COB's 4Runner Timeline (Pic Heavy)

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I can say that I'm always on the Toyota side NOW; but I'd never owned a Toyota until October 2011, believe it or not. LOL

As far as vehicles go, bluntly put, I'm on the side of statistics. *shrug* I can't count the # of people who will listen to me give a long, impassioned, fact/statistic filled case, and then respond to my half-hour long epic debate killer with "....well, that's nice, but I've always liked _____."

:ybrick:

Just so happens that Toyota statistically has been very reliable...but other stats show other trucks are better than they used to be.

I suspect that when the time comes, if we can swing it, we'll get something like a 2008 to 2011 Tundra; if not that new, maybe the previous generation. Hard to argue with stats, and even my wife said "NOW I understand why Toyota."

Wow, only for a little over a year and you're on the dark side It's nice to see a logical reasoning behind your choices, because I too am sick of those "well I drive a ____" types. And hey, if you ended up enjoying your 4Runner, imagine a Tundra! 5.7L must be insane! It would be hard not to mod the Tundra when you're only supposed to mod the 4Runner haha.

Well, concerning the UCAs, as high quality as Toyota is, I WILL NOT sacrifice reliability. We originally bought this for our last-resort 'go anywhere in winter' 4WD vehicle...and then after that I stumbled onto this forum and caught the bug. LOL From what I understand, UCA's are the way to go (unless I'm missing something). So if that's the best/most reliable option then I'd rather hold out for those.

As far as the rest of the parts, I'd like a good mix of daily driving quality and off road capability; I've heard good things about Toytec's ultimate lift kit. Any thoughts?

What made you choose a Toyota? That's a bold move from someone who was a Ford guy IMO.

UCA's are cool, but all they do is increase down travel and clearance for wide tires on high offset wheels. They're way bad ass, but the factory stuff is certainly not weak. By any chance, do you mean the lower ball joints? Those frequently break with higher mileage trucks, that's when you see one of the front wheels fly off or get stuck under the truck.

Oh yeah, Toytec Ultimate is a great kit. Tons of people run them. I've installed a few and they're pretty nice. The coilovers are a plus for the adjustability. The ride is great if you like it a bit stiffer than stock, personally the stock stuff is too squishy for me. It will feel like a truck, but handle way better.

Also, consider visiting Wheelersoffroad.com, they have energy suspension steering rack bushing kits (prevents movement of the steering rack from old worn out bushings, improves steering response in serious cases). Also grab yourself some polyurethane sway bar bushings for better handling, in case you already haven't. I don't know about your sway bar bushings, but mine were splitting out the sides uselessly.







HEY, I dun ferGAWt about this here. The PIAA lights on my bumper come with some lame PIAA button switches. I had one fog switch from the old fogs I used to run, and bought another to replace the PIAAs.

Top prong is ground, middle is A/C, and bottom goes to relay.

I removed the PIAA switches and cut the switch plug from the harness. Using 6 female spade connectors, the Toyota factory rockers can be used.

 

[Supra725]

James,

where did you picked up the switches from?

cause I have the Piaa switch and am looking for an cleaner look than the Piaa switch...

 

[BrianSD_42]

I have to agree with CoB here. The stock UCAs are pretty damn capable and while the aftermarket ones seem like a decent upgrade, if it is one of your first mods then the benefits just aren't there for the high cost.

Kung, I suggest you first put the money into the following:

really great lift kit like the SS 1.2 ($1200), upgraded brakes, CAI & exhaust, steering rack (on the horizon after 150k), great set of 32 or 33 tires.

I have stock UCAs with a SS 1.2a and 31.5" tires. It rides great both in town and of road.

 

[Kung]

It would be hard not to mod the Tundra when you're only supposed to mod the 4Runner haha.

Very true...and I may be changing my tune when the time comes to buy one - but then again, my current DD is a regular cab 2WD F150 with the 4.6L - 235HP and 295TQ.

A Tundra STOCK (even 4WD, extended cab) with the 5.7L would be a huge upgrade; so I could probably hold off. LOL

What made you choose a Toyota? That's a bold move from someone who was a Ford guy IMO.

We wanted a 4WD vehicle that could tow some and haul everyone (me, wife, son). Being as it would be our vehicle to get us out of a jam in the middle of winter, it absolutely HAD TO BE reliable. Screw personal experience with cars - I needed to KNOW which SUVs were most reliable, and it was undeniable that Toyotas were the way to go (was considering a Honda Pilot or Ridgeline).

Had never owned one, but soon as I test drove it, I had that "aha! THIS is why..." moment.

That, and it needed VERY little - ball joints/OTREs, aftermarket aux tranny cooler, heater resistor, and that was about it.

UCA's are cool, but all they do is increase down travel and clearance for wide tires on high offset wheels. They're way bad ass, but the factory stuff is certainly not weak. By any chance, do you mean the lower ball joints? Those frequently break with higher mileage trucks, that's when you see one of the front wheels fly off or get stuck under the truck.

My apologies - I meant to say "from what I understand, replacement UCAs are the way to go."

My reasoning (and if I'm WAY off base here, let me know - I obviously have a ton to learn): it seems like most who have bought the Toytec Ultimate kit have experienced the springs rubbing against the stock control arms, correct? If that's the case, to me, that's a potential point of failure...and therefore my comments about reliability and replacing them. Necessary? Maybe not, but if the above is correct, even if there's the possibility of weakness/failure, I'd rather eliminate it as a potential weak link.

Oh yeah, Toytec Ultimate is a great kit. Tons of people run them. I've installed a few and they're pretty nice. The coilovers are a plus for the adjustability. The ride is great if you like it a bit stiffer than stock, personally the stock stuff is too squishy for me. It will feel like a truck, but handle way better.

Ditto on stock being squishy; it sounds like the above is exactly what I want.

Also, consider visiting Wheelersoffroad.com, they have energy suspension steering rack bushing kits (prevents movement of the steering rack from old worn out bushings, improves steering response in serious cases).

Ordered them a week ago; they just came in today. :biggrin2:

Also grab yourself some polyurethane sway bar bushings for better handling, in case you already haven't. I don't know about your sway bar bushings, but mine were splitting out the sides uselessly.

I haven't ordered them yet; do they really help that much? If so, I'll get 'em on order straightaway.

(BTW - sorry for hogging your thread - I can go elsewhere to ask questions and the like.)

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

James,

where did you picked up the switches from?

cause I have the Piaa switch and am looking for an cleaner look than the Piaa switch...

You can buy them from the Toyota dealer. These are the illuminated ones.

$18.08 per switch. Part number is 00550-35976. They used to come with rectangular lights, however they've changed to a round light.

Yep, perfect OEM fit for the best cleanliness.

I have to agree with CoB here. The stock UCAs are pretty damn capable and while the aftermarket ones seem like a decent upgrade, if it is one of your first mods then the benefits just aren't there for the high cost.

Kung, I suggest you first put the money into the following:

really great lift kit like the SS 1.2 ($1200), upgraded brakes, CAI & exhaust, steering rack (on the horizon after 150k), great set of 32 or 33 tires.

I have stock UCAs with a SS 1.2a and 31.5" tires. It rides great both in town and of road.

Yes, agreed. Kung, the UCA's will be a great upgrade further down the line when you're out on the trail. Those Tundra brakes are so cool, great suggestion Brian.

Definitely change the ball joints and tie rod ends with the Tacoma style, They have a fail safe design meant to prevent the wheel from flying off. The last thing you want to happen is a wheel flying off while doing 70mph on the freeway.

 

[Kung]

I have to agree with CoB here. The stock UCAs are pretty damn capable and while the aftermarket ones seem like a decent upgrade, if it is one of your first mods then the benefits just aren't there for the high cost.

Kung, I suggest you first put the money into the following:

really great lift kit like the SS 1.2 ($1200), upgraded brakes, CAI & exhaust, steering rack (on the horizon after 150k), great set of 32 or 33 tires.

I have stock UCAs with a SS 1.2a and 31.5" tires. It rides great both in town and of road.

I should've been a bit more clear. Because of the reason I stated in my last response to CoB (rubbing against the springs), I was planning on buying the lift and UCAs at the same time. Brakes are already upgraded; tires will come after the lift, of course. CAI/exhaust I'll get soon (don't want anything loud, just less restrictive if possible), and I'm already getting the 'death wobble' so if the steering rack guide/bushings I have in my hot little hands doesn't fix it, then the steering rack is next on my list to replace.

Sorry if I'm confusing (or confused or just flat out misled LOL).

 

[Kung]

Those Tundra brakes are so cool, great suggestion Brian.

Definitely change the ball joints and tie rod ends with the Tacoma style, They have a fail safe design meant to prevent the wheel from flying off. The last thing you want to happen is a wheel flying off while doing 70mph on the freeway.

You haven't looked @ my signature, have you. Tacoma LBJs/OTREs were done last December; and I literally JUST got the Tundra upgrade done Sunday - and you're right, both of these upgrades were WELL worth it.

 

[Salt_Life]

Great rig man! your rig gives mine some hope :banana: , ive got a 2000 t4r sr5 sport edition 2wd with only 100k, ive only had it for about two months now and after reading all over these fourms its got me itching to do some mods of my own, being that im only 16 there is only so much i can do for right now. but great thread, keep it up!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

No worries man, I don't mind at all. Yeah, you're right, haha I didn't see your sig. I should have been more observant. Wow, it's weird hearing of a Domestic owner seeing the light like that... haha sooner or later you'll have nothing but Toyotas

While I haven't personally had any serious issues with the lift causing the UCA to hit the spring, it has worn a small chip off the black powdercoat on the OME 883's. I wouldn't justify the purchase of a set of UCA's just for that, but if you have some serious contact issues, totally another story. Hey, they look bad ass peeking out of the wheel wells too.

Sway bar bushings are definitely a must, and cheap too. You'll understand when you install them, haha. Even just doing the endlink bushings ($12.99 at autozone for a pack of 8 energy suspension polyurethane bushings) will make a difference. TRDteen just took care of that, says it corners like a dream compared.

I'm sure I'll see your upgrades in your build thread, right?

Great rig man! your rig gives mine some hope :banana: , ive got a 2000 t4r sr5 sport edition 2wd with only 100k, ive only had it for about two months now and after reading all over these fourms its got me itching to do some mods of my own, being that im only 16 there is only so much i can do for right now. but great thread, keep it up!

Thanks bud! I got this truck 4 days after my 17th birthday, we all start somewhere. Get a build thread going, there's tons of cheap (or free) mods to keep anyone occupied. Lucky guy, you got to start with a sport edition!

 

[Kung]

No worries man, I don't mind at all. Yeah, you're right, haha I didn't see your sig. I should have been more observant.

I wasn't exactly raging over here; just giving you crap.

Wow, it's weird hearing of a Domestic owner seeing the light like that... haha sooner or later you'll have nothing but Toyotas

I suspect you're right; I'd have a tough time NOT buying a Tundra next. LOL

A lot of it had to do with my job. Moved to Missouri in 2008, and made OK money but we had to budget pretty tightly.

Anyways....in late 2009, we'd bought one HELL of a lemon ('97 Ford Taurus - the 'fish car'). We traded it in on a new Fusion after 8 months because it was a money pit. (You should have seen the dealer's face when they saw what the trade in was. Their actual words were, and I quote, "Oh yay, a 97 Taurus...we'll have people beating down the door for that one." LMAO!) Just prior to getting the new car, I went to get in the Taurus after a doctor's appointment, pulled on the inside handle to close the door - and THE DOOR PANEL came off. The ENTIRE freaking door panel.

So when we went to buy a 4WD SUV, we knew we had to have a reliable one. ...and therefore the 4Runner was the way to go. My wife kind of fought me on it (her father used to be the parts manager @ a Corvette store) UNTIL she test drove the thing and did the research. Now she's as hardcore Toyota as I am.

While I haven't personally had any serious issues with the lift causing the UCA to hit the spring, it has worn a small chip off the black powdercoat on the OME 883's. I wouldn't justify the purchase of a set of UCA's just for that, but if you have some serious contact issues, totally another story. Hey, they look bad ass peeking out of the wheel wells too.

Hrm...good to know. I guess that'll save me close to a G-spot when the time comes to do my lift....and if I have any issues I can look @ it then.

Sway bar bushings are definitely a must, and cheap too. You'll understand when you install them, haha. Even just doing the endlink bushings ($12.99 at autozone for a pack of 8 energy suspension polyurethane bushings) will make a difference. TRDteen just took care of that, says it corners like a dream compared.

Yeah, swaybar and endlink bushings are already on order. LOL I'm hoping they'll come in enough time so that I can get everything installed prior to our roadtrip (from MO to VA) over the holidays.

I'm sure I'll see your upgrades in your build thread, right?

I don't know - WILL YOU?? LMAO

 

[Stockwell45]

Hey man, I haven't had the time to read over your whole build until now. Just wanted to say that we all feel a pride of ownership towards our 4Runners that we've built, but I doubt any of us can even come close to matching the pride you feel for yours. Keep up the good work, it looks awesome.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I wasn't exactly raging over here; just giving you crap.
I suspect you're right; I'd have a tough time NOT buying a Tundra next. LOL
A lot of it had to do with my job. Moved to Missouri in 2008, and made OK money but we had to budget pretty tightly.
Anyways....in late 2009, we'd bought one HELL of a lemon ('97 Ford Taurus - the 'fish car'). We traded it in on a new Fusion after 8 months because it was a money pit. (You should have seen the dealer's face when they saw what the trade in was. Their actual words were, and I quote, "Oh yay, a 97 Taurus...we'll have people beating down the door for that one." LMAO!) Just prior to getting the new car, I went to get in the Taurus after a doctor's appointment, pulled on the inside handle to close the door - and THE DOOR PANEL came off. The ENTIRE freaking door panel.
So when we went to buy a 4WD SUV, we knew we had to have a reliable one. ...and therefore the 4Runner was the way to go. My wife kind of fought me on it (her father used to be the parts manager @ a Corvette store) UNTIL she test drove the thing and did the research. Now she's as hardcore Toyota as I am.
Hrm...good to know. I guess that'll save me close to a G-spot when the time comes to do my lift....and if I have any issues I can look @ it then.
Yeah, swaybar and endlink bushings are already on order. LOL I'm hoping they'll come in enough time so that I can get everything installed prior to our roadtrip (from MO to VA) over the holidays.
I don't know - WILL YOU?? LMAO

TAURUS! NOW there is a personal car with the shape and feel we've never seen before, TAURUS! FOR US! Ford listened.

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD, Lately?

lol I love that commercial. That door panel comment, omfg, so funny. Fish car? Oh god I can't imagine. lol.

Good luck with everything man, keep me updated! I think you've made the best possible choices so far. I should probably search, but can you link your build? I want to get a peek at this truck.

Hey man, I haven't had the time to read over your whole build until now. Just wanted to say that we all feel a pride of ownership towards our 4Runners that we've built, but I doubt any of us can even come close to matching the pride you feel for yours. Keep up the good work, it looks awesome.

Yeesh how long did that take? I wouldn't wanna do that in one sitting :lmao:. Thanks Stockwell! Your truck is pretty bad ass IMO, means a lot! I love your tire carrier setup!






Hey there hi there ho there. My center vents were both cracked. Also, I don't know why, but the plastic was glossy rather than flat. While tossing out one of my spare center dash bezels, I removed the vents and swapped mine out. They are from a 99 Limited, and have a bit different design, but look cleaner and are most importantly not cracked.

(interior is a bit dusty)

 

[Kung]

TAURUS! NOW there is a personal car with the shape and feel we've never seen before, TAURUS! FOR US! Ford listened.

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD, Lately?

lol I love that commercial. That door panel comment, omfg, so funny. Fish car? Oh god I can't imagine. lol.

Thanks tons for making me feel more manly. LOL

Good luck with everything man, keep me updated! I think you've made the best possible choices so far. I should probably search, but can you link your build? I want to get a peek at this truck.

Well.....there's not one yet.

Seriously though, I've not started one yet because to be perfectly honest, well, I dunno, I sort of figured it'd make sense to wait until I had some actual mods you could SEE. By all external appearances, right now, other than a spiffy new pair of Firestone Destination A/T's (couldn't justify a more expensive pair until it is lifted, and plus, for what I do, they actually are pretty darn nice), it appears to be little more than a very well kept 2000 4Runner SR5 Highlander Edition. *shrug* Not much to see yet, unless you know what to look for. (That, and next week there'll be a custom sound system inside - against, most stuff will be hidden.)

That, and the BIG mod (a lift) is probably at LEAST 4 to 5 months away...that's what's kept me from creating one. It'd be pics of the mods listed below, and a list of my plans, and that's about it. LOL

 

[Salt_Life]

Thanks bud! I got this truck 4 days after my 17th birthday, we all start somewhere. Get a build thread going, there's tons of cheap (or free) mods to keep anyone occupied. Lucky guy, you got to start with a sport edition!

Yeah, im just going to start off with simple thing, tint , replacing the stereo and probably the deckplate mod along with the intake silencer removal mod... im looking forward to starting on it! :thumb3:

 

[Kung]

Do those two actually do anything to help the vehicle? I mean, even if they help low-end response, or high-end response, that's cool...but if they just make a spiffy sound, meh.

 

[Salt_Life]

Do those two actually do anything to help the vehicle? I mean, even if they help low-end response, or high-end response, that's cool...but if they just make a spiffy sound, meh.

it seems from what ive read on here and other places, it helps a little with throttle response and such, for a broke 16 year old kid it seemed like a cheap, easy mod for me to do to my truck. supposedly though it does increase the noise of the intake.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Thanks tons for making me feel more manly. LOL

Hahahaha you're welcome!

Well.....there's not one yet.

Seriously though, I've not started one yet because to be perfectly honest, well, I dunno, I sort of figured it'd make sense to wait until I had some actual mods you could SEE. By all external appearances, right now, other than a spiffy new pair of Firestone Destination A/T's (couldn't justify a more expensive pair until it is lifted, and plus, for what I do, they actually are pretty darn nice), it appears to be little more than a very well kept 2000 4Runner SR5 Highlander Edition. *shrug* Not much to see yet, unless you know what to look for. (That, and next week there'll be a custom sound system inside - against, most stuff will be hidden.)

That, and the BIG mod (a lift) is probably at LEAST 4 to 5 months away...that's what's kept me from creating one. It'd be pics of the mods listed below, and a list of my plans, and that's about it. LOL

Woah woah, you've certainly done some very build thread worthy mods!! TBU, LBJs, OTRE's alone would be a great start! You've got lots more than that and with more on the way! Get started!! haha. It will be all the much better when your rig is towering over other 4Runners, you'll have documentation from day 1. Just be sure to post about 4 extra replies when you start the thread, in the case your build gets large enough, you'll be happy you did.

Build threads are your own way of making your impact. If everyone waited until they thought their truck was "worthy," we'd miss out on a lot of the great beginning mods that many new members want to see. Hell, sometimes they're the best types of mods out there because they're nothing but upgrades of stock stuff. Lifts, tires, bumpers, whatever, the beginning stuff is what everyone can relate to.

A well kept 2000 sounds like a sweet Toyota 4Runner to me, and this here website be called T4R.ORG. :hungry:

Yeah, im just going to start off with simple thing, tint , replacing the stereo and probably the deckplate mod along with the intake silencer removal mod... im looking forward to starting on it! :thumb3:

Sweet! Do some reading on Kung's build thread once he makes it, he's done some excellent beginning mods that you'll definitely appreciate. IE: Tundra brakes, sway bar and steering rack bushings, etc. Deckplate is a great start.

Do those two actually do anything to help the vehicle? I mean, even if they help low-end response, or high-end response, that's cool...but if they just make a spiffy sound, meh.

Of the few intakes I've installed on 3rd gen 4Runners, it honestly didn't seem to make that much of a difference. Some say that they feel the difference via the butt dyno, however I think it's just their mind trying to justify the intake purchase lol... Deckplate and ISR though, certainly worth it for the cost! The spiffy noise alone is worth it in smiles haha. However, you have to justify if you'd like to cut a huge hole in your airbox.

There's been arguments for years on actual performance gains, the general consensus is that it won't really do anything, at best maybe tiny gain. I think you'll get more performance out of tightening the throttle cable to lose slack, followed by cleaning the throttle body. Perhaps a seafoam treatment, as well.

 

[Kung]

Woah woah, you've certainly done some very build thread worthy mods!! TBU, LBJs, OTRE's alone would be a great start! You've got lots more than that and with more on the way! Get started!! haha. It will be all the much better when your rig is towering over other 4Runners, you'll have documentation from day 1. Just be sure to post about 4 extra replies when you start the thread, in the case your build gets large enough, you'll be happy you did.

OK OK you convinced me. LOL You do have a point...doesn't necessarily have to be visible.

Of course, soon after I read your reply, the UPS man drives up with some steering rack bushings and a foldable cargo topper for our trip.

It's a sign!

LOL

Though I WILL wait a few days to compose mine - I'd like to be able to actually take pictures of everything done, and most of the previous installs I've done focused so hard on getting it done that I forgot pics. LOL

 

[Kung]

CoB - as requested.

Kung's Build Thread

 

[mrvandelay]

Thanks for the inspiration!