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

[NinjaOne]

[MENTION=132588]tannerk15[/MENTION] first off congrats on the new to you Runner, Smart purchase on a relaible vehicle.

You live in a great part of the country for sure for overlanding/ offroading/ road trips. Really scenic roads and trails so I would say forgoe the mods and spend the money on gas to go explore places on the weekends to break away from the monotony of classwork.

Looking back at my college years, I wished I would have just left my vehicles stock and used them more to get away and explore instead of dumping money into modifications. Let's be honest with eachother...there aren't many places a stock 4Runner with a good set of AT tires.

The memories you make going places will outlast any temporary satisfaction you get from "modifying" the vehicle (since you'll eventually sell it anyway)... and any modifications generally make it less reliable (unless you're correcting an existing failure)

If you have enough money to do both, explore and modify, I would encourage you to put the modification money in your retirement account (unless you're already maxing that out or plan to work beyond your 70 birthday...)

sorry for the "lecture" but just trying to pass on some helpful life advice I had to learn the hard way...

I gotta say that I agree with you

I also gotta say, if it weren't for modding it that I still wouldn't know how to use a wrench. Getting to see the changes is satisfying and encourages me to learn new skills. Next comes learning how to use a saw and bondo and auto painting for the satochi grille

 

[scd969]

[MENTION=132588]tannerk15[/MENTION] first off congrats on the new to you Runner, Smart purchase on a relaible vehicle.

You live in a great part of the country for sure for overlanding/ offroading/ road trips. Really scenic roads and trails so I would say forgoe the mods and spend the money on gas to go explore places on the weekends to break away from the monotony of classwork.

Looking back at my college years, I wished I would have just left my vehicles stock and used them more to get away and explore instead of dumping money into modifications. Let's be honest with eachother...there aren't many places a stock 4Runner with a good set of AT tires.

The memories you make going places will outlast any temporary satisfaction you get from "modifying" the vehicle (since you'll eventually sell it anyway)... and any modifications generally make it less reliable (unless you're correcting an existing failure)

If you have enough money to do both, explore and modify, I would encourage you to put the modification money in your retirement account (unless you're already maxing that out or plan to work beyond your 70 birthday...)

sorry for the "lecture" but just trying to pass on some helpful life advice I had to learn the hard way...

Great. Now I'm seriously questioning my new wheel purchase...:decision:

 

[NuclearN8]

Go out to western NC around Asheville... lots of trails out there to explore.
Boone, NC has some great trails as well
also down around Murphy, NC there are some trails

Riding the blue ridge is also worth the pavement drive (watch out for motorcycles in and around the tail of the dragon)

regardless all these places are best seen in my opinion with autumn colors.

My wife use to work at NCSU and live in Raleigh and I fell in love with that area...

if your in to fishing there is some great trout fishing out near boone as well...

I'd also highly suggest hiking the appalachain trail for the weekend (if your in to hiking/ camping), do an out an back around blood mountain pass area (not far from Murphy, NC)... cool little stretch and there's a parking lot (and general store) there where the trail crosses the road.

 

[tannerk15]

Go out to western NC around Asheville... lots of trails out there to explore.
Boone, NC has some great trails as well
also down around Murphy, NC there are some trails

Riding the blue ridge is also worth the pavement drive (watch out for motorcycles in and around the tail of the dragon)

regardless all these places are best seen in my opinion with autumn colors.

My wife use to work at NCSU and live in Raleigh and I fell in love with that area...

if your in to fishing there is some great trout fishing out near boone as well...

I'd also highly suggest hiking the appalachain trail for the weekend (if your in to hiking/ camping), do an out an back around blood mountain pass area (not far from Murphy, NC)... cool little stretch and there's a parking lot (and general store) there where the trail crosses the road.

Oh yea the NC mountains are a must see when the leaves are changing. Im definitely going to need to look into planning a trip to the NC mountains before it gets warm. Been almost a year since I was on a snowboard. I love Boone and the area around it but I have never checked out the trails.

And I love Raleigh, you get all the benefits of living in a big city without losing the nature around you. Im actually from Roxboro, NC, which is on the Virginia/NC line, so Im used to living in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks again for your advice and information
:cheers:

 

[tannerk15]

Im trying to keep up with ideas as I see them on the threads. My family owns a beach place in Carolina Beach, NC and they allow cars with 4WD to drive out onto the beach. We are usually out there pretty late into the night so after seeing one of [MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] 's posts I knew I wanted to try to do something similar.

I want to try to mount some small LED light strips/ bars or even pods in various locations around the exterior of the vehicle. It would be nice to have something fixed to the exterior of the car that can also swivel and be pointed. Does anyone know of any threads that contain some instructions on how to tackle something like this? [MENTION=119029]NinjaOne[/MENTION]

I also want to try to put some in the front while I am working on this. Im looking at Opt-7 right now because [MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] recommended them and they are a fraction of the cost of come of the other brands I have looked at before.

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Krayziekid]

Im trying to keep up with ideas as I see them on the threads. My family owns a beach place in Carolina Beach, NC and they allow cars with 4WD to drive out onto the beach. We are usually out there pretty late into the night so after seeing one of [MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] 's posts I knew I wanted to try to do something similar.

I want to try to mount some small LED light strips/ bars or even pods in various locations around the exterior of the vehicle. It would be nice to have something fixed to the exterior of the car that can also swivel and be pointed. Does anyone know of any threads that contain some instructions on how to tackle something like this? [MENTION=119029]NinjaOne[/MENTION]

I also want to try to put some in the front while I am working on this. Im looking at Opt-7 right now because [MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] recommended them and they are a fraction of the cost of come of the other brands I have looked at before.

Let me know what you guys think.

Yup, I am a big fan of OPT7. I have also been looking at Auxbeam recently. Heard good things about them too. I am currently working on the same project in a sense. I want to put a pod on either side of the roof rack, and then two on the back for camping and stuff, all switch activated in the cab. Just gotta figure out how to wire them and how I can even mount them to the stock roof rack.

 

[tannerk15]

Yup, I am a big fan of OPT7. I have also been looking at Auxbeam recently. Heard good things about them too. I am currently working on the same project in a sense. I want to put a pod on either side of the roof rack, and then two on the back for camping and stuff, all switch activated in the cab. Just gotta figure out how to wire them and how I can even mount them to the stock roof rack.

Yea Im really glad you told me about them. I didnt realize you had already installed them. Could you post some pictures of them mounted? I want to wire mine to a switch but it would also be nice if they turned on when in reverse. Not sure if thats possible.

I looked on the OPT7 website but didn't see the same lights you bought. The only LEDs I see are the bars that come in various sizes and pods.

 

[Krayziekid]

Yea Im really glad you told me about them. I didnt realize you had already installed them. Could you post some pictures of them mounted? I want to wire mine to a switch but it would also be nice if they turned on when in reverse. Not sure if thats possible.

I looked on the OPT7 website but didn't see the same lights you bought. The only LEDs I see are the bars that come in various sizes and pods.

I only have my front LED bar mounted. I am still in the planning stages of the rest of the LED pods. I want one per side, and two in the back, all controlled by different switches. Should be relatively easy wiring. Those will be the main camping lights. This is the light bar I already have up front in my lower grille: C2 Series: Off-Road LED Light Bar | OPT7

These are the other little LED strips I am talking about. I just mounted these under the door rocker panels as little courtesy lights for when I unlock the car. They are not meant to put out a ton of light and I think I would honestly rather have LED pods (like 2x2s) up higher on the roof rack. These little things have horribly thin wiring and are a pain to work with. They worked perfect for my application/use, but a true LED flood pod would give MUCH more usable light. That's the route I am planning for. Here are what I mounted: OPT7® Blitz HID Xenon Conversion Kit - 2 Year Warranty - H10 (Purple) for Headlights

Hope that clears things up.

 

[tannerk15]

So I found a set of rear OEM FJ Coils ( Thanks [MENTION=88449]generalcorrosion[/MENTION] ) and the correct set of Bilstein Shocks come in the mail today. I hate to do it but unless I find a cheap set of FJ coils for the front I might be installing the Bilsteins and rear coils. I will be trying to decide what setting I want to set the front Bilsteins at over the next week so let me know what you think. I have read that the FJ coils net approximately 1" and the Bilsteins wont have any effect on the rear height. With the FJ's 1" and whatever I receive from the Bilstein's, I think I am going to be happy with the overall outcome.

 

[tannerk15]

I only have my front LED bar mounted. I am still in the planning stages of the rest of the LED pods. I want one per side, and two in the back, all controlled by different switches. Should be relatively easy wiring. Those will be the main camping lights. This is the light bar I already have up front in my lower grille: C2 Series: Off-Road LED Light Bar | OPT7

These are the other little LED strips I am talking about. I just mounted these under the door rocker panels as little courtesy lights for when I unlock the car. They are not meant to put out a ton of light and I think I would honestly rather have LED pods (like 2x2s) up higher on the roof rack. These little things have horribly thin wiring and are a pain to work with. They worked perfect for my application/use, but a true LED flood pod would give MUCH more usable light. That's the route I am planning for. Here are what I mounted: OPT7® Blitz HID Xenon Conversion Kit - 2 Year Warranty - H10 (Purple) for Headlights

Hope that clears things up.

Yea that did. Thanks for the clarification. Keep me updated on the progress of this project.

 

[tannerk15]

Will be heading home for the weekend so I can work on the 4Runner. Will hopefully have some more updates to give!

Mods I will be working on:
-Correct set of rear shocks came in so I will be installing Bilstein 5100's all around. Will also be putting a set of FJ Springs on.

-Purchased a switch panel with USB's built into it. This will fit into a blank switch panel that comes OEM. (Amazon.com: Mictuning Toyota USB Charger for Toyota Switch Plant - with Fuse 2.3ft Wiring 5V 2.1/1.2A Dual USB Power Socket: Cell Phones & Accessories)

-Will be replacing the interior lights, dome light, map light, courtesy light, etc with white LED's that I also purchased from Amazon.

-Putting a set of window ventvisors on

After completing these I will focus all my time and resources ($$$$) on finding a set of OEM wheels to swap with my wheels. My tires are getting low so I want to go ahead and get some rims so I have them ready to go when it comes time for new tires. I am really looking for some TRD wheels (like the ones in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/121417-info-these-trd-wheels.html) in matte gunmetal instead of the black. Im interested in basically any of the newer OEM wheels but the problem is finding them without paying an arm and a leg from the stealership... Although I understand why because I wouldnt be trading these for aftermarket either. I have found quite a few sets of the SR5 wheels but I cant decide if I like them or not.


I will keep you guys updated and get some pictures up when I get done.

 

[tannerk15]

Something came up this weekend so I was not able to get as much done as I would have liked

My dad ended up not being able to help me put my lift kit on, etc and felt bad so he helped me pay for a friend of ours to do it. The guy did it relatively cheap but for some reason he put the front Bilsteins on at 0" so it didnt really do anything. Ill have to wait until I go home again to change it. He also found that I had a busted axle so I had that fixed while he had it torn apart. He also replaced the brakes for me. Not what I wanted to put money into at this point but what can you do.

I saw an awning on a 4th generation and fell in love. Have added that to the top of the list and think it will be great for the beach this summer. Especially when we have the dogs out there and its extremely hot.

 

[brett_murphy]

It is good to see another Raleigh T4R.

I also now know who grabbed those 06 housings off of Craigslist before I could!

 

[jsmith21]

Will be heading home for the weekend so I can work on the 4Runner. Will hopefully have some more updates to give!

Mods I will be working on:
-Correct set of rear shocks came in so I will be installing Bilstein 5100's all around. Will also be putting a set of FJ Springs on.

-Purchased a switch panel with USB's built into it. This will fit into a blank switch panel that comes OEM. (Amazon.com: Mictuning Toyota USB Charger for Toyota Switch Plant - with Fuse 2.3ft Wiring 5V 2.1/1.2A Dual USB Power Socket: Cell Phones & Accessories)

-Will be replacing the interior lights, dome light, map light, courtesy light, etc with white LED's that I also purchased from Amazon.

-Putting a set of window ventvisors on

After completing these I will focus all my time and resources ($$$$) on finding a set of OEM wheels to swap with my wheels. My tires are getting low so I want to go ahead and get some rims so I have them ready to go when it comes time for new tires. I am really looking for some TRD wheels (like the ones in this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/121417-info-these-trd-wheels.html) in matte gunmetal instead of the black. Im interested in basically any of the newer OEM wheels but the problem is finding them without paying an arm and a leg from the stealership... Although I understand why because I wouldnt be trading these for aftermarket either. I have found quite a few sets of the SR5 wheels but I cant decide if I like them or not.


I will keep you guys updated and get some pictures up when I get done.

I think the 5th gen sr5 wheels look better on our trucks than they do fifth gens. I ran some for a while and thought they looked awesome but found a deal on my current ones that I couldn't pass up. There's some pics in my build thread in my sig of mine with the sr5 wheels.

 

[Morphyne]

FYI there is a set of 5 FJ 8hole wheels and good tires for sale on CL. I would snap them up but just not ready for them...

 

[tannerk15]

FYI there is a set of 5 FJ 8hole wheels and good tires for sale on CL. I would snap them up but just not ready for them...

Haha I am meeting that guy tomorrow to look at them. They are a good deal so we will see how it goes!

[MENTION=98814]jsmith21[/MENTION] do you have a picture of your 4runner when you had the SR5 wheels on it?

[MENTION=136599]brett_murphy[/MENTION] haha yea man I couldnt pass those up! I hardly ever come by 4th gen stuff on Craigslist in Raleigh so I usually try to pick it up when I do and its a good deal. I may end up doing a retrofit instead of those so they may come up for sale. Just cant decide if I want to switch them out and get a pair of bumper filler panels paint matched.

 

[jsmith21]

Haha I am meeting that guy tomorrow to look at them. They are a good deal so we will see how it goes!

[MENTION=98814]jsmith21[/MENTION] do you have a picture of your 4runner when you had the SR5 wheels on it?

[MENTION=136599]brett_murphy[/MENTION] haha yea man I couldnt pass those up! I hardly ever come by 4th gen stuff on Craigslist in Raleigh so I usually try to pick it up when I do and its a good deal. I may end up doing a retrofit instead of those so they may come up for sale. Just cant decide if I want to switch them out and get a pair of bumper filler panels paint matched.

Here's a few pics of the sr5 wheels. Before and after lift

 

[tannerk15]

[MENTION=98814]jsmith21[/MENTION] I really like those! I definitely prefer the look of updated OEM wheels instead of something aftermarket.

 

[tannerk15]

I found some 1.5" Toytec rear Spacers on Craigslist for $20 and was thinking about getting them just because it is so cheap. I am already running Bilstein 51s and FJ springs in the back (couldnt find a front set cheap enough).

If I get this 1.5" spacer for the rear I would think I am getting about 2.5" give or take. Should I look into getting a set of springs for the front or just set the Bilsteins at 2.5" and call it a day? Or should I just forget about the spacer all together?

 

[RunningWithFire]

Cool to see another Runner in Raleigh. I'm local too and just getting ready to start working on mine. Have had it for just under 5 months. Looks good so far with the lift. Subscribing to keep up!