Guidance with modifying a 4runner

[Saker]

When I went from SR5 OEM wheels to TRD Pro wheels I think I shed a couple pounds on each wheel.
Then when I went from Bridgestone Dueler H/T D684 II @ 39 lbs. per corner & put BFG AT TA KO2's 265/70R17 LR(C) @ 45 lbs. on all 4 corners, I picked up +6 lbs. per corner total.... So I picked up about 4 lbs. per corner and a slightly more aggressive tire.
I lifted mine 2" in the front (it may have settled some by now) and I lost about .5 MPG.
You may get different results.

Just sayin'

 

[tnine]

Thanks for the responses guys. The BF KO2s and Goodyear Duratrac both look like great tires. I'll have to do a bit more research to understand the differences between them better.

In regards to a bull bar, I'm more thinking something like this.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...rid-series-bumper-2014-sr5-trail-edition.html

Just something that will go over the front bumper and provide some plate protection. I know this one requires cutting, so not exactly this one, but this is more the style I'm going for.

I lifted mine 2" in the front (it may have settled some by now) and I lost about .5 MPG

[MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION], with your modifications, have you noticed a lot of changes in your road handling? I work from home, so I don't need to worry about the commute. I only really want to get around town locally during the week, groceries etc, then out of town for adventure on the weekends. I also noticed you installed bilstein shocks, how are you liking them? In your terrain, are you dealing primarily with sand?

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Saker]

[MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION], with your modifications, have you noticed a lot of changes in your road handling? I work from home, so I don't need to worry about the commute. I only really want to get around town locally during the week, groceries etc, then out of town for adventure on the weekends. I also noticed you installed bilstein shocks, how are you liking them? In your terrain, are you dealing primarily with sand?

Thanks,
Todd

I find it actually handles better with the changes. More responsive and the ride is better. The BFG's are not a "squishy".
Very large improvement over stock and my former TRD/Bilsteins that came from a FJTT off-road susp.

Sand no, muddy areas yes...
sand on the coastal areas.

 

[tnine]

Thanks for the reply [MENTION=103267]Saker[/MENTION]. One more question, did you evaluate the Goodyear Duratrac? If so, why did you ultimately choose the BFG KO2 over the Goodyears?

 

[Saker]

Thanks for the reply @Saker. One more question, did you evaluate the Goodyear Duratrac? If so, why did you ultimately choose the BFG KO2 over the Goodyears?

I know of people that had them on FJ's, some liked some didn't.....

Had good experience from BFG AT's before.... now since they have improved them, personal choice!

 

[tnine]

Hey All,
I've taken some time over the last few months and added items to my 4runner as they've been required. I started with rocky road sliders, and then added a Toytec lift and BFG K02s. Aside from the decreased road performance at highway speeds, I love my mods. One day, I'll put a supercharger on. The v6 with 285/70/17s just doesn't deliver much power at 10,000 ft or higher elevation.


I have a high lift jack with a winch kit and 30 ft chain. Until this weekend, it was more than adequate for getting me out of a situations where I'm stuck. However, this weekend I could have really benefited from a winch. I had to pull my 4runner sideways using the chain as a pendulum after sliding off a mountain road. To do so with the chain and high lift was an exhausting 3 hour process, as well as dangerous, even when moving slow and thoroughly thinking through the movement of the truck.


Since I have a 2014 SR5, my bumper options are severely limited. The two options that seem popular are the undercover winch system and the Slimline Hybrid. While both of these are aesthetically pleasing, I personally do not want this type of mounting system. In most of the situations I've encountered where I need to use my winch, the vehicle is on an angle, and is at risk of sliding down a hill.


Quick access to the winch without the need to open my hood or remove any covers is a must. I'd prefer the protection of a full ARB bull bar, however I don't want to take on the weight. With driving at altitude, I'm already struggling to have enough power on the road with my current weight.

I know "Bull Bars" aren't the most popular here. However, some sort of bull bar mounting solution would be ideal for me. I would prefer to bolt it to the frame, mount it in front of my existing bumper, and mount the winch on this. The Stubby Bars pictured here are similar to what I'm envisioning.

Going with just bars attached to the frame in front of the bumper introduces some complications. I'll probably get a 9k lb capacity winch, so I'm going to need a bull bar that is strong enough to withstand that sort of force from all directions.

Does anyone have any suggestions for something that would meet my needs?

Thanks in advance!
Todd

 

[3wbdriver]

Quick access to the winch without the need to open my hood or remove any covers is a must. I'd prefer the protection of a full ARB bull bar, however I don't want to take on the weight. With driving at altitude, I'm already struggling to have enough power on the road with my current weight.

There are several manufacturers who sell wireless remote control winches, so opening the hood or popping the dust cover aren't an issue anymore. I can't address your concern about side angles, but I can give a ringing endorsement for the SSS hybrid bumper.

 

[tnine]

Thanks for the reply [MENTION=105481]3wbdriver[/MENTION]. How do you access the clutch on your winch?

 

[3wbdriver]

Thanks for the reply [MENTION=105481]3wbdriver[/MENTION]. How do you access the clutch on your winch?

AH!!! Very good point. I don't have a wireless setup so I do have to open my hood to plug in the remote and use the clutch. There is a wifi remote available for my winch, but it would not address the clutch. But I do seem to recall some of the wireless systems also have a clutch function on the remote. One example below.

https://warn.com/truck/winches/ZEON_10Pltnm.shtml

 

[tnine]

While I will probably buy a wireless Comeup winch, I still like the option of having quick manual controls. Batteries die!

 

[mrevilandy]

Is a high lift jack going to even work. Seems like the op will only be able to use it on the sliders not very stable depending on the terrain I guess. I'm just a noob asking a question

 

[jwkilgore]

Check out this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/198453-front-bumpers-5th-gens.html
Ignore all the angst over aluminum vs steel bumpers.

Personally, now that my wife rear-ended a boat and put two holes in my plastic bumper, my next mod is going to be an SSS Hybrid... assuming [MENTION=110183]SouthernSS[/MENTION] gets around to actually finishing the design for the early 5th gen models. :sleepy:

And for future reference, there are too many useful threads of the type to sticky, so they made an index of useful threads here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92594-modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html
The bumper thread is there, along with lifts, tires, sliders, build threads, etc.

 

[jwkilgore]

Is a high lift jack going to even work. Seems like the op will only be able to use it on the sliders not very stable depending on the terrain I guess. I'm just a noob asking a question

You can use the hi-lift plus a couple of chains as a rudimentary hand winch; I believe this is how the OP was using his. Also you can get various attachments so you can hook the jack to your trailer hitch, wheels, etc.

 

[SouthernSS]

[MENTION=126566]jwkilgore[/MENTION] - we have been SLAMMED with current product orders which has left us little time for new development. I guess thats a good problem to have, but I am working on it diligently, I promise. We need to get the first production bumper laser cut and test fitted to another truck before I can release it as a product. Then comes instructions and templates, etc. and so forth. I'm shooting for a November release for 2010-2013 4Runners as well as 13+ Tacoma and Tundra models.

 

[jwkilgore]

[MENTION=126566]jwkilgore[/MENTION] - we have been SLAMMED with current product orders which has left us little time for new development. I guess thats a good problem to have, but I am working on it diligently, I promise. We need to get the first production bumper laser cut and test fitted to another truck before I can release it as a product. Then comes instructions and templates, etc. and so forth. I'm shooting for a November release for 2010-2013 4Runners as well as 13+ Tacoma and Tundra models.

Would I get a discount if I drive down around Thanksgiving for a test-fitting? :driving:

Nah, I was just pulling your chain and making sure the new design was still in progress. I'm serious about it being the next mod (unless I get rock sliders first), but financially it won't happen until next year. Way too much has happened in the past few months. Did I mention that my wife rear-ended a boat?

 

[tnine]

[MENTION=121029]mrevilandy[/MENTION]

I use this with my high lift jack.

Hi-Lift Off-Road Kit (ORK) - Everything You Need to Winch, All in One Convenient Case! | Hi Lift Jack Company

It works well, but it's not easy, and you have to be very conscious of your body position with respect to the jack and the force on the chain. If you don't set it up correctly, it can spin, which under load has a LOT of force if you were to get hit with the handle.

With the 30' chain I have and the high lift jack + accessories, the whole kit weighs in at around 100+ lbs. I'm in pretty good shape (at least my wife tells me so ;-p) and after a few minutes of lugging it around, fatigue will set in.

When using it for straight forward and reverse pulling it performs well. It's pretty easy to set up and use, just a little time consuming to assemble everything.


I ran into issues when having to side pull my 4runner. It didn't feel particularly safe, and I think a winch with straps and pulleys would have been much faster, easier, and safer.