Reserved:

 

Reserved:

 

Coming soon:

 

More Coming:

 

Nice all-terrain Sienna! How did you do the fender trim?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That is very cool and functional.


Where were the first set of pictures taken at?


Any modifications to the interior? Foldaway beds, sink, any additional DIY extra storage spaces?


Thank you for sharing.

 

Thanks guys! The fender flares where simply cut from a 3mm sheet of ABS. I made a cardboard template first. I wrapped them in the same black vinyl I used elsewhere, and attached them with double sided automotive tape.

The locations were Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwoods, Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks, and everywhere in between.

I haven't modified the interior yet, but the main plan is to replace the head unit with an Alpine ILX-107 and get red tartan seat covers (like the Jeep FC concept from a few years ago). But there really isn't a plan at this time to convert it into a true camper.

 

Looks great! Are the fenders themselves stock or did you need to trim or roll the metal to make room for the tire?

-Mike

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

Cool, thanks for sharing. Did you do any ground clearance measurements? You gained about 1.4" of ground clearance?

 

Nope, I didn't roll the fenders. I do have some rubbing issues, but I don't think its on the outside. I think its the warped lose plastic inner well when reversing.

Sorry, I didn't do before and after clearance measurements, but your calculations are correct.

 

Nice job! Good pics too... Did you find that the suspension changes made the on-road handling better?

 

That looks great! Would you mind itemizing your cost for these mods? If you aren't comfortable posting $$ but are ok PM'ing, I'd really love to know. In any case, great looking van and enjoy your sweet ride!

 

Looks great and awesome photos. Makes a lot more sense then lowering. Very nice addition. They should make this a package.

 

Hi odd,


You are welcome.


Congratulation on the project. Your 4x4 Sienna looks amazing.



I saw you have custom exhaust. Can you tell me how you make them?

 

Thank you all, here are some answers:

The first mod was putting on the new wheels and tires. Those made the biggest change in handling - it made it enjoyable to drive. I then added the 1" lift, but I used 4x4Cal's method of combining front spacers, LE front springs, SE struts and shocks, and custom firmer rear springs. So while it's higher, it also has the sportier dampening of the SE, so effects of the extra height are muted. I would say it handle slightly better than just adding the new tires, I almost dare say it is fun to drive.

Regarding costs, you prompted me to add it all up - ouch! So the van needed new struts, shocks and probably springs, brakes and tires - so that is probably a good $2500 that it needed in maintenance. But the total came to $6000. That includes a couple expensive mistakes on my part. It also includes a few improvements that weren't necessarily apart of lift modification, such as upgrading the horrible stock halogen headlights to awesome HIDs.

Yes, everyone we came across thought it was a stock package:
"Yo, someone's got an off-road minivan Bro!"
"Is that really a 4x4? I really wanted a minivan but I need 4wd."
"Dude, that van has the TRD 4x4 package! It's got the upgraded suspension and 4wd"
"That is exactly what I wanted! I hate driving that gas guzzling Sequoia"
"Hey Hun, remind me when we get home to research Sienna TRD"

For the custom exhaust, I took it the less safe part of town to a muffler shop that'll pretty much do anything you ask. They put on a Magnaflo single in dual out muffler and the dual pipes. I drove it around the block and pulled back in and told them to cut out the Magnaflo and put in the quietest thing they had. He used what he called a 'silencer', whatever that means, but it's a little louder than stock. Not too bad, has a nice little snarl from the outside, but at certain throttle positions it can drone a little louder than I like on the inside. See attached pics.

 

With regards to your custom rear springs, did you add any weight carrying capacity? I see you added about 1” and 30% spring rate.

Additionally, did you add any washers to the top of the rear shock? Some spacer kits recommend adding a 1/2” washer.

Any issues with rear toe or camber?

 

Looks awesome!!!

 

Does the exhaust cut into ground clearance?

 

Not really, it's pretty flat with everything else. The tips probably reduce the departure angle though.

 

Where'd you get the bumper/valence/whatever you call it for the dual exhaust? It looks really well done; OEM quality in the photos. Is it just cutouts in the stock bumper that are finished with something?

 

Glad you asked! I used a 4" ABS plumbing coupler, carefully marked how far to cut it, cut out the bumper, and attached it from the backside with screws.

 

haha, props for your fab skills. I need to see what it would take to make a dual exhaust setup for my car too. Need to score some SE suspension parts first though. Priorities!

 

Impressive!!! Your van should be at SEMA.

 

Fantastic!!

 

Vantastic!!!

 

We debated VANTSTC for a license plate! Also GAVE UP, MANIVAN, BRA DZR, or my favorite for its double meaning when you say it fast, NEW TRD

 

Man, those last two are gold. I think you made the right choice, but I'd be tempted to have a fakey made up of the other one too.

 

I've seen your van around Phoenix and loved it! Would it require much more work (and money) to take it up another inch or maybe even two to get a total of 3 inches? Maybe that wouldn't make much sense because the fenders are shaped to limit any larger tire size without some cutting. But I am considering trading my 4runner for a van if I can do something like this to it. We drive to a cabin with not well maintained roads and a van would make more sense for all of our dogs and us to travel in, but the stock ground clearance would not cut it.Thanks for being daring enough to tackle this project and share with the rest of us!