Advice from those who have Everything: Rack, Bumper, Sliders, or Lift?

[jnance50]

Advice from those who have Everything: Sliders, Bumper, Rack, or Lift?

So I have a birthday coming up and have a decision to make in the next couple of days on the next upgrade and was wondering, for the people who have it everything, what order would you do it in if you had it to do again?

What I have now:

• 2012 Trail
• 265 General Grabber AT2s
• Husky Liners
• Yakima MegaWarrior

Choices:

• Satoshi Grille and Shrockworks Sliders
• Shrockworks Bumper
• Gobi Rack & Ladder
• Toytec Ultimate Lift

Hesitations:

• Sliders without Lift will loose too much ground clearance (I do offroad it)
• Bumper without Lift will cause too much sag on the stock suspension
• Gobi rack choice could be influenced by whether I have a lift or not (stealth with lift, ranger without) AND I'm kind of wanting to wait for the ladder clearance / door shock issue to be worked out
• Lift with 265 Grabbers will look awkward (too small tires) and possibly alter/void the extended warranty I purchased

If I cannot find a reasonable order to things, I might just collect them one by one until I have them all and install it all at the same time ... but had rather find a reasonable order to things.

First world problems ... Thoughts?

 

[Okki]

The sliders and Satoshi grill are easy additions. I have an LE so the sliders took up the space of the rocker panels.. but with them coming off the frame and being angled upwards, I don't believe you are sacrificing much, if anything, in terms of ground clearance.

I love my Gobi rack and the strut and rubbing issue appear to have been resolved.

after I get my rims/tires the next thing would also be underbody armor (SW) and bumper.

As discussed elsewhere, the added weight will work with the stock suspension, but you'll put more wear on it. So upgraded suspension may be first, or shortly after the bumper and armor.

your other option is save up and get it all at once

Just my 2 cents..

Okki

 

[Intruder]

I take mine off road quite a bit and here's the order I'd do things in if I were starting with a clean slate:
1. Skid plates
2. Sliders
3. Suspension + bigger tires
4. Front bumper
5. Rear bumper
6. Roof rack
7. Any cosmetic-only mods

But that's in an ideal world and things don't always work out that way. Armour would be my first priority no matter what though. You shouldn't lose any clearance with sliders as they should sit just below your rockers to protect them. Your diffs should be lower than the sliders.

 

[phillyd2]

I disagree with "Sliders without Lift will loose too much ground clearance" and the Gobi issue seems to be over - confirmed by one member, my new plate is shipping today.

Me? I got the rack first since its something I use often. Then sliders and skids. Last will be the lift.

 

[jnance50]

Thanks guys for all the opinions! It's always best to hear from people who have lived it.

I do think the idea of armor first might be best. You are right though, the rack is really functional, but the more I think about it - I would probably use it less often this time of year - were it summer I think that might be the way I'd go. That gives me a couple of months to save up for it :jump:

In response to the sliders loosing clearance:
I think most of the people citing that they replaced their rocker trim (and thus lost no clearance) were in SR-5s or Limiteds. On the Trail, we have no trim so it just adds an extra couple of inches below the rockers.

In response to the fact they are still above the diffs, that is true - for straight clearance - but where I was most concerned is break-over. When cresting a rock or gulley, often times I'm finding the diffs clear over it easily but when it's that in-between time where the front tires are over but the rear tires are catching up (ie the time when the rocker is crossing the obstacle). Because of the long wheel base they are getting really close to contact - so much so that adding an extra 2-3" beneath them would have me dragging the rocker guards across the obstacle. I do realize this is what they are designed to do - but dragging them at all could be avoided by simply adding the lift or larger tires.

I don't really want to get side tracked on it, because I'd still love to hear more unbiased opinions of their upgrades - but that's just my $.02.

So far I'm thinking Bumper as it provides clearance, adds a beefier front skid, and will work without sag (or so I'm hearing) on the stock suspension.

If so, my order would be something like this:

• March: Bumper
• April: Suspension
• May: Grille / Sliders / Skids
• June: Rack

That way I replace the suspension before the new bumper wears out my stock, I add the grille and sliders / skids just as it's warming up and the real offroading begins, and the Rack goes on just in time for me to start carrying my canoe all the time and camping.

Thoughts?

 

[phillyd2]

^^^ Since you are doing everything exactly opposite of me you must be wrong. :jk:

Good luck and keep us posted on your mods!

 

[jnance50]

Hahaha yeah, just realized that :withstupid:

Actually, now that I've done some more reading - I've realized that if I order my bumper now, and stick to my modding schedule, I'll have all the other items here and installed before the bumper even arrives :roadkill:

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Thanks guys for all the opinions! It's always best to hear from people who have lived it.

I do think the idea of armor first might be best. You are right though, the rack is really functional, but the more I think about it - I would probably use it less often this time of year - were it summer I think that might be the way I'd go. That gives me a couple of months to save up for it :jump:

In response to the sliders loosing clearance:
I think most of the people citing that they replaced their rocker trim (and thus lost no clearance) were in SR-5s or Limiteds. On the Trail, we have no trim so it just adds an extra couple of inches below the rockers.

In response to the fact they are still above the diffs, that is true - for straight clearance - but where I was most concerned is break-over. When cresting a rock or gulley, often times I'm finding the diffs clear over it easily but when it's that in-between time where the front tires are over but the rear tires are catching up (ie the time when the rocker is crossing the obstacle). Because of the long wheel base they are getting really close to contact - so much so that adding an extra 2-3" beneath them would have me dragging the rocker guards across the obstacle. I do realize this is what they are designed to do - but dragging them at all could be avoided by simply adding the lift or larger tires.

I don't really want to get side tracked on it, because I'd still love to hear more unbiased opinions of their upgrades - but that's just my $.02.

So far I'm thinking Bumper as it provides clearance, adds a beefier front skid, and will work without sag (or so I'm hearing) on the stock suspension.

If so, my order would be something like this:

• March: Bumper
• April: Suspension
• May: Grille / Sliders / Skids
• June: Rack

That way I replace the suspension before the new bumper wears out my stock, I add the grille and sliders / skids just as it's warming up and the real offroading begins, and the Rack goes on just in time for me to start carrying my canoe all the time and camping.

Thoughts?

I would rather loose your said few inches of ground clearance then land on a rock or a boulder without them. Replacing the body panels or doors will be WAY more expensive then a set of sliders.

My recommendation would be (but not the way I have gone)
Suspension wheels and tires
Armor or at least sliders, skids can wait since we do have some sort of flimsy skid under from the factory
Bumper
*skids if you didn't get them after the suspension
Rack
and finally any thing aesthetic like your grill

just my .02 cents

 

[03_4x4Runner]

It would be nice if they made all those items in aluminum. You are going to be adding a lot of weight to your already heavy 4runner.

 

[Ttn333]

I would start with suspension and tires first. You'll feel the changes immediately and daily. After that would be sliders. Everything else depends on your personal needs. I have some minor scrapes on the frame from off roading. I know it would be worse if I didn't have the extra clearance from the suspension swap.

 

[Arc.]

I would rather loose your said few inches of ground clearance then land on a rock or a boulder without them. Replacing the body panels or doors will be WAY more expensive then a set of sliders.

My recommendation would be (but not the way I have gone)
Suspension wheels and tires
Armor or at least sliders, skids can wait since we do have some sort of flimsy skid under from the factory
Bumper
*skids if you didn't get them after the suspension
Rack
and finally any thing aesthetic like your grill

just my .02 cents

I agree, if you are going to be going offroad, get the suspension and wheels first. With my stock suspension and 265 duratracs, I already smashed my front skid pretty good doing back country 4wheeling (nothing technical).

 

[Intruder]

I have some minor scrapes on the frame from off roading. I know it would be worse if I didn't have the extra clearance from the suspension swap.

I agree, if you are going to be going offroad, get the suspension and wheels first. With my stock suspension and 265 duratracs, I already smashed my front skid pretty good doing back country 4wheeling (nothing technical).

Depends on the amount/type of off roading. The suspension and bigger tires just make me want to tackle bigger and more difficult obstacles and I end up banging and scraping the underside just as much. Armour will protect you no matter what height you're riding at.

 

[mtbnole]

Sliders first, they protect most vulnerable part of the stock vehicle. Stock skids are better than nothing, and even a 2" lift won't give that more break over angle. Nothing like smashing your rocker panel to ruin your day. The inch of "clearance" you lose is not a major factor, and in fact, you can use the sliders as intended, and "slide" or pivot on rocks, etc.

 

[tlflow]

lift/tires first
then suit yourself

 

[libido]

I would also say lift and tires first. Unless you will be doing some serious offroading on rocks immediately, the skids can probably wait until the next step. Then bumpers and sliders.

 

[Mick1]

1) Sliders - Protect the body. I got Budbuilt and think the design and shipping is superior to Shrockworks.

2) Skids - protect mechanicals under body. I got Budbuilt.

3) Upgrade suspension - get ride height back from extra weight.

3a) Bigger tires for a daily driver seem like a big negative. Can't fit a spare. Rubbing. Loss of acceleration. Speedometer error. Worse MPG.

4) Winch plate or front winch bumper and winch.

5) Lights

6) Roof rack maybe. I'm not certain the aftermarket roof racks do a whole lot more than the stock trail rack.

 

[Reata]

This order as below:

March: Suspension
April: Grill Sliders Skids
May: Bumper
June: Rack

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

1) Sliders - Protect the body. I got Budbuilt and think the design and shipping is superior to Shrockworks.

2) Skids - protect mechanicals under body. I got Budbuilt.

3) Upgrade suspension - get ride height back from extra weight.

3a) Bigger tires for a daily driver seem like a big negative. Can't fit a spare. Rubbing. Loss of acceleration. Speedometer error. Worse MPG.

4) Winch plate or front winch bumper and winch.

5) Lights

6) Roof rack maybe. I'm not certain the aftermarket roof racks do a whole lot more than the stock trail rack.

We can fit a 285/70x17 in the spare location on the 5th gens

 

[jnance50]

Hey guys, again, thanks for all the replies!

I thought it out, logically placed things in an order, and then - ya know - did the exact opposite. :toilet:

So ... I ordered a Gobi Ranger (rather than the Stealth) rack and ladder yesterday ... spoke with Paul and Sandra - seems to be about a 3 week lead time - so will post pics when it arrives. :banana:

In the mean time, as everyone seems to be suggesting the same thing, and it makes sense, I'm placing an order for either shrockwork or budbuilt sliders tomorrow as well, if I can swing it :biggrin2:
(leaning toward the budbuilt - really like the beefy bump outs not only for rigidity, but also to be used as a step for loading the rack)




And, for your viewing pleasure, the one thing this thread was missing, some pics:

If you're near Boston, have I got a playground for you:

What would have been a cool picture, had it not been for my friend's horrible camera. The trucks I normally wheel with (2012 Jeep Rubicon Black Ops, 2012 Tacoma TRD Off-Road, and of course my 2012 T4R Trail):

Probably got cancer from taking this one:

It looks so small when put into contrast:

Ok, maybe not that small:

Aftermarket alarm:

It works from over 100 yards away!

The Driver: