Arizona January 8

Sun Valley AZ off I-40. My wife and I slept in the 4Runner underneath the dinosaurs. 1800 miles into a 5k mile trip. On our way to Sedona for a month then driving to Ft Meyers Florida and stay there until April before we head back to Chicago.

 

Very cool! I hope you share more photos from your adventure! I did a 5,400-mile trip the second two weeks of October, but I went the opposite direction, Colorado to Maine, to DC, to New York, back to Colorado.

 

Thank you. Getting to try out all my recent additions. Sherpa, Diode Dynamics and Rago Fabrication. I should’ve listened to everyone here. Went with the DD Max fog lights. They’re way too bright. I have cars 6 lanes over flashing their headlights at me. These things are lightning up signs 200+ yards away. Oh well. For now I’ll use them as my daytime running lights. Live and learn. This is my first Toyota. I freaking love this thing. We got it in June 22 and already have 24k miles on it. I figure I’m going to have fun with it.

 

You've definitely got some nice mods on it! Mine is a silver ORP from June of 2022 as well, so I like your style. You made the right choice. I'm on my second 4Runner and I've had two Tacos. I decided more than 20 years ago, if I buy a vehicle with 4 wheels it will either be a Taco or a 4Runner (until the Hilux comes to the US).

 

Thank you. I wanted an ORP but the place that had one was 6 hours away and wouldn’t quote me a price over the phone. Up next I’m putting Eibach pro lift 2 and I’m torn between KO2s and Falken wildpeak. Definitely doing the 285//70/17 on it. I just don’t know which one to choose. On your ORP you have Fox shocks. Correct? Do you like them or any suggestions you have for me.

 

No, I believe the TRD Pro comes with Fox shocks, but I have the TRD ORP, which comes with just the standard shocks. On mine, I went with a 2" lift (front and back) using the Old Man Emu lift kit, and I opted for the "heavy" springs. It makes for a very stiff ride, as I don't have a ton of weight on the vehicle yet. I plan to add a bit more weight, and I personally don't mind a stiff ride, I like it feeling like a truck. But I think for most people it would be a bit harsh, if that's not your thing.

This is it with the 2" OME lift. I went with stock size BFG KM3's, but I'm regretting that choice. I love KO2's and KM2/3, but when this set wears out I'm going to put on some Toyo Open Country MT's in 255/80R17. They're a 33.3" tire, and won't rub any more than a 285/70 would (and 285/70's are slightly under 33").

 

That is so sharp. I’ve only heard about OME. Do you like them? In terms of the tires rubbing I have to shave off some of the wheel well. I’m assuming I’d have to do the same with the Toyo’s? Thanks for the help.

 

Thank you very much! I'm happy with my OME's. My goal may be different than some folks, I wasn't looking for a suspension upgrade/ lift to do rock crawling or high-speed desert racing type stuff, and OME is not designed for that. OME makes their kits for carrying heavier than standard loads, at normal speeds, over rough road conditions (like the Australian Outback, which is their primary market). That's exactly what I wanted in a shock. It may sound silly (but since when do hobbies have to make sense? ), but my goal is to recreate a 4Runner version of the SAS Jeep/ LRDG trucks used in North Africa (minus the twin Vickers mount lol). I'm throwing a bunch of Jerry cans on the roof rack (I have 3 gas and one water), and setting it up for long distances over rough roads, not rock crawling or racing.

But back on serious topics, I'm willing to do some plastic trimming to make tires fit, and most folks say that is all that is needed for either the 285/70 or the 255/80. I draw the line at chopping metal, so I won't do the BMC. On my 2017 Taco (so maybe slightly different fitment than a 4Runner), I used 255/85R16's, and all I had to do was remove the front mud flaps and trim a bit of the plastic around the inside of the wheel well. Since the 255/85R16 is dimensionally identical to the 255/80R17, I would imagine it will be very similar on my 4Runner. Everyone that I've heard who's done it has reported that was all that was necessary. Forum member "RedRunner87" has a set of 255/80R17's mounted on his truck and I think they look outstanding. I love tall skinnies. Check his post about 3/4 of the way down this page:
What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today? | Page 759 | Toyota 4Runner Forum [4Runners.com]

 

Wow. Thank you. Yeah I’m going for a ride for like easy to moderate off-roading. I was torn between the 5100 Bilstein and Eibach. After reading a lot of posts here and watching way to many YouTube videos I think I’m going to go with Eibach. As mentioned I bought it in June but literally did all the recent mods last week. Not knowing a lot abought Toyotas and off-roading I have to watch a lot of YouTube videos and talk to experts, like yourself, on this site. My wife love geology so we spend a lot of time off road getting to spots she wants to explore. I’m willing to spend a little more money on quality mods to make sure we aren’t stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Some people may say I don’t need a lift or different shocks and maybe they’re right. BUT I honestly don’t care. It’s my first 4 runner and I want it to looks bad ass. I have a 40 in Baja Design arriving tomorrow. Is that excessive to spend 1800 on that? Yes it totally is. But I’m 52 and I want my 4 runner to be nice. My wife and I enjoy designing it how we want it to look. Our kids are married and out on their own. We now are having fun exploring in the 4 runner. Hey I appreciate all the tips and advice you’ve provided.

 

Happy to help, but you're far too generous calling me an "expert". Haha. I consider myself barely above noob status when it comes to off-roading. I've done it a lot over the years, but never like rock crawling. I'm in a very similar position to you, I'm 50, my kids are both grown and gone (as is my ex haha), and now I'm finally tricking out a 4Runner. Tires are the only modification I ever did to my previous 4Runner and two previous Tacos. I kept them all bone stock. So, I finally decided to trick this one out. What the heck, we only go around once, right? I also feel free to do more with this than my previous trucks because this one is completely paid off (as of two weeks ago).

 

I did a 5,396 mile trip from MD to CO / UT and back (mountain biking: 9/18 - 10/08). 20 days and slept inside the 4R for 17 nights. Great trip and slept well every night. Beautiful time to see the aspens in all their glory! Plan to do it again next September with WY, MT, ID and OR being the destination. Best way to see, feel and taste this great country of ours!