Desert 'Runners

[Phalanx]

These were the 4runners from yesterdays (12/28/03) trip to Lower Coyote Canyon in the Anza Borrego Desert.

My Rig

Rest of Pics

Lower Coyote Canyon

 

[GatorGreg]

Great pics Phalanx, looks like a lot of fun! How did the 2 H2s perform on those trails? I'm afraid they'd be too wide to be much fun on some of the trails I like to drive here in Fla.

 

[Phalanx]

The H2's did pretty well. The first H2 driver was a complete novice, but the large tires and dual lockers (after we asked him if he had any and told him what they were for) were very forgiving. The second driver knew what he was doing.
Both the H2's had problems finding good lines and clearing rocks, both on the trail and on the side of the trail. The second one got about an inch from taking out two of the side windows and supports. It was classic, when the H2 got close to the rock, the kid in the rear seat rolled up the window as if it was going to stop the rock. :duh:

Got WAY closer, there was a delay on the digi camera

 

[Scofco]

I hope one day my truck looks as good as yours Phalanx.
Any chance you can give me some specs on it?

I'm lost as to what I should do first to mine. So many options :

 

[Phalanx]

Thanks for the compliment, really appreciate it.

Since my my truck is a daily driver I wanted a little more oomph from the 3.0, so first thing I did was intall the K&N FIRK and Flowmaster exhaust. To pass smog here in Cali, thats basically as far as I can go with the engine, but Im satisfied with the power increase.

Suspension is 100% stock

In terms of looks, I replaced the stock bumpers with tube bumpers from All Pro Off Road. The front went for $400 and the rear went for $300. But Unfortunately they dont make a rear bumper for the rear tire mount model yet. Both are direct bolt on and come unpainted. I painted them myself with Herculiner bedliner. The tires and rims are black All Americans which can be found for around $50 but there are similar ones out there for like $35. The tires are BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM's.

My next step will probably be a Detroit Soft Locker or ARB Locker.

For the first mod I guess it all depends on what youre going to use the most. If you want do some off road mods, do some trails (not alone), and find the areas where your 4Runner is lacking.

Hope this helps,
Josh

 

[Scofco]

Helps a ton, thanks mate.
Still in my dreaming phase of what to do, but when I do decide I must be very specific, as getting the parts I want in the first place is a huge pain, due to the fact I'm in the middle of nowhere. Selling the parts if I change my mind would be an even bigger pain, due to the low population.

That did help me alot though, I really love the look of your truck.
Do you find that the stock suspension isn't adequate enough sometimes?
I don't plan on doing anything crazy with my truck other than climbing mountains with it. I wouldn't climb over rocks just because I can, not my type of fun. I tested the articulation earlier in the night on a large snowhill, and was fairly impressed with the results, though I did come rather close to dragging the bumper on the ground.

Do those All Pro bumpers increase your approach/departure angles at all?

 

[Thai]

The H2's did pretty well. The first H2 driver was a complete novice, but the large tires and dual lockers[/IMG]

I think that the H2 only has one locker...the rear axle. The front axle is open. H2 uses the same type of ABS-based traction control on all 4 wheels, but you have an additional option of locking the rear axle. The front axle is still controlled by traction control.

 

[Phalanx]

The thing with the suspension is, all i can do (without spending $2000+ for an SAS or crazy pre-runner suspension) is replace the stock suspension with aftermarket shocks which dont really increase ground clearance or articulation very much. So far the stock suspension has worked fine. I plan to do the solid axle swap in the far futre, so ill just wait and save cash for that.

There are lifts out there like the Superlift, that lower the front suspension and diff but they dont increase front articulation. This causes instability when off camber since there is an increase in articulaiton in the rear but not in the front. I'd rather scrape than roll over.

If youre looking at tires and rims, I wouldnt go over 32" since youll probably have to re-gear which costs a bit. They will also kill your gas milage. I went with 31"x10.5" because the 32"x 11.5" dont tuck under very well, further limiting articulation and only have a 1/2 more clearance than 31"s. I got the black rims since they were cheap and easy to replace if I lost a bead while aired down.


The All Pro bumpers definately increase the appraoch and departure angles. The front bumper kind of continues on the angle of the skidplate, if you can picture that.

 

[Phalanx]

Doesn't suprise me that the H2 owner didnt know what he was talking about...... or bragging about. :rolleye2:

He had a nice leather jacket, I'll give em that...

 

[Scofco]

Well, thanks for the help again, I think I've made up my mind on what to start with.

The K&N FIPK with the All Pro bumpers sitting on 31X10.5 Michelin LTX A/T with Baja American Racing 15" wheels.

Should be a nice start : Costing me about $2800cnd or so

 

[Thai]

The All Pro bumpers definately increase the appraoch and departure angles. The front bumper kind of continues on the angle of the skidplate, if you can picture that.

Are these bumpers heavier than stock?? If so, then you may notice that your 4runner will sit lower and lower over time, especially the rear (more so if you have a hitch). This is where upgrading the suspension (esp. stiffer springs) prevents sagging.

 

[Phalanx]

The front bumper is definately heavier. Not sure how it compares to a TJM or ARB. In the rear, I orginally had the bumper with a tow package. The rear all-pro is heavier than the stock bumper alone but its probably around the same weight as the bumper and tow package it replaced. Again, unfortunately they dont make the rear bumper for the swing out tire carrier equipped 4runners.

Might as well throw these in as well on your order. 1.5" 4Runner Coils