4th Generation 4Runner. Getting back into the fray

[ebg18t]

I recently bought an 04 V6 SR5 with 132k and love it! My only minor gripe is not being able to turn off the VSC without being in 4wd w/ the center diff locked, but thats minor. I love the mileage, the comfort, the capability, etc. Im looking to do a mild lift, and some larger tires but am afraid of ruining my mpgs. I currently get about 17 city and 20+ hwy, but im concerned about what would happen with either 265/75 or 285/75 on there. Definitely a great vehicle though, I had a 99 Tacoma for many years and loved it. This feels equally as strong, but more smooth and...dare i say, refined

I have 3" of lift with the 255-75-17 and lost very little mpg. Keep an eye on tire weight but I think the pizza cutter 255's help with maintaining decent mpg. I still average mid 17mpg with the Baja rack for mixed driving. Don't have any recent hwy trips to compare with though.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I recently bought an 04 V6 SR5 with 132k and love it! My only minor gripe is not being able to turn off the VSC without being in 4wd w/ the center diff locked, but thats minor. I love the mileage, the comfort, the capability, etc. Im looking to do a mild lift, and some larger tires but am afraid of ruining my mpgs. I currently get about 17 city and 20+ hwy, but im concerned about what would happen with either 265/75 or 285/75 on there. Definitely a great vehicle though, I had a 99 Tacoma for many years and loved it. This feels equally as strong, but more smooth and...dare i say, refined

Assuming you are on stock 265/70/16s (that's what my '07 has), going to 265/75 shouldn't make a bit of difference. 265/70 has a nominal diameter of 30.6", while 265/75 has a nominal diameter of 31.6". Being 1" bigger in diameter means 1/2" in radius - that's not enough to make any kind of real difference in MPG.

Now, 285/75's are almost 33" in diameter - I would imagine you'd feel some difference with that tire.

If you want even less weight but a taller tire you could also go to a 235/85/16. I had that tire size on my 04 Tacoma and it worked great. The "pizza cutter" might look a little strange under those big fenders that the 4th gens have but in terms of performance you probably wouldn't know the difference. Nominal diameter of a 235/85/16 is about the same as a 265/75/16, about 31.6".

 

[p nut]

Assuming you are on stock 265/70/16s (that's what my '07 has), going to 265/75 shouldn't make a bit of difference. 265/70 has a nominal diameter of 30.6", while 265/75 has a nominal diameter of 31.6". Being 1" bigger in diameter means 1/2" in radius - that's not enough to make any kind of real difference in MPG.

I'm going to go ahead and disagree 100% with this statement. While it is true that there is not that much change in overall tire size, weight changes dramatically, as you're usually going from a P-rated tire to LT. Usually adds 10-20 lbs PER wheel. This usually translates into ~10% MPG loss, which I've noticed on both 4Runners and Tacomas I've owned.

If you want even less weight but a taller tire you could also go to a 235/85/16. I had that tire size on my 04 Tacoma and it worked great. The "pizza cutter" might look a little strange under those big fenders that the 4th gens have but in terms of performance you probably wouldn't know the difference. Nominal diameter of a 235/85/16 is about the same as a 265/75/16, about 31.6".

My personal experience, but I did not like the 235's. On-road and off-road performance was not that great. Off-camber sections on and off-road were sketchy due to the lack of lateral grip of these tires. They were a little lighter, but the MPG stayed the same as 265/75/16's (both were BFG KO's). Only reason to go with these tires is if you're strapped for cash.

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

I have 3" of lift with the 255-75-17 and lost very little mpg. Keep an eye on tire weight but I think the pizza cutter 255's help with maintaining decent mpg. I still average mid 17mpg with the Baja rack for mixed driving. Don't have any recent hwy trips to compare with though.

I dont want to sidetrack this thread but would you mind PMing me some pics and a description of your lift/tire/wheel setup. Id love to fit 255s on it, but a lot of what I have read say there are major rubbing issues. I had 33x10.50r15 on my Tacoma and really like the tall, skinny

 

[dsrtdcab]

After having the truck for about a week now, I will say that I am still truly impressed by the quality of the Toyota's vs the Subuaru. Not to say that the Sub was a POS, but @ 35k, it was by no means as tight as what I would've expected. On to the things that matter! Mods- The intent of this truck is to maintain it as a DD but have the ability to take me camping etc with my son, and of course do it on the cheap. I will get the normal skids, sliders, etc. I am open to suggestions there, though they are a ways off at this point. I ran the Richochet on the FJ and was very impressed with the company and products. I had previously installed LED's in my FJ and loved the amount of light they threw. What are people running and where are you buying them? I am looking for at least the 3 over head lights. Any other suggestions for a "I did this first to my truck"? I will also be builidng a platform with draws at some point.

Nick

 

[jnelson4x4taco]

After having the truck for about a week now, I will say that I am still truly impressed by the quality of the Toyota's vs the Subuaru. Not to say that the Sub was a POS, but @ 35k, it was by no means as tight as what I would've expected. On to the things that matter! Mods- The intent of this truck is to maintain it as a DD but have the ability to take me camping etc with my son, and of course do it on the cheap. I will get the normal skids, sliders, etc. I am open to suggestions there, though they are a ways off at this point. I ran the Richochet on the FJ and was very impressed with the company and products. I had previously installed LED's in my FJ and loved the amount of light they threw. What are people running and where are you buying them? I am looking for at least the 3 over head lights. Any other suggestions for a "I did this first to my truck"? I will also be builidng a platform with draws at some point.

Nick

I'm in the same boat. Ive had my 04 for a few months and am looking for good recommendations for first mods. I remember coming across a full LED interior kit for around $50 somewhere, but lost the link, maybe someone can chime in on that one. Ill be watching this closely. Oh, and congrats on the new Runner, you will love it!

 

[p nut]

I'm in the same boat. Ive had my 04 for a few months and am looking for good recommendations for first mods. I remember coming across a full LED interior kit for around $50 somewhere, but lost the link, maybe someone can chime in on that one. Ill be watching this closely. Oh, and congrats on the new Runner, you will love it!

http://www.pfranleds.com/4runner-interior-kit-4th-gen/

 

[dsrtdcab]

Thanks P Nut. I have heard good things about those kits.

 

[dsrtdcab]

Update

Stardate April 8th, 2013.
Purchased factory all weather floor mats, all 4. Toyota's overly cautious with the drivers side, it is a solid 5" shorter than I remeber any factory mat being. I can only assume it has to do with the stuck accelorator "recall"
Purchased the $25 interior LED light kit. Had them in my FJ, missed the lighting they offered. Hopefully the quality is good. Over on T4R, they seem to get good reviews.
Greased the drive shafts, all 6. By no means as difficult as some made it seem, again, thanks T4R.
Mounted Level 8 Motorsports flat bronze wheels, got them for a song on CL. Hated the centercaps, so they are off. My factory 17's and TPMS units are for sale...

Next step will be sorting out the rear cargo, most likely removing the double decker storage limiting device. Also need to see how the cooler fits on the drivers side rear seat position. In the FJ, there were a couple easy tie down points. After that, will be the roof rack. I have the factory sport style, but I am looking more for a flat rack that could mount directly in between the factory rails, or mount to the existing roof mounts. Either way is custom I am sure. But I dont want to add to the height for visual, noise and COG reasons. It won't be much more than camping gear, tent, chairs etc.

Nick

 

[VisualUniverse]

Chiming in on the tire discussion, when I decided to turn my '07 V8 4R into an off-road vehicle, I went from the stock light trail P tire to BFG LT A/T 275/70 17. That was a 22 lbs increase for each tire. My hwy mileage dropped from 19 to 15 mpg. I have considered going to a 285/70 17 tire that has tougher tread than the A/T.

 

[shmabs]

Roof Rack

I'm thinking something like this would be what you are after for you roof rack?

Mike

 

[dsrtdcab]

I'm thinking something like this would be what you are after for you roof rack?

Mike

I don't like your tone. And yes, you know that is what I am looking for. Only thing I would add is more surface area to be able to throw anything up there. The center section of the rack looks dang close to your roof. How much clearance you have there?

Nick

 

[shmabs]

Clearance? I don't need clearance!

Seriously though, its about 1/4 inch. Design flaw on my part, i accounted for the curvature of the roof perpendicular to the rails, but not parallel. If it should hit the roof is VERY flexible in that area. I (all 125 lbs) stood on the rack at that node prior to it being mounted and saw very little deflection, I will load test it again now that its mounted.

Regarding flat storage; I originally planned on sinking a bunch of 1/4 20 nuts into the perimter tubes, but after the nightmare of a time I had with the two that will be used to mount my shovel I gave up (stupid 110 mig welder, I should have just TIG'd them). My solution to this now is more of a wait and see approach, if I find myself needing a larger flat surface I have a good stock of stainless 1/4 20 threaded inserts, or nut-serts, that I have used with great success in the past. They can be a PITA to mount, but end up very secure.

In the event that I dont want to do that, I have considered cutting a "base" panel out of wood or composite material about the size of the roof rack and using it in the bottom of the large soft cargo bag that i have. The bag will then get placed on the rack, the bottom panel inserted and the bag loaded and secured down. That is not a be all end all solution, but if it should prove insufficient, I will either revisit sinking some nuts in the tube or the nut-sert idea. I need to look at a stock roof rack on a 4th gen and see if a similar style rack would be possible.

Mike

 

[Martinjmpr]

Chiming in on the tire discussion, when I decided to turn my '07 V8 4R into an off-road vehicle, I went from the stock light trail P tire to BFG LT A/T 275/70 17. That was a 22 lbs increase for each tire. My hwy mileage dropped from 19 to 15 mpg. I have considered going to a 285/70 17 tire that has tougher tread than the A/T.

Did you correct your calculation for the bigger tires? Your MPG might not have dropped as much as you think.

 

[dsrtdcab]

Clearance? I don't need clearance!

Seriously though, its about 1/4 inch. Design flaw on my part, i accounted for the curvature of the roof perpendicular to the rails, but not parallel. If it should hit the roof is VERY flexible in that area. I (all 125 lbs) stood on the rack at that node prior to it being mounted and saw very little deflection, I will load test it again now that its mounted.

Regarding flat storage; I originally planned on sinking a bunch of 1/4 20 nuts into the perimter tubes, but after the nightmare of a time I had with the two that will be used to mount my shovel I gave up (stupid 110 mig welder, I should have just TIG'd them). My solution to this now is more of a wait and see approach, if I find myself needing a larger flat surface I have a good stock of stainless 1/4 20 threaded inserts, or nut-serts, that I have used with great success in the past. They can be a PITA to mount, but end up very secure.

In the event that I dont want to do that, I have considered cutting a "base" panel out of wood or composite material about the size of the roof rack and using it in the bottom of the large soft cargo bag that i have. The bag will then get placed on the rack, the bottom panel inserted and the bag loaded and secured down. That is not a be all end all solution, but if it should prove insufficient, I will either revisit sinking some nuts in the tube or the nut-sert idea. I need to look at a stock roof rack on a 4th gen and see if a similar style rack would be possible.

Mike

Anything is possible! haha. I would really like to get/make something that would give me some flat space up there between the factory rails. I am not opposed to something removable that "clamps" to the existing tubes. I am still deeply intrigued by the somewhat famous ATV ramp racks.
Hoping to get the LED's put in tonight, should be a quick install.

I am with Martin on the 19 to 15mpg drop, seems like something is missing there.

Nick