ok here is how it happened................i recently aquired a 91 runner with 192k+ miles, the fellas at work mentioned this website for ideas, tech info, mods etc...

keep in mind im a newbie to wheelin
1st question: weight is an issue correct? what are some things i can remove/mod to reduce my total weight?

2nd question: where is the first place to start for upgrades?

of course on a poormans budget so far all ive done is basic tune-up

 

search for the isr mod.

remove the spare if you wish for the weight reduction

 

Congrats on the new 4runner and welcome to yotatech. Most of the common questions in regards to upgrades are already in here somewhere and if you do a search you will get loads of info. It really depends on what you are going to use the 4runner for. Daily driver? Hardcore rock crawler? Mud machine? Those are some things you will want to ask yourself before you start dumping time and money into it.

 

runner? they dont call it "runner" its 4runner.

as for weight reduction, you really dont have to do that...maybe fill half tank everytime you buy gas or carbon fiber hood. im sure its expensive and out of your price range.

 

well i did say i am a newbie, i just thought weight would be a factor while wheelin, i guess not

ok, i just wanna paly in the mud then still be able to drive it to work come monday. nothin serious

 

I call it a runner.

First of all, weight? My truck has well over 1000 lbs of solid steel bolted to it in the form of bumpers, sliders, skid plates. Then there is the mass of tools and spare parts i carry.

Weight isn't an issue at all.

Best bang for your buck will be a rear locker. I'd throw in some new gears while I was in there, and finally some 33x 10.50s, which fit with zero lift on stock rims.

DO NOT buy a lift as your first mod. Its not worth the money. Get the rear locker, and chuckle while your friends with lift kits struggle.

 

bad idea, taking the spare out for wheeling to save weight is just pointless.

 

Lock up the rear, watch your friends with lifts struggle while you hit it in 2wd!!!!

 

How often do you plan on playing?
Weekly, monthly, yearly?
This, to me, would have a big effect on whether I not I would
rush in to tearing my differentials apart. Start with a set of decent
Mud tires like BF Goodrich M/T or Wrangler MT/R and wait until the kind
of mud/ trails you run call for more.

 

Congrats, you have just purchased one of North Americas best stock offroading vehicle.

I don't know how new you are but I'm gonna try and start with the basics.

First off as stated you need to decide on what kind of trails you're gonna be driving and how often. In my opinion, get yourself some basic recovery gear and wheel stock with a more experienced friend until you decide what you need.

Second, here is a quick list of mostly easy mods and what there use(s) are:

Engine:
ISR Mod = smoother flow on the intake (more hp) Cheap.

Deckplate Mod = more flow on the intake (more hp) Cheap. I'm not sure this applies to 2nd Gen 4runners but if not I will be corrected shortly.

Tires: Better traction and ground clearance
M/T, Mud terrain or A/T, All terrain. On average, A/T last longer and M/T better offroad.

31" or 33" = 33" only adds 1" diameter more than 31" and is recommended to re-gear (not a must)

You can argue which tire brand/style is better for days.

Lift:
Suspension, There are many variations from 1-3" without having to do more mods. The better option, improves clearance of frame/body but not rear diffs.
Cheapest way is to torque up the torsion bars in the front and new coils in the back.

Body, Gives you more room for those bigger tires. Cheap. I wouldn't go more than 1" if at all.

Armor: Saves money on repairs but costs
Bumpers, not cheap

Sliders, protect your rocker panels, have to weld or bolt into frame

Skid Plates

Locker: Turns your 4WD (which is truly a 2WD) into a 3WD (rear locker) or 4WD (Front & Rear). A rear locker alone adds 50% more traction, with front 100%. Not cheap and may require on-board air depending on type of locker.

Recovery: You need to have basic gear before you do any wheeling.
Winch = a long day shortened

On-board air = air down on the trail for better traction, can re-seat a tire bead and use air tools

Wheeling with out a spare is just asking for trouble.

The most common first mods are tires and a lift but it never ends and you'll spend more and more.

Hope this helps and good luck.

 

heya booth st. thanks for the details, exactlly what i needed/wanted

truck came with 31x10.50 and a decent spare
so far im thinkin the loker mod is top 3 to start with, gotta be able to stay caught up with the young guys at work

hehe my wife hates it when i start a new hobby

 

1. Welcome to Yotatech. It is a great place.

2. Search. Read. Learn. A bunch of mods you can do. Best to decipher it for yourself than get bad advice possibly.

3. Use your fingers to count next time as 2 questions does not equal a million.

 

Looks like your questions have been taken care of, so I am just saying Welcome!

 

I would leave your engine stock...dont start cutting up air boxes or modifying anything under there.. Toyota already did that for you....

Look at lockers, gears, tires and a lift first.....power should be an afterthought

 

If you want performance, the list goes in this order

Lockers, gears, armor, tires, lift.

Budget and modifying don't usually go together. You'll be broke a lot of the time.

 

As they say... You will break... and you will go broke!

 

welcome to our little piece of cyberspace! there are quite a few very knowledgeable folks here that can help you out. pretty much everything you wanted to know has been laid out, post up your location and look for other members nearby. pm them, introduce yourself and find out when they might be organizing a trail run.

seat time is going to be your best teacher, be prepared to get stuck as well as help recover other stucks. the search button is your friend, most times. type in 'lockers', 'tires', 'armour' etc and have at it. enjoy your time here and dont be afraid to ask questions, you might get your chops busted for asking something you could have found in searching, be forewarned!

lee

 

What motor in the Runner? I am just curious?