Build?

[BusinessHippieRH]

So: As you can see, I am brand new to the forum. I've been snooping around for a while, but I finally bought a 4Runner. She's a 2004 V8 Limited Edition 4x4. The reason I'm finally posting is simple. I want to add a few things... Figured I would ask:

A) Will it work (and will I have to replace any of it as I go- I'd rather only do this once.)?
B)Anybody running it or parts of it?
C) Maybe there's something better I haven't found yet.

So... here goes:
Suspension:
Immediately:
ICON 2.5 Ext. Travel Front Shock
ICON 2.5 Rear Piggyback Shock
ICON 3” Rear Coil Springs (Possibly just Old Man Emu... not sure what weight I would want/need though)
TOTAL CHAOS Upper A Arms
Eventually:
TOTAL CHAOS Rear Links
TOTAL CHAOS Lower Arms (very eventual... plus: I've never seen them sold separately- probably a simple call and ask)

Body:
Bumpers:
4x4 LABS Rear (single swing-out, tire holder)
TACTICAL ARMOR GROUP (still figuring out exactly how I'd want this, but a winch will be necessary)
Rack:
GOBI Rack, Ladder (the lady is 4'10)
Armor:
BUDBUILT Sliders + Full Tread
BUDBUILT 5 Piece Skid + Diff. Skid (maybe not the front skid- depends on bumper choice)

And: before somebody asks: I live in NW Florida near a large military base (read: tons of single track sand/dirt roads, mud pits, and Alabama is nearby). I camp frequently and occasionally tow a small boat (read: I carry a bunch of stuff regularly). This is all probably more than I'll "need" at first, but I'd like to eventually take it "way out there".

Thanks in advance!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

are you doing all this at once? if yes, what lottery did you win and where can i buy a ticket

 

[RCs4Runner]

Ah pipe dreams. :hippie:

 

[HokieRunner]

So: As you can see, I am brand new to the forum. I've been snooping around for a while, but I finally bought a 4Runner. She's a 2004 V8 Limited Edition 4x4. The reason I'm finally posting is simple. I want to add a few things... Figured I would ask:

A) Will it work (and will I have to replace any of it as I go- I'd rather only do this once.)?
B)Anybody running it or parts of it?
C) Maybe there's something better I haven't found yet.

Thanks in advance!

First off - Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new 4Runner!

Wow. That's a lot to jump in and do right off the bat but more power to you. To answer your questions:

a) will it work? Yes, it will work - if you have RAS (rear air suspension) i'm fairly certain you'll have to gut it. Anything can work if you have enough time and money (not trying to be a smart ass, btw, but these are all bolt on parts that people already run).
b) I don't think anyone here has THAT exact build but I think you'll find folks running those parts seperately or in conjunction with other lifts/armor/components. Sorry but I'm not running any of those parts.
c) 'better' is pretty subjective. These trucks are extremely capable in stock form and once you get into aftermarket shocks/springs, your end goal is a big determining factor.

out of your list the things that jump out at me -

You're going to run a piggyback shock in the back but no resi in the front?

Roof rack - Check out Whitson Metalworks. Much better value than Gobi, IMO and he'll customize to your needs. Then just use the gobi ladder with it. Josh (Whitson) is in Florida too.

TAG bumper - are they still in business? I'd heard mixed reviews even when I knew they were in business. I'm a big fan of the Demello and Shrockworks.

Budbuilt skids are nice but you may want to take a gander at the RCI skids as well. Josh @ RCI is great to deal with.

4x4 labs rear bumpers are really nice. CBI is probably a slightly cheaper option and just as nice if you don't need the extra departure angle the 4x4 labs bumper affords. But be prepared to pay (although that doesn't seem to be a concern) and most of their bumpers I've seen built were done on location at their shop.

 

[BusinessHippieRH]

Thanks. I was hoping to get responses like these (I've done my research, just wanted to make sure I was right). I'll definitely look into the other companies recommended.
As for front resis: I wish I had won the lottery... they'll probably fall in with the later suspension group. This'll probably take me a year and a half to "finish".
A suspension question though: I figure once I have it lifted, upgrading bump stops would be an exercise in spending $ for little return (unless I do some serious rock crawling). Is this correct?

I think the order will look something like:
Suspension (-lower arms and rear links)
Sliders (cause once I get it lifted, I'll be more tempted to try and break it)- Armor may jump up here if they're willing to "cut a deal" on a full package
Wheels/Tires (the ones I have will probably be worn out by then... they're just stock, but I'd rather wait to spend the money when I need em anyway)
Rear Bumper (to hold the new, bigger spare)
Rack (probably right before summer/serious camping time)
Front Bumper
Armor (cause at this point, I'll definitely be trying to break things)

 

[HokieRunner]

Thanks. I was hoping to get responses like these (I've done my research, just wanted to make sure I was right). I'll definitely look into the other companies recommended.
As for front resis: I wish I had won the lottery... they'll probably fall in with the later suspension group. This'll probably take me a year and a half to "finish".
A suspension question though: I figure once I have it lifted, upgrading bump stops would be an exercise in spending $ for little return (unless I do some serious rock crawling). Is this correct?

I think the order will look something like:
Suspension (-lower arms and rear links)
Sliders (cause once I get it lifted, I'll be more tempted to try and break it)- Armor may jump up here if they're willing to "cut a deal" on a full package
Wheels/Tires (the ones I have will probably be worn out by then... they're just stock, but I'd rather wait to spend the money when I need em anyway)
Rear Bumper (to hold the new, bigger spare)
Rack (probably right before summer/serious camping time)
Front Bumper
Armor (cause at this point, I'll definitely be trying to break things)

I look at bump stops on an individual need basis. The folks I've seen running them are usually running long travel set ups or 35s, etc. Then it takes a little fiddling to get that right mix of limiting up travel enough to prevent rubbing/spring binding but not too much. A body lift could help alleviate any need for bump stops if you're trying to avoid wheel well rub. Body chop mount will probably be needed in there somewhere if you jump up to 285 (33s) tires or larger.

If the only reason you're going to full rear is for a tire carrier there are hitch mounted tire carriers that fold down. Much cheaper and you get weight savings. I'm also running a worn 285 tire in the OEM spare location (but this works for some folks and not others).

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Thanks. I was hoping to get responses like these (I've done my research, just wanted to make sure I was right). I'll definitely look into the other companies recommended.
As for front resis: I wish I had won the lottery... they'll probably fall in with the later suspension group. This'll probably take me a year and a half to "finish".
A suspension question though: I figure once I have it lifted, upgrading bump stops would be an exercise in spending $ for little return (unless I do some serious rock crawling). Is this correct?

I think the order will look something like:
Suspension (-lower arms and rear links)
Sliders (cause once I get it lifted, I'll be more tempted to try and break it)- Armor may jump up here if they're willing to "cut a deal" on a full package
Wheels/Tires (the ones I have will probably be worn out by then... they're just stock, but I'd rather wait to spend the money when I need em anyway)
Rear Bumper (to hold the new, bigger spare)
Rack (probably right before summer/serious camping time)
Front Bumper
Armor (cause at this point, I'll definitely be trying to break things)

[MENTION=46025]HokieRunner[/MENTION] is right about the bumpstops, its subjective to what you're using it for. [MENTION=15853]Redswan[/MENTION] would know more than i do about them for sure.

 

[JustSomeName]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the OP need to upgrade his lower control arms if he wanted to get the extended travel coilovers? I was under the impression that the stock lower control arms weren't built to handle that much travel on the front coilovers and you would need to upgrade them to get the most out of the extended travel coilovers

The Total Chaos set comes to mind
TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION - 2007+ FJ Cruiser 2WD & 4WD2003+ 4Runner 2WD & 4WD Long Travel Suspension Kit

 

[HokieRunner]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the OP need to upgrade his lower control arms if he wanted to get the extended travel coilovers? I was under the impression that the stock lower control arms weren't built to handle that much travel on the front coilovers and you would need to upgrade them to get the most out of the extended travel coilovers

The Total Chaos set comes to mind
TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION - 2007+ FJ Cruiser 2WD & 4WD2003+ 4Runner 2WD & 4WD Long Travel Suspension Kit

If he went LONG travel yes - new LCAs.

But for extended travel no. I'm running extended travel 2.5 radflos on OEM LCAs with no issue.

 

[cacarbuff]

Suspension sounds awesome! I'm running a very similar setup, and love my MetalTech LT rears (or Icon has just released some heavy duty progressives), and LT spec Icon rear shocks. If I were you, I'd seriously check them out. I have a bunch of flexing shots in my build thread, and all of the guys I run with say it flexes out great. I'm running 265/70r17 for the time being, and can just about get one of my rear wheels 100% below the body of the car (see photos). I also sprang for the remote resi's up front and would do so again in an instant. They're phenomenal in the sand and at high speed on dirt roads. Feel free to PM me with any questions!

 

[Redswan]

I am running these suspension parts:

-Icon 2.5 Extended Travel Coilovers w/ Remote Reservoirs (Preloaded 1.5") FRONT
-Icon 2.5 S2 Secondary Shock System w/ Remote Reservoirs FRONT
-Wheeler's Offroad Super Bumps Front
-Icon Piggyback w/Remote Reservoirs REAR
-Icon Rear Hydraulic and Air 2" Bump Stops
-Icon 2" Rear Springs with AllPro Offroad 1.5 lift spacer (which petered out after a year and i went back to OME 895s)
-Camburg 1.25 uniball UCAs
-Toytec Dif-Drop
-Toytec 1" Body Lift
-Total Chaos Spindle Gussets
-Custom Energy Suspension 6.5" Sway-Bar Links

I love my set up and it was well worth the money for all of it. I have more info in the links in my signature.

It sounds like you know what you want, just make sure you are building it FOR what you plan to use it for.

Hope that helps and congrats on your purchase.

-MojaveMike

 

[BusinessHippieRH]

Thanks again guys.

Sounds like I'll be saving a little money and getting exactly what I'm looking for. As for the money, I'll be doing this in stages (a lot of them), and sometimes parts will just be sitting in the garage looking pretty until I can make it all work right. I'll gladly share with y'all how I end up doing all this, but the way I spec'd it out, the largest single purchase is under 2K. I'm (relatively) single, have a decent paying job, and am willing to eat Ramen if need be to get my toys all set up right.

Hokie runner- I do like the rack from Whitson (just make a fairing, buy the ladder from gobi and it looks like the same thing if not slightly better) and the RCI skids. They have officially replaced what was on the list.

As to long travel... we'll see further down the road. Same for the front res. If I decide further down the road that I need em, I'll just do the “add a reservoir” service through Icon and get em rebuilt at the same time. As for why I'm doing it in the rear: I just like a more solid rear end (maybe comes from the old school single axle trucks I'm used to-the IFS is all new to me), and I plan on loading her down pretty heavy and pretty often. Plus: those piggybacks are just too damn cool.

For now: the set-up I'm building should do slightly more than my “needs”, and as I learn what it'll give me and what I'm doing with it changes, I'll update the parts as necessary. I'm not naive enough to think I'll never replace anything, but I'd rather not have to do so before I'm done with the “original” build.

2 Questions:

1. I'm about to pull the trigger (as in: sitting in My Cart at WheelersOffRoad) on the front suspension (AKA TC UCAs and ICON 2.5 ext. travel). I'm doing the front first so that I can just tune it to “stock” and enjoy the update in quality without lift until I can do the rear in a few weeks. Is there anything I need to upgrade or be aware of (not 100% sure about brake lines or drilling my spindle)?
2. Redswan: can you still use your hitch with the tire carrier installed? Sometimes I need access to the hitch at a moment's notice and don't want to have to figure out what to do with the tire any time I have to take it off...

 

[Redswan]

Thanks again guys.

Sounds like I'll be saving a little money and getting exactly what I'm looking for. As for the money, I'll be doing this in stages (a lot of them), and sometimes parts will just be sitting in the garage looking pretty until I can make it all work right. I'll gladly share with y'all how I end up doing all this, but the way I spec'd it out, the largest single purchase is under 2K. I'm (relatively) single, have a decent paying job, and am willing to eat Ramen if need be to get my toys all set up right.

Hokie runner- I do like the rack from Whitson (just make a fairing, buy the ladder from gobi and it looks like the same thing if not slightly better) and the RCI skids. They have officially replaced what was on the list.

As to long travel... we'll see further down the road. Same for the front res. If I decide further down the road that I need em, I'll just do the “add a reservoir” service through Icon and get em rebuilt at the same time. As for why I'm doing it in the rear: I just like a more solid rear end (maybe comes from the old school single axle trucks I'm used to-the IFS is all new to me), and I plan on loading her down pretty heavy and pretty often. Plus: those piggybacks are just too damn cool.

For now: the set-up I'm building should do slightly more than my “needs”, and as I learn what it'll give me and what I'm doing with it changes, I'll update the parts as necessary. I'm not naive enough to think I'll never replace anything, but I'd rather not have to do so before I'm done with the “original” build.

2 Questions:

1. I'm about to pull the trigger (as in: sitting in My Cart at WheelersOffRoad) on the front suspension (AKA TC UCAs and ICON 2.5 ext. travel). I'm doing the front first so that I can just tune it to “stock” and enjoy the update in quality without lift until I can do the rear in a few weeks. Is there anything I need to upgrade or be aware of (not 100% sure about brake lines or drilling my spindle)?
2. Redswan: can you still use your hitch with the tire carrier installed? Sometimes I need access to the hitch at a moment's notice and don't want to have to figure out what to do with the tire any time I have to take it off...

1. sounds like a good plan. I would say from experience, buy what you want up front. Don't settle, but do buy what you plan to use it for. For example if you aren't running fast over washboards or woops then don't even worry about resi's.

The Tiregate/swinggate is removable and weighs around 80lbs un loaded. That is the reason I went with it was the ability to remove it when I want to. It has a receiver integrated in to it so you can still add the hitch, but I don't trust it to tow or add loads to it. It is a good investment.

 

[BusinessHippieRH]

Lights

So... while I was waiting on parts for the front end, I decided to fix a few things that annoy me about the truck. I started with the reverse lights. The stock ones were simply useless.

And when I was ordering them from Lightbeauty I thought, why not throw a brighter light in the back? I'm in and out of there a bit and would love to be able to see everything... Next thing I knew, I had decided I wanted LEDs in the entire interior (map, dome, doors). He was a pleasure to work with and was very quick to get em out to me. We'll see if the LED bug has bit me if/ when I decide the dash needs an update...

I'm waiting on parts from the local Toyota dealer to add a grab handle on the driver's side (the "missing" roof one). I just got the ICON portion of the front end suspension... just waiting on the TC UCAs. Hopefully I'll be able to install it the first weekend in April. I'll put up some pretty pictures (well- the best my phone can do anyway) once it's in there!