Questions on 3rd gen aftermarket parts & personal experiences

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00t4rlimited

New member
Little Intro

First of all I am new to this site, this is my first post. I have had my 2000 T4R limited since july 2005, I have not looked up anything for it online until now. I am not new to toyota at all. I used to be a moderator/administrator on the old Celica.net, I started 4gcelica.net. I also frequent alltrac.net as my other vehicle is a 88 Toyota Celica Alltrac with a 485hp 3s-gte powerplant. I have completed 100's of full out engine swaps. So I have a vast knowledge of toyota electrical theory & operation. I previously worked as a Toyota Master Tech in Several Dealers in Phoenix, AZ and Spokane, WA.

Now down to business.
My Runner is in almost perfect condition I have very meticulously maintained it. My 2nd set of OEM shocks are dead at 120k & I am looking for the best shock for my particular application. Keeping in mind I do tow occasionally, I have a 2wd runner, and I drive very spiritedly.

I am also looking for a brighter headlight setup. Currently the stock original headlamps are still in there. I want to upgrade to HID's but have no personal experience with aftermarket HID systems. Xenon Depot the sponsored link has a very affordable setup at $225 but it's single beam. Not that I use my brights that much but I like to have thing s the way they should be & I would like to find a 2 beam system that is fairly affordable & reliable.

I have also been looking at upgrading wheels for over a yr & have searched dozens of sites & have not found a particular wheel that looks good with the styling of my runner. I do very little offroading, due to limitations of the 2wd, I would like a 20-22" rim that compliments the styling of our particular body style.

I have searched the site & looked at many threads regarding all 3 of these topics but have not come up with what I am really looking for. I am looking for mainly other peoples personal experiences with these things.

Thank You in Advance
 
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welcome 00t4rlimited

welcome to our group-

I used to have a Mazda 323GTX with the all wheel drive/turbo so I am glad to have more alltracs out there to talk to


Shocks-I am running Bilsteins of normal height-I like them fine-but Old Man Emu (OME) makes a bunch of offerings for the 3rd gens.
Be advised most folks describe the 3rd gen ride as "stiff"-but most of the Runners out this way are all of the 4WD variety, I am not sure if your spring set up may be different. Also the height of the springs decreased after 1999-I believe your springs would be 1" shorter than 99s and earlier. If you are looking for a slight lift-like 1-2" in combination with or without springs there are a lot of offerings with several vendors-Revtek, Old Man Emu, Performance Products, and others.


Headlights-sorry no experience with those.


FoSheezy may be able to help you with the larger rim sizes-he has a very nice looking street rig.
 
I'd go with 22"s, check out cardomain to see what rims look good on the 4Runner. That's how I made my decision to get the Equus 208.

Here's my 4Runner on 20"s.
2559979_114_full.jpg

Here it is on 22"s
2559979_132_full.jpg



For HID's, I would definitely get them from here http://www.oznium.com/hid
They get awesome reviews (read them at the bottom) And you can check out the action shots where customers are showing off there HIDs.
 
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Thanks for the quick replies, I am not looking at lifting my runner, I just put oversized tires on it. Thanks for the telling me where I can find shock solutions. I have installed 100's of bilstein shocks but never really got a chance to really test them out over the long term. I want a shock that is gonna provide maximum comfort without wearing out prematurely. When it comes to the Celica I am a KYB guy. But I have no personal shock experience on the 4runner.
Fo_SheeZy your runner is beautiful. I love those rims. Literally the first 3rd gen I have seen that looks good with aftermarket rims IMO. What brush bar is that on the front, I've been looking at probably 30 different bars & I haven't seen one with that skid plate at the bottom.
 
You can go get the Nokia lights from AutoZone, they'll have to order them. Good price. Brighter than SilverStar Ultras and less than 30 for the pair.
 
Thanks man, I'm glad you like my 4runner. That's a manik brushguard and I had the skid plate put on there. Some body shop did that for me.
 
Welcome

Fo_Sheezy is right. The HIDs from www.oznium.com is pretty nice, it's plug and play. The only problem is that you have a 2000 Limited just like me and our ride has Daytime Running Lights standard. You first have to disable that first before you proceed. I am seriously thinking about pulling the trigger and getting the FlowLighting True HID Headlight Kit with 6000K brightness. I know anything above 4300K is just for looks but the kit is either 4000K or 6000K, might as well get the 6000K. As for shocks, I am going to go with the Bilsteins, but my OEM shocks are that bad yet. I have close to 120K on my 4Runner and I know I am going to have to replace them soon. This place is great and has tons of useful information. I am just glad to see another 2000 Limited owner, hopefully we can share some ideas. WELCOME!!!
 
ok this is completly off topic
but I was at the dealer the other day & they had a 2001 4Runner limited with 110k on it in perfect condition sitting right next to a 2004 Limited V8 with 60k on it & they wanted 3 grand more for the 2001 3rd gen.
I find that a going trend. I guess the 4th gen body styling just isn't as popular
 
3rd Gen is the GREATEST

Hell yea...my answer may be a little bias seeing the I own a 3rd Gen 4Runner myself. The body sytle and everything else on the 3rd gens look way better than the 4th Gen. I think the 4th gen looks a little too plastic and not to mention ground clearance. The 3rd gen has the highest ground clearance, especially the 99 model, of any 4runner out there.
 
I have the sensa tracs on a 2001 4wd. I put them on last Christmas and they are stiffer than stock. I can definately feel smaller bumps a little more.
 
Ghostrider said:
I have the sensa tracs on a 2001 4wd. I put them on last Christmas and they are stiffer than stock. I can definately feel smaller bumps a little more.
Click to expand...

I agree, I put the slightly more expensive Monroe Reflex on the front of my 2000 4runner - 2.7 and it rides like my old 86 Volvo 740 Turbo. It rides like a European car now. I don't mind it, but it is a little stiff. I am into old cars and my 65 Chevy truck with coil springs rides better than my 4runner. And now that I added 4 wheel disc brakes it stops better too :nono:

I just ordered LCEngineering discs for the runner so it should be better soon.

I put Monroe Sense-a-tracs on my 71 Buick Riviera and I am extremely happy with them and I have had them on there for about 50,000 miles. So I think Monroes are good shocks.
I wouldn't expect more than 50k out of a shock or strut anyways.
 
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Tomsirv, would you recommend putting Monroe Reflex, Monroe Sensa-Tracs, or Tokico Trek Masters on my 2000 4Runner Limited. I just want a little softer ride. I was gonna go with the Bilsteins but I have heard that they are extremely stiff and you cn pretty much feel every gravel on the road. Please explain. Thank you.
 
2000t4rAKS said:
Tomsirv, would you recommend putting Monroe Reflex, Monroe Sensa-Tracs, or Tokico Trek Masters on my 2000 4Runner Limited. I just want a little softer ride. I was gonna go with the Bilsteins but I have heard that they are extremely stiff and you cn pretty much feel every gravel on the road. Please explain. Thank you.
Click to expand...

I have no experience with Tokico struts. I think the stock struts will probably give you the softest ride. Aftermarket shocks/struts usually advertise performance and not so much ride comfort. In order to perform they need to be stiffer. On my big old full-size Buick I wanted a stiffer ride, it still rides good without all the body-roll.
My 4runner had worn stock shocks on it when I got it and it was pretty soft, but it would bounce on big bumps.
You could experiment if you are brave. You could run shocks for a 4cyl model and the extra weight of the limited will soften it up.
 
well right now my main complaint & reason for replacing my shocks is that I get way too much yaw when I brake. when I hit the brakes the rear end must come up like 6-8" it's hella annoying so I know the shocks have to be blown I also saw the rears had moisture on them from the seals leaking. I might go with the sensatracs since I don't want any of that annoying brake pitch, how much stiffer is it than the oem shocks? also are we comparing new oem shocks & new sensatracks or are you comparing the way your oem shocks felt when you put the sensa tracks on.
 
i have an HID kit in my runner its at 8000k and i would not have it any other way...i did lose high beams but honestly the lights are bright enough you wont need them or care...kits about 2yrs old and no issues on the plug and play.i bought off ebay so cant remember the dealer off hand but this kit has saved me on many mtn and country driving where i can see spectacular. i had an audi s4 before this car w. the HIDs and once you have them you cant/wont go back.
 
I think aftermarket HIDs should be illegal. If they are not adjusted perfectly they blind other drivers. If the oncoming car has a dirty windshield or the driver wears glasses it is even worse for their visibility.
Their is no need for HIDs, use high beam when you can and turn them off for oncoming traffic. Their is no excuse for endangering the other drivers on the road so you can drive faster.
:soapbox:
 
Tomsriv said:
I think aftermarket HIDs should be illegal. If they are not adjusted perfectly they blind other drivers. If the oncoming car has a dirty windshield or the driver wears glasses it is even worse for their visibility.
Their is no need for HIDs, use high beam when you can and turn them off for oncoming traffic. Their is no excuse for endangering the other drivers on the road so you can drive faster.
:soapbox:
Click to expand...

who said anything about driving faster? so your ok w. stock HIDs 'blinding' drivers? no matter what...headlights stock or not can blind drivers if not adjusted properly or if you drive a car that sits higher up...stock headlights people didnt like on my truck either...im thinking about my safety only and HIDs help me see better at night which is when i drive the most so i have them...if you dont like them look the other way
 
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