Torn - should I keep my 06 Limited 4Runner or replace it with a FJC?

magnumfan

magnumfan

New member
Hey guys, well its taken some 30,000 miles but I have finally burnt the Dueller H/T tires on my 06 Limited.

Now I am torn about what to do. Do I
1. buy new 17" rims
2. buy new 17" BFG A/Ts for it
3. add a rear ARB airlocker diff (and maybe front)

or

do I trade it in on a FJC with a locker and the rubber/rim combo I want?

the only reason I bought the Limited was for the heated seats, it gets a little cold here

anyone have suggestions? Im keen to hear them.

thanks

Joe
 
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The money that you would lose in a trade-in can be used to get a whole bunch of stuff for your 4runner!

Here is what I would do IF i had a 4runner:

1. Tint front window (not ghetto, but legal) to closely match rear privacy glass (if possible)
2. BFG AT KO 32" (265/70/17) or equivalent AT tire (REVOs, Michelin A/T-2, or Goodyear SilentArmor)...do not go any bigger because of rubbing unless you lift it above 2".
3. Junk running board
4. Rock sliders from ARB or Hanna or Shrockworks...IMHO, the ARB slider/step is the classiest option; however, i hear that ARB is not offering it for the 4runner.:( So, check first with ARBUSA.com. See this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30885

These mods should make your 4runner look really cool...waayyy more cooler than any stock FJ! And you would still have a much more practical vehicle than the FJ. There are two additonal steps that you may want to consider to make your 4runner into a monster:

1. 1" front lift to even out the 4runner's stance...the 1" should not cause any issue. This small front lift should get rid of the nosedive/butt lift on the 4runner. In addition, you will get slightly more frontal clearance for off-roading.

2. ARB rear locker with on-board air compressor...this mod will make your 4runner into an off-roading monster! A locker can make you go places where you could not before with confidence. The air compressor will allow you to air up your tires with ease quickly. In addition, i think that it can power air tools too.:)

If you do all of the mods above, then your 4runner will easily keep up (and beat) > 95% of SUVs/trucks out there.

The above modded 4runner = just as capable as FJ and way more practical.

BTW, i would stay away from adding a front locker...too much stress on the IFS components. With a rear locker + ATRAC-controlled front, you should be plenty capable.
 
Thai said:
The money that you would lose in a trade-in can be used to get a whole bunch of stuff for your 4runner!

Here is what I would do IF i had a 4runner:

1. Tint front window (not ghetto, but legal) to closely match rear privacy glass (if possible)
2. BFG AT KO 32" (265/70/17) or equivalent AT tire (REVOs, Michelin A/T-2, or Goodyear SilentArmor)...do not go any bigger because of rubbing unless you lift it above 2".
3. Junk running board
4. Rock sliders from ARB or Hanna or Shrockworks...IMHO, the ARB slider/step is the classiest option; however, i hear that ARB is not offering it for the 4runner.:( So, check first with ARBUSA.com. See this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30885

These mods should make your 4runner look really cool...waayyy more cooler than any stock FJ! And you would still have a much more practical vehicle than the FJ. There are two additonal steps that you may want to consider to make your 4runner into a monster:

1. 1" front lift to even out the 4runner's stance...the 1" should not cause any issue. This small front lift should get rid of the nosedive/butt lift on the 4runner. In addition, you will get slightly more frontal clearance for off-roading.

2. ARB rear locker with on-board air compressor...this mod will make your 4runner into an off-roading monster! A locker can make you go places where you could not before with confidence. The air compressor will allow you to air up your tires with ease quickly. In addition, i think that it can power air tools too.:)

If you do all of the mods above, then your 4runner will easily keep up (and beat) > 95% of SUVs/trucks out there.

The above modded 4runner = just as capable as FJ and way more practical.

BTW, i would stay away from adding a front locker...too much stress on the IFS components. With a rear locker + ATRAC-controlled front, you should be plenty capable.
Click to expand...

Ok questions Thai:
1) don't those tires reduce gas mileage on highway significantly?
2) do you really think removing the running boards make it look better? IMHO, it looks unfinished.
3) Why not a 2/1 Lift?
 
keylay31 said:
Ok questions Thai:
1) don't those tires reduce gas mileage on highway significantly?
2) do you really think removing the running boards make it look better? IMHO, it looks unfinished.
3) Why not a 2/1 Lift?
Click to expand...

1. Not by much...maybe at most 1 mpg. But, the payoff is waaayyy cool...more off-road ability, more go-anywhere, and just plain cool. :)
2. Read my post again...remove running board (step #3), THEN add rock sliders (step #4).
3. IMHO, i am not a big fan of high lifts on IFS vehicle. As many have found out, even a 2" front lift will likely decrease lifespan of your CV boots and possibly other components. When i had my '02 4runner, i read as much as i could on lifts and found out that it was just not worth it. A 1" lift may be a good compromise in terms of look, ground clearance, and little compromise on durability of your suspension. Again, this is just MY opinion...so, take it with a grain of salt. I encourage you to read as much as you can about lifts on IFS vehicles.

Remember, Toyota enlarged the FJ's turning radius when they added 32" tires to the FJ. Thus, all FJ have 42" turning radius as compared to about 37-38" (forgot exact number) radius for the 4runner. I heard that Toyota did this to avoid putting too much stress on the steering and other IFS components. Toyota anticipated that FJ owners would modify their trucks. Therefore, if you add BIG tires + Huge Lifts, then you gotta wonder about the durability of the components down the road. You guys buy a 4runner because of the fact that it can take you places AND bring you home...i would not mess too much with the IFS IMHO, unless you have thought things out and have a really good installer (see Good Times). If you tinker too much outside Toyota engineer's parameters, then expect that things may break at the wrong time.
 
magnumfan said:


the only reason I bought the Limited was for the heated seats, it gets a little cold here
Click to expand...

Wow, you could have just had the seat heaters installed on a non-Limited model and saved yourself a ton of $$$$
 
Thai said:
1. Not by much...maybe at most 1 mpg. But, the payoff is waaayyy cool...more off-road ability, more go-anywhere, and just plain cool. :)
2. Read my post again...remove running board (step #3), THEN add rock sliders (step #4).
3. IMHO, i am not a big fan of high lifts on IFS vehicle. As many have found out, even a 2" front lift will likely decrease lifespan of your CV boots and possibly other components. When i had my '02 4runner, i read as much as i could on lifts and found out that it was just not worth it. A 1" lift may be a good compromise in terms of look, ground clearance, and little compromise on durability of your suspension. Again, this is just MY opinion...so, take it with a grain of salt. I encourage you to read as much as you can about lifts on IFS vehicles.

Remember, Toyota enlarged the FJ's turning radius when they added 32" tires to the FJ. Thus, all FJ have 42" turning radius as compared to about 37-38" (forgot exact number) radius for the 4runner. I heard that Toyota did this to avoid putting too much stress on the steering and other IFS components. Toyota anticipated that FJ owners would modify their trucks. Therefore, if you add BIG tires + Huge Lifts, then you gotta wonder about the durability of the components down the road. You guys buy a 4runner because of the fact that it can take you places AND bring you home...i would not mess too much with the IFS IMHO, unless you have thought things out and have a really good installer (see Good Times). If you tinker too much outside Toyota engineer's parameters, then expect that things may break at the wrong time.
Click to expand...

1) Ok good point. What sort of compromise would you recommend if I want the look of the BFG AT T/A's (and a little offroad but mostly snow ability), but keep the road ability of some good road tires?
2) IMHO, the rocksliders still dont cover as much as the runnings board, i guess it depends on the brand
3) I've been asking about the downsides to 2/1 lift on this forum for the last 6 months, and have gotten nothing. Now you're making me worried. The 1 inch lift only allows for: "This kit allows for fit ment of the 265/70r17 tire size which is about 1/2" larger tire than the stock 265/65r17." according to burtman. Thus, if you want 32"'s, I'm calculating you need a 2/1.

PS, sorry for hijacking thread, but this is the most I've gotten anywhere on these topics.
 
Last edited:
Re: $0.03

T?@\7 said:
to me, moving to an FJC after a 4R is moving in the wrong direction.......
Click to expand...

My friend just got an FJC, and the first day he got it, i was seriously regretting my T4R. But after riding in it more than once and getting over the "cool" factor, the T4R is a much better all around vehicle.
 
keylay31 said:
The 1 inch lift only allows for: "This kit allows for fit ment of the 265/70r17 tire size which is about 1/2" larger tire than the stock 265/65r17." according to burtman. Thus, if you want 32"'s, I'm calculating you need a 2/1.
Click to expand...

265/70/17 fits without any lift at all. Many guys here have installed that size without lifting.

BTW. 265/70/17 are 32" tires...if you round them up (31.6")
 
Even Steven said:
265/70/17 fits without any lift at all. Many guys here have installed that size without lifting.

BTW. 265/70/17 are 32" tires...if you round them up (31.6")
Click to expand...

Are the 275's 32" as well?
 
keylay31 said:
1) Ok good point. What sort of compromise would you recommend if I want the look of the BFG AT T/A's (and a little offroad but mostly snow ability), but keep the road ability of some good road tires?

The 1 inch lift only allows for: "This kit allows for fit ment of the 265/70r17 tire size which is about 1/2" larger tire than the stock 265/65r17." according to burtman. Thus, if you want 32"'s, I'm calculating you need a 2/1.
Click to expand...

BFG AT KO should be plenty good on the highway. I had it for years and never had any real issue with them. We get a lot of rain here in Texas along with flash flooding...BFG never failed me. Of course, these tires are not high performance tires...therefore, drive your 4runner accordingly...it ain't a sports car! Are there better on-road truck tires?? Sure. But none of them look as good nor perform better off-road. BFG has the snowflake symbol which is icing on the cake IMHO. :)

Your stock tire is 31". 265/70/17 is 32". Remember, this means that the RADIUS of the new tire is 1/2" more. Thus, Diameter is 1" more. I am sure that Burtman meant the radius of the tire. Anyway, stock 4runner can handle 265/70/17 with only minor rubbing on extreme steering. The 1" front lift should help.

Remember, my opinion on 2/1 lift is a minority one. Thus, you may want to ask more people about it.
 
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