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K0nfusion

K0nfusion

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Hello,
I recently just joined this forum. I love all the pictures, and everyone seems to have a ton of knowledge to offer. Well, ever since I was 14 (now 28) I've wanted a 4Runner. I just recently purchased a 2013 SR5 4x4 Blizzard Pearl and I ****ING LOVE IT!! SO HAPPY!

So, I want to do a few things to it, if the wife allows, lol. I've seen a few pics where there is a winch installed on the front bumper, kinda tucked away. It damn near looks factory, and maybe it's only the trail edition, but any input would be great. I plan on throwing in a K&N Cold Air Intake, and probably bull bars and a few other cheap odds and ends. I really wish I could of afforded the Trail edition, but non the less I love my 4Runner. What is the general take on those hood scopes? I think they look awesome, but do they serve a good purpose? I don't see my 4Runner getting to much trail time in the first few years, but down the road it will.

Thanks for any and all advice, if there is anything I need to be aware of for the 2013 models, please share!
 
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Not sure if the wench thing is model specific but here's the link 5th gen 4R Hidden Winch mount - BudBuilt - Tough Toyota Protection
If you aren't planning on wheeling right away, I'd throw that money into other mods that you may actually use right away.

As for the hood scoop, only about 1 billion more horsepower... Dduuuuuuhhhh.
(Basically a little more airflow, thus better cooling. I've heard rumors of HP increase, but I'm not going to be one to spread them)

Haven't looked into the other stuff so someone else can chime in there.

Oh and welcome
 
Thanks! Yes, I'm sure the good scope is more esthetic, but I was just idiots if it had a real purpose.

Thanks for the input and link on the winch.

I'm liking the thought of a nice roof rack, light bar, and possible bull bar. I'm having a hard time finding a way to mount gauges. I'm also curious which gauges to get? Oil temp, trans temp, water temp, oil pressure?

There are awesome builds on here that just make me want to burn through all the plastic in my wallet! Lol
 
FYI, the hood scoop is not functional, it is just for looks. I happen to love the look of the hood scoop. Some don't like it because it can cause a sun glare at the right angle. Doesn't bother me though. That is what sunglasses are for.

Enjoy your new rig.
 
:welcome:

Congrats on the new ride!

Don' waste your money on a bull bar :nono: as you pointed out it's a cheap odd & end and honestly they look like crap. For gauges instead of buying separate gauges for everything check out the Scanguage II it's a great product.
 
Tengu said:
Not sure if the wench thing is model specific but here's the link 5th gen 4R Hidden Winch mount - BudBuilt - Tough Toyota Protection...
Click to expand...

I don't know about you Tengu, but I certainly prefer my wenches to be model specific. :naughty:
[MENTION=97395]K0nfusion[/MENTION] if you are itching for something to mod on your new ride, might I suggest looking into a set of better tires? Regardless of if you plan to go off road or not, a real set of tires will make the 4runner shine.

Just my opinion here, but the factory tires leaves much to be desired, especially on such a capable vehicle. Here's a great review that [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] put together on a well rounded tire for the 4runner: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/114342-tires.html

Also, regarding the pillar gauge pods, I am not sure if that's going to work out for you since we have the side airbags along the pillars. I also have the above mentioned ScanGauge II and love it.

There's also: UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

or this if you have an android phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en

Congrats on the new purchase!
 
Please forgive my spelling errors on winch. I assure you, there will be more.

I realized this moring that i couldn't do a pod pillar due to the airbags. :(


Tires are a great mod, and I understand their value, trust me. I work outdoors and spend 95% of my time off roading for work. hehe. =) However, as a married man, my budget is only as giving as my wife. She's agreed that I can start with an Air Intake....
 
K0nfusion said:
Please forgive my spelling errors on winch. I assure you, there will be more.

I realized this moring that i couldn't do a pod pillar due to the airbags. :(


Tires are a great mod, and I understand their value, trust me. I work outdoors and spend 95% of my time off roading for work. hehe. =) However, as a married man, my budget is only as giving as my wife. She's agreed that I can start with an Air Intake....
Click to expand...

You do realize the CAI will not give you any increased performance or efficiency, unless you count increased sound from acceleration as a performance mod right?
 
1engineer said:
You do realize the CAI will not give you any increased performance or efficiency, unless you count increased sound from acceleration as a performance mod right?
Click to expand...

How so? Shouldn't it increase gas milage and HP on some level? All engines are basically the same...more air flow = more HP
 
Not to :deadhorse: and welcome to the forum, the Air Intake debate has been discussed a lot on here and has been found to only increase engine noise and minimal HP gains.
Oh and trust me, if anyone knows 1engineer does. If you would like Greg (1 engineer) will probably give you a formula to prove it.

I have a Limited and don't really go off road as much as I'd like or my work schedule allows so my mods are minimal, however as you so eloquently said there are lots of knowledgeable people on here who are only glad to give your "Their" opinion on what to spend your wife's money on (small dig there sorry LOL) it's up to you who's opinion you take.

Again welcome to the forum and glad you finally got your 4 runner after a 14 year wait.
 
K0nfusion said:
How so? Shouldn't it increase gas milage and HP on some level? All engines are basically the same...more air flow = more HP
Click to expand...

Welcome T4R- home of the CAI haters...:roadkill:

That intake will add HP as long as you also free up the exhaust and find a way to program the 'puter. I like the way my intake sounds and it sure does feel faster FWIW.

Good guys on here, you'll learn a lot!
 
K0nfusion said:
How so? Shouldn't it increase gas milage and HP on some level? All engines are basically the same...more air flow = more HP
Click to expand...

You are exactly right in theory, as long as there is a large enough combustion source more air will give you more power. Unfortunately a modern vehicle is not that simple. Back in the day when you had a carburetor and no computer control then putting on a CAI would give you 15-20 extra HP. Now? It will give you nothing and could even cost you hp. Why? It's what's downstream of the CAI, not to mention what controls it. Here is a very brief overview of the 4Runner:

Air gets drawn in through the air intake. It then goes through the throttle body and gets mixed with the fuel in the intake. After detonation it goes out through the exhaust and several catalytic converters, through the muffler and into the atmosphere.

Let's say you can draw more air with a TRD or some aftermarket intake. Then what? You have to get that air through the throttle body, which has been sized exactly for the air flow of the current OEM (and believe it or not it is a cold air intake) so there is your first restriction, the throttle body. Now, let's say you overcome the throttle body and it's restriction. What happens next? Your ECU is just going to take that extra air mix and lean out the fuel flow because it's programmed to provide you with a varying mixture, depending on many variables such as temperature, pressure, etc. You have to now reprogram the ECU. That's not gonna happen so you have to replace it with something aftermarket, which as far as I know there is only one out there, which is URD for their unreleased supercharger. Let's say you are a smart guy and devise a work around for the ECU and get more air/fuel mix. Well, now it has to get out of the engine after combustion. Adding a bigger diameter exhaust pipe is just a start. You need to go to the engine, replace the exhaust manifold with headers and eliminate all the catalytic converters and upsize your muffler. Then you won't pass emissions testing.

Now if you do ALL this, you are going to gain 15-20 HP. I will be happy to provide a more "technical" explanation but I think this will suffice as a start. If anyone tells you that you will get more HP from a CAI on a modern vehicle and no other modifications then they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Some new vehicles such as the Mustang have programs running in their ECU that will change parameters if needed. The 4Runner does not.

You want to know what the really funny part of the CAI story is? You will actually get WORSE gas mileage for awhile. Why? Because you will want to hear the "whine" of the CAI every time you accelerate so you will accelerate harder more often and use more fuel! Listen, I know this is a forum on the internet and everything should be taken with a grain of salt. There are a lot of guys here who know what they are talking about and will not steer you wrong. Save your CAI money.
 
1engineer said:
You are exactly right in theory, as long as there is a large enough combustion source more air will give you more power. Unfortunately a modern vehicle is not that simple. Back in the day when you had a carburetor and no computer control then putting on a CAI would give you 15-20 extra HP. Now? It will give you nothing and could even cost you hp. Why? It's what's downstream of the CAI, not to mention what controls it. Here is a very brief overview of the 4Runner:

Air gets drawn in through the air intake. It then goes through the throttle body and gets mixed with the fuel in the intake. After detonation it goes out through the exhaust and several catalytic converters, through the muffler and into the atmosphere.

Let's say you can draw more air with a TRD or some aftermarket intake. Then what? You have to get that air through the throttle body, which has been sized exactly for the air flow of the current OEM (and believe it or not it is a cold air intake) so there is your first restriction, the throttle body. Now, let's say you overcome the throttle body and it's restriction. What happens next? Your ECU is just going to take that extra air mix and lean out the fuel flow because it's programmed to provide you with a varying mixture, depending on many variables such as temperature, pressure, etc. You have to now reprogram the ECU. That's not gonna happen so you have to replace it with something aftermarket, which as far as I know there is only one out there, which is URD for their unreleased supercharger. Let's say you are a smart guy and devise a work around for the ECU and get more air/fuel mix. Well, now it has to get out of the engine after combustion. Adding a bigger diameter exhaust pipe is just a start. You need to go to the engine, replace the exhaust manifold with headers and eliminate all the catalytic converters and upsize your muffler. Then you won't pass emissions testing.

Now if you do ALL this, you are going to gain 15-20 HP. I will be happy to provide a more "technical" explanation but I think this will suffice as a start. If anyone tells you that you will get more HP from a CAI on a modern vehicle and no other modifications then they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Some new vehicles such as the Mustang have programs running in their ECU that will change parameters if needed. The 4Runner does not.

You want to know what the really funny part of the CAI story is? You will actually get WORSE gas mileage for awhile. Why? Because you will want to hear the "whine" of the CAI every time you accelerate so you will accelerate harder more often and use more fuel! Listen, I know this is a forum on the internet and everything should be taken with a grain of salt. There are a lot of guys here who know what they are talking about and will not steer you wrong. Save your CAI money.
Click to expand...

See I told you................
 
Antman said:
Welcome T4R- home of the CAI haters...:roadkill:

That intake will add HP as long as you also free up the exhaust and find a way to program the 'puter. I like the way my intake sounds and it sure does feel faster FWIW.

Good guys on here, you'll learn a lot!
Click to expand...

Jeeez....not "Home of the CAI Haters" just "Home of the Guys With a Little Bit of Knowledge."
 
Welcome

If you are looking for functional MODS, first on your list should be new tires and Bilstein shocks. If you can do the install or have a "friend" that can help you out, you will only be about $1200-$1600 into your now bottomless wallet. Not really any true performance enhancing mods out there except for suspension, wheels, tires...nothing really for increased HP or MPG. Come to think of it, most of the "best" mods will decrease your MPG and slow you down! As mentioned above, CAI and exhaust sound cool, but will give you minimal, if any gains in the performance department. Just spend some time in the member build threads, owner and lifted pics. You will find endless things that you now have to figure out how to afford. Kids college fund.....or 4Runner.....Good luck with the wife!

Save this link and use is wisely http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html
 
I see Greg is back from vacation and ready for party pooping again :thumb3:
[MENTION=97395]K0nfusion[/MENTION] if you are on a budget and were really hoping that the intake would be a good money investment due to the better MPG it would return, I would probably save my money. If you're just half heartily hoping for that and want the nice sound when you mash the pedal, then go for it! :)
 
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