Long time Owner..New to mods..Help!

[Cerebro]

Hey all!
I was looking for a place to find good and helpful info on 4runners seeing as that I own one. I wanted to do some modifications but I really don't know anything about after market products for Suv's/crossovers/trucks.

Let's get to it! I own a 2003 T4R V6 all stock with 4wd capabilities, and I love it!! From time to time when the weather is right I'll tear through some muddy fields, lightweight trails, and things of that nature. Nothing too hardcore.

Lately I have been very eager to get a suspension/lift kit to raise me up anywhere from 3" to 6" but as I stated above I have no clue what brands of products are best and exactly what products are best/recommended for this type of transformation.

I grabbed some pics of 4runners that I saw and liked so I'll post them below and maybe you guys can more or less point me on the right direction.

 

[oljedi11950]

Mods

Kinda depends on a few factors 1st $$$$ 2nd $$$$ 3rd the lift stickie gives a ton of info , also how it affects your mileage see your n Cali. $$$ , tires size , how much do you really go out & play mild lift 265/70/17s w/bilstiens 5100s , or daystar 3/2 boys call it . Biggest thing to me is how much do you have to spend & want to spend , because most of the guys & (girls) will tell you DO IT RIGHT ONE TIME so....:lightsaber: hope it kinda helps . More you lift more stress you put on components :happens: 1 more factor anyway my 2 cents

 

[Doozi]

Tell us your budget and we'll definitely help you spend it! There are sooooo many options and variables to consider... money probably being the first. Whether you're ready to spend $500 or $5000, you can make some nice improvements!

 

[chaz]

since you are going to lift it, this is a good read to start with. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102272-4th-gen-suspension-options-faq.html

 

[Cerebro]

Tell us your budget and we'll definitely help you spend it! There are sooooo many options and variables to consider... money probably being the first. Whether you're ready to spend $500 or $5000, you can make some nice improvements!

Well hmmmmm budget....... Let"s say 3,000-5,000.

 

[Mytoy4]

Look forward to seeing what you decide. Welcome!

 

[Red]

Well hmmmmm budget....... Let"s say 3,000-5,000.

That's a serious budget for someone that isn't into hardcore wheeling.....yet. I think if you spent that kind of money you'd probably get more into trail runs.

Is that your budget for suspension only? or did you want tires, roof rack, lights, etc etc.

If that's your suspension budget, check out Radflo and ICON vehicle dynamics. they sell a few different kits.

 

[Cerebro]

That's a serious budget for someone that isn't into hardcore wheeling.....yet. I think if you spent that kind of money you'd probably get more into trail runs.

Is that your budget for suspension only? or did you want tires, roof rack, lights, etc etc.

If that's your suspension budget, check out Radflo and ICON vehicle dynamics. they sell a few different kits.

Yea I'm not too sure on the budget to be honest but in all honesty I wasn't thinking of anything other than suspension but I definitely want to buy some durable tires for off the roads. Maybe some lights. I don'treally need a rack or anything like that but go aheadand toss out your opinions iI'm open to hear them

 

[Doozi]

Well hmmmmm budget....... Let"s say 3,000-5,000.

I love my Toytec Ultimate lift, but if you don't need/want the adjustable front coil-overs you would probably be happy with something like...

Suspension: Old Man Emu (OME) light-duty coils w/ OME shocks ~$800
Suspension (alternate): Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer kit ~$175

Light Racing UCA's: ~$425 (really only needed if going >2.5" lift)

Wheel spacers: Spidertrax 1.25" ~$200

Tires: Your choice of All-Terrain (maybe a 275/70-17 BFG AT) ~$1000

Alignment: ~$100

Plasti-Dip: whatever you want ~$40

So right there, you're looking at a maximum of about $2500 for parts (installation extra unless you can do it yourself) and it would totally transform your vehicle. With the Daystar spacer lift, you'd be looking at around $1800 and it would still be a dramatic change.

Now... you need to decide if this is something that will grow on you. If so, skip the spacer lift and get right into something like the Toytec Ultimate suspension (~$1200)... you'll need a little more cash up front, but you'll only need to do it once which will save you money in the long run.

Like others have said, go through the "Lift and Tires" and build threads to find something you like the looks of and use that as your starting point.

 

[LTDSC]

i wish i skipped my spacer lift. While its effective and looks 10000xxx better, im waiting for shipment of my real lift now.

 

[Mtn.Runner]

If I had that kinda money to throw at just my "lift" i would do a full icon suspension, light racing upper control arms, 1.25 4 crawler body lift, and 4.88s to run 285/75 bfg t/a kos.

And if I had some extra left over I would suggest doing what I have already. A URD T.C.A.I & MAF cal. Big MPG and HP gains not to mention the nice growl I've got now.

 

[absolute yota]

I would suggest a middle of the road lift, I used Old man emu but there are others out there. Under $1000

Some skid plates, good ones, taking your newly modded runner out and destroying your front diff or transfer case would suck. $800 to $1000 bucks for good ones like bud built or man a fre. Also sliders if you plan to get in he rocks, $ 500 or so depending

Tires $1000 if its a daily driver dont buy mud tires get all terrains, and $200
for spider trac spacers if using stock wheels.

Thats $3000 (maybe more)well spent, if you install it yourself.

You could get crazy and drop like $2000 on a winch and steel bumper like I just did.

Cheap mods- (some mentioned before) plasti dip emblems and bumper panels or grille. Cheapo roof rack to make you look taller, mine is a $250 rolla rack. Remove the running boards, blacked out headlight mod (search the forum)

just be carefull, after the current list of projects is done, I'll be into the mods on my truck for over $7,000 and I'm not even close to done yet. I get the feeling it will end up being much more than that in the end. Im keeping it forever so eventually exhaust, and possibly an engine or trans replacement someday too. Plus the more you mod the more stress on parts and the more abuse you will hand out to it, which means wheel bearings, brakes, and all sorts of other fun stuff to spend $$$ on. Good luck dood.

Basically everything you need to know is here on T4R, including how to fix common problems and every option is represented somewhere usually with pics. They leart me everytin i know lol !

 

[absolute yota]

If I had that kinda money to throw at just my "lift" i would do a full icon suspension, light racing upper control arms, 1.25 4 crawler body lift, and 4.88s to run 285/75 bfg t/a kos.

And if I had some extra left over I would suggest doing what I have already. A URD T.C.A.I & MAF cal. Big MPG and HP gains not to mention the nice growl I've got now.

How do you do a m.a.f cal ? I think you are the only guy who has gotten gains out of a c.a.i. on these trucks. I want in on the secret ! My truck is a little slow now with the 33s and extra weight, and its only getting taller and heavier.

 

[Mtn.Runner]

How do you do a m.a.f cal ? I think you are the only guy who has gotten gains out of a c.a.i. on these trucks. I want in on the secret ! My truck is a little slow now with the 33s and extra weight, and its only getting taller and heavier.

The combination of the URD TCAI and URD MAF cal is the secret. As far as I know I am the only one running this setup. Partially because its not designed for 4 runners and partially because CAIs get a lot of trash talk. I don't have access to a dyno but I can feel the difference absolutely. The install requires tapping and extending you MAF wires, cutting a hole in your core support and modifiying the length of the intake tubing.