How much (if any) armor do I need?

C

captaintg

New member
Greetings!

I've got an 06 V8 non-Xreas, and I'm interested in putting the OME lift on partly for the look, partly for the off-road performance. I don't go off-road that much, but that may change in the future. I live in Colorado, so there is a lot of off-road fun to be had, I just don't know how much abuse the stock 4Runner can safely handle, so I'm fairly conservative.

My confusion is over what I need to get- the light or medium duty OME lift, and do I need sliders, or skid plates? If I do need more armor, what is the order of importance? I can't afford to get the lift, and the sliders (Shrockworks), and the complete skid plate collection (Budbuilt).

Should I just get the light duty OME lift and forget the armor (and the off-road capabilities)? Or is the factory skid plate(s) sufficient for some off-roading? So many options! It's confusing!

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I apologize if this has been covered before, I didn't find these answers when I did a search.


-Tim
 
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Whats up Tim!? Welcome!

I would definitely get BudBuilt Skid plates. I used to live in Colorado and didn't have them there but I definitely wish I did. Colorado terrain is so rocky you get a rock up there and it hits something, you could be stuck on the trail for awhile. Budbuilt skids keep the rocks and sticks out and your rig safe.

If you plan on hauling a lot with the lift or having a heavy load, go with the Heavy Duty. If not, the Mediums will be fine.

Good luck on the build! Careful, its addicting!!

Doug
 
Greetings! You're pretty much in the same position I am, and you're also only about 15 mins NW of me. :P

First, don't underestimate the stock runner. I've been repeatedly amazed with mine. (Check my other thread in this section about Barbour Fork.)

My priorities right now are: Lift > Tires > Skid Plates > Sliders > Front armor/winch

Here's a few of the sites I've been looking at for my stuff:

**Suspension -
2 x OME885 Front Springs
2 x Front shocks 90000 Nitrocharger sport shocks
2 X OME895 Rear Springs
2 x Rear shocks 60004 Nitrocharger Sport

Wheeler's Off Road

Light Racing UCA's

Toytec differential drop

**Wheels

LT285/70/R17 Goodyear Silent Armors


**Skidplates -

4Runner 03-09 Skid Plates


**Front bumper -

Wincher


Many thanks go out to G.I.G. as much of this came from his build, and the lessons he learned while doing it.
 
I'm a fan of Man-A-Fre (4+Plus) set-up. I mostly got them for convenience and price, but they've proven to be great on the trails, especially in rocky terrain. I've currently got the engine, transmission and transfer case skid as well as as a set of sliders from 4+Plus and I've been really happy with the set.

I've got the OME set-up and have also been really happy with them, I went with the heavy set-up because I've got the Shrokworks front bumper and the dream of a rear CBI bumper.

All in all I've been really impressed with everything we've went with and think they are all great.

Good luck, and I agree, once you start it's very difficult to stop!!
 
Tim,

I also off road in Colorado, and did that for a year in stock configuration. If you choose your trails and lines you take on the trail wisely, you can have a lot of fun and the stock 4R always amazed me with it's capabilities.

Now that I've modded mine, this would be my order of priority.

1 - OME lift. It just feels great to go along most trails confident that you have the clearance to get over most things, and a suspension that really works over the lumps and bumps. I've got the medium shocks and think its great both on and off road.

2 - Larger, off road oriented tires. There's no substitute for good rubber that has the tread to get you over obstacles and the strength to avoid punctures.

3 - Sliders - This added protection gives you more confidence around larger rocks and trees that the sides of your 4R are protected.

4 - Last for me would be new skid plates. Sure the stock ones aren't that strong, but they do work and since you already have that protection I'd take care of other things first. Replace these after you've bashed then a bunch of times.

Hope that helps you.

Ed
 
Excellent feedback so far! Thanks everyone.

First, I should have mentioned I have some General Grabber AT2's on the truck now, which are 265-70-17's. They have worked great so far.

Second, after reading the replies, I'm leaning towards the OME Medium lift and sliders to start, and then adding some skids next summer. Does this sound reasonable?

Reading the replies has lead me to another question (as usually happens!): Which skid plates are "more" essential than the others? Or is it an all-or-nothing situation?

Again, thanks for the help so far.
 
I can't advise you on the skids since I haven't done those yet (although I think the ones in the front get hit the most), but I think you have a good plan to do the lift and sliders now and skids later.

Ed
 
The Front and Mid (budbuilt) is all im running right now. I'll eventually get the rest of it but I think those are the most important.

And yes, the 4R is definitely capable stock. I ran on stock skid plates for about 2 years. Ran it without a lift for a little while too!

DSC_0060.jpg~original
 
Most important thing IMO is sliders. Any offroading you do I think you should atleast have sliders. Then suspension and tires then the budbuilt skids.
 
OK- not to over-analyze this to death, but should I get the medium or light duty OME kit? 90% of the time it's just me in the truck, and I carry about 50 pounds of gear in the back at all times. Will the added weight of some sliders and maybe a skid plate or two (skids won't be installed until sometime in the future) be enough to warrant the medium duty OME? I don't mind the stock ride, so I don't think I want to go too firm with the upgrade.

Thanks again!
 
For the OME, go with the medium. I was really concerned about them and on road performance, but I'm really glad I got them:

From this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/66845-road-performance-ome-suspension-lift.html

"I've put several hundred miles on since the install on highways and off road. Off road they're fantastic. It's great to have the added clearance and improved shock absorption. My biggest concern was the impact on road, and I'm actually really pleased about how the OME's do. While it's a little stiffer, mainly at lower speeds in town, it's not that noticeable. And the stiffness actually helps at speed on the highway - I actually experience less body roll as I go around curves and less nose dive when I break hard."

Ed
 
marked said:
Tim,

I also off road in Colorado, and did that for a year in stock configuration. If you choose your trails and lines you take on the trail wisely, you can have a lot of fun and the stock 4R always amazed me with it's capabilities.

Now that I've modded mine, this would be my order of priority.

1 - OME lift. It just feels great to go along most trails confident that you have the clearance to get over most things, and a suspension that really works over the lumps and bumps. I've got the medium shocks and think its great both on and off road.

2 - Larger, off road oriented tires. There's no substitute for good rubber that has the tread to get you over obstacles and the strength to avoid punctures.

3 - Sliders - This added protection gives you more confidence around larger rocks and trees that the sides of your 4R are protected.

4 - Last for me would be new skid plates. Sure the stock ones aren't that strong, but they do work and since you already have that protection I'd take care of other things first. Replace these after you've bashed then a bunch of times.

Hope that helps you.

Ed
Click to expand...

Im from Colorado Springs and I agree.
 
marked said:
For the OME, go with the medium. I was really concerned about them and on road performance, but I'm really glad I got them:

From this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/66845-road-performance-ome-suspension-lift.html

"I've put several hundred miles on since the install on highways and off road. Off road they're fantastic. It's great to have the added clearance and improved shock absorption. My biggest concern was the impact on road, and I'm actually really pleased about how the OME's do. While it's a little stiffer, mainly at lower speeds in town, it's not that noticeable. And the stiffness actually helps at speed on the highway - I actually experience less body roll as I go around curves and less nose dive when I break hard."

Ed
Click to expand...

Thanks, everyone! I think I have a plan now, and I'll be ordering parts and pieces in the near future. I'll be sure to update with pics!
 
Order of precedence for armor IMHO

Sliders
Rear bumper(strength and departure angle) as ours are weak and if you have the tow hitch, it will help protect but cost even more departure issues
Skids- factory work fine and mine have held up to years of trail abuse, but stronger ones that cover more are on my list.
Front bumper strength, light mounts and winch addition
 
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