So I just picked up a 1990 4runner that I want to make off road capable, I'd like to tackle trails, be able to explore some hard to reach areas and do some light rock crawling . I have a couple thousand dollars to put into mods. I just need advice on which are the best mods to do for my money and needs.

 

Well if no one else is going to chime in then I will try to lend some advice. I had a 1990 4runner for 10 years and it was fairly capable in stock form. Although I never got around to modding it (daily driver) I picked up some wisdom from this forum on the subject.

I am going to assume that this is not your daily driver, so in my opinion I would first drop some money on under carriage armor so that when you are on the trail you wont have to worry as much WHEN you bust a rock with your under side.
Next I would look into a rear locking differential. A locker will often get you to many places without the need for 4wd. And 4wd plus a locker is that much better.

By now you will be thinking "well, when do put the big lift and tires on!" Well... At this point I would just recommend tires. A 2nd gen 4runner was not designed to be lifted (actually few vehicles are) but once you lift a 2nd gen, you open a can of worms. Others can disagree with me, but all sorts of issues creep up like CV angles out of whack and panhard bars out of alignment, and brake lines too short and so on. I would search on this web site and find what the largest tire you can run on a 2nd gen. without a lift and slap those puppies on. I am wanting to say that its a 33x10.50x15, maybe a 33x12.50x15. And if you don't care about looks, start chopping fenders and put whatever size tire you want (within reason).

Once you have armor, a locker or two and some 33 inch tires you are set to tackle most any trail you think your driving ability can handle. All of this is just my opinion, but most of this I have gathered from those on this website... I have been creeping a while. I hope someone else chimes in if they have a differing opinion, but that should give you a place to start.

 

This topic has been chimed in on thousands of times, search function is your friend

 

Me personally I would suggest a solid axle swap (SAS). You can do one for cheap but gain a huge advantage offroad and still have great street manors.
Plus solid axles are cheaper and easier to maintain.

I have a 92 4runner in stuffing a solid axle under right now and it will be my daily (have a 5 month old daughter)

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...mation-121264/