Need some advice

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Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria
Need some advice

Hey all!

Proud owner of a 4Runner and just made my way out to Victoria. Very active and outdoorsy, fishing is my “reel” passion (eh?), but love cruising around and seeing how far the vehicle can be pushed. All these logging roads have been a blast. Not into bouldering or anything and the vehicle won’t ever be used for that (so I say now...), but I need to know that I can take it where I want and not have to worry about being able to get back.

This past weekend I took it up Mt. Brenton headed for holyoak lake and got stopped in my tracks about 700 meters from the destination in around 3ft of snow. Traction wasn’t an issue but it bottomed out and the snow compacted under the vehicle stopping it dead. Had to dig it out twice and reverse about 2k as I couldn’t turn it around... yikes haha.

So that brings me here! I really want to get some work done (lift, tires, tubes, maybe new skid plate) and I just don’t even know where to begin. Does anyone know any reputable shops or individuals that do this kind of work on the island? If it would make a huge difference we can definitely do this on the mainland in Van or something as well.

Really appreciate the time and happy to be part of a community like this! When she’s battle ready i would love to get after it with a couple people. Definitely want to get into some overlanding this summer.

Cheers!

Spokerider's picture

South Island

Hummm.
I suggest spending your coin on survival gear if you don't already have it, especially when you're ? solitary vehicle ? and out in the cold / snow.

Sleeping bags, tent, tarps, rope, extra clothing, food, fire supplies, multiple flashlights, GPS locator beacon, chain saw, shovel, and all of the other required vehicle-related items needed for vehicle recovery. And most importantly......your itinerary left with someone before you head out.

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Hummm.

Appreciate the concern! I’m covered there, definitely looking for vehicle advice at the moment. Thank you though.

iruninca's picture

Alex
Duncan

Welcome! Unfortunately the island is a bit short on quality shops that specialize in off-road modifications. I’ve seen a couple mentioned in past threads, but one is in Port Alberni and I think the other one has new ownership and their quality has dropped.

That said, for the stuff you mentioned, most of its pretty easy to do yourself with some basic tools and a weekend! I’m a total newbie to mechanics, but did my own lift, skid plates, bumper install, and a bunch more.

Not that you asked, but I’d suggest starting with tires, which any tire shop can do, then find your new limits. Then decide what to do next. You’ll be amazed how far you can get with good tires. I ended up doing a small lift to save my rockers from any more damage, then the bumper and skid plate for a bit more protection later.

And again, not that you asked, but be careful going solo into the snow! This story comes to mind: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/search-resumes-for-nanai...

Be safe, and have fun!

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Thanks! That’s super informative. Had a similar inclination to start with the wheels and go from there. Good to know that some of those installations aren’t as daunting as they might seem. Sounds like we want similar things out of our vehicles!

And ya that’s scary stuff. Definitely can see how conditions can change in an instant. I actually had a couple mates with me but we were solitary vehicle. I’m pretty cautious with stuff like that though.

Thanks for the sound advice!

iruninca's picture

Alex
Duncan

I guess if you’re going to trust a vehicle, it better be a 4runner! Haha

Happy holidays

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Haha absolutely!! And cheers, happy holidays to you as well.

Moose's picture

Seth
Lantzville

You can also decide how high if a lift you want before anything else. Decide what type of setup you want, is it a few inches or bigger? Then decide what rims and tires you'd need.

I'm in the Nanaimo area and can't think of many reputable shops here either that could do the lift. If it wasn't covid I'm sure people would be willing to help you.

You could call around, talk to some shops and feel them out. Start them with smaller tasks and work up to the bigger things. Or, I'm sure there are Facebook groups for Vancouver Island Toyota's that could find you a shop.

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Good points. So in your opinion what do some “bigger things” reference to? Say I wanted to do the wheels, lift 2-4in, winch, and potentially new skids. Obviously wheels being the first step...

Also speaking of the skid plate, can anyone speak on the general quality of the stock unit on a 4Runner trd?

Moose's picture

Seth
Lantzville

I'd look into how big of a tire you can go with stock height. May get some rubbing and need to do trimming.

As for bigger things I don't know what a lift on a Yota requires. When we did mine I took my coils from front to back, new fronts, and new shocks. Other lifts you do more.

Canuck120's picture

Adrian Jay
Victoria, BC

Welcome! Sounds like your having fun with your 4Runner! And it also sounds like you are into the type of exploring that most of us do here.
I agree with the others in that the best bang for the buck and a great start is new tires that you find will be the best for what your goals are and where you want to go. Also how specialized you want to be. Ex. If all you like to wheel in is mud then mud tire it is!
Also If you do up the tire size. Don’t forget to get the same size tire for a spare!
Then basic recovery gear. You have a shovel I read so that’s a great start! Lol. An axe. A big kinetic type yank strap and some properly rated shackles. Tow points Front and rear. An air pump and tire patch kit. Basic hand tools for your rig. Flashlight. Spare fuses for vehicle. Booster cables. A jack of some sort (Hi lift, bottle jack), I found a 2ton come along and some lengths of strong chain or Strong straps have helped a lot. In Winter tire chains and Traction boards.
You have gear for the overnight survival so that’s good!
Communication is super helpful. I am still lacking there! Haha. And maps or GPS or both helps a lot. Planning also goes a long way for trips big or small.
Armour is a good thing. A winch and bumper would be great too. Both you can easily grow into as you get stuck further and further from the road as your skills progress. Lol
I have only a couple inch lift front and rear on mine with one size taller tire but factory width and a drivetrain belly pan. So far. Knock on wood all has went really well with this setup. Iruninca 4Runner has a very similar setup (Different components but the same stance was achieved!) but with a winch and bumper. Both Vehicles have been very reliable and no serious damage has been done!
Hopefully that helps get you started! Everyone has different comfort zones for what they feel works for them and what they feel safe bringing but generally the basics are very similar. Anyways feel free to ask anything to any of us and we will share what we know! And also open to any ideas too!

Happy Holidays!

Cheers!

Adrian

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Awesome! Really solid and concise list for basic recovery gear. That’s a great starter pack. Thanks!

I’ve reached out to overland outfitters in Vancouver to get the ball rolling on a couple small things. They seem to be quite knowledgeable and do quality work. Have you or anyone else had any experience with them?

Ryno's picture

Nanaimo

I've reversed that very same road in the snow a few years back, I got turned around eventually.

GreenLane Offroad in Sidney makes nice 5th gen 4runner stuff.

Ajtorres9589's picture

Alfonso Torres
Victoria

Nice one, I’ll check them out!

Ya it’s a great drive. I’ll be back to conquer it. Really makes me want to get up there to see what’s in that lake now! The best fish are always hard to get to.

Canuck120's picture

Adrian Jay
Victoria, BC

Awesome! Overland outfitters do seem to have quality gear on their site although I have never talked to them on the phone. I did buy my front shocks and springs from Big Country Customs ( in Abbotsford ) over the phone and initially through email. They were nice to deal with and answered any questions in a timely manner and also they knew what I was talking about when I asked some pretty basic suspension questions for specs and such. (Don’t laugh, some shops have no clue what they are selling! Lol). There are some other Toyota specific places in Alberta to that may mail you stuff too. I think 4 wheel and auto in Edmonton is one name. They really like their Landcruisers. Oh and RA Motorsports has a 4x4 line of skids, armour, etc...( I have been eyeing up their sliders as an option for when the time comes! )
So go with a spot that gives you a good vibe, has what you want and you don’t mind supporting!
Oh and Ryno is right Greenlane does make some nice late model Toyota stuff! I have seen some around Vic and on their site! ( more slider options but they aren’t sure if they would be GX/4th gen 4Runner compatible)

Keep us updated on your build! And pictures are always nice too! Haha

Cheers!

Adrian

joedirt007's picture

John Hrynyk
Highlands, Victoria.

Call Island 4x4 in colwood.

007's picture
007

Brent Briscoe
NANAIMO

Island spring does lifts and custom stuff .Backing up 2 km that's crazy. Sounds like you need a winch more than anything.

TRD Proser's picture

Jared
Langford

I have a 5th gen too, figured I could chime in and provide some insight if you haven't had time to find the following information yourself.

So I had the same issue with ground clearance when I first hit the trails too, always seemed to kiss the front or rear end. What I and most people do, throw in some Bilstein 5100 shocks on all 4 corners. The 5100's are height adjustable up to 2.5" in the front, 2" extra travel in the rear.

We set the fronts to the 2.5" setting WITH the stock springs and either install 1", 1.5" or 2" spacers in the rear. or you do it the right way and install 2" lift springs in the rear instead of spacers. I would personally recommend either the Icon 52700 2" lift springs or the Toytec 2" SuperFlex lift springs. Personally I went with the Icon springs only because I'm likely going to go the way of higher performance suspension systems from Icon anyways, so may as well get the springs I'd end up with anyways. But the SuperFlex's from Toytec look great too, I was most interested in the "10% load increase over stock" claim and the, what looks like more coils per spring.

Some folks recommend the OME 895 or something rather springs, but I did a bunch of extra reading on those springs and apparently unless you're planning on keeping some sort of consistent load in the back, they're too stiff for normal everyday use.

New set of BFG K02 tires and you're good to go. That said, you can stick with the stock size (265/70/17) like I did to start, or you can move on up to the 275/70/17, which is what I'll be moving onto after I burn through this set. Alternatively you can go all the way up to 285/70/17 but then you get into fender liner as well as fender chop modifications and in most cases, the body mount chop as well, which is why a lot of folks stick to the 275 route and even then, depending on the wheel offset you're running ,you might still need to do the fender liner mod, which is so easy a 13 year old girl could do.

Alternatively a lot of people go with the full 3" lift BUT, on 4Runners, anything over 2.5" (the Bilstein 5100 lift), you WILL need an aftermarket Upper Control Arm for proper wheel alignment.

With the Bilstein lift though, the vast majority of folks don't need to upgrade the UCA's but on the rare occasion, some 4Runners need the new UCA's even with the 2.5" lift.

I didn't need them, that being said, it's still recommended and I DO plan on replacing mine eventually.

What model 5th gen do you have? SR5, TRD, Trail?

Gear Jammer's picture

Zaphira Ey
Gold River and new to Comox Valley

Hey guys🤙🏼
I’m running a 2011 ford ranger 4x4 4.0 v6 5spd rolling on 10 ply 31s at the moment. Still stock but in the future i am planning to instal a 5" lift.

Anyone modified their front bumpers or built a bush bumper for their ranger or rig? I’m going to weld one up I’m just looking for ideas. Something not super bulky, and alot of factory ones i see look "droopy" and i dont find it attractive. Thinking about somthing square (not tube bumper) and simple like the 91's. i dont plan to winch this one but its possible. Id like to fully re design the bumper and customize fogs and mount a 24" or 32" light bar on the bumper aswell.

What are your thoughts? :)

007's picture
007

Brent Briscoe
NANAIMO

Well first off if you have traction control which i think came on anything after 2010 you cant lift the truck. You google search the problems with that. The next thing is and i know this as i have a 2009 ranger and was planning a super lift and coil overs so i have it well researched. The super lift will cost you over 3 grand installed and then you still have the torsion bars hanging down so you will need to do a coilovers to solve that. There is a guy on Ranger forums that has the brackets made to order and then you need to order the coilovers and do some welding. You also have to get different leaf springs that will raise the rear end 5 inches. In the end you dont get much more flex and the truck is still to long to get over many of the tank traps we have here bypassing gates .You could spend 5 grand on an older jeep and have a great bush rig and save your self a lot of time and money and you will have a solid diff. Once i figured the cost i said forget it its not worth it as your trying to make a truck into an offroad rig when its just not made to be.If you go larger than 31 inch tires you will go through your rack n pinion in no time and a new one is $700.To top that off the electronic switching for 4 wheel drive sucks and will often fail. There is a nice jeep stinger front bumper but watch the police here as they like to hand out VI if its not wide enough. There are way better jeeps or yotas to buy that will cost you less and take you where ever you want.

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