My New '98 4Runner

[TheRunner8George]

So i just got passed down my dads '98 4runner. I've been looking forward to getting it since i was a little kid and its been the family car ever since we bought it. It has near 290,000 miles on it and runs like a beaut. I love it, and i always wanted it since i was little. So since i just got it i was wondering what i can do to it to make it better. The brakes are really bad.. i mean really bad. And i already ran out of gas twice in the middle of the night because the gas gauge is broke. I need advice what i should work on it to make it run better, quicker, and look better. thanks!

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Forget the quicker for right now. Unless you have a few grand laying around for a supercharger I would just leave it stock. It's more reliable that way anyway.

Sounds like a Tundra Brake Upgrade is something you would be interested (TBU). Search and you will find more writeups than you can shake a stick at.

The gas gauge is annoying for sure. There's a couple people who have fixed this but I can't remember who off the top of my head. It involves dropping the tank though so it's a fair amount of meticulous smelly work.

Pics help with the looking better. That is a matter mostly left up to the owner (you) but if we can't see what you're working with it's hard to say what would or would not look good. Lots of people love the Satoshi (search), adding fog lights or LED light bars, Rims/Tires, maybe some window tint?. It also comes down to what you're going to use the truck for primarily. If it's a pavement queen maybe sliders aren't the best idea and if it's a wheeler than maybe 20 inch rims aren't the best idea.

Have fun with it but always remember to maintain before you mod.

 

[chimpy]

:worthless

 

[TheRunner8George]

Forget the quicker for right now. Unless you have a few grand laying around for a supercharger I would just leave it stock. It's more reliable that way anyway.

Sounds like a Tundra Brake Upgrade is something you would be interested (TBU). Search and you will find more writeups than you can shake a stick at.

The gas gauge is annoying for sure. There's a couple people who have fixed this but I can't remember who off the top of my head. It involves dropping the tank though so it's a fair amount of meticulous smelly work.

Pics help with the looking better. That is a matter mostly left up to the owner (you) but if we can't see what you're working with it's hard to say what would or would not look good. Lots of people love the Satoshi (search), adding fog lights or LED light bars, Rims/Tires, maybe some window tint?. It also comes down to what you're going to use the truck for primarily. If it's a pavement queen maybe sliders aren't the best idea and if it's a wheeler than maybe 20 inch rims aren't the best idea.

Have fun with it but always remember to maintain before you mod.

I dont know about the supercharger. How much power would it add? i really want the TRD Beadlock Wheels. Thats def going to be my first purchase. What do i need to change to make sure the fuel gauge works?

 

[TheRunner8George]

 

[masphx]

Nice, sounds like u should do the trundra brake mode soon. A tip, those rims will only allow the 199mm and not the 231mm. Just go with the 199mm. Not a huge difference.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

I dont know about the supercharger. How much power would it add? i really want the TRD Beadlock Wheels. Thats def going to be my first purchase. What do i need to change to make sure the fuel gauge works?

Don't write off some of the newer takeoffs. I see them on Craigslist all the time. People throwing away stock rims (like the trd pros, fj wheels, etc) all the time for a lot less than what they cost them....and then you just have to find the tires you want.

Yep you will need new rims if you want to do the 231mm brakes. Most things toyota will fit the 231mm that are 16" and larger.

I would get rid of the running boards personally. Another thing you can do is try to find the 99+ OEM headlights and upgrade into the ultrastar bulbs for a decent upgrade to lighting. I replaced all my dome lights with led panels and it added a lot of light when you open the door. Start small with stuff that need improvements like the brakes and you will find your way with what you want.

Look at the build threads. It will take forever to get through them because there are so many. All kinds of mods in there.

For the fuel gauge I believe it was the float itself or the level sender......can't remember off the top of my head.

 

[mrtucker80]

Learn to read the odometer. Reset the trip after you fuel up. In my experience at around 230-250 I would fill up. You can get 270-300 on a tank, but in the spirit of not running out of gas, I would say stick to filling up around 250. I realize some folks aren't like me and don't fill up the tank each time, so I would say if you just put a few bucks in then check how many gallons you put in and multiply by 15 and that is how many miles you can go before needing to refuel. 15 is pretty conservative and should make sure you don't end up stranded in the night. The others are likely referring to replacing the sending unit which could be a little involved unless you have a good mentor to help guide you thru it. Not that it doesn't need addressing, but as long as the odometer works, you should be able to tackle some of the other items before jumping in on that.

As far as the rest goes, if you are as green as it appears I wouldnt jump in on a bunch of mods right off. Change the brake pads, maybe install some stock replacement rotors if they require it and then spend some time reading and learning about the truck. Running better is a clean air filter and good tune-up. Check and swap fluids and at that mileage servicing the timing belt and water pump if they haven't been lately. Since it is a family rig then the service history should be easy to come by. Learn about the truck before you go monkeying with it. Just my $0.02.

Good luck

 

[hour]

+2 for stock brake components. You have really bad brakes right now, so save the $ and get some stock replacement parts from Amazon/local parts store. I've never ridden in a 4runner with the Tundra brakes, but I can already say it's overrated. I have zero issues stopping and am always loaded down pretty heavy. Maybe it's better when towing... but I think a lot of people say "Oh, time to replace brakes - may as well do Tundra upgrade" and then think it's worlds better. Of course it is, you were due for brakes anyway.

Fuel gauge issue - that sucks. Definitely play it safe and do as mrtucker said in learning to read the odometer. Fill up way before you think you need to. Sure it sucks but until you can fork out the $ to get it working again, you may as well fill up early based on mileage or carry a gas can.

Also as said, screw the speed. I may be wrong but it sounds like this could be your first car... and if so, you're probably young. Get your kicks elsewhere, keep it a lumbering oaf and enjoy the reliability that follows.

Lastly, 290k - what's the suspension like? I'd probably do what I did - and get some Bilstein 5100's on all four corners (amazon, toytec, wheelers offroad, etc) and either get landcruiser front springs for the *rear* of your 4runner+toytec/eibach up front, or Toytec/Eibach springs up front and Toytec Superflex's in the rear. If you don't want to ever lift it, get cheapo OE style replacements, or if the suspension is fine and you never want to lift, look for more maintenance items to replace. Lower ball joints are always a hot topic, and to save you the forum searching or question asking - just get Toyota LBJ's from Camelback Toyota / wherever you find a deal.

 

[OffRoadGuy]

+2 for stock brake components. You have really bad brakes right now, so save the $ and get some stock replacement parts from Amazon/local parts store. I've never ridden in a 4runner with the Tundra brakes, but I can already say it's overrated. I have zero issues stopping and am always loaded down pretty heavy. Maybe it's better when towing... but I think a lot of people say "Oh, time to replace brakes - may as well do Tundra upgrade" and then think it's worlds better. Of course it is, you were due for brakes anyway.

How can you say its overrated when you haven't been in a rig with it? If you did, then you'll know why its one of the most popular mod upgrades on here.

 

[hour]

How can you say its overrated when you haven't been in a rig with it? If you did, then you'll know why its one of the most popular mod upgrades on here.

Because I can safely say NO ONE has gone from brand new OEM brakes to Tundra brakes. And the brakes on this truck, especially new, do a superb job of stopping the vehicle if you aren't an idiot, overloaded, or towing a trailer that lacks trailer brakes.

See how I mentioned that everyone claims it's a god send when they've been rolling around with toasted brakes for the last 10k miles. It makes sense to do if you have the $, the know how, and the tools - AND need new brakes (AND are overloaded, suck at driving, or tow frequently).

 

[thebrandon]

Some new pads and rotors will get your brakes back up to par. If you really want you can put tundra brakes on it. I did that and I love it. In all honesty, with everything done to my 4runner the Tundra brake upgrade is without a doubt the best thing I have done to the truck. If I had to pick one mod and one mod only to do to a 4runner this might be it. I don't see how better brakes are over rated when they make stopping easier, faster, and most of all safer for you, your passengers, and the people around you.

The only issue you will run into is that your wheels wont clear the brakes without further modification or new wheels or spacers.

"quick" is not a word that really goes hand in hand with a 3rd gen. So throw that idea out the window. Even with a super charger, or a turbo these are rather slow vehicles compared to most and those are not cheap options either. It isn't a race car, and I wouldn't plan on driving it like one or you may end up in a situation you do not want to be in.

 

[T4R2014]

Because I can safely say NO ONE has gone from brand new OEM brakes to Tundra brakes. And the brakes on this truck, especially new, do a superb job of stopping the vehicle if you aren't an idiot, overloaded, or towing a trailer that lacks trailer brakes.

See how I mentioned that everyone claims it's a god send when they've been rolling around with toasted brakes for the last 10k miles. It makes sense to do if you have the $, the know how, and the tools - AND need new brakes (AND are overloaded, suck at driving, or tow frequently).

qftt.

I have yet to see any tests that have actually compared new OEM brakes to the Tundra brakes. Another thing to point out is that all the brake talk is about the front while the rear drums are mostly forgotten. Fresh components on all four wheels are easily up to the task of stopping a 4Runner with factory calipers.