BigOld4x4

So I bought a '90 SR5 2Dr 5sp a couple years back after doing up my Honda Civic too much to be safe for driving in the winter. After buying another more reliable all-season ride ('05 Mazda 3 Sport), I figure it's time to start mudifying the big black beast.

My biggest problem is, I see all these awesome trucks in my neighbourhood but never get a chance to talk to the drivers. My biggest question is where is start?

I'm pretty sure that everything is stock on my ride. I have skid plates across the bottom, and 31" tires on 17" rims.

Any input from all you experienced mod'ers.

Thanks in advance.

AH64ID

FOCUSHERE

gears? lift?

Jimmeh

Photos would help.

I personally like the look of the Toys with running boards, but if you want to do some serious wheeling, you probably do not want them. You could put a brush gaurd on it.

Bobakazi

Can you provide a few pics? At least some more info on the rig. It sounds like you have kept it on the back burner for to long. Once you get into it, you will regret not starting sooner. Toyotas rock!
Advice: Check out the search engine a lot. You will be suprised at how many people have had the same questions you might have. Just type in general words. Also, welcome to the club!!! I am sure you will appreciate the site, as I know I have.

yotakid825

well my truck is stock and I'm going start with 4" lift and 33/12.50s. also some performance mods to help push the bigger tires. So my suggestion is to start small. don't go from stock to all out wheelin' machine in one big step. they would help us help you

BigOld4x4

OK, so this is my first "reply" so don't flame me if it doesn't work.

Here are some pics of my ride.







Pretty sure that there isn't any lift kit installed. All stock suspension parts (unless someone before me has tweaked the rear torsion bars for a bit of a lift). I'll have to check the door jams for the gears, but I'm pretty sure what ever shipped from the factory on this, is what I'm running currently.

Someone from a local club told me to look at an ARB Airlocker. Looks like quite an involved install, even for someone who has done them before. Anyone running that type of set-up who can give me the inside track as to if it's worth the money?

Thanks for the feedback from everyone already. It's great to have access to all these people who are willing to help out so quickly.

jsnby

the ARB will be nice if your rig is a DD because when it's not engaged (ie. the switch is turned off) it's like a completely open diff like from the factory. But then, when you get into some shiat, flip the switch and it's like a spool.

87TurboYota

I agree maybe a ARB or TJM, fender flares, and remove the factory running boards?? Just some ideas. I would definitely remove those running boards if it were me.

4x4Lamm

That 2 door is precious. Do some body work first to stop the rust, the ditch the chrome brush gaurd, running boards and get new wheels.

If you want to wheel it, that is a whole 'nother story.

Lamm

rocket

iTrader: (1)

just to clarify a couple things you've said...torsion bars are on the front, not the rear. You have 15" rims, not 17"

Before giving any recommendations, i think we need to know more about what you plan on doing with your ride. i.e. What type of wheeling and how often? How much do you wanna spend? etc.

aviator

welcome to the board!
first thing I'd do is swap out the ADD front hubs for some AISIN manual lock hubs. there's an 88 at Standard auto wreckers on Sewills rd. in T.O. (some of the parts are in a bag in the cab if it's still there [ I've been trying to get them off maybe you'll have better luck ] other then that I hear there are several to choose from at Dan wreckers in Courtice [ just N. of you].
other stuff to consider is a set of THULE landing pads so you can mount a roof basket to haul all your stuff on the trail.
K&N air filter [cone style if you are'nt planning to go swiming with it or snorkel kit if you are ] new springs to get rid of the rear sag.
PM a dude called blair on the board here he's from the 'hood [planing a trail run this summer] and used to have a 2dr and can offer a lot of hints.
also got a great wrench bender [mechanic] you can hook up with in Orangeville [he's a toyota truck specialist] pm me for his number.
Cheers Aviator

BigOld4x4

It looks like I really need to learn a lot more about the specs of the truck.

Are you sure that I have torsion bars at all? I'll have to start pulling the wheels off or getting under the truck to double check. Was there different suspension packages available for the '90?

After taking a closer look at the tires, you are correct. Cavalier A/P's 31x10.5x15. Could you tell by just looking? Time to do some of my own homework.

As for the type of riding, I would need a bit of input from members in my area. I'm looking around for a good local club, and have had a few recommendations. I don't think that the area that I'm in in conducive to much rock climbing, but I"m been told that going North (Haliburton) will get you every type of terrain you've ever dreamed of. To start off, I'm always wanted to mud. Looking at the trail pics from some of the other memebers, watching the truck burried up to the doors, and still able to get out, looks like so much fun.

Many people tell me that you don't want to do one upgrade, and then with the second upgrade, have to trade-up (or even worse, throw away), the first one. Sounds like a good plan is the first step in getting everything together.

Thanks

tulsa_97SR5

Well you already have mud on the tires, so that's a great start. That's a really nice looking 2dr btw, I love those. I think you should wheel it as is first, these are pretty stout vehicles stock, go get some serious off-road time in it first. You'll figure out what you wish was better/different as you go.

tc

Which motor do you have? If it's the 3.0L V6, the only performance mod worth the money (and install is a major PITA) is headers.

The key question is indeed what are you going to use the truck for?

I use mine as a daily driver, and 'wheel at least once a month. Here's what I've done to mine and what the results were:
Fixed rear sag with Eibach springs - work really well and ride great. Might have gone with the trdparts4u "option 1" lift instead if I had been on here first

33x10.50 tires - I have Dunlop Radial Rover RVXT. They are pretty good on road, but only OK off road. The SuperSwamper LTB 34x10.50 should also fit with no lift, and it is AWESOME off road. This may very well be what I'll get next unless more mfg's start making tires in this size.

4Crawler rock sliders - after ripping the running boards off wheeling, I got real protection down there. This is a must if you're going to be off road.

ARB lockers/regear - Perhaps the single most effective mod to increase off road capability other than driver skill. I went with ARB because I was concerned about the handling quirks on snowy roads of the "automatic" lockers. I didn't have to regear, but decided to do it while I had the diffs apart for the lockers

BudBuilt skidplate and crossmember - gain about 2" ground clearance and better underbody protection without increasing the center of gravity

rear bumper - custom (currently being fabbed). Will match sliders. Increase departure angle and better body protection.

When I get some of this paid off, I'll do a front bumper with a receiver hitch built in to allow the use of a multi-mount winch.

aviator

All 4runners/hilux [pick-ups] sold in NA since 1986 have a torsion bar suspension up front stock, some have been retrofitted with the leafspring solid axle [SAS] set up from 85 and earlier trucks. Some other regions [mid east, africa, oz, etc.] continued to offer the SAS system during this period but I think all are now using the independent torsion bar system now.
As to performance mods for the 3.0 you could switch to a K&N cone airfilter which will improve your performance and MPG but [before I get chewed out here ;-)] it will reduce your ability to take your truck swimming. As with many things in life there is a trade off. You can also port the MAF as part of this process. Adjust the timing, a larger custom exhaust will also improve your performance. the exaust mods can be done in stages i.e. free flow cat and oversize exhaust then save up a bit and go for headers. Cheers Aviator

tc

The timing is a good recommendation only 'cuz it's free. The headers are a good idea, not only from the performance aspect, but the reliability issues they improve by getting the heat away from the block.

The rest of it is money down the tubes. It may make you feel like you've done something, but you haven't.

CoedNaked

What exactly do you want to do with the truck? How "extreme" do you want to go? Mild, serious, or extreme? How much money do you have to spend roughly?

The first "mod" you could do, is make sure the engine, transmission, brakes, etc, (all maintenance items) are in top shape. Once that's outta the way - then you should consider the purpose and pursuing modifications to help you achieve it.

BigOld4x4

I looked around for posting on changing the timing, but couldn't find anything. You didn't mention weither I should advance or retard the timing, and but how much.

I did find one post in one thread that mentioned advancing the timing, but it forced you to run premium gas.

Any insight would be appreciated.

BigOld4x4

I'm loking to make enough changes that I can run most of the trails in my area (because I'm so new, I really don't know how extreme they can get). I don't want to dump every little penny I have into it, because I think I'll loose my wife (but have a great truck at the end of it).

I drive the truck daily in the winter time, so I keep it in good shape. I just rebuild both the front disk systems (including calipers). The tranny seems to be reliable so far. Maybe a fluid and filter change might be in order.

Thanks