Let's build my 4runner, need opinions on parts!

[Smokie]

Habanero- I am considering the ARB front and rear lockers, with OBA. Plumbing and wiring up everything should be no problem whatsoever. The price is definitely up there, local shop quoted me 3375 parts and labor if I bring them the diffs, 3575 if I just bring them the whole vehicle. This includes lockers f/r 4.56 gears, and the large ARB compressor. Labor only was $750.

I'll have to check out your wiring in the build thread, I'm open to any and all ideas here as I'm new to all this. Am planning on getting a high lift jack, that factory one is pretty close to useless at even the stock height. Any brands of jacks I should avoid? I want a dependable one, and will spend a little extra on it.

Paddlenbike- yeah, as mentioned above, gears+lockers+install=chunk of cash! I was expecting a little less, but I guess you get what you pay for.

On the weight issue, yes, a lighter truck will be more nimble and fuel efficient, you are correct. I really do want to have the protection with the steel bumpers though, people can't drive down here. Not to mention I'm so used to having a winch on my truck, I don't know if I could go without one again. Not a lot of my friends have vehicles set up for recovery, so most of the time it's up to me to get un stuck.

Gamefreak- I probably won't necessarily have to change the ECU/cats/o2 if I supercharge it, but it would definitely give me a hell of a lot better flow if I did. My vehicle has the tighter flow Cali catalytic converters. Once my current original o2 sensors go out (270k on them already) I'd have to change them. New ones are $350 each x 2, or I could just change the cats out to high flow, and standard o2 sensors with a standard ECU for under a grand and never have to worry about those overpriced parts again in the future.

I'll give those bulbs a look. Thanks.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I gotcha, yeah I see what you mean now. It would be restrictive, although not awful. I don't know what smog restrictions are in Texas, but I can guarentee it's less than here in California so I'm sure you have options.

I'm still learning everything about the 5VZ-FE engine, but I know it's predecessor, the 3VZ-E and it's worst air restriction was actually the muffler. Might be a thought as well.

I haven't got the LED backup lights in the mail yet but I'll post up somewhere when they do come in.

 

[Unner]

ETA..ouch, 12 weeks to fab up a set? Wow, sounds like someone needs to hire another fitter and welder!:wow: Looking to get all my parts received in 3-4 weeks, offshore season is coming in May.

It might be less. Give BAMF a call, Jerry is the owner/fabricator there and they just moved shops so the wait times were really long, he may have not updated the website. Those sliders are going to be just as functional as any others. Someone here posted a pic of a wreck they got in with their BAMF sliders and it tore up the little car and just scratched the slider. Lots of Tacoma guys run them as well.

A lot of custom metal fab shops will have a wait time longer than 3-4 weeks though. Just the nature of the game. If you can weld them on yourself then that's awesome. You're options for anything are just about limitless.

I've seen that too, but could not get mine in aired up, aired down, called various names, etc, and that's just a worn Michelin A/T on 16x8s.

I'm sure it depends on the specific tire. Some tires have the same size printed on the sidewall, but can vary in actual height and such still.

 

[habanero]

...Have fun, mod smart.

Wish I'd said that.

 

[Smokie]

Well, Looks like this project is gonna go over budget "slightly", so I've decided to do this in stages.

First stage is going to be
Mastercraft courser mxt 287/75 tires- 900
ss 1.2 Lift -1900
4.56 Gears-3575
ARB Air lockers
OBA
TRD Supercharger-2700
Sliders-450
New ECU-1000
New high flow cats
New 02 sensors
New muffler-300
New ball joints-200
New tie rod ends


That will max out the 10k budget I've set aside for now, but seems like a good start. If anyone has any other input before i pull the trigger on this stuff, I'd appreciate it! :biggrin2:

 

[MTD]

Well, Looks like this project is gonna go over budget "slightly", so I've decided to do this in stages.

First stage is going to be
Mastercraft courser mxt 287/75 tires- 900
ss 1.2 Lift -1900
4.56 Gears-3575
ARB Air lockers
OBA
TRD Supercharger-2700
Sliders-450
New ECU-1000
New high flow cats
New 02 sensors
New muffler-300
New ball joints-200
New tie rod ends


That will max out the 10k budget I've set aside for now, but seems like a good start. If anyone has any other input before i pull the trigger on this stuff, I'd appreciate it! :biggrin2:

Could I suggest 4xInnovations armor their sliders are on par with everyone else but half the price. It's worth a look at least.

link:

96-02 4Runner

 

[Smokie]

Could I suggest 4xInnovations armor their sliders are on par with everyone else but half the price. It's worth a look at least.

link:

96-02 4Runner

I will definitely consider these, thank you!

I don't need to buy the most expensive parts, I just want proven stuff that works. It's turning out to be a little more expensive project that I had anticipated, so if I can cut costs here and there without compromising quality, that is definitely a bonus.:thumb:

 

[MTD]

I will definitely consider these, thank you!

I don't need to buy the most expensive parts, I just want proven stuff that works. It's turning out to be a little more expensive project that I had anticipated, so if I can cut costs here and there without compromising quality, that is definitely a bonus.:thumb:

Well his stuff sure is proven lol he sells more sliders than pretty much anyone. And his bumpers are top notch!

 

[masphx]

How is the ss 1.2 lift $1900?

 

[Smokie]

How is the ss 1.2 lift $1900?

I had ordered the Extreme duty DOM lower links as well...+$300

Kit alone was $1424
Shipping was $148

 

[MillerPKA]

These kind of threads are fun. Opinions so far are pretty spot on. Have fun and looking forward to seeing the results!

 

[paddlenbike]

Well, Looks like this project is gonna go over budget "slightly", so I've decided to do this in stages.

First stage is going to be
Mastercraft courser mxt 287/75 tires- 900
ss 1.2 Lift -1900
4.56 Gears-3575
ARB Air lockers
OBA
TRD Supercharger-2700
Sliders-450
New ECU-1000
New high flow cats
New 02 sensors
New muffler-300
New ball joints-200
New tie rod ends

In my opinion, skip the gears until you decide you need them. They aren't nearly as necessary once you have a supercharger.

 

[Quadsbc]

If your cracking the diffs for air lockers you might as well regear at the same time.

 

[paddlenbike]

If your cracking the diffs for air lockers you might as well regear at the same time.

Thats right, I forgot you were doing airlockers.

 

[krenaud33]

Well his stuff sure is proven lol he sells more sliders than pretty much anyone. And his bumpers are top notch!

x2 on 4xinnovations. Great products at good prices.

 

[gamefreakgc]

In my opinion, skip the gears until you decide you need them. They aren't nearly as necessary once you have a supercharger.

I second that. Only real reason to re-gear is because of lost power. Supercharger changes all that. Running lower gears with a supercharger just means you get better MPG's than with higher gears. You won't stress the gears or nothing either, the only adverse side affect is higher transmission temperatures.

Might want to add an external transmission cooler to your list.

I would hold off on the new ECU and O2 sensors and cats... you'll find the supercharger will do better than expected. Plus an ECU swap can be more tricky than you might think, unless you can find a Federal emissions one for your exact production year.

 

[Smokie]

Ok, so on the ECU part, can I have a shop re program my current one to read the standard 02 sensors rather than the California ones, or is that part unchangeable? I'll have the truck retuned once I put the S/C on, just wondering if that is possible?

 

[gamefreakgc]

Unfortunately no, there's no known way to modify the ECU. This makes tuning our ECUs impossible as well without a piggy-back controller.

 

[Smokie]

Unfortunately no, there's no known way to modify the ECU. This makes tuning our ECUs impossible as well without a piggy-back controller.

Well, that's just no fun, someone should fix this. :moping:.

Spent the past hour reading about freeEms software, I think it can be done with a LOT of time talking with programmers.....and some parts.

Do I have time for this.... no. So I'm left with finding another ECU. I'm almost certain that the stock O2's will kick the bucket shortly and the swap will pay for itself basically. I'll do some calling around and see if I can find one in Houston.

My question is....is the TCU integrated into the ECU or is it a separate module? If yes, that will make finding a Fed emissions 5spd 99 v6 model like a needle in a haystack. :ybrick:

EDIT..Did some research...Yes, it is an integrated module, so I need a 3rd gen v6 manual 4x4 Fed emissions ECU. Well easter is coming up so let the hunt begin for me! lol ugh.