New-to-me 2018. Help identify mods!

Hello all -

Last week I purchased a used 2018 TRD Off-road Premium 4Runner. The previous owner communicated via the dealership salesperson that he had a few modifications, but I do not have access to this person for specifics.

There’s a number of modifications he listed that I would be very appreciative of any assistance in identifying exactly what I have.

Here’s what he said “Front grill, 3 inch lift kit, tires, exhaust,” and a few dealer installed options that are easy to identify.

I’m primarily interested in figuring out exactly what lift I have. He stated it’s a 3”, but parking next to similar year 4runners it does not appear that large. I also don’t see any identifying components, although I’ve never been much into suspension.

The lights (headlight and fog both) have been upgraded with some sort of PIAA LED, but I’m not familiar with this system and a quick google search looks like there are a lot of potential options. I’ve seen people complain that their DRL’s no longer work with the LED upgrade....mine seem fine, but I also can’t seem them while driving.

Also curious what grill this is, if it isn’t factory.

I presume these tires and wheels are factory, but he said he swapped out both......

And I think he meant he replaced the exhaust tip, not the exhaust. This looks like a dealer installed accessory to me, not a fully upgraded exhaust system.

Thanks!!!

 

You got a spacer lift, I’d lose it if I were you and either keep stick suspension. Or go new shocks.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome from SoCal.

^^^ What Antman said.

 

Grill is not factory, but looks fine.

Spacer lift is using 100% factory components, removing it will likely lower your truck 2" and make the ride considerably better.

Those tires are stock tires, just maybe a replacement set. Nothing special, just a Highway tire P metric.

--Here is some direction--
Keeping the spacer lift won't hurt anything if you're just wanting to go for a look. To complete that look, get some more aggressive looking tires. There's a million to choose from but personally I'd stick with 265/70/17 (32") up to 285/70/17 (33"). Watch the tire weight, you want to keep the tires at around 50lbs per tire or less, unless you really want to take a bit MPG hit. Some suggestions are 265/70/17 BFG K02 in load range C, Falken Wildpeak in SL load (they are beefy for SL), and maybe a Nitto Terragrappler in P or Load C. Personally, Wildpeaks are a good tire for a reasonable cost.

You'll need the lift to remain in place if you choose a 285/70/17 tire, the 265/70/17 is stock size and you can revert the lift and run that tire with no issues.

--Why people don't like spacer lifts--
You're just using stock parts and compressing them to get more lift. The spring gets tighter the closer it is to bottoming out. With that "preload" you're starting already mid compression, so it's typically a rougher ride and you'll bottom out faster, reducing the suspension travel.

The upside, they are dirt cheap.

Don't buy any suspension until you've done your research. Also, Tacomaworld, although it's Tacaomas, is a wealth of knowledge too on suspension and the principals (and usually the parts are the same) apply 100%. Use this site and that one to shore up your suspension knowledge.

--Final thoughts--
Great vehicle, welcome. We'll help you sort it out to be what you've envisioned it to be.

 

Congrats and welcome from Colorado..!

 

GRILL ITS DEF OEM, JUST HAVES A AFTERMARKET GRILL INSERT, WHICH YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO REMOVE.

 

I appreciate all the responses, but this was especially helpful.

I traded my '15 Tacoma for the 4Runner - purchased the largest tires that would fit on the stock suspension to avoid messing with it. Based on the responses here, seems like it might be better just to do it right and dump the spacers until a lift is in the budget.

 

Your instinct in good. I really do not see any reason to keep the spacers.