Ok, so Im a new guy here, but have been lurking for a year or so now. I have a 2002 3.4L 3rd gen with 160,000 miles on it, and thanks to another deployment and some buddies who want to go off roading, I finally have the proper incentive to put some upgrades on my rig. I havent done to much more than basic maintenance, and probably need to do some of the more long term stuff, but I figured I would post here and see what advice the hive mind gives. The car is currently my daily driver, but I want to get a little more into the off roading and am considering getting a Tundra to use for day to day stuff.
Ill start with the maintenance. I havent done much more than the basic stuff to it. Oil changes and tire rotations have been pretty religious, and I recently replaced the timing belt and pulley as it was squeaking. At the same time I had them flush the transmission. As I said, Im at 160K so Im assuming I will need to do some if not all of the following:
-Replace spark plugs (Can probably do myself)
-Possibly replace the radiator (reading on here, that seems like the recommended advice, but Ill probably leave that to the pros)
-Shock replacement (more of that in a second)
Heres where I would really like the advice. The mods, more specifically what order to do them in and will they benefit my rig?
-I have already installed a K&N intake, and removed the Running Boards with the help of a mechanically inclined buddy.
-As I probably need to replace my shocks/coils anyways, Id like to do a 2 inch lift. Im currently running 265/75/16s, so with the stock elevation, i occasionally get some rubbing on the drivers side. This is something I think I can do myself, but any advice you guys have is appreciated
-Headers. It sounds like this will help my milage/power a little and may tie into benefiting a possible supercharger. The parts I can afford, but Im split as to whether this is something I can install myself. I have a pretty basic knowledge of engines, but this may be a little above my level. Currently looking at the TRD offered setup.
-Exhaust. If Im doing the Headers, I might as well finish out the entire system. Split between a Borla setup and a TRD one, but have not made up my mind at all. Im not as keen on sound as I am performance and exhaust location, so please let me know what you think.
-Supercharger???- So this one may be a stretch. Its also the priciest option and sounds like it wont exactly help my gas milage. As my rig is at 160K plus, it also looks like there is some debate on here as to whether or not the engine can handle it. I also am completely unfamiliar with the Dynos and specific engine tweaking that this would take, so if I do get one, I probably wont install it myself.
So given this, which should I attack first? Im coming off this deployment in a few weeks and am trying to order the stuff I want to do now, but am pretty new to the DIYS stuff.
Ill start with the maintenance. I havent done much more than the basic stuff to it. Oil changes and tire rotations have been pretty religious, and I recently replaced the timing belt and pulley as it was squeaking. At the same time I had them flush the transmission. As I said, Im at 160K so Im assuming I will need to do some if not all of the following:
-Replace spark plugs (Can probably do myself)
-Possibly replace the radiator (reading on here, that seems like the recommended advice, but Ill probably leave that to the pros)
-Shock replacement (more of that in a second)
Heres where I would really like the advice. The mods, more specifically what order to do them in and will they benefit my rig?
-I have already installed a K&N intake, and removed the Running Boards with the help of a mechanically inclined buddy.
-As I probably need to replace my shocks/coils anyways, Id like to do a 2 inch lift. Im currently running 265/75/16s, so with the stock elevation, i occasionally get some rubbing on the drivers side. This is something I think I can do myself, but any advice you guys have is appreciated
-Headers. It sounds like this will help my milage/power a little and may tie into benefiting a possible supercharger. The parts I can afford, but Im split as to whether this is something I can install myself. I have a pretty basic knowledge of engines, but this may be a little above my level. Currently looking at the TRD offered setup.
-Exhaust. If Im doing the Headers, I might as well finish out the entire system. Split between a Borla setup and a TRD one, but have not made up my mind at all. Im not as keen on sound as I am performance and exhaust location, so please let me know what you think.
-Supercharger???- So this one may be a stretch. Its also the priciest option and sounds like it wont exactly help my gas milage. As my rig is at 160K plus, it also looks like there is some debate on here as to whether or not the engine can handle it. I also am completely unfamiliar with the Dynos and specific engine tweaking that this would take, so if I do get one, I probably wont install it myself.
So given this, which should I attack first? Im coming off this deployment in a few weeks and am trying to order the stuff I want to do now, but am pretty new to the DIYS stuff.
.
