Mod Suggestions for my First Car, 99T4R

[b4silver]

Hey guys!
I am a sixteen year old guy who just got his first car. I chose the 4Runner because I really love the feel of the interior, and when looking for what SUVs have a passionate fanbase, 4runner fans are everywhere.

I have had my Red 1999 SR5 4Runner for almost nine months now. I really want to put some mods on this thing, and make it look nicer, handle better, and hey if I can, be a lighter faster car. I am fairly competent when it comes to cars (I had to redo part of the engine on this one). But of course money is an object.

Any mods less than $500 that you could suggest for a 16 year old who is looking to get the most out of his 4Runner?

Thanks.

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Nearly the exact same thread was just started the other day. You're new, so go search. BTW Lighter faster? It's a 4runner, not a racer. You can add a Supercharger, but you already said $$$ is not easy,

 

[96 ToyRunner]

The best thing to do is make sure all the maintenance stuff is done after that mods....also is it a 2 or 4wheel drive runner ?

 

[Scramble]

Hey guys!
I am a sixteen year old guy who just got his first car. I chose the 4Runner because I really love the feel of the interior, and when looking for what SUVs have a passionate fanbase, 4runner fans are everywhere.

I have had my Red 1999 SR5 4Runner for almost nine months now. I really want to put some mods on this thing, and make it look nicer, handle better, and hey if I can, be a lighter faster car. I am fairly competent when it comes to cars (I had to redo part of the engine on this one). But of course money is an object.

Any mods less than $500 that you could suggest for a 16 year old who is looking to get the most out of his 4Runner?

Thanks.

Making is faster will not be cheap. Cold air intake, headers & a high flow exhaust all together will help. One of these alone wont do much. I'm putting in a Borla exhaust when funds allow. I should have put in a high performance cam when I rebuilt my motor.
The supercharger is the real deal but expensive.

I personally like the dollar store hood mod.

 

[96LTDrus]

Catch it up on maintenance. Are the shocks the original units? Is the rear sagging? Axle seal leaks? Is the timing belt due for replacement?

The best thing you can do for the car with your (likely) limited budget is to keep it stock and in good shape.

 

[AZ4Running]

Your young and its your first car, sorry kid but not only is a 4runner not a race car but its not even a sport compact, it will not be fast or handle in such a manner. Do any needed maintance and keep it in good condition. After maintance is done goid first low cost mids are the deck plate mod, isr mod, a high flow muffler or full cat back exhaust. If you have running boards take them off, looks much better. Larger tires when its time for new tires give a much more beefy and agressive look.

 

[UnderFire]

Come to terms with being slow, then stick around and figure out what you really want to make it into.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Pay to take a defensive driving course. Thank me later.

 

[Supermoney]

3rd gen 4runner is slow and reliable, keep it that way!

 

[b4silver]

thanks for the responses guys. When I said faster, I know it is a midsize Suv haha. Did not mean I was going to be taking this thing down to the strip anytime soon. I was just wondering if there is anything to increase throttle responsiveness.

I've caught everything up on the maintenance and am about to stick some new tires on it. Tire size suggestion? It's a 4wd truck. Also, my back is sagging. Shocks is the problem I am guessing?

Thanks for being kind since this is my first time getting into this forum deal.

 

[AZ4Running]

As said for a little more go do the deck plate mod, isr mod and exhaust. Tightening the throttle cable will help some as well, mine was super loose. 265/75R16 tires in a AT are the way to go for stock ride imo you can do a slightly narrower but taller 255/85R16 as well and they work well in mud and snow. The sagging rear end is a know common problem and is caused by the rear coil springs aging. Best thing to do is do a lift with new spring in the rear and up front along with longer shocks. A cheaper quicker fix is to put a .5-1" spacer on the rear coil to level out the rear end. Im just dealing with the rear sage for now until I get my OME lift. If you plan to start off roading then do a lift with new coil springs if not much offroading is plannned the spacers are fine.

 

[MxwlT4R99]

To back up what [MENTION=114765]AZ4Running[/MENTION] has said, you want the deckplate and isr mods for sure if you want to increase throttle response. The isr mod costed me about 10 bucks for the pipe and $6 for the deckplate mod. Spark slugs and wires also made a huge difference in performance/peppiness for me, as the single prong that were in there just weren't doing it for me. An led dash/cargo/map lights also adds a nice touch at under $100 too, depending on the quality of the lights.
As for steering and handling, get new bushings for the steering rack and front/rear sway bars, as I guarantee you the stock ones are seeing some wear. Wheelers Offroad has great prices and is where I got mine (even though all my bushings are still sitting-I don't have proper space to install them on the side of the road in college).
Tires-I vouch for 265/75r16 duratracs. I just replaced mine a few days ago. A bit over 800 bucks to have Midas do everything for me. Handle great and are ultra quiet. Fit great with the stock 99 suspension (thats what I have), no mpg loss and won't look goofy in the least bit when you lift it anywhere up to 3".
Other than that, there are a million things I can tell you to do (headunit, subwoofer, taco whip antenna mod, window deflectors, rear dff breather mod) but it is all up to personal preference/what time and money you are willing to spend. Just have fun doing it! :decision:

 

[mxer]

I was just wondering if there is anything to increase throttle responsiveness.

A 16 yr old complaining about lack of throttle response. :rofl:

How about learning to drive first so you don't wreck it.

 

[96 ToyRunner]

Haha I get where ya getting from if you go fast remember it has a high center of gravity nice ground clearance so that means they like to flip when you turn sharp.In other news congregation on the 4runner there awesome truck fun to mess with and I know I've learned alot about mechanical work cause of it in a good way. But yea search around and start small and build it up.....p.s. look thru the pics on here you'll find what you'll want.