2002 4Runner Bumper/Suspension option

[AlexJet]

I'm looking for bumper options for potential 3rd Gen I'm getting.
Options so far:

Suspension:

OME:
$700
http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamods/4runner/4runnerlift/OME-kit_resize.jpg
Toytec:
$980
http://www.toyteclifts.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Ultimate_lift_ki_49826eaf78449.jpg
Sanoran Steel:
$1275
http://www.sonoransteel.com/System-1_2001-2002.jpg
Icon Front:
$1050
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/catalog/images/5-8610.jpg
SAW Front:
Price unknown
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh155/cpizzle42/IMG_0595.jpg

Bumpers:

ARB:
Discontinued
http://4rnr.net/intro.jpg
Tacoma - $800
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e194/CYi5/4runner/DSC_0277.jpg
Shrokworks:
$979
http://www.shrockworks.com/files/products/d_657.jpg
TJM:
Discontinued
http://www.sonoransteel.com/TJM_T-15_007.jpg
Sonoran Steel:
$1200 - Physical truck needed
http://www.sonoransteel.com/rear_022.jpg
Irbis Off-Road:
Rear $1200
http://irbisoffroad.com/img/4R-r-bumper-wout-tire-800.gif
Front $825
http://irbisoffroad.com/img/4R-FR-B/4r-fr-b1-800.gif
Armarology:
Front:
Price unknown - Physical truck needed
http://www.armorology.com/photogallery/ITS/000_4271.JPG
http://www.armorology.com/000_354.JPG
Rear:
Price unknown - Physical truck needed
http://www.armorology.com/Armorology-08-%20JM%20027.jpg
4x4labs:
Price unknown - Physical truck needed
http://theferg.com/bigbluebox/images/SN852100.jpg

Anything I missed?

[AlexJet]

Pre-Story:

One of my trucks, actually my wife's RAV4 was involved in accident last week. My wife was on the way to daycare with my 1 year old son, when some $&$% on 4th Gen decided to make a left turn from oncoming traffic (seems that he was missing a turn, because he didn't even stop and gone right through the opposite direction lanes where my wife was driving. She had a moment to react. The truck done its job, my custom bumper saved her from having an engine inside the cabin as it took most of the impact and was flashed away. Damage was so extensive that right side doors were jammed and both airbags deployed. Luckily both my wife and son went out safe. Time will tell if everything is ok, as she was in a shock all day. Long story short - the truck is most likely totaled as it's 2001 and repair will be at 10k as of my calculation.

From this:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Aviator_1/RAV4%20Fabrication/2001ToyotaRAV4newliftbumperstires01.jpg

To this:
http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Aviator_1/Accident2.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l183/Aviator_1/Accident1.jpg

This means I'm looking for a new truck for her. We looked around and because we want something bigger then RAV we decided to look for '02 4Runner in SE or LE trims. I know that this generation has good aftermarket support. I'm doing my search, but would like some help to make it faster.

[YotaFun]

Wow, first off, glad to hear the family is okay, the bumper you made def did it's job.

Now second, truck, lift, bumpers.
With he truck, make sure you find one that has he service records, and make sure trans fluid was taken care of.
The 02 and some 01 were known to have a planetary over drive gear fail, while changing the fluid would have in most cases prolonged the inevitable, at least if the po checked and changed the fluid hey would see some sins of an upcomig failure.

Suspension: what is the intended purpose of this truck? Is it just going to be a dd or will it see some to significant off road time?
I went with the Sonoran package 1.51 which is now currently the 1.2 and am happy with it, however after time and testing out different set. Ups on other people runners I would have gone a slightly different route.
I love sonoran's rear set up and would probably stick with that, the lc coils are a bit soft which make it ride nice on road and flex great off, gives a lot of lift, but when I off-road I like having it, as for the front if I had the chance to do it again I would have gone with adjustinle coil overs from either toytec sway-a-way or icon and some upper control arms from total chaos. Probably be more comfortable then the tundra TRD springs.

As for the bumpers, I am a huge fan of the shockworks and the armorology is a close second, for the front.
For the rear I would go with sonoran's and then ibris. But that's just personal pref.

That's just my .02

[AlexJet]

Family is fine and that's the most important.

Thanks for sharing some details. I didn't know about drive gear fail. I'll look for it. When I buy used vehicles I alwasy do full inspection, changing ALL belts and liquids from engine oil to brake fluid. You never know when they were changed last time and how the vehicle was driven.

I too leaning toward adjustable coilovers. I like that Toytec offers full package for reasonable cash. I just heard some time back that Bilsteins are not that good, but that was related to 4th Gen and ~a year ago. Any thoughts on that? You're saying that you would of gone with Toytec or Icon if you do it over now. That is the kind of experience I need to see what is what. Thank you.

As of terrain, it will be mostly everywhere we go with our '05 (35s, 4.56, locked, snorkel) as a support vehicle. So I say rocks, mud, snow, sand (medium level trails - a little less then Rubicon)

I'm a huge fan of ARB Sahara bumper, I have custom made LC on my 4th Gen. I found that 96-03 Prado Sahara version might fit. May be it's a good way. Shrokworks is nice as well and it takes the second position in my list, but their time is horrible (3-4 month waiting or even more). Armorology is nice, but my wife likes ARB and Shrok better - it's going to be her truck, so her opinin is matter.

Rear Sanoran is on top of my list. Disadvantage - Steve need truck to be at the shop. I'm in Toronto, Canada and its 2'600mi away from Tampe, AZ. I'm asuming he will need a truck for a week or more, this means that I have to fly back to work and then to him again to pick the truck up. It's a bitt of challenge. I've heard that Irbis is shipping their bumpers, but so far noone can confirm or oppose this, so the question is open. I do also like the Sanoran more, especially for the swing-arm. Not sure if Irbis can customize the swing arm in a way I want it to see.
I could of do something myself for the rear, but time is becoming more and more restrict and why should I invent a wheel if its already been invented. This will be the only choice if I couldn't find the way to get either of them. Is it possible that someone living close by and not in a heed for a truck for a few weeks can let Steve use it to take the measurements or use as template???

[neliconcept]

Yuri and Oleg do ship their bumpers, he has plenty of 3rd gens near and or in salvage he can work off of, it may not be the best fit, but since you have fab skills you may be able to make it fit better

its a nice looking bumper

my rear bumper from CBI is a nice cheap compliment but also is shippable yet the fit is suspect at times depending on different trucks.

you can check out my truck thread in the garage to check it out.

armorology quoted me 1100 for the front bumper so that gives you an idea on their pricing, that included powdercoating silver ( i think...)

yet that is still far away from you as well. and not really close to the denver airport, however im sure Jed may help you out on getting you back to the airport.

[AlexJet]

Yuri and Oleg do ship their bumpers, he has plenty of 3rd gens near and or in salvage he can work off of, it may not be the best fit, but since you have fab skills you may be able to make it fit better its a nice looking bumper

my rear bumper from CBI is a nice cheap compliment but also is shippable yet the fit is suspect at times depending on different trucks.

you can check out my truck thread in the garage to check it out.


Good to know that they ship.

Could you link me to your Garage thread. I can't locate it (may be because I'm not often on this forum. :) )

[neliconcept]

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=616.0

[AlexJet]

I passed by dealership this afternoon and look at the brochure for 2002. Interesting find (for me :headscratch:...). The brochure doesn't list Sport Edition. I always thought that it was Sport Edition for 2001 and 2002. My understanding was that:
- SR5 - is the basic
- Sport Edition (used to be called Highlander before Highlander came out in 2001 as a separate model between RAV4 and 4Runner) - medium level packaged
- Limited - fully loaded
Brochures (both 2001 and 2002) shows the following:
- Badlands - seems as basic for me
- SR5 Pkg "B" - seems below medium level package
- SR5 Pkg "C" - medium level package
- SR5 Pkg "D" - above medium level package
- Limited - fully loaded
One thing for sure, they are 3.4 V6 all. This is good.
About packages. Is it just Canadian market had different options or I lost myself in trim levels?

[YotaFun]

One of the trim levels should include at least a sport edition hood, apperently some of the sport editions came or were available win 4.30 gears.

[AlexJet]

I manage to find Canadian Brochure for 2002, but luck of finding US one. Does anyone can help me link it?

I might go with Toytec or Icon coilovers (Icons are nearly x2 the price :( ) as for the front. For the rear it most likely be OME (890 or 891 with N86 and 80PF10 packer). I've read that some uses Land Cruisers coils on the back to get 3-3.5" lift. Does anyone knows what 4Runner OME package is going to give me and which one is better as well as what LC coils will work on 4Runner (I'm assuming its OME as well)???

[YotaFun]

Yes the lc coils in the back will give you 3.5 in of lift.
They take the coils from the front of the fj & fjz 80 land cruisers for the rear of the 3rd gen 4Runners.

I do not know what lift the OME wil give you, I think it's like 2-2.5 in lift.

As far as one bein better then the other, it is all personal preference.
I like my lc coils in the rear, soft and comfy for the road and nice and flexy one the trails.
I believe OME has different spring rates that you can get from medium to heavy duty.

Also on the ARB bumper, Andy's 4Runner looked awesome with it, it did stick out a hair past the limited style flares but I am sure you could modify it so the width is just right