My "What Should I Do" Thread

[Clemsonfan15]

Ok. I need some help. Basically my birthday is coming up and then Christmas. I really don't want or need anything, so I'm thinking about just asking for stuff for my 4runner.

On my list right now is a Tacoma skid plate, LED tail lights, and Oznium dome light.

I've also thought about these things:
-Painting the chrome bumpers to match the paint (About $200 I think)
-New rims, The only problem with this is that I would have to stick with 16" because anything else would cause me to have to buy new tires which would break my budget. I could probably do $150 per rim.
-Changing the exhaust to a dual setup that exists at the rear or at each side (not sure how much this would cost)
-I've been looking at this grill from Ebay, but I'm not sure how it would look, ideas? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...10087059630&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123
-Brushguard
-New Alarm with remote start
-Inchannel window vents (The only ones I have seen are like $70. Any other links to cheaper ones would be nice.)

You can see which mods I've done in my sig. No need to suggest a lift. I don't think it would be practical for me and would probably not fit in my budget either.

Any ideas on the above items or other items that would be good to consider would be appricated.

Thanks.

 

[Sloan]

brushguards are nice but if you off-road alot then be careful. i hit a dip off a trail and caused one of my mounting brackets to bend so my brushguard is closer on the right side then the left. also you can mount some lights on it as well.

i have the exhaust set-up(assuming you mean one like mine and kreggs) and its nice. shouldnt cost more then 300.

that grille looks just like a regular 01-02 grille so i would just do a gutter guard mod, search for it.

rims are nice and thats what i'm getting for christmas as i'm in the same boat as you about rim size/lift.

basically its up to you. post some more pictures of your 4runner so i can look and see what would look the best.

 

[sn0wrunner]

:iagree: Post up some pics!

 

[kregg]

Sloan hit it right on... Which direction do you wanna go? Big 4x4, street queen?

My guess is you're like the rest of us and ain't rolling in the money right now so a 6" lift, ARB bumper, SAS, and 35's ain't in the budget so you gotta do what we did and start small...

I started with form over function...

Found a brushguard for $150 locally, granted it needed to be painted and had a little rust, it's nothing you can't spend a little time on...

I painted my own rims, best mod I ever did... Looks like a spent a lot of money, but really only about $40 and a few hours one Saturday...

Gutter Guard Grill<------ :bigok:

eBay is your friend!!! I found my taillight guards, clear corners and bumpers all on eBay for cheap!!!

Don't be scared to try things... Most importanly have fun with it...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Oh yeah, Ebay is my best online frined.

I don't want to go big 4x4 at all. I really don't like that look of most of them and it's not practical for a daily driver.

I don't go off road much, I would if I could find some places, but I'm not having luck. Even if I did it wouldn't be serious stuff, maybe some mud and tall grass, etc...

With ya'lls exhaust did you notice a decrease in horsepower or torque? I've heard that making the exhaust bigger can decrease one of these. Did ya'll stick with 2.25"? I really like the way Jason Burtman's looks with the polished chrome tips.

I would say I'm probably more of a "street queen" if you prefer to call it that. I'm probaby looking for more "visual" mods than anything else.

The only problem about a brushguard that I can think of would be that it wouldn't look right if I never go off road.

I'll get some pictures up today.

 

[Sloan]

yea i wouldn't waste your money on the brushguard at all then, but since your not really getting any huge rims it would probably still look pretty good.

and i have no idea about my exhaust just know i have 3 inch tips and a flowmaster 40 single in dual out. the shop took care of the rest for me. my 4runner never really seemed to be much of a get up and go speedster so i have not noticed any change in it to be honest with you.

 

[kregg]

In regards to the exuast...

My set up is different because I have no catalytic converter, therefore mine is as unresticted as possible from the headers out, (while still retaining a muffler and the stock pipe size-2.25"?) and I have not noticed a "seat of the pants" increase or decrease in power or response... However what I did notice was my idle rpms dropped significantly... I was idiling rather high (~11-1200) and now after the truck is warm it idles around 5-700 (hot or cold day)... My theory is the better the truck breathes the more efficient it will run... Lower rpm at idle means better fuel economy around town, as long as you stay out of the skinny pedal!(just a theory, not "studied" it yet!)

As far as street queen goes, I think you can do a mild lift to level it up(if it's sittin level now don't worry about it), '99 rear coils are the tallest and they give the most aggressive stance, also I agree with Sloan- no brushguard = clean look...

For visuals, find a grill or fab up your own, (not really hard to do!) you can tint the windows, when I did mine it looked so much more "together" and customized than it did before the tint... Fog lights can also add character...

Then hit up some audio upgrades, I personally like dealing with crutchfield.com--- a little pricey on some things, but cust. support is on a whole new level... be sure to upgrade your door speakers (they really suck) and add a sub (or 2)... The Runner has a huge cabin and lows get lost really easy... Find a good HU, don't be scared to splurge a little here... Remember this is where it all starts!

And I meant no offense with my street queen comment, that's what mine is until I can afford my lift+tires!!!

 

[RickC]

I really like the Ivan Stewart TRD 16" wheel.

 

[XJeepguy]

NO to painting your chrome bumpers , come awn ,they look great chrome.

I like some of their grilles but that first one makes it look like a car .

Yes on the dual exhaust !

Yes on the Taco skid plate and LED's

Remote start would be awesome !!

Ok. I need some help. Basically my birthday is coming up and then Christmas. I really don't want or need anything, so I'm thinking about just asking for stuff for my 4runner.

On my list right now is a Tacoma skid plate and LED tail lights.

I've also thought about these things:
-Painting the chrome bumpers to match the paint (About $200 I think)
-New rims, The only problem with this is that I would have to stick with 16" because anything else would cause me to have to buy new tires which would break my budget. I could probably do $150 per rim.
-Changing the exhaust to a dual setup that exists at the rear or at each side (not sure how much this would cost)
-I've been looking at this grill from Ebay, but I'm not sure how it would look, ideas? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...10087059630&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123
-Brushguard
-New Alarm with remote start

You can see which mods I've done in my sig. No need to suggest a lift. I don't think it would be practical for me and would probably not fit in my budget either.

Any ideas on the above items or other items that would be good to consider would be appricated.

Thanks.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A proper idle speed is supposed to be around 700 so the exhaust shouldn't affect it but I wouldn't go over 2.25" since anything bigger will slightly hurt the midrange and you need all the 190hp the engine is putting out.

Dual exhaust is for a street truck since another pipe just adds to the things that can get crunched off road and there is no performance gain from doing a dual and actually just adds unecessary weight but it does look cool;I'd just stick with a nice simple catback with a nice tip(s).


Rims? Well if you avoid new rims you can do a real lift for just a bit more but if you really don't off road much I can see wanting rims for the look.

Idle speed has nothing to do with MPGs since you don't stay at 700rpm when moving.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I've already tinted the windows (looks and feels much better).

I've also put about $1,000 into the audio, so I don't really want to put more into it, although I do need some new door speakers.

I already have a Vortex single out. Could the shop still make a dual out of it? How far back do your tips go? I can't stand when I can see where the tips start. I would also like to keep my spare tire under the car.

Here are some pictures I took quickly today. Yes it is dirty. It's been kind of cold and I haven't felt like washing it.

 

[Sloan]

not unless your vortex is dual out which it probably is not. just get a nice tip added, it shouldn't be that much and would look nice. your truck does look really nice, have you ever though about taking off your running boards? it makes it look higher.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Thanks for the info Sloan and David. Could you give me a link to a nice tip Sloan? Don't they sometimes make the exhaust sound better?

I guess I can stike out the dual exhaust and painting the bumpers.

I would take off the running boards, but I'm not a big fan of seeing all that stuff under the 4runner.

Anybody have any other ideas?

I would be interested to see some good looking 16" rims. I like a lot of the Pro Comps, but a lot are out of my price range.

Edit: Aren't the running boards just held on by bolts? What size are they? I might take them off just to see what it looks like.

David- Are you talking about the "Chrome" bulbs? I know that Jason Burtman sells them. Where did you get yours?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

So right now the only ideas I've heard are to buy the "chrome" bulbs and to take off the running boards.

Any ideas on rims would be great. There are so many out there and it would be impossible for me to see them all. I would love if you could suggest some that might look good.

Thanks.

 

[DavidAlexander]

I think I ordered mine from www.performanceproducts.com . They were called stealth bulbs. Looks like now they are called platinum or chrome bulbs.

Oh yeah, I think yours would look good w/ the satoshi mod and I second the thought of taking off your running boards if only to give you an idea of what it would look like.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Thanks for the link man.

To take the running boards off is it just a matter of unscrewing a few bolts? Which mm are they?

Could someone look at these two grills and tell me what the difference is and if you think it would look good:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-9...m14QQhashZitem270293891973QQitemZ270293891973

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-9...m14QQhashZitem330282611108QQitemZ330282611108

If those links don't work try this one:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dm...70.l1313&_odkw=4runner+billet+grill&_osacat=0

 

[Sloan]

yea that grille looks better to me and i would go with chrome rims if you get a chrome billet.

also about the tips i dunno, just got them from the exhaust shop

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Alright. Could you find a difference? One is $59 and one is $74, but they look very similar.

I think I might just look for a tip online. I know NAPA and Autozone have some, but they don't look great.

 

[kregg]

Have you thought about debadging or going with the black pearl emblems?

 

[DavidAlexander]

Thanks for the link man.

To take the running boards off is it just a matter of unscrewing a few bolts? Which mm are they?

Could someone look at these two grills and tell me what the difference is and if you think it would look good:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-9...m14QQhashZitem270293891973QQitemZ270293891973

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-9...m14QQhashZitem330282611108QQitemZ330282611108

If those links don't work try this one:

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_dm...70.l1313&_odkw=4runner+billet+grill&_osacat=0

I would check with the sellers because that looks like you might have to do some cutting and sanding of your old grill to fit the insert. That can be a pain if you are expecting a bolt on application. I know that some just go over the old grill, but that always looks ghetto.

If I remember right the running boards did come off really easy with just a few bolts but I don't remember the size. prob 10mm?