Extreme Terrain
4x4Wire Trail Talk Forums: Jeep, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Pajero, Isuzu, Kia, 4WD, 4x4, SUV, Off-Road and OutdoorWire Forums


Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
4runner #689396 01/25/06 01:39 AM
Anonymous
Unregistered
I am new to this forum and I am buying a 2002 4-runner to go wheeling in. What are some cheap mods to get it trail ready? I'm not afraid to trim the fenders to fit a larger tire. What is the largest tire I can fit that way. Also, I heard there is an easy way to lift it 3" with the torsion bars?
I have a 72' Bronco that is slowly turning into a show truck, and I'm getting the 4-runner to scratch my off-road itch. Thanks for the help, Craig

Re: 4runner #689397 01/25/06 03:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,595
Adam F Offline
Forum Moderator
Welcome to the forum.

The best mod by far is a locking rear differential. There are many options to choose from, from fulltime locking diff to a selectable manual locker.

FYI a 02 4Runner does not have torsion bars. You have a coilover shock/spring instead. You will want to keep the lift under about 2.5", otherwise you will max out your ball joints. I'd suggest a differential drop at the same time you do the lift to relieve your CV boots to make them last longer. I'd go with a cornfed spacer lift if you want cheap and easy. Otherwise, go with some OME (Old Man Emu, from ARB) springs and shocks.


88 4R, 350 V8, R150 5 speed Sold <...uot; />
97 4R, stock, daily driver
98 Sienna, kid and dog hauler, wife's ride
Re: 4runner [Re: Adam F] #689398 01/25/06 04:28 AM
Anonymous
Unregistered
Quote
Welcome to the forum.

The best mod by far is a locking rear differential. There are many options to choose from, from fulltime locking diff to a selectable manual locker.

FYI a 02 4Runner does not have torsion bars. You have a coilover shock/spring instead. You will want to keep the lift under about 2.5", otherwise you will max out your ball joints. I'd suggest a differential drop at the same time you do the lift to relieve your CV boots to make them last longer. I'd go with a cornfed spacer lift if you want cheap and easy. Otherwise, go with some OME (Old Man Emu, from ARB) springs and shocks.


Do you have any info on the cornfed spacers lift? I just want to go cheap... What about the tire size also. Thanks for your help. Craig

Re: 4runner #689399 01/25/06 03:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11
T
themainjam Offline
Need a Spot
There is some very good information about different lift options here: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/suspension/

a review about the spacers found here: http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/tech/suspension/phil.htm
"On-road this setup is pretty good but it has stiffened up the truck a bit too much. You do feel the bumps. Off-road the added height helps along with the 33" tires. Articulation is very limited. Stiffness and lack of articulation is due to the spacer/spring combo, too much preload of the progressive rate springs."

He fit 285/75/R16 with the 1.5" spacers. it is definitely the cheapest way to go.

Re: 4runner [Re: themainjam] #689400 01/25/06 08:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,595
Adam F Offline
Forum Moderator
Phil had the spacers combined with the progressive springs, which is a no no. This combo will significantly stiffen the ride.

If you put spacers on STOCK springs, you will retain the factory ride.

The cornfed website is here http://www.cornfedsuspension.com/

285/75/16 is the ideal tire.


88 4R, 350 V8, R150 5 speed Sold <...uot; />
97 4R, stock, daily driver
98 Sienna, kid and dog hauler, wife's ride
Re: 4runner [Re: Adam F] #689401 01/26/06 12:41 AM
Anonymous
Unregistered
Thanks for the help, I'll look into the lift. I appreciate the suggestions. Also what are some other good 4runner forums on the web. Thanks, Craig

Re: 4runner #689402 01/26/06 12:56 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,595
Adam F Offline
Forum Moderator


88 4R, 350 V8, R150 5 speed Sold <...uot; />
97 4R, stock, daily driver
98 Sienna, kid and dog hauler, wife's ride

Moderated by  4x4Wire, Adam F, Dandeman, kewlynx 







4x4Wire Social:

| 4x4Wire on FaceBook |


OutdoorWire, 4x4Wire, JeepWire, TrailTalk, MUIRNet-News, and 4x4Voice are all trademarks and publications of OutdoorWire, Inc. and MUIRNet Consulting.
Copyright (c) 1999-2019 OutdoorWire, Inc and MUIRNet Consulting - All Rights Reserved, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without express written permission
You may link freely to this site, but no further use is allowed without the express written permission of the owner of this material.
All corporate trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3
(Release build 20190728)
PHP: 7.4.33 Page Time: 0.006s Queries: 15 (0.004s) Memory: 0.6119 MB (Peak: 0.7030 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2026-06-17 15:18:59 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS