Favorite mod?
- Thread starter ChellaBella
- Start date
KidVermicious
New member
My KM2s are the best thing I've done for my truck so far, though the Spartan is a close second. I love my Spartan.
RAD, they're around $250 at rockauto.com, and wicked easy to install. Seriously not even worth the writeup, they basically drop right in. Welded is cheaper and more predictable, but if your truck sees decent pavement time and an elocker is out of the budget, Spartan is the way to go.
RAD, they're around $250 at rockauto.com, and wicked easy to install. Seriously not even worth the writeup, they basically drop right in. Welded is cheaper and more predictable, but if your truck sees decent pavement time and an elocker is out of the budget, Spartan is the way to go.
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Thanks, KidV. Yes, it's my DD and I only need my truck to get me to the trailhead for backpacks. Chefyota4x4@yotatech has Spartan on his truck and he's happy with it, so I'm also thinking about it. No issues when daily driving? Chef says he just hears some sound- racheting sound maybe?
Hyde, Funny... I backpacked with a guy who has an 85 4Runner with Lincoln locker- Lincoln because that's the brand of the welding equipment used - LOL! He would pull bigger trucks from getting stuck during their mud/snow runs. That' how I learned about how good the classics are.
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KidVermicious
New member
I had no trouble at all with the Spartan in my '86, which was an auto. I haven't put it in the '85 yet which is a manual, but I don't expect any trouble there either.
It's torque activated, and I think a little more reluctant to kick in than some of the other automatics. I've heard horror stories from guys that couldn't idle through a tight turn in a parking lot without the rear locking up and scuffing their tires, but I'm able to turn my wheel to full lock and even give the truck light throttle and it still doesn't lock up. Every now and again you'll get a clunk from the rear if you get on or off the throttle abruptly, and when you turn tightly you'll hear the ratcheting sound the locker makes as the one side slips past the other and lets the differential be a differential. I daily drove my truck through a snowy Salt Lake City winter with KM2s on, and didn't have any traction issues. At least for our trucks, the Spartan is absolutely nothing to be scared of and will absolutely get you through situations an open diff won't. If you're going places that you're losing traction and spinning one wheel, the locker makes all the difference. But if you're just doing twotracks and fireroads, you probably don't need it.
It's torque activated, and I think a little more reluctant to kick in than some of the other automatics. I've heard horror stories from guys that couldn't idle through a tight turn in a parking lot without the rear locking up and scuffing their tires, but I'm able to turn my wheel to full lock and even give the truck light throttle and it still doesn't lock up. Every now and again you'll get a clunk from the rear if you get on or off the throttle abruptly, and when you turn tightly you'll hear the ratcheting sound the locker makes as the one side slips past the other and lets the differential be a differential. I daily drove my truck through a snowy Salt Lake City winter with KM2s on, and didn't have any traction issues. At least for our trucks, the Spartan is absolutely nothing to be scared of and will absolutely get you through situations an open diff won't. If you're going places that you're losing traction and spinning one wheel, the locker makes all the difference. But if you're just doing twotracks and fireroads, you probably don't need it.
RAD4Runner
Senior Member
Cool. Sounds like a good value for my application then. Chefyota4x4@yotatech thinks same, too.
Thanks, KidV!
4runnertank
New member
As far as performance, gotta be my aussie locker in the rear.
But hands down my favorite mod has got to be my SOFT TOP!
Soft tops are the greatest things ever invented for the 1st gen 4runners, but you don't really have that option with a '93 of course.
I would also like some tube doors too for sure.
But hands down my favorite mod has got to be my SOFT TOP!
Soft tops are the greatest things ever invented for the 1st gen 4runners, but you don't really have that option with a '93 of course.
I would also like some tube doors too for sure.
You really like the soft top that much? I was debating on one. How is the road noise?
KidVermicious
New member
There's noise, but it's way better than no top at all. But there's nothing better than driving a trail with the top down, and a soft top lets you do that and still cover up for the freeway or in case it rains. Soft tops rule.
tor-redneck
New member
my favorite mod on my 85 is the aftermarket wire runnen from my fuek pump, into my engine bay then through the fire wall and slid into a fuse slot. thanks po.....
tundrayetti
New member
Your favorite mod is now MY favorite mod! Lol
SilentYoda3
New member
What Runner are you in now? Did you buy nates?
KidVermicious
New member
Don't you have your own forum to post in now? :suspicious:
dirty dangler
New member
my favorite mod so far is the airplane mod
honestly my favorite mod is the suspension seats. Some trips we do are 100+ miles one way so a cozy seat is essential. Seriously feels like im in a lazy boy but i guess for the price of these(800$ a piece :dammit
they better feel that way
honestly my favorite mod is the suspension seats. Some trips we do are 100+ miles one way so a cozy seat is essential. Seriously feels like im in a lazy boy but i guess for the price of these(800$ a piece :dammit
they better feel that way SilentYoda3
New member
am i kicked off of here?! Such hostility!! I'd still be here if some bimbo was paying attention to the road instead of her phone! I knew SV sold his 88, just wondering what he stepped into.
KidVermicious
New member
He's in Bob's truck, which you'd know if you weren't off gallivanting about with that 3rd gen of yours.
Footofgod
New member
Likely excuse for a 3rd gen owner. "Blame it on the Bimbo"? Nah you just wanted insurance money to get out of your 2nd gen. What? Do you think you are better than us now?
SilentYoda3
New member
i mean kind of.... like i don't have to swap in the 3.4L.... plus it looks better.... plus it's a 3rd gen that one January's Featured Runner.... i mean the evidence is pretty clear. Kid you own a '99, you know the true potential of awesomeness of the 3rd gen. I mean just sayin' guys. 
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