Off-roading questions, new (to me) 4runner

[Palomar4130]

Hello all, this is my first post here but used this site a lot when researching my purchase. 2 days ago I got a 2005 v8 4x4 SR5 and couldn't be happier right now. I have a couple questions as I'm new to off-roading.

First question, the guy I bought it from worked for a Toyota dealership and swapped out the stock wheels for Lexus wheels. After looking around I'm 99% sure they're GX460 wheels. They're 18" and I noticed most people are on 16's and 17's. Any issue going offroad with these wheels? It'll only be here and there for now, I'm in San Antonio, but I'm moving to Colorado in 4-5 months so there would be more opportunity. The tires definitely aren't offroad tires now, but will I have trouble finding good ones in 18"?

Second question, I want to give the truck a little lift/clearance without going crazy so I was thinking about the Bilstein 5100's. With the 18" rims and v8 would I be better off going with the 1.75" setting vs the 0.85" setting? Also, I see people talking about replacing their front coilovers with stock FJ coilovers. How much difference would this make? Any place I should be looking for them? Ebay has nothing at the moment.

Anyways, thanks for any help you can give. Coming from a 2002 4x2 Xterra, this thing feels like a luxury vehicle.

 

[kevinpt]

im running tacoma trd offroad front coils and fj rear coils on 5100's at .85 and love the ride. also have 18's if that helps. running 255/70/18 rugged terrains

 

[Nyc-Runner]

Welcome to T4R:welcome: Careful don't spend to much time on here or your bank account won't like you very much lol

18'' wheels will be fine to go off road, I wheeled with 18s for most of the first year i had my 4runner. Typically in the off road world people like to run smaller wheel because it allows them to run bigger tires with more sidewall = more protection which you want when your on the trail going thru and over difficult terrain mudd,rocks etc. You'll be fine for now though. you may want to look into upgrading your tire's in the future though as stock or street tires don't do very well in many off road situation and are much easier to damage.

As far as the lift goes i don't have any experience with the billstiens but i know a lot of guy on here run them. I would spend some time here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/78803-compiled-fj-springs-lift-info-4th-gen.html and check out some of the different set up guys and running with the FJ springs and billstiens. Also check over on the FJ cruiser forum in the for sale section that's where a lot of guys pick them up for pretty cheap also where i got mine back when i ran them. Another option is you can get a set of the Moog after market FJ springs which a lot of guys also run on here.

 

[m85476585]

I've done more difficult trails than I would have thought was possible with 18" wheels and stock size Michelin LTX MS2 tires. It seems like there are fewer options for tires on the 18" wheels, but there are still enough options. Personally I would strongly prefer smaller wheels, but not enough to be worth the cost. (unless anyone wants to trade- I have a set of 18" Limited wheels in good condition with nearly new LTX MS2 tires! Only about 5,000 miles on the tires)

 

[CXS]

Best to go with steel wheels when wheeling on the rocks here in CO, I run the FJC steelies myself (17") which are much stronger than any alloy wheel.