Are you looking for ways to max out the offroad capabilities of your 3rd gen 4Runner? Do you want to make sure that heads turn from every driver you zoom past on the open road? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about 3rd Gen 4Runner bumpers.
Doing so will teach you all that you need to know about the best 3rd Gen 4Runner upgrades. The third generation is notoriously known as the off-road 4Runner, and all the different mods help support that claim.
See below for an in-depth guide on the best ways to upgrade your 3rd gen 4Runner grilles and much more.
1. 3rd Gen 4Runner Bumpers
For those of you that are uncertain of what we mean by "3rd Gen 4Runners", the third generation of the Toyota 4Runner was any model between the years 1996 and 2002.
What's all the hype about? The third generation of 4Runner was considered to be the best model for offroading, based on a variety of features. If you didn't know, then now you know!
If you're going to take that bad boy off-roading (as you should!), then we recommend you install the Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Bumper. Nobody knows the 3rd Gen's needs better than the carmaker that manufactured it. Especially considering that Toyota is one of the most diligent car brands in the world.
This specific bumper has all the capabilities you need. It's made of welded-together 7-11 gauge steel. The front of your 4Runner will be protected from virtually any object on the off-beaten path. That includes rocks, brush, most animals, tree stumps, divets, and the like.
The bumper will also help improve the performance of the 4Runner, as it increases the vehicle's maximum angle to climb a surface. If you leave the stock bumpers on that came with the 4Runner originally, you'll find it harder to climb steep planes.
2. 3rd Gen 4Runner Grilles
Nothing makes an off-roader more attractive than a custom grille in our eyes. It's the most noticeable modification that you can make to a car outside of a paint job. Even those that know nothing about mods will be able to point out the difference that it makes.
Believe it or not, custom grilles aren't just installed for aesthetic purposes. In fact, they have several benefits. The stock grilles that come with the 4Runner will suffice, but you should always look to improve them.
First, a custom grill can help protect the front end of your car from a collision. Seeing as how you'll be offroading more than most, the likelihood of you hitting something in the front of your car increases. The custom grill can increase strength and keep you safe and sound inside.
A custom grille can also help you protect the inside of your car. It can lower the amount of dust and dirt that makes its way under your hood, even though you'll be off-roading more often. This can help lengthen the lifespan of your 4Runner's engine, air filters, and other essential parts.
3. 3rd Gen 4Runner Tinted Windows
This isn't a modification that's partial to the 3rd Gen 4Runner by any stretch of the imagination. However, the benefits of tinting your windows are too good to pass up.
Just like the aforementioned custom grille, tinted windows aren't just for looks. They can also increase the energy efficiency of your car by blocking up to 99-percent of all ultraviolet rays that are attempting to seep inside.
That will help your car in several ways. First, it will prevent the dreaded leg burn from sitting down on a car interior that's been baking under the sun. It also keeps the climate inside your car at a reasonable temperature, so that your AC doesn't have to work as hard to cool it down.
Tinted windows can also help protect your windows from shattering from flying debris while you're offroading. That, in and of itself, is worth the investment.
4. 3rd Gen 4Runner Suspension
If you're dead set on maximizing the performance and comfortability of your 3rd Gen 4Runner, then you'll want to invest in upgrading its suspension system.
The main way to do that is by replacing the shocks on it, which will help your 4Runner to accelerate better, turn with more control, and so forth. We recommend that you replace your shocks and struts once every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
You'll know when it's time to do so. The steering will start to suffer, your brakes will feel unstable, and you'll start to feel your car lean when you go to make a turn.
5. 3rd Gen 4Runner Lighting
Last, but certainly not least, we have the lighting. If you want to toughen up the look of your third-gen, then you need to upgrade the lighting.
Fortunately, you don't have to shop piece by piece to do that. There are 4Runner LED upgrade kits out there that can help you replace the stock bulbs in your brake lights, door lights, tail lights, and sidelights with LED bulbs in one fell swoop.
The result will be a hybrid appearance between cutting-edge lighting and an SUV model that rocked the world at the turn of the 21st century!
Invest in 3rd Gen 4Runner Bumpers and Upgrades Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on the best 3rd Gen 4Runner bumpers and upgrades, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to read this article for more information on when to replace your shocks on your 4Runner.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out to us by phone at 941-260-5229 and we will be happy to assist you further.