New 4Ruuner Inbound: Need Some Advice

[FoCo-4Runner]

New 4Runner Inbound: Need Some Advice

Background
This will be my 2nd 4Runner as I previously owned a 2010 SR5. I only owned it less than a year before trading it in on a Acura TL. After several different vehicles I have again decided to purchase another 4Runner. After carefully searching all the available options currently on the market the 4Runner was the best solution for what I needed so I started shopping for the right one.

In December I started talking to dealers to find the best price for the model I wanted with the the accessories I didn't. It took a long time to find a dealer willing to place a custom order for me since there wasn't a single 4Runner SR5 in Mag Grey / Beige in the entire country. Most said it wasn't possible to get it in this particular color combo even though you can build it on Toyota's website. Finally was able to work out a deal on my trade and a price that was very competitive and they ordered in January. Just got word that it was finally built last week and should arrive in a couple more weeks.

Parts Already Purchased
In anticipation of my new 4Runner's arrival I began researching and purchase parts I knew I wanted to add to my inbound vehicle. Plans for this 4Runner is 75% on-road / 25% off-road. I don't plan on doing any crazy rock crawling but wanted something that was more than capable on the many mountain trails here in Northern Colorado. So far I've already purchase the following parts:

Icon Extended Travel Front Coil-over's w/IVD Coating
Icon 2.0 Rear Shocks
Icon Standard Rear Springs
Total Chaos UCA's
Sonoran Steel Adjustable Track Bar
Metal Tech Offset Rear Lower & Upper Links

Parts Left to Purchase
This month:
Method Race NV 17x8.5 Wheels
Tires (as yet undecided)
Locking Lugs
Sliders (to be determined)

To purchase soon:
RCI full skids
Rigid light bar

Questions...For the Collective
1) Tires: I'm wanting/needing tires that will be good on road and off. Also something that will do all right on the snow packed roads of Colorado. This won't be a daily driven vehicle but when I do drive it on pavement I want something that the wife can drive and that won't be too loud or harsh. The options I've been looking at are Goodyear Duratrac, Hankook MT RT03 (w/ sipping), Goodyear MT/R Kevlar, BFG T/A KM2 (w/ sipping).

I know the Duratrac's are widely used and approved by members here but the week sidewalls concerns me. Any advice or recommendations on any of the above mentioned tires?

2) Trim Spacers: This will be my first lifted vehicle and I want to do it right. I know that the passenger side will sit higher than the drivers side (+/- 1/2") with the lift installed. Being that I'm installing adjustable front coilovers, is this something I'll need or is it best to use the adjustment in the coilovers to correct the driver side lean? If they are worth installing, which type/brand is best for the above setup (metal vs poly)?

3) Diff Drop: After doing a bunch or reading I'm still not sure if this is something needed or not. I'm having everything installed at the same time and want to make sure it's done right the first time that I don't forget anything. What say the group?

4) Sliders: I'm needing some sliders but I unsure witch would suit me needs best. I want solid protection but need a slider that can double as a step. My wife is vertically challenged and I want something that sticks out far enough for her to comfortably use. I had been eyeing the BudBuilt bump out sliders, but was curious if anyone has a better idea for my needs...

5) Is there anything else I'm forgetting that I should be considering?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for the advice/suggestions.

-Chris

 

[Fishwerks]

:welcome:

Hope to see you around town. Once the trails open up you should run with a few of us who are around Northern Colorado.

I have a 3rd gen so I'll only answer the tire question.

1) Out of the tires you mentioned the duratracs will be the best on/off-road compromise tire. The duratracs aren't really in the same class as those other tires as far as wheeling goes, but I run them and like them. I wouldn't worry about the sidewall since it sounds like you won't be on trails too often. Look at Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs if you want a tougher tire. They run well on the street and on the trail, I don't have them but my buddy runs them and loves them. Those will probably be my next tire. Be careful with those other tires, they might not perform well on snowy roads (just based on what I have read).

 

[Jono.ful]

Questions...For the Collective
1) Tires: I'm wanting/needing tires that will be good on road and off. Also something that will do all right on the snow packed roads of Colorado. This won't be a daily driven vehicle but when I do drive it on pavement I want something that the wife can drive and that won't be too loud or harsh. The options I've been looking at are Goodyear Duratrac, Hankook MT RT03 (w/ sipping), Goodyear MT/R Kevlar, BFG T/A KM2 (w/ sipping).

I know the Duratrac's are widely used and approved by members here but the week sidewalls concerns me. Any advice or recommendations on any of the above mentioned tires?

2) Trim Spacers: This will be my first lifted vehicle and I want to do it right. I know that the passenger side will sit higher than the drivers side (+/- 1/2") with the lift installed. Being that I'm installing adjustable front coilovers, is this something I'll need or is it best to use the adjustment in the coilovers to correct the driver side lean? If they are worth installing, which type/brand is best for the above setup (metal vs poly)?

3) Diff Drop: After doing a bunch or reading I'm still not sure if this is something needed or not. I'm having everything installed at the same time and want to make sure it's done right the first time that I don't forget anything. What say the group?

4) Sliders: I'm needing some sliders but I unsure witch would suit me needs best. I want solid protection but need a slider that can double as a step. My wife is vertically challenged and I want something that sticks out far enough for her to comfortably use. I had been eyeing the BudBuilt bump out sliders, but was curious if anyone has a better idea for my needs...

5) Is there anything else I'm forgetting that I should be considering?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for the advice/suggestions.

-Chris

Tires: looks like you're leaning towards a proper MT, have you considered an aggressive AT? I'm quite happy with my Goodyear Silent Armors, the have yet to let me down off road (when aired down, of course) and they have great highway manners. I run D range with kevlar sidewalls and have had no issues in the year I've run them.
Spacers: I don't run any, and honestly, is 1/2" worth spending $100+ to correct?
Diff drop: not necessary until you exceed 3"+ of lift. Don't waste your money
Sliders: I'm very happy with my OPOR units from MetalTech. There are photos in my build of them installed. They are solid, and easily support the truck on a hi-lift. My wife is 5'2 and has no issues using them to getting into my truck with a 3" lift.
Other goodies: Liners, either Husky or Weathertech were real high on my list.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

Chris, Congratulations on your anticipated arrival. I only have 2 recommendations IMHO:
Tires: I highly recommend the Toyo Open Country A/T II tires. I have the LT265/70R17. Smooth, quiet, no wandering. They are worth throwing in to the mix, I think. They look fantastic, very aggressive tread and sidewall, but my 4R rides like a Cadillac.
Sliders: Have you looked at Steve's sliders for our 4Runners? I noticed you got his track bar. They are b-e-a-u-tiful in person. I am short too, 5'4", they are a higher step than the OEM step, but they did help me get into his truck easier (of course it has his lift on it).
Looking forward to seeing your 4R and see how everything goes on.
Chris

 

[Falls]

I have BFG AT 265/70/17 , although good tires and the look aggressive my next set will be to try the GY Dura in the 265/70/10 size.

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

:welcome:

Hope to see you around town. Once the trails open up you should run with a few of us who are around Northern Colorado.

I have a 3rd gen so I'll only answer the tire question.

1) Out of the tires you mentioned the duratracs will be the best on/off-road compromise tire. The duratracs aren't really in the same class as those other tires as far as wheeling goes, but I run them and like them. I wouldn't worry about the sidewall since it sounds like you won't be on trails too often. Look at Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs if you want a tougher tire. They run well on the street and on the trail, I don't have them but my buddy runs them and loves them. Those will probably be my next tire. Be careful with those other tires, they might not perform well on snowy roads (just based on what I have read).

I’ll definitely be around come summer time. My job affords me 4-5 days off every work week rotation so I’ll definitely be spending some quality time off-roading and camping.

I looked at the MT MTZ’s as well as the Cooper STT’s (since they are made in the same factory) and noted that they did not lend themselves to getting the center tread sipped due to the lug design. The Hankook’s and BFG’s both have center treads that can be easily sipped. I definitely want a MT type tire and realize there is a trade of on-road performance vs off-road.

Tires: looks like you're leaning towards a proper MT, have you considered an aggressive AT? I'm quite happy with my Goodyear Silent Armors, the have yet to let me down off road (when aired down, of course) and they have great highway manners. I run D range with kevlar sidewalls and have had no issues in the year I've run them.
Spacers: I don't run any, and honestly, is 1/2" worth spending $100+ to correct?
Diff drop: not necessary until you exceed 3"+ of lift. Don't waste your money
Sliders: I'm very happy with my OPOR units from MetalTech. There are photos in my build of them installed. They are solid, and easily support the truck on a hi-lift. My wife is 5'2 and has no issues using them to getting into my truck with a 3" lift.
Other goodies: Liners, either Husky or Weathertech were real high on my list.

I have ruled out a true AT tire. I definitely want/need a MT tire and I’m just trying to decide the best compromise.
As for the spacer, I’m am self admitted to being a little OCD with my vehicles and I’m OK with spending a little cash to make sure things are even from driver’s side to passenger side. Prices vary but can be found for $16 OME 10mm (Poly) / $27 Ironman 15mm (Poly) / $23 Toytec ½” (Metal). Just curious if one material/manufacturer is better than another.
I’ll forgo the diff drop and just keep an eye on my front angles. If it’s needed down the road it’s fairly easy to add if needed.

 

[Jono.ful]

I’ll definitely be around come summer time. My job affords me 4-5 days off every work week rotation so I’ll definitely be spending some quality time off-roading and camping.

I looked at the MT MTZ’s as well as the Cooper STT’s (since they are made in the same factory) and noted that they did not lend themselves to getting the center tread sipped due to the lug design. The Hankook’s and BFG’s both have center treads that can be easily sipped. I definitely want a MT type tire and realize there is a trade of on-road performance vs off-road.



I have ruled out a true AT tire. I definitely want/need a MT tire and I’m just trying to decide the best compromise.
As for the spacer, I’m am self admitted to being a little OCD with my vehicles and I’m OK with spending a little cash to make sure things are even from driver’s side to passenger side. Prices vary but can be found for $16 OME 10mm (Poly) / $27 Ironman 15mm (Poly) / $23 Toytec ½” (Metal). Just curious if one material/manufacturer is better than another.
I’ll forgo the diff drop and just keep an eye on my front angles. If it’s needed down the road it’s fairly easy to add if needed.

looks like you've considered your needs carefully. In full disclosure, I plan to upgrade to a set of MTR's this season as well. I would caution against siping a MT however, there are lots of reports on various forums, particularly about KM2's, losing large chunks of rubber while rock crawling after siping.

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

looks like you've considered your needs carefully. In full disclosure, I plan to upgrade to a set of MTR's this season as well. I would caution against siping a MT however, there are lots of reports on various forums, particularly about KM2's, losing large chunks of rubber while rock crawling after siping.

I've heard of of similar issues. The biggest issue I've run across have been when the edge of the tread gets sipped. I'll stick to sipping the center lugs to avoid this issue. Honestly the Hankooks are the front runners at the moment...

 

[FoCo-4Runner]

There has got to be a few more people that can weigh in.

 

[1engineer]

There has got to be a few more people that can weigh in.

Weigh in on what? You already purchased a bunch of parts. You already assume the vehicle will lean even though most don't. You have picked out all of your future mods. You have decided siping tires is a good idea and you have picked out the size. What do you want? You don't need a diff drop under 3" lift. There ya go. BTW 25% off road, US average of 15K/yr would be 3,750 miles off road a year or 312 miles a month. If you are gonna do that You will need a lot of spares.

 

[Ducmonsta]

There has got to be a few more people that can weigh in.

Questions...For the Collective
1) Tires: I'm wanting/needing tires that will be good on road and off. Also something that will do all right on the snow packed roads of Colorado. This won't be a daily driven vehicle but when I do drive it on pavement I want something that the wife can drive and that won't be too loud or harsh. The options I've been looking at are Goodyear Duratrac, Hankook MT RT03 (w/ sipping), Goodyear MT/R Kevlar, BFG T/A KM2 (w/ sipping).

It looks like you've made the choice with the Hankooks. Stick with it.

2) Trim Spacers: This will be my first lifted vehicle and I want to do it right. I know that the passenger side will sit higher than the drivers side (+/- 1/2") with the lift installed. Being that I'm installing adjustable front coilovers, is this something I'll need or is it best to use the adjustment in the coilovers to correct the driver side lean? If they are worth installing, which type/brand is best for the above setup (metal vs poly)?

Since you're already using adjustable coilovers, you can just adjust the height to even it out. Does it concern you that you're 'preloading' one side to adjust for 1/2"? Will it bother you that the driver's side coilover doesn't have the same amount of threads showing? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, buy the trim spacer. Doesn't matter which one, they all do the same thing.

3) Diff Drop: After doing a bunch or reading I'm still not sure if this is something needed or not. I'm having everything installed at the same time and want to make sure it's done right the first time that I don't forget anything. What say the group?

You've answered this.

4) Sliders: I'm needing some sliders but I unsure witch would suit me needs best. I want solid protection but need a slider that can double as a step. My wife is vertically challenged and I want something that sticks out far enough for her to comfortably use. I had been eyeing the BudBuilt bump out sliders, but was curious if anyone has a better idea for my needs...

True sliders will be frame mounted. Find one that looks the best to you. If you can, find a fellow T4R that has a particular set mounted. Arrange to see and feel them. Bring your wife, have her step up and see if she likes it.

Budbuilt, Shrockworks, Metal Tech, OPOR are all good quality products. Stick with those and you'll be happy. There are quality differences between them, but all will serve your requested needs.

5) Is there anything else I'm forgetting that I should be considering?

This is a very broad question. Your background story doesn't tell your internet friends what you should think about. The 4R is capable enough in most hands in stock form with the exception of tires.

Sorry for the long post and thanks for the advice/suggestions.

-Chris

Good luck with your decisions and welcome to the community.

 

[KTMRIDER]

Have you looked at Cooper ST MAXX?