FJRunner project has begun!

G

gaberelli

New member
I didn't set out to build my 4Runner out of FJ takeoffs, but couldn't pass up the good deals. I have a 2006 Salsa Red Limited V6 4WD 4Runner. I love this truck. The only thing I miss from my 2006 Durango is the HEMI power. That is a great engine (would be awesome in a Runner). So, I didn't like the way the 18" wheels rode and I really didn't like the replacement cost for tires (especially if you upsize). So, I picked up a brand new set of FJCruiser wheels from the FJ forum for $325. The stock wheels are obviously also a bit sucked in and the FJ wheels help to push them out a half inch or so. I also found a set of FJ springs and shocks for front and rear off of ebay for $45. The last little pieces are machined aluminum 3/4" top out spacers to level the front a bit.

That's the plan. It developed with tons of reading on this great site. Thanks to everyone's posts. I waffled over what to do for a long time. Seeing some of these rides made me want to go a bit more extreme, but this is a daily driver right now. Maybe someday it'll be a toy and I'll go a little more crazy.

Today the build up started by mounting my new wheels and tires. I was going to go with something in the 255/75/17 size to give it a cool look and better mileage, but there aren't that many options in that size. I ended up going with the good ol' 265/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers in a passenger rating. All I can say after a day of driving is WOW, what a difference over the stock Cross Terrains. Quiter, smoother, and waaaayyyy better looking!

I am looking forward to putting the suspension parts on because it looks a little stuffed in the front end with the larger tires. But even so, it looks way better. Will be a lot easier finding it in a parking lot ;):

You'll see in the pictures that I debadged all but the tailgate. What do you guys think about finding some FJ letters and putting them in place of the "4" of 4Runner making it clear to all laypeople that this is an FJRunner!

Here are a couple quick pics. I took them quickly with a crappy point and shoot before it rained. My wife is out of town with my Canon T1i.

<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/?action=view&current=DSC03286.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/DSC03286.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/?action=view&current=DSC03287.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/DSC03287.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/?action=view&current=DSC03288.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/DSC03288.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/?action=view&current=DSC03289.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/DSC03289.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/?action=view&current=DSC03290.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww251/gmnelli/DSC03290.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Sounds like it's going to be very nice. The FJ letter thing might be pretty cool.

I prefer you don't post pics. If I see FJRims on the Salsa Runner I'm going to have to spend money!:lmao:

That's a good initial report on the TG's. You're one of the first I recall going from the Michelins to the TG's. When someone says 'X' tire is great and they're coming from the Dunflops I am not sure what to think. I mean, after all, anything is great compared with the OE Dunlops, right?:D
:cheers:
 
I am excited to see some pics!

I just got my hands on some FJ wheels the other week and am starting prepping them to paint them satin black.

I test fitted one and it looked great! With my spidertrax though, it will take some more trimming. I would have been tempted to keep them on as is but 4 of the 5 wheels had pretty bad rockrash, so it took some work to smooth them out and the finish is ruined.
 
eskimochaos said:
Where are you from? Any interest in selling the limited rims?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I was planning on listing them at some point. They are in great condition but won't include the TPMS as they are on the new rims. I am in Wisconsin. These were shipped from Alabama for about $100. How much were you looking to spend?
 
Sliders...

Without the running boards, I really need to sliders. Even if I don't do heavy off-roading, they will help clean up the look and protect the body. What do you guys suggest?
 
Alright another Wisconsin guy...... I'm like the lone wolf here .

So you new project , which I have all the same stuff in my garage as you have will give you the following lift.

Front 2.25" (1.5" of lift from the topout spacer and approx .75 from the FJ springs)
Back 1" (just from springs)

Love the rims and tires I'm debating if I should PC my rims or leave them alone (stock)
 
Falls said:
Alright another Wisconsin guy...... I'm like the lone wolf here .

So you new project , which I have all the same stuff in my garage as you have will give you the following lift.

Front 2.25" (1.5" of lift from the topout spacer and approx .75 from the FJ springs)
Back 1" (just from springs)

Love the rims and tires I'm debating if I should PC my rims or leave them alone (stock)
Click to expand...

Do both top-out and pre-load spacers provide a lift ration of ~ 2:1? From the physics of it I would guess so but I remember seeing a post somewhere that stated only the pre-load spacers have a 2:1 lift ratio.
 
I thought it was topout that did net you 2/1.

I did not thing you had a pre load . Did I miss something ??
 
You didn't miss anything. I will only have a top-out spacer (3/4") but I just understood the opposite of what you calculated. Namely, that only pre-load spacers had a ~2:1 ratio. That would put this top-out lift of mine at 3/4" for the spacer and 3/4"-1" for the FJ springs netting a lift of 1.5" - 1-3/4" in the front and around 1" in the rear for just the springs. Someone chime in if we are way off base.

Either way, it'll put a much better/level stance on the ride. I'm not going to sweat a half in or so.
 
Last edited:
I topout will double the net size and a preload stays the same as the spacer size (please someone correct me if wrong).

What do the spacers measure ?? 3/4" ?? Where did you buy them ??

I like the 255/75/17's size a lot , unfortunately in an all terrain your only choice is Firestone Destination AT's from what I could find. Seems to be a good tire and price and has the Uni-T compound like the Revo's do.
 
The spacer is a Toytec spacer. If I had gone with 255/75/17 tires I really like the BFG MT KM. They are OEM for jeep rubicon. Plus, they are about $100 per tire!
 
Falls- Another good alternative to powdercoating is painting them yourself. There is a good writeup here. It seems lots of guys on the blue room do it. I am actually just starting mine.

Gaberelli- By far the best bolt on sliders are those from Shrockworks. The only downside is price (mine came out to around $600 with shipping) and wait time (it can be up to 3 months). Rocky Road outfitters make some as well, but they require some drilling and their design does not seem quite as solid as the SW sliders.
 
:bash: :awais: Damn you! Now i have to go looking for rims!:lmao:





1) Beautiful house!
2) What's the big inflated thing in front of the T4R in the last pic?
:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
:bash: :awais: Damn you! Now i have to go looking for rims!:lmao:





1) Beautiful house!
2) What's the big inflated thing in front of the T4R in the last pic?
:cheers:
Click to expand...

Yeah. I liked the way they turned out. And I love the look and ride of the Nittos.

The "house" is the garage :) Not mine. And the tube thing is an inflatable trampoline that we put in today. Fun for people of all ages!

Any more ideas on what this lift will net me?
 
gaberelli said:
Yeah. I liked the way they turned out. And I love the look and ride of the Nittos.

The "house" is the garage :) Not mine. And the tube thing is an inflatable trampoline that we put in today. Fun for people of all ages!

Any more ideas on what this lift will net me?
Click to expand...

Nice garage...:bowdown:

The trampoline sounds fun! The difference for us "more experienced" folks is the heal time. I'm still recovering from waterskiing a week ago!

It looks like the T4R is well on it's way to being super sweet. With the possible exception of ARB style bumpers I am all about mods that equate to as it "should've been delivered" from Toyota IMHO. You're on that track...

The de-badged doors are sweet. I kinda like the badges on the tailgate. I am undecided on removing the running boards. I drive several old folks around and truth is I'm a poser when it comes to the off-road aspect of things. The stuff I'll tackle could be done with a Ford Escape, a trans cooler and good tires:lmao: I really do tow...
:cheers:
 
CJ3Flyr said:
Sounds like it's going to be very nice. The FJ letter thing might be pretty cool.

I prefer you don't post pics. If I see FJRims on the Salsa Runner I'm going to have to spend money!:lmao:

That's a good initial report on the TG's. You're one of the first I recall going from the Michelins to the TG's. When someone says 'X' tire is great and they're coming from the Dunflops I am not sure what to think. I mean, after all, anything is great compared with the OE Dunlops, right?:D
:cheers:
Click to expand...
:iagree:

I'm about ready for mine to go...most likely to the Michelins, but I like how the TG's look.. May have to look into them.

I like the Salsa Red - that was my 2nd choice behind the blue, the FJ wheels look great!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 373 (members: 3, guests: 370)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,304
Messages
3,554,033
Members
248,014
Latest member
xf-bot+t4r

Share this page

Back
Top