certifiedbamf
New member
Starting the build. Looking for some confirmation and/or tips & suggestions in 2020.
Hello all!
Alright I'm pretty new to the lifting/off-roading scene. I've had my 4Runner for a little over a year now ('06 V8 Limited 4WD, 168K with virtually no rust) and before that I daily'd a lowered E46 M3 6-speed. Still have it...it's a project car now but it is back home sitting in a garage until I can take some leave and bring it up. But, it's finally time to turn the 4Runner into a proper rig.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been researching and figuring out what I want. It's a daily but I've always dreamed of building up a 4th gen. Once I find some decent trails/dirt roads to tear up (shouldn't be a problem in WA...hopefully) I want it to be fully ready and capable but still get me to the shop in the morning. It has XREAS and, like most 4th gens with it nowadays, it's completely shot (or at least about to be). Probably my fault from towing the Bimmer (~7500lbs total towed weight) 1600 miles and hauling a$$ down some twisty, bumpy dirt roads near my last duty station. It's leaky, clunky (bushings, no doubt) and very saggy in the rear. Body roll is atrocious. I know it will never be as tight and planted as the Bimmer but I know it's not supposed to roll like a monster truck. The end goal is to be lifted at or above, or at least very close to, 3" up front and 2" in the rear sitting on 33" M/T's (which is 285/70, I think?) with 17x9" (or 17x8.5"...more on that later) wheels. Undecided on M/T's though.
Here's the parts list:
Bilstein 6112/5160 setup
2" OME rear coils (<- very open to suggestions but OME seems like the standard)
KYB top hats (old hats look OK but new hardware is better hardware, right?)
Bilstein shock boots (do I even need these though? They seem practical and the "Bilstein Blue" color would be a nice touch but it seem like nobody runs shock boots)
Freedom OffRoad UCAs (pretty set on this brand. Good reviews and perfect for moderate applications like mine and they come at a decent price)
Poly bushing refresh everywhere (sways and links, mainly).
Wheels are a toss up between Pro Comp Bandidos or Motegi Trailites (black finish for both). I really like the size (17x9"; -06mm offset), the slight "dish" look, and matte finish of the Pro Comps but they are kind of common. The Motegi's (with a +00mm offset) stand out more and just look plain cool. The only thing I don't like about them is the width: 8.5". It's only half an inch but I just like that wide tire look. I know offset can be adjusted with spacers so I'm not too worried about that. But will a 9" width just cause more issues?
I know this build is 100% possible and I'm fully aware of the trimming (and possible BMC) I'll have to do to fit the wheels. All of my lifting tools are back home but the hobby shop on base here is definitely sufficient (helpful & knowledgeable staff, vehicle lifts, spring compressors etc). I'm pretty mechanically savvy and have done tons of work/maintenance on the BMW but that is a different beast in and of itself. I'm just looking for some suggestions or gee-wiz information on what to expect during install and some intel on the longevity/durability as well as handling and ride performance.
I'll be installing some light work, a roof rack, relocate the spare (in the rack maybe?), and install a push bar/bumper but that's later.
I've already bought the Bilstein kit (includes front coils) and top hats. But advice on rear coils and bushings would be appreciated!
Well any advice, on anything, will be greatly appreciated, really.
Cheers!
Hello all!
Alright I'm pretty new to the lifting/off-roading scene. I've had my 4Runner for a little over a year now ('06 V8 Limited 4WD, 168K with virtually no rust) and before that I daily'd a lowered E46 M3 6-speed. Still have it...it's a project car now but it is back home sitting in a garage until I can take some leave and bring it up. But, it's finally time to turn the 4Runner into a proper rig.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been researching and figuring out what I want. It's a daily but I've always dreamed of building up a 4th gen. Once I find some decent trails/dirt roads to tear up (shouldn't be a problem in WA...hopefully) I want it to be fully ready and capable but still get me to the shop in the morning. It has XREAS and, like most 4th gens with it nowadays, it's completely shot (or at least about to be). Probably my fault from towing the Bimmer (~7500lbs total towed weight) 1600 miles and hauling a$$ down some twisty, bumpy dirt roads near my last duty station. It's leaky, clunky (bushings, no doubt) and very saggy in the rear. Body roll is atrocious. I know it will never be as tight and planted as the Bimmer but I know it's not supposed to roll like a monster truck. The end goal is to be lifted at or above, or at least very close to, 3" up front and 2" in the rear sitting on 33" M/T's (which is 285/70, I think?) with 17x9" (or 17x8.5"...more on that later) wheels. Undecided on M/T's though.
Here's the parts list:
Bilstein 6112/5160 setup
2" OME rear coils (<- very open to suggestions but OME seems like the standard)
KYB top hats (old hats look OK but new hardware is better hardware, right?)
Bilstein shock boots (do I even need these though? They seem practical and the "Bilstein Blue" color would be a nice touch but it seem like nobody runs shock boots)
Freedom OffRoad UCAs (pretty set on this brand. Good reviews and perfect for moderate applications like mine and they come at a decent price)
Poly bushing refresh everywhere (sways and links, mainly).
Wheels are a toss up between Pro Comp Bandidos or Motegi Trailites (black finish for both). I really like the size (17x9"; -06mm offset), the slight "dish" look, and matte finish of the Pro Comps but they are kind of common. The Motegi's (with a +00mm offset) stand out more and just look plain cool. The only thing I don't like about them is the width: 8.5". It's only half an inch but I just like that wide tire look. I know offset can be adjusted with spacers so I'm not too worried about that. But will a 9" width just cause more issues?
I know this build is 100% possible and I'm fully aware of the trimming (and possible BMC) I'll have to do to fit the wheels. All of my lifting tools are back home but the hobby shop on base here is definitely sufficient (helpful & knowledgeable staff, vehicle lifts, spring compressors etc). I'm pretty mechanically savvy and have done tons of work/maintenance on the BMW but that is a different beast in and of itself. I'm just looking for some suggestions or gee-wiz information on what to expect during install and some intel on the longevity/durability as well as handling and ride performance.
I'll be installing some light work, a roof rack, relocate the spare (in the rack maybe?), and install a push bar/bumper but that's later.
I've already bought the Bilstein kit (includes front coils) and top hats. But advice on rear coils and bushings would be appreciated!
Well any advice, on anything, will be greatly appreciated, really.
Cheers!
