Modification priority list for performance

[sprocket47]

I'm new to T4R life with my new '14 4Runner Trail, coming from an Xterra. Since I haven't determined any specific weaknesses or needs yet, I was hoping I could get some help with the priorities in modifying the off-road and towing performance with this rig.

I want power, hauling ability (we take 4 people, full camping gear, and sometimes a trailer that's not much more than 1500lbs), and suspension performance.

My desire is to get Old Man Emu suspension, exhaust upgrade, tires, front and rear bumper.

Where to start to get the most bang?

 

[Antman]

Where to start to get the most bang?

You are already at the best place to start. Start reading!

 

[1engineer]

I'm new to T4R life with my new '14 4Runner Trail, coming from an Xterra. Since I haven't determined any specific weaknesses or needs yet, I was hoping I could get some help with the priorities in modifying the off-road and towing performance with this rig.

I want power, hauling ability (we take 4 people, full camping gear, and sometimes a trailer that's not much more than 1500lbs), and suspension performance.

My desire is to get Old Man Emu suspension, exhaust upgrade, tires, front and rear bumper.

Where to start to get the most bang?

There is nothing to give you more power per se.
You could re gear for more torque but that means loss of efficiency.
Realistically, in pure stock form you will have the greatest power and efficiency. Adding anything will negate said performance. You really need to drive it for six months over your typical terrain pulling your typical loads. You will then need no advice. You will know exactly what you need because you have then been testing for six months. Trust me on this. If you really want to spend money then buy you some tires and recovery gear. I know recovery gear is not sexy but it is necessary from day one if you go off road.

 

[Diver Deuce]

Heed the advice of the two sages who have just replied.

 

[carlomagne]

TRD license plate frame

 

[Kotrin]

As my dad says, "Custom flames along the side for increase speed.."

I just push my gas pedal down more =)

Read or look through the build thread that is sticky'd and after that reply in those threads if you got any questions.

Welcome and Enjoy

 

[BeachRunnerSD]

Plasti Dip is rumored to add 5HP per square foot.
Also, each sticker you put on adds 1HP
Between those two, you could get to a supercar real quick!

 

[Swarty]

New Headers...

Where to start to get the most bang?

The only add on I've seen that improves power is new headers. The entire rest of the exhaust system is over sized and I'd be surprised if there was a power bump.

Other than that you get a little power bump using premium as this engine uses the dual VVT system to adjust the dynamic compression ratio depending on knock readings.

 

[DesertCanyons]

More Power? no, less wieght

... I want power, hauling ability (we take 4 people, full camping gear, and sometimes a trailer that's not much more than 1500lbs), and suspension performance.

My desire is to get Old Man Emu suspension, exhaust upgrade, tires, front and rear bumper.

Where to start to get the most bang?

By all means, get tires. :lie:

Skip the heavy bumpers if you want more power for hauling 4 people, gear and a trailer. They just add weight. If you're pulling a trailer you won't be going anywhere you need the bumpers for.

Stiffer suspension or a lift combined with air shocks could help with the trailer and cargo weight.

And everything everyone said above...

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Plasti Dip is rumored to add 5HP per square foot.
Also, each sticker you put on adds 1HP
Between those two, you could get to a supercar real quick!

I thought every sticker was 5hp and every one from T4R.ORG was 15hp.

 

[BeachRunnerSD]

I thought every sticker was 5hp and every one from T4R.ORG was 15hp.

Shit, I'd forgotten they had a new model out. Thanks for looking out!

 

[sprocket47]

Skip the heavy bumpers if you want more power for hauling 4 people, gear and a trailer. They just add weight. If you're pulling a trailer you won't be going anywhere you need the bumpers for.

My trailer can go in some pretty rough places. It's an expedition trailer with 32" M/T Tires, independent suspension, and built like a tank.

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

 

[nb rob]

My trailer can go in some pretty rough places. It's an expedition trailer with 32" M/T Tires, independent suspension, and built like a tank.

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

I think most of us are in to performance, but off-road performance.

We knew this wasn't a barn-burner when we test drove our 4runners.


There simply aren't any mods that are going to set you back in your seat. Cold air filter, cat back exhaust, headers.... jeez. This is a v6.

 

[Bevo]

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

Go ahead and put the CAI and exhaust on, but don't come back here asking why you didn't make any power gains. Do you want us to lie to you?

 

[KidVermicious]

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

The plastic. I know where you're going to take that truck, you need better ground clearance and metal armor instead of plastic. There will be a performance hit, you'll have to deal with it, there's no magic bullet for that. These guys know what they're talking about with the performance mods, they've all been there and done that, I wouldn't waste your money on exhaust or intake.

I drag a little trailer and a lot of people around too, the best performance mod I've done so far is lightening the trailer and carrying less cargo.

 

[1engineer]

My trailer can go in some pretty rough places. It's an expedition trailer with 32" M/T Tires, independent suspension, and built like a tank.

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

.... and another one who does not like the truth.

 

[HerT4R]

I thought every sticker was 5hp and every one from T4R.ORG was 15hp.

if thats the case, then [MENTION=105481]3wbdriver[/MENTION]s ride is smokin' fast! :tea:

but OP, drive it, get to know it, and then mod at will for what fits your needs. we all use these vehicles quite differently from one another, so we all have a little different take on what we need. but then again theres always what we want that sways what we think we need. oh well.

 

[WTERUNNER]

My trailer can go in some pretty rough places. It's an expedition trailer with 32" M/T Tires, independent suspension, and built like a tank.

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

Ok, I'm going to chime in here because like you I'm not happy with the lack of power or response from my 4RUNNER. I was looking at cold air intakes and exhaust but as others have advised you, I got the same response of it being a waste of money. I chose to listen to the forum members who gave me the advice because they know what works and what doesn't from experience. As I look at it these guys have saved me from spending hundreds if not thousands on performance parts that just don't work. The truck basically is what it is. As I've stated before the only way to get more performance out of this truck is an ECU reprogramming and unfortunately no company does that right now. The only mod I've seen that has a remote possibility of adding power is the URD Spec U Exhaust. Check it out and see if it's for you. I've chosen to skip it for now as it's expensive and I've yet to see any proven results from it.

 

[Dalko43]

My trailer can go in some pretty rough places. It's an expedition trailer with 32" M/T Tires, independent suspension, and built like a tank.

For clarification; when I say I want performance, I'm talking about responsive power, not speed. I'm not very impressed how sluggish the 4Runner is with acceleration.

Coming from the Xterra world, I'm a little surprised by some of the responses. I'm thinking the 4Runner folks are more into looks than performance (this isn't directed to all responses). I put a cold air intake system on my xterra and it made a world of difference then a performance exhaust was even better.

I'm not expecting to make it a drag racer by putting a new air filter in, but those little things help. I promise. The suspension input is appreciated and I do agree that I need to drive it loaded a few times to get a feel for how it rides. I haven't even figured out what the Trail model electronic suspension adjustments even do, if anything.

I guess I was hoping that those of you who know your 4Runner, know what some the weak spots are that I should focus on.

On the one hand, I hear what you are saying. The 5th gen 4runner's V6 is nothing special...it gets the job done, but the engine hp and torque I would say are adequate given the vehicle's weight. I certainly wouldn't have complained if this vehicle had come with +15hp and +20 to 30lb-ft.

The Xterra, which I have driven, probably felt slightly faster by comparison because it's at least 300-400lbs lighter than the 4runner, and has similar torque output.

I would also point out that the 4runner's throttle was purposely designed to be very progressive, meaning you really have to push the accelerator pedal down hard to get some grunt out of the engine....this may cause the vehicle to seem slow on the road, but I promise this type of pedal feel really makes all the difference on rough terrain. In fact, the entire vehicle feels extremely capable on rough terrain, and I think the engine is absolutely fine the way it is for that kind of driving.

As for "performance" upgrades for the 4runner, I don't think many will recommend the exhaust or CAI because most reviews have indicated that they really don't do much for the engine. If you want a "faster feeling" truck, get a Ford Raptor. If you want something to get over rough terrain, get half-decent fuel economy and be able to carry 5 people + gear, the 4runner is hard to beat.

 

[Swarty]

Xterra weight

The Xterra, which I have driven, probably felt slightly faster by comparison because it's at least 300-400lbs lighter than the 4runner, and has similar torque output.

The Xterra 4x4 with an auto weighs 4425
A 4Runner 4x4 weighs 4625

That's only a 5% difference. The hp and torque dif is also 5% so all things being equal you shouldn't be able to feel the difference.

The actual difference is dif ratios. Toyota picked an insane 3.73 ratio Nissan runs 4.3 to 4.9 depending on model and year. That's about a 20% torque advantage for the Nissan.

I regeared and love the difference. Night and day.