New to offroading!!

[skiballer68]

hey guys, i have a 2001 SR5 and wanna beef it up a lil for some off road fun. But im lost in what parts i should start with. I want to lift it and put better tires on, as well as a new front bumper and suspension but don't know what to buy or where to find it.

 

[CO-4R]

Check out the 3rd gen section. It's full of sweet build threads and tons of good parts info! You'll be able to take a loot at other peoples rigs and see what you like/dislike.

 

[techno]

^ what he said.
I would recommend you start with tires. Off roading is all about being able to continue driving forward and tires loosing traction are the first thing that usually stops this happening.
What you do next is up to you and your wallet. More traction aids (lockers)or things to help the vehicle not hit stuff and get stuck (suspension lift, body lift, bumpers, sliders, skids etc). Whatever suits your style and places you go. Personally, I'd go with better suspension next.

 

[skiballer68]

thanks guys ill check into the 3rd gen stuff

 

[nevada]

hey guys, i have a 2001 SR5 and wanna beef it up a lil for some off road fun. But im lost in what parts i should start with. I want to lift it and put better tires on, as well as a new front bumper and suspension but don't know what to buy or where to find it.

my opinion, the first thing you should do, is add a winch.
usually that means with a bumper, that will also come with several recovery points.

while its not a 100% guarantee, its a good bet that with a winch, you will be able to get home.

 

[skiballer68]

im thinking of putting on a new bumper and a small lift between 2-3" as well as new rubber. Any products that arent too expensive and still good quality?

 

[techno]

'Expensive' is a relative term, but expect to pay between $500 - $1000 for a decent front bumper.
Check out this thread for some lift ideas.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66976-3rd-gen-4runner-lift-information-faqs.html

 

[Wikki]

my opinion, the first thing you should do, is add a winch.
usually that means with a bumper, that will also come with several recovery points.

while its not a 100% guarantee, its a good bet that with a winch, you will be able to get home.

In all honesty, Before getting a new bumper, you may want to look into a lift and the spring rates to make sure your suspension can handle the added weight of a bumper first. If your current suspension setup is not going to be able to handle the added weight of a bumper and a winch, i would recommend the suspension and tires first, then look into a winch. Honestly, if you are just getting into wheeling, you are more than likely not going to get into anything that is going to require a winch for the first little while anyways IMHO. But i could be wrong. But i would definitely say lift, tires, sliders, then armor, then move onto your bumpers, winch, etc.

 

[nevada]

In all honesty, Before getting a new bumper, you may want to look into a lift and the spring rates to make sure your suspension can handle the added weight of a bumper first. If your current suspension setup is not going to be able to handle the added weight of a bumper and a winch, i would recommend the suspension and tires first, then look into a winch. Honestly, if you are just getting into wheeling, you are more than likely not going to get into anything that is going to require a winch for the first little while anyways IMHO. But i could be wrong. But i would definitely say lift, tires, sliders, then armor, then move onto your bumpers, winch, etc.

i like knowing i can get home each night.

again, in my opinion, a winch should be the absolutely first mod for anyone going off road.

 

[Wikki]

i like knowing i can get home each night.

again, in my opinion, a winch should be the absolutely first mod for anyone going off road.

I guess if you cant go over a speed bump without bottoming out due to suspension that cant handle the weight of a bumper and winch would definitely help you get home every night considering you wont be going off roading... Just saying if your suspension cant handle the weight, a lift should be the first thing... not to mention.. having a winch is not going to get you out of all situations to get home every night. There are plenty of situations where taking the right line, knowing your truck, terrain and limits are going to do you much more good than a winch... I go 2-3 times a week if not more and have not once needed a winch yet.... but like i said. That is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to theirs of course. But i do see your point on a winch... Just different views is all. If your suspension can handle the weight and thats what you feel you need, go for the bumper and winch... If you dont feel the suspension can handle it, i would recommend getting the suspension(not necessarily a lift) done first to handle the added weight...

 

[Andy in Pa]

If your new to offroading, one of the biggest things you can do is find a good group of folks to go offroading with. Watching, learning and helping out as needed in a group of wheelers is going to develop your offroading skills faster than anything. I would take the T4R out in stock form (add tow points front/rear and a tow strap WITHOUT hooks for recovery gear just in case), and enjoy. You'll be surprised where the T4R will go with good spotting and driving conservatively. Then modify as you see fit. As long as your in a group, someone will always be around to pull you out of a sticky situation.

 

[Wikki]

If your new to offroading, one of the biggest things you can do is find a good group of folks to go offroading with. Watching, learning and helping out as needed in a group of wheelers is going to develop your offroading skills faster than anything. I would take the T4R out in stock form (add tow points front/rear and a tow strap WITHOUT hooks for recovery gear just in case), and enjoy. You'll be surprised where the T4R will go with good spotting and driving conservatively. Then modify as you see fit. As long as your in a group, someone will always be around to pull you out of a sticky situation.

Best Advice yet^^

 

[nevada]

I guess if you cant go over a speed bump without bottoming out due to suspension that cant handle the weight of a bumper and winch would definitely help you get home every night considering you wont be going off roading... Just saying if your suspension cant handle the weight, a lift should be the first thing... not to mention.. having a winch is not going to get you out of all situations to get home every night. There are plenty of situations where taking the right line, knowing your truck, terrain and limits are going to do you much more good than a winch... I go 2-3 times a week if not more and have not once needed a winch yet.... but like i said. That is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to theirs of course. But i do see your point on a winch... Just different views is all. If your suspension can handle the weight and thats what you feel you need, go for the bumper and winch... If you dont feel the suspension can handle it, i would recommend getting the suspension(not necessarily a lift) done first to handle the added weight...

its been my experience, that no extra suspension work is needed to carry the load of a winch and bumper.
unless the springs are completely sacked out, it should hold the extra 200lbs with little to no sag. I think my 4runner dropped 1/4" after installing the new Badlands bumper and 8500# winch.

maybe that's just me...

also, ive gone wheeling hundreds of times and not needed the winch. ive also gone many times and used it, a LOT. having it allows you a freedom to choose a trail you might otherwise turn away from. even if you never end up needing it, you have it just in case.

 

[slapdappy]

hey guys, i have a 2001 SR5 and wanna beef it up a lil for some off road fun. But im lost in what parts i should start with. I want to lift it and put better tires on, as well as a new front bumper and suspension but don't know what to buy or where to find it.

what kind of trails?

1st get a snatch strap, a tow strap, 2-3 shackles, gloves, shovel/pickaxe. You have a rear hitch?

first serious off roading things I did were TBU, sliders, and Lotus rear lower control arm skids http://lotusdevelopmentllc.mybigcommerce.com/rcams-rear-control-arm-mount-skids-3rd-gen-4runner/.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DY_2TP6wy2M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The rear has diff locker. 1" body lift. Protection from rocks (structural and cosmetic damage) is important to me. The sliders allow me to do some more aggressive stuff without fear. They provide a wide range of lifting points fore and aft with much easier access than the frame, which can make a world of difference jacking it up on trail when, for example, you've buries it up to the axles in dirt/mud. You can attach a winch line or tow strap to aid in extraction.
You may be surprised how capable yours is in stock form. Use it before you start dumping $ into a bunch of mods and accessories. Consider doing a mild body lift and swapping in the tall '99 springs.