4Runner Camping Mods

[Koko4]

I'm wondering who else likes to sleep in their 4Runner when they're out camping. What are some of the mods that you've done to make it a more enjoyable experience? So far, I have built a storage platform for the rear, based on RamRod's thread (Link to his pictures)

Here's a picture of mine, before I stained it

I tried to build magnetic screen coverings for the side and rear windows, but the magnets I bought were not very good. They were too small, and kept sticking to each other, and it was also difficult to sew the trim around the window screens. So I gave up on that project, and was looking at some commercial alternatives such as this one:

Amazon Link
Anyone use one of these before? I'd like to make one for the rear window, but can't figure out how to deal with the damn rear wiper being in the way..

Anyone install any type of insulation in the rear panels, to make it warmer while you're sleeping in the cold? I'm wondering if this would be a winter-only thing, and if I'd have to remove it in the summer to avoid baking like an oven. Thoughts?

I found a thread on YotaTech where a guy was selling an old '87 4Runner, and in his post he said

Sleeping area has been fully insulated with Reflectix liner to keep things cool/warm.

The stuff seems pretty thin, and I definitely think it would help cover the window glass and keep the warmth from escaping there. I don't know if it'd be suitable for behind the rear cargo area panels. I don't feel like pulling all the panels and installing the Reflectix in the winter, only to remove it all come spring time.

You guys do any inverter mods / LED lighting / fans for the rear or anything of that nature?

 

[Koko4]

Update:

Reflectix is best used for situations where you have a lot of radiant heat entering the vehicle (summer-time). You can put it in the window, and it will effectively reflect the heat back out, preventing it from warming up the vehicle.

You can also use it behind paneling, but you have to make sure to leave at least a 1/2" air gap between the exterior wall of your vehicle, and the Reflectix. Otherwise the "R" value is super-low and it doesn't reflect the heat out as well.

If you're mainly camping in cold weather, then you want to insulate, in order the keep the heat in. In order to do this, you'd use a product called PolyIso (van-dwellers are using it inside their vans, non-toxic). This, however, would also keep the heat inside the vehicle longer during hot, summer days. You really have to judge what conditions you're going to be using the vehicle for.

The site also said that if you have an A/C setup in your vehicle (to run while sleeping during the summer), then you CAN insulate using PolyIso, because it will help keep the A/C inside and the heat out. With no A/C, the PolyIso is basically working against you.

As I understand, you can also use a combination of the two, but you'd have to have the outer sheet metal, then the 1/2" air gap, then the Reflectix, then the PolyIso.

Hope this can help someone else, because I had no idea about any of this until I started reading on CheapRVDweller. Pretty cool blog if any of you guys are into that stuff.

 

[tx_shooter]

I like the removable rear seat bolt mod so as to allow an extra 6-8" of cargo area. They are sold as "Camping rear seat cushion bolts" and would have been awesome when I got stuck sleeping in my 4R in Big Bend last December.


Camping Rear Seat Cushion Wing Bolts $70.00 & 5.95 USPS - $75.95 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

 

[Koko4]

I like the removable rear seat bolt mod so as to allow an extra 6-8" of cargo area. They are sold as "Camping rear seat cushion bolts" and would have been awesome when I got stuck sleeping in my 4R in Big Bend last December.


Camping Rear Seat Cushion Wing Bolts $70.00 & 5.95 USPS - $75.95 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

That's really a good idea! Might have to weld some of those up.. Steve sure has found an awesome niche with all of his 4Runner products.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Camping Rear Seat Cushion Wing Bolts $70.00 & 5.95 USPS - $75.95 : Sonoran Steel, Sonoran Steel Custom Metal Fabrication L.L.C. Custom Toyota Truck Parts

Is that price for real?? $20 + shipping for him to drill holes in my plastic? lol

 

[Koko4]

Is that price for real?? $20 + shipping for him to drill holes in my plastic? lol

People will pay it. Also, another one of my favorites is the emergency brake cable extension bracket. I had a 1/2" wide piece of scrap, drilled two holes, and bought one more 12mm bolt...voila.

But people will pay it. Like I said, he's got a good niche :juggle:

 

[AZBub]

for a window screen someone had mentioned using rain gutter screen panels or something that worked perfect. Maybe someone can post a link to that. Search sucks through Tapatalk.

BTW I like the idea of this thread.

 

[b.abel]

1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5/Limited build

here is the box i built, the door is magnetic and it hold my two subs and all of my tools and other miscellaneous things.

 

[A.Wilson013]

for a window screen someone had mentioned using rain gutter screen panels or something that worked perfect. Maybe someone can post a link to that. Search sucks through Tapatalk.

BTW I like the idea of this thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/174536-my-4-dollar-window-screen.html

I have a set that I have used quite a few times. I love them =D.

Painted black w/ spray paint for cool points.

 

[D Farms]

Is that price for real?? $20 + shipping for him to drill holes in my plastic? lol

lol also the 75 for 4 bolts you can make from stuff at the hardware store.

 

[MStudt]

lol also the 75 for 4 bolts you can make from stuff at the hardware store.

No fancy TIG welding though.

 

[JeepKiller]

Wow those bolts are a great idea. Although I refuse to buy anything from SS mainly because of stuff like this. $75 for maybe $7 in materials? Not to mention they offer drilling 1.5" holes in "just the right spot" for $20 + shipping. That's disgusting. :hiding:

 

[Sisente]

I used the reflective insulation in between my headliner and roof for noise dampening. It has worked pretty well. Not sure how well it is insulating because I don't camp in severe conditions. Most of my camping is beach trips.

 

[white_n_slow]

Those wing bolts are great! I always just brought along my ratchet to pull the seats out, but that's definitely more convenient Might make some for the lexus!

 

[7echo]

Is that price for real?? $20 + shipping for him to drill holes in my plastic? lol

Think about it this way-

There are far more guys out there that can't do stuff now. I bet 1/2 the dudes that say $20 is too much(not on this forum, this forum has a lot of skilled and smart members) will go to HD or Lowes and buy 1 1/2" bit. When they get it home it won't fit in their 3/8" chuck. So they will go back and swap it for something else. Maybe a paddle bit, or a uni bit. They will not layout the holes correctly and the hole will be off. So they will 'waller' it out to fit. It will look like a$$. And they will crack the plastic part after taking it off and putting it back on the 7 times it takes them to fit it up and get the 'waller' part in the right spot.

I would not pay $20 + shipping, but some people will, and a lot more should, lol.

 

[WATony]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/174536-my-4-dollar-window-screen.html

I have a set that I have used quite a few times. I love them =D.

Painted black w/ spray paint for cool points.

That's great, on mine I just cut some screen door screen matirial to go over the window and glued magnets to the screen and rolled them up when not in uses.

 

[michaelj]

Awesome ideas. I am planning my first big road trip for this summer in the 4runner. Pulling a teardrop camper for the kids. The lady and I are talking about sleeping in the truck. Memphis, TN to Denver, CO. I need to get on the stick getting everything ready.

 

[volkinator]

Love this thread! Can't wait to see what else gets added. My thoughts on insulating though are to do a closed cell foam insulation, with reflective surface on one side. In the summer, point reflective surface out to prevent the heat from getting in, and in winter, reflective surface in to keep the heat in. I can't imagine it would have to be thick, and you could just have cutouts. I've also go ideas for fans, but I'd like to pursue it and see what happens. I love the idea of the bug screens over the windows. I need to come up with something for that. I need to get the window visors first though. Keep the rain out! I keep a notebook of all the ideas I want to do going. I don't think the wing nuts are really that necessary. who doesn't have a ratchet set with them? and if I'm going to be camping, I'll take them out and leave them at home anyways, where I have a full toolbox. I also just keep the plastic covers off so I don't lose them or break them...

 

[0xfded]

+1 to the sleeping platform. I've gotten pretty good use out the one I built, though it almost crushed my hand when I was closing the gate:

Couple of other camping centric mods:

Ceiling Cargo Net for stashing stuff while sleeping in the rear + hanging a light:

And a battery pack + USB install for keeping gadgets charged without running the engine or drawing on the main battery:

And a rear window switch that doesn't require the key in ignition:

That last one is more useful than it seems--it doubles as an interior gate latch (just roll the window down and use the outside latch. )

 

[D Farms]

I dont even have those pieces any more, they broke when i was a kid. also those bolts go into a nut thats welded onto a piece of thin sheet metal, and after having taken out the front seats a few times, i have broken one on each side. the ones in the rear will do the same thing, from what I remember the threads got galled and the bolt locked up with the nut and then ripped the metal apart.