Hi guys i recently got a '96 limited runner and i want to know what i should do to it first (aftermarket wise) im 17 so i am on a budget.. I was looking to get the k & n air intake, flowmaster 40 series, and a lift. which of these should i do first or do you guys have any better suggestions on what i should do? give any honest opinions and i also drive up to the snow a lot to work and want this thing to last a long time. Thanks so much!!:help::help:
What to do first? Helpp!!
- Thread starter Vitiligo
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mcaz5
New member
There's your answer right there. Maintenance. Change the plugs and wires if they've never been done. Air filter, diff and tranny fluids, if you wanna lift do then you're going to wanna do LBJs right after or during your lift install. Timing belt and water pump if its been a while.
I know it's not the answer you're looking for but we've all been there. It's a tough decision on whether to spend your cash on maintenance or mods but we all really want the same things out of our 4runners. And that's for them to last a long time. Just my opinion
SR5Runner97
New member
I couldn't have put it better. Well done!
If you want an answer that's not maintenance then it's up to you. if I was starting from scratch, i'd do the easy ones first, deckplate, ISR removal and then lift, tires, exhaust. I've heard weird things about K&n filters in our 4runner so i'd leave it stock. I want a 44 flowmaster on my 4runner. they sound delicious...
t4r4life
Elite Member
if you are serious about keeping this truck, do every maintenance job required. and do not go cheap on important items, oem parts only.
make sure the engine is in good shape, check oil, atf, coolant, plugs.
Make sure suspension is in good shape, check bushings, shock leaks.
make sure drive train is in good shape, check front rear and transfer fluid, grease drive shafts.
some preventative mods, new oem or napa 555 LBJs to prevent the dreaded LBJ failure, external transmission cooler to prevent the pink milk shake. clean throttle body and change pcv valve.
make sure the engine is in good shape, check oil, atf, coolant, plugs.
Make sure suspension is in good shape, check bushings, shock leaks.
make sure drive train is in good shape, check front rear and transfer fluid, grease drive shafts.
some preventative mods, new oem or napa 555 LBJs to prevent the dreaded LBJ failure, external transmission cooler to prevent the pink milk shake. clean throttle body and change pcv valve.
Stay out of the mud, unless you really like pressure washing for hours.
If you do lift it, don't buy a cheapo schmeapo lift. Research and put some serious thought into what you want out of your suspension, you may end up just going with some other Toyota model's suspension (much cheaper and Toyota OEM parts).
I haven't done much to my T4R other than maintenance, but you are definitely heading in a good direction coming here, there's a lot of knowledge on these forums. Saved me big time when my starter contacts went out. Any mech shop would have charged for a starter replacement. Thanks to a couple guys on here, I only spent $10 instead of $250+.
Welcome aboard!
t4r4life
Elite Member
idk where in cali are you but i have a flowmaster 40s im trying to trade for a stock exhaust. nothing wrong with it just tired of the loud exhaust.
i might be willing to trade your exhaust im up in Auburn (about 45 mins to an hour above Sac)
t4r4life
Elite Member
well if you ever come down to the bay let me know.
Brique
New member
I'm gonna back up what everyone said about maintenance. At 17 you are blessed to have such an awesome first ride. If you focus on learning how to replace all the fluids (oil, diff, xfer case, steering, coolant, brakes) and doing plugs and wires yourself you will have one hell of a skill set. I know if I could have done all that at 17-18 I would have felt like a stone cold badass.
If you haven't already, an easy mod you can do for free is to remove the running boards. That'll make it look a little taller.
Also, be sure to be safe when doing anything on your truck. Nothing cool about getting crushed or zapped, so be sure to read up on proper use of jack stands, etc.
If you haven't already, an easy mod you can do for free is to remove the running boards. That'll make it look a little taller.
Also, be sure to be safe when doing anything on your truck. Nothing cool about getting crushed or zapped, so be sure to read up on proper use of jack stands, etc.
