Why portals on a 4Runner?
Portal gear hubs move the axle centerline above the wheel centerline and add a hub-level gear reduction. In plain English: you gain serious under-axle clearance (without a huge lift) and you get effective lower gearing at the wheel that reduces stress on CVs, axles, and the rest of the drivetrain. That combo lets you run larger tires with better crawl control and traction while keeping road manners in check.
Key gains you’ll notice on-trail:
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Real ground clearance where it matters (under the knuckle, control arms, and diff) so you glide over rocks you used to tag.
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Hub-level gear reduction (≈1.22:1) for more torque at the tire and less strain upstream—great for 35–37s.
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Brake system upgrades (front and rear) with precision-machined components for consistent stopping power.
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Better driveline life thanks to reduced torque loads through CVs/axles for the same wheel torque.
This 4Runner’s setup
We installed the complete 74Weld portal kit on a 5th gen 4Runner and paired it with a few choice components to maximize performance:
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Bilstein 8112 coilovers (front)
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Bilstein 8100 shocks (rear)
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Total Chaos stock-length lower control arms (front)
Those suspension pieces are optional—you can run portals on more stock-leaning builds—but together they make this rig far more composed at speed and even more controlled in the rough.
What stood out during the install
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Precision machining everywhere. From the portal boxes to the hats and caliper brackets, tolerances are tight and repeatable.
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Clean brake integration. The kit’s big-brake solution (Wilwood rear on this build) provides confident, linear pedal feel with larger tires.
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Serviceability. Drain/fill ports are accessible, torque specs are clear, and the hardware strategy is smart for trail repairs.
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Alignment friendly. With our Total Chaos LCAs and Bilstein 8112s, we achieved excellent caster and camber targets for both street and trail.
Fitment notes & pro tips
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Tires & wheels: Portals make fitting larger tires easier by adding clearance where you hit first. Wheel offset/backspacing and spoke design still matter—bring us your wheel specs and we’ll verify fitment.
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Gearing math: Portals effectively multiply your axle gear ratio by ~1.22. That means many owners can avoid a diff re-gear when stepping up tire size.
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Speedo/ABS: We’ll set expectations on speedometer calibration (usually tied to tire size), re-bleed brakes, and verify ABS/TC behavior during the road test.
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Maintenance: Regular portal oil changes are quick. We’ll send you home with a maintenance interval and torque checklist.
Order your 74Weld portal kit from R4T
We’re a trusted installer and supplier for 74Weld Toyota portals. You can buy the kit through us and have it shipped to you, or book a full install at our Denver shop.
Option A — Ship-to-You (Kit Only)
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Request a quote with your 4Runner year/trim, wheel/tire plans, and intended use.
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We confirm availability, options, and freight details.
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We ship directly to your door and include our setup tips, torque sheet, and service intervals.
Option B — Turn-Key Install at R4T (Recommended)
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Consultation: We confirm wheel/tire fitment, brake options, and any supporting suspension you want (Bilstein, Total Chaos, etc.).
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Scheduling: Reserve an install date and parts.
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Install & road test: Multi-day bay time including alignment, brake bleed, and quality checks.
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Pickup: We review maintenance, torque specs, and give you a post-install check-in plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to re-gear my differentials?
Often not. The ~1.22:1 hub reduction effectively shortens overall gearing, which is why portals pair so well with larger tires. We’ll run the numbers for your tire size and use case.
Are portals daily-drivable?
Yes—set up correctly, they drive great. Proper alignment, quality shocks (like 8112/8100), and correct wheel fitment are the keys to a tight, predictable street feel.
What about braking?
The kit integrates upgraded braking to match the added mechanical leverage of larger tires. Pedal feel and stopping distance are dramatically improved vs. stock big-tire setups.
How often do I service the portals?
Portal oil changes are straightforward. We’ll provide an interval, fluid spec, and torque card at delivery.
Ready to build your portal 4Runner?
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Call/Text: 303-909-6047
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Email: support@runnin4tacos.com
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Shop/Book: Visit runnin4tacos.com and search “74Weld portal” to request a quote or schedule your installation.
Whether you want us to ship you the kit or you’d like a turn-key install with Bilstein 8112/8100 and Total Chaos components like this build, we’ll spec it right, install it clean, and hand you a rig that walks over obstacles and drives home happy.