Want to build a prerunner. Where should I start?

[01XLT]

Alright guys, I just bought a 2001 ExCab 4.0 XLT 4x4 this past weekend and I want to give it the prerunner/trophytruck look. Where should I start? Should I buy a 1 piece conversion kit? or should I buy the Fenders, Bedsides and Hood all seperately? Right now I have around 2000-2500 to spend. Already got some 35x12.5 Mickey Thompsons on 15x10s ready to be put on, and since I can't afford the DBR kit and not sure if thats the route I want to go, Im planning on buying some tbar keys and shackles for the rear to get a tiny suspension lift so I can avoid body lifts. What do yall think.

 

[djschick88]

If its just the looks your after a one piece front clip $500 maybe $350 used. Then without wheel spacers it will just look dumb. So you would need some of those, which are to me a bad idea beacuse they just tend to wear parts faster.

If you have $2500 to spend wou could get a mild suspension kit that utilizes coilsprings. But if you shop around on dezertrangers.com and race-dezert.com you can find some good deals. But i would suggest you read what all goes into a "pre-runner" before you dive in. As all the other guys which frequent this section probably and read your post and said to themselves "Oh gosh heres another one" research research and search for answers because every question you have someone has had before. Good luck.

 

[--weezl--]

prerunners are typically 2wd,

but i would start cutting and flaring your own fenders first...

don't waste your money on torsion keys, just crank the bars using the bolt that comes with them, it does the exact same thing... if you max them out and want more, go get longer bolts...

 

[3.0ranger1227]

everything is gonna be expensive for even a mild prerunner with 4x4. DBR makes the kit, Camburg has a 4x4 LT kit($$$) in the works, and a couple of other companies may be able to do one.

As for looks, a tube bumper, a 1 piece or a set of fenders, set of bedsides or cut and pulled bedsides, and a couple of lights will get you started

 

[doyouquaxu]

If you have $2500 to spend wou could get a mild suspension kit that utilizes coilsprings.

4x4 trucks use a torsion bar instead of a coil spring. no room to fit one with the front axles.

and to comment on the whole fiberglass one piece thing, spend the 2500 on some suspension parts instead. your truck will look really ****ing gay with that huge hood/fender combo on there and stock suspension. search for parts on race-dezert.com and dezertrangers.com like others said so that you will actually be able to use your truck instead of having 35's on stock suspension and fiberglass.

 

[markpetersonii]

Question; Why would you just want the look and not the performance of a real one?

I'm piecing my truck together right now so I know what you;re going to say about doing it costing a ton of money (cause I know it does lol). I'm just wanting to know that reason for wanting all show and no go?

 

[3.0ranger1227]

Street cred.

I've got go and less show, I've had people come up and ask why i didn't do the front of my truck yet.

 

[markpetersonii]

I've got a bit of nothing... haha I'm trying to get BTF to make me a LT kit and cantilever for the rear but I'm lacking on funds, so saving I am doing...