If you had 1k to spend...

OP - what is your Ling term goal? What would you do if you had 20k?

And let's work towards that?

First thing I did was buy rock sliders to use as a step so my wife could still get in the various after a lift and tires.

 

Hahah I hear ya
Are raptors lights bad ass?

 

If they aren't I don't know what any of us are doing here. On the planet. Not these forums.

 

Let's not confuse decorations with modifications.

I've had some form of a modified truck for 30+ yrs, and I 100% agree - sliders are the first add-on or modification (depends how ya make/mount them) if you're actually going to leave the pavement.

 

Do a trip!!!

I was one of the original sponsors, years ago. Great 3-day trip! Have to bring water and firewood with you! Be sure to wash the alkali off afterwards! Watch for rattlers. Bring a Gnome with you.
Mojave Road Guide - An Adventure Through Time and Map Spiral-bound – January 1, 2010 Amazon

Mojave road - Yahoo Video Search Results


Or do, Rt 66 from one end to the other, the OLD route 66, bypass most of the freeway! Stay at El Rancho Hotel, eat frybread at Earle's, visit Chaco Canyon, Grand Canyon, Walnut Canyon in Flagstaff, visit "THE CORNER" in Winslow, AZ but get out and about!

 

The first upgrade should always be tires!!

 

With $1000 to spend..... eibach springs for my trd pro struts/shocks, another pair of spridtrax spacers, and rival skid plates.

 

Slider's and tires, never needed more than that. If you don't wheel heavy that will get you thru 80% of most trails. Diminishing returns on most other stuff except a lift of course.

Smart driving and some good spotting will keep the undercarriage out of the rocks for the most part. Sliders will pay for themselves the first time you use them and you will occasionally use them, guaranteed.

 

Are you talking about the OEM step bars? If so, they are not sliders. They will mangle if you show them a rock. You need proper sliders from CBI or any other vendors you see here. Frame mounted 100lb beasts of welded steel tubing...each. That's a slider. Save your money on the OEM stuff if that's what you are referring to. Just trying to save you from wasting money.

 

Toyota has actual sliders for the 5th gen 4runner. They mount to the frame, not the body of the car. These slider will work good for mild off roading. If your a hard core rock crawler, it might not work.

 

wheels and tires.
Or shocks to make ride firmer + level stance.
first one will probably cost more than 1000, and more than second one.

 

I just scored a set of these for free. They are actually pretty darn beefy! I really like them. perfect for the mild offroading I do.

 

I love mine. There's a YouTube video of a 4R being jacked up with them and they are stiff. I like that they are tucked in tightly. I don't need a step and don't want to have to step out around a rocker guard every time I enter and exit the vehicle. So for me they were perfect. Now I wouldn't try to drag them across the Rubicon, that's not why I bought my 4R. My Jeep is my hardcore rig, the 4R is my softcore rig.

 

The stock sliders get mixed reviews. I get that they're not heavy, DOM, etc. but does anyone have firsthand experience with them failing? They do seem like a really good option for stock to mild builds. The "approved" aftermarket sliders can look out of place on stock-ish trucks and may be (?) overkill.

YotaExpedition's site has good pics of the OE sliders - https://yotaxpedition.com/products/oem-rock-sliders-4runner-2014-2024

 

I ordered a set on Monday online and picked them up yesterday at my local dealer. Can't wait to put them on when it's a little warmer.

 

That's almost what I spent on my 4xinnovations sliders that are significantly better built. Why bother

 

They do get mixed reviews. But it just depends what you type of trails you plan on doing with your 4runner. Id say the weakest part of them is the hardware. The only thing I don't like is there's drain holes in them. So they'll probably rust out eventually

 

Again, bigger (farther out, kickouts, etc.) can look out of place on stock(ish) trucks. Also, those O.E. sliders can be found CHEAP as take-offs or new, from online Toyota parts stores for $360 a set.

 

If you are gonna baby it, just pay it off faster. Then pretend you have a car payment for another year and buy everything you want

 

Some quality sliders.

 

For $1000, this would be on my list: tint the front windows; oil catch can; upgraded lighting (to include underhood LED strip lights); a throttle controller (Pedal Commander, Banks, etc); no-drill splash guards; floor liners (Oedro or Husky). That should just about go thru that $1000...

 

Think the regime changers have KDSS?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5aIsVcrNW0/

 

None of which will improve performance.

 

The OP didn't limit it to performance upgrades. Comfort, security, and looks are all factors depending on HIS likes!

 

Sliders would be top of the list. Parking lot protection and good looks.

 

Are you running the Eibach springs?