Just Bought new 4th Generation 4Runner, Possible Upgrade suggestions?

T

TheFratSwoop

New member
Hi all,
So after owning my 4Runner for about a month now, and after visiting this site a couple times now, I decided it was finally time to join. Long story short, I have a 2004 Sr5 thats Dorado Gold Pearl in color. I have stock rims, stock tires, and pretty much everything else is the same except for a few stickers on the back window:D Anyway, I NEED to make this thing into the manly offroad looking vehicle it was made to be. Not looking at anything to the extend of going black rims or a huge lift, but things like better treaded tires, a safari/bull bar, and a small lift would be great. Any Suggestions? I can post some pics if ya like.
 
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At 109000 miles, I'd consider upgrading the shocks when you install the lift. You can go with Bilstein 5100 shocks, the fronts are adjustable to up to 2.5" lift. These will run $350-$375. You can add a Daystar 1.5" rear spacer for about $40. This would give you a good amount of lift and also replace some ageing shocks. With this you can fit a 265/70/17 tire, or a 275/70/17 although there are fewer tire options in this size. Goodyear Duratracs are an all terrian that looks very aggressive but still has good street manners, hard to really suggest a tire though without knowing more about your use. If you're keeping stock rims, wheel spacers are a nice addition (Spidertrax or All Pro are popular options, just be sure you get hub-centric ones).
 
Do you want it to look like you offroad (mall crawl) or actually have better offroad capabilities. If you only care about looks slap a spacer lift on there and some 265/70/17 BFG AT's and call it a day. If you care about performance get an Old Man Emu or other suspension lift, a good set of offroad tires and some armor
 
As others have said, you may as well look into replacing your shocks at that mileage. Bilstein 5100s are a good way to go, and you can pair them either with the stock springs or you can get a pair of cheap coils (I paid $60) from a 4x4 FJ Cruiser from a member over at the FJ forums.

This combo will improve the ride greatly and raise your truck just a little bit and sit it level with the right setting on the front 5100's.

Upsize the tires a hair (go up to a 265/70/17 or 265/65/18) and you'll sit just right and have a more "truck" look without sacrificing much by way of ride characteristics. If anything, you'll improve it.
 
First change you can make....

...will cost you $0 and only require maybe 20-30 minutes of your time.

Remove the running boards. That is step one of the "de-soccer-momming" of a 4runner.

6 bolts on either side of the frame (unbolt the bracket from the frame, not from the running board.) You may want to have someone hold onto the running board when you are removing the last two brackets because it will fall down when you get to the last few threads. If you're by yourself you could put a jackstand or something under the running board. They're not super-heavy, but they are made of steel so you probably don't want them bouncing off your noggin. Also you don't want them to get bent up because they will be easier to sell if they are intact.

Speaking of which - anybody in the Denver area want to buy a pristine set of black running boards off of a 2007 SR5?
 
Also, I will be doing the FJC coil conversion soon. Already have the parts, just need to make arrangements to get them installed. FJC TT (Trail team) coils and front shocks, bilstien 5100s in the rear. Also got a set of 5 17" FJC steel wheels and BFG MT's for $400. Right now they're sitting outside my garage but as soon as the lift is on, I'll throw them on to see how they look.

My point in posting this is to say, don't think you have to spend a couple thousand bucks just to get a nice look and decent off-road capability. If you shop around and scan the forums, it's amazing what you can find. I was all ready to pay $700+ for an OME lift until I read this forum and figured the FJC would be everything I need. My FJC suspension cost me $150 + $25 for shipping, and honestly there are folks who have gotten it for less than that. The Bilstein rear shocks were $150 postpaid to my front door (new.) So, basically I will have a lift, new shocks in the rear, and oversize tires and my total, out-of-pocket cost should be a little less than $1000.
 
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Martinjmpr said:
...will cost you $0 and only require maybe 20-30 minutes of your time.

Remove the running boards. That is step one of the "de-soccer-momming" of a 4runner.

6 bolts on either side of the frame (unbolt the bracket from the frame, not from the running board.) You may want to have someone hold onto the running board when you are removing the last two brackets because it will fall down when you get to the last few threads. If you're by yourself you could put a jackstand or something under the running board. They're not super-heavy, but they are made of steel so you probably don't want them bouncing off your noggin. Also you don't want them to get bent up because they will be easier to sell if they are intact.

Speaking of which - anybody in the Denver area want to buy a pristine set of black running boards off of a 2007 SR5?
Click to expand...

I just supported them with my knees and legs when removing the last bolts..

Be warned thoough if you do this, you will expose your lower panels to more stone chip damage. These running boards actually do a really good job at protecting your paint. Not to mention with them off you see a lot of the under carriage which looks a little bit unrefined.
 
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Also remember that if you take the 5100 route you will be stiffening up your ride quite a bit. For offroad this is great so you're not bouncing around and keeps all tires planted on the ground. For around town its rough. I had 5100s on my tacoma and they really come in to their own off roading.
For around town though, I like comfort. You can keep a good stock ride with just spacers if you are happy with it.

As far as making it look offroad.. I had some of these on my last truck and they looked great. Give it a nice off road look if that is what you are after.
96478-lg.jpg


IPF 968CSG. Under a couple hundred bucks. You can mount them on a little bull bar, brush guard which also looks "off road". Google image search "4Runner brush guard" "4runner bull bar" and you will see lots of nice pictures.

The baja roof racks look great too. There are other options out there which are cheaper. Just look up safari racks or similar
 
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jbmccul said:
Do you want it to look like you offroad (mall crawl) or actually have better offroad capabilities. If you only care about looks slap a spacer lift on there and some 265/70/17 BFG AT's and call it a day. If you care about performance get an Old Man Emu or other suspension lift, a good set of offroad tires and some armor
Click to expand...
Yeah I was looking at BFG AT the other day, dont know where the best place to buy would be at the best price though. And how much would it cost for the spacer lift. Wish I knew about all this stuff... im in high school so cut me a little slack:D
 
V8. said:
I just supported them with my knees and legs when removing the last bolts..

Be warned thoough if you do this, you will expose your lower panels to more stone chip damage. These running boards actually do a really good job at protecting your paint. Not to mention with them off you see a lot of the under carriage which looks a little bit unrefined.
Click to expand...
Got any pictures of it without the running boards? This sounds like a pretty good idea...
 
Read this for starters, it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

Again, at your mileage it'd be a good idea to replace the shocks. Installing a spacer lift on top of worn shocks is a waste of time and money. Do it right the first time or you'll be doing it over again soon. Either the 5100s or shocks/coils from a 2007-2009 fj cruiser would be a nice upgrade, and with some spacers it'd give the lift you want.
 
rebelbowtie said:
No running boards and 265/70/17 BFG T/A KO's

y4yraha6.jpg



And a side profile

ejyva2u3.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pics! Im trying to take mine off right now, but what all did you have to remove to take them off? I know about the 3 bracket bolts, but can i just got under and remove 3 on each side and boom, theyre off? By the way, love your truck. What all have you done to it?
 
TheFratSwoop said:
Thanks for the pics! Im trying to take mine off right now, but what all did you have to remove to take them off? I know about the 3 bracket bolts, but can i just got under and remove 3 on each side and boom, theyre off? By the way, love your truck. What all have you done to it?
Click to expand...

Yes just remove the bolts and they will fall off onto your face if you aren't careful. And thank you but in those pictures there is nothing done to the truck except removing the running boards and BFG tires. Those pictures were taken the second day I owner the vehicle.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Read this for starters, it should give you a good idea of what's out there.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

Again, at your mileage it'd be a good idea to replace the shocks. Installing a spacer lift on top of worn shocks is a waste of time and money. Do it right the first time or you'll be doing it over again soon. Either the 5100s or shocks/coils from a 2007-2009 fj cruiser would be a nice upgrade, and with some spacers it'd give the lift you want.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, you all have been really helpful with all of this. So based on your experience, what should I do regarding the shocks and spacers? I read on your link that at times you just did spacers on the front, and touched nothing on the rear leaving it all stocvk, and it gave it a pretty significant look and lift. So your saying id change out all shocks on all sides, then put a 1.5" spacer on the front two?
 
upgrades

As Ark & all the guys have said research before you pull trigger & do it once in the long run will save you $$ . Experiment with plasti-dip on stuff if you don't like it eh only few $ , I have same color & love it for the desert ! All the guys & gals will tell you because we've all spent lots on our rigs . Good luck & Happy Thanksgiving to all be safe
 
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