twitchee2

I am about to turn 18 here and go off the college (Chico St). I currently drive a '96 sr5 v6 that has ~225,000 miles, it was a grocery getter and kid hauler for 210,000 of that and has been well maintained the thing is mechanically sound. I personally have had my heart set on a 4th gen but there is no way I would be able to even come close to splitting that with my parents as i do want to pay for what ever i get. Then i started looking around at 98-00 runners to see what was out there and price ranges. On the drive home from school today, it kind of hit me. Up in the Chico area, i would really like to go camping and find some trails have have a good time. I have been reading long enough to realize that 3rd gens with locked rears are VERY capable. I want to start looking at what i could do to my truck, I'm not really sure what i want to do with it. I personally don't really like pre-runned trucks so i don't think i want to go that route.

I was thinking maybe a 3" lift (the current shocks have seen better days so they will need to be replaced soon anyway), maybe some 285s, gears and a locker, possible a bumper and sliders and i think that would be a very good start. I need some suggestions on this and i would like to see what this would cost because i think it would be a much better option rather then getting a while new(er) truck.

Thanks for any and all suggestions
Eric


Edit: should probably mention this is the model with the 225 tires

1989toy4wd

Most of my freinds have 2wd and they all go fourwheeling with me. So I wouldnt worry about that, a good rule of thumb is: An excellent driver can do the same in a locked 2wd as an okay driver can do in a 4wd(unlocked). Sounds like you have a plan too!! I wish I could afford a locker (or lockers )

Ill tell you what, put the locker in there, with stock height and wheel it like that, you will be surprised what it can do!

1989toy4wd

Cost: locker $1000, bumpers/sliders $1500, tires $1200, out wheeling 4wds with a 2wd runner...priceless!

One_96TR4

If you want to look into lifts check out Sonoransteel.com. Steve has complete kits with everything you need to lift it right.

BayArea111

Hey Twitchee I too am goin to Chico State next year. I too have been workin on getting my 99 2wd to be trail ready. We should hit up the dirt next year.

Doug

Edit: Would have called you Eric if I would have finished reading lol.

twitchee2

Thanks guys. For lifts, ill check out that sonoransteel.com and see what i find. What else do you suggest? OME?

As for gears/lockers, What should i be looking for and what companies? I *think* i need to look for a 4.88s correct?

Thanks.

twitchee2

Well i wont need to be purchasing sliders for this. My friends dad would be more then willing to make me some. so that will cut the costs which is good.

Are the 4wd lifts compatible with 2wd. im guessing they would be.

twitchee2

Well i was looking around and saw a 2wd with 285s and i didn't like the look of it, it was too much. I'm thinking maybe i should think about 265/75/17's, that seems more realistic to me anyway. Then it comes to gearing, I was reading that the 4.88s were way to high for street driving. Would 4.11 seem more along the lines of what i should be looking for?

Whitey13

I hate to be the voice of reason, but there is absolutely no way I would dump that kind of money into a 2wd 4runner with 225,000 miles. You'd be much better off selling it and taking that money, plus the substantial $$ you planned putting into the 96 and getting something 4wd/possibly locked.

4runners are fantastic and reliable etc, but once you start wheeling it I think the end will come sooner than later...

I'm sure there are some very capable 2wd's out there, but lets be realistic. If you start to really enjoy wheeling you will surely regret not having a 4wd truck.

I may in the minority but those are my thoughts.

BayArea111

On my 99 I got some 31x10.5 BFG A/T with 15 inch rims. I think it looks good. Ill post a pic of it if I can find the camera.

twitchee2

That was on my mind, if it was even worth it on a car with that many miles. I'm trying to price it out to see what the cost would actually be. Then see if its worth it. i do have a feeling that you are right.