Alright experts... let's build it (or not). Off-road 4G'er

[BamBam]

I need some realistic numbers here and options. You guys are the best, so I can really use your help. As some of you who've gotten to know me are aware... I was a member here and tried to pull the trigger on a 4Runner, it didn't work out, got an FJ Trail Teams, drove it for 2 years, had another baby, and bought a 4Runner 2007 Sport V8 4x4.

So.... now I am missing the offroad prowess of the FJ. I even got an FJ Forum member to give me all of the measurements of the FJ so I could meet or beat them in a 4Runner build (crazy eh). I just loved the way the FJ sat and drove. Its stance/height/overbearing nature or whatever you want to call it just worked for me.

Now, I have the opportunity to buy a used FJ that is pretty similar to the one I sold in features (although it is not a Trail Teams or TRD... it is a standard FJ, but it is optioned out to the hilt).

So..... what would it cost to get my current 4Runner to the point where it was as good or better and sat at a similar height and such (as close as possible anyway) and had the same offroad prowess as the FJ Trail Teams (OR SLIGHTLY MORE... NOT LOOKING FOR COMPLETE OVERKILL.... JUST GOOD SOLID COMPETENCE)? I am not looking for some $60,000 machine that looks like a Transformer and will blow everything on earth away. Just something that will let me hang with the FJ guys when they go for a drive through the mountain trails, of which we have many in Utah.

Away we go:

Give me a list of parts you'd suggest along with approximate prices, and whether I'd need to get an expert to do it, or myself with my 20 years of some professional and much non-professional wrenching are enough to get it done.

I am assuming I'll need a lift of some sort (I currently have XReas). I will probably need a rear locker to compete with the FJ. I already have A-Trac apparently. The bonus is that I have full-time 4x4 which the FJ doesn't, I have a V8 which the FJ doesn't, and I have a moon-roof! YIPEE!!!! I also have DAC which the FJ doesn't have, and I can turn off my side curtain airbags during offroading which is a cool safety feature.

This may be the wrong section of the forum. I am not sure. I just thought I'd see what the entire 4G community thought.

I figured at the very least spacer lift, but probably something better. I did acquire a set of front FJ Springs and that would put me on somewhat equal ground with the stock FJ, but most guys I want to run with have upgraded at least a bit, plus I have a 1.5" spacer as well. Should I be looking at Coilovers instead? If so, what brand/model (remember, not looking to break the bank and wanting good road manners).

The main requirement that this thing is not so tall that I can't get my little kids up into their seats, I can't have difficulty getting in and out as I am not terribly mobile, and I want it to ride darn nice.... like if you got in with your eyes closed and drove it around then you'd never notice that it had a lift on it at all. Does that make sense? I want equally great performance on road to what I have now, but much superior capabilities and possibilities when going off-road.

Thanks for any input. I am going out on a limb upfront and saying that I think the FJ I have priced out will be similar in price (before spending a bunch on mods on the FJ) than a modded out 4Runner that will run with (and maybe even above) the FJ crew around here. I'm not trying to play "can you top this" with these guys. They are my friends and I respect the heck out of them. I just want to be able to hang with them and don't want to be the squeaky wheel and need them pulling me out of the mud and bad situations all of the time because I am in over my head with just a simple spacer lift, stock Xreas, smaller worn tires, and so on and so forth.

Have at it (or ignore me... I'm exhausted and trying to stay awake for a bit longer so I can get up with my daughter at her wake time).

Thanks gang.

 

[daPitbull]

Whats up BamBam. I was in a similar situation. I sold the FJ because we had a baby and got a 08' 4runner. That being said, I'm almost at a point where the 4runner is just as capable as the FJ was. Besides a few more essential parts, like skids, and non-essential parts like CB, on-board-air, etc, my old FJ and new 4R are about equal. Take a look at my FJ build page and my 4runner build page. There are a few items missing from the 4runner build like the custom rear swingout and updated pics, but you'll get an idea.
daPitbull's FJ Build
daPitbull's 4runner build
So long story short, being that they are built off the same platform with similar traits, I'd say it wouldn't take much to get your 4R on par with a modded FJ.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Normally I use my Jeep on the harder closer trails but I use my 4runner more and more farther away milder trails in the dessert. Mine is a 03 v8 4x4 with 2.5 spacer lift and BFG all terrain 265/70/17. The 4runner amazes everyone at what it can do. Some of my Jeep buddies worry I will damage it but it goes through places some jeeps have problems. That atrac works great and will pull you through places easily with a tires in the air. With out a lift they are almost useless off road. The DAC is almost useless to me. Just a gimmick. Did you find visability a problem in the FJ or did you get used to it? One thing I like about the Jeep Wrangler is that is is short and easy to see out of for tire placement in the rocks. My next move on the 4runner is rock sliders and better skids. I take the running boards of on the harder trail for more clearance. I do like that the fj has less rear overhang than the 4runner so you have to be more carefull coming off ledges in the 4runner.

 

[BamBam]

Pitbull.... awesome post and information. Thank you! I've been reading it all morning. That is so cool what you did with the TRD wheels and the beadlocks. See... that is why I love these boards. There is so much idea sharing going on. Admittedly at this point I am just taking ideas, but hopefully at some point I can share a few too.

As for the questions on the FJ 03..... the visibility was an issue for me for about 5 minutes. I had read up extensively on the FJ and when I bought it I went straight to Wal-mart and bought some blind spot mirrors. Then I extended the side mirrors out to full so that they were looking directly at the next lane over and NOT the side of the vehicle. Then I placed the blind spot mirrors in the bottom inner corner and had them cover the very edge of the vehicle and the blind spot. One nice thing for me was that I grew up driving a Camaro, an S-10 Blazer and an Eagle Talon, which were all known for their poor visibility. I learned to use mirrors early on.

The FJ was similar to driving a moving truck in some regards. Learn to rely on your mirrors rather than the false impression you get of safety when driving certain vehicles. Mirrors are safer anyway in my mind because if you check them regularly as part of your routine then it becomes automatic and it is just one more piece of feedback to make you a safer driver. I also insisted on the rear sonar for backing up and that was a nice feature. Although I learned from a horrific experience here in town where a family backed their vehicle up and over their child who was sunning in the driveway. He was just a little guy and had run out from the pool in the backyard and warmed up for a minute on the hot driveway last summer. My wife knew the family and they were absolutely and completely devastated. So I have never considered the rear sonar to be the first line of defense. It's the last. I implore all SUV owners to circle their vehicle before leaving from anywhere and even peak underneath to make sure there isn't a neighborhood kid, a cat, or anything else under there. My wife once backed over a tricycle many years ago and it scared the crap out of us. What if the owner had been on that trike?! So those two experiences have made it so that I never had a problem with the FJ along with the sonar.

I appreciate the info on the lift and the 4Runner. That is very cool. It sounds like it works out just great for you. I guess I just wished I could make it work to have one of each. I guess I'm just greedy! If only the FJ's were a few years older, then maybe I could find one for a cheaper price. I have also been looking into Isuzu Troopers for building an offroader. I had a 2001 Trooper and that thing was an offroad animal. I just don't want to forsake Toyota because their vehicles have been so good to me, and realistically a Trooper will be virtually worthless in five years, whereas my 4Runner or even an FJ will still have some good value. Not that I would plan on selling, but I just feel like any asset I am going to put time and money into should at least have some value just in case.