Picked up a 99' T4R Highlander today. Have some ???

[PitbullRescuer]

Finally finished up deal and bought a 99' SR5 Highlander today. Double checked the markings on the springs to be sure. Pretty well maintained, pretty clean but needs a few things addressed.

1.) BADLY needs front rotors (will do pads at the same time) All kinds of nasty vibration when braking.
2.) Will most likely need tires for inspection. If it passes it will need them soon anyway.
3.) Never seen this happen before but the paint on the front grill is awful. Rest of the truck is fine, clean car fax and has the VIN stickers on all the body panels.

My questions are:

1.) Since I need to do front brakes, any certain pads/rotors you guys recommend? Should I just get stock replacements or upgrade? It will see very little offroad use.

2.) How big of a tire can I run on the Highlander springs? Most likely will go with BFG All/Terrains. Have used them in the past and liked them but I'm open to suggestions.

3.) I'll probably just sand and spray paint the grill. Where can I find color match paint? The truck is that Mice Jade color. (forget the proper name.)

Thanks in adavance.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

1.) Since I need to do front brakes, any certain pads/rotors you guys recommend? Should I just get stock replacements or upgrade? It will see very little offroad use.

2.) How big of a tire can I run on the Highlander springs? Most likely will go with BFG All/Terrains. Have used them in the past and liked them but I'm open to suggestions.

3.) I'll probably just sand and spray paint the grill. Where can I find color match paint? The truck is that Mice Jade color. (forget the proper name.)

Thanks in adavance.

If you want good braking performance, do the Tundra Brake Upgrade. Certainly great for on road use, as well as off. Does require new calipers, but some have gotten by without spending too much. Many threads on this topic. A quick google search will give you plenty of info: http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=4Runner+Tundra+Brake+Upgrade

You can run 265/75/16 without a lift. That's the largest. I have 99 tall springs and BFG All Terrains, and I like it. Look into other tires if you please, many rave about the Goodyear Duratrac.

Imperial Jade Mica does fade over time, so it is possible that buying the factory color may not match perfectly. However, there are spray cans available online: Automotivetouchup.com Touch Up Paint, Aerosol Spray Paint and Paint Touch Up Accessories

 

[JohnsD90]

I saw some 270/75/R16 on a 99 highlander, it's 2runnernnynyg's runner and his was stock height.

 

[Carolinafan]

My girlfriend has a 2000 Highlander edition in the jade mica color and her grille faded, thats the only one I've seen like that before.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I saw some 270/75/R16 on a 99 highlander, it's 2runnernnynyg's runner and his was stock height.

275, you mean?

And if he did, he may have had some rubbing issues. Common knowledge is, 265/75/16. We cannot guarantee the 275 like we can the 265.

 

[rjaudi]

1. Do the Tundra Brake upgrade with the 231 mm calipers.
2. I ran 265/75 BFgoodrich A/T on my stock 97 and it looked alot better.
3. A green front grill is 129.57 on toyota parts zone. I would recommend that route since buying spray touch up primer, color, and clear will probably run 40 alone. Part number is 53111-35450-G0

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Defintely don't want any rubbing. I was hoping 275/75 but I don't want to gamble on it either. 265/75 will have to do.

The paint is actually in real good shape except for that grill, which makes the grill standout that much more. Anything would be better than how it looks now.

Thanks for the advice on the Tundra upgrade too. I'll do some more digging on that tonight. If it's not too $$$ maybe I'll bite the bullet on it but I'm a cheap S.O.B.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Depending on the tire I think 275/75/16 would fit, but I don't know anyone who has tried it.

I just did a quick search and couldn't find any tires that are made in that size.

 

[JohnsD90]

I thinks its 275/70/R16

 

[4ganger]

Think they meant 275/70/16
Google

 

[RonMAIDEN]

For tires I'd avoid anything like BFGs or Duratracs and go with a bit more of a tire like a Yokohama AT/S or something a little more geared for the street but can handle the occasional off road venture.

For brakes I use OEM rotors with Akebono ceramics and I haven't had any problems with warping and you get very little dust from the pads especially once you break them in.

Oh and welcome to the Highlander club.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

A green front grill is 129.57 on toyota parts zone. I would recommend that route since buying spray touch up primer, color, and clear will probably run 40 alone. Part number is 53111-35450-G0

Wait wait wait...

You mean to tell me that Toyota sold them prepainted?

I work for Mercedes-Benz, most all of the trim pieces available are prepainted. Really saves tons of dough.

If they sell the grilles prepainted, my god, I'll go buy one right now.

 

[Opi]

^ love pictures like that

 

[rjaudi]

Wait wait wait...

You mean to tell me that Toyota sold them prepainted?

I work for Mercedes-Benz, most all of the trim pieces available are prepainted. Really saves tons of dough.

If they sell the grilles prepainted, my god, I'll go buy one right now.

Thats what the parts list said. They had black, green and silver. The last two digits in the part number were for the color.

 

[Garage Guy]

For tires I'd avoid anything like BFGs or Duratracs...

You don't like your Duratracs on the street?

I've run BFG A/T's a lot and they're a good street tire. They last a long time, too.

('85 SR5 and '99 Highlander here.)

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Thats what the parts list said. They had black, green and silver. The last two digits in the part number were for the color.

I am so happy you told me this!!

I called my parts guy, they have them!

Ordering one Thanks dude!!!! Rep for you!!!!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You don't like your Duratracs on the street?

I've run BFG A/T's a lot and they're a good street tire. They last a long time, too.

('85 SR5 and '99 Highlander here.)

He said he didn't off road much and both the BFGs and Duratracs are a bit much if you aren't really going to off road alot so I was suggesting better tires for pavement. If I never off roaded I wouldn't have ATs on my truck but IMO the Duratracs are one of the best AT tires I've driven on with very solid street manners and in my comparisons the BFGs are pretty subpar as a DD tire compared to the Goodyears but off road the BFGs probably are a bit more durable but my Duratracs have performed great off road too.

 

[Garage Guy]

He said he didn't off road much and both the BFGs and Duratracs are a bit much if you aren't really going to off road alot so I was suggesting better tires for pavement.

Right, I saw what he said, but you said AVOID the Duratracs, like maybe you saw some big issue with them as a street tire, so I appreciate the clarification. For sure a less aggressive tire will be cheaper, lighter, maybe quieter and easier to balance and the tradeoff might be worth it if the truck doesn't get wheeled much.

Our Highlander will need tires in the next year and I'm considering the Duratracs if I can convince myself their E-range sidewalls will be as strong as the BFG's.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I am so happy you told me this!!

I called my parts guy, they have them!

Ordering one Thanks dude!!!! Rep for you!!!!

AWESOME! It's in the mail!