New guy from the diesel world with a few concerns

Madakira · Jun 19, 2011

Hey guys! I am looking to buy a 99-2000 4runner in the next week or so. After lurking on this forum for a few weeks, and getting all my eggs in a basket, I have finally decided on a 4runner and mods. I am looking at the Toytec ultimate lift with the 650lbs setup in the front, and OME 891's in the rear. Bajarack (not sure about long or short since I want a sunroof). I am planning on getting an Outdoor Logic front bumper, but I am not set on the rear. I want to run some 33's. I have a B&M 70264 trans cooler sitting in my Amazon shopping cart. Probably going to do the lower ball joints as soon as I get the truck. It is a 1999 limited 4x4 with the E locker. It has 149k on it. I just sold a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4. It had a really high end baja chase suspension on it by Thuren Fabrication. I was running 37's and getting 21-22 mpg on the freeway and 18 around town. Probably putting out close to 480 hp and 1100 tq. Now that I have decided to move to a gas vehicle, I am concerned about the 33's and trans problems. Is this v6 going to struggle with the 33's. I really like the look of 35's but I see a lot of you are running the 285's. Should I be worried about the trans with a 147k mile truck? What I am most concerned about is buying a truck with 147k miles on it. If it was a diesel, I wouldn't be concerned cause you barely break a Cummins in until 100k! I am actually not really concerned about the Toyota engine either because I hear they go forever also. I guess I am more concerned about adding the stress of 33's to a 147k engine. 33's along with the weight of a front and rear bumper. Thanks for reading, and if you think of anything else I need please let me know. I have read the buyers guide (not a sticky yet!!!!) and I feel comfortable with my knowledge, but I am sure there are things I have missed.

shootmymime · Jun 19, 2011

im laughing of the money you will be saving from this switch, what was the MPG with the dodge? esp how xpensive diesel fuel is. i think you wont have much of a problem with your upgrades plus you will love the 4runner. im sure it will take some getting used to because you are loosing alot of space. i drive a f350 turbo for work and love it, but fuel price kills me.

ok ill stop talking. enjoy the new baby!

you barely break a Cummins in until 100k

almost the same with theses. but not as good as cummins

PNWRunner · Jun 19, 2011

That was the last good year of those diesels before the smog killed em, but man those things are speedy!

You have clearly done your research. 147k is just breaking in! If your going to run 33's you may want to consider re-gearing unless you find a runner with 4.30 gears, then it may not be necessary. My trans has over 200k on it pushing 265's and is going solid.

Madakira · Jun 19, 2011

shootmymime said:
im laughing of the money you will be saving from this switch, what was the MPG with the dodge?

I was getting about 17-18 in town, and 21-22 on the freeway. It was not bad for a 8k lbs truck with 37's. I am going to be saving a lot of money with the 4runner. Upgrades are so cheap! I can't believe how little everything costs. It is going to be nice. Now I just have to go buy it! I went to look at it Thursday and almost bought it, but I wanted to do a little more research.

JohnsD90 · Jun 19, 2011

shootmymime said:
im laughing of the money you will be saving from this switch, what was the MPG with the dodge? esp how xpensive diesel fuel is. i think you wont have much of a problem with your upgrades plus you will love the 4runner. im sure it will take some getting used to because you are loosing alot of space. i drive a f350 turbo for work and love it, but fuel price kills me.

ok ill stop talking. enjoy the new baby!

almost the same with theses. but not as good as cummins

Not really seeing where all this savings is? those trucks easily do 20-25 mpg, and last i check diesel was $0.10 more per gallon than gas at my cheap station.

Clemsonfan15 · Jun 20, 2011

If you were getting that kind of MPG why would you buy a 4Runner? It's almost certainly going to get worse MPG.

MTDewX8 · Jun 20, 2011

I loved my F350 Crew cab long bed Hybrid I had. but just the maint. alone can save $. parts for diesels are always more money. heck the 7.3 takes 15 qts for an oil change.

was a good truck. and yes I said hybrid cause it was a dual fuel Veggie oil burner. that saved my road trip on fuel alone. but over all maint does add up.

I love my 4r. but miss the truck bed. and yeah those dodges can get great mileage.

happy shopping.

Tomsriv · Jun 20, 2011

Most Toyota 4runners (Surf) models sold in foreign countries come with diesel motors. I always thought it would be really cool to do a swap or import one. A small/light truck with a torquey diesel FTW!

Gotta love the Cummins though. I saw a guy a couple weeks ago towing a 30ft yacht with a 90's Dodge truck. The thing sounded like a big rig pulling that huge heavy boat down the street!

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

Clemsonfan15 said:
If you were getting that kind of MPG why would you buy a 4Runner? It's almost certainly going to get worse MPG.

I wasn't really looking to sell it, but I would get offers for it every now and then. I got an offer I couldn't refuse. And parts are way cheaper for a 4runner. Imagine paying $700 for ball joints, or $1500 for an intercooler, or $2300 for 4 shocks. An oil change will run you $75 in just oil! I was running top of the line parts, but I can also great great performing parts for the 4runner much cheaper. I was running lots of Baja chase suspension stuff. That sport gets expensive and your truck takes a beating:lookout:. From what I see here, the off roading is much less demanding since you are going 60mph slower!:wink2: I think I will enjoy this sport just as much. It was time for a change, and it is nice to have extra cash around!:lol:

trailmix · Jun 20, 2011

The power difference is going to suck. Ive always driven diesels and probably have had 15 different powerstrokes, cummins and duramaxes in the past 3 years and im on my 3rd 3rd gen 4runner. I would build one then get tired of the power and sell it to buy another diesel and now i just sold my 2006 6.0 and started building another 3rd gen. These things are a ton of fun, get decent gas mileage, maintenance is cheap and they run pretty decent with a supercharger (i had a 2000 with a supercharger). Itll take some getting used to and youll definitely miss that diesel power but stick with it and have fun with it. You can always buy another diesel later on down the road, thats what i keep telling myself every time i get passed on the highway or drive one of my parents fords.

These 4runners are hard to get away from once youve had one though, they are the perfect double duty vehicle.

scoobydann · Jun 20, 2011

Not sure on what you actually plan with the 4runner but i can ad some $.02. If you liked the suspension in the dodge and plan to do any higher speed stuff might I recommend different suspension components. All the high end suspension companies offer front end kits up to 3" (SAW, King, Icon, FOA, Fox etc) I have the SAW's and love them and they were the least expensive but I plan to do long travel and will probably switch to the Fox's) Supposedly the best riding for the runners are the Icons but have no first hand experience other than the good reviews. Do some research before you buy, I got the SAW fronts and remote resi fox rears for under $1k.

shootmymime · Jun 20, 2011

Madakira- Imagine paying $700 for ball joints, or $1500 for an intercooler, or $2300 for 4 shocks. An oil change will run you $75 in just oil!

exactly

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

scoobydann said:
Not sure on what you actually plan with the 4runner but i can ad some $.02. If you liked the suspension in the dodge and plan to do any higher speed stuff might I recommend different suspension components. All the high end suspension companies offer front end kits up to 3" (SAW, King, Icon, FOA, Fox etc) I have the SAW's and love them and they were the least expensive but I plan to do long travel and will probably switch to the Fox's) Supposedly the best riding for the runners are the Icons but have no first hand experience other than the good reviews. Do some research before you buy, I got the SAW fronts and remote resi fox rears for under $1k.

No high speed stuff in the runner is planned. I would like to have a nice trail rig. If I wanted something extreme I would get a jeep, but there is just so much more room in the 4runner. I might check out some Icons for the ride. I am just so stoked about the price of upgrades! i can't believe everything is so cheap. The 4runner I am looking at is a 1999 limited 4x4 auto. It is $7650. I am going to do a lift, roof rack, and front bumper first, then figure out what I am going to do for the rear since I am going to be carrying a Honda crf 250r around every now and then.

Rc4r · Jun 20, 2011

Dang your old truck is like my dream truck

Clemsonfan15 · Jun 20, 2011

Let's see some pictures of your old truck.

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

hold on, let me find some pics

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

The shocks are king 2.5 double bypass in the rear, and 2.5 with the high heat race resi's in the front. The rear leafs were Custom Thuren leafs. It had a fully built trans, and I was running the Smarty TNT/R. I could hit whoops at 70 mph no problem. I am going to miss the truck, but I am going to get into a diesel again for sure.

Madakira · Jun 20, 2011

Rc4r · Jun 20, 2011

I want it.

New guy from the diesel world with a few concerns

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