New to modding any suggestions for my 02'?

J

jshulins

New member
Hi everyone,

I just got my first car, a 2002 Limited 4x4 4runner. Im 16 and my dad doesn't do much work with cars so I don't really know what I'm doing, im decent with mechanics but I dont really know where to start with mods lol.. Ive got a lot of time on my hands this summer and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for good first-time mods that are relatively inexpensive.

Thanks,

Jesse
 
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First off, the possibilities are endless! It all depends on what you really want out of your rig. Are you gonna wheel it? If so, how hard and what type of terrain? Reason I ask is because many of us sacrifice the creature comforts of a daily driven vehicle for Offroad performance and capability. Wether you build from mild to extreme, even some of the simplest mods can cost a lot of money. So it's a good idea to have a gameplan in place before you start your build. Trust me, it'll save you a lot of time and money in the end. I've wasted a lot of $$$ modding my rigs only to tear it all of and upgrade to something different. Build it right the first time and be done with it (well, you're never actually done but you know what I mean).
 
jshulins said:
Hi everyone,

I just got my first car, a 2002 Limited 4x4 4runner. Im 16 and my dad doesn't do much work with cars so I don't really know what I'm doing, im decent with mechanics but I dont really know where to start with mods lol.. Ive got a lot of time on my hands this summer and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas for good first-time mods that are relatively inexpensive.
Click to expand...

To be honest, your first 'mods' should simply be performing all of the normal maintenance that is frequently ignored by your average car owner.

Getting familiar with the T4R by getting your hands into the guts...changing fluids (all the normal ones, but also in the more non-standard places, like the tranny, transfer case, diffs, etc), replacing shocks, brakes, new radiator to prevent pink milkshake, etc.

That is time spent on your truck that will pay real dividends in the long run for both it and you, more than any mods will at this point.

Love to see some pics of your truck, though.
 
your first mod should be to start calling it a TRUCK! these things have ears and dont like being called cars lol. then, you can start with the big maintenance items on your truck:D
 
After performing the basic maintance as mentioned my 1st mod was the front brake tundra swap. Then of course you get addicted and your installing suspension lifts, wheels, tires......!!!
 
:worthless:worthless:worthless


As you can see we like, well.... Maint. is key to keeping it going. Handle that first before anything. The first "mod" for me was to ditch the running boards. They sucks and the first time you take it off road you will beat them up anyhow. After that, well it has been said. Have a clear plan first so you are not doing things two or three times. Read the build threads get ideas and have fun. Tell you Dad to stay off your TRUCK because I'm sure he will want it after you put some time and work into it. Mine did when I was 16/17. I would not sell it back to him,lol...

Blue
 
I'm a new owner as well.

I agree with the need to go through all of the basics (I didn't have much maintenance history on mine so I did fluids, filters, and a good detailing on the inside first thing).

My first legit mod was to add a Hayden 678 transmission cooler (I am lactose intolerant and pink milkshakes make me sick). I did it in my garage in about an hour and felt a pretty good sense of accomplishment afterwards - I don't pretend to be a great mechanic by any stretch, but it was pretty easy.

I am considering a few other things for the future such as the Tundra brakes upgrade, and the Tacoma whip antenna mod. After that, I would like to build a sleeping / camping / storage platform of some type.

Have Fun! I sure am.
 
I +1 to all preventative maintenance.
The way I look at it:
1) It will EVENTUALLY need to be changed.
2) If it fails, then the repair costs may be DOUBLE the $$$.

So fix it while the replacements are cheap, and knock it off your list. Before you know it, you will feel like your truck is brand new, and you can start investing money into performance parts.

Nothing bugs me more than seeing on the side of the interstate -- a broken down candy painted Dodge Charger, with 22" wheels/low profile tires, windows down and every headrest has a monitor... and there's smoke bellowing out of the hood.
 
I know that the mod list can be endless and overwhelming but as others have stated before, create a plan or a set of images of 4runners that u like and/or sketches of ideas that u might have and go down the list of what u deem to be a necessity for the purpose you want.

First mod I ever did was added more lights then onto subs.... then I just went all out and a little crazy on the mods and they are far from ending/being done.
 
I was thinking of wheeling it for sure, and I definitely would be willing to sacrifice some creature comforts lol.... unfortunately there aren't many places around where I live to do offloading/mudding (I live in NE Massachusetts) I really want to bring her up to NH where there are lots of good places for wheelin... I agree the possibilitys are endless!! I have a job now but I need to cover my own gas and insurance so $$ is a little tight. is my t4r alright for offroading now? what mods do you recommend for taking her on her first trip??
 
heres the truck, sittin pretty :D

photo.jpg
 

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