I posted in the "Welcome" forum but still have some questions.

[Gaper]

I picked up my new (to me) 2012 4Runner SR5 yesterday. She is pretty much stock except for a 3, 2 Readylift ( I am not sure how I feel about this yet as a lift; I really just don't know anything about them. Feel FREE to chime in on personal opinions) and 285 Yokos. Weathertechs along with factory mats. 20k miles.

I know I want sliders and that MetalTech4x4 is running a sale on Opors - thoughts on a set of those? After looking around here it seems like many folks are running BudBuilt sliders. I am coming from the Land Cruiser world (80 series) so I have dealt with MetalTech4x4 before. The Opors seem like a screaming deal with the sale, but I have not used Opor products before and if they are junk, I'd rather just drop the bucks once to get quality products. Also, if I don't go with powder coated as an option, are they raw metal?

I have read (here) about a lot of people doing a Trail Edition headlight conversion however I have not been able to locate what it is and why is is superior.

Anything I need to know about these trucks that I might be missing? I will be honest, it's a bit of an impulse buy-meaning I did not research it for over a year- (not that my checkbook really allows for such a thing, but I about died for the millionth time due to the enormous blind spot in the Honda Element (daily driver) and it is on the block!) and I have not thoroughly researched the 4Runner beyond looking at gas mileage and knowing it is a Toyota. I am buying it from a private owner. Any warranty issues with the lift? Should I get an extended warranty from Toyota? I put about 25k miles yearly on my daily driver and this will be my daily driver.

Looking forward to many mods with you guys,
Katie

 

[limamike]

Congrats on the new truck. It's customary to post pictures, btw.

I belive the MetalTech Opors are fairly "new" as far as sliders go. The majority of people around here are running BudBuilt or Shrockworks because those were the highest quality "ready-to-go" solutions around at the time. I know there are a few guys running the MT sliders, and I don't recall any complaints yet. If you've dealt with MetalTech before then you know they don't sell crap products, and they stand behind what they sell. If I were in the market for sliders, I would definitely consider the MT solution. That said, the BudBuilt and Shrockworks sliders are great, too. The only complaints you will hear about them is that it takes too long to get them or the order got messed-up somehow. I run the BudBuilt bump-outs, and they've taken a lot of abuse. I've had no issues whatsoever.

The Trail Edition headlight conversion is only for looks; there's no inherent benefit in the swap.

You will like your new 4Runner, so don't be concerned about your "impulse" buy. It's a very solid truck. Your lift will only affect the warranty of the suspension parts, and it will have no bearing on the rest of your truck. That is to say, with your spacer lift you're likely not going to get a shock replaced if it gets busted while under warranty. The dealership could easily claim that the spacer put undue stress on the shock that caused failure; but, you won't have a problem with claims for engine issues, electrical issues, transmission issues, etc.

A good place for you to start is this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92594-modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

Lots of folks got the extended warranty. Look here for more info: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/58039-extended-warranty.html

 

[ImOnAPlain51]

Welcome to the forums and congrats on the new 5th Gen, pics?!?

I believe the 3/2 Ready lift is a spacer lift. Spacers are the cheapest way to get a lift. They are fine if you don't plan on doing much heavy duty off roading. My brother has them on his 4th Gen and they work fine for the mild off roading he does. When coming to suspensions, they can get pretty expensive depending on what you want. There are much more knowledgeable people on this forum that can offer advice on those.

From reading through threads about the MT sliders, they seem to be built well. One thing to consider about SR5 sliders is that plastic bottom rocker that runs along our cars that our Trail counterparts don't have. You lose some ground clearance with that. Some SR5 owners that use Trail Sliders have trimmed that rocker panel, some people remove it, some people buy a custom rocker that Shrockworks makes to replace it. Some people leave it and add sliders built for the SR5 rocker. Just something to consider when deciding on sliders for the SR5s. Here's a recent thread discussing MT sliders http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/147053-metal-tech-sliders.html#post1438451

I'm not sure about the Trail Edition light conversion, if by that you mean replacing the entire light assembly with a Trail light assembly? There are people that are converting their lights to HID/Projector lights.

As for the warranty, Toyota has to prove that whatever part failed is due to the lift. Also, if you plan on getting an extended warranty, many of us have bought Toyota factory warranties from Jerry Johnson of Midwest Toyota. He (and a few other people I don't remember) offer official Toyota warranties for significantly cheaper than local dealerships. He was very easy to deal with. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/58039-extended-warranty-6.html#post995005

 

[Gaper]

limaMike and IMOnAPlain - HUGE thank you!!! I am in love with the 4R! It is such NEW technology for me. In the household we currently have a 2006 Honda Element (on the chopping block), a 2002 Subaru, and my baby, a 1997 Land Cruiser. I doubt the 4R will ever see more than South East forest roads and mild creek crossings. I won't wheel her....yet. When/if I ever do, she will get a suitable lift and suspension make-over; that is, however, years away. My want for sliders is to substitute for running boards - I just can't stand the look although it may be the best solution.
I will certainly read the threads you kindly linked. I am excited about this journey.

 

[limamike]

limaMike and IMOnAPlain - HUGE thank you!!! I am in love with the 4R! It is such NEW technology for me. In the household we currently have a 2006 Honda Element (on the chopping block), a 2002 Subaru, and my baby, a 1997 Land Cruiser. I doubt the 4R will ever see more than South East forest roads and mild creek crossings. I won't wheel her....yet. When/if I ever do, she will get a suitable lift and suspension make-over; that is, however, years away. My want for sliders is to substitute for running boards - I just can't stand the look although it may be the best solution.
I will certainly read the threads you kindly linked. I am excited about this journey.

If you want sliders suitable for to actually step on, I would recommend the BudBuilt sliders as he uses a textured powder coat. I've stepped on some other guys' sliders when it's been wet or muddy, and the standard powder coat or paint is very slippery. I'm sure you could get the texture powder coat done yourself, but with BudBuilt you'll get the texture and a high quality product without hassle.

 

[Hellamatic]

Welcome to the forum! If you have time to kill, check out the build threads too.

 

[Gadget]

I would go with the BudBuilt Sliders.

After all they were originally fabricated on my truck:

There are some better pictures and how the no drill no weld mounting works in this build thread:

Gadget's Build Thread - Page 6 - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

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