MD (Mud&Dirt) Build

[JoshuaZ]

Hey y'all, I've been on here for the past few months asking questions, and even though I'm not even remotely close to being done, just wanted to go ahead and share what I've got.

I got this 04 V8 back in November with 80k(boy I was happy to find something under 100k)

The first thing i did was replace the stock rims with some 16in steelies I got off Amazon. They were pretty cheap but had good reviews (and I sold the original rim for more than double what I bought the new ones) The rims are wrapped with Thunderer Thunderer MTs at 265/75r16

For the suspension, I went with Billsteins and OMEs. 886 up front and 896 in the rear. Also upgraded the UCA to JBAs(no uniball for me)

And on the front, got an ARB bumper

Next will be new skids, a rear bumper with a swing out carrier (really enjoyed having it on my old crv) and eventually the exhaust. I also do wanna replace the roof rack, but it's not vital for anything other than aesthetics

UPDATE

Kinda blew the tcase, doing a RST twin-stick swap within the next few weeks

UPDATE

Gotta FJ tcase swapped in with Front Range Off-road twin sticks. Didn't do the front end, and still working on some wiring. Pic im posting isnt the end result, but needed to be able to drive to north Florida this weekend

 

[rdruss]

My only comment at this point is you're adding a lot of weight, front rear bumpers, and you have the V8, which is additional weight, so your brakes are going to work hard. You can upgrade the front rotor size to 13.3" and swap to the appropriate calipers when time to do the brakes, except NOT with 16" wheels, have to have 17" minimum. That's the only downside I see to your mods so far and it is not a show-stopper.
Keep on truckin'!

 

[JoshuaZ]

My only comment at this point is you're adding a lot of weight, front rear bumpers, and you have the V8, which is additional weight, so your brakes are going to work hard. You can upgrade the front rotor size to 13.3" and swap to the appropriate calipers when time to do the brakes, except NOT with 16" wheels, have to have 17" minimum. That's the only downside I see to your mods so far and it is not a show-stopper.
Keep on truckin'!

Thank you! Also, I haven't noticed any extra strain on them, and I really like that 16in steelie look haha. You think I'll be fine?

 

[Berty_K]

Thank you! Also, I haven't noticed any extra strain on them, and I really like that 16in steelie look haha. You think I'll be fine?

Build looks great already! Actually love the steelie look.

Previous poster is probably referring to a 5th gen brake swap. I did it myself on my 4th gen as honestly didn’t notice any difference. Wouldn’t recommend for the effort. Just go with some high quality rotors (centrics) and pads (akebono) and call it a day.


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[JoshuaZ]

Build looks great already! Actually love the steelie look.

Previous poster is probably referring to a 5th gen brake swap. I did it myself on my 4th gen as honestly didn’t notice any difference. Wouldn’t recommend for the effort. Just go with some high quality rotors (centrics) and pads (akebono) and call it a day.


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Thank you, as I wasn't sure as I had never seen anything about that for the 4th gens( also didn't know that about that 5th gens, but I was looking for a V8 when buying my truck haha) and the steelie look is honestly my favorite for 4th gen and older 4runners

 

[montijo505]

Looking good! I almost went the steelie route myself but changed my mind last minute.

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[JoshuaZ]

Looking good! I almost went the steelie route myself but changed my mind last minute.

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Thank you! And I love my steelies, especially with how much cheaper tires are for 16in rims haha paid 100 a tire for those MTs and they are great

 

[JoshuaZ]

Today's update: got the fj tcase in! Ended up with Front Range Off-road twin sticks, and left everything else alone. I based it off A-ha's build, and didnt touch anything else. Haven't gotten around to the wiring yet, so the Lo and Diff lights are blinking

 

[JoshuaZ]

Plan is to pull the transmission shifter cable out, drill a hole in front of the twin sticks, and have the shifter up front