaust like a Borla or Flowmaster. I highly highly suggest adding a Tundra (used) factory resonance silencer directly after the muffler. You will have to go hunting for one at a scrap yard.
$800 - Good tires at size 33" max. I like BFG AT or General Grabber.
$1200 - Sonoran Steel 1.2A lift kit. I cannot stress enough how great a kit this is for the "new guy" in the 4Runner community. It worked great for me and many other members, even many who build freaking awesome rigs (Dirtco) for example.
Also see: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101758-**rickashays-ome-vs-trd-tundra-lc-review**.html
$80 - LUND Bug Shield. Available on AMazon. Pics in my thread (and others)
$750 - ARB Bumper. Enough said. Expect to pay $750 - $850.
$200 - PIAA Fog Lights. Worth the money. I've had mine 5+ years. Great company.
$400 - Rocksliders or sliders .... use the search function.
$320 - BudBuilt or Savage offroad front skidplate. You don't need the whole kit unless you are really really hardcore and you can always add the rest years later.
$600 - some badass wheels like proComp or other. I prefer the factory 16" 5-stars (see my pics) or the 17" Landcruiser wheels like in COB's thread. I had mine Powder-Coated.
$1000-$1500 for unexpected maintenance. If you are anywhere near 150k miles or more this is a must. There are so many things that will likely come up by the time you hit 200k miles. I'm at 217k and have owned my Runner for 10+ years now. Check out my thread for details.
$300 - Window tinting, again heres my suggestion: don't do more than 50%. It's cool when you are 20 but down the road (when you realize not being able to see you your side windows at night is incredibly dumb) you may regret the limo (5-10%) tint.
$20 - upgrade your battery (negative) to chassis ground wire to 4G .... like now. Search for the "Big 3 upgrade" --> even if you don't do the entire upgrade just this one cable will make a noticeable difference. I have 217k miles on original alternator and nearly all my charging and battery issues were fixed by this one cheap upgrade. My ScanGauge II now reads 14.2 V consistently.
THINGS I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT BUY until I first took care of the above list ....
1) a roof rack. The factor rack is great and 98% of the roof racks drive around empty even on the trails. .... I'm just saying guys (sorry).
2) a winch. A good winch is pretty expensive and probably heavy. Save yourself the $500 and find a friend to wheel with so you don't need a winch.. Great for the semi-pros and pros but MOST 4Runner owners, even those who offroad 5x times a year do not need a winch.
3) do not buy tires bigger than 33" for any daily driver.
GOOD LUCK. Whatever you don't walk into a Offroad Warehouse type of (everything truck) 4WD store and ask for advice on lift kits. If you don't go with the Sonoran Steel than do a lot of reading (here) and purchase your own parts. There are many threads on this but I still recommend the SS 1.2A kit. You will not be disappointed.
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I kinda agree with what ^ he said. Then again...I already have $3,000 into my 3rd gen.
The new gen 4runners are awesome no doubt. But I'm only 21 with no established credit and I don't want super high interest rates or car payments. Plus idk, there's something about the older 4runners that have a more rugged simpler look and I've always admired them more.
Awesome thanks man! I think I'll go with everything you listed aside from window tinting because the previous owner tinted them already and I may put the bug shield and fog lights on hold until I can save a little more for that stuff.
Luckily the previous owner had the entire engine rebuilt a few years ago and I just put in a new timing belt, alternator, water pump and radiator. I will try to keep some extra money to the side for other things I might have to replace in the near future though.
Balcs1
New member
Very good point.
I really like the looks of the 3rd gen too. I just picked up one for my daughter. How many miles is on yours? Hers has 228k and is still very tight. Mostly highway miles commuting to work. :thumb3:
I really like the looks of the 3rd gen too. I just picked up one for my daughter. How many miles is on yours? Hers has 228k and is still very tight. Mostly highway miles commuting to work. :thumb3:
