Howdy Y'all - 2014 SR5 Premium

[4RunninHog]

Howdy from the third coast!

New to the 4runner world and just wanted to stop by and say hello. Have owned my 4runner for a week now and love it. Much better than my F150 and the MPGs I'm getting are putting a smile on my face.

Have a quick question though, I installed the Bilstein 5100s on my F150 to level it out and I liked the look but it road rougher than stock, not a big deal with my 4x4 pickup, I'm curious about y'alls experience with them on the 4runner though. I had them at the 1.75" on the front and it was noticeably rougher. I don't want my 4runner to ride too hard as it's a daily driver mostly on the highway. Houston roads aren't exactly stellar so I'd like to avoid a rough ride if it's possible, although I'd like to get rid of the nose dive cause its terrible.

Should I go with the 1.75" or 0.85" setup and if so will I need to put anything on the rear or just swap the struts?

Also any luck on a good tonneau cover? I really pushed to get the dealer to throw one in but with no luck. I really don't want to suck it up and pay the dealer but if it's my only option I may do it. I have to go back to get them to put the running boards and all weather mats in.

Finally, I'd really like black wheels without having to buy new wheels, anyone ever had their stock wheels powder coated in this area and have any good recommendations? I saw the write up from ANTMAN about painting his wheels so I was wondering if anyone had anymore experience in that realm?

 

[2014 Warthog]

IMHO if you are not lifting the back, set the front to 0.85 Especially if you are concerned with stiffening up the ride any. Go 1.75 if you are adding a spacer or FJ springs to the back.

At least that was my final conclusion I came to after a ton of research, I never got to put it into practice though as they were impossible to get and I went another (expensive!) route.

As for the wheels, you can go the "plastidip" route. A spray on rubber coating that is amazingly durable and can be removed if you don't like it. Search for "plastidip wheels" in the forums for tons of people that have done it. Powder coat would be more permanent but of course you have to take the wheels off and remove the tire and is way more expensive, might be worth considering just buying new black wheels.

 

[BobsTrail]

0.85 will get you close to level with a little tail high. 1.75 will give a good level. If you load it much it may go tail low at 1.75 unless you add Air LIft bags. I set mine to 0.85 as in the photo.

This is from on old post of mine, a search for Bilstein, level and lift will show more photos and input.

I set the front to 0.85 and noticed only a slight increase in firmness and reduced nose dive. I later added the rear Bilsteins and it does feel firmer but not enough to be a problem. It feels a lot more controlled off-road with 5100s on all 4.

 

[rick.deckard]

IMHO if you are not lifting the back, set the front to 0.85 Especially if you are concerned with stiffening up the ride any. Go 1.75 if you are adding a spacer or FJ springs to the back.

At least that was my final conclusion I came to after a ton of research, I never got to put it into practice though as they were impossible to get and I went another (expensive!) route.

As for the wheels, you can go the "plastidip" route. A spray on rubber coating that is amazingly durable and can be removed if you don't like it. Search for "plastidip wheels" in the forums for tons of people that have done it. Powder coat would be more permanent but of course you have to take the wheels off and remove the tire and is way more expensive, might be worth considering just buying new black wheels.

x2

Front adjustable Bilstein 5100s are nowhere to be found. If you do find them, you're best bet would be to start at .85 and see how that changes your ride.

 

[JayceeP]

Search Plasti Dip on this forum and YouTube and you will find an inexpensive, and viable, option with all kinds of colours available.

 

[4RunninHog]

I'm looking at doing the Aries Grill Guard mod that Qjake did and adding a light bar to it. My question is, will the Aries grill guard fit the 2014 SR5?

Aries Off Road Grill Guards & Brush Guards - 80+ Reviews of Aries Grill Guards

I'm having a lot of issues finding anything other than a full bumper replacement. Just wondering if anyone knows?

 

[2014 Warthog]

I'm looking at doing the Aries Grill Guard mod that Qjake did and adding a light bar to it. My question is, will the Aries grill guard fit the 2014 SR5?

Aries Off Road Grill Guards & Brush Guards - 80+ Reviews of Aries Grill Guards

I'm having a lot of issues finding anything other than a full bumper replacement. Just wondering if anyone knows?

Probably going to have to call them. The body changes to the 2014 have severely limited the external mods even over it just being a 5th gen which is scant compared to like the parts for gens 1-3 and even 4.

Also, I've found tons of sites that are clearly not up to date. Dates ending in 2012 or saying things like 2010+ when what they really mean is 2010-2013. So really, unless someone here has gotten a specific part (Haven't seen that one before myself) you'll just have to talk to the manufacturer directly.