New 4Runner owner looking for advice.

[Corbet]

I recently picked up a 2014 Trail Edition for my teenage son. I’m not new to Toyotas but all my experience is with LandCruisers.

We definitely plan to put some sliders on it and upgrade the lighting. Already started that with some HIR high beams and will add LED lows along with probably a set of Diode Dynamics fogs. And a dash cam.

Tires/suspension is where I’m showing pause. It’s definitely not my goal to build another trail truck. We have an 80-Series on 37’s in the driveway. I just want him to have admittedly a “cool truck” that he can take on medium level trails. He has endured his first year driving in a Subaru and has heard all the typical jokes.

Silverton and the San Juan Mountains are our back yard. All that stuff is pretty easy with only a couple exceptions. Moab is 3 hours away.

My current plan is to source a set of 17” TRD Pro wheels with the +4mm offset and mount up 275’s then level it with some Bilstien 5100’s. I was originally planning 285s but that seems to potentially open a can of worms I’m not interested in at this point. I have all the tools needed to do a BMC I just don’t know if that what I want to do out of the gate.

Looking for any advice based on others experience. Budget is low as possible but not at the cost of poor value. For example in not a fan of spacers up front. The truck has KDSS by the way.

 

[Corbet]

Eibach Pro Truck Sport verse Bilstien BP5100. Any strong opinions?

 

[premise]

I recently picked up a 2014 Trail Edition for my teenage son. I’m not new to Toyotas but all my experience is with LandCruisers.

We definitely plan to put some sliders on it and upgrade the lighting. Already started that with some HIR high beams and will add LED lows along with probably a set of Diode Dynamics fogs. And a dash cam.

Tires/suspension is where I’m showing pause. It’s definitely not my goal to build another trail truck. We have an 80-Series on 37’s in the driveway. I just want him to have admittedly a “cool truck” that he can take on medium level trails. He has endured his first year driving in a Subaru and has heard all the typical jokes.

Silverton and the San Juan Mountains are our back yard. All that stuff is pretty easy with only a couple exceptions. Moab is 3 hours away.

My current plan is to source a set of 17” TRD Pro wheels with the +4mm offset and mount up 275’s then level it with some Bilstien 5100’s. I was originally planning 285s but that seems to potentially open a can of worms I’m not interested in at this point. I have all the tools needed to do a BMC I just don’t know if that what I want to do out of the gate.

Looking for any advice based on others experience. Budget is low as possible but not at the cost of poor value. For example in not a fan of spacers up front. The truck has KDSS by the way.

Can you elaborate on this? I would have thought that having any vehicle at year one would be cherished.

 

[Corbet]

Can you elaborate on this? I would have thought that having any vehicle at year one would be cherished.

The fact that Subaru’s are very popular with the Lesbian crowd. He likes his Impreza but is tired of the typical high school BS. Plus he wants his own truck so we made him a deal. He has been wheeling with me since he was in diapers. I’m looking forward to him having his own truck.

We spent the day in the San Juan’s wheeling the 80-Series today with a group of friends. I ran into a handful of 5th Gen owners and had a chance to chat. A couple of them had 285’s both did minor BMC to clear. But it was good to see neither had bigs lifts.

 

[premise]

The fact that Subaru’s are very popular with the Lesbian crowd. He likes his Impreza but is tired of the typical high school BS. Plus he wants his own truck so we made him a deal. He has been wheeling with me since he was in diapers. I’m looking forward to him having his own truck.

We spent the day in the San Juan’s wheeling the 80-Series today with a group of friends. I ran into a handful of 5th Gen owners and had a chance to chat. A couple of them had 285’s both did minor BMC to clear. But it was good to see neither had bigs lifts.

Gotcha, understood, and true. Plus there's the rest of ideological things...

 

[CutthroatSlam]

This reads like it’s your truck, not your son’s. As a teenager, I would have been pleased to no end if my parents got me a 4Runner. I had to buy my own vehicles, pay for my insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs.

 

[johnnygraphic]

I've been doing a bit of research on it too. It seems that you're on the right path with the Bilstein 5100's. Best bang for the buck along with quality. Not overly extreme and will allow for a minor lift if that's what is in store. It'll keep everything close to stock without going a mile high lift with a need for specialized upper control arms and KDSS kits etc etc etc.

It's a simple, easy upgrade that'll serve you well.

Heck, I survived some pretty extreme trails (Death Valley-Mengel Pass) on a completely stock 4Runner. My only regret was not having sliders and skid plates. Otherwise, it ran great out of the box.

 

[El Dusty]

I recently picked up a 2014 Trail Edition for my teenage son. I’m not new to Toyotas but all my experience is with LandCruisers.

We definitely plan to put some sliders on it and upgrade the lighting. Already started that with some HIR high beams and will add LED lows along with probably a set of Diode Dynamics fogs. And a dash cam.

Tires/suspension is where I’m showing pause. It’s definitely not my goal to build another trail truck. We have an 80-Series on 37’s in the driveway. I just want him to have admittedly a “cool truck” that he can take on medium level trails. He has endured his first year driving in a Subaru and has heard all the typical jokes.

Silverton and the San Juan Mountains are our back yard. All that stuff is pretty easy with only a couple exceptions. Moab is 3 hours away.

My current plan is to source a set of 17” TRD Pro wheels with the +4mm offset and mount up 275’s then level it with some Bilstien 5100’s. I was originally planning 285s but that seems to potentially open a can of worms I’m not interested in at this point. I have all the tools needed to do a BMC I just don’t know if that what I want to do out of the gate.

Looking for any advice based on others experience. Budget is low as possible but not at the cost of poor value. For example in not a fan of spacers up front. The truck has KDSS by the way.

5100's and 275s would be good starting mods. For a teenager, I would say go for sliders (make sure they are KDSS compatible) before you get nice new wheels. Learning to drive an SUV and a new turning radius is a danger to wheels everywhere.

Just a reminder to go slow when it comes to giving cars and nice things to young adults. They will treat things they are given very differently from ones they earn and work on. Hope he enjoys it. I always wanted a trail edition.

 

[Charles Bronson]

The Eibach setup will be more comfortable for daily driving. The Bilsteins may have a bit more control in real serious off-road stuff.

For the trails you're noting, a 5th gen 4runner on some decent tires and maybe a leveling kit (Eibach and Bilsteins will get you that), the truck will be PLENTY capable. People tend to add way too much needless off-roading crap.

TRD wheels (for looks), good AT tires (but do not need to be E load), and Eibach Pro Truck Sport shocks (only). That's it.

FYI, the TRD wheels have a good bit more offset and look proper.

 

[02SE]

Can you elaborate on this? I would have thought that having any vehicle at year one would be cherished.

No kidding. I got a car as soon as I could afford to buy one.

That lesson in self-reliance, allowed me to retire early.

I am grateful to my parents that they taught me the value of a dollar, and hard work.

 

[Corbet]

It this point it's looking like we should just do a BMC and get it done. Then level it with some Bilstien 5100 struts and mount up some 285s. Tire selection is just way better with 285 than 275. And as I'm sure someone will ask what tire? There are no snow tires available in 275. Where we live we need dedicated winter tires. So the current factory wheels will get them and we'll put the summer tires on a set of TRD Pro wheels or other.

What is the deciding factor on a BMC verse a body mount relocation? The chop obviously way easier/cheaper. Either are well within our abilities.

On a side note, I'm not sure why this forum gets so side tracked on why I bought this for my son, if he deserves it, if he knows how to drive it responsibly, or it he appreciates it. But moving forward let's please stay focused on the tech questions.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

It this point it's looking like we should just do a BMC and get it done. Then level it with some Bilstien 5100 struts and mount up some 285s. Tire selection is just way better with 285 than 275. And as I'm sure someone will ask what tire? There are no snow tires available in 275. Where we live we need dedicated winter tires. So the current factory wheels will get them and we'll put the summer tires on a set of TRD Pro wheels or other.

What is the deciding factor on a BMC verse a body mount relocation? The chop obviously way easier/cheaper. Either are well within our abilities.

On a side note, I'm not sure why this forum gets so side tracked on why I bought this for my son, if he deserves it, if he knows how to drive it responsibly, or it he appreciates it. But moving forward let's please stay focused on the tech questions.

The corner impact or overlap crash safety being affected by a BMC has been a major discussion for years. IMO, the relocation is a better solution, but I've seen no real world data on how much stronger it is compared to the BMC. In theory it should be almost as strong as the OEM body mount. I personally went with the DRT relocation on my 4th gen.

 

[Corbet]

The corner impact or overlap crash safety being affected by a BMC has been a major discussion for years. IMO, the relocation is a better solution, but I've seen no real world data on how much stronger it is compared to the BMC. In theory it should be almost as strong as the OEM body mount. I personally went with the DRT relocation on my 4th gen.

That discussion is being had for the new LC250 and I'm sure 6th gen as they are basically the same. There many who are removing a bracket that protects the body mount to clear 35s, I'd assume that bracket redirects some forces in an accident. Looking at mine it does not appear to have any real purpose.

If you cut a 5th Gen body mount and then weld in a plate I struggle to see how much it could effect the corner overlap impact. If you don't plate it then yes that would definitely reduce the strength of the mount. This all of course assumes that said plate is of sufficient thickness and welded in place properly. Based on the videos I've watched and visual on our truck it would appear there is much greater chance of doing the relocation poorly. Just more steps to screw up. And clearance to weld the top looks challenging especially without a twin post lift. We will have to do this on a gravel driveway. I'm not afraid of tackling the job. Just want to know why I should verse a couple of easy plates done in a couple hours.

 

[El Dusty]

That discussion is being had for the new LC250 and I'm sure 6th gen as they are basically the same. There many who are removing a bracket that protects the body mount to clear 35s, I'd assume that bracket redirects some forces in an accident. Looking at mine it does not appear to have any real purpose.

If you cut a 5th Gen body mount and then weld in a plate I struggle to see how much it could effect the corner overlap impact. If you don't plate it then yes that would definitely reduce the strength of the mount. This all of course assumes that said plate is of sufficient thickness and welded in place properly. Based on the videos I've watched and visual on our truck it would appear there is much greater chance of doing the relocation poorly. Just more steps to screw up. And clearance to weld the top looks challenging especially without a twin post lift. We will have to do this on a gravel driveway. I'm not afraid of tackling the job. Just want to know why I should verse a couple of easy plates done in a couple hours.

Doing an unnecessary BMC on what you are calling a non trail truck is wild. If you ever go to resell to a dealer you may be required to disclose the modification. You just dont need it at 285/70/17 w/ the correct wheels. I run 255/80/17 and dont have a BMC.

Going Bigger - 5th Gen Tire Fitment Guide

 

[Chelan]

I didn't have a car until my last year of college because I was paying my own way. I would have been over the moon if mommy and daddy bought me a car that was even slightly better than the 66' Plymouth Belvedere Station wagon I bought for $400 bucks. Used more oil than gas, but the electric rear window worked. By the way, we own a Subaru Outback and it's a perfect car for the commute my wife makes. Oh...my wife is not a lesbian nor am I gay. And I own a 5th Gen 4Runner.

 

[Corbet]

Doing an unnecessary BMC on what you are calling a non trail truck is wild. If you ever go to resell to a dealer you may be required to disclose the modification. You just dont need it at 285/70/17 w/ the correct wheels. I run 255/80/17 and dont have a BMC.

Going Bigger - 5th Gen Tire Fitment Guide

I've been over that linked tread. You're the 2nd person who has told me you fit 255s without a BMC. Which does not really line up with the chart posted there. And for the record, this truck will get wheeled but its a daily driver first. I suppose everyone's definition of a trail truck is different. For me I have two Cruisers. One I daily drive and one that is a dedicated trail rig. But that does not mean the daily does not see trail time also. My son's 4Runner will fall in that category.

The pair of 4Runner owners I chatted with last weekend on the trail that had 285's both had BMC. Neither were running stock wheels. Neither could remember the offset. I'm assuming they were 0 or more outboard but can't support that with factual info. We will run OEM wheels due to offset and well they are cheaper as so many people dump them for crap that pokes way out.

We've got some +15mm Tundra wheels laying around. I think I'll find a used 285 and do some test fitting.

 

[Corbet]

I didn't have a car until my last year of college because I was paying my own way. I would have been over the moon if mommy and daddy bought me a car that was even slightly better than the 66' Plymouth Belvedere Station wagon I bought for $400 bucks. Used more oil than gas, but the electric rear window worked. By the way, we own a Subaru Outback and it's a perfect car for the commute my wife makes. Oh...my wife is not a lesbian nor am I gay. And I own a 5th Gen 4Runner.

More useless info, thanks :bravo:

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

more useless info, thanks :bravo:

lmao

 

[El Dusty]

I've been over that linked tread. You're the 2nd person who has told me you fit 255s without a BMC. Which does not really line up with the chart posted there. And for the record, this truck will get wheeled but its a daily driver first. I suppose everyone's definition of a trail truck is different. For me I have two Cruisers. One I daily drive and one that is a dedicated trail rig. But that does not mean the daily does not see trail time also. My son's 4Runner will fall in that category.

The pair of 4Runner owners I chatted with last weekend on the trail that had 285's both had BMC. Neither were running stock wheels. Neither could remember the offset. I'm assuming they were 0 or more outboard but can't support that with factual info. We will run OEM wheels due to offset and well they are cheaper as so many people dump them for crap that pokes way out.

We've got some +15mm Tundra wheels laying around. I think I'll find a used 285 and do some test fitting.

Zero offset is ideal for the 5th gens imo and exactly what I am running.

The tire size you are considering is right in the range of clearing the BM and fenders on road (after some massaging) but risk rubbing off-road at flex and lock. BMC at your own risk but I would run it at least once with final wheels and tires before committing to it.

 

[pancake_butt]

My half-serious advice is don't modify anything. There is no end to the modifications you can do. Each one will give you a temporary dopamine rush, but you will never be satisfied. I often think back fondly of my bone-stock, zero-options SR5