Just Another Broke College Student's Mod Thread/ WTB List (NC State)

[tannerk15]

Another Broke College Student's Budget 4th Gen Build Thread (NC State)

My 2003 Titanium Metallic (Silver) 4Runner Limited V8

First of all, thanks to all of the members of this site! I have benefited greatly from the wealth of information on this site so whether you have provided me with help directly or indirectly, thank you!

My family has owned a variety of Toyotas, specifically 4Runners, and my mom has drove a 2005 Lexus GX470 since they bought it new. I have personally owned 2ND Generation, a 3RD Generation and now a 4TH gen. My love for 4Runners originally started with the 2ND Generation, which I owned for about 3 years and my brother currently owns. I did some minor MODS to this vehicle but the majority of my energy went into fixing things that had broken over time. My dad has also owned a couple of 4Runners including a 1ST Gen and a 3RD Gen.

I decided to create a thread because I would like a place to document modifications and maintenance, brainstorm about upcoming mods and keep track of ideas I have. I did some off-roading with my 2ND Generation but not as much as I would have liked to. I would like to be able to take my 4Runner on road-trips and sleep in the back so I want to improve on the already nice interior. The main reason I picked this vehicle is because of its off-road capability without sacrificing comfort or engine power.

I realize my 4Runner doesn't have as extensive of a mod list as some people, but its mine and paid off. Still in the early stages as I have only had my truck since last November. I'm a college student so I am completing everything on a budget. I will try to keep this thread up to date with mods I complete and also how much they cost. If you have any questions or live around the Raleigh, North Carolina area, please let me know! I would love to get a group of 4TH Gen Owners near Raleigh, NC together to meet eachother.

MODS Completed So Far:

-Bilstein 5100's All Around
-Front OME 886 Coils
-Rear FJ Coils ($40 Shipped from forum member)
-Rear Toytec Spacer ($20 off Craigslist)
-2016 4Runner SR5 Wheels w/ Bridgestone Duelers ($300 off Craigslist)
-Yakima Railgrabs, Crossbars and Fairing ($75 off of craigslist)
-White LED interior light swap ($13 total with a few left over from Amazon)

Upcoming Mods
-CBI Ditch Light Brackets, purchased from a forum member for $40 shipped
-Trying to decide on a set of LED pods. I really like the Baja Design Squadron R-Sport Ambers
-Have an ARB awning I still need to mount
-Install USB ports into one of the empty OEM switch panels (can be purchased here- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010T3CR8A?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00)
-Window Vent Visors, a must for dog owners IMO

Future Plans

-Get sliders and skids
-1"-1.5" body lift
-Add multiple 110V outlets in the front seat area and rear cargo area
-Replace my stock speakers with aftermarket
-Get a replacement for my stock radio, want something with bluetooth capability
-Tint windows

Please feel free to let me know what you think or if you have any advice pertaining to my upcoming plans!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

This was my 4Runner the day I got her, it was love at first sight!




Got some goodies in! (of course my pup had to make it in the picture)




This was after I got my Yakima roof rack (fairing & 2 Crossbars). I stripped the actual Yakima lettering off and put my red T4R.org sticker in place of it. I also took the running boards and sunroof visor off but forgot to mention that.




The red 2nd Gen is my old 4Runner, the middle one is mine and the last is a buddy of mine's.

 

[NinjaOne]

My 2003 4Runner Limited V8 Mod Thread

I have plans to:
-Complete a satoshi grill mod

-Complete a projector headlights retrofit (hopefully both the grill and headlights will be from a 2006 or newer to give my front end a facelift)

Best mod is owning it free and clear. I need to do that to mine :yo:

I just finished adding '06 headlights in preparation for my '06 satoshi grille. I was able to find an used '06 grille for ~$50. One of those fun projects that never happens thus far.

The new headlights are amazing, and the light performance is so much better than the '04. Despite the expense I think it is almost justifiable for my college budget

 

[tannerk15]

Best mod is owning it free and clear. I need to do that to mine :yo:

I just finished adding '06 headlights in preparation for my '06 satoshi grille. I was able to find an used '06 grille for ~$50. One of those fun projects that never happens thus far.

The new headlights are amazing, and the light performance is so much better than the '04. Despite the expense I think it is almost justifiable for my college budget

Those look great! Did you just pick up a used pair of OEM headlights and plug-n-play? I know a guy that has a cheap pair of the '06 headlights but I didnt know how those projectors would be. Did you put HID's in?

 

[NinjaOne]

Those look great! Did you just pick up a used pair of OEM headlights and plug-n-play? I know a guy that has a cheap pair of the '06 headlights but I didnt know how those projectors would be. Did you put HID's in?

Pretty much plug and play. Marker lights require splicing a new harness onto the old one. If wiring like I did, would require LEDs prob. as well to keep the wattage lower. '06 headlights have both a marker light and a turn signal in the housing, I wired both as marker lights

Yes, HIDs. 5k lows, 3k fogs
I tried LED's originally but wasn't satisfied. The LED bulbs I selected only put the light out on two sides which resulted in an inadequate beam pattern.

If you had the time, I would retrofit a spare set of '03-05 headlights with projectors. The output is spectacular and far superior over the original ones but other projectors (lexus, acura) are higher quality and have a sharper/better beam pattern. It would require a bit more work.

Part List (Bumper filler/trim would need a different part# as you have a different color)

Harness(x2): Robot Check
9006->H11 Adapter: Robot Check
OPT7 LED H11: Robot Check
Bumper Filler, Black, Driver: Robot Check
Bumper Filler, Black, Passenger Robot Check
Headlight Assembly, Driver: Robot Check
Headlight Assembly: Passenger: Robot Check
Marker Bulbs: 1156 Blubs x2

 

[BusinessHippieRH]

Probably going to be the best chance to meet some Raleigh folks until Uwharrie opens back up... :

https://www.facebook.com/events/1674729416142992/
(You may have to be a member of Carolina 4Runners group before it'll show up... It seems the Raleigh folks are more prone to FB rather than forum use for organizing.)
Hope to see you there!

 

[K3pack]

Good luck with the build, good looking pup, Go Pack!

 

[JSeligman2828]

Pretty much plug and play. Marker lights require splicing a new harness onto the old one. If wiring like I did, would require LEDs prob. as well to keep the wattage lower. '06 headlights have both a marker light and a turn signal in the housing, I wired both as marker lights

Yes, HIDs. 5k lows, 3k fogs
I tried LED's originally but wasn't satisfied. The LED bulbs I selected only put the light out on two sides which resulted in an inadequate beam pattern.


If you had the time, I would retrofit a spare set of '03-05 headlights with projectors. The output is spectacular and far superior over the original ones but other projectors (lexus, acura) are higher quality and have a sharper/better beam pattern. It would require a bit more work.

Part List (Bumper filler/trim would need a different part# as you have a different color)

Harness(x2): Robot Check
9006->H11 Adapter: Robot Check
OPT7 LED H11: Robot Check
Bumper Filler, Black, Driver: Robot Check
Bumper Filler, Black, Passenger Robot Check
Headlight Assembly, Driver: Robot Check
Headlight Assembly: Passenger: Robot Check
Marker Bulbs: 1156 Blubs x2

Ninja, thank you very much for providing that part list! I've been trying to figure out ways to make the headlights brighter. I did do the 9011 and 9012 conversion, do you think these LED's would be brighter than that? Or enough to warrant a $300 charge?

How do you end up fitting the bumper pieces into the gaps? Are there clips involved? This doesn't appear to be too difficult, but I'm definitely not a mechanically minded person unfortunately.

I see your in 206 as well, if you want to make a little bit of money let me know what kind of installs you're comfortable with hah.. I'm putting some ditch lights in, as well as another light bar on the front bumper.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[kevinpt]

as far as finding cheap coils you can also add tacoma trd off road or sport fronts to that list. they add just over an inch alone or added to 5100's

if you can find them there are also fj trail teams springs

im running 5100's on .85 with trd off road coils and fj rears.

 

[NinjaOne]

Ninja, thank you very much for providing that part list! I've been trying to figure out ways to make the headlights brighter. I did do the 9011 and 9012 conversion, do you think these LED's would be brighter than that? Or enough to warrant a $300 charge?

How do you end up fitting the bumper pieces into the gaps? Are there clips involved? This doesn't appear to be too difficult, but I'm definitely not a mechanically minded person unfortunately.

I see your in 206 as well, if you want to make a little bit of money let me know what kind of installs you're comfortable with hah.. I'm putting some ditch lights in, as well as another light bar on the front bumper.

Thanks,
Josh

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/203327-how-do-03-06-headlight-swap.html
Dang, meant to remove the link to the LEDs.

I was actually not satisfied with the LED output, it didn't feel like the down-road output was as high as halogen. SOCAL LEDs has a bulb that looks to be better designed as it has 360° output. The SOCAL ones were highly recommended by other forum user, haven't personally tried them. The OPT7 ones felt like quality, I just wasn't personally satisfied. Part of that may have been I didn't have it correctly aligned maybe? Can't comment on the conversion to 9011/2.

As far as worth ~$300-400, for me it was. Post-lift with stock housing, I felt that the light output was inadequate as compared to before. By the time I aimed my headlights low enough where I wasn't blinding other drivers, I was no longer lighting down the road. Switching to a projector housing let me line up the lights where they should be as the sharper cutoff was designed for that. I know have light on the road where it needs to be, and no angry drivers. Increased both my safety and those around me by using better headlights. Granted, there are better designed projectors. But the stock '06 is better than reflector. I used OPT7 HIDs for the lows and am satisfied.

As far as the bumper pieces, as seen in the write-up there is one screw and than they (gently) slide off. The install is super easy overall, one of the screws is a pain to get to, but not terrible. I ended up leaving it off for now, I'll reinstall it later. Again, super easy and you don't need to be mechanically inclined. Most difficult part was prob. wiring the parking lights because the stock wiring is so thin and I didn't have a good wire stripper. Still pretty easy.

As far as helping you, I wouldn't mind but I have almost zero experience.

 

[tannerk15]

as far as finding cheap coils you can also add tacoma trd off road or sport fronts to that list. they add just over an inch alone or added to 5100's

if you can find them there are also fj trail teams springs

im running 5100's on .85 with trd off road coils and fj rears.

I appreciate that. I really like the stance of yours. You have a part number for those?

 

[vincentshumai]

Will the 06 grill you bought fit with the 03-05 front bumper? If so, I may do this mod too.

 

[NinjaOne]

Will the 06 grill you bought fit with the 03-05 front bumper? If so, I may do this mod too.

The '06 is taller, it requires cutting it down to fit and then using bondo etc to glue it back together. Even with that, the '06 grille is supposed to be easier/better to use on the '03-05

 

[Krayziekid]

Good looking 4Runner man. The 06 headlights were my one of my favorite upgrades so far too. Really impressed with the increase in light output/performance. Excited to see what plans you have next!

 

[tannerk15]

Good looking 4Runner man. The 06 headlights were my one of my favorite upgrades so far too. Really impressed with the increase in light output/performance. Excited to see what plans you have next!

Thanks man! We all have to start somewhere!! So you have completed the '06 headlight swap? I would really like to just swap out my headlights with the newer projector housings but I get mixed feedback from people who have done it. How do you feel about the light output you get from your set? What bulbs did you put in?

 

[tannerk15]

So I just talked to a guy off Craigslist. Will be meeting Friday to purchase a set of OEM '06 headlights for $60. Thought this sounded like a good price after seeing what they have sold for online. I will be doing a lot of research between now and then to see if that is the route I want to go. Really dont think I can complete a true retrofit because of cost and time now so I thought the newer OEM headlights would be good for now.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[NinjaOne]

So I just talked to a guy off Craigslist. Will be meeting Friday to purchase a set of OEM '06 headlights for $60. Thought this sounded like a good price after seeing what they have sold for online. I will be doing a lot of research between now and then to see if that is the route I want to go. Really dont think I can complete a true retrofit because of cost and time now so I thought the newer OEM headlights would be good for now.

Let me know what you guys think!

$60 is a great price. Wouldn't hurt to polish and re-seal them while you have them off, maybe paint the inside black. Would still need the harness and bumper pieces (~$100-150) and H11 bulbs for the low. Even with that, an excellent price.

 

[Krayziekid]

Thanks man! We all have to start somewhere!! So you have completed the '06 headlight swap? I would really like to just swap out my headlights with the newer projector housings but I get mixed feedback from people who have done it. How do you feel about the light output you get from your set? What bulbs did you put in?

Yup I completed the 06+ swap. I am the one who wrote the guide linked earlier in the thread haha. Going from 03->06 was truly night and day (lol). I find that the 06 headlights really focus light better and offer better all around performance. Although keep in mind I may be biased considering my old 03 headlamps were pretty nasty and yellowed.

I ended up putting in some TRS LED bulbs. I had heard that the LEDs don't throw enough light or aren't bright enough, but honestly, I have had zero complaints. Sure it could be brighter, but that would likely require HIDs. I am happy with the LEDs and super happy with the performance of the projectors.

 

[tannerk15]

$60 is a great price. Wouldn't hurt to polish and re-seal them while you have them off, maybe paint the inside black. Would still need the harness and bumper pieces (~$100-150) and H11 bulbs for the low. Even with that, an excellent price.

Alright sounds good. Thanks for all the info btw! The parts list was really helpful.

Do you know anyone on here that has either paint matched the housings or painted them black? *EDIT* I found a few of the numerous threads dealing with this topic. Was hoping I could maybe see an example of how they would look or even a thread with instructions.

Did you put HID bulbs in your stock fog light housings? Also interested in putting some yellow bulbs in my fog lights while I am working on lighting.
And did you use HID's in the new housings?

 

[b.abel]

I like your 4runner! keep up the good work.

 

[tannerk15]

I ended up putting in some TRS LED bulbs. I had heard that the LEDs don't throw enough light or aren't bright enough, but honestly, I have had zero complaints. Sure it could be brighter, but that would likely require HIDs. I am happy with the LEDs and super happy with the performance of the projectors.

Gotcha, that is an awesome write-up btw!! I read through it but didnt realize it was you.

What made you go with LED bulbs from TRS instead of HID's?