Best mods to start with for a Noob

[oneohh]

Just got my first 4Runner last week (03 V8 Limited 4WD 32k miles). I know there is a wealth of info on this great site, but much of it is so far ahead of where I'm at right now.

So, since my car is stock I was wondering what some of you thought my first mods should be based on your own experiences.

I'd eventually like to have about a 3" lift so I can fit 285s underneath. I'll probably powdercoat my stock 17" wheels flat black rather than getting new wheels. I want a nice roof rack and eventually I'll do a replacement front and rear set-up.

Right now I'd like to get some good shocks and a K&N type set-up, an iPod ready radio and some Husky liners.

What do you guys recommend?

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

For shocks go for some FJ shocks and springs. They will give you a little lift. Alot of guys here run them and love. What K&N? intake or filter?

 

[oneohh]

For shocks go for some FJ shocks and springs. They will give you a little lift. Alot of guys here run them and love. What K&N? intake or filter?

I'll do both intake and filter.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Amazon.com: K&N 63-9022 Air Charger: Automotive This is also where I got my intake. Good price for sure!

 

[deltaclothingco]

03 with 30k DAMN. Go with a 3" toytec with a spacer in front. Cheap and rides great IMO

 

[BobbyZee]

Dayyyuummm....03 with 32K?? are you sure odo is not turned??

 

[oneohh]

Dayyyuummm....03 with 32K?? are you sure odo is not turned??

I suppose it could be, but I've crawled around just about everywhere on the thing and there are hardly any mechanical signs of wear whatsoever. There are a decent amount of cosmetic scratches and things of that nature, but the engine compartment is immaculate as is the area under the dash on both drivers and passenger sides. Everything under the carpet looks factory fresh as does the leather.

Supposedly this was a family's 3rd car.

I bought this from one of the most reputable dealerships in town. I feel pretty confident in the mileage.

Now, about those mods...

 

[techmen17]

Yea I would say go with spacer lift for now, wait till that mileage goes up and do a full swap later...

Other than that you can go w/ tint, sound system, exhaust, blah blah blah....until the cash flow decreases a little bit haha.

Also look around for some functional mods like LED interior swap, fog light mod so forth

 

[Colemanfu]

Do the "reflector" mod. Safe and very little $.

 

[hgill]

heres a few mods you may or may not be interested in. I plan on doing these when i pick up the 4runner in about week or two.

1. WeatherTech Floorliner
2. Double Din (maybe with nav, bluetooth, usb- many to pick from) -See pic
3. Jaos Grill and deflector (see pic)
4. TRD Shift Knob (see pic)
These are just a few I like, the list is endless. All depends on your wallet size.

Note: pics are not mine but of other members on here with bad ass runners.

 

[darkie3495]

First off, congrats on the new 4Runner!!

It might help if you mention how you're going to use your truck? Are you planning to take it off-roading, modding just for looks, etc? Also, what is your budget? I'm sure with those facts, members can better provide recommendations.

My advice, since you plan on eventually replacing the front and rear, is to save up and do it right from the start. Don’t waste your time on stuff you plan on getting rid of anyway. Yes there is a market for spacers, fj springs, etc. but you’re still wasting time and money swapping multiple suspensions plus alignments.

Suspension:
$ - Spacers / FJ setup
$$ - OME
$$$ - Icon, Radflo, King, Fox

Roof Rack:
$ - Yakima / Thule baskets
$$ - Bajarack full replacement
$$$ - Perkins performance, Gobi

It can get out of hand really quickly so having a good game plan helps a lot.

As for a first mod, the best mods when I was first starting out were new tires and the husky liners. Mods I could have done without were spacers/fj springs, smaller tire (got 265/70 instead of my 285 now) and satoshi grille.

Good luck!!

 

[rockwall]

You have even less miles on your 03 than I do! My first mod was Weathertech floor liners and a cargo mat. I would not be without them. Next I installed my Alpine head unit, amp and sub.

My favorite mod so far is my Magnaflow cat-back system. My truck growls and sounds like a V8.

I'm happy with everything that I have done. Go one at a time and enjoy!

 

[chaz]

for ur next mods u may like JAs interior led upgrade, maplight & footwell light mods.

 

[bigwebb83]

can someone post a link to the interior led upgrade?

 

[chaz]

lots of good stuff on his site. Toyota 4Runner Interior 6k LED Lighting Conversion

 

[Trevloc]

can someone post a link to the interior led upgrade?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/30379-led-map-dome-light-mod.html


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/62252-interior-lighting-mod.html


theres two.

mine are in the mail, should be here in the next couple of days, for my dome, and im getting new ones for my maps. you can see the current ones in my thread in my signature. but when i do my domes and maps again, ill make a how to video and post it. ill also put in the video how i did the side door lights. its super easy.

 

[2005v8sport]

I just started modding my truck myself. Be careful these forums can be very addicting and you start doing things you would have never even thought you needed.

3/2 Confed lift
powder coated stock sport wheels
285 BFG tires
Spidertrax Spacers
JDM black headlights
Painted front Sport insert, will be painted the rear, and swaping for a black roof rack
Will also be tinting all the rear lights. Will be installing Rolla Roof Rack, After market Muffler and Volant Intake in the next two weeks

Hows that for a start, LOL!

 

[oneohh]

Wow...lots of great info in here. Thanks to all who responded.

That is a sweet ride, 2005v8sport. Did you install the lift yourself? What is your shock situation? I've noticed a decent amount of body roll on my truck, what is your ride like after the lift?

Someone asked what I'll be using my truck for. Well, it's my daily driver and I doubt I'll ever be a hardcore crawler. I will be doing a significant amount of trailing/camping, though.

My first two mods will probably be the iPod ready radio and the weathertech mats/liner.

I'll eventually do the front and rear replacement bumpers, but I won't do that until I'm ready to throw the sport fender flares and rocker covers on it.

 

[bigwebb83]

I just started modding my truck myself. Be careful these forums can be very addicting and you start doing things you would have never even thought you needed.

3/2 Confed lift
powder coated stock sport wheels
285 BFG tires
Spidertrax Spacers
JDM black headlights
Painted front Sport insert, will be painted the rear, and swaping for a black roof rack
Will also be tinting all the rear lights. Will be installing Rolla Roof Rack, After market Muffler and Volant Intake in the next two weeks

Hows that for a start, LOL!

This is nothing! It's refreshing to see how "moderately priced" stuff for this vehicle is! When I was 22 and had a job making more than I should have but still not enough to blow money like I was, I bought a 2005 nissan 350z. Got on the Z forums and immediately go addicted... Next thing I know I'm $19k worth of mods into the thing (turbo's, wheels, body kits blah blah blah) and reallized I could've paid off a significant portion of my house! So I'll take a few hundred bucks on a lift any day!

 

[DexTech]

I haven't done any mods other than changing the cabin lights to LED. Interesting thing is everyone that sees them at night loves them. IMHO interior LEDs are a big bang for the buck