Are There Any Others Who Like the Idea of Keeping a Vehicle Stock?

[Light_Mania]

I don't see much point in making an effort to keep a T4R stock for its own sake. It isn't exactly a collectible. If making changes to it satisfies your desire to customize the truck or makes it work better for you, go for it. You have to decide if its worth it to you.

 

[Bill42]

With the new FJ I had to ask myself if I should trade in my 4Runner to get to a certain level of off-road ability without having to spend the extra money.

However, there are a host of reasons, the V-8 notwithstanding, to prefer the 4Runner - cost of mods and all - over the FJ.

At least in my case I know that I will keep this truck 4ever. So, if I spend a little extra to protect it I will make it up in longevity and reliablility.

True love....

 

[Bluto]

Let me ask everyone this: How would a lift interfere with both the XREAS shocks AND the air suspension?

With any stock shocks, spacers will make the rear a little stiffer. The shocks operate in a different range than designed for. I have not really noticed, but others have.

I don't have any rattles.

From past observation, I assume the shocks will wear out faster. But don't know of any long term/high mileage results of spacers + XREAS.

I can't help you with the air suspension.

 

[Benski]

I like the look of my stock 4Runner...

My stock 96 SR5 V6 5speed suits me great. When I got it used back in 2006 I bought new AT tires and had a 4 wheel alignment. As a Carpenter and boater, the stock height suspension makes it easier to load material on the roof and it puts the trailer hitch at a good height to pull my trailer and boat. I use the running boards and rear tires to stand on while lashing down the material. I do scrape the skid plates, spare tire and hitch when I go through sand and mud but it doesn't damage them. I need metal bumpers and use them. I think my trim package looks great and nice rugged tires complete the look!

 

[superman3043]

Wow, talk about reviving a thread back from the dead. But it's a pretty cool subject especially in a forum that heavily pro-mod.

I know that one guy with the muscle man avatar is a huge advocate for stock 4runners from his posts.

Anyway so here's my viewpoint on this: If I plan on doing things to a vehicle, I usually try to buy the base model. My Accord was an LX and my Runner is an SR5. I'll get the cheapest wheels and stereos and such, because I know that I'll be replacing it anyway. The money I save on buying the lower model vs the loaded model goes toward my mods.

Why pay more for the OEM's best wheels and system, when I can buy one of my choosing, which will usually be better and cheaper?

Now on the other hand, when I buy a vehicle that is loaded to the gills, I probably would leave it stock form. We're starting to eyeball Infiniti QX's for the wife, and it'll have every bell and whistle I can get on it for her.... And my grubby little hands will more than likely never touch it with a mod. Because if I'm gonna spend all that money, it better be good to go!

Anyway, the thing about car guys is, they like to set themselves apart and have the originality. When I ride around town, people don't assume it's just another white 4runner, they know EXACTLY who's in that one.

Like everything though, to each his own... Mine stayed stock for a ton of years until I had enough play money to put into her... Now it's on baby!

 

[MikeInNH]

It has a lot to do with age...Not the age of the vehicle...but the age of the owner.

When I was younger I would do mods. I had a Datsun pickup that I put a 4" body lift on. My GMC pickup...I put in a Eldebrock intake manifold and eldebrock headers.

But as you get older other priorities take over your finances (like kids college tuition and food). So now I buy what I want...keep it for 300k+ miles..then sell and buy again. If something breaks along the way (like my stock radio) then I may be forced to upgrade. But I'm not going out of my way to do a mod. The trails I go on during the summer are not that difficult to do with the current setup.

 

[Victor_inox]

stock cars lame, even purely cosmetic mods giving it some character.
wheels/tires /tint/headlights something is better then nothing, there is always room for improvement

 

[Zuke]

If its a vehicle I plan on driving into the ground then I mod the hell out of it. Its its a vehicle I plan on having for a few years then selling/trading in I like to keep it mostly stock. Most aftermarket mods reduce the value of the vehicle. Look at the old MKIV Supra, a bone stock will net a lot more $$ than a "fast and furious" version.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

Depends what it is. My E46 M3, yes. A T4R or other "truck," No, only because the factory has to build them for the mall crowd. If they built them with 32-33" tires, better approach / departure angles, better rocker clearance... yeah, probably!

These vehicles aren't usable off road stock, so you have to mod them or have them damaged as soon as you do try to use them.

Now, I'm very much with you on stock reliability being a huge goal, not an easy thing to do. Experience is what teaches you to mod very, very carefully, so as not to decrease your reliability. It's when we're young we mod the F out of everything we can... usually one or two vehicles later we learn

 

[settytb]

I just don't want my 4runner to be the same as the soccer mom that drives to the mall. The end.

 

[AleksV]

What would the forum look like if everyones car was stock? I will add a thing or Terri every blew and then to stand out, and so it doesn't get boring

 

[TRDCal]

I will add a thing or Terri every blew and then

WHAT! Are you drunk?? :lol:

If I was on warranty I would restrict my mods but since I don't have to worry about voiding anything I enjoy modding and improving things from stock. Plus alot of the mods I want to do are factory options that my truck didn't come with or weren't available at the time, like 06-09 headlights etc.

For me, any aftermarket mods need to be reversible just in case I want to sell eventually and the buyer wants it stock.

 

[AleksV]

WHAT! Are you drunk?? :lol:

If I was on warranty I would restrict my mods but since I don't have to worry about voiding anything I enjoy modding and improving things from stock. Plus alot of the mods I want to do are factory options that my truck didn't come with or weren't available at the time, like 06-09 headlights etc.

For me, any aftermarket mods need to be reversible just in case I want to sell eventually and the buyer wants it stock.

Hahaha, I should proof read what I write with my phone.

"I would add a thing or two every now and then, ..."

 

[TRDCal]

"I would add a thing or two every now and then, ..."

Haha, I figured you meant something like that. On a side note, I like your point about how boring this forum would be if everyone was stock...wheres the fun in that!

 

[blaniac22]

I'm in the camp that leaves my vehicles mostly stock. It's not worth my time or money to modify the 4R very much, other than for "creature comforts".

That said, I do get a lot out of this forum in terms of maintenance and appearance information. And I like seeing what others with the time, money and inclination do to "enhance" the 4R experience.

:driving:

 

[snowbrdr033]

I like doing "mods" and everyone has their own opinion as to what a mod is, but even simple changes like the LED swap, HCF delete, or something a bit more custom like my running board LED strips (to light up the ground below the truck) are always nice, relatively easy and simple to do.
Plus the benefits outweigh the cons, otherwise no one would do them!

 

[Synister]

I think the 4th gen in particular is in much need of at least a small lift, its ground clearance is noticeably less than either the 3rd or 5th gen. I think thats why the most common mods here at the 3/2 spacer lift and slightly larger or slightly more aggressive tires, this way the vehicle looks like how it should have come from the factory. Of course if you never take your vehicle off road then stock is just fine.

 

[liqourish]

i couldn't keep my car stock unless it was a total pos or had option like the srt8 jeep or lasty came with urd super charger with duratracs lol

 

[Gecko123]

100% stock

The only thing I changed are floor mats to weather tech and different tires but don't thin those really count.

I love how my 4runner looks as is. Besides when it's time to trade it in it will have a better resale value if it's not modified. I know some will disagree here but as a general rule car dealers rather have a stock car as a trade in.

 

[jdkilroy]

Toyota and most of the other car companies build for the masses. If you don't want to be just another one of the masses (regarding your vehicle), you find yourself inclined to make it unique in some way(s). In addition, it is a rare situation where something cannot be improved upon; whether in general or for some particular use.

There is an off road company who has a mission statement that says it quite well:

"To upgrade that which is not obvious, i.e. to fix that which is not yet broken. To find a new approach to the common, for the sake of creativity and individuality. To challenge oneself to look beyond the readily available, and seek alternative paths not yet seen. To bring together talents, to find synergies among the unfamiliar, all in a search of the ultimate combination of function and individuality." quoted from gamiviti.com

... so go out there and find something to make better on your 4Runner; make it your own and step away from the masses.

Jon