New member: Hello everyone!

[m@x]

Hello everyone!

My name is Max and I am new to this forum. I am from Edmonton, Alberta.
I came to Canada 5 years ago. English is my third language - please bear with me if I am being unclear from time to time.

I have never owned anything other than mid/full-sized sedans. Currently I own a black 2003 e39 BMW 530i M-Package and I love this car.

I recently purchased a black 2006 Toyota 4Runner Limited, V6 with 85,000km (53,000miles) on it, and this is the first SUV in my life.

I am the second owner. The original owner had additional options added to this car, when he bought it new from the dealership.

So far I was able to identify the following add-ons:
- X-REAS
- Sunroof with sunshade
- Rear spoiler
- Tow hitch receiver (but no ball mount kit)
- Roll-sensing side curtain airbags
- JBL Synthesis audio AM/FM/CD/MP3 & 10 spk

I am a computer systems specialist but when it comes to cars and DIY maintenance/repair projects, this is my hobby #1.

When it comes to car modding, I try to stick as much as possible to OEM parts and setup, unless the mod improves the performance while not degrading/harming other components in the car.

For example I am interested in lifting the car a bit, for aesthetic considerations as well as higher clearance. I will be looking for a solution that won't affect the quality of ride, X-REAS, mileage, tire wear etc.

Since this is my first SUV/Truck, I haven't had a chance to fall in love with off-roading yet. But who knows what kind of journeys are waiting for me and this car around the corner?

This is a long way for me to go and I am starting from scratch. I am looking forward to be a part of this great community, learn from you guys and start contributing to this forum as much as I can. Let's have some fun!

Thank you!

 

[Mytoy4]

Welcome! Would love to see pictures

 

[m@x]

Welcome! Would love to see pictures

Thanks Mytoy4!
Yes, I will definitely upload some! The car came in great condition but I decided to refresh the interior and clean it up a bit. Eventually my cleaning got a bit too fanatic... I ended up removing floor and side panels to get all the dirt off, steam cleaning the carpet etc... Now I have to put everything back together. I think I'm falling in love with the car.

max

 

[Quatre Coureur]

Welcome to the forum. That's really low miles. Average would be like 120,000 or so. If u want a lift, look at Old Man Emu. They make a high quality lift and its only 2". Should be perfect for ur needs. Post some pics!:keyboard:

 

[m@x]

Welcome to the forum. That's really low miles. Average would be like 120,000 or so. If u want a lift, look at Old Man Emu. They make a high quality lift and its only 2". Should be perfect for ur needs. Post some pics!:keyboard:

Thank you Quatre Coureur! I will definitely look at Old Man Emu. Thx for the advice!

... Would love to see pictures

... Post some pics!:keyboard:

Guys,
I've got only 2 pics so far. The first is taken right before the purchase, in Calgary, and the second is taken already at home, in Edmonton, with the car in the driveway.

Pic1:


Pic2:


Here she is! I will definitely post more pictures.

Thanks!

 

[momo.75]

Welcome to T4R.ORG! Congratulations on your buy. If you want to maintain the Xreas suspension, i would look into the Daystar spacer lift. It will give you just a little lift as well leveling out the stance of the truck. You also might like the look with some Spidertrax wheel spacers. Those always give the truck a little wider stance, which looks really nice. Looking forward to seeing your build.

 

[Mytoy4]

Love it! It's a clean canvas Can't wait to watch your progressions with it.

 

[m@x]

Welcome to T4R.ORG! Congratulations on your buy. If you want to maintain the Xreas suspension, i would look into the Daystar spacer lift. It will give you just a little lift as well leveling out the stance of the truck. You also might like the look with some Spidertrax wheel spacers. Those always give the truck a little wider stance, which looks really nice. Looking forward to seeing your build.

Thank you momo.75! I will look into the Daystar option for sure!
I know that there are a couple more brands out there when it comes to spacers.
Each one is made of different materials and each company defends their choice.

I feel that installing softer spacers makes more sense and I'd rather have worn spacers rather than damaged suspension, but on the other hand, I am thinking that the spacers go in between the connection that has initially been solid and tight from the factory, so a solid spacer in between shouldn't be any different. But I may be wrong. That's just my speculation.

What others think in this regard?

Love it! It's a clean canvas Can't wait to watch your progressions with it.

Oh, yes, I like how everyone has its own build thread with their progress and pictures. I will do the same thing! Thanks!

Max

 

[Williev810]

Max,

welcome, and nice truck looking forward to the upgrades. As far as the lift goes, I have a 2012 limited with XREAS and if you plan on keeping the stock system that limits you to the spacer kits. I do believe most of the spacer kits out there above 1.5" include a top spacer and a preload spacer for the front end. I have a cornfed 3" spacer kit and it has both the preload and top spacer. This definitely makes the ride a bit stiffer than stock but it doesn't really bother me. If you pull the XREAS system and replace the shocks your in for a better ride but wouldn't be OEM. I went with the spacers because I bought a new truck and didn't think junking a brand new suspension was necessary. Once I break the XREAS ill change it up.

I also run SpiderTraxx spacers on my wheels and love it! Makes the stance look so much better. Toyteclifts.com has a good choice of lifts for your truck that you can take a look at for some ideas.

 

[Williev810]

Max,

welcome, and nice truck looking forward to the upgrades. As far as the lift goes, I have a 2012 limited with XREAS and if you plan on keeping the stock system that limits you to the spacer kits. I do believe most of the spacer kits out there above 1.5" include a top spacer and a preload spacer for the front end. I have a cornfed 3" spacer kit and it has both the preload and top spacer. This definitely makes the ride a bit stiffer than stock but it doesn't really bother me. If you pull the XREAS system and replace the shocks your in for a better ride but wouldn't be OEM. I went with the spacers because I bought a new truck and didn't think junking a brand new suspension was necessary. Once I break the XREAS ill change it up.

I also run SpiderTraxx spacers on my wheels and love it! Makes the stance look so much better. Toyteclifts.com has a good choice of lifts for your truck that you can take a look at for some ideas.

Also,

I am not 100$ sure about the 4th gen but I had to change my UCAs as well in order to get enough caster for the alignment after.

 

[m@x]

Also,

I am not 100$ sure about the 4th gen but I had to change my UCAs as well in order to get enough caster for the alignment after.

Hi Williev810,

Thanks for the post! I assume the UCA = upper control arm? Please correct me if I am wrong.
Regarding Cornfed - was there a specific reason why you chose this brand over others?
Also, I am trying to find any info why the rear suspension can have 3" top spacers while the front is limited to 1.5" top spacers and the rest has to be a preload spacer... I also don't really understand why the preload spacer makes the ride stiffer - The spring is not compressed more, is it? The shock is extended by 1-1.5" however... :-/
A lot of questions I have... And I like to know how stuff works... =)

Thanks for your input!

 

[Williev810]

well I went with the cornfed simply because of price and amount of inches I got with spacers all the way around. The spacer kit in the front with both the pre load and top spacer gives 2.5 inches of lift but you do compress the spring making a stiffer ride. This spacer actually goes on top of the coil after the shock is disassembled.