Time to Upgrade! Need help - Intro Post

[baja bound]

Hey everyone - Just wanted to introduce myself and ask my first question. Here goes...

My names Mike and I'm from Seal Beach, Ca. Just bought a 2002 4Runner SR5 Sport 4x4 w/ 74k miles. I just upgraded from an 01 Prerunner and couldnt be happier! This truck is bad ass and I already know I'll have it till the end.

First off - My main uses are desert and mountain driving. Primarily desert running down in baja. I was just down there last weekend doing some surfing and decided I need some upgrades. As you can see I'm getting some major sag in the rear so thats my first point of interest:

I want to get a lift. Not looking for anything huge or something for rock crawling etc. Something to give me a few more inches of clearance and to help in the desert. I want it to still be smooth and nice for the street though. Not into a real rigid bumpy ride. So let me know what you guys suggest...
I plan on upgrading the tires as well. Currently they are Dunlop Grand Trek AT21 but I want something with better traction in the mud/sand.

Let me know what else you guys suggest :beer:

Thanks,

Mike

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[Clemsonfan15]

I know you might have some stuff in the back, but that is a lot of sag.

Check out Soronan Steel or Toytec for the lift. 3" is the most popular.

With that size you should be able to fit a 285 tire.

Check out the Nitto Dune Grappler, Goodyear Duratrac, or BFG KO.

 

[baja bound]

I know you might have some stuff in the back, but that is a lot of sag.

Check out Soronan Steel or Toytec for the lift. 3" is the most popular.

Yeah I had about a 300lb load back there. So its normally not that bad. I also had a flat that I fixed after the picture. I've been checking out the Toytec website... I see there based out of Colorado. I'm looking to have my setup installed and I'm in Ca.

Also which particular setup should I go with? There's a bunch of options. So what are the pro's and con's of some of the more popular brands?

Thanks

 

[brian2sun]

Welcome dude! Nice to see another Socal runner and she looks really nice. First, I would lose the nerf bars, it will make your truck look a lot better IMO. Or replace them with rock sliders and have good looks and good protection.

For tires, there are lots to choose from, but the popular ones for mud are BFG KM2s, Cooper STTs, Goodyear MTRs or Duratracs, Toyo Open Country M/Ts to name a few. I really like my Dunlops Maxx Tractions, but I'll admit they are kinda ugly compared to the others mentioned, not that I care because they are still by far the best snow tires I've ever used and awesome off road too. Plus they were cheaper than most of the other comparable tires.

To know what lift to get really depends on if you are going to be running 31s or 33s (265/75R16s or 285/75R16s). If you stay with 31s, I would recommend just running '99 coils, or OME 881s & 906s, or Sonoran Steel 3.0 (all these lifts will give you about 1.5-2" of lift over your saggy '02 coils).

If you want to run 33s, I recommend OME 881s with spacers & 890s, or a Sonoran Steel system 7.2 or 1.2 (these lifts will give you more like 3" over your saggy '02 coils). I have OME coils and OME comfort shocks and I have nothing but good things to say!

Lift coils will generally not ride as smooth as stock coils, so for a small lift and a smooth ride, the '99 coils would probably be the best, but 265/75R16s (31s) would be the biggest tire you could fit. Going with a 3" lift and 33s will probably not ride particularly smooth, but it will be more capable off road.

 

[Duhockey]

Yeah I had about a 300lb load back there. So its normally not that bad. I also had a flat that I fixed after the picture. I've been checking out the Toytec website... I see there based out of Colorado. I'm looking to have my setup installed and I'm in Ca.

Also which particular setup should I go with? There's a bunch of options. So what are the pro's and con's of some of the more popular brands?

Thanks

Toytec doesnt do any installs either... I would say pick out a lift, if you are gonna have heavy loads in the back (like the 300 lb loads), get some LandCruiser coils from the FJ80 like 94-97. You get the front LC coils (they come in 7 wrap, 8 wrap, 9 wrap) and you put them in the back of your 4runner with some extended shocks . Then you pick out a front setup from OME or Toytec or wherever, and get some struts/coilovers.. Toytec carries the OME stuff too,

Then network with guys that have done lifts in the Socal area to help install.

or find a shop in your area that will do the install for you..

 

[Duhockey]

oh, and welcome to the boards!

Nice Runner!
:bluejump:

 

[GoFaSSter]

Nice looking runner. If you do not want anything extreme and a factory ride I would look at Sonoran Steels lift with the stock '99 runner coils. It will be a little higher than an '02 and will ride factory because it is.

 

[rdgt4r]

Nice truck man!
Looks familiar ha.


How much you looking to spend on a lift?

 

[baja bound]

Nice truck man!
Looks familiar ha.


How much you looking to spend on a lift?

Well lets be honest, I could set a budget but we all know thats gonna go out the window. But on the other side I'm really not trying to spend thousands of dollars on getting it going.

I definitely like the sonoran steel products. The 99 coils seem nice, but I think in reality I would be much happier with the system 7.2 so i think thats what I am going to go with.

So new questions:

Anyone want to try and talk me out of that lift?
How much can I expect to pay to have it installed etc?
Any other little insignificants I am going to need to buy that I am not thinking of?
What kind of rock sliders? I like the Shrockworks ones?

Also - My tires dunlop grandtrek At21's are pretty much brand new. Can I ride these for a while on the lift before moving to bigger tires? Pros/Cons?

Thanks again guys!

Mike

 

[redbeard]

Welcome!!! How far down on the Baja do you go? I ran the northern half a few years back in a sand rail, would love to go back again.

Well lets be honest, I could set a budget but we all know thats gonna go out the window.
Mike

Glad to see you have that out of the way already:biggrin2:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Well lets be honest, I could set a budget but we all know thats gonna go out the window. But on the other side I'm really not trying to spend thousands of dollars on getting it going.

I definitely like the sonoran steel products. The 99 coils seem nice, but I think in reality I would be much happier with the system 7.2 so i think thats what I am going to go with.

So new questions:

Anyone want to try and talk me out of that lift?
How much can I expect to pay to have it installed etc?
Any other little insignificants I am going to need to buy that I am not thinking of?
What kind of rock sliders? I like the Shrockworks ones?

Also - My tires dunlop grandtrek At21's are pretty much brand new. Can I ride these for a while on the lift before moving to bigger tires? Pros/Cons?

Thanks again guys!

Mike

Do you want bolt on or weld on rock sliders?

You might want to get a diff drop to go with that lift.

No reason why you couldn't use those tires. They are going to look small with the lift.

 

[Pikeman]

Baja- I am out in Riverside area and would be willing to help install the lift. I am sure a couple other people from the area would be willing to help out also. The 7.2 is nice but I know two of the other members that I have met and wheel with bought the Toytech Ultimate lift and called it good. If you plan on doing any high speed desert running then just plan on spending some money for either Fox or ICON coil overs up front, they will handle it better and wont fade as fast as the other shocks will.

 

[4runsport]

Nice looking runner. If you do not want anything extreme and a factory ride I would look at Sonoran Steels lift with the stock '99 runner coils. It will be a little higher than an '02 and will ride factory because it is.

I was reading up on this because I am interested in lifting my truck a little this spring. But when I read the website I found this under their System 3 setup. "RAW DATA: This kit lifted a 2001 2WD 4Runner 2 5/8" over stock. 1996-97 4WD 1" lift, 2000-02 4WD 1" lift, 1998 4WD 1/2" or so lift, 1999 4WD no lift." 1996 to 2002 4WD Toyota 4Runner "The best the factory had to offer" suspension: $570.00

So correct me if im wrong but I would be paying almost $600 for a 1" lift?

 

[rusm]

Anyone want to try and talk me out of that lift?
I would either go with an OME setup if you only want to spend ~$700. Or since you are actually running in the desert get some coilovers for the front and still be in it about as much as the SS lift.
How much can I expect to pay to have it installed etc?
Make friends with some guys local to you and buy them a nice lunch and some beers.
Any other little insignificants I am going to need to buy that I am not thinking of?
That is the advantage of going with the SS, everything is included. However, it is easy and fun to assemble all the little stuff.

What kind of rock sliders? I like the Shrockworks ones?
They're all pretty much the same. Check craigslist in your area and I can pretty much guarantee there's a bunch of local fab guys doing some pretty trick work.

Also - My tires dunlop grandtrek At21's are pretty much brand new. Can I ride these for a while on the lift before moving to bigger tires? Pros/Cons?
You certainly can, but come on we all know a week after you lift the truck you are going to be getting some new rubber!

Thanks again guys!

Mike

arty: Man, I'm really batting a thousand lately. There's not too many local fab guys advertising in the OC on craigslist. There's got to be lots of people doing fab work down there though, with all the desert and rock crawling going on in Kali. These guys have the best deal on SAW 2.0 coilovers.

 

[baja bound]

arty: Man, I'm really batting a thousand lately. There's not too many local fab guys advertising in the OC on craigslist. There's got to be lots of people doing fab work down there though, with all the desert and rock crawling going on in Kali. These guys have the best deal on SAW 2.0 coilovers.

Thanks for the link! Those guys are only about 30 minutes from my house. Looks like I have an erand to go run today :zoom:

So you guys are thinking that since I'm just desert running going for coil over shocks will be my best bet?

So running this front and back?
52000-108-9, Swayaway Racerunner 2.0 Coilover Shock 1996 thru 2002 Toyota 4-Runner, This is a 2.0 diameter Swayaway Racerunner coilover shock with 0-3 of adjustable lift for 1996 thru 2002 4-Runner. A true Hydraulic full extension dampener. 7/8 Nitro

learning something new everyday. :cheers:

 

[rdgt4r]

Thew SAW's are nice, if you get a coilover set up i would plan on getting new UCA's too. If you need a fast cycling shock system you definitely want something that is rebuildable. I happen to like King, icon and camburg. Piggy back or external resi shocks would be best for fast desert running while providing a smooth ride.

 

[flyte74]

Toytec doesnt do any installs either... I would say pick out a lift, if you are gonna have heavy loads in the back (like the 300 lb loads), get some LandCruiser coils from the FJ80 like 94-97. You get the front LC coils (they come in 7 wrap, 8 wrap, 9 wrap) and you put them in the back of your 4runner with some extended shocks . Then you pick out a front setup from OME or Toytec or wherever, and get some struts/coilovers.. Toytec carries the OME stuff too,

Then network with guys that have done lifts in the Socal area to help install.

or find a shop in your area that will do the install for you..

Baja - I just so happen to know someone with a '97 LC who is getting ready to take his springs off for some reason or another. I could probably get them pretty cheap if you want to go that route. I'll check to see how many wraps they are and let you know. And like Duhockey said, once you get everything you need, just ask around and I'm sure some of us SoCal guys will roger up and help you install it. I installed mine a few weeks ago and it hasn't fallen off yet. I went with the Toytec Ultimate. Initially it rode nice, but it's settling in now and riding even better.

 

[Pikeman]

I think with pizza or whatever and day of wrenching we can have it installed for you pretty easy. I personally like the All-Pro sliders, good mid price point and stout. Otherwise there is a guy in Riverside that is trying to start a fab shop up that is close to the $300 price point (just slightly higher then All-Pros). I will PM you my phone number so you can call and bounce some ideas off me.