From Carolina to Colorado...Buliding from Scratch

NClounie

New member
Starting Fresh (new 4Runner, first build)

Hey y'all, I'm Bruce. Been lurking here awhile gathering information/ideas on what I want to do with my 4Runner, but figure it's about time to post them up!

I've been in NC for 25 years, with brief spurts in Montana and now Colorado (Denver area). Bought my dad's 1999 Limited in high school, but about two weeks ago I picked up a 2007 Limited V8!
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This is my third time driving from Carolina out west (and second time solo,) and it just gets faster each time...love getting to see the different views across states. Just got to Colorado tonight, and looking forward to exploring the parks out here! Got some pretty good pics in the Black Hills that I'll put in the next post; too bad half the Badlands was closed this time...

I never did mod the last one, but definitely wanting to try my hand this go-round, and learn more about working with the different parts of the runner. I'd consider myself a novice / not the most intuitive with all this stuff, so I'll start out with basic mods and work my way up.


--- The 4Runner ---

Goals:
Get it looking/performing less like an SUV and more like a truck
Learn how the different systems in the 4Runner (and cars in general) work
Visit / use a trail in all the National Parks within a 1k mile radius in < 1 year

Starting Point:
2007 Limited V8 4WD, Salsa Red
145k miles
5 previous owners
19hr drive to get the 4Runner

Current Build:
100 lbs of household miscellany waiting for an apt ;)


--- Things About to Happen ---

Upcoming Maintenance / Work:
1. Grease the zerk fittings (pics)
Hopefully will alleviate clunk a bit. Don't really want to tackle the root problem atm, mine isn't too bad.
2. Order replacement for the trunk handle (right now...duck tape. lol)
3. Replace leather on the front seat (duck tape over the smallish split atm)

"Itchy Trigger-Finger" List:
1. Light bar. I like more of a clean than flashy look, and BannerBuilt's bar looks awesome.
2. ARB Front bumper
3. Lift for ^, probably Bilstein 5100s and OME coils. Pretty sure that's heading in the right direction, going to do more research as far as brands and places to install. No X-REAS on my runner makes things simpler to tear apart at least.


--- Future Changes ---

Need more research:
HID lights - with quad lows/highs
LED rear/backup lights

Ideas when bored:
Satoshi Grill mod - I really like how Brian's came out.
Tailpipe Mod
Change color of console / steering wheel / cluster lights
Door lock LED

CB Radio + PA? Maybe.
Aux/Bluetooth "KVM" switch.
* Idea is I can play aux via bluetooth, or flip the switch and pass an aux cable around to let passengers play their music. I already have a USB port some guy before me drilled into a switch (which looks ugly AF,) so might as well make something useful out of it!
Qi holder+charger for my Nexus 6 phone. Also going to figure out how to keep it there without the ugly snap-in cases everyone uses. Not sure how to do this w/o magnets though...

Money sinks:
Doug Thorley Headers
Door Sills from Jason Burtman.
* When I do this, I'm probably going to put subdued/non-flashy LEDs under the letters. Tracing a pattern so that only the outer border of the letters gets lit up might be an interesting route...
Hawk LTS brakes (probably with slotted cryo rotors?)
New tires
Hilux Surf rear bumper step guard, thanks to Luxury and Nolac for the find, back in the day.
 
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Welcome! I moved from Raleigh to Denver back in late 2014. Love it here! Unfortunately, I think my lady (who is a Denver native) is going to drag me, kicking and screaming, back to NC. Lots of Toyota and 4Runner enthusiasts here. Enjoy!
 
Welcome to Colorado! If I were you I'd reverse the to-do list so you can hit some of the trails nearby and see what Colorado really is all about!
 
Welcome to Colorado! If I were you I'd reverse the to-do list so you can hit some of the trails nearby and see what Colorado really is all about!

I agree with CXS - Welcome and consider the lift first. FYI - There is someone local selling a Toytec lift setup that would save you some money (looks like minus the rear springs, but you could buy those separate)

4Runner Toyota toytec
 
You can also typically find several options on craigslist here in the Denver area to pickup Rubicon take-off tires 255/75- Some don't like the skinny tire, but I have found they work well plus no need for trimming or adjustments to make them fit.
 
I'm with the others. Focus first on durability and functionality (repairs, upgrades), the things that "get you out and back" versus lights, grills, etc.

"Welcome to CO."
 
Welcome! I moved from Raleigh to Denver back in late 2014. Love it here! Unfortunately, I think my lady (who is a Denver native) is going to drag me, kicking and screaming, back to NC. Lots of Toyota and 4Runner enthusiasts here. Enjoy!
Thanks! Haha. NC definitely has its charms, loved living there. However...I've seen more 4Runners here in one day than a typical week in NC! Sounds like the right place to be.

Welcome to Colorado! If I were you I'd reverse the to-do list so you can hit some of the trails nearby and see what Colorado really is all about!

I agree with CXS - Welcome and consider the lift first. FYI - There is someone local selling a Toytec lift setup that would save you some money (looks like minus the rear springs, but you could buy those separate)

4Runner Toyota toytec

I'm with the others. Focus first on durability and functionality (repairs, upgrades), the things that "get you out and back" versus lights, grills, etc.

"Welcome to CO."
Thanks for the input and welcomes! I'm seriously considering doing the durability stuff first given what y'all have said so far.

With regards to repairs, I've already:
* Replaced the timing belt / water pump
* Replaced the radiator
* Changed transfer case oil / front and rear diff oil / transmission fluid / power steering fluid
* Replaced the old OEM with an AFE dry filter

So, should be good for the most part at the moment.

Again, appreciate the input! Colorado definitely seems real friendly so far; enjoying the little bit of snow too, while it lasts.

edit - updated the OP based on the posts so far and to make it easier on the eyes.
 
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