After 7 weeks of waiting, today was delivery day for my 2016 Trail Premium w/KDSS converted with virtually all the TRD pieces and parts (wheels, suspension, grille and bumper valances, skidplate; everything except auto headlights). Instead of waiting 3-4 months for a TRD Pro, I really wanted KDSS and a sunroof, so had the dealer build it for me (for tax purposes, really). Yes, I'm deeming it a 'TRD Trail', not the lowly 'Trail Pro' moniker.


Ended up being within about $500 of what a TRD Pro would have been, except has the TEP extras I wanted. Added a rear blackout kit, 30% ceramic tint to the two front windows, and OEM paint protection (which I'm actually quite impressed with the extent of).

This vehicle replaces my trusty 2003 Sequoia, which will be relegated to kid use and heavily-burdened family trips (mostly mountain biking w/4 bikes). Although I do get around CO and UT for work quite a bit, not intending on any serious crawling and bashing (as you can see from my choice of running boards, though the BudBuilt BumpOuts would be sweet), just accessing out-of-the-way areas for photography.

Speaking of the running boards, although I wanted and requested the port-installed TE running boards, the version they received actually hugs the rockers more than an inch closer (i.e. higher, and more out of the way). They offered to pull a set of the Trail boards off a stock truck, but I'm fine with having more clearance. Why running boards at all, you ask? Our occasionally wet'n'sloppy (per Kathy Sabine, ;) winters can trash the sides of the vehicle, and I think running boards help to minimize some of the sludgy crap that gets all over the sides.

As far as crud flying off tires goes, after much research here and on other sites, it seems the Cooper AT3 was that unusual bargain of a high-performing tire that is as inexpensive as any AT out there, a win-win, for sure. Went with C, for a bit of sidewall protection in the outback (still need to settle on a pressure, they seem a little high from the dealer @46psi; seems more like an E-rated pressure to me?).

Have some minor things in mind for the future:

• Possibly a Baja Standard Rack; love how low it sits and how conforming the shape appears, but still a bit wary about the mounting and rusting issues (really want a high-quality aluminum rack, maybe Rhino someday?)
• Possibly airbags in the back if we start towing in a few years
• Thinking about the side-exit exhaust mod as well, as I like having that rear cracked for pressure equalization with rear windows open (that buffeting is like fingernails on a blackboard!)
• Would love some BudBuilt Bump-Out sliders w/tread, but in aluminum (though it looks like there may soon be a CO-grown steel option, YAY!)

Mountain States Toyota went out of their way to ensure this vehicle was exactly as I wanted it, and is going the extra mile to make sure that it is as perfect as it can be, considering the somewhat unique 'build'. Lots of people have turned SR5s and TE/Ps w/out KDSS into TRD-clone 4Runners, but none have apparently gone the route that I chose (adding TRD suspension to KDSS), and it took some nudging from me to convince them it would all be OK. Still have the pax-side lean issue to get around (yes, it's currently out-of-spec by about 0.5-inch), but I'm pretty sure I've found the fix, and I'll update here if it works. [EDIT: the permanent fix was leveling the front shocks, i.e. getting rid of the TRD's "non-KDSS" asymmetry.]

A few pics of my first day with this new truck, a quick trip to Red Rocks on this gorgeous September day, more pics to come as the adventure commences...

----------------------------Mods/upgrades completed to date:

1. TRD Pro bits/pieces dealer installed: TRD Suspension Kit, grill/garnish, front-rear black bumper valances, wheels, shift knob
2. Cooper AT3 265/70-R17 tires from DTD
3. TRD Skidplate KDSS mod (cutouts)
4. Salex center console and glove compartment organizers
5. TRD suspension+KDSS Lean issue remedy (swap front L-R shocks)
6. Skidplate plastic fairing trim and re-install
7. Smittybuilt BeaverStep, grip tape and snugging
8. Toyota Tub-style All-Weather Mats (PT908-89160-02)
9. Cooper AT3 275/70-R17 tires from DTD
10. Rola Vertex cargo basket w/AT Low-Profile mounts, Platypus cargo bag
11. ToyTec 1" TRD Spring Seats, both set at top perch (e.g. leveled L-R shocks, my KDSS has no lean that needs corrected)
12. Wheelers/Eibach T-13 rear coils, ~1.25" effective lift
13. Front fender trim
14. ARB Rear Differential/E-locker Breathers, run into engine compartment
15. Rotopax (4x) 2-gal fuel, (2x) 2-gal water, DLX pack mounts
16. Roof rack rail blackout (satin black wrap)
17. Black WaterPort portable tank/shower, rack-mounted
18. ARB CMTKA12 twin compressor, Slee driver-side mount, CH4x4 switch
19. RSG MetalWorks Flat Sliders with kick-out

Last image is as she sits as of May 2016.

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Looks like you got exactly what you wanted, enjoy it!

Congrats, awesome looking truck. What size did you roll with for the AT3s?

Did you modify the TRD skid to fit with KDSS bars or did you have someone else do it?

Hey, thanks, it's pretty exciting after 13 years in the same vehicle.

Went stock on the AT3's, didn't want to mess with potential rubbing issues for so little true gain with 275s. I know bigger tires and lifts look bad-ass, but this is going to have to be bad-ass enough.

Did do the KDSS cutouts to the skidplate myself, it's not hard, details can be found in this thread (and others):

TRD Pro Skid on '15 4Runner TE w/ KDSS

Congratulations. Your TRD looks beautiful. I am waiting for my SR5 to arrive in Seattle in a couple of weeks. I have requested the dealer to add running boards on. Now I am wondering if I should. the dealer is going to charge me something like $750 installed. Is it really worth it?

Dunno, only you can answer that. Are you now wondering if you should because you saw them on mine? lol

$750 is getting close to sliders, and seems a little steep.

well congrats! I travel to Golden quite often, maybe I'll see you around sometime.

Work or play?

Very nice job. It's good to hear of such a great dealer - doesn't happen a lot .... sadly.

beauty.

They should be able to come like this. Nice job, and nice tires!

That underside is a little too clean though. You know what to do.

Sweet ride and thanks for adding the thread to the TRD skid plate. It's my next mod and was wondering what that would entail.

It's only gonna be clean once. Tint is still curing, then it's on!

Awesome! It's always nice to get exactly what you want!

In-laws. So thats both, right?

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Looks fantastic. Congrats!


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