Got a new 4Runner, Now what?

[independent70]

Well I just got a second 4Runner, a 2005 SR5 V6 4X4. Originally we had bought me a 2004 Limited V6 4X4 but my mom liked it so much she decided to keep it. So now i have the 2005 SR5 instead in Silver.

I have been lucky enough to take the limited (when it was mine) off road and really tested it out... I couldnt even reach its limits with the conditions I had. I tried driving it up one muddy powerplant access road in San Diego after some serious flooding (this was over X-Mas if you guys maybe remember the flooding in so CA, should maybe give an idea of how much mud). This "service road" was washed out, gooey mud and very steep, i dont know in degrees or anything but I know that starting up it my hitch dragged in the dirt a little and i saw blue sky out the windshiled. Then when we got to the top, it was only about 500 yards long but took about 10 minutes to drive up (very steep drop off on right side) we came to a locked gate and had to reverse down, keeping the ties out of the ravines and back into a flat spot (kind of like a switch back) before driving straight down the hill again... I know my explanation doesnt really explain this.. sorry... Then though we went to a construction site and really hauled out there... dropve through a river/stream that was probably 18-20 inches deep and muck bottom and had no problem (flooded road) and then my buddy got stuck in his 94 pathfinder and i had to pull him out, and i pulled him while i was in the mud in 2X4!!! pretty amazing...

I spend alot of my time backpacking, flyfishing, SCUBA diving and everything and really need a SUV that can get me into some hardcore back roads and off road areas (would also like to try some of moab this summer... road tripping from CT to CA for school...)

So what im asking is what would you all suggest in the way of upgrades having been through it all and collecting so much knoledge? I was kinda thinking in the terms of maybe an intake, exauhst, new tires, rock sliders and MAYBE some lights and a bull bar... WHat are your alls opinions on brands and such?

Im only 17 and dont have too much money so i would like to keep this pretty low cost... but still good quality..

Thanks in advance and any info would be great!!!!

I atached a link to another of my posts with my old 2004 4runner after i tested it out off road.. its much muddier than it looks... haha...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10727

tahnks again, joe

 

[Thai]

Get bigger all-terrain tires. I would suggest going with something like 265/75/16 (if you have 16' rims) or 265/70/17 (if you have 17" rims). I would go with BFG AT KO (my favorite), Goodyear Wrangler with SilentArmor, or Bridgestone Dueler AT REVO. All of these tires have an agressive look and tough as nails!

Here is Goodyear's thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8881

Take off your running boards to improve clearance.

Do the rear axle breather mod...cheap and relatively easy to do. It will improve your rear axle breathing when you do water crossings. Here is the thread on it:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=123

That should be good enough for now...and it did not cost you much at all.

Hope this helps.

 

[independent70]

Thanks

Thanks for your response... The BFG were also what i was kind of leaning to and to be honest i hadnt even heard of the revos, all i knew was to not bother with bridgestone after reading reviews on the stupid HT's... I have the 17" wheels, but in the way of money i was thinking of buying 15" rock crawler wheels along with the BFG 31x10.50R15 T/A KO (Load Range=C O.D.=30.7)n Do you all know the speed rating on these? Also do you know the bolt pattern for Toyota wheels? I live in India right now and wont see my 4Runner till June 1st...

Wheels-
http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=WHE&prodline=534&catName=WHEELS&man=TECH

Tires-http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=TIR&prodline=7&catName=TIRES&man=BFGO

And one last question for the breather mod, is that more of a safety thing (in terms of protecting the 4Runner) or does it do something else?

And also, would it be better to just leave the step bars on and use them as rock sliders until i get money? Or is it a better idea to have nothing?

What ar eyour opinions on Muffler shop mufflers over flowmaster/gibson/magnaflow or what?

Thanks again, Joe

 

[Good Times]

Re: Thanks

15's won't fit sorry.... you're stuck w/ 16's no matter what so go w/ that.

265.75.16 is the biggest you can go (one size up just about).

if you lift it you can go 285.75.16 but you'll encounter lots of rubbing even w/ the lift . expect to trim - search it's been covered.

the rear diff has been covered too so check that out.

basically search you have until june to lurk so enjoy!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

BFGs are not cheap and are so-so on dry roads so maybe give a set of Yokohama Geolandars AT+II which have a 50k treadwear warranty,great on road manners (I've had both the BFGs and the Yoks on Toyota trucks) and have proven themselves off road also and they cost on average $30 less per tire than the BFGs. Not that the BFGs aren't good but for a DD they are a bit much and don't resist hydroplaning very well and everybody and their mom has 'em.

Here's a link http://discounttire.com/dtcs/findTireDetail.do?rcz=80128&rc=CODINT&cs=265&pc=43346&rd=16&ar=75

I'm personally looking at getting a set of Nitto TerrGrapplers shortly since I've heard lot of good things of these tires from several reputable sources and I want to be different.

http://discounttire.com/dtcs/findTi...T&c=1&sw=&cs=265&pgid=71&pc=40193&rd=16&ar=75

 

[Thai]

Re: Thanks

15" rims are no good on 4runners due to brake clearance.

Why go with 15" rims & BFG AT when you can just put BFG AT on your stock 17" rims?? I know that smaller rims maybe better for hardcore stuff, but why waste so much energy and money when you have a perfectly fine solution in front of you? Stick with stock rims and upsize it as stated above.

Breather mod is to PREVENT problems with your rear diff. It does not make your 4runner anymore capable. It's a small insurance plan for your rear diff. And it's cheap too.

You can keep your running boards...but in the 4runner, the running boards are really low to the ground...so it will get ripped off if you're not careful.

I do not see a point in aftermarket mufflers on a SUV. If you screw around with it and not use the correct diameter, you may end up losing power (esp. low end torque) rather than gaining. SUVs are SUVs...they are not sports cars. My opinion. But, you can search this site for aftermarket mufflers...there are a few members who have added muffler systems.

Hope this helps.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I agree with Tai about the exhaust,anything a quarter inch bigger than stock will hurt your lower RPM range and most people that aren't SC'd buy an exhaust for the sound since that will improve.

 

[independent70]

Tires

I looked at those Nitto tires and they are really nice looking... Good price too... hows the tread life? I also have heard kind of the same about the BFG but I know they are great off road and have driven trucks with both the Mud Terrain and Baja's (Buddy worked for BFG in El Paso Texas and had a dodge 1500 and a tacoma set up as a mudder and a pre runner, very rich kid.. ahah)

Good point about the 15 inch and I had only considered doing it because i though i had found 15's which would be less than the cost of paying for 17 inch sized tires but i was wrong. As for exausht im not hoping for any huge horsepower gains or torque gains, but was hoping that maybe with an intake i would get a few (is it possible to gain MPG or is that an urban myth?) and get that thrpaty exausht tone.

Oh yeah and one last thing, sorry... but does the Valor exausht tip change the exausht sound? My moms limited has one but i havcnt seen my SR5 but i suspect it doesnt... is there any exausht tone difference with it?

Thanks, joe

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A guy over on yotatech recommended the Nittos. My off roading isn't anything extreme and my truck is a DD and he said the Nittos were the best for the occasional off road romp (up to intermediate roading which is where I usually stop at) and had great wet weather/snow handling and was decent in the dry and he was seeing solidly over 40k miles with them.
I also like the sidewall design since it's a bit different. BFGs are still a great off road tire but it's just not very grippy on pavement and since 90% of my driving is on it the BFGs just aren't suited for my driving style which leans toward the fast side and I know from previous adventures with the BFGs.

 

[independent70]

My Ideas

Hey everyone, im finally looking at and deciding what mods I want to get for my 2005 SR5 4X4 4Runner