Hi all,
New here- I've been researching Sequoia stuff (2001 SR5 4WD, 140k miles) and noticed a lot of good info was coming from this forum. I'm from Arizona, love my Sequoia! It's a hand-me-down, has been in the family since new. Timing belt done at 100k; I've maintained it pretty obsessively (brake fluid every 2 years, trans pan dump and fill every 30k, rear dif every 30k, etc). Went through 2 rear latches (lesson learned- buy OEM once, cry once), the usual.
It's been great from most of what I do, but I've been thinking more about making it "mine" and just what I want for the kind of things I do with it. Hoping to learn from the thread archives here even more than I already have!
I hunt a lot, so the truck probably sees 50/50 street versus dirt/gravel/washboard roads. Truck is almost stock, so I'm thinking, might as well replace things like shocks and tires with things more appropriate for what I do, since they're almost worn out. My budget is about 1.5- 2K for everything but bumpers; less is better so I have more gas money .
PRIORITIES
1) Gentler on the truck; I love it and want it last as long as possible, and don't want to get stranded in middle of nowhere
2) Reliable and capable- I go out solo pretty deep, don't want to get stuck because of a hotrod mod
3) Comfort- I'll get there when I get there, it's not a race
PLAN
Thanks and happy to be here!
New here- I've been researching Sequoia stuff (2001 SR5 4WD, 140k miles) and noticed a lot of good info was coming from this forum. I'm from Arizona, love my Sequoia! It's a hand-me-down, has been in the family since new. Timing belt done at 100k; I've maintained it pretty obsessively (brake fluid every 2 years, trans pan dump and fill every 30k, rear dif every 30k, etc). Went through 2 rear latches (lesson learned- buy OEM once, cry once), the usual.
It's been great from most of what I do, but I've been thinking more about making it "mine" and just what I want for the kind of things I do with it. Hoping to learn from the thread archives here even more than I already have!
I hunt a lot, so the truck probably sees 50/50 street versus dirt/gravel/washboard roads. Truck is almost stock, so I'm thinking, might as well replace things like shocks and tires with things more appropriate for what I do, since they're almost worn out. My budget is about 1.5- 2K for everything but bumpers; less is better so I have more gas money .
PRIORITIES
1) Gentler on the truck; I love it and want it last as long as possible, and don't want to get stranded in middle of nowhere
2) Reliable and capable- I go out solo pretty deep, don't want to get stuck because of a hotrod mod
3) Comfort- I'll get there when I get there, it's not a race
PLAN
- Tires/wheels; I'm currently running the stock 16" wheels and Michelin Defender tires. The defenders don't really cut in on the sandy, loose roads I have to drive a lot. I don't really do mud or technical trails, just rough BLM and forest roads to get to where I need. My plan is to replace with whatever Costco has on sale that is also All-Terrain AT rated. Maybe the Wrangler tire? If I got to spend more for a lot better performance I'll do it. The wheels seem fine so I was thinking of keeping stock. Besides, a smaller 16" wheel probably means a plusher ride on the washboard.
- Air pump; the cheap 12V pump i've been using to air down and up at the start of the wilderness doesn't really cut it anymore, and I'm looking for something more reliable to keep in the car.
- I see cheap-ish offbrand ones like this for 60$ish- Amazon product ASIN B08BRT1N1P
- viair brand for a little more but less accessories Amazon product ASIN B005ASY23I
- and the higher end (for me) smitty built for 150ish https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...=12v+pump+air+offroad&qid=1637593974&sr=8-20;
- any thoughts/ experience with these? just want something reliable for me to air down to 20 psi and back up to 30ish to get home
- Shocks. Currently I have air-lift bags on the back which were great when I used to haul a lot, but not sure if they're good for ride quality overall. I haven't even aired them up in months. I see the bilstein 5100s are popular; the front of the SUV is kind of low, a couple inches lower than the rear, so I was thinking of getting them to level the suv out a bit too. Are there better options, more comfortable, out there? These are affordable and I can rent the spring compressors from autozone to replace the fronts.
- Bumpers. Doesn't look like the gen 1 is too popular, haven't been able to find anything I like. Budget for bumper would be separate. I like the idea of a tube bumper up front to save weight, plus I like that pre-runner look! If anyone has any leads, I'd love to hear it- otherwise maybe a local welder is the way to go?
- Maintenance- Is there anything I'm missing? Are ball joints a preventative measure too? Alignment guy I trust told me it's all A-OK; joints and tie rods look great. I figure if I'm replacing shocks/struts I might as well do everything else and align it once, when I get new tires.
- Alarm goes off when I unlock-been a problem since new, usually on cold mornings. I'll go to unlock the truck and the alarm goes off- have to mash the unlock button to disarm it. Happen to anyone else? We took it to dealer when new but couldn't recreate the problem. Kind of sucks when I'm leaving camp to go hunt, spook every animal for miles.
- Any other thoughts? I value your opinion if you have experience with any of this- I'm not sure where to start!
Thanks and happy to be here!