What should my next upgrade be?

I've got a couple of things to add on my 00' Toyota 4Runner. I've already add a lift, Blistein shocks, SCS rims and MT tires. However, I want to add more!!

I'm open to suggestions whether it's performance, off roading, or just for looks (armor/ light bar) etc.

 

LED interior and/or exterior lights

 

What color of light choice for the interior and for the exterior what light should I start first? Bar, floor, ditch, fog?

 

Sorry can't help you on color and you can pretty much start wherever you fancy. It's all gonna look good. I'm gonna start with the instrument cluster and center console control lights first. It won't cost an arm and it will make a difference. Color, I think I might go with the ice-blue but maybe someone else on here will chime in and give US some advice. Lol

 

Interesting, I didn't even think about the center console control, because I assumed that these slots that I have on my driver side were made for switches and what nots

 

What's your budget?

 

No more than $2500

 

And what do you use your runner for most?

 

Agree, best question that can be asked. $2500 will do more than one of those things mentioned, what direction is this truck gonna go for you?

I will throw this one out. If you've done a lift, MT tires and rims. How's the truck doing? Gears would give you better performance, improve off road, and put less stress on drivetrain. It's not a terrible direction.

 

Just overlanding, no major rock crawling

 

Oh right, someone mentioned for me to get a locker, any suggestions?

 

Overlanding in the camping sense is more about creative use of space, multipurpose items, and really paring down what you need with field testing vs. what you think you need. So the good news is, other than a rack up top or a hitch mounted cargo carrier, you're already set. You can spend a fortune on knick-knacks.

For locker, that's tricky, is this a daily driver? An auto locker, like a detroit locker, could be a problem if it were a daily driver. In that case, you might see if you already have a limited slip diff in the back, and that + 4wd + winch should do you a lot of good.

If you want a real locker, you have a few options, ARB lockers are kinda pricey, but if you combine it with a re-gear, you can eliminate some duplication of costs. I'd say your regear front and back and a rear locker would set you back around the $2000 - $2500 neighborhood if you installed it yourself, probably another $1000 if you pay someone, so that's past your budget.

However, a limited slip could probably be done for $1000 or so, I really don't know. Less if you installed yourself.

You'd be surprise what open diffs, good tires, and 4x4 will get you. If you aren't sure you need a locker, I'd invest in other things first.

--- To change direction a little ---

If you plan to offroad and are near rocks, I'd certainly consider rock sliders and at least mild skid plates first. Sliders should be in the $600 range unpainted, so you'll spend about $50 painting them. Skid sets can be found around $500 for a set.

If you're going alone, a winch could be something really worthwhile, and if you're with a friend, at least one of you should have one.

Off road bumpers give you better clearance and places to mount winches, lights, antenna's, so those are decent choices.

 

Tons of options! I'll try to get diff first and most of these stuff will be installed by myself

 

Also don't overlook maintenence. I know new stuff always sounds fun but last thing you want is that new locker collecting dust while you try and repair the damage created from a snapped timing belt. If you plan on traveling id at least inspect your belts, hoses, bushings, joints, plugs, fluids, and charging system. If you plan on pulling a trailer then a trans cooler is smart. If you have no idea what has been done to your runner by the previous owner and you have the money to do it then I personally would change out almost everything and revive your runner from the inside first. I'd replace the radiator and hoses and install a trans cooler. Replace the belts, gaskets, and thermostat. Flush the trans and brake fluid. change the motor oil and gear oil. Inspect your ball joints and cv axles for play and torn boots. Check your diffs for leaking seals. Replace your plugs and coil packs. Test your alternator and replace battery if it's older then 5 years. This will make for worry free trips down the road and will be money well spent. If you do the work yourself you should still have some left to get a couple of mods on as well.

 

I've noticed that joints and belts are a common problem in the 3rd Gen T4R, anyway to maintain them?

 

Your belts should stay healthy if you check them and change them at the right intervals. Your ball joints are a common failure and with the lift and bigger tires your at more of a risk. People have swapped over to more beefy Tacoma ball joints and claim that it helps but after seeing quite a few of these done and looking at the original ball joint, the arm itself is a lot bigger but the weak point which is the ball joint itself is actually the exact same on both. In my opinion if you are to replace them your just as likely to break one as the other. But replacing them should grant you miles of wear before you ever have to think about them again. There really isn't any maintenance for belts or joints other then checking them when they get older and replacing them when they show wear. Keeping them clean is probably the best thing you can do.