2023 Build Thoughts and new member intro

Mate, welcome! I love that you already have a plan of action. $15K is not bad at all for getting your vehicle modded the way you want it! You paid for it, so you may as well customise it as you'd like.

This is my 4th 4Runner, and it's the only one that i really went crazy with, with regards to lift, sliders, etc. Make it the way you'd like it!

Cheers,

Sean

 

Thank you Sean.

 

Welcome!

Sounds like you’re jumping right in!
Although, since you’re not planning on keeping it very long, I guess every second counts lol.

Personally, I’d want to have that 4runner before paying for all those things. Otherwise you'd be tying up your money for no benefit I can think of. That would also give you a little time to drive the 4runner and at least feel how it is “normal”…which might help with noticing any install issues that might come up.

Regarding the Dobinsons IMS, I love those shocks as much as I love my 4runner. They just feel good on the road. And they soak up rough roads and trails very nicely. The IMS shocks are just super well composed in every situation I throw at them, as long as you remember it doesnt change the nature of a very old-school body on frame truck design during evasive maneuvers. Dobinson springs are also well regarded with regard to resisting sagging over time.

I would recommend 2.5” maximimum in front, honestly it’s probably better to do 2 inches tops so you can retain better up/down travel balance. Also, you’re probably going to be a bit taller than intended after install. I would also only get the springs for extra weight in front only if you in fact will be putting that extra weight on! The front is not where you want to have that extra weight if it’s not always going to be on the vehicle.

crickeymike at Exit Off Road was very helpful with my questions when I was deciding what springs and dampers options I should go with for my uses.

Regarding the supercharger, 10k is a lot to spend, regardless of how much disposable income somebody has. It’s also a fairly permanent install. And, like you said, it could cut the engine’s life in half. Even if it doesn’t actually cut life that much, that’s what potential buyers might think. And who’s interested in a 4runner that will only make 150,000 miles? If the market stays the same in 3 or 4 years when you sell, you’ll probably do fine selling it for typical blue book value, but if the bubble pops by then, it might be hard to sell it. You should really look into reviews on 4runner supercharger installs. I saw a guy on this forum posted something a while back, and he seemed decidedly underwhelmed for the amount of money spent. I think these are all the factors that explain why you don’t see that much on these superchargers.

Regarding 285/70 on the pro wheels, they are wider than recommended for the width of that wheel, but a lot of people run that with no problems. Since you don't plan of off roading, I would worry even less about that.

Speaking of going off-road, isnt half of Missouri national forest?
That’s some prime off-road traveling real estate, just saying

 

Hi and thanks for the response.
I'd guess 20% of the responses I've gotten here and on the other site about the SC idea have been favorable and 80% have suggested there are better ways to spend that kind of money... It has me second guessing it for sure.
"Maybe I need to slow down a bit before I spend a bunch of money on it that I probably won't get back" is probably the best advice to listen to.

I'm glad you like your Dobinsons suspension. I intend to make a visit to Adventure Motors for further consultation... Like a lot of people that mod their 4runners, I want to be prepared for the zombie apocalypse, but most likely won't ever get to experience the kind of off-roading the truck is capable of.
You mentioned Missouri having some forrest land, and we do... I've ridden motorcycles in that area all of my life, both on and off road. I've considered taking a 4wd vehicle there many times, but I've never actually done it. The good stuff is about 4 hours from Kansas City which puts you right on the AR border (where there is even more great trails).

The reason I say I don't think it will see much off road use is because I've owned the Range Rover pictured above twice. Bought it from a friend who bought it from another friend, then he bought it back, and now I own it again... In 140,000 miles of combined ownership, neither of us have taken it off road even though we both have had aspirations of it. (yes, 5 owners if you count me twice and the guy I bought it from twice). I've also owned a couple of Wranglers and other 4wd vehicles, and none of them have done the kind of adventures I see people posting on this site.

The point Im hearing made is that I should slow down... I'm listening.

Thanks for your post.
Dan

 

Hi Dan and welcome to the forum. I purchased a used 4Runner from Adventure Motors and had a rather unpleasant experience.

I would stay away from Mike Fuller and the crew, they are not as competent as they would like you to believe. If you like, dm me for further discussion.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Nice build. I'm looking at Dobinson's but the less expensive shocks and a little less lift (2" front, 1.75" rear)...so no UCAs. And I'm gonna need steps anyway so I'm probably gonna just go with sliders.

 

Welcome!
I think if you keep that build under 15K you are doing well. I run the SC in my 4R, sometimes I feel like it isn't worth it, sometimes, i feel like it does help. I come and go on this one. It is a lot of $$ for a few more ponies. Good luck and send pictures!

 

Thanks!
I just got word that it has been processed at the port and could possibly get on a train today. If it does, I'm hopeful to take possession next week.
Hopefully I can post pics soon.

 

If everything is maintained well, and routinely as far as the reviews and 2 folks I know that have the Magnuson SC one shouldn’t have any longevity concerns. If you abuse it, trying to do 0-60 times, then of course you’re going to shorten the life of the drivetrain. As any vehicle, it’s a power to weight ratio, and for those that pile on the weight, the SC is an option to get back to the stock ratio.

As a reference, my vehicle weight is close to stock. I recently added the a throttle controller (not for the better driving feel, for the pedal lock out for theft). I have put it on a sportier setting, but driving this more like a car quickly reminds me that the stopping power isn’t up to the same level of fun. If you increase the power for more get up and go, then you’d better align the brake performance.

 

I've been second guessing the Silver one I had put a deposit on. I really wanted the charcoal grey, but at the time the only one available close to me that would be in within a reasonable time was silver. (I'm losing $1000 on my non-refundable deposit ).

The closest dealer to me happened to get a grey one in yesterday that was not spoken for, so I am the proud owner of this new 2023 TRD Off Road Premium.

I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't have any kind of remote start... neither FOB nor App., but other than that I think I'm going to be pretty happy with it.

Sorry for the crappy picture, but after swapping all the stuff out of the Rover, it was getting dark.

Not sure I'll move ahead with the SC, but there will be other mods very soon.

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice,
Dan

 

Welcome to a great forum. I have a 2020 off-road premium with KDSS. I have documented all my mods and the costs. Just click the link below.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/cowboys-first-4runner-and-chronicle-of-mods-upgrades.18688/

 

Not sure how you made your deposit or what the terms were between you and that dealer but I would be pursuing a refund heavily. Nice 4R btw, hope you enjoy it (and get that $1k back from the stealership)

 

Congrats on the new 4R! There was a lot to process in this thread. I wanted to comment on getting those tires to fit. Someone mentioned you would need to cut your bumper. Yes, but just a small trim will work and you won't even notice it, and no you won't need a viper cut. They'll need to trim the back edge of the bumper and move the fender lining back out of the way a little bit. Trust us, you'd rather have them do it than not.

 

I say rock that supercharger! Then again I live in Hawaii on the big island where there are tons of elevation changes going all the way past 10,000 feet. Moreover, if primarily keeping it on tarmac, a supercharger is a far more useful mod than a lift and or armor.

 

I guess it’s time for an update… no progress on the supercharger and I’m still reading up on it to see if it’s something I need/want.

But… I did end up ordering (parts delay) a ToyTech 3/2 lift and some Fuel wheels with Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/17’s
I also ordered a remote start kit which I think arrived while I was out of town, a center consul organizer, and a blackout kit from Amazon.
It’s in for a ceramic coating right now, and the lift parts won’t be in for a couple of weeks, but I’ll try to get a few pics posted soon.

This site has been really informative and a few things have changed for me because of it… thanks to all that post here.
Dan

 

Do you have a written Toyota Contract stipulating non-refundable deposit for a commodity not in your possession. Cancel the credit card payment. Dealership can fight it out with the Credit Card company. My past experience

 

Yep... I didn't see any way it would take this long to get the truck in stock.
It's kinda BS that they don't have their feet in the fire, but mine are sure in it.

The issue is that it would cost more than $1000.00 to fight them on it with an attorney.

 

Does Toyota Headquarters approve of this "Pound of Flesh' approach.
Why not call their bluff and see what happens after the credit card payments are declined.

Then you can air your candid reviews for the dealership on the internet.

I refused to put any deposit down. The dealership still went ahead to look my vehicle. My Orders were simple TRD Sport with Tech Package. So vehicle was still sellable to anyone.

 

Update on the deposit.

I went to the Attorney General's website for the dealers state (Kansas - I live on the Missouri side) and quoted the type of activity the AG looks for. I copied and pasted it directly from Kris Kobach's website and let them know that I feel their terms are written unfairly and that this is what the AG is looking for.
The phone rang minutes later (literally) and I didn't answer, but the voicemail the GM of the Toyota dealership left further implicated him... which I pointed out in a email response.
He asked I take his call to discuss the matter and I agreed...

After a very convincing and emotion filled argument where I let him know I was willing to let the AG decide what was fair practice, he agreed to refund my deposit.

I feel kinda bad about backing out of the agreement, but at this point it wasn't about the money anymore... it was about a very unfairly written "contract" that only protected the dealership. There wasn't even a provision for the dealership not being able to produce the car, or anything to protect me in the event the truck arrived with damage or issues from the factory.
Just purely and completely written with an effort to fleece you out of a thousand bucks!

The real kicker is that I think it's going to be in on the 15th and there is a good chance that I'm going to be out of town for a few days when it arrives. The agreement says that if I don't pick it up within 48 hours of arriving, you guessed it, deposit forfeited.

I have a pretty sharp tongue when I'm agitated and the GM, hopefully, learned that not all of his customers will lay down and accept his "authority".

 

Fair is Fair ---- All other Toyota dealership offer $500 REFUNDABLE Deposits. Congratulations.

 

I accepted that I had a deposit on the truck and backed out. I was willing to lose the money when I bought a different truck, but I also thought as easy as they are to sell, surely they would help me out.
I was baffled that they were not willing to even try to help me.

Then as I read the agreement closer, it was obvious that it was designed for the dealership to pick the pocket of those that don't read things closely... i.e. Me!!
That is when I got pissed and decided to fight back.

They are not out anything and have a truck that will be very easy to sell. I will sleep good tonight.

 

Typically those dealer "contracts" do not hold a lot of weight. They just prey on uneducated consumers and take advantage of them. Personally I would never do business with any dealer that asks for a non refundable deposit. Glad you got your money back.

 

In 2002 I gave a Rhode Island Nissan dealer a $1500 deposit to order me a new 350Z as I wanted one of the first of the new generation to come out. They told me they still had special order allotments and took my deposit. 6 months later I started asking when I would get my car as they were starting to arrive and I had even seen a couple around town. Needless to say I started to feel like I was getting the run around after a few more months passed of hearing it should be in any day. Finally I found the phone number for Nissan North America and called them. They were able to look up in the system that no order for my car was ever placed and to make matters worse no cars were made to the specifications I wanted so they couldn't even re-direct a car to RI for me. So I had them contact the stealership and get my deposit back which arrive via check a few weeks later. Because of this I no longer order cars, I pick from what they have in stock.

 

Easier said than done these days, nobody has much for stock...

 

Depends on the Dealerships financial outlook with corporate. While some dealerships don't and cant get anything in stock.
There is another Toyota dealership always having T4R on the lot, in-transit and in build status - ready to pick from.
Just 25miles away from me.