Mall crawler mod priorities

HCWatson997

HCWatson997

New member
I'm open to taking suggestions on what order I should do certain mods. I do plan on installing a spool in the rear diff when I’m about to graduate college or have just graduated and move to a different DD. You don't have to include all of these, but I would appreciate some feedback from you awesome folks! My current mod list is in my signature for a build basis:thumb:
95% road and 5% offroad (mainly dirt roads and very few rocks, no heavy muddling)
  • Suspension lift or FJ swap
  • Wheel spacers
  • Front bumper
  • Exterior lighting
  • Interior lighting
  • Skid plates
  • Subwoofer
  • Bedline cladding
I would eventually LOVE for my rig to look something like this:hungry:
 

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Please don't spend the money on an air locker before you start wheeling. You might be surprised what ATRAC, better suspension, and large tires will do for you. If I were to build a truck from stock with what I know now, and planned to keep it mostly onroad but still wanted to increase it's offroad ability, a locker would be last on my list as a "maybe later".

I would get skid plates first if you planned to wheel over rocks especially if you have less than a 33" tire.

I've wheeled with a stock front bumper for a while and never tore it off, just had to be a bit more careful with my lines. An aftermarket bumper does give more tire clearance, more approach angle, more recovery points, and a place to put a winch.

I would spend the money on a nice coilovers before a bumper. Those and a good set of taller tires will get you a lot of places. (OK maybe sliders and skids too is all you really need). Especially if you aren't hardcore wheeling right off the bat anyway.
 
Inv4drZm said:
Please don't spend the money on an air locker before you start wheeling. You might be surprised what ATRAC, better suspension, and large tires will do for you. If I were to build a truck from stock with what I know now, and planned to keep it mostly onroad but still wanted to increase it's offroad ability, a locker would be last on my list as a "maybe later".

I would get skid plates first if you planned to wheel over rocks especially if you have less than a 33" tire.

I've wheeled with a stock front bumper for a while and never tore it off, just had to be a bit more careful with my lines. An aftermarket bumper does give more tire clearance, more approach angle, more recovery points, and a place to put a winch.

I would spend the money on a nice coilovers before a bumper. Those and a good set of taller tires will get you a lot of places. (OK maybe sliders and skids too is all you really need). Especially if you aren't hardcore wheeling right off the bat anyway.
Click to expand...


Do some of the 4th gens have ATRAC? I thought it was just on the newer models.
 
I would recommend doing lift and tires first so that you can get started on some trails. Also don't be afraid to start offroading without the locker, bumpers, sliders etc. Once you take it offroad you will realize the things you need or want most. Since you are 2wd you will probably end up wanting the locker but see what it can do first without the locker and that might be enough for you. I don't think you will really need the sliders as sliders are usually used for very rocky terrain and I don't think you will be rock crawling without 4lo, but I may be wrong. I have seen photos of locked 2wd 4Runners using sliders. Good luck with the build!
 
Real question: What are your main goals for your upgrades? Are they MAINLY for looks or function? The 5% time your rig will spend wheeling; what's that mean? Rock crawling? Dirt roads? Mudding?

It sounds like making it look cool is the goal (which is fine), but most things you do to improve off-road capability will reduce on-road manners.

From a practical standpoint, here's what I'd do:
- Suspension: Stock suspension will sag with armor
- A better jack: Good luck changing a flat with the little jack from Toyota and a lift
- Tires: Mostly cuz a lifted truck with stock tires looks like you skipped leg day
- Sliders: Great for protecting against everything from door dings to big rocks and can be a lift-point for a hi-lift jack.
- Front Bumper: I'd suggest aluminum
- Skids: The stock skids are actually pretty solid. I'll be replacing mine soon, but only because I've beat the crap out of them and they're looking rough.

The other stuff can go on whenever you have a little extra cash. I'm going to put out a shameless plug for friends of mine, [MENTION=139789]RagoFabrication[/MENTION]. They have one of the most complete lines of equipment for the 4th Gen and it's great quality.

Other things to consider adding to your list:
- Rear window inserts for gear storage
- Attic for soft gear
- Smoker's kit for extra outlets up front
 
Inv4drZm said:
Please don't spend the money on an air locker before you start wheeling. You might be surprised what ATRAC, better suspension, and large tires will do for you. If I were to build a truck from stock with what I know now, and planned to keep it mostly onroad but still wanted to increase it's offroad ability, a locker would be last on my list as a "maybe later".
Click to expand...
You notice he's 2WD. Locker maybe beneficial to compensate for only one drive axle?
 
NinjaOne said:
You notice he's 2WD. Locker maybe beneficial to compensate for only one drive axle?
Click to expand...

Yeah I didnt notice that when I made my post. It could help quite a bit then to add the locker, but it could be one of those things where its still only 2wd you can only do so much. I think a 4wd with ATRAC might perform better than a locked 2wd still so not sure if its worth the money or not.
 
Inv4drZm said:
Yeah I didnt notice that when I made my post. It could help quite a bit then to add the locker, but it could be one of those things where its still only 2wd you can only do so much. I think a 4wd with ATRAC might perform better than a locked 2wd still so not sure if its worth the money or not.
Click to expand...
Yeah, kinda a toss up.

Locker with LT rear would help but by the time you dump that much in I'd think 4WD would be more beneficial (depending on the trail)

I do know there are several guys in here who wheel their 2WD but can't remember their username.
 
MightyP said:
Real question: What are your main goals for your upgrades? Are they MAINLY for looks or function? The 5% time your rig will spend wheeling; what's that mean? Rock crawling? Dirt roads? Mudding?

It sounds like making it look cool is the goal (which is fine), but most things you do to improve off-road capability will reduce on-road manners.

From a practical standpoint, here's what I'd do:
- Suspension: Stock suspension will sag with armor
- A better jack: Good luck changing a flat with the little jack from Toyota and a lift
- Tires: Mostly cuz a lifted truck with stock tires looks like you skipped leg day
- Sliders: Great for protecting against everything from door dings to big rocks and can be a lift-point for a hi-lift jack.
- Front Bumper: I'd suggest aluminum
- Skids: The stock skids are actually pretty solid. I'll be replacing mine soon, but only because I've beat the crap out of them and they're looking rough.

The other stuff can go on whenever you have a little extra cash. I'm going to put out a shameless plug for friends of mine, [MENTION=139789]RagoFabrication[/MENTION]. They have one of the most complete lines of equipment for the 4th Gen and it's great quality.

Other things to consider adding to your list:
- Rear window inserts for gear storage
- Attic for soft gear
- Smoker's kit for extra outlets up front
Click to expand...

I have some dirt roads with a little mud I can get through no problem, but I wanna up the challenge and capability while maintaining everyday function. I will be retiring this to a fun vehicle and not my DD when I graduate around 2022 then I’ll be putting in a spool instead of an air locker. Better price and will work best in my situation I believe. I would like it to look good without going bonkers with it and will use it some off-road but not a ton because I’m so busy
 
BOFFROAD said:
I would recommend doing lift and tires first so that you can get started on some trails. Also don't be afraid to start offroading without the locker, bumpers, sliders etc. Once you take it offroad you will realize the things you need or want most. Since you are 2wd you will probably end up wanting the locker but see what it can do first without the locker and that might be enough for you. I don't think you will really need the sliders as sliders are usually used for very rocky terrain and I don't think you will be rock crawling without 4lo, but I may be wrong. I have seen photos of locked 2wd 4Runners using sliders. Good luck with the build!
Click to expand...
I have 265/70/17 BFG Ruggeds which I know aren’t huge but they’re better than stock. I have it leveled now but plan this spring to put in Bilstein 5100’s with either Moog coils or FJ coils along with adding in a rear coil spacer to hopefully raise the front 1” and back 2”. I don’t plan on doing anything rocky in the near future but maybe after college. I also have my mind set on either a Demello or C4 Low Pro bumper within the next few years
 
NinjaOne said:
Yeah, kinda a toss up.

Locker with LT rear would help but by the time you dump that much in I'd think 4WD would be more beneficial (depending on the trail)

I do know there are several guys in here who wheel their 2WD but can't remember their username.
Click to expand...

Decided on getting a spool after I get out of college. Only reason I’m waiting is cause it’ll eat my tires up on the road and I’ll be getting a new DD then and keeping this for my hunting and camping vehicle
 
Inv4drZm said:
Please don't spend the money on an air locker before you start wheeling. You might be surprised what ATRAC, better suspension, and large tires will do for you. If I were to build a truck from stock with what I know now, and planned to keep it mostly onroad but still wanted to increase it's offroad ability, a locker would be last on my list as a "maybe later".

I would get skid plates first if you planned to wheel over rocks especially if you have less than a 33" tire.

I've wheeled with a stock front bumper for a while and never tore it off, just had to be a bit more careful with my lines. An aftermarket bumper does give more tire clearance, more approach angle, more recovery points, and a place to put a winch.

I would spend the money on a nice coilovers before a bumper. Those and a good set of taller tires will get you a lot of places. (OK maybe sliders and skids too is all you really need). Especially if you aren't hardcore wheeling right off the bat anyway.
Click to expand...

Nothing crazy for now, just some things some stupid college kids would do like go out on dirt roads and fields and such...you get the drift
 
T4RNightHawk said:
Armor
Suspension
And subs go JL for quality Kicker for well kick aka loudness
Also if you're gonna run spacers go with spidertrax or something hub centric
Click to expand...

I’ve been reading that some people got 1.25” for one axle and 1.5” for the other on the same vehicle. Is that recommended to more even them out or should I just get the same size all around?
 
Definitely replace skids if you plan on wheeling a little bit. I didnt wheel much in my 2wd 4th gen but ended up denting the sh8* out of my gas tank and brought its capacity to about 17 gal over the 23.
I highly recommend replacing the blown sub with a JL audio 8W1V3. I followed a write up and honestly I never felt like I didnt have enough base. Definitely a great option.
Dont go with chinese spacers. I bought some 2" and had steering wheel shake past 40mph. Ended up trading them for a wakeboard.

Another great idea is seat covers. Check my post in the FS Wet Okole covers to see how they look. Definitely the thing that was complimented most about the truck.
 
spearfishingkid said:
Definitely replace skids if you plan on wheeling a little bit. I didnt wheel much in my 2wd 4th gen but ended up denting the sh8* out of my gas tank and brought its capacity to about 17 gal over the 23.
I highly recommend replacing the blown sub with a JL audio 8W1V3. I followed a write up and honestly I never felt like I didnt have enough base. Definitely a great option.
Dont go with chinese spacers. I bought some 2" and had steering wheel shake past 40mph. Ended up trading them for a wakeboard.

Another great idea is seat covers. Check my post in the FS Wet Okole covers to see how they look. Definitely the thing that was complimented most about the truck.
Click to expand...

Alright I’ll do that later tonight or tomorrow. For the spacers, I should be good with same size all around?
 
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