What would you do with 4k

[NDMORETIME]

I was hoping that you guys might be able to give me some ideas for upgrades. In the near future I am hoping to do some mods to my 4runner and was curious what you guys would do? I currently have a 98 V6 4runner with about 4inches of lift via a suspension and body lift. I have stubbs sliders and bud built skids as well and am sitting on 285/75/16 A/T.

Ideas:

1. I was considering doing a ARB in the rear and installing a new rear custom bumper with tire carrier and dual fuel can holder. Depending on money once that is done I would like to install new front bumper and winch.

or

2. Installing ARB's in the front and rear as well as re-gearing to 4.88's and buying a new set of 315/75/16.

I am more interested in doing trails that rate a 3 to 4 on a scale of 5. I am also concerned about gas just due the fact that I don't see it going down anytime soon. I would appreciate any opinions you guys might have as to what might be my best options.

thanks
eron

 

[mountainpete]

Personally I would go with option #1. The combination of a good locker and front/rear protection will get you in and out again.

Whatever you do, save at least $500 for fuel for a nice trip afterwards!

Pete

 

[Clutch]

I would pull out the body lift, they'll act like hole punches when you get to harder trails. Plus it increases your center of gravity.

What suspension are you running now? I know body lifts are either 2 or 3", are you using spacers for the suspnsion lift? I can't remember what style of front suspension is on a 98 4Runner, is it coil over or torsion bar?

I would throw my money at quality suspension first.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

What is the intended use of the truck?

 

[CA-RJ]

Both options will hurt your fuel mileage. You're adding weight either way. I personally think 315's are too big for the IFS front end, so I would stay away from that. I would do the 4.88's and add ARB's though. I would think you could do 4.88's/ARB's front and rear and get a rear bumper for $4,000.

If you're looking for better mileage, maybe you could take out the body lift, get a set of 265/75/16's, add the ARB's and rear bumper.

 

[Westy]

What kind of suspension are you running?

Are you familiar with the products Sonoran Steel offers for your model of 4runner?

www.sonoransteel.com

I have several friends who run Steve's setups and they work great on and offroad without exceeding the limits of the vehicle or causing other side affects.

Combined with F/R lockers and body armor you would be amazed the versatility of the 4runner, and even more impressed with the capability. 285s are plenty of tire for most stuff. I'd go with the 255s, get the height without the unecessary width.

If you have a 5spd, then consider adding a crawler box or 4.7 gears to the Tcase.

 

[NDMORETIME]

I am currently running a sonoran steel #1 kit and a 2in RB body lift. I would probably remove the body lift if I could but since my sliders are welded to my frame I would have to grind them off and then find someone to re-weld them for me once the body was dropped back down.

I realize the weight of the new rear bumper would be substantial but I dont like having my spare inside the cab or in my roof basket. Besides my hi-lift needs a new home as well as the two fuel cans. I figure the back is better designed to carry the weight than up on top.

I would like this to be set up to handle mostly overland travel with the occasional escape into the rocks should I feel up to it. I have not had much opportunity to check out its capabilities due to the 70 hour work weeks but I am hoping to change that now that I have cut my hours back at one of my jobs.

The crawler box would be a thought but I don't know how much I would have to pay someone to install it for me. I don't currently have the know how to do an install of that magnitude.

thanks for the ideas and keep them coming. I enjoy hearing ideas from others who know more about this stuff than me.

 

[Clutch]

Have you checked out TTORA? There is an AZ section. There are plenty of guys more than willing to help with welding and such.

A wealth of knowledge over there.

 

[Jacket]

I'd veer toward option 1 as well. OBA + rear locker is a great setup. Rear protection for that *****-end of your Runner - I can relate to that need! And then protect your front end with any money left over. Seems like a solid plan, and a good plan for a multi-use travel vehicle. And I guess you could go ahead and plumb the system for anticipation of a future front locker for minimal additional cost.

If your intentions are more toward rocks and harder trails, with limited travel duty, then maybe the 35's and dual lockers would be better. But I regret my decision to put off getting rear protection on my Tacoma - I'd move that way up on my priority list if I did it all again.

 

[NDMORETIME]

i will have to check out ttora and see if I can get anyone interested in welding them on should I go through the effort and labor of removing them. How much less air drag would there be between a 2in and 1in body lift? I currently get about 14 mpg in town and as long as I keep it at 65 on the highway I get around 18. I got around 20 mpg once but that was on mostly flat land.

Anyone in AZ know of any good reputable shop to weld up a rear bumper. I got a quote of between 1200-1800 from a very good shop in town that builds rock buggies but that is the only place I have checked out. It was recommended by Steve at Sonoransteel. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

eron

 

[Scott Brady]

What would you do with 4k?

Leave your truck alone and take an awesome trip with the 4k

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

If you search you can do a TRD e locker a lot cheaper, I have found complete used diffs for as little as $275 before. In the lst month I found them for $450 shipped via car-part.com. Then leave the tires, and figure out how badly you want the rear bumper and if its worth it. Then you get the locker, that will offer the best bang for the buck. If concerned about gas mileage then avoid the tires if only doing 3-4 trails. You can do 3-4 easily with what you have and a locker. I have run 35's before and plan on on one of my vehicles but I am also very pleased with the 32" tires I am running currently. I just wish I had that rear locker So a combo of lots of advice here, install the locker with a friend, should take a day or two. You can probably even get a little $$ from your old diff. And take the trip

 

[toy_tek]

I was hoping that you guys might be able to give me some ideas for upgrades. In the near future I am hoping to do some mods to my 4runner and was curious what you guys would do? I currently have a 98 V6 4runner with about 4inches of lift via a suspension and body lift. I have stubbs sliders and bud built skids as well and am sitting on 285/75/16 A/T.

Ideas:

1. I was considering doing a ARB in the rear and installing a new rear custom bumper with tire carrier and dual fuel can holder. Depending on money once that is done I would like to install new front bumper and winch.

or

2. Installing ARB's in the front and rear as well as re-gearing to 4.88's and buying a new set of 315/75/16.

I am more interested in doing trails that rate a 3 to 4 on a scale of 5. I am also concerned about gas just due the fact that I don't see it going down anytime soon. I would appreciate any opinions you guys might have as to what might be my best options.

I could have signed my name to your post just one year ago (minus the body lift).

From what my truck has been capable of since the ARB's and regearing, I'd say go with #2, but skip the 315 tires. Figure the tires at around a grand and get a rear bumper/tire carrier instead. The rear protection gained by a quality bumper is paramount with these trucks on a 3/4 rated trail. The 315's will just contribute to additional axle problems, not worth a tradeoff in minimal clearance gains (my opinion, of course). But, I'd forget about great gas mileage. I average 15-17 depending on load/speed. As far as body lift, personally I'm not a fan and don't feel (in my configuration) it would gain any advantage.

I, too, considered adding jerry cans to the tire carrier. After witnessing mine shake rattle and roll with just a tire and hi-lift, I've reconsidered the cans. What I am planning to do, however, is eventually fab a custom fuel tank that will sit where the spare tire originally did. Figured I can get roughly 17 gallons under there. Couple advantages: more fuel, lower CG, use the wasted space, won't break the tire carrier as easy. You might be interested in an aux tank as well... someday SOAZ and I will make it happen.

What part of Mesa are you? Just wondering if I've seen your truck around.

 

[Nullifier]

knowing what I know now do not go any bigger. Infact ditch the bl and get your sliders reinstalled.

I would add front and rear bumper. Go as light as possible on these. and a winch. THen slap in some nice camping upgrades like an engel or dual batts etc. I went alot of places without lockers. Yea I pulled cable a little but so what.

 

[NDMORETIME]

i will have to check out buying a used axle with locker. my only concern would be if it works correctly. Those E-lockers are expensive to replace. Anybody have any history with junkyard axles they would like to share. This could save me a good chunk of change.