Moving and looking for some advice

[vtferret]

Oh 4runner gods,
I found out a bit ago that I'm gonna be moving to Denver for work. I'm super excited about that because I can actually go camping and stuff without "enjoying" the Florida 200% humidity. Anyway I have a couple questions.
The first question involves the actual move. I am thinking of buying a trailer down here to take my motorcycle with me, and I was wondering what modifications would be good for pulling a trailet. I already put in Tundra discs up front, and a transmission cooler. I ordered the wiring and electronic brake controller to wire in a 7 pin trailer harness. Is there anything I'm missing? My mechanic recommended some rear air shocks.

The next question is for the locals. I know a lot of you guys are out in Colorado, so I figured I'd turn to you for advice. Are there any modifications I should make to get the most from my 4runner? I know there is a long thread about 3" suspension 2" body to clear bigger tires, but what would you say is actually important?

Thank you!
-Jarvis

 

[gamefreakgc]

Oh 4runner gods,
I found out a bit ago that I'm gonna be moving to Denver for work. I'm super excited about that because I can actually go camping and stuff without "enjoying" the Florida 200% humidity. Anyway I have a couple questions.
The first question involves the actual move. I am thinking of buying a trailer down here to take my motorcycle with me, and I was wondering what modifications would be good for pulling a trailet. I already put in Tundra discs up front, and a transmission cooler. I ordered the wiring and electronic brake controller to wire in a 7 pin trailer harness. Is there anything I'm missing? My mechanic recommended some rear air shocks.

The next question is for the locals. I know a lot of you guys are out in Colorado, so I figured I'd turn to you for advice. Are there any modifications I should make to get the most from my 4runner? I know there is a long thread about 3" suspension 2" body to clear bigger tires, but what would you say is actually important?

Thank you!
-Jarvis

You're good for towing. Remember, they can tow up to 5,000 lbs with everything stock. One tow isn't going to ruin your 4Runner forever. Air shocks is overkill for towing a motorcycle. However, don't fill the rear cargo area with heavy stuff and then tow on top of it, that puts too much weight on the rear axle, or "tongue weight" and can cause the front wheels to pop up and lose steering and traction. If you tow a trailer, put most if not all stuff in the trailer.

More importantly, pay attention to speed limits across the states for vehicles that are towing and give yourself extra space to stop. Even with the bigger brakes it's not going to stop on a dime.

 

[spartacus]

Oh 4runner gods,
I found out a bit ago that I'm gonna be moving to Denver for work. I'm super excited about that because I can actually go camping and stuff without "enjoying" the Florida 200% humidity. Anyway I have a couple questions.
The first question involves the actual move. I am thinking of buying a trailer down here to take my motorcycle with me, and I was wondering what modifications would be good for pulling a trailet. I already put in Tundra discs up front, and a transmission cooler. I ordered the wiring and electronic brake controller to wire in a 7 pin trailer harness. Is there anything I'm missing? My mechanic recommended some rear air shocks.

The next question is for the locals. I know a lot of you guys are out in Colorado, so I figured I'd turn to you for advice. Are there any modifications I should make to get the most from my 4runner? I know there is a long thread about 3" suspension 2" body to clear bigger tires, but what would you say is actually important?

Thank you!
-Jarvis

airbags for the springs in the rear to keep the tuck and trailer leveled while hauling.
these trucks run pretty well up here but due to altitude you will feel some powerloss and feel them struggle over mountain passes other then that offroading camping hunting these trucks were made for it.

 

[thegipper]

I would install some OME 906's springs in the rear paired with some 5100's. That will give you a mild 2" lift in the rear and really helps out with keeping your rear up when towing.

Have you replaced your radiator or LBJ's recently? Other than that, make sure all of your fluids are fresh and topped off.

 

[vtferret]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll look into air bags. As far as the rear lift goes I'd rather lift the front and the back. I know it might be a bit over kill, but the trailer I'm looking at is a 14 foot toy hauler that the other half is already making plans to use camping out there. She's uses to glamping in her grandparents 5th wheel, so she wasn't super thrilled about tent camping. It shouldn't be over the 5000 lb mark, but I want to set the truck up to pull it more than once.

I'll definitely pay attention to speed limits and following distances. Whenever I'm on a long drive (I often drive between Vermont and Florida) I normally drive the speed limit to save gas any way.

Also I was planning on replacing the coolant with some stuff that can handle lower temp, Florida juice doesn't like the cold. While I'm at it I'll check the LBJs, I've owned the 4runner for 6 years and it hasn't been done since I bought it, so it may be time.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[thegipper]

If you have no record of the LBJ's or radiator being changed, you need to replace them. LBJ's (OEM only) and Denso/Koyo for the radiator. You can either use Toyota red coolant or buy the cheaper Zerex Asian coolant which is fine too. I'd flush out the system before you put new coolant in and the new radiator.

You can certainly raise the front too but at a minimum, I'd put the 906's in the rear. They are excellent for towing and pretty cheap (170ish).

 

[sportscarfan]

I also moved a couple years ago, but stayed in state. Because I'm a DIY type, the family & I moved ourselves. We had access to the new place the month prior to closing, so we made several trips hauling stuff in the 4runner & ferrying cars full of more stuff.

Because I operate a small machine shop out of my garage, I have loads (literally) of heavy gear - vises, fixture plates, chucks, tooling, etc. I elected to put air shocks in the 4runner. They worked great for the load carrying.

As for 4runner trail clearance, I've never needed or wanted more than the 1" BL, 99 "tall" springs, and 33's.

 

[vtferret]

Because I operate a small machine shop out of my garage, I have loads (literally) of heavy gear - vises, fixture plates, chucks, tooling, etc. I elected to put air shocks in the 4runner. They worked great for the load carrying.

Which air shocks did you choose? I can't find any adjustable ones.

 

[sportscarfan]

Gabriel Hijackers - Amazon

Add / remove air via a schrader valve.

 

[04rnr]

Denver is FULL.... Way to over populated, traffic SUX, cost of living SUX 3 times what it was before the weed law went into effect and everyone and their mom moved out here.
Make sure you change your plates out ASAP most locals are not very nice lol.
once you get settled in hit me up, we will hit a few trails.
:girl:

 

[sportscarfan]

Denver is FULL.... Way to over populated, traffic SUX, cost of living SUX 3 times what it was before the weed law went into effect and everyone and their mom moved out here.
Make sure you change your plates out ASAP most locals are not very nice lol.
once you get settled in hit me up, we will hit a few trails.
:girl:

Precisely why I moved away from Denver after living there for 20 years.

 

[thennen]

Oh 4runner gods,
I found out a bit ago that I'm gonna be moving to Denver for work. I'm super excited about that because I can actually go camping and stuff without "enjoying" the Florida 200% humidity. Anyway I have a couple questions.
The first question involves the actual move. I am thinking of buying a trailer down here to take my motorcycle with me, and I was wondering what modifications would be good for pulling a trailet. I already put in Tundra discs up front, and a transmission cooler. I ordered the wiring and electronic brake controller to wire in a 7 pin trailer harness. Is there anything I'm missing? My mechanic recommended some rear air shocks.

The next question is for the locals. I know a lot of you guys are out in Colorado, so I figured I'd turn to you for advice. Are there any modifications I should make to get the most from my 4runner? I know there is a long thread about 3" suspension 2" body to clear bigger tires, but what would you say is actually important?

Thank you!
-Jarvis

Maybe you're already on this, but I think it's a bit easier on the transmission if you pop it out of overdrive if the load is heavy. More so if the trailer has some height and catches the wind.