What would you do with $1,500

gshadow325 said:
1500.....

18"American racing 901 in flat black 550
275.70.18 bfgoodrich rugged trail ta 100 Craigslist for 4
Daystar 2.5/1.5 150
Fj coils 125
Bilsteins 125 from fj cruiser
Alignment 100
Labor 200 to 300 :)
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What are the odds of finding this for these prices in my area? I am willing to travel a little...I love a good road trip!! What kind of setup would this give me? I wish I could go on a long road trip to one of you guys for "help" Im more than willing to get my hands dirty and do the work....just not by myself
 
The decision goes back to the question- How are you going to use the 4Runner

If you are going to do trails like Rainbow Falls, Mt Baldy or Rampart range you go one direction.
If you want to do China Wall and Grizzly Lake (where I just failed) you go a different direction.

Either way that is where you start.
Next form a plan. What is important to you. A good stereo is vital to me because it is my daily driver.


For easy trails a spacer lift (Daystar), good tires, sliders, skids are a good starting point.

For more challenging trails, lift (Toytec is good) tires, sliders, skids, air compressor or tank and locker.

It all depends on how you are going to use the 4Runner.
There are a lot of nice trails here that you don't need big lifts, lockers and 800 pounds of armor. The problem is that after you go on those trails you want the others.

If you are planning on a new stereo check out Crutchfield. They may not be the cheapest but they have excellent customer service.

You can do the install yourself, I have seen what you have done and the stereo install is easily in your skill level. I will be glad to help if you want.

I have a pretty nice Kenwood unit in my 4Runner. Check it out if you want. It was in the 4Runner when I bought it. I really like it but it cost a lot more than I would have spent on a stereo. It has pretty much everything other than wifi.
 
eddiebx said:
I vote for spending it on hookers & blow then, to counterbalance the party pooper :naughty:

[MENTION=95076]piccrazy30[/MENTION] forgive me for not knowing 4th gen parts prices, but couldn't you get sliders, the headunit and the interior LEDs for ~1500 or less? Why not just get it all :)

Personally, I'd get a set of nice AT tires if you don't have a set on already and spend the rest on updating your head unit and interior lighting.
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no hookers (yuck) maybe a strip club.....I think I could get those three for under 1500...I want ideas from you who have done lots of things with your rides, not just the little peddly stuff Ive done. Time to really start modding it!!

I already have a very nice set of michelin tires 1,000 for those. Cant cheap out on the tires they are one of the most important parts of a truck.
 
Desert Fox said:
The decision goes back to the question- How are you going to use the 4Runner

If you are going to do trails like Rainbow Falls, Mt Baldy or Rampart range you go one direction.
If you want to do China Wall and Grizzly Lake (where I just failed) you go a different direction.

Either way that is where you start.
Next form a plan. What is important to you. A good stereo is vital to me because it is my daily driver.


For easy trails a spacer lift (Daystar), good tires, sliders, skids are a good starting point.

For more challenging trails, lift (Toytec is good) tires, sliders, skids, air compressor or tank and locker.

It all depends on how you are going to use the 4Runner.
There are a lot of nice trails here that you don't need big lifts, lockers and 800 pounds of armor. The problem is that after you go on those trails you want the others.

If you are planning on a new stereo check out Crutchfield. They may not be the cheapest but they have excellent customer service.

You can do the install yourself, I have seen what you have done and the stereo install is easily in your skill level. I will be glad to help if you want.

I have a pretty nice Kenwood unit in my 4Runner. Check it out if you want. It was in the 4Runner when I bought it. I really like it but it cost a lot more than I would have spent on a stereo. It has pretty much everything other than wifi.
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Rampart Range is exactly my type of offroading....we have gone up that way a few times and it was pretty fun. Nothing too extreme.

I gotta say almost everytime my daughter see's another 4runner she says "theres your cousin", she said it yesterday when she saw you. I told her how I knew you, she was like WOW thats cool.

So a Daystar 2.5/1.5 would work for me?!?! Is there anything special you have to do after its installed. Like the alignment? What do you need to install it, jacks and simple tools? Please dont laugh at me
 
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Im looking at the Daystar kits and does it matter if you do the 2.5/1.5 or just 2.5 in the front and nothing in the back
 
piccrazy30 said:
Rampart Range is exactly my type of offroading....we have gone up that way a few times and it was pretty fun. Nothing too extreme.

I gotta say almost everytime my daughter see's another 4runner she says "theres your cousin", she said it yesterday when she saw you. I told her how I knew you, she was like WOW thats cool.

So a Daystar 2.5/1.5 would work for me?!?! Is there anything special you have to do after its installed. Like the alignment? What do you need to install it, jacks and simple tools? Please dont laugh at me
Click to expand...

I would do an alignment. We bought the lifetime alignment at Firestone (Academy and Chapel Hills) for $139 on the 4Runner and FJ.

Daystar is what I had on my 2003 and it was fine. The alignment wont be perfect, there is a problem getting (either camber or caster) to spec when you do a lift. The fix is a aftermarket upper control arm but you will be ok without it. The problem does not affect driving or tire wear.

Shoot, those trails you don't really need the lift at all but it does look nice and you can get bigger tires on it. I don't recall if you still have XREAS or not. You can put the Daystar on the XREAS if you do. This way you keep the nice ride and get a lift.

Now get out to Rainbow Fall outside Woodland Park. It is easy and nicer than Rampart.
 
piccrazy30 said:
Im looking at the Daystar kits and does it matter if you do the 2.5/1.5 or just 2.5 in the front and nothing in the back
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Sorry, I did not see this post.

doing front and rear will level the 4Runner.
If you do just the front it will look like you are running moon shine.
 
piccrazy30 said:
1. Sliders :)
2. Kenwood (dont remember the model #) thinking of trying to install myself
3. Interior LED's (once I figure out which ones to get)

I havent done a lot so far in this journey but heres what I have done...Weathertech cargo liner, rain guards on the windows, matching tint on the front doors, Viper alarm system, Yakamia load warrior, some plasti dip, dash cam, fog light mod, xm radio, K&N drop in. I think thats about it.
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As everyone else has stated I believe with your budget of $1500 you could do a bunch more to your rig it all depends on how much you want to actually do yourself. As stated an LED kit would cost you $30+maybe an hour with no previous experience(trust me I know). The sliders you can spend as much as $1000 on or you could just as stout for around $300. It's the stereo that will eat up your budget. With what is left over and depending on the miles on your rig I would maybe save it for preventative maint. or spoiling your truck to a thorough deep clean detail, maybe change fluids to synthetic. Window vent visors if ya get a lot of rain? I just think the little things add up quick. It really does come down to personal preference. Let us know what ya end up doing though!
 
ddnww said:
where are you finding labor for that cheap
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labor was only for the springs and i think thats borderline on the high side. add in labor for the mounting and balancing should take you to $300

My build came in cheaper than that since i am a american racing wheel dealer, i have my own snap on mounting and balancing machine and salaried employees to perform the labor :D that list came in under 1k :P

piccrazy30 said:
What are the odds of finding this for these prices in my area? I am willing to travel a little...I love a good road trip!! What kind of setup would this give me? I wish I could go on a long road trip to one of you guys for "help" Im more than willing to get my hands dirty and do the work....just not by myself
Click to expand...

its just luck for the tires, use SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search. to troll ALL of craigslist in one touch!

as for the springd/ shocks i googled fj forums and searched that way on other forums. you'll be surprised how many people throw them away or give them away for free with shipping! again craigslist helps. it took me 1 month to collect all the parts, so if you in a rush then you might not get it for cheap!
 
wadle5 said:
As everyone else has stated I believe with your budget of $1500 you could do a bunch more to your rig it all depends on how much you want to actually do yourself. As stated an LED kit would cost you $30+maybe an hour with no previous experience(trust me I know). The sliders you can spend as much as $1000 on or you could just as stout for around $300. It's the stereo that will eat up your budget. With what is left over and depending on the miles on your rig I would maybe save it for preventative maint. or spoiling your truck to a thorough deep clean detail, maybe change fluids to synthetic. Window vent visors if ya get a lot of rain? I just think the little things add up quick. It really does come down to personal preference. Let us know what ya end up doing though!
Click to expand...

Bought the LED kit last night on ebay. The stereo is a little over $300 its just the attempt of doing it myself (hehe nervous laugh) Since everyone says lift it and I have wanted to lift it, Im looking at the daystar, but theres no install directions for the back, is it the same as the front. More research to do. I will definitely post pics of progress!! Oh yeah she has 156,466 miles
 
piccrazy30 said:
Bought the LED kit last night on ebay. The stereo is a little over $300 its just the attempt of doing it myself (hehe nervous laugh) Since everyone says lift it and I have wanted to lift it, Im looking at the daystar, but theres no install directions for the back, is it the same as the front. More research to do. I will definitely post pics of progress!! Oh yeah she has 156,466 miles
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Installing a stereo head unit is about as easy as installing LED bulbs. Maybe easier. You can do that on your own.

If you do the Daystar install have someone to help you. You cant disconnect the shocks so they have to be supported during the install.
 
Desert Fox said:
Installing a stereo head unit is about as easy as installing LED bulbs. Maybe easier. You can do that on your own.

If you do the Daystar install have someone to help you. You cant disconnect the shocks so they have to be supported during the install.
Click to expand...

Im still doing research on the install process. The stereo may be a little more difficult, I found out I have to get this extra piece for the xm radio so I have to figure out where that has to go :( It would probably be a piece of cake if I didnt have the xm. Tomorrow she's going over to muffler masters to have the resonator removed and pipe turned to the side!!!
 
piccrazy30 said:
Im still doing research on the install process. The stereo may be a little more difficult, I found out I have to get this extra piece for the xm radio so I have to figure out where that has to go :( It would probably be a piece of cake if I didnt have the xm. Tomorrow she's going over to muffler masters to have the resonator removed and pipe turned to the side!!!
Click to expand...

I want to hear how that sounds. I have been thinking about doing it.

The hardest part of the stereo install is connecting the stereo wheel controls. Getting that module to operate correctly is a pain.

If you buy from Crutchfield they will walk you through the process while you are doing it.

I had to call them when I did my 2003 and then again when I did my wifes FJ. It is worth paying a touch more for the service they have available.

If you do buy from Crutchfield get some of those little wire connection thingies. I forget what they are called but they work great. They have a screw on top that holds the wires really well.
 
Then the install is easier
Here are examples from stereo dealers I buy from, there are many others

Kenwood DNX570HD Navigation receiver at Crutchfield.com
Satellite adapter
SiriusXM SXV200V1 Tuner Enjoy SiriusXM satellite radio reception with your compatible in-dash receiver at Crutchfield.com

All Kenwood Car Stereos (Receiver Size: Double DIN, Navigation: Yes (Built-In/Included GPS Navigation), Satellite Radio: Optional - SIRIUS or XM (%related% required and sold separately)) at Sonic Electronix

Satellite adapter
Kenwood Satellite Radio for the Car | Car Audio/Video Accessories | Car Audio at Sonic Electronix

In this case I would call Sonic to place the order and ask them to discount the satellite adapter, stating that Crutchfield has it for $60.

You need to ad the XM radio adapter
You will need some wire connectors

Tools
To install the head unit you need a 10mm socket and maybe a Philips screw driver. There may be other hand tools needed to install the satellite antenna depending on where you put it.

Total time should be about an hour or less. The most time will be in running the satellite antenna wire.
 
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