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

[zeppelin]

I'm also a member of a Corvette forum, and people there are similar to T4R in that they frequently like to "mod" their vehicle. Often, the mods are performance-driven, but just as often they are cosmetic modifications.

I've noticed that people here seem to fit the same mold. I will probably stray away from the stock tires after the Dunlops wear out, but for the most part I plan to keep my 4R stock.

I do kinda like some of the center protectors, but I doubt I'll ever put one on. I could maybe see myself doing some little bolt-ons that might add a few HP here and there. For the most part, though, I tend to think the vehicle was engineered a certain way, and I kinda like to leave it alone. Anyone else in this boat?

By the way, I've done the custom wheel/tire + dual exhaust thing on my Tahoe, so I'm not anti-mod, I'm just thinking I might take a different philosophy with my 4R.

 

[JosephD05]

I agree. If I need to MOD the truck in order to do BASIC off roading, then I would have bought a vehicle with lesser off road ability and modify it. I didn't get the Pathfinder LE because it did not come with any skid plates, DAC or Hill ascend. The LImited I combined all of the luxury toys with the off road ones. I do understand if I want to do some heavy off roading I would need to install certain mods such as rock sliders, lift, etc.

 

[8ac1v1c]

Personally - I think it depends on what "modding" means to you.

To me - modding is changing or updating anything on your vehicle that is not OEM spec or the way it came off the line when you bought it.

It could be as mild as adding a K&N filter, Silverstar super-bright headlights or tinting.

It could also as extreme as adding an intercooled twin-turbo, 24" chrome rims, and lambo doors.


I'll be the first to admit - I'm a tuner at heart. And cant stand driving a "stock" vehicle.

 

[JosephD05]

Personally - I think it depends on what "modding" means to you.

To me - modding is changing or updating anything on your vehicle that is not OEM spec or the way it came off the line when you bought it.

It could be as mild as adding a K&N filter, Silverstar super-bright headlights or tinting.

It could also as extreme as adding an intercooled twin-turbo, 24" chrome rims, and lambo doors.


I'll be the first to admit - I'm a tuner at heart. And cant stand driving a "stock" vehicle.

For me, instead of buying a 4 runner and spending 10 on modding it, I would take that 10k and just buy a Land cruiser

 

[generalpatton]

I have to agree. I plan to upgrade my tires as well when the Dunlops need to be replaced.....and I've added the Scion HU and plan to upgrade my speakers at some point. Don't know if either of those are really considered "mods" or not though. Other than that, my Runner will stay pretty much stock. Had I been able to get the vehicle I wanted with the JBL when I bought mine, I wouldn't have even have had to "mod" the stereo, but thanks to Toyotas regional packaging that wasn't possible when I bought mine. I don't do a lot of offroad driving so I'm pretty happy with mine as it is and don't feel the need to do anything other than a few cosmetic things. Besides, everytime I see an older truck that I really like, it's always a stock vehicle......to me, ones that are loaded with mod's just don't age very well.....

 

[JosephD05]

I have to agree. I plan to upgrade my tires as well when the Dunlops need to be replaced.....and I've added the Scion HU and plan to upgrade my speakers at some point. Don't know if either of those are really considered "mods" or not though. Other than that, my Runner will stay pretty much stock. Had I been able to get the vehicle I wanted with the JBL when I bought mine, I wouldn't have even have had to "mod" the stereo, but thanks to Toyotas regional packaging that wasn't possible when I bought mine. I don't do a lot of offroad driving so I'm pretty happy with mine as it is and don't feel the need to do anything other than a few cosmetic things. Besides, everytime I see an older truck that I really like, it's always a stock vehicle......to me, ones that are loaded with mod's just don't age very well.....

Yeah, plus if you leased like I did, it would not be too smart to modify it heavily. I will say that the stock sound system with the NAV blows.

 

[Thai]

Do only what is necessary. That's my philosophy. If i had a 4runner, then i would definitely get better slightly bigger tires (32" BFG AT KO or Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor). Next, i would get rock sliders (again, for my purpose). Maybe in the future, i may opt for ARB rear locker.

That's it. No lift...because, IMHO, this may affect 4runner's durability/reliability over trails. No aftermarket bumpers because this will force me to do a lift (too heavy for stock suspension).

 

[teotwaki]

Do only what is necessary. That's my philosophy. If i had a 4runner, then i would definitely get better slightly bigger tires (32" BFG AT KO or Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor). Next, i would get rock sliders (again, for my purpose). Maybe in the future, i may opt for ARB rear locker.

That's it. No lift...because, IMHO, this may affect 4runner's durability/reliability over trails. No aftermarket bumpers because this will force me to do a lift (too heavy for stock suspension).

Without a lift I would be limited as to the trails to go on. The lift kit's durability is excellent and reliability the same. I drove all the way to Utah, off-roaded and drove back without a problem.

Everything I have done is easily reversible. Having said that. I plan to keep the 4Runner for 10 years. My Toyota Corona was 26 years old when I finally sold it. My Bronco is 16 years old. I tend to choose carefully and commit fully.

 

[iFORCE]

It's not a matter of the 4runner being incapable of off-road in stock form.. it's just that we want to customize it, protect it, and to be able to do MORE than what the capable stock 4runner can do.

This way we can mod our trucks to what we like to do best... whether it be mud, rocks, or cement.

 

[Bill42]

I typically prefer to leave my vehicles stock. However, in some ways I feel as though I need to straighten out a couple of issues with the 4Runner to fully explore some of its technical capabilities.

Specifically, its ground clearance. It seems a shame that my wife's modest 98 Expedition has a higher ground clearance than my super tech 4X4 4Runner.

Given the expense of the vehicle I do not want to drag the bottom across rocky trails without additional protection.

It would have been nice if there had been an Off-Road version and a Sport version - of course, we have had that discussion before...

 

[Northof49]

As much as I like the look and promises of aftermarket parts, I have consistently been let-down by the quality of aftermarket products, including the "good ones."

Brand new vehicles of the showroom floor drive a certain way, and everything works as harmoniously as possible.

Put a lift kit in and the spacers rattle. Put on larger than stock tires and you gotta tell anyone who drives it not to turn the wheel full lock. Headers leak and make your shit sound like a ticking time bomb. Aftermarket springs and it rides like poop, now you need new shocks.....there's always something.

Not saying I don't partake in modding stuff, or that I think it's a terrible idea. Just agreeing that there's something to be said for just leaving it the hell alone

But whatever, if it's got wheels, tits, or a track....it's going to give you problems :beer:

 

[TeCKis300]

The reason people mod is because we are the 10% that have expectations beyond what is available from the factory. The typical vehicle from the factory is bound by compromises and is designed to fit the average consumer. Us modders on the hand expect more power, off-roading capability, aethestics, image, etc...

I for one am thankful for the huge aftermarket as not everyone's usage fits into the cookie cutter mold. Each individual has the freedom and option to pick and choose their mods to suit their needs and tastes. Likewise, you have the option to not mod as you please.

It really irks me when politics and bureaucracy institute laws that forbid my freedom of choice such as certain smog laws in CA. It's too bad that people no longer have common sense when they make their choices which takes away priveleges from the rest of us.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

I think all I will add beyond the mods in my sig would be a brush guard and maybe some exhaust. I have too many other toys to play with and mod, I have to say the Fo Runna is just fine the way it is.

 

[teotwaki]

As much as I like the look and promises of aftermarket parts, I have consistently been let-down by the quality of aftermarket products, including the "good ones."

Brand new vehicles of the showroom floor drive a certain way, and everything works as harmoniously as possible.

Put a lift kit in and the spacers rattle. Put on larger than stock tires and you gotta tell anyone who drives it not to turn the wheel full lock. Headers leak and make your shit sound like a ticking time bomb. Aftermarket springs and it rides like poop, now you need new shocks.....there's always something.

Not saying I don't partake in modding stuff, or that I think it's a terrible idea. Just agreeing that there's something to be said for just leaving it the hell alone

But whatever, if it's got wheels, tits, or a track....it's going to give you problems :beer:

I will respectfully disagree on two points. The 4RUnner's lightly damped rebound in the front shocks are a case in point. Go through a deep dip and the 4Runner's nose will rear up like a startled deer, go down and then up some again. My Bilsteins got rid of that and gave front clearance to match the rear. No rattles. The new springs gave me the ride that I want. I know it is not for everyone and that many are satisfied with the OEM gear.

Secondly I went from 265/70/16 to 265/75/16 tires and gained another half an inch of ground clearance without any wheel rub while stop-to-stop. I did not want wider tires, just taller.

Some things should be left alone but you also have to take responsibility for whatever you do modify. :beer:

 

[srpage]

It all depends on what you want to do with your rig.

When I first got my 03 we took it on some of the local mine trails and boy was I hitting bottom a lot. The stock skid plates really took a beating. The stock 4runner was a lot lower than all my previous 4X4's.

I added the Revtek lift and now we can navigate most of the trails noise free and I have no complaints about the way my 4runner drives and handles with the lift.

Do what you want.

 

[JosephD05]

It all depends on what you want to do with your rig.

When I first got my 03 we took it on some of the local mine trails and boy was I hitting bottom a lot. The stock skid plates really took a beating. The stock 4runner was a lot lower than all my previous 4X4's.

I added the Revtek lift and now we can navigate most of the trails noise free and I have no complaints about the way my 4runner drives and handles with the lift.

Do what you want.

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

 

[Northof49]

I will respectfully disagree on two points. The 4RUnner's lightly damped rebound in the front shocks are a case in point. Go through a deep dip and the 4Runner's nose will rear up like a startled deer, go down and then up some again. My Bilsteins got rid of that and gave front clearance to match the rear. No rattles. The new springs gave me the ride that I want. I know it is not for everyone and that many are satisfied with the OEM gear.

Secondly I went from 265/70/16 to 265/75/16 tires and gained another half an inch of ground clearance without any wheel rub while stop-to-stop. I did not want wider tires, just taller.

Some things should be left alone but you also have to take responsibility for whatever you do modify. :beer:

I think you took my post slightly too literal. Obviously not all aftermarket parts are going to give you trouble.....one size up tires are likely to be fine, and Bilsteins are a top-notch shock absorber. I was just noting that the likelihood of having problems with a modified vehicle is higher than that of a stock vehicle.

I had x-reas on both my ltd's so I never had a problem with the front end wallowing.

 

[Falls]

I like my stuff a little tweeked....by that I mean bigger and better AT tire's (265/70/17's) which I put on day 1. I also added the cosmetic ??? Toyota skid front plate, Valor ex.tip.,Toy all weather mat's ect...going to add Xm , but other than that, i love the way it's set up and the almost stock reliability.

I personally find the 4R to be a very capable off roader with my mod's. As far as ground clearance I think it's not bad at all.....not great, but not bad and could be worse. I would like the stance to be a little higher, but that's the way it goes.Most of the offf roader's like Land Cr.,Range Rover,land Rover ect.. don't have huge tire's and big lift's and are classified as some of the best off roader's there is.

I had an 85 S-10 Blazer 4x4 w/ 2.8l V6 ,with factory skid's and 3.73 ls axle in rear and 235/75/15 BFG KO's and went more places with that truck than I did with any of my 4x4's. I did great !

I feel driving off road is an aquired skill and a stock 4R with some nice tire's can take you alot of places with careful planning and logical off roading. Anyone one with a big lifted truck and huge mudder's can blast through a mud hole ( which is fun ) but to me off roading is the point of trying to articulate different situation's at very low speed , maybe a few spotter's ect....

 

[djmodifyd]

i'm the same way
i pretty much HAVE to drive a modded car.

it just seems weird not having something stock

also, it gives me something "new" without havin to get sick of the car, and buy a new one.

BUT, if i owned a high end car, i probably wouldn't do anything to it.

like....my moms porsche, we havn't touched, and i don't want to touch it either....its a freaking porsche....i say leave it like they made it.

or, my fathers (well, now mine, he recently passed away) jaguar, i don't want to touch that either.

so basically, it depends on the car

 

[Uneek]

It depends on how one defines "mod". I don't modify any of my vehicles extensively, but I may add functional accessories. Anything I've changed, I want it to be subtle, i.e. no whale tail spoiler, crazy graphics/decals/stickers or dumb lighting (neons, etc.). Essentially, nothing that will draw unncessary attention and dumb comments.

Modding is two-fold and I agree with both sides, with one saying saving the mod money for a higher end car and the other saying take a lower end car and mod it. For the first, I wouldn't spend tens of thousands of dollars on a Civic just so that it can hang with a Camaro. Much easier to buy a Camaro and probably get equal reliability without extensive mods. On the other hand, if I had tons of money, I'd get a Supra and mod it to about 700-800 RWHP making it as fast or faster than some exotics while still spending less.

Just my two cents and to each and their own.