If you were just beginning your build again...

[JayRolla]

If I could go back. I'd get a clean FZJ80. Solid front and rear. 4 links. Factory front and rear elocker. And probably more roomy then jeep.


I would take more time to use proof my 4runner, before modding. And I wish I went with icon stage 5 from gecko rather then buying 5100. Otherwise I'm happy

I will never run icon. Its sub par to the others. I convinced brother to get icon and it's not holding up at all on his 4th gen. I feel bad about it.

 

[jmferg]

I will never run icon. Its sub par to the others. I convinced brother to get icon and it's not holding up at all on his 4th gen. I feel bad about it.

It seems like the elitists prefer king over Icon


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[Mauzer]

I'd only change a few things, I like the SS1.2 but would prefer C/O's, would have never bought used/already setup diffs, and possibly gotten hybrid frt bumper instead of full tube (hybrid was not an option when I got my tube CBI)

 

[Mauzer]

it seems like the people who care about performance prefer king over icon


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FIFY, and he didn't suggest going King he just said NOT ICON (they're products are going downhill FAST)

 

[jmferg]

FIFY, and he didn't suggest going King he just said NOT ICON (they're products are going downhill FAST)

I know he didn't suggest it. That was my statement as a reply. I don't disagree about people who use their vehicles offroad. But I've also seen a lot of DD rigs that run kings as well and never use them anywhere near their designed potential. I'm aware of the issues with icon, especially leaking.

My advice to the original subject; buy a good set of coilovers from the beginning. I see people (I did as well) start out with spacers, then coil swaps, then finally complete coilovers. I went with Bilstein 6112s and wish I would have saved my time from the start


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[TonyB66]

If I could go back. I'd get a clean FZJ80. Solid front and rear. 4 links. Factory front and rear elocker. And probably more roomy then jeep.


I would take more time to use proof my 4runner, before modding. And I wish I went with icon stage 5 from gecko rather then buying 5100. Otherwise I'm happy

LandCruiser guy from long ago... FJ40's though. As much as I'd love to get a FZJ80, and they are in my price range (shopping now), 10 mpg just doesn't set well with me. For a dedicated purpose, I can see for sure though.

With respect to the Jeep Rubicon, that would be the Unlimited version to match the size of the 4Runner. Gas mileage comparable. From someone in the market, research didn't indicate they were all that reliable. Also, price too, quite a bit more than a 3rd gen...

I'm looking for a 3rd gen for a reason, which this helped me validate.

 

[Scramble]

I spent many nights researching lifts & peoples builds so I wouldn't have to do anything twice.
The only thing I would have done different is picked out the parts when I had my 3RZ rebuilt in 2013 or have ordered a 3RZ from LCE. It's running fine but I'm worried about the quality of the internals when I put the S/C on. I didnt know back then what I know now & didnt think a S/C was in my future. It's this ****in' place! :becky:

 

[JayRolla]

It seems like the elitists prefer king over Icon


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King is top. Then fox. Then the rest.

But after seeing teardowns of king vs fox I'm going fox on the tacoma.

 

[TonyB66]

I'd only change a few things, I like the SS1.2 but would prefer C/O's, would have never bought used/already setup diffs, and possibly gotten hybrid frt bumper instead of full tube (hybrid was not an option when I got my tube CBI)

SS1.2... Had no idea what you were referring to. Took me a few minutes, but this seems to be it:

1996-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,433.30 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

Very interesting.

 

[Mark_BC]

You can get a J70 here, they are just super rare expensive and yes have to be imported if not already here. More common is the FJ45 Troopie, which is also pricey - even rusted out.

All things being equal, an early 70s International Travelall is a nice, big 4WD bus but the 67-69 model years get the style points for body shape in my book.
[/IMG]

They still make nice simple manual troopies, and sell them, in other parts of the world... in Canada they have to be 15 years old to import so I could get one from Australia, a 2002 or earlier.

https://expeditionportal.com/wander-libre-land-cruiser-troopy-camper-conversion-part-1/

 

[octanejunkie]

SS1.2... 1996-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,433.30 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

If I were starting over with a stock 4WD, this would be a very serious consideration, but with 5100s and Tokico shocks, how serious a kit is this?

 

[JayRolla]

If I were starting over with a stock 4WD, this would be a very serious consideration, but with 5100s and Tokico shocks, how serious a kit is this?

It's awesome setup. It works great.

 

[electroCrunch]

Great question. I initially didn't plan on modifying my 4Runner as much as I have so far. It's really grown on me, and at some point I've decided to make it into a very capable adventure-mobile that I don't ever plan on letting go of. So if I could go back, I would smack my past self for not knowing better since every other vehicle I've owned has gotten decently modified. Meaning, I would have moved more quickly with modding it to my goals.

That said, I think I would have initially looked into a mid, maybe even long, travel setup up front. Now I'm 'X' dollars into what I have, so it doesn't make sense for me to make the switch/jump anytime soon.

Other than that, this forum has been really helpful for educating me on the best practices, do's and don't, order or operations for modding, etc. so I haven't had as steep of a learning curve as others.

UPDATE: I thought about this more and came up with my list. Maybe it will help someone in the future.

• Determine a tire-size goal (32's, 33's, 35's, etc.), and build to that from the beginning
• Replace OEM CVs with aftermarket high-end CV axles (RCV, Lotus, custom, etc.)
• Investigate Mid to Long travel IFS setups, prior to investing into current OEM IFS
• PowerStop 231mm Tundra Brake Upgrade (as opposed to NAPA or other OE)

 

[Road Bull]

Actually if I could go back to before purchasing I would have just saved more and got a Jeep Rubicon!!

Danas front and back
Lockers front and back
Disconnecting sway bars
Best approach angles

And all that without any work!! More time with the family wheeling.

Now chew on that. Lol

Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.

I kid.

I love mine for what it is. It's a very capable, craftable vehicle. Not to mention the great looking 3rd gen is a very affordable platform. Is it the best at everything? Probably not. But, it's fantastic for what it does. And it looks good doing it.

 

[JayRolla]

Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.

I kid.

I love mine for what it is. It's a very capable, craftable vehicle. Not to mention the great looking 3rd gen is a very affordable platform. Is it the best at everything? Probably not. But, it's fantastic for what it does. And it looks good doing it.

It is fun to take a soccer mom SUV, mod it up to keep up with the solid axle guys.

 

[kolelt]

It is fun to take a soccer mom SUV, mod it up to keep up with the solid axle guys.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one feeling this way. Lol.

About the shocks, I beat on it pretty hard. No issues.

If I'd re do it again. I would probably consider fox or king.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I would probably end up with an almost identical result, but would have got there faster and by spending a lot less money. - a lot of the build is all part of the learning process.

• I'd not have wasted money on various suspension configurations. I'd have got straight to the Toytec Boss kit.
• I'd not have gone with poly bushes, I'd have got for new factory first time round.
• I'd not have bothered with 4.88s
• The jury is still out on the front Truetrac, - the steering feels awful in AWD mode. It might be an alignment thing.
• I'd have gone with a V6 radiator sooner (fittings are on the opposite side)
• I'd have taken it to a better shop for the respray.
• I'd have taken the wheels to a better shop for the refurb
• I'd have fitted a trans oil cooler and shimmed the accumulators sooner.
• I'd have not messed about with interior LEDS

 

[jmferg]

.

[*]I'd not have gone with poly bushes, I'd have got for new factory first time round.

[*]I'd not have bothered with 4.88s

.

[/LIST]

Poly bushings too stiff?
What's your issue with 4:88s?




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[Kotrin]

Actually if I could go back to before purchasing I would have just saved more and got a Jeep Rubicon!!

Danas front and back
Lockers front and back
Disconnecting sway bars
Best approach angles

And all that without any work!! More time with the family wheeling.

Now chew on that. Lol

Okay who invited him...

I had a Jeep just like you described before my first 4Runner back in 2004. Once it got past the 100k mark it just sucked money faster than I could believe. I didn't even hardcore wheel it, just the stuff like I used to do prior to current conditions. What shocked me was how fast things seemed to have problems. I felt like I was driving my old 69 VW bug in high school, working on it every weekend to make sure it worked day to day..

 

[Kotrin]

I will never run icon. Its sub par to the others. I convinced brother to get icon and it's not holding up at all on his 4th gen. I feel bad about it.

Do you think it was a fluke or what was it? I've read nothing but good things about it and the research I showed, even from users here, that it seems to be better suited for my needs. What's gone wrong with the 4th Gen ICON's?
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I need something to make my ride more comfortable versus getting stiffer. Why I was thinking of the ICON's cause that seems to be the least expensive for the quality of ride I need..