Help- Need to go larger tires and so think LT

Sorry for the long post but I posted on one Facebook group and several “Digital Creators” could not stop commenting like I bought my 4Runner last week and want a fancy setup for the mall. Trust me, I can’t afford to buy a setup for looks, just like I can’t afford to take the 4Runner out and break components regularly. I’m good with armor and I do take it off road.

I live in Virginia and have traveled to PA, WV, and NC, so I’ve done some east coast rocky trails to a mild rock garden and would like to step up to doing more, so I’m looking to go up to 317’s or 35’s” with a strong setup.

I’ve had the Bilstein 5100s and 285/70r17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers for four years and want to buy once, and need to start buying soon and figuring out if I need to delete the KDSS. I’ve been looking at the Marlin Crawler RCLT for more two years but there’s no way I can justify that purchase. I’ve also been looking at the Dobinson’s MRR, Total Chaos, Wicked Creations, and am starting to lean towards the JD Fabrications 2.25" long travel kit. Anyone familiar?

Here’s what I like about the JD Fab kit: (1) rebuildable Kings, (2) pushes the tires forward some just like the RCLT, (not as much, I know) to reduce chopping and banging and help with caster, and (3) less expensive axle solution (RCLT uses RCV and people have issues with the boots). They also state at the bottom that they recommend some other components which seems like it moves closer to the RCLT but still a significant reduction in cost.

https://jdfabrication.com/collectio...tion-4runner-03-109-6-lug-4-long-travel-kit-1

Appreciate any help.

 

LT is not going to help fit larger tires and you will most likely need fenders to accommodate your current size and larger when at full compression.

 

What does long travel have to do with tires? Just go skinny 34's

 

The LT is for better articulation, and don’t the control arms need to be upgraded when you go 2.5”?

 

Welcome

 

Thanks for the info
Can you explain the fenders apart

 

Hey OP
So I have KDSS and did 3" front, 2" rear lift with aftermarket lift springs and Bilstein 5100's on all four corners. I also got SPC UCA's w/ sealed bjoints.
I could use one or two KDSS correction parts, it's certainly on the to do list, but money is the issue like you've stated.
But I don't think deleting KDSS is something one should do, in your situation. I haven't seen anyone actually do so here. Could be wrong but if your saying 2.5" lift? You arguably don't need much KDSS correction either.
I ain't know much about LT tho if you can't tell

 

Why did you buy the KDSS that you want to delete now? Don't go higher than 34s, spend money on steel bumpers and skid plates.
If you wanted 37s or higher, you bought the wrong vehicle. 37s won't make a 4Runner Jeep either. Don't ruin your nice truck, trade it in for a Jeep if rock crawling is your thing.

 

lol if your off road trails really 35s, then just buy a Jeep.

I doubt many ppl, if any on this forum is wheeling like this dude…

are you planning on being more extreme than him?

https://youtu.be/rOJFDHOMCjw?si=XvT-2JXUc4cEnFzd

 

IFS and smaller tires are not the only problems of our truck, it is also the angles, it is too long for a rock crawler. That's true for the Jeep Gladiator too. If hardcore rock crawling is your thing, buy an old TJ and build it into a dedicated rock crawler. You will not only waste your money on the 4Runner, but you will also ruin it. Keep your 4Runner light so that it can tow your TJ to Moab lol

 

Leave that poor truck alone. Go buy one of these lil things and bash it on the rocks.

 

Fenders meaning fiberglass fenders. These are AVD:

 

Betcha Newman wouldn't have died if he had a 4Runner and winch

 

Riiiight fiberglass
Thank you

 

Excellent video, really shows what a 5th gen is capable of.

Thanks for sharing

 

Dude’s channel is crazy!

just a lift, full armor and k02s. No other superficial mods

 

Long Travel means replacing the upper/lower control arms, long axles, long travel shocks (notice I didn’t say extended shocks), longer break lines, possibly positive offset wheels (at least zero offset), tie rod extensions. Then you’ll want to do something with the rear axle like small spacers, maybe tundra shocks, break lines again. And really a litany of other considerations (regear, lockers cuz why not it’s only money!, reinforcing shock mounts, upgrading breaks for massive tires, power steering). Then you get into bumpers for your winch and spare tire.

It’s a big rabbit hole for sure! You’ll find yourself equipped with racing parts that demand racing parts maintenance too!

Begin with the end in mind, plan your build around your use case. Maybe LT will still be the way to go. If so, I’ll see you in the rabbit hole

 

Yea, trying to keep this concise because it’s in my original post. My question was response to doing the lift without the other components. The fact is that my goal is wheel it a little harder. I got the tires and Bilstein’s five years ago have probably spent everyday since reading and watching videos, I even a spreadsheet with what I believe are pretty costs ranging from RCLT HD, Total Chaos Expedition Series, Dobinson MRR, and a JB Fabrivation LT kit and lower pivot kit. Trail4R.com did a review on the lower pivot.
I have friends who tow a rig to the trail, I don’t want to go that route, but I have to drive 3+ hours from SE Virginia to go anywhere.
I came on here because I don’t have a good shop nearby to discuss. I think a meetup will be better.
https://trail4runner.com/2023/12/03...control-arm-pivot-kit-5th-gen-4runner-review/

 

This^ I love the 4Runner platform for what it is but building a rock crawler out of it defeats the purpose imo. A basic mid travel kit and 33's will get you most places you need to go and maintain Toyota reliability.

If you want to spend over $100,000 then convert the 4R into a rock crawler sure. But it makes absolutely no financial sense... If you've got a ton of money and you can afford to break shit and replace shit all the time, then sure. If this is your daily and you "don't have money to break parts all the time" then I'll ask you to come back to earth...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9xk6-Y1w84

A dream build like this is awesome but it's not attainable for most people. You're talking about 150,000 dollar vehicle without any labor calculated... For what? To take it out a few times a year? When are you going to need the extra capability? Is it worth $150,000 +

 

I've put about 10k on a +2.75 RCLT kit over the last year. LT is a ton of work to get going and even more maintenance than you'd expect if you actually use it. It is SOOO worth it.

I'm double locked on 35's and cutting for 38's now. I have no hesitation tackling a 1k mile road trip and hitting hard trails when I get there. I put my rig through the same trails as my friends with dana 60's on the regular. I can hit speeds of 70 or 80 on the highway without issue. If you're handy and plan on going hard then do it.

 

Also, if you have a grinder you don't need expensive fenders lol

 

How much money did you spend on the long travel kit, wheels and tires? Regeared to 4.88s as well?
Also, is this your daily?

I'm glad you're out there using it! I know many people personally with very expensive setups who hardly go use them. Maybe they'll go out 2-3 times a year.

 

It isn't cheap, about the same ballpark as a SAS. Haven't split out those specific items but I have a spreadsheet I can share with people who are serious. Upgrades tend to snowball once you get into it.

It has revolution 4.88's and an arb up front. I split daily duties between it and my Tundra. It see's around 1k of pavement a month, at least a weekend or two of wheeling too.

 

I’ve been tracking RCLT since they announced the prototype. Please look at my original post, and I’d love to see your spreadsheet to compare to mine.

 

Total Chaos makes a kdss compatible kit that works well if you want to keep it. I wheel with a LC that has TC and KDSS, he does work on the trail with that big body! JD makes some AWESOME stuff too, can't go wrong with it. I've also seen Dirt King in action and love their products.

 

You need to come back to reality and reset goals and expectations accordingly.

Unless of course you're looking to spend 10k minimum and cut your fenders or replace them with fiber glass.

 

Respect

 

I think the jd-fab pivot kit would be a non-LT option. Why? Because I think (someone should fact check this b/c what do I know?) the LT systems might already move the axle forward. I called Total Chaos and they told me that the +2 and the +3.5 kits move the axle forward, but they would not divulge the amount. So you'd need to make sure that compounding the two would be copacetic.

If LT isn't your cup of tea, the pivot kit combined with extended travel shocks sound interesting. As many have stated, lifts do not actually help fit 35s. Cutting, tubbing, messing with body mounts, and alignment are the ingredients for successfully fitting 35s (but still creating other issues like gears, breaking, steering). This should be required reading:
https://www.coastaloffroad.com/clearing-35-tires-at-any-ride-height/

Choose your adventure, but choose wisely and I'll see you out there!

 

You can run both the JD fab pivot and LT. The truck in the thread linked does and I've been eyeing one myself:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rclt-hd-2-75-travel-numbers-and-notes.771723/