New user, looking for help on a potential build

[BigDummy]

New user, been lurking for a while and I am needing help with a potential build.

I have an '01 SR5 4x4 with 125k miles which I've owned since '04. It has been my daily driver up until now and I have kept it in stock form. I will be ordering a 2015 Chevy SS once pricing is announced and my local dealer accepts orders, and once I have that my 4runner will be my bad weather car and be used for hauling stuff to the dump along with the occasional offroading. So what I need to be able to do in order of frequency:
Have good road manners for bad weather (~100 times a year)
Tow a trailer up to 4500 pounds (~20 times a year)
Go offroading to for fishing, camping, gold panning, hiking, geocaching (~15 times a year)

I won't be building it to challenge technically difficult trails, but improving looks does matter. I have gotten stuck or had to abort a trail a few times so want to be able to get myself out of deepish mud situations.

So what I am looking for help on is if I have the necessary parts considered in my build, if I am spending too much/too little in any given area, if I am doing anything unnecessary, etc. based on my goals.


Tires and wheels - Haven't decided yet on specifics yet. Looking to run 285/75/16

Front suspension:
Icon 2.5 extended travel coilovers
Camburg UCA

Rear suspension:
Icon 2.5 shocks
OME 891
Do I need rear LCAs?

I assume with this I should do a 1" diff drop as well?

Weld on rock sliders

Tundra front brake conversion

And eventually I would want a rear bumper with swing out tire (just because I like the looks) and front bumper for winch.

What am I missing?


Pics a few years old, looks the same other than have a bug guard on front and tires are now toyo a/t

 

[3rzrunner]

New user, been lurking for a while and I am needing help with a potential build.

I have an '01 SR5 4x4 with 125k miles which I've owned since '04. It has been my daily driver up until now and I have kept it in stock form. I will be ordering a 2015 Chevy SS once pricing is announced and my local dealer accepts orders, and once I have that my 4runner will be my bad weather car and be used for hauling stuff to the dump along with the occasional offroading. So what I need to be able to do in order of frequency:
Have good road manners for bad weather (~100 times a year)
Tow a trailer up to 4500 pounds (~20 times a year)
Go offroading to for fishing, camping, gold panning, hiking, geocaching (~15 times a year)

I won't be building it to challenge technically difficult trails, but improving looks does matter. I have gotten stuck or had to abort a trail a few times so want to be able to get myself out of deepish mud situations.

So what I am looking for help on is if I have the necessary parts considered in my build, if I am spending too much/too little in any given area, if I am doing anything unnecessary, etc. based on my goals.


Tires and wheels - Haven't decided yet on specifics yet. Looking to run 285/75/16

I would recommend 265/75/16's (32's). for the stuff you have said you are going to do with it a good set of bfg's or duratracs in 265/75 will be more than adequate. And will give better mpg's and road ride.

Front suspension:
Icon 2.5 extended travel coilovers
Camburg UCA

OVERKILL! I mean if you have the $'s then go for it! But a set of bilstein 5100's with Old man Emu coils will be more than enough.

Rear suspension:
Icon 2.5 shocks
OME 891
Do I need rear LCAs?
No need for LCA's but a panhard drop might be needed.

I assume with this I should do a 1" diff drop as well?

Weld on rock sliders
good idea

Tundra front brake conversion
yes

And eventually I would want a rear bumper with swing out tire (just because I like the looks) and front bumper for winch.

What am I missing?


Pics a few years old, looks the same other than have a bug guard on front and tires are now toyo a/t

.....

 

[BigDummy]

Thanks for the input 3RZ. If I go 32s any need to change the gearing? I was assuming changing the gears on 33s.

For 5100s and coils vs coilovers, I was mainly concerned with ride on the road, not off-road performance. Is that not as much of an issue as I was thinking? If I go 5100s in front, any reason for the icons in back or go 5100s in back, too?

I learn about a panhard drop, thanks!

Overall I'm willing to spend extra money if it gives me a real benefit but don't have any need to waste money.

 

[bishopTS]

aussie locker in the rear should be your first upgrade. that was mine and most trails/bad roads that my friends run in 4wd, I run in 2wd

 

[bishopTS]

the tundra brake conversion could be avoided. the performance gain per price isn't worth it. I ran 285s on my last 4runner and the stock brakes never had a problem

 

[BigDummy]

Would you skip the brake conversion even if you were regularly towing a couple of tons?

 

[bishopTS]

they are 4 piston fixed calipers. f250 doesn't even have that.

 

[Troybylt]

Would you skip the brake conversion even if you were regularly towing a couple of tons?

Definitely get the TBU if you're planning on towing anything. Plus it's not that expensive, I went all new Toyota parts and still did it for under $500 if I recall correctly. I don't tow anything but there's lots of lost tourists here in Florida that don't realize there's an exit every mile everywhere and will cut you off with no warning to get off the toll roads. I am so thankful for the extra grab with the TBU in these instances. Worth every penny in my honest opinion and I only did the 199mm.

 

[3rzrunner]

Thanks for the input 3RZ. If I go 32s any need to change the gearing? I was assuming changing the gears on 33s.

It all depends on your preference. I have a 4cyl 5speed with 4.56 gears and imo is the perfect balance.
there is a lot of people on here that are running 32's with stock gears with no problems so I'm sure they will chime in.

For 5100s and coils vs coilovers, I was mainly concerned with ride on the road, not off-road performance. Is that not as much of an issue as I was thinking? If I go 5100s in front, any reason for the icons in back or go 5100s in back, too?

Well, what I have in my truck is Tacoma 5100's and OME 881's in the front. and in the back New OEM 'tokicos' and OME 906 coils with 20mm of arb 'trim packers'
And the ride on the road is a tad bit firmer but much more controllable and predictable. Imo the ride is absolutely great.
If you do go billie in the front also go billie in the back no need for the icons in the back. Also billies warranty is great.

I learn about a panhard drop, thanks!

My lift is about 2.25" and I didn't opt for it but my rear axel is slightly shifted (I can tell by eye)

Overall I'm willing to spend extra money if it gives me a real benefit but don't have any need to waste money.
Exactly.

Also you said you want to deal with mud off road, IMO a rear locker is worth its weight in gold in the mud. I would hold out for a selectable for the stuff you do with the truck, Look for an OEM E-Locker in the junkyards or get a ARB air locker. My elocker has saved me a few times already.....

EDIT: here is a pristine elocker and matching front diff. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...ocker-complete-retrofit-$1150-phoenix-az.html

hope that helps!