KryptonianVol
New member
Hi all,
This is my first real post to this board. I have been reading it for a few years, though. This is also my first visit to the 4th Gen boards (well, I started reading a couple weeks ago), as I have been running a 98 T4R Limited since 2001. At around 250k miles, the repair and maintenance costs were building up and increasing in frequency, so I decided to pull the trigger and get a new one. I was fortunate to find one that meets a lot of my desires. It is an SR5 (wanted a limited, but was trying to keep my payment under $400), but it has leather interior, the nicer audio system (though that doesnt much matter to me since I will be gutting the sound system for one of my own anyway), the steering-wheel controlled volume controls, etc. So my only thought is it is made by Southeast Toyota, as I have heard they periodically upgraded these features on the SR5s. It has 38,000 miles on it, and I am getting it at a terrific price.
So now, with all that out of the way, I have a few newbie questions for you experts. I have read about the past 6 pages of threads and gleaned a lot of great info, but some stuff is still a mystery to me. I hope you will indulge me and provide some clarity. Pics of the car in its current state below.
1.) I am considering doing the Daystar lift. I am not looking for much and not wanting to drop an arm and a leg on it, just interested in leveling it out a bit and picking up a small amount of clearance. What effect, if any, does this have on the smoothness of the ride and internal noise? I don't know whether or not to do the spring upgrade simultaneously (Using the FJs seems to be the flavor of the month right now).
2.) The tires probably have 10,000 or so miles left on them. After the lift, I would also like to pick up a set of new tires with a bit bigger treads just for a little "meaner" look to it. Likely looking at a set of 265/70/17s of some sort. What effect, if any, do these have on the smoothness of the ride and internal noise?
As you can tell, I care about comfort and ride to a degree. I don't offroad hardly at all, though I like to have something with some ability for when it snows or when I have to haul something (boat, trailer, etc).
3.) Rear spoiler/flare. I think it looks naked without the rear spoiler, so I want to add one. I have heard that Toyota charges an arm and a leg (upwards of $800). Is this true? If so, where is a good place to get one, and how difficult are they to install? I think I would want the one with the hump, but if they are too hard to find, I would be open to the non-humped spoiler. Also heard that the gates with spoilers stock have been braced for extra support-- is this really necessary?
I think those are the major questions I have for now. How does the lift and tires affect the noise and ride of the vehicle, and how much/how difficult on the spoiler.
Thanks in advance, and let me just say I have enjoyed at looking at all of the rides on here. I have definitely found a new time-sink! It is like a black hole. I start reading, then look up and its been an hour and a half!
Eli
This is my first real post to this board. I have been reading it for a few years, though. This is also my first visit to the 4th Gen boards (well, I started reading a couple weeks ago), as I have been running a 98 T4R Limited since 2001. At around 250k miles, the repair and maintenance costs were building up and increasing in frequency, so I decided to pull the trigger and get a new one. I was fortunate to find one that meets a lot of my desires. It is an SR5 (wanted a limited, but was trying to keep my payment under $400), but it has leather interior, the nicer audio system (though that doesnt much matter to me since I will be gutting the sound system for one of my own anyway), the steering-wheel controlled volume controls, etc. So my only thought is it is made by Southeast Toyota, as I have heard they periodically upgraded these features on the SR5s. It has 38,000 miles on it, and I am getting it at a terrific price.
So now, with all that out of the way, I have a few newbie questions for you experts. I have read about the past 6 pages of threads and gleaned a lot of great info, but some stuff is still a mystery to me. I hope you will indulge me and provide some clarity. Pics of the car in its current state below.
1.) I am considering doing the Daystar lift. I am not looking for much and not wanting to drop an arm and a leg on it, just interested in leveling it out a bit and picking up a small amount of clearance. What effect, if any, does this have on the smoothness of the ride and internal noise? I don't know whether or not to do the spring upgrade simultaneously (Using the FJs seems to be the flavor of the month right now).
2.) The tires probably have 10,000 or so miles left on them. After the lift, I would also like to pick up a set of new tires with a bit bigger treads just for a little "meaner" look to it. Likely looking at a set of 265/70/17s of some sort. What effect, if any, do these have on the smoothness of the ride and internal noise?
As you can tell, I care about comfort and ride to a degree. I don't offroad hardly at all, though I like to have something with some ability for when it snows or when I have to haul something (boat, trailer, etc).
3.) Rear spoiler/flare. I think it looks naked without the rear spoiler, so I want to add one. I have heard that Toyota charges an arm and a leg (upwards of $800). Is this true? If so, where is a good place to get one, and how difficult are they to install? I think I would want the one with the hump, but if they are too hard to find, I would be open to the non-humped spoiler. Also heard that the gates with spoilers stock have been braced for extra support-- is this really necessary?
I think those are the major questions I have for now. How does the lift and tires affect the noise and ride of the vehicle, and how much/how difficult on the spoiler.
Thanks in advance, and let me just say I have enjoyed at looking at all of the rides on here. I have definitely found a new time-sink! It is like a black hole. I start reading, then look up and its been an hour and a half!
Eli
