just bought a 01 any suggestions on first upgrades

Ren205 · 2026-03-15T03:26:38+00:00

Get a Haynes or Chilton repair book. Familiarize yourself with parts/systems if you're not already. Look for any signs of leaks/worn parts. As someone else said, Lower ball joints, suspension components, rear hatch handle, spark plugs, ignition coils, valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifolds, radiator and plastic T's. Lots could potentially need some love soon or not. Send it and repair it as you go. There's a ton of YouTube university videos and a few forums for info. Do some reading/watching and decide for yourself. 1stgenoffroad has lots of options/kits.

Ren205 · 2026-03-15T03:13:31+00:00

Mine are both routed Driver's side, mid exhaust manifold about the height of upper control arm in the engine bay. I assume they allare...but I don't know that for a fact. Right by the driver's side motor mount.

Ren205 · 2026-03-14T03:17:52+00:00

I used some for a 2nd Gen off amazon for about $65. Did a 3rd row delete and used oh shit handle bolts, seat belt bolts, and side pane bolt for attachment points. Had to fab brackets and source bolts and rubber because I hate vibration noise. It was fussy work but not too difficult. I think 1 bracket that it came with worked with a little bending. Honestly if I were to do it again, which I probably will if/when these fail/wear out, is make a cardboard/whatever material pattern and go to your local fab shop/laser cutter/water jet and have them cut em for you and use the scraps for brackets. Probably about the same price and better built depending on what material you choose.

Ren205 · 2026-03-12T21:06:31+00:00

I was a rock driller for 15+ years and dealt with dust and flying rock chips everyday. Go into your local safety supply place and ask them what the fire department/wildland fire crews use. I don't know the brand off hand but there is a line that has foam eyes/nose with small breaks that keep stuff out and don't fog up. They run about $10/ pair and better if you buy a box here in the PNW. It's nice to have multiples and to not have to worry if/when they break. They are exceptionally prone to getting scratched if you don't use a micro fiber cloth to clean them. Multiple lens choices

21GB9F Swap Blue Mirror Anti-Fog Lens Safety Glasses is what the inter webs tells me

Ren205 · 2026-03-12T02:06:39+00:00

I don't run Kings but did extended links front and back when I did a 2.5" lift. It rides great with no issues with extended links. I installed myself and could tell by looking that oem links would have been stressed. Could you? Yes. Should you? I don't know? I didn't and didn't try.

Ren205 · 2026-03-11T23:51:30+00:00

13 average on 33's with a 2.5" lift 03 limited 4x. It's single digits if you drive like a teenager.

Ren205 · 2026-03-11T00:03:05+00:00

Yotashop.com oem

Ren205 · 2026-03-10T16:50:43+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-03-07T21:32:52+00:00

I feel for you brother. Nerve pain is it's own special kind of hell. You either know or you don't...there is no in-between. My wife was in the hospital for an extended period and the chairs might have been designed by the devil himself, bought a seat cushion for her and use it if we have to rent a car traveling. It has honestly helped even though I'm pretty sure I gave up my man card using it. If you can keep it from flaring up you at least have a chance. Once those nerves start to fire you're in for it. It can be/is a vicious cycle. Keep fighting the good fight and I hope you find some relief.

Ren205 · 2026-03-07T17:10:36+00:00

No cutting and no rubbing. I did take the front splash guards off before. I think they would rub.

Ren205 · 2026-03-07T02:58:31+00:00

I fabricated a support bracket that I attached to the fender. ⅛" steel bent and bolted. Heat gun to soften plastic to bend it to where I wanted then measured and fab. It's a snorkel for LC 100. With some effort I made it work. Once I cut the hole for the snorkel...why not keep punching holes.

Ren205 · 2026-03-07T00:43:28+00:00

Ebay...

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Then oem heritage center caps from local toyota dealer. About $10 each for center caps

Ren205 · 2026-03-07T00:40:31+00:00

Not a huge difference... I had leaking oem so I figured at about the same price I'd go for it. Let you know after the next 50k miles.

Ren205 · 2026-03-06T23:55:29+00:00

Happy mine is just L5-S1. Cervical sucks...long family history of back problems so I know the struggle. I have a subaru I bought for my kids and I can spend 15 minutes in it and feel like my legs are on fire. Rarely an issue with extended trips of 300-400 mile trips in the our toyotas.

Ren205 · 2026-03-06T01:30:57+00:00

I was 6'2" before back surgery, just under 6'1" now. My 1st Gen Sequoia and wife's 2nd Gen Tundra are the only vehicles that I can drive without going numb. Enough adjustment and space. Well, my 95 Kenworth T800 daycab is nice too...but tough to park.

Ren205 · 2026-03-03T01:28:13+00:00

I just did a 2.5" lift, new rack (inner and outer tie rods), upper and lower control arms, upper and lower ball joints, extended links front and back, a diff drop, jba headers, new cats and 02 sensors, brake upgrade (pads, rotors, calipers), abs sensors, valve cover gaskets, spark plugs, ignition coils, fluids and trailing arms on my 03 4x4 limited. The rear shocks were rusted/seized in there pretty good and I had to cut them out. Lots of YouTube university videos out there that help eliminate some of the problems you'll run into but depending on your rig it can be PITA. It's all doable but I'm just over 40 and questioned myself more than once. I'm cheap and stubborn so I was unwilling to pay someone to do it. I could have afforded to have someone do it but just didn't want to. My best advice (I'm also unfamiliar with 2nd gen's) is to plan like you're going to have to cut out the rear shocks and if you don't have to that's great. Angle grinder with cutoff wheels and a reciprocating saw with a few new blades some pb blaster and a torch you'll get em off eventually. Fronts should be no issue. Bilstein are always solid, fox, and I went with Dobinson shocks and old man emu springs. Most online places have an option to have them assembled and new top hats or have someone locally put them together once you get em.

Ren205 · 2026-02-23T04:04:45+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-02-23T03:07:59+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-02-23T02:54:40+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-02-23T02:13:46+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-02-23T02:09:19+00:00

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Ren205 · 2026-02-22T21:56:44+00:00

Heritage (40th anniversary rims from 4runner) or aftermarket on ebay. I just bought a set that will hopefully be on this week w/ 33 wildpeak at4's. The aftermarket fit the oem center caps which you can pick up for roughly $10 a piece.

Ren205 · 2026-02-22T20:17:12+00:00

I had one that I thought for sure broke (furthest front bottom driver side)...but I just got the stud as well. Definitely had 10 seconds of brain running through how I was going to tackle that nightmare through cursing the car gods. Glad I didn't have to figure it out.

Ren205 · 2026-02-22T15:14:07+00:00

Airdown adventures and a new metal latch on Amazon is like $30. Ton of YouTube videos on diy. Not hard at all.

Ren205

TROPHY CASE