Where do I start?

[JayBluShu]

I just recently bought a 01 4runner with 75k on it. This forum inspired me to buy a runner because of the endless mods and the clean look of the 3rd generation. My question is where the heck to I start with my build? I don't know to much about cars/trucks and I need some help starting my build.. thanks guys!

 

[Kurtis]

I just recently bought a 01 4runner with 75k on it. This forum inspired me to buy a runner because of the endless mods and the clean look of the 3rd generation. My question is where the heck to I start with my build? I don't know to much about cars/trucks and I need some help starting my build.. thanks guys!

The first thing you need to do is figure out what you want to do with it? Are you going to wheel it? Mall crawler? Expo? Start there, then we can help you spend money.:bravo:

 

[tee-bone]

Start by reading all the stickies, perhaps? Subscribe to all the stuff that seems important. There are a new things that you'll need to do. The rest all depends on how you want to use your 'runner.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Get rid of the running boards first off. All that requires is to be able to turn a wrench.


Blue

 

[FJ4Runner]

just bought mine too. personally doing lift>tires/wheels>air lockers>bumpers/sliders>winch>brakes.

same order i build my FJ60 Land Cruiser (minus the lockers).

 

[JayBluShu]

ha there we go, mainly wanna be able to drive in snow all terrain take it places crawl...

 

[JayBluShu]

Start by reading all the stickies, perhaps? Subscribe to all the stuff that seems important. There are a new things that you'll need to do. The rest all depends on how you want to use your 'runner.

Stickies?

 

[JayBluShu]

My next question would be if plan on getting coils that are needed for extra weight front and rear, can I run the lift with my stock bumpers on until I can buy new steel bumpers front and back? Would it be bad without the extra weight?

 

[Christiantdoug]

My next question would be if plan on getting coils that are needed for extra weight front and rear, can I run the lift with my stock bumpers on until I can buy new steel bumpers front and back? Would it be bad without the extra weight?

No the stiffer coils for larger loads would not be bad with stock bumpers. Some people say the ride is a substantialy stiffer ride. But I vote its just right. I'm running OME883 up front and OME891 in the rear and it's perfect. I've seen people on here say that the 883's don't ride good unless go have a front bumper/Winch combo, but like I said its fine with stock bumper. Its just not a plush luxurious ride. I got them in preperation of eventually getting a bumper winch combo.

 

[JayRolla]

If you go with heavy coils its fine on the road. Its when you hit the dirt road that is wash boarded out. The stiff coils ride like crap on that wash board and you back end likes too kick out. I will go cruising on the washboard with my buddys and they are doing like 25-20mph because its dangerous while im cruising 40mph no problem.

 

[JayBluShu]

If you go with heavy coils its fine on the road. Its when you hit the dirt road that is wash boarded out. The stiff coils ride like crap on that wash board and you back end likes too kick out. I will go cruising on the washboard with my buddys and they are doing like 25-20mph because its dangerous while im cruising 40mph no problem.

Okay so would stiffer coils be bad for snowy conditions? Also would it be dangerous on a washboarded road with the aftermarket bumpers assuming that it would 'loosin' up the coils a bit? What do you have that you are safely able to drive 40mph?

 

[JayRolla]

Okay so would stiffer coils be bad for snowy conditions? Also would it be dangerous on a washboarded road with the aftermarket bumpers assuming that it would 'loosin' up the coils a bit? What do you have that you are safely able to drive 40mph?

No coils wont make road driving really any more dangerous, snow, sleet or rain. The only time they get scary is on the washboard the truck drives really loose like when your shocks are bad.

Yes the heavy coils will ride good if you add the correct amount of weight like bumpers and winch. Like the others stated you can drive with the heavy coils without weight and get away with it.

I was in your same situation and was going to get heavy coils but after already having previous trucks with heavy coils and no weight I decided not to get them since I was NOT able to afford bumpers yet. Since I know it was going to be 2 years maybe longer without bumpers I went with soft coils.

I also have decided on the lighter weight tube bumpers instead of the full steel ones so when I do add them the suspension might handle it. I will buy new heavy coils for front which are only $180, sell my old ones for $100 which leaves me $80 down which aint bad since I can swap them easily. For the rear I will purchase an in coil air bag setup about $100 which will stiffen up the spring and are awesome when you load the back, you can pump them up so your rear dont sag.

IMO the lc coils are best in the rear. The flex the best, they handle all road and dirt roads with ease but are a little soft, but the air bags fix that right up.

 

[blue dog]

2wd or 4wd ? v6 ? Personally, i would start here. TruckNutz - The Ultimate Truck Accessory™

Then wheels tires and suspension.

1996-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,275.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
Happy with sonoran steel, rides great

01 with 75k on the clock is a score

 

[downpour11]

^^^^ good call :lmao:

 

[OffRoadGuy]

Tundra brakes - You'll need the stopping power once you start adding modifications. I'm very pleased with mine. Especially with emergency stops.

 

[afg10000]

No coils wont make road driving really any more dangerous, snow, sleet or rain. The only time they get scary is on the washboard the truck drives really loose like when your shocks are bad.

Yes the heavy coils will ride good if you add the correct amount of weight like bumpers and winch. Like the others stated you can drive with the heavy coils without weight and get away with it.

I was in your same situation and was going to get heavy coils but after already having previous trucks with heavy coils and no weight I decided not to get them since I was NOT able to afford bumpers yet. Since I know it was going to be 2 years maybe longer without bumpers I went with soft coils.

I also have decided on the lighter weight tube bumpers instead of the full steel ones so when I do add them the suspension might handle it. I will buy new heavy coils for front which are only $180, sell my old ones for $100 which leaves me $80 down which aint bad since I can swap them easily. For the rear I will purchase an in coil air bag setup about $100 which will stiffen up the spring and are awesome when you load the back, you can pump them up so your rear dont sag.

IMO the lc coils are best in the rear. The flex the best, they handle all road and dirt roads with ease but are a little soft, but the air bags fix that right up.

Hey, Rolla -gotta ask your opinion on the stiffer ride. I gots the OME 890's on the rear with the Bilsteins and I quite like it. Even on bumpier stuff, washboards, railroad tracks and the almost Detroit like potholes of Omaha. At some point I may put the aftermarket bumpers and what not, but not concerned right now. And to the OP, good tires will dissolve any worries about snow. Anyway, most folks say them LC coils are soft and bouncy. Not what I want when I have to drive 600 miles to the mountains. Just curious on your setup opinions regarding this -

 

[JayRolla]

Hey, Rolla -gotta ask your opinion on the stiffer ride. I gots the OME 890's on the rear with the Bilsteins and I quite like it. Even on bumpier stuff, washboards, railroad tracks and the almost Detroit like potholes of Omaha. At some point I may put the aftermarket bumpers and what not, but not concerned right now. And to the OP, good tires will dissolve any worries about snow. Anyway, most folks say them LC coils are soft and bouncy. Not what I want when I have to drive 600 miles to the mountains. Just curious on your setup opinions regarding this -

On stock bumpers they are fine. Loaded down its a little soft but not bad at all. Im guessing with bumper and loaded it would be real bouncy. Thats whey you get some in coil air bags for about $100 and a small compressor. Keep them pumped up on the road and deflate when offroading. My LC's outflex my buddys ome's by a long shot and I have my rear sway bar connected.

 

[JayBluShu]

2wd or 4wd ? v6 ? Personally, i would start here. TruckNutz - The Ultimate Truck Accessory™

Then wheels tires and suspension.

1996-2002 - System 1.2 - $1,275.00 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts
Happy with sonoran steel, rides great

01 with 75k on the clock is a score

4WD V6
Damn if that's the list of part you getting with ordering that Im probably going to pull the trig.. Do you have any pics of your set? How high does the rear sit? would I need to get some kind of leveling kit?

 

[JayBluShu]

No coils wont make road driving really any more dangerous, snow, sleet or rain. The only time they get scary is on the washboard the truck drives really loose like when your shocks are bad.

Yes the heavy coils will ride good if you add the correct amount of weight like bumpers and winch. Like the others stated you can drive with the heavy coils without weight and get away with it.

I was in your same situation and was going to get heavy coils but after already having previous trucks with heavy coils and no weight I decided not to get them since I was NOT able to afford bumpers yet. Since I know it was going to be 2 years maybe longer without bumpers I went with soft coils.

I also have decided on the lighter weight tube bumpers instead of the full steel ones so when I do add them the suspension might handle it. I will buy new heavy coils for front which are only $180, sell my old ones for $100 which leaves me $80 down which aint bad since I can swap them easily. For the rear I will purchase an in coil air bag setup about $100 which will stiffen up the spring and are awesome when you load the back, you can pump them up so your rear dont sag.

IMO the lc coils are best in the rear. The flex the best, they handle all road and dirt roads with ease but are a little soft, but the air bags fix that right up.

Thanks for all your input, much appreciated. I will definitely have to keep all of that in mind. Might be a cheaper route I have some researching to do.

 

[blue dog]

4WD V6
Damn if that's the list of part you getting with ordering that Im probably going to pull the trig.. Do you have any pics of your set? How high does the rear sit? would I need to get some kind of leveling kit?

Just a few pics. Sonoran steel is a great kit, drives very nice on the road, is ok for off road but not for pounding the desert like a race car. I replaced my rear bilsteins with the landcruiser 80 tokkico trekmaster shocks and like them better, they let you carry a bit more weight and and handle the off road stuff better. My rig has 270,000 miles on it , and it has more baja miles on it then most, still runs and drives excellent. Trying to make it to 300,000 miles before i replace her for some silly reason. Can not go wrong with the sonoran steel kit, good bang for the buck.