Opinion on order of upgrades

[aaronrules]

Okay, so I am going to buy either a 4Runner from someone on this forum, or a 2004 LC that is loaded, but bone stock. My question is, what order of upgrades would you guys go with for a daily driver LC that will haul me, the wife, a 7 year old, and a 5 month? It will take us camping/fishing/hiking with more backroads/dirtroads than trailblazing over boulders. The plan is to immediatly remove the running boards. I was thinking lift and at least tires if not wheels and tires. This rig is going to be more DD than crazy offroader, but I want it to be very capable off road. Roof rack and rear spare tire carrier will happen also, if I can find one that doesn't get in the way of the reverse camera.

Just looking for ideas on what order to go with the upgrades, and maybe ideas on brands of certain equipment.

Any info will be greatly appreciated guys!
Thanks

 

[zimm]

doesnt sound like you need to do anything.

 

[jham]

doesnt sound like you need to do anything.

this. Save your money until you have made at least one trip. It's silly to spend $ on upgrades before you know the vehicle and it's capabilities and fitment to your need. My suggestion:

1) Get the vehicle. 4runners and LCs are different, no need to plan upgrades before you know the platform.
2) Take a trip. Observe it's strengths and weaknesses. Also your driving style.
3) Assess priority upgrades. Tires always slipping? Upgrade to an AT. Dragging the underbody or scraping the sills? Start researching lifts and/or sliders. Does it ride terrible loaded with family and gear? Again, research lifts. Find yourself always nervous about bumping a tree or rock? Research bumpers.

In my opinion, this is the best way to not waste money on bozo upgrades. I've seen many winches mounted un-used for years, MTs that see 95% interstate, etc. You might even find out the driving setup works stock and want to put money into interior/exterior camping comforts. Either way, best of luck and good on you for getting the kids off the couch!

 

[ddog45]

I did the ibs dual battery setup first. Wives and kids hate it when the car wont start because you wanted your favorite song on while eating lunch and enjoying the day in the middle of nowhere.

 

[86tuning]

running boards are super handy for kids.

if you want armour you can always do the slider-step thing.

And definately don't mod before you go on a single trip.

 

[Sawyer]

I think most have hit the nail on the head.... find what doesnt work then fix it. But, I f I were to do a list of items in order it would look something like this:

• Tires
• Sliders
• Lift
• Dual Battery
• Fridge
• Front Bumper
• Rear Bumper
• Skid plates
• Roof Rack
• Accessories (lockers, headers, drawers, etc.)

There are a ton more things you could do... But that would be my starting list.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Obviously the want, need and priority for upgrades will vary as much as their owners... I did a tech article on the subject a few years back and in my experience it generally rolls like this:

Typical Modification Priority List Overview:
1. Suspension (to accommodate desired tire size)
2. Protection
Bumpers
Sliders/Steps
3. Engine & Drivetrain Modifications & Accessories
Snorkels
Axle & Differential Upgrades
Lockers
Gearing
Axle & Drive Shafts
4. Accessories
Auxiliary Lighting
Headlight Upgrades
Additional Lights
Recovery
Basic Recovery Gear
Winch
Winch Recovery Gear
On-Board Utilities
Air/CO2
Hot Water (Shower Systems)
Welder Systems
Dual Battery Systems & Solar Charging Setups
Roof Top
Cargo Racks
Rooftop Tents & Awnings
Interior
Freezer/Fridge Units
Drawers/Storage
Communications/Navigation


We have 80's in the shop on a weekly basis, its my experience that the #1 mod is suspension, followed by a front bumper. From there the priorities scatter a bit.

 

[zimm]

id say thats typically the way people actually do it, but the suspension ought to be last if the individual actually has thee intent of doing all of this.

 

[kletzenklueffer]

I've had from very capable stock vehicles (82 toyota 4x4 LWB) to built up vehicles (lifted 82 Toyota, lifted CJ7, lifted, locked FJ80). I look at the beginning of offroading as a progressively more challenging evolution. First you find a dirt road, it leads to a rough trail, which leads to obstacles. I've managed to get my 82 Toyota through a lot.... and also spent some hours trying to get it out of some places. Lifts, lockers and tires can get you IN and sometimes THROUGH and often OUT, but usually it's just further IN. Only recovery gear is to get you out of what you got yourself in to. I avoided much because I wasn't sre I could get through and didn't or couldn't afford to get stuck. Now that I have a winch and recovery gear, I find I go further since I have a way out bolted to the front.

some argue that a winch is so seldom used that it isn't worth the expense, but if you DD your rig and put $1K into suspension and another $1K in tires, you're not really using those components until you hit the hard spots on the trail (being that your stock vehicle could have managed much of what you expose it to).