rebel4ever
New member
If you've got the coin, and want looks, go for the Gobi rack. That is, if you can wait 16-18 weeks to get it.
If you could do it all over, or if you could do it for someone else...
- Thread starter Throwback
- Start date
During Harvey, i was able to get around...mostly. A couple inches would have helped, just getting out of my neighborhood! I understand Harvey is probably the worst my 4runner will ever see, but decided to lift it a tad just in case.
Just installed some Bilstien 5100's. 2.5 inch lift setting in front, and 2 inch lift springs in rear. I have a 2011 with 80K miles...i don't know how long shocks last...but the 4Runner felt like a boat, and my wife complained about being car sick almost every time riding with me (factory).
After the 5100's + lift, it actually drove better, less bouncy. Wife no longer whining about car sickness; that alone was worth the upgrade...heh. Spent $600 on parts and installed myself. Below is a pic with the lift and 275/70 Cooper AT3's.
Only negative from the lift is...the need for bigger tires!
285/70's are sitting in my garage. The SR5 wheels are being powdercoated at the moment. Have to say the 285 Duratrac's look beastly next to the 275 Cooper AT3's.
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cjdewese
New member
You mean 19-20 weeks.
Just got mine and it was 19 weeks from order to delivery, I plan it on having my truck until it dies which I am hoping is another 287K miles at least so the wait was worth it to me.
DavidR1
New member
I agree 100%. I'd like to have these with 6112/5160 set and call it a day. Will perform just fine for anything I plan to do.
You only really need just 275 tires and an air compressor. After that like everyone said, you can do a budget performance bilstein 5100 lift and then sliders. The 4runner is very capable in stock form as long as you have enough wheel clearance for whatever offroading you do in your area.
P.S. I went to Moab stock straight from the Colorado dealership no problem.
P.S. I went to Moab stock straight from the Colorado dealership no problem.
PeoplecallmeIan
New member
I would've went with Kings instead of Icon.
GearJunkie88
New member
+1 I have that setup and love it.
Cymon
New member
[MENTION=147450]Throwback[/MENTION] , sounds like your use is very similar to what my family and I use our 4runner for. I have attempted to be as modest with my vehicle additions as possible. Most of the more expensive ones have been on "deals" that I have found that I would be kicking myself later if I didn't take advantage of. There are some very informative responses, so I'm not going to really add anything new, but here are the ones that if I was starting over I would do...
1) Tires: I rode the dunlops for almost 30K before upgrading to Cooper AT3 in size 275 load range C. I researched and read reviews for over a year, finally deciding on this size and load rating for my needs. With almost 20K on the Coopers I can say that they were the right decision for me and would order them again in a heartbeat. I am not disappointed in going up a size as aired down they give roughly the same clearance as the stock 265's, which leads me too..
2)Recovery Gear and Air compressor: I have found that on gravel roads just airing down the LT rated tires to between 25-30 psi really helps the stock suspension and makes traveling on washboards/unimproved roads for long stretches very bearable.
3) Sliders: This is the one piece of armor that has really saved some body damage. When I purchased my 4runner it came with the "Rigid" running boards, which were functional as a step and didn't look too bad, but they really are damage multipliers if they get hung up. I actually used to take them off every time I knew I was off roading on more than fire trails.
4) Full skids: I probably wouldn't have full skids right now if I didn't get such a ridiculously good deal on them. I bought them as part of a package deal with the sliders from an owner who ordered the whole set but never installed and was trying to off-load them before moving. One of the few times I will say that I was lucky to be in South Florida because there wasn't the market for these like everywhere else. The aluminum has held up really well for my intended uses and they have saved my transfer case from a bad line. I also appreciate the weight savings over steel.
Mods that I wouldn't mind having if they come at the right time....
5) Winch/Slimline Bumper: I would love to have one, but as you and [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] were discussing, I'm not ready to go down the rabbit hole of the extra weight up front and tinkering with the suspension upgrade necessary to do it right. Maybe I'll get "lucky" and wear out the stock suspension sooner rather than later and be "forced" to upgrade. Until then my maxtrax and recovery rope will have to do.
6) Suspension Upgrade: Small lift, likely Dobinsons (1.75" - 2" Front, 1.25 - 1.5" Rear) with slightly higher spring rates. Just for a little better clearance and to have an excuse to go down the winch/slimline bumper rabbit hole mentioned above.
7) Fridge: Just because its awesome, I know I'd love it, and its hot down here. Also not looking to go down the power supply rabbit hole yet.
Currently all of my mod $ I am saving up for a trailer. This I feel is going to be way more useful to me and my family on all of our long excursions (It takes f-ing 5 - 7 hours to get out of this swamp and to another state) then the other mods I haven't done yet. We love our RTT but I'd love to get it off of the roof and on to something we can basecamp from, as well as having the extra capacity for all of the crap that camping and exploring with kids entails.
As said numerous times, these vehicles are more capable stock than people sometimes want to admit. They will get most people 99.9% of the places they would want to go, and I know I'm one who wouldn't want to risk my vehicle going on a trail for that 0.1% anyway....maybe in another 5-10 years when there is a possibility its not the daily driver any more.
:cheers:
1) Tires: I rode the dunlops for almost 30K before upgrading to Cooper AT3 in size 275 load range C. I researched and read reviews for over a year, finally deciding on this size and load rating for my needs. With almost 20K on the Coopers I can say that they were the right decision for me and would order them again in a heartbeat. I am not disappointed in going up a size as aired down they give roughly the same clearance as the stock 265's, which leads me too..
2)Recovery Gear and Air compressor: I have found that on gravel roads just airing down the LT rated tires to between 25-30 psi really helps the stock suspension and makes traveling on washboards/unimproved roads for long stretches very bearable.
3) Sliders: This is the one piece of armor that has really saved some body damage. When I purchased my 4runner it came with the "Rigid" running boards, which were functional as a step and didn't look too bad, but they really are damage multipliers if they get hung up. I actually used to take them off every time I knew I was off roading on more than fire trails.
4) Full skids: I probably wouldn't have full skids right now if I didn't get such a ridiculously good deal on them. I bought them as part of a package deal with the sliders from an owner who ordered the whole set but never installed and was trying to off-load them before moving. One of the few times I will say that I was lucky to be in South Florida because there wasn't the market for these like everywhere else. The aluminum has held up really well for my intended uses and they have saved my transfer case from a bad line. I also appreciate the weight savings over steel.
Mods that I wouldn't mind having if they come at the right time....
5) Winch/Slimline Bumper: I would love to have one, but as you and [MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION] were discussing, I'm not ready to go down the rabbit hole of the extra weight up front and tinkering with the suspension upgrade necessary to do it right. Maybe I'll get "lucky" and wear out the stock suspension sooner rather than later and be "forced" to upgrade. Until then my maxtrax and recovery rope will have to do.
6) Suspension Upgrade: Small lift, likely Dobinsons (1.75" - 2" Front, 1.25 - 1.5" Rear) with slightly higher spring rates. Just for a little better clearance and to have an excuse to go down the winch/slimline bumper rabbit hole mentioned above.
7) Fridge: Just because its awesome, I know I'd love it, and its hot down here. Also not looking to go down the power supply rabbit hole yet.
Currently all of my mod $ I am saving up for a trailer. This I feel is going to be way more useful to me and my family on all of our long excursions (It takes f-ing 5 - 7 hours to get out of this swamp and to another state) then the other mods I haven't done yet. We love our RTT but I'd love to get it off of the roof and on to something we can basecamp from, as well as having the extra capacity for all of the crap that camping and exploring with kids entails.
As said numerous times, these vehicles are more capable stock than people sometimes want to admit. They will get most people 99.9% of the places they would want to go, and I know I'm one who wouldn't want to risk my vehicle going on a trail for that 0.1% anyway....maybe in another 5-10 years when there is a possibility its not the daily driver any more.
:cheers:
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Didn’t want to quote the whole thing, but very well said, pretty much all of it.
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wfo9
New member
Best modification is the driver mod. Go out and learn to drive it. Get it stuck... high center it.. attempt things you don't think it can do. Try to find some others who can teach you and help you out. Experiment with recoveries... maybe you will find a powered winch is never needed.
Second best mod is to learn how to fix your own truck. Swap a CV just as practice... this experience is worth more than any modification or gadget.
After making progress on the above, you will know what you do and don't need depending on your target use case. Heck, you may even realize you really want a Jeep. Who knows.... but nothing beats first hand experience and you never know it all... as a new experience is just a bad day away...
Biggest mistake I see most people make is adding unnecessary weight. It's the root of all problems really and these truck start out with a black eye in that department. Not as bad as some other vehicles... but still a lot of gravity to overcome. The weight inside and out all matter and you really have to think about modifications to counteract it since some of the weight is inevitable for adventures. Sprug weight is your biggest concern.
Offroding is really just a balanced equation that can be solve like anything else.
On one side you have
- Traction
- Stability
- Clearance
If you can keep those in check you are good.
Those are influenced by
- Vehicle
- Terrain
- Driver
I think you will find your 4Runner will be most challenged on the clearance side of things in difficult terrain. But best to learn all this first hand as each type of terrain and use case is unique. Unfortunately, there is not a one size fits all solution.
Second best mod is to learn how to fix your own truck. Swap a CV just as practice... this experience is worth more than any modification or gadget.
After making progress on the above, you will know what you do and don't need depending on your target use case. Heck, you may even realize you really want a Jeep. Who knows.... but nothing beats first hand experience and you never know it all... as a new experience is just a bad day away...
Biggest mistake I see most people make is adding unnecessary weight. It's the root of all problems really and these truck start out with a black eye in that department. Not as bad as some other vehicles... but still a lot of gravity to overcome. The weight inside and out all matter and you really have to think about modifications to counteract it since some of the weight is inevitable for adventures. Sprug weight is your biggest concern.
Offroding is really just a balanced equation that can be solve like anything else.
On one side you have
- Traction
- Stability
- Clearance
If you can keep those in check you are good.
Those are influenced by
- Vehicle
- Terrain
- Driver
I think you will find your 4Runner will be most challenged on the clearance side of things in difficult terrain. But best to learn all this first hand as each type of terrain and use case is unique. Unfortunately, there is not a one size fits all solution.
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LandCruiser
New member
I was told it's probably the best setup if you want a good on road ride, after driving a bunch of lifted trucks in CO, it likely is.
MattAK
New member
These are the tires I'll be getting once my 275 KO2's are done (have ~36,000 miles on them). I've decided that while I try to get to Moab two or three times a year I just don't go wheeling often enough to justify an E rated tire and I'd like to get some of my MPG's back.
I've also really liked my 5100 setup. It was cheap and the stock suspension was too soft IMO and that nose dive drove me mad. The 5100's made the truck feel a lot more solid on the road and I like that. Plus it was enough to get me down Bobby's Hole and over Elephant Hill, which is about as extreme as I like to go when wheeling. I would like to get lift springs to replace the spacers I have in the rear but it's low on the priority list right now.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do OP!
Kamalani Mahie
New member
Make that two members. Not as stiff as other suspension options probably but definitely stiffer than stock.
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JSparky
New member
Lots of good insight here. I will add that if you do plan on lifting it 2” or more, pickup some front upper control arms that use rubber bushings, not poly, and sealed ball joints instead of uniballs. From a maintenance standpoint it’ll give you a quieter ride with less hassle over the long run.
I'm pretty much in line with Cymon's train of thought. I have sliders, skids, and stock size aftermarket tires. This is how I want to keep it, nice, reliable, and as close to stock efficiency as I can keep it. This configuration conquered the Rubicon, not what I am into but just saying, it's plenty capable.
Going from here I would like to have a roof rack as this will increase the utility. I also just did the "ultimate camping mod" and love it as I am setting the truck up to sleep in. The Rago molle racks by the back windows have also increased utility and I had the windows tinted with full ceramic tint, even the windshield. This has helped keep the interior cooler and helps protect the plastics.
I also have a M416 military trailer I am slow building into a base camp type setup. Until then I will camp out of the truck. Although I like the idea of a winch, I just don't know how much use I would get out of it except for recovering others in the snow or something. I think the come along and straps are sufficient for me at this point as I mainly explore forest service roads here in the East. If I ever lift it I think I will aim for a 1-2 inch lift and at most goto 255-75-16 size tires or just keep the stock size tires. Going bigger would only make me want to regear it.
My next big mod will be a dual battery setup with power points by the back hatch and a solar setup along with on-board air. Not sure what is after that? Hopefully just more well thought out and researched mods in an effort to maintain long term reliability and utility.
Going from here I would like to have a roof rack as this will increase the utility. I also just did the "ultimate camping mod" and love it as I am setting the truck up to sleep in. The Rago molle racks by the back windows have also increased utility and I had the windows tinted with full ceramic tint, even the windshield. This has helped keep the interior cooler and helps protect the plastics.
I also have a M416 military trailer I am slow building into a base camp type setup. Until then I will camp out of the truck. Although I like the idea of a winch, I just don't know how much use I would get out of it except for recovering others in the snow or something. I think the come along and straps are sufficient for me at this point as I mainly explore forest service roads here in the East. If I ever lift it I think I will aim for a 1-2 inch lift and at most goto 255-75-16 size tires or just keep the stock size tires. Going bigger would only make me want to regear it.
My next big mod will be a dual battery setup with power points by the back hatch and a solar setup along with on-board air. Not sure what is after that? Hopefully just more well thought out and researched mods in an effort to maintain long term reliability and utility.
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