New Member Questions

[H20Camper]

Hello everyone, I've just acquired my first Toyota 4 Runner. Its a 2001 SR5 4 Wheel drive Dark Green 3.4 Auto. I'm excited to use my 4 Runner and its just in time for spring here on the Oregon Coast.

For upgrades so far I put a set of 265-75-16 Open Country 6 plys. Next I'm interested in adding an aftermarket front bumper and winch. My question is who out there builds a fairly lite weight bumper and is an 8000 lb warn plenty of winch? Will I need different front coils with the added weight or will I be OK with stock coils. I really don't intend to lift if I don't need to.

Thanks

H20Camper

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Hello everyone, I've just acquired my first Toyota 4 Runner. Its a 2001 SR5 4 Wheel drive Dark Green 3.4 Auto. I'm excited to use my 4 Runner and its just in time for spring here on the Oregon Coast.

For upgrades so far I put a set of 265-75-16 Open Country 6 plys. Next I'm interested in adding an aftermarket front bumper and winch. My question is who out there builds a fairly lite weight bumper and is an 8000 lb warn plenty of winch? Will I need different front coils with the added weight or will I be OK with stock coils. I really don't intend to lift if I don't need to.

Thanks

H20Camper

Where is the picture of this beautiful creature of yours we need a proper introduction..... I have been wondering the same exact thing, u would think arb or some company would produce a Aluminum front bumper that would shave weight. If your rig has any amount of miles I would consider just doing some 5100 shocks at factory high just for the good measure here is a set on my to do list http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T8RZKR4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1N6FLMYKK41OA

 

[H20Camper]

Don't have any good pics yet as I've only had it 2 days. Hopefully soon I can get some good outback camping pics and mod pics.

H20 camper

 

[H20Camper]

Went up the mountain today for a hiking trip. This was my first trip into the mountains and so far these are my impressions.

I tried the 4 wheel a bit with the center diff locked and I have to say it will for sure be getting an upgrade. I'll look into the factory Toyota rear diff lock or aftermarket. Without a rear lock I found it pretty easy to put the runner in a bind where apposing front and rear tires lost traction and the tires without the weight were the ones always trying to spin. I found it pretty limiting. I've also decided to go with an OME 2 1/2 upgrade. Overall thoughts I was pleased with the vehicle however upgrades are definitely needed for my intended purpose.

H20Camper

 

[calimobber]

Well first off congrats on the new baby, she looks good.

As for the 4x4, your pictures look wet outside. must have been the water because lockers really do not add much gain to traction. a rear locker is a nice extra but in the end good old 4x4 is all 99% of off roaders need. It doesnt really matter what car you have Mud will defeat anything.

Good luck with the new horse, maybe she take you on many adventures

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Went up the mountain today for a hiking trip. This was my first trip into the mountains and so far these are my impressions.

I tried the 4 wheel a bit with the center diff locked and I have to say it will for sure be getting an upgrade. I'll look into the factory Toyota rear diff lock or aftermarket. Without a rear lock I found it pretty easy to put the runner in a bind where apposing front and rear tires lost traction and the tires without the weight were the ones always trying to spin. I found it pretty limiting. I've also decided to go with an OME 2 1/2 upgrade. Overall thoughts I was pleased with the vehicle however upgrades are definitely needed for my intended purpose.

H20Camper

I would focus on Maintenance first and foremost, Nice ride by the ways. The thing u don't want to do is get everything upgraded and nice, and then have parts left and right taking a S*** on ya. I mean depending on miles of course I would inspect the heck out of things don't just go changing things for the heck of it but one area of issue that is prone to reach up and bite is ball joints no if ands or butts about that (do 70 mph and have one break its a wild right I have pic to contest that ride). . Enjoy shopping RockAuto Parts Catalog and some other parts places posted on here.

 

[H20Camper]

I would focus on Maintenance first and foremost, Nice ride by the ways. The thing u don't want to do is get everything upgraded and nice, and then have parts left and right taking a S*** on ya. I mean depending on miles of course I would inspect the heck out of things don't just go changing things for the heck of it but one area of issue that is prone to reach up and bite is ball joints no if ands or butts about that (do 70 mph and have one break its a wild right I have pic to contest that ride). . Enjoy shopping RockAuto Parts Catalog and some other parts places posted on here.

Some good advice Silver.....I'll be taking it by a mechanic friend of mine for a look over. I don't think it will need much. Its never missed a maintenance and was dealer maintained from brand new. Just over $13,000 in dealer receipts. 200,000 miles and I'd venture its got an easy 200,000 left. Thanks for all the advice friend its much appreciated

 

[jeremyc74]

Went up the mountain today for a hiking trip. This was my first trip into the mountains and so far these are my impressions.

I tried the 4 wheel a bit with the center diff locked and I have to say it will for sure be getting an upgrade. I'll look into the factory Toyota rear diff lock or aftermarket. Without a rear lock I found it pretty easy to put the runner in a bind where apposing front and rear tires lost traction and the tires without the weight were the ones always trying to spin. I found it pretty limiting. I've also decided to go with an OME 2 1/2 upgrade. Overall thoughts I was pleased with the vehicle however upgrades are definitely needed for my intended purpose.

H20Camper

Very nice truck! That's my favorite color on them. It looks to me like your ride height is already a little higher than normal. Someone may have swapped in the tall coils from the Highlander edition, or some other mild lift. The ride height of these things varies from year to year though, so I may be wrong, but it looks very similar to where mine is sitting and I have the '99 coils. Just something to consider when you start thinking about a lift.

 

[H20Camper]

Jeremy, I appreciate the heads up. My Runner is an 01 so it should be one of the lower models. I did notice it seemed to sit higher than ones I've seen around town and it got me to wondering. Thanks

H20Camper

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Jeremy, I appreciate the heads up. My Runner is an 01 so it should be one of the lower models. I did notice it seemed to sit higher than ones I've seen around town and it got me to wondering. Thanks

H20Camper

Oooo u have maintance records that's as good as gold great. I keep a bible of records on mine along with spread sheets etc etc etc. I keep a dollar figure rolling on parts and cost, that numbers a little scary when I look at it.

 

[JayRolla]

If you get a good flexing suspension you wont get hung up where the open diff keeps you held back because your tires will be planted with good traction. I can get anywhere and stick with all my locked friends but again a locker does help a lot. The stock suspension will not handle the weight of bumpers and winch anyways so might as well go that route first before doing a locker.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

As for the original question, a Warn M8000 should be plenty of winch for your 4Runner. The ARB bumper weighs about 70 lbs, so it's 150 lbs with the winch. Everyone thinks the ARB is heavy since it is so stout looking, but ARB engineers bends and bracing so it uses less metal but has a lot of strength. It is really about the same (in some cases probably lighter) than most other bumpers (except maybe for a stripped down tube bumper). I run OEM 883 springs in front and it's about 2 1/2" over stock height with the bumper and winch. I had the Tundra springs before and it had about 1 1/2" lift with the bumper and winch.

 

[H20Camper]

As for the original question, a Warn M8000 should be plenty of winch for your 4Runner. The ARB bumper weighs about 70 lbs, so it's 150 lbs with the winch. Everyone thinks the ARB is heavy since it is so stout looking, but ARB engineers bends and bracing so it uses less metal but has a lot of strength. It is really about the same (in some cases probably lighter) than most other bumpers (except maybe for a stripped down tube bumper). I run OEM 883 springs in front and it's about 2 1/2" over stock height with the bumper and winch. I had the Tundra springs before and it had about 1 1/2" lift with the bumper and winch.

Thanks for the info Ozarks! I've been looking at the ARB front bumper on line and was leaning heavy in that direction.

After some inspection and measuring Ive found my 4 runner is already lifted 2 1/2". The Ride is pretty stiff so I'm suspecting its an OME springs and a shocks. I looked and there are no spacers or shims. After some more 4 wheeling today I've decided to stay with factory 4 wheel and forget the locker. A winch will get me out of any situation if needed. I'll be ordering up Bumper and M8000 Warn tommaro.

Here's a pic of some lite exploring today. I'll post pics of Bumper and winch out wheeling when I get them installed.

H20Camper

 

[H20Camper]

To Silver, Cali. Jeremy, Jay, and 98!

Being a New member to the forum I'd like to take the time to say Thank You to you fellas for the advice and comments you've offered. Its much appreciated and helped a lot with some decisions I've made on where to go with modding my 4 Runner a bit.

I look forward to the day I learn enouph to give back to ones who have questions.

H20Camper