Fun watch :) Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, here are some of my top mods: - Tires (tread & size) - Onboard air compressor & rapid air-up/air-down system - Sleeping setup - Cooking setup - Self-recovery - I'm out by myself a LOT! - Christmas lights inside the 4Runner :)
You forgot deflating/inflating equipment for your off road tires. At least I’ve got it for my 4Runner. Also I changed inside cabin interior lights. In 4Runners of older versions these are too dim. And I added some organizers through out the car. These help me to keep things in right places and in good condition.
+1 for the LFD cross bars. I got a set for my GX 470 and love them. They are very well made and fit perfectly. You can also expand over time to their full roof rack by just buying their side rails to give you a full rack. I see plenty of empty Prinsu racks so having the option to build upon what you already have is a great way to save money.
I'm 52 spent all my adult life behind a desk telling folks what to do now i'm older and now i have free time so i started modding my third gen 4runner 1st mod supercharger second mod suspension third mod built a roof rack oh taught my self how to weld built bumpers and replaced all rear control arms to adjustable type with poly bushings now about to do a awning and a tent so yeah love this stuff
Good vid. I recommend start with lifts first before you get bigger tires. Lifts give clearance for your big tires, big tires gives clearance for your diff and other stuff. Also advice to invest on recovery gears before getting fancy lights. your light bar won’t help you or your buddy get unstuck.
I think airing down and back up is a pretty important capability to have, and one that stock vehicles dont come with. It would be pretty high on my list. Also, the roofrack is/was my number one mod after tires. So much versatility, especially if you need your interior space for passengers.
We have had the Falken Wildpeak AT Trails on our outback for over a year and they have been freaking amazing. Best 'non-snow' snow tire we have ever had here in CO
I’m planning on getting that for my everyday tire then I have Blizzak for winter tires. I live in South Lake Tahoe. It’s snows somewhat similar to Colorado I believe.
The Jeep take off tire tip is a good one. Wrangler Rubicons come with KO2's and Gladiator Rubicons come with Falken AT3W, both awesome choices for a 33" 285/70r17.
Awesome video with solid advise, cant wait to see more. I would only say to strongly consider a kinetic rope over a tow strap. Ropes may be a tad more expensive (usually around $70-$100 for entry level ropes), but they are much more effective and dynamic for safe recovery. There is plenty peace of mind when tent camping as a gun owner too.
@@OverlandEngineer from what I understand a tow strap, or snatch strap, usually does not have much elasticity at all, so it has high jolting energy when you try pull someone out. They can typically only be cracked so many times (10 - 20) before they will fail or should not be used again. A "kinetic energy rope" can stretch up to 30 percent of its length, can be cracked hundreds of times before failure, and smooths out that jolt energy. The ropes are the same as ones used by boats and has a much stronger over all pull, but is safer from ripping something off one of the vehicles in the recovery. I'm not an expert, just follow enough off-road channels to see ropes be favored over straps and why. Thanks for responding!
A snatch strap and tow strap are not the same thing. Tow strap is static, no stretch. A snatch strap has a bit a stretch but not as much as a recovery rope. Usually 15-20%. Where as the ropes are usually around 30%. I have a snatch strap in my rig for just in case me or a buddy gets stuck. We are not hard core off roaders. Just out doorsey types. If I was using it in a regular basis. I would upgrade to a rope.
Great video, much appreciated. I think throwing a tire repair kit is also essential, and cheap. Also, if you have a spare tire and upgrade your tires, it's good to have the same size spare.
I have not tried every cheap lift kit but even the Bilstein 5100s are a huge improvemnet over every stock shock I have ever tried. Some kits now will give you a higher spring that provides the actual lift and you can keep your shock setting on the Bilstein in the lowest setting providing more range for the shock. Spacers on stock shocks will just make your vehicle ride like a brick. Good information overall.
Thanks! Yeah thats true. But I would not say OME or bilstein 5100s are a smooth ride either. Everything is so subject that you saying it rides like a brick might be perfectly fine to other people. Its hard to know but I think spacer lifts are perfect for some people and if you plan to do more serious offroading then yeah probably don't run a spacer lift. Just depends on budget.
I’m running the wildpeak at3w on my 03 expedition. Have had them for a while. Have done great on the beach aired down to 15psi and in the snow. Really want to get a start in over-landing .
Thank you. I found this is excellent. I am a newbie and overlanding has been a life long dream despite being disabled. I really appreciate the basic foundations so that I can start slowly :-) Since my 4Runner is also my daily driver at this point, I was thinking about upgrading the tires first. We mostly have rain and a bit of snow so would like to have something good with rain but also as little road noise as possible. Would the Wildpeaks you mentioned do the job?
More power to you! Not sure how limiting your disability is, but my cousin lost the use of his legs in high school. To here him tell it, off-roading saved his life. The sense of freedom/accomplishment he gets from conquering a rough trail is like nothing else.
I recommend the Ironman Allcountry ATs as well I have over 50k miles on them now they're a really good bargain for those that just need a full 4 to 5 tire setup for less than 800 bucks I air them to 12psi on avg on loose sand etc down they're a bit more bitey vs other ATs out there more so than the Cooper discoverers hands down
I really enjoyed this video ,it took me more than an hour to watch it cus i kept rewinding back to make sure I caught all the info correctly. I'm waiting arrival for my new ORP2022 , and it's great to know where not to pull the trigger right away, the importance of starting off right. Thanks so much bro, got a new subscriber here 🤘.
Just a note about the Wrangler take off tires. Rubicons come stock with Load Range C tires, not Load Range E. This may not be a deal killer for some guys, but a lot of people want Load Range E when they go offroad as they have stronger sidewalls.
Very good point. I had someone comment recently that the difference is minimal as far as durability goes (E is just slightly better), do you agree with that statement?
@@OverlandEngineer I have no way to provide any data to argue, so i'll concede. Its a peace of mind thing for me when i'm hours off the beaten trail solo. And i'll take that extra 0.2" diameter as well (32.8" Load C diameter, vs 33" Load E diameter). Haha I've done a lot of group runs and its hard to find anyone who has bought new tires that still run Load C, unless they stick to gravel travel mostly.
@@jason.hartson Yeah good point. I’m in the same boat as you but also want to try load C just to compare🤷🏻♂️. Then I should be able to speak more on it
A non-sexy mod that nobody will see and folks find out the hard way that they should have done is Diff Breathers! It's like a snorkel for your differential. Unfortunately not seen like the big scoop on the side of vehicles, but it will save you a lot of issues in the future! If you every go through any kind of water crossing (and you know you want to) install a diff breather first! A hot differential is just like us when we hit cold water. We take a deep breath in! Without a diff breather, if it's deep enough, it's going to suck in water and not air! NO BUENO!
I agree, this deserves a mention. I put the ARB kit on my 4runner, but you can also build your own for less than $10 probably. I built one for my landcruiser after the diff breather got plugged and I blew a pinion seal. Blowing seals is also a risk you run without a proper breather.
The lift is more about accommodating larger tires than clearing larger obstacles. A spacer lift can get you stranded - the shock uptravel won't be limited by the bumpstop. Snapping the shock in half is not unusual if you off-road like this. Shock failure can happen with rapid uptravel at speed. Happened to me on a washout along Padre Island National Seashore.
I mean it is kind of both...they both get you additional clearance. If you get any lift people get new bumpstops that is pretty standard. I would not necessarily say the spacer lift is ideal for everyone's offroading habits but offroading can defined differently depending on the person. I think anyone into serious offroading won't consider a spacer lift.
Good job on the recommendations. When you said recovery gear I expected you to also mention getting a compressor and tire gauge for inflating and deflating your tires for when you go offroad and of course a tire repair kit!
That is a good recommendation. I do love my smittybilt 2781. I guess it just depends on how hard you go. I sometimes don't air down and just take the ride quality hit so I don't have to air back up depending on how fast we drive. Definitely something I use but in Minnesota I haven't really aired down much. Tire repair kit would have been a great one too.
@@OverlandEngineer I learned the hard way to always air down whenever I hit dirt. Even if you only drop 10 psi, it will soften the hits of ruts and rocks, etc. You just never know what you'll come across off pavement! Never be too lazy to take the time to air down. You won't regret it!
I would say first mod is to get out and actually camp(see if you like it). I got some plywood to level out the truck bed. Took the bottom of 2nd row seats out. Bought an exped and yakima rack for some extra storage. Load the husky in and we are off! Do not need to over complicate things. I have a normal sr5(5th gen) with stock tires. Unless your living in your vehicle full time and doing these crazy expeditions … don’t really see the point. However I love watching people spend their own money on this stuff haha.
If you do tires early in the game also (especially on a new vehicle), many tire retailers will give you some credit for your almost new tires towards the purchase of your AT tires. Alternately, there's definitely a used tire and wheel market out there right now! You can probably make at least some $$ back by selling your OEM tires (and wheels, if you upgrade from the factory wheels also; there's an especially great resale market for the OEM TRD Pro wheels if you're upgrading to an aftermarket wheel).
Excellent ideas!!! I bought an AirBedz for my 4Runner. It has a built-in battery for inflate/deflate. I haven't used it yet but it's looking like I'll need it this January. Have you done a video about sleeping in the 4Runner in winter (staying warm and condensation issues/frost inside). Thanks. Great channel!
Having a 2004 Touareg I have to use spacers on my subframe to get the lift I want. After 31"s on my boy definitely getting some engineering for 37" and a 8" total life. Love your info though
Oh that's funny, haha whatever works! I think even if we posted the exact same videos at the exact same time every week all the people that follow us would like the content from two different perspectives.
@@OverlandEngineer Thats not a bad idea, I hadn;t even shot it yet, just wrote the rough draft, maybe we should plan that on another video idea though.
I have heard that people do it without a lift but it will require a lot of trimming and potentially a body mount chop. However, with a lift and zero offset in your rim, there shouldn't be rubbing with 285/70/17s. Most people can do that and just trim a little bit of plastic. You will need to remove the front mud flaps.
Traction boards are a must for me can’t tell you how many times they saved me . I store my set in a long black bag under rear seat of my Grand Cherokee. Your Rig is awesome 👊🏻
I have an Ultra swing, unfortunately I’m unhappy with it and selling it, gonna go with Dirtcom trail swing. Ultra swing oscillates to the point that it feels unsafe on the freeway from 55-70mph. It’s brand new and I only have a 33 tire on it.
Cooper makes a 33 inch SNOW tire. Cooper snow claws. Compared to my wife's falken at3's on her xj. Both new sets of tires, both at 20psi... the cooper's are orders of magnitude better than the falkens in the snow
Yeah I believe that. If I am at a point where I can just toss money at tires no problem. I would run mud terrains in the summer and snow tires in the winter. Most people don't want to do that though...I agree though, snow tires will always be better than all terrains. It is just not really possible to make a tire that is good at everything.
Tough to say. Do you want what the spec is or what people typically do haha. Many people mount 285/70/17s on TRD Pro 7" wide tires. But TRD Offroad rims are 7.5" wide. So I think you could pretty easily run 285/70R17s. I would not really run anything wider than 285.
@@hunterwedding6950 Its a toyota proprietary system. Its not a standard 2.0 or 2.5 from what I understand. Its also like a 1" lift all around and its not adjustable.
@@OverlandEngineer gotcha. That’s kinda what I was finding in my research just wanted to confirm. I am thinking about buying a 4Runner just don’t know if I wanna go with TRD pro or TRD off road yet.
@@hunterwedding6950 I would probably go with a TRD Offroad if you will change a lot and if you don't plan to do anything too aggressive and mainly camping stuff, the TRD Pro would be enough!
Biggest thing is stuffing clearance and rubbing for 35s. The rear is typically easy. Most people recommend removing suspension to test full travel for wheel well clearance of 35s…. After that, make sure your tires aren’t too wide to where they will rub on upper control arms or frame at full lock so you may need some negative offset. Depending on your caster, you will probably still have to remove front mud flaps, hammer pinch welds (and seal them correctly - important), and cut the front plastic caps by your bottom rocker panels these caps can rub and get pulled off so some people glue them). You may have to trim in front too but depends on your front bumper setup. Also regearing but not immediately necessary in my opinion if you can drive on mainly flat land and not floor it. That’s what I can think of right now haha.
@@OverlandEngineer tires and armor should definitely be the top of the list if going Offroad is on the agenda. Not destroying my engine, trans and transfer case is on the top of my list.
Nice video, learned a lot, thanks so much! Any reason that you swapped the fox suspension system comes with on your trd pro to another system, I don’t quite understand this part.
Awesome! The biggest reason was the stock suspension has almost no lift. I wanted/needed more lift. It rode really nice but not as great for trails. Plus the stock suspension was right around 100k miles. Plus I did not have fox. that was released in 2019. I had a stock TRD pro bilstein/toyota system.
@@OverlandEngineer got it. Mine is 2019 trd pro with fox shock, perhaps getting one inch lift, not exactly sure. I’m wondering how it will handle the weight of C4 bumper you installed.
@@wanderlostNW it will probably sag a little in the front. Those westcott kits are pretty sweet though that allow you to keep the stock Fox system. I’d check those out. If you get a bumper I presume you might be wanting a winch?
@@OverlandEngineer thanks man! I’ll definitely check it out. Yes I will get the winch for sure, perhaps the badlands from HF like you did. Thanks again for all your help!
@@wanderlostNW no problem! Honestly the stock systems are pretty nice but a 3” lift and 33” tires open up so much more performance Offroad so it’s hard in my mind to stay at stock configuration but the westcott kit is a great way to keep the stock system and get more lift if you want to keep the Fox suspension
Good idea on the video man. I liked it. Make it a yearly as you learn more. I’d probably remove Westcott, man. They’re not a spacer lift, they’re a preload lift. Completely different design. Turns stock coil overs in to lifted coil over using a thicker spring seat. Basically the same as using a higher spring seat location as on a lifted coil over. Or maybe Keri then and describe the difference, because they’re a great inexpensive option.
Some people call preload lifts just a different kind of spacer lift. I think you can get also just get spring seat spacers that you throw on top of the original to get the same effect. I probably should have talked about the different a little more but thats why I also showed the pro comp kit because thats the typical spacer kit where you throw a puck on the top plate. I debated a westcott type kit made by ToyTec for my TRD Pro suspension but all it does is force the struts open farther for more lift so you basically take away down travel which is super important for offroad in my opinion. So maybe it is a good inexpensive option but I'd say its similar to most spacer lifts in that I would choose a suspension lift if I planned to take it offroad seriously but spacer lifts aren't bad.
The first thing I do to any vehicle I own is upgrade to the brightest white led headlights I can find. It's a simple thing but it makes the vehicle more pleasurable to drive.
I really appreciate the white light but on road with those white lights coming at you. You cannot see at all. You might be able to see everything but the person driving towards you is pretty much driving blind.
Thats why I run yellow/amber fogs. If it snows but the roads are plowed, then it's not really reflecting that bad... I just run both if its snowing outside and then its the same color as halogens but way brighter. It is also much more power efficient.
@@OverlandEngineer I don't much care about the color, some do cut through fog and snow better. But around here ICING is the bigger deal. Halogen will keep the ice from building up. For those with old sealed beam lights the glass h4 housing replacements are perfect.
@@jasonmckimmey250 Maybe so but I have not had a problem. I also run high powered LEDs not small output ones so they have radiators and fans to keep them cool while running. I think mine probably get hot enough.
I use the credit card all the time….In fact, I can’t remember the last time I used a debit card. I’d rather pay for stuff with other peoples money, risking their money and not mine. IF you are disciplined, there is NO reason to use cash or a debit card.
@davidcox9181 I agree if you pay 0 Interest by paying it off, you can actually benefit. Also if someone steals your card and there are unauthorized purchases, they are covered. Debit is NOT covered. For the 4runner: 1st thing is to 1. Get a locking gas cap 2. Catalytic converter covers 3. Undercoating (many 4runners rust out before the engines die.
Beware. The Falken tires are made in China now.(2022) That's what I wanted but I went with the BFG's #1 becase they are great and last so many miles and #1 again is BFGoodrich Tires celebrated 75 years of manufacturing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA last year.
Put Yokohama 015"s on my wifes highlander they are a great tire all around and don't look to aggressive. I just installed Toyo AT3'S on my FJ cruiser after having bfg's go to crap in 25k miles. They still had 9 to 10/32 on them. I won't go back to bfg's after this last set. My fj has only 1 3/4 in bilstein adjustables front and 5200 rear with Old man emu springs I found if your vehicle is light in the back end when unloaded your better off going all OME save you self some jarring from the 5200.
Hmm. Good to know! Just bought some Falken Wildepeak AT Trails for my wife's Outback. They have been awesome but I was eyeing the 015s. I hear more and more people leaving KO2s after buying them for years. Not a good sign to me...
Westcott Designs is really over rated. their rock slider`s are light duty compared to RCI. doing a spacer lift is money you will wish you had put towards a real lift kit.
I was referring to the westcott designs strut spring spacer kit more than their other stuff. I have not heard anything about their armor until you mentioned it. I think spacer lifts are plenty for people that don't plan to go offroad or just do forest roads. It is a place they would not need to spend extra money. I also think that spacer lifts are a great first step for someone to save for a dobinsons, king, fox adjustable lift and still get the look they want while saving up.
You mentioned Fox Shocks on your stock 4Runner so I have to be the one to ask lol. Why waste the extra money on the TRD Pro, just to tear out the parts you paid extra for? The TRD Pro is for people who will keep it mostly stock lol Also this title is not fitting.. You list every major mod category as "modifications I should have bought first" 🤣
I bought my 2015 4Runner at a time when TRD Offroad wasn’t a trim level and TRAIL trims were super rare so this was best for getting the locker. It had 100k miles on it and I paid 5k under MSRP. The fox shocks were still doing ok but basically on the way out. Perfect time to upgrade. So I didn’t waste any money…I’ve replaced most parts on the rig and the drive train has been solid. I’m glad I didn’t buy one new…maybe your comment fits for someone that buys a 2023 Pro. Also I’m not sure the fox comment was interpreted correctly or maybe I phrased something on but TRD pros came with Bilsteins up until 2019 or something…I never had fox suspension. I’ve talked before about if I didn’t run dobinsons, I’d run fox. Maybe that’s what it was. This video is like a year old or something I don’t remember.
Fun watch :)
Neither agreeing nor disagreeing, here are some of my top mods:
- Tires (tread & size)
- Onboard air compressor & rapid air-up/air-down system
- Sleeping setup
- Cooking setup
- Self-recovery - I'm out by myself a LOT!
- Christmas lights inside the 4Runner :)
100% on the 33s. I got a set of 4 BFG KO2’s with not even 2000 miles for $600.
You forgot deflating/inflating equipment for your off road tires. At least I’ve got it for my 4Runner. Also I changed inside cabin interior lights. In 4Runners of older versions these are too dim. And I added some organizers through out the car. These help me to keep things in right places and in good condition.
+1 for the LFD cross bars. I got a set for my GX 470 and love them. They are very well made and fit perfectly. You can also expand over time to their full roof rack by just buying their side rails to give you a full rack. I see plenty of empty Prinsu racks so having the option to build upon what you already have is a great way to save money.
That is a really good point. I contemplated one of the roof rail conversions too before just biting the bullet on a full roof rack.
+2 for the LFD crossbars! They are strong as hell, very capable, and look awesome. One of my best upgrades
@@ryanm4013 Agreed!
I'm 52 spent all my adult life behind a desk telling folks what to do now i'm older and now i have free time so i started modding my third gen 4runner 1st mod supercharger second mod suspension third mod built a roof rack oh taught my self how to weld built bumpers and replaced all rear control arms to adjustable type with poly bushings now about to do a awning and a tent so yeah love this stuff
Good vid. I recommend start with lifts first before you get bigger tires. Lifts give clearance for your big tires, big tires gives clearance for your diff and other stuff. Also advice to invest on recovery gears before getting fancy lights. your light bar won’t help you or your buddy get unstuck.
I think airing down and back up is a pretty important capability to have, and one that stock vehicles dont come with. It would be pretty high on my list. Also, the roofrack is/was my number one mod after tires. So much versatility, especially if you need your interior space for passengers.
We have had the Falken Wildpeak AT Trails on our outback for over a year and they have been freaking amazing. Best 'non-snow' snow tire we have ever had here in CO
I’m planning on getting that for my everyday tire then I have Blizzak for winter tires. I live in South Lake Tahoe. It’s snows somewhat similar to Colorado I believe.
The Jeep take off tire tip is a good one. Wrangler Rubicons come with KO2's and Gladiator Rubicons come with Falken AT3W, both awesome choices for a 33" 285/70r17.
Yeah it works out really well!
I see a lot of 255/75/17 Firestone MT2 take-offs from the Willy's model that are also a pretty good upgrade for a stock height 4Runner.
Couldn't agree more on tires. The one mod that can make the most significant difference immediately.
Yep!
Good shout on the budget traction boards and foldable ones
Awesome video with solid advise, cant wait to see more. I would only say to strongly consider a kinetic rope over a tow strap. Ropes may be a tad more expensive (usually around $70-$100 for entry level ropes), but they are much more effective and dynamic for safe recovery. There is plenty peace of mind when tent camping as a gun owner too.
I think that strap is kinetic right? It looked like a snatch strap not typical tow strap. Haha that is one way to get some piece of mind.
@@OverlandEngineer from what I understand a tow strap, or snatch strap, usually does not have much elasticity at all, so it has high jolting energy when you try pull someone out. They can typically only be cracked so many times (10 - 20) before they will fail or should not be used again. A "kinetic energy rope" can stretch up to 30 percent of its length, can be cracked hundreds of times before failure, and smooths out that jolt energy. The ropes are the same as ones used by boats and has a much stronger over all pull, but is safer from ripping something off one of the vehicles in the recovery. I'm not an expert, just follow enough off-road channels to see ropes be favored over straps and why.
Thanks for responding!
@@caseyjames5412 Ah I see! I was kind of thinking that snatch straps could stretch but they aren't probably near as good. Thanks for the explanation!
A snatch strap and tow strap are not the same thing. Tow strap is static, no stretch. A snatch strap has a bit a stretch but not as much as a recovery rope. Usually 15-20%. Where as the ropes are usually around 30%. I have a snatch strap in my rig for just in case me or a buddy gets stuck. We are not hard core off roaders. Just out doorsey types. If I was using it in a regular basis. I would upgrade to a rope.
it's silly not to have both, as they are two distinct tools...
My first mod was Tires... Falken Wildpeaks 265/70/17 (stock) and 1st Aid Kit. Next is a Lift Kit for me.
Great video, much appreciated. I think throwing a tire repair kit is also essential, and cheap. Also, if you have a spare tire and upgrade your tires, it's good to have the same size spare.
Yeah thats a good call.
I have not tried every cheap lift kit but even the Bilstein 5100s are a huge improvemnet over every stock shock I have ever tried. Some kits now will give you a higher spring that provides the actual lift and you can keep your shock setting on the Bilstein in the lowest setting providing more range for the shock. Spacers on stock shocks will just make your vehicle ride like a brick. Good information overall.
Thanks! Yeah thats true. But I would not say OME or bilstein 5100s are a smooth ride either. Everything is so subject that you saying it rides like a brick might be perfectly fine to other people. Its hard to know but I think spacer lifts are perfect for some people and if you plan to do more serious offroading then yeah probably don't run a spacer lift. Just depends on budget.
Dude, this is fantastic. New to 4Runners and these are fantastic suggestions. Thanks so much!
No problem!
I’m running the wildpeak at3w on my 03 expedition. Have had them for a while. Have done great on the beach aired down to 15psi and in the snow. Really want to get a start in over-landing .
Awesome! Yeah I am really eager to try them out. I have really only heard good things about them.
One thing I would add is when I lifted my 4runner my stock jack was too short for vehicle. I found out the hard way. So I upgraded my jack
Good asterisk to add when lifting! I still have not gotten a long bottle jack...that needs to be bought ASAP...
Thank you. I found this is excellent. I am a newbie and overlanding has been a life long dream despite being disabled. I really appreciate the basic foundations so that I can start slowly :-) Since my 4Runner is also my daily driver at this point, I was thinking about upgrading the tires first. We mostly have rain and a bit of snow so would like to have something good with rain but also as little road noise as possible. Would the Wildpeaks you mentioned do the job?
If you have a lot of rain and snow, Wildpeaks will be awesome. They aren’t as good as snow tires but they are a great do it all tire.
More power to you! Not sure how limiting your disability is, but my cousin lost the use of his legs in high school. To here him tell it, off-roading saved his life. The sense of freedom/accomplishment he gets from conquering a rough trail is like nothing else.
I recommend the Ironman Allcountry ATs as well I have over 50k miles on them now they're a really good bargain for those that just need a full 4 to 5 tire setup for less than 800 bucks I air them to 12psi on avg on loose sand etc down they're a bit more bitey vs other ATs out there more so than the Cooper discoverers hands down
@@darthtyranus7683 Those are the tire my buddy runs on his 4Runner.
I really enjoyed this video ,it took me more than an hour to watch it cus i kept rewinding back to make sure I caught all the info correctly. I'm waiting arrival for my new ORP2022 , and it's great to know where not to pull the trigger right away, the importance of starting off right. Thanks so much bro, got a new subscriber here 🤘.
Do you mind sharing your notes?
@@blanchauwhat notes 🤔?
Very helpful video, thanks thinking about what to do with my 2023 4Runner. Sweet tip about the tires.
Just a note about the Wrangler take off tires. Rubicons come stock with Load Range C tires, not Load Range E. This may not be a deal killer for some guys, but a lot of people want Load Range E when they go offroad as they have stronger sidewalls.
Very good point. I had someone comment recently that the difference is minimal as far as durability goes (E is just slightly better), do you agree with that statement?
@@OverlandEngineer I have no way to provide any data to argue, so i'll concede. Its a peace of mind thing for me when i'm hours off the beaten trail solo. And i'll take that extra 0.2" diameter as well (32.8" Load C diameter, vs 33" Load E diameter). Haha I've done a lot of group runs and its hard to find anyone who has bought new tires that still run Load C, unless they stick to gravel travel mostly.
@@jason.hartson Yeah good point. I’m in the same boat as you but also want to try load C just to compare🤷🏻♂️. Then I should be able to speak more on it
on a 4gen, 5100 suspension is definitely an upgrade. A little stiffer but in a really good way.
Yeah I believe that
Thanks for the benefit of your experience.
I like content creators that don't talk about content creation and subscribing and liking videos :P
A non-sexy mod that nobody will see and folks find out the hard way that they should have done is Diff Breathers! It's like a snorkel for your differential. Unfortunately not seen like the big scoop on the side of vehicles, but it will save you a lot of issues in the future!
If you every go through any kind of water crossing (and you know you want to) install a diff breather first!
A hot differential is just like us when we hit cold water. We take a deep breath in! Without a diff breather, if it's deep enough, it's going to suck in water and not air!
NO BUENO!
I agree, this deserves a mention. I put the ARB kit on my 4runner, but you can also build your own for less than $10 probably. I built one for my landcruiser after the diff breather got plugged and I blew a pinion seal. Blowing seals is also a risk you run without a proper breather.
The lift is more about accommodating larger tires than clearing larger obstacles. A spacer lift can get you stranded - the shock uptravel won't be limited by the bumpstop. Snapping the shock in half is not unusual if you off-road like this. Shock failure can happen with rapid uptravel at speed. Happened to me on a washout along Padre Island National Seashore.
I mean it is kind of both...they both get you additional clearance. If you get any lift people get new bumpstops that is pretty standard. I would not necessarily say the spacer lift is ideal for everyone's offroading habits but offroading can defined differently depending on the person. I think anyone into serious offroading won't consider a spacer lift.
Good job on the recommendations. When you said recovery gear I expected you to also mention getting a compressor and tire gauge for inflating and deflating your tires for when you go offroad and of course a tire repair kit!
That is a good recommendation. I do love my smittybilt 2781. I guess it just depends on how hard you go. I sometimes don't air down and just take the ride quality hit so I don't have to air back up depending on how fast we drive. Definitely something I use but in Minnesota I haven't really aired down much. Tire repair kit would have been a great one too.
@@OverlandEngineer I learned the hard way to always air down whenever I hit dirt. Even if you only drop 10 psi, it will soften the hits of ruts and rocks, etc. You just never know what you'll come across off pavement!
Never be too lazy to take the time to air down. You won't regret it!
I would say first mod is to get out and actually camp(see if you like it). I got some plywood to level out the truck bed. Took the bottom of 2nd row seats out. Bought an exped and yakima rack for some extra storage. Load the husky in and we are off! Do not need to over complicate things. I have a normal sr5(5th gen) with stock tires. Unless your living in your vehicle full time and doing these crazy expeditions … don’t really see the point. However I love watching people spend their own money on this stuff haha.
If you do tires early in the game also (especially on a new vehicle), many tire retailers will give you some credit for your almost new tires towards the purchase of your AT tires. Alternately, there's definitely a used tire and wheel market out there right now! You can probably make at least some $$ back by selling your OEM tires (and wheels, if you upgrade from the factory wheels also; there's an especially great resale market for the OEM TRD Pro wheels if you're upgrading to an aftermarket wheel).
I completely agree with this. Also a lot of people really like the TRD Offroad premium wheels too. Yeah that can all really help to offset the costs.
Excellent ideas!!! I bought an AirBedz for my 4Runner. It has a built-in battery for inflate/deflate. I haven't used it yet but it's looking like I'll need it this January. Have you done a video about sleeping in the 4Runner in winter (staying warm and condensation issues/frost inside). Thanks. Great channel!
Thanks! I plan to do some this winter!
Having a 2004 Touareg I have to use spacers on my subframe to get the lift I want.
After 31"s on my boy definitely getting some engineering for 37" and a 8" total life. Love your info though
Yeah that’s totally understandable. I’ll probably have to do it to for the right tires and lift I will eventually run.
Nice job bro. Your honest approach is refreshing.
Thanks!
Anyone do some mild outlanding in a 2WD SR5? Thought about getting 3 inch lift and tires to start
OE - did you do a body mount chop for the 285s?
Didn’t need to with no spacers and zero offset. I did once I put on spacers. You definitely need it for 285/75/17s if I had to guess
Hell yeah man. Lol, I was about to film one just like this, I'll push it out a little bit now though. Awesome content man!
Oh that's funny, haha whatever works! I think even if we posted the exact same videos at the exact same time every week all the people that follow us would like the content from two different perspectives.
@@OverlandEngineer Thats not a bad idea, I hadn;t even shot it yet, just wrote the rough draft, maybe we should plan that on another video idea though.
Glad I found this video, helpful perspective.
Awesome video! This is really helping me prioritize my purchases for my vehicle.
I don't have a 4 runner, but have a 2019 Honda civic... What brand lights would you recommend for the LED light purchase and fog lights as well
You really can't go wrong with Diode Dynamics. I think they make a bunch of stuff for Civics too
Question. when you get the 285's don't you need a lift? or do you just need body mount chop and maybe shaving of the bumper/liner?
I have heard that people do it without a lift but it will require a lot of trimming and potentially a body mount chop. However, with a lift and zero offset in your rim, there shouldn't be rubbing with 285/70/17s. Most people can do that and just trim a little bit of plastic. You will need to remove the front mud flaps.
4runner 4 life
Where did you get those pegboard sections behind you from? Really like the office setup
Thanks! IKEA!
Does that tire size in the video fit a 2022 trd off road?
Not stock but the vehicle can be modified to fit them
275's be okay?@@OverlandEngineer
Traction boards are a must for me can’t tell you how many times they saved me . I store my set in a long black bag under rear seat of my Grand Cherokee. Your Rig is awesome 👊🏻
Yeah that is definitely a good piece of gear to add. Thanks!
If out of communication range, a satellite communication system, even if just text based.
Im trying to figure out the biggest size tire i can put on a 2017 toyota 4runner limited without lifting it. Any suggestions?
I wanted a new pair of headlights but imma need the hitch swing more
Not even an LED swap?! Hitch swings are sweet. Are you getting a RIGD?
yes sir, Ultra Swing Rigd is the one I really want
@@4bvenom733 Well done! I love them. Super high quality. I had one for a little bit but decided to go a different direction.
I have an Ultra swing, unfortunately I’m unhappy with it and selling it, gonna go with Dirtcom trail swing. Ultra swing oscillates to the point that it feels unsafe on the freeway from 55-70mph. It’s brand new and I only have a 33 tire on it.
@@Seattle808 Oh actually? I have yet to meet someone who did not like it. What don't you like?
Where did you buy the raptor lights??
Cooper makes a 33 inch SNOW tire. Cooper snow claws. Compared to my wife's falken at3's on her xj. Both new sets of tires, both at 20psi... the cooper's are orders of magnitude better than the falkens in the snow
Yeah I believe that. If I am at a point where I can just toss money at tires no problem. I would run mud terrains in the summer and snow tires in the winter. Most people don't want to do that though...I agree though, snow tires will always be better than all terrains. It is just not really possible to make a tire that is good at everything.
What’s the largest tire can be mounted on stock rims for TRD off road ?
Tough to say. Do you want what the spec is or what people typically do haha. Many people mount 285/70/17s on TRD Pro 7" wide tires. But TRD Offroad rims are 7.5" wide. So I think you could pretty easily run 285/70R17s. I would not really run anything wider than 285.
@@OverlandEngineer thank you
Thanks for the info. I have a 2023 trd off-road can I fit 275 70 17s without lifting or cutting it? Thanks
Absolutely. 275 has no rub or cutting needed on TRD Off road and TRD Pro 4Runners models. It can be completely stock.
@@erecio1 thank you for getting back to me it is much appreciated
What suspension comes with the TRD Pro that you have?
The 2015s came with this special Bilstein version TRD pro suspension but now they come with a fox system.
@@OverlandEngineer Which Fox system do they come with?
@@hunterwedding6950 Its a toyota proprietary system. Its not a standard 2.0 or 2.5 from what I understand. Its also like a 1" lift all around and its not adjustable.
@@OverlandEngineer gotcha. That’s kinda what I was finding in my research just wanted to confirm. I am thinking about buying a 4Runner just don’t know if I wanna go with TRD pro or TRD off road yet.
@@hunterwedding6950 I would probably go with a TRD Offroad if you will change a lot and if you don't plan to do anything too aggressive and mainly camping stuff, the TRD Pro would be enough!
I have the Bilstein lift kit. Could I add that 3 inch spacer kit you screen grabbed as well and have a 6 inch lift?
I wouldn't do that haha. I at least don't feel qualified to answer.
Dude epic video
So much good content for starting out
Have 285s and a BMC, icon stage 7
Going to 315s, how much would I have to change?
Biggest thing is stuffing clearance and rubbing for 35s. The rear is typically easy. Most people recommend removing suspension to test full travel for wheel well clearance of 35s…. After that, make sure your tires aren’t too wide to where they will rub on upper control arms or frame at full lock so you may need some negative offset. Depending on your caster, you will probably still have to remove front mud flaps, hammer pinch welds (and seal them correctly - important), and cut the front plastic caps by your bottom rocker panels these caps can rub and get pulled off so some people glue them). You may have to trim in front too but depends on your front bumper setup. Also regearing but not immediately necessary in my opinion if you can drive on mainly flat land and not floor it. That’s what I can think of right now haha.
Tires, Skid plates and sliders first, then a lift, bumper(s), winch, and lighting.
Maybe if you are an offroad hardo...I don't think everyone needs all that...many people don't even touch their skids.
@@OverlandEngineer well, I didn’t buy an Offroad vehicle to go to the mall. Haha
@@electricstartclint No but some people didn't buy it to do black bear pass...
@@OverlandEngineer tires and armor should definitely be the top of the list if going Offroad is on the agenda. Not destroying my engine, trans and transfer case is on the top of my list.
Nice video, learned a lot, thanks so much! Any reason that you swapped the fox suspension system comes with on your trd pro to another system, I don’t quite understand this part.
Awesome! The biggest reason was the stock suspension has almost no lift. I wanted/needed more lift. It rode really nice but not as great for trails. Plus the stock suspension was right around 100k miles. Plus I did not have fox. that was released in 2019. I had a stock TRD pro bilstein/toyota system.
@@OverlandEngineer got it. Mine is 2019 trd pro with fox shock, perhaps getting one inch lift, not exactly sure. I’m wondering how it will handle the weight of C4 bumper you installed.
@@wanderlostNW it will probably sag a little in the front. Those westcott kits are pretty sweet though that allow you to keep the stock Fox system. I’d check those out. If you get a bumper I presume you might be wanting a winch?
@@OverlandEngineer thanks man! I’ll definitely check it out. Yes I will get the winch for sure, perhaps the badlands from HF like you did. Thanks again for all your help!
@@wanderlostNW no problem! Honestly the stock systems are pretty nice but a 3” lift and 33” tires open up so much more performance Offroad so it’s hard in my mind to stay at stock configuration but the westcott kit is a great way to keep the stock system and get more lift if you want to keep the Fox suspension
Great video
Great tips! Thanks for the vid!
Good idea on the video man. I liked it. Make it a yearly as you learn more. I’d probably remove Westcott, man. They’re not a spacer lift, they’re a preload lift. Completely different design. Turns stock coil overs in to lifted coil over using a thicker spring seat. Basically the same as using a higher spring seat location as on a lifted coil over. Or maybe Keri then and describe the difference, because they’re a great inexpensive option.
Some people call preload lifts just a different kind of spacer lift. I think you can get also just get spring seat spacers that you throw on top of the original to get the same effect. I probably should have talked about the different a little more but thats why I also showed the pro comp kit because thats the typical spacer kit where you throw a puck on the top plate. I debated a westcott type kit made by ToyTec for my TRD Pro suspension but all it does is force the struts open farther for more lift so you basically take away down travel which is super important for offroad in my opinion. So maybe it is a good inexpensive option but I'd say its similar to most spacer lifts in that I would choose a suspension lift if I planned to take it offroad seriously but spacer lifts aren't bad.
The first thing I do to any vehicle I own is upgrade to the brightest white led headlights I can find. It's a simple thing but it makes the vehicle more pleasurable to drive.
Great video!
Thanks man!
Great advice
Thanks!
I really appreciate the white light but on road with those white lights coming at you. You cannot see at all. You might be able to see everything but the person driving towards you is pretty much driving blind.
Dang it another amazing content!!!
Haha thanks!
It's never a bad idea to buy a winch
If you deal with snow
F*** leds
Halogen for the win. Kc makes some sweet 4 inch halogen lights
Thats why I run yellow/amber fogs. If it snows but the roads are plowed, then it's not really reflecting that bad... I just run both if its snowing outside and then its the same color as halogens but way brighter. It is also much more power efficient.
@@OverlandEngineer
I don't much care about the color, some do cut through fog and snow better. But around here ICING is the bigger deal. Halogen will keep the ice from building up. For those with old sealed beam lights the glass h4 housing replacements are perfect.
@@OverlandEngineer It's also to fact that LEDs don't get warm enough to keep the snow from sticking to the lights.
@@jasonmckimmey250 Maybe so but I have not had a problem. I also run high powered LEDs not small output ones so they have radiators and fans to keep them cool while running. I think mine probably get hot enough.
Helpful!
Thanks!
Haha I've seen warn winches fail all the time, which is the funny thing because people pay the extra money just to have it fail
If you’re in Minnesota buy your upgrades for me at four wheel parts I will hook u up
Go get some deals at 4Wheel Parts!
Good info nonetheless.
He forgot to mention the most important thing, cut your credit card and only buy things if you can afford. Remember credit card is for poor people.
I use the credit card all the time….In fact, I can’t remember the last time I used a debit card. I’d rather pay for stuff with other peoples money, risking their money and not mine. IF you are disciplined, there is NO reason to use cash or a debit card.
@@Nunyobidne55exactly
@davidcox9181 I agree if you pay 0 Interest by paying it off, you can actually benefit. Also if someone steals your card and there are unauthorized purchases, they are covered. Debit is NOT covered.
For the 4runner:
1st thing is to
1. Get a locking gas cap
2. Catalytic converter covers
3. Undercoating (many 4runners rust out before the engines die.
I put it all on credit cards and pay off every month and cash in on the rewards points
Only for poor people if you can't pay it off completely every month, I like my rewards I get.
Beware. The Falken tires are made in China now.(2022) That's what I wanted but I went with the BFG's #1 becase they are great and last so many miles and #1 again is BFGoodrich Tires celebrated 75 years of manufacturing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama USA last year.
Suby outback? Do you got a sweet a$$ rainbow sticker in it?😂
Put Yokohama 015"s on my wifes highlander they are a great tire all around and don't look to aggressive.
I just installed Toyo AT3'S on my FJ cruiser after having bfg's go to crap in 25k miles. They still had 9 to 10/32 on them. I won't go back to bfg's after this last set.
My fj has only 1 3/4 in bilstein adjustables front and 5200 rear with Old man emu springs I found if your vehicle is light in the back end when unloaded your better off going all OME save you self some jarring from the 5200.
Hmm. Good to know! Just bought some Falken Wildepeak AT Trails for my wife's Outback. They have been awesome but I was eyeing the 015s. I hear more and more people leaving KO2s after buying them for years. Not a good sign to me...
dude, sleep on top or sleep inside. Some of the shit that passes close to your camp in the night would freak you out.
Hahaha
Westcott Designs is really over rated. their rock slider`s are light duty compared to RCI. doing a spacer lift is money you will wish you had put towards a real lift kit.
I was referring to the westcott designs strut spring spacer kit more than their other stuff. I have not heard anything about their armor until you mentioned it. I think spacer lifts are plenty for people that don't plan to go offroad or just do forest roads. It is a place they would not need to spend extra money. I also think that spacer lifts are a great first step for someone to save for a dobinsons, king, fox adjustable lift and still get the look they want while saving up.
Go off-roading with your spacer
absolutely if free them why not. But they are cost like gold I rather buy cloths and feed my family unless those youtuber got for free to reviews lol.
I bought wrong one…$49k overpriced sr5 premium…traded it in 7-8 months later for $52k and bought an overpriced ORP for $53,9k…yes
Goodyear durtrack
No thanks...I had a set and toward end of life they were terrible. I don't ever plan to buy another set. They were 265s too.
@@OverlandEngineer thanks for information
@@danbrown8310 Have you had good luck with them?
@@OverlandEngineer yes but on my f250
You mentioned Fox Shocks on your stock 4Runner so I have to be the one to ask lol. Why waste the extra money on the TRD Pro, just to tear out the parts you paid extra for?
The TRD Pro is for people who will keep it mostly stock lol
Also this title is not fitting.. You list every major mod category as "modifications I should have bought first" 🤣
I bought my 2015 4Runner at a time when TRD Offroad wasn’t a trim level and TRAIL trims were super rare so this was best for getting the locker. It had 100k miles on it and I paid 5k under MSRP. The fox shocks were still doing ok but basically on the way out. Perfect time to upgrade. So I didn’t waste any money…I’ve replaced most parts on the rig and the drive train has been solid. I’m glad I didn’t buy one new…maybe your comment fits for someone that buys a 2023 Pro.
Also I’m not sure the fox comment was interpreted correctly or maybe I phrased something on but TRD pros came with Bilsteins up until 2019 or something…I never had fox suspension. I’ve talked before about if I didn’t run dobinsons, I’d run fox. Maybe that’s what it was. This video is like a year old or something I don’t remember.
*IS THAT A RAPTOR?*🤦🏻♂️
There is always that guy...
Video starts at 2 minutes
these bozos that upgrade to LED then blind all cars infront of them - good for u. hope you get a ticket
Have you tried watching yourself talk to the camera for 20 minutes?
you talk alot. yet you say so little
Ditto