Starting to Mod - opinions/input/suggestions welcomed

[Sotovo]

Hey guys. I have recently bought a 1998 Limited 4x4 with 168k miles and bone stock! ... I absolutely love it. But it's now time to begin the lovely and wallet draining process of modding.

I would really appreciate some help from some of you experienced guys.

I'll post questions here and if you could quote the question(s) and reply with an answer, that would be amazing!

1. I plan on using this vehicle for a few things. Daily driving, light to medium trailing/wheeling, and a few roadtrips a year up north to hike, camp, and explore. What would be a good tire/suspension set up for me? I do want an aggressive look as well. I would like to like 2.5-3inches and stay in the 30-34" tire range. That would be decently comfortable for daily driving but also get me where I need to go while wheeling and trailing. I would also like to stay in the 16" wheel size as well.

2.I definitely want to install the TRD supercharger. I have light mechanic skills, so I would definitely have a shop do this for me. How much trouble is it to do? I know it will be a hefty price. Is it worth it?

That's all I can think of now! Thanks for responses! Excited to be apart of this big community.

 

[rdanford]

I drive my 98 daily (70+ miles) and use it for summer weekend camping/hiking.

First thing before any mods were done a tune-up, fluids, tranny cooler, and overall checkup was completed.

I went with Cooper AT3's (both our 4Runners them) in a 265/75/16. Great last winter, spring and summer but enough tread for my weekend needs.

Just my $0.02

 

[Sotovo]

I drive my 98 daily (70+ miles) and use it for summer weekend camping/hiking.

First thing before any mods were done a tune-up, fluids, tranny cooler, and overall checkup was completed.

I went with Cooper AT3's (both our 4Runners them) in a 265/75/16. Great last winter, spring and summer but enough tread for my weekend needs.

Just my $0.02

Thanks! Good to know! I'll look into those tires. And I bought mind from a mom and pop dealership so the first thing I did was a complete fluid refresh. Everything from Oil to Power steering.

Forgive my ignorance, but about that Tranny Cooler, I know the obvious use is to cool the tranny, so does that mean it overheats easier without one?

 

[MStudt]

Forgive my ignorance, but about that Tranny Cooler, I know the obvious use is to cool the tranny, so does that mean it overheats easier without one?

Keeps from f-ing up your transmission. If you have an auto, the transmission cooler is in the radiator. The radiator over time will deteriorate causing the fluids to mix and ruin your transmission.

I drive mine about 65 miles a day, wheel/forest road it, road trip with it, and camp in it. I'm running OME 891's in the rear with Bilstiens, and Bilstien/Eibachs up front for 3" of lift. I'm also running 285/75/16 Falken tires that are holding up great.

 

[4yotaguy]

I am in a similar situation as you, looking to do pretty much the same things...I have had mine for over a year now and put 17k on it-it has 127k now. MIne was a one-owner super maintained truck and I still find myself adding a list of "do befores" - before my build.

I will be doing most of the work myself, but don't have a lot of time so I am trying to avoid overlapping labor. For example, I want to do a 2.5" lift, but also have two torn front axle boots. You would want to do those both at once so the new boots are immediately broken in at the new steeper CV angle reducing the chance of tearing. I am going to do the 13WL tundra front brake upgrade too, and the power steering rack, and front suspension components...

I would do a thorough inspection and make a list of the basics first. I found my rear diff plug completely frozen and my rear axle seals leaking bad probably because of this so I did the seals and all new drums in the rear. If you dont go to an external tranny cooler, I would replace the radiator just to be safe and prevent the pink milkshake...

Check the wheel bearings and other components for play to get an idea of what may be coming, this will allow you to budget your build better....

 

[Tsfc]

Hey guys. I have recently bought a 1998 Limited 4x4 with 168k miles and bone stock! ... I absolutely love it. But it's now time to begin the lovely and wallet draining process of modding.

I would really appreciate some help from some of you experienced guys.

I'll post questions here and if you could quote the question(s) and reply with an answer, that would be amazing!

1. I plan on using this vehicle for a few things. Daily driving, light to medium trailing/wheeling, and a few roadtrips a year up north to hike, camp, and explore. What would be a good tire/suspension set up for me? I do want an aggressive look as well. I would like to like 2.5-3inches and stay in the 30-34" tire range. That would be decently comfortable for daily driving but also get me where I need to go while wheeling and trailing. I would also like to stay in the 16" wheel size as well.

2.I definitely want to install the TRD supercharger. I have light mechanic skills, so I would definitely have a shop do this for me. How much trouble is it to do? I know it will be a hefty price. Is it worth it?

That's all I can think of now! Thanks for responses! Excited to be apart of this big community.

Check out first post of my thread. That's all the shit I did before even thinking of building her out. To each his own, best of luck !