5th gen 4runner build for road tripping?

[Chromdome35]

Updated 3/19: 5th gen 4runner build for road tripping

I'm wondering if there is any interest in a build thread based on a 4Runner being setup up for road tripping?

My wife and I love to road trip, we've been all over the country. We do both spontaneous road trips and planned road trips. Just got back from the Smokey Mountains a week and a half ago, headed to New Orleans in a few weeks.

I just bought a new 2016 4Runner Limited to use as our primary road tripping vehicle. I plan to do quite a few upgrades to it in a quest to build the ultimate road tripping warrior. The toughest off roading the vehicle will do will be on dirt roads. There won't be any (planned) extreme off roading in this 4Runner.

Most of the threads on here seem to be geared towards off road builds, so I don't want to do a thread on something that no one cares about.

What say you?

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Get a good set of tires. And ditch the 20s and get some 17" wheels, maybe pair with the BFG KO2s in 275/70x17.

If dirt roads are all that you will be doing that will do wonders for you. The truck is very capable in stock form.

 

[Chromdome35]

Get a good set of tires. And ditch the 20s and get some 17" wheels, maybe pair with the BFG KO2s in 275/70x17.

If dirt roads are all that you will be doing that will do wonders for you. The truck is very capable in stock form.

I've got KO2's on my Suburban, been running BFG AT's for years on my various SUVs & Trucks. Love them.

 

[adrtoy]

This is exactly the reason we bought a 2016 TEP. We loved our 15 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited but it sucked for road tripping. I put a hidden winch on it, a Bilstein suspension, and some Cooper AS tires so far. Right now I'm having an issue with ride comfort at highway speeds. It's worse than the Jeep.

I also took the back seat out and put a hinged platform there that makes it one big flat cargo area.

 

[KidVermicious]

A "build" for freeway and dirt roads.

I love the 5th gen forum. Don't ever change, you guys.

 

[Ducmonsta]

A "build" for freeway and dirt roads.

I love the 5th gen forum. Don't ever change, you guys.

I laughed. I'll admit it. But in reality, if this build deals with on road comfort and more interior amenities, I'm all for it. Frankly, I'd be curious to see what the OP will use for nav, interior accys, and other things useful for long drives.

 

[Chromdome35]

These are the upgrades / mods I'm looking at doing in the next few months

Weathertech mats (Done)
Salex Console Organizer (Done)
Rigid Tool Boxes for Cargo Area Organization (Done)
Canvasback Cargo Liner (Done)
Blue Ridge Overland Visor Organizer (Done)
Escort Radar Detector Remote Cord (Done)
Ram Mount X-Grip with Suction Cup Mount (Ordered)
Ceramic Window Tinting (Scheduled)
Interior LED replacement (researching)

Under consideration to do in the future
Windshield Wipers (researching)
Headlight replacement (researching)
Bluetooth OBD2 Adapter (researching)
CB Radio (Cobra 75, researching antenna options)
Cell Phone Booster (researching the Wilson Booster)
Dash Cam (99% sure I'm going with the BlackVue 650 Dual Channel)
GoPro Hero 4 Silver (for recording road trip footage)
Additional USB outlet on left side of dash in open switch spot (to power phone)
New wheels and tires (Longer term)

 

[cjacob316]

Get a fridge.

 

[Belcher]

I agree with the others on the wheels, get a set of used Trail 17" and put a set of Cooper AT3's if you will do a touch more off-roading. If not I would fall back to the Michelin LTX MS2.....it's the best highway tire made. I ran them on 6 work trucks for years in construction. Try to find a tire that is C load rating or less... Stay away from the E range for fuel consumption and weight.

Also agree on the fridge.... Something like an ARB 37 or 50 or equivalent will save you money in the long run for being able to pack lunches, drinks and snacks and not have to eat out every meal.

Gook luck.

 

[CoolMax]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194152-calling-all-stockers-would-non-builds.html

 

[Jhalko]

Get a fridge.

Second vote for fridge.

 

[Engineer]

You are welcome to make a build thread about what you do to/in your 4runner! nothing wrong with keeping it stock or just doing "bolt" ons.

 

[NuclearN8]

I'd be interested in it...

 

[Ohio_Steve]

I'm wondering if there is any interest in a build thread based on a 4Runner being setup up for road tripping?

I'll certainly be following along! I'm waiting for my Trail Premium to get here to replace the Subaru Outback we've been traveling around the country in. And my plans are similar. I'm in Ohio, so I've got to drive hundreds or thousand of miles to get to anyplace interesting.

Twice now, I've been in situations where I didn't want to push my Outback any further, and where a bone stock 4Runner with good tires would have gone without a second thought. I don't plan big suspension changes, front/rear bumpers, etc.

In my short time here on T4R.org, I've seen several posts where people laugh at or ridicule folks like us who want to leave their truck mostly stock and enjoy what it can do with only minor mechanical changes. So it's not a "Build", so what? The guy posting in these sorts of threads is enjoying his vehicle and is looking for ideas and camaraderie, not to be discouraged.

I'll be following along with interest, and hopefully we can share some ideas.

 

[Chromdome35]

I'll certainly be following along! I'm waiting for my Trail Premium to get here to replace the Subaru Outback we've been traveling around the country in. And my plans are similar. I'm in Ohio, so I've got to drive hundreds or thousand of miles to get to anyplace interesting.

Twice now, I've been in situations where I didn't want to push my Outback any further, and where a bone stock 4Runner with good tires would have gone without a second thought. I don't plan big suspension changes, front/rear bumpers, etc.

In my short time here on T4R.org, I've seen several posts where people laugh at or ridicule folks like us who want to leave their truck mostly stock and enjoy what it can do with only minor mechanical changes. So it's not a "Build", so what? The guy posting in these sorts of threads is enjoying his vehicle and is looking for ideas and camaraderie, not to be discouraged.

I'll be following along with interest, and hopefully we can share some ideas.

I couldn't agree with you more.

On one of our road trips, we decided to follow the Sante Fe trail across Kansas. You know you can still see the ruts in the ground left by the wagon trains. The official highway route deveates miles from the original route at times. I wanted to follow it as close to the original route as possible which means driving along miles of dirt roads. We were in my 4WD Suburban which at the time had Bridgestone all terrains on it. Well a good rain came up and those Kansas dirt roads turn to mud very quickly. That Suburban with the Bridgestones could barely move and when it moved it just wanted to slide all over the road. We were lucky we didn't end up in the ditch. When we got home I put BFG's AT's on it immediately.

The point of that story is you never know when your going to need real 4WD capability. Even a stock 4Runner is more capable than the 95% of the vehicles on the road today.

And as far as those who want to ridicule...to each his own. They can do whatever they want to their's and I'll do what I want to mine. I suspect that the vast majority of 4Runner owners are running stock.

 

[STX4Runner]

Let's be honest, if dirt roads are all you're doing you're fine on the stock tires and wheels. No need to get bigger heavier tires for a road warrior. Maybe 17" wheels so you have more sidewall and a more comfortable ride.

 

[STX4Runner]

I couldn't agree with you more.

On one of our road trips, we decided to follow the Sante Fe trail across Kansas. You know you can still see the ruts in the ground left by the wagon trains. The official highway route deveates miles from the original route at times. I wanted to follow it as close to the original route as possible which means driving along miles of dirt roads. We were in my 4WD Suburban which at the time had Bridgestone all terrains on it. Well a good rain came up and those Kansas dirt roads turn to mud very quickly. That Suburban with the Bridgestones could barely move and when it moved it just wanted to slide all over the road. We were lucky we didn't end up in the ditch. When we got home I put BFG's AT's on it immediately.

The point of that story is you never know when your going to need real 4WD capability. Even a stock 4Runner is more capable than the 95% of the vehicles on the road today.

And as far as those who want to ridicule...to each his own. They can do whatever they want to their's and I'll do what I want to mine. I suspect that the vast majority of 4Runner owners are running stock.

I doubt BFG ATs would have helped in super slick mud. They turn into racing slicks in that type of terrain. Only a true MT would actually be any better.

 

[Chromdome35]

I doubt BFG ATs would have helped in super slick mud. They turn into racing slicks in that type of terrain. Only a true MT would actually be any better.

I'm sure you are right, but you gotta use any excuse you can to convince the missus you need to spend the $$$.

 

[NZDZRT]

Sounds awesome!

That you are getting out there and ENJOYING your 4Runner. Everyone needs to remember: at the end of the trip, just before we go into our home... we all turn back at our 4Runner and Smile. C'mon, ya know you do! :bounce:

NZDZRT

 

[Chromdome35]

This is the starting point of my "Build" I took possession of my new 2016 Limited a week ago. As you can see from the pictures it is Grey with the Redwood interior.

I ordered the Weathertech's and the Salex the day I drove it home.

WeatherTech's

Salex

To keep the stuff I normally haul around when we're on the road I decided to use a couple of Rigid toolboxes I picked up at Home Depot. They stack on top of each other and connect together to form one unit. They are fairly rugged and have metal latches. The big one cost $39 and the small one cost $29. Total of $70...not bad in my book.

Combined

UnAttached

Open

Small Box

Since the small box sits on top, it holds the items I'm most likely to need.
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Gloves
LED Flares
Leatherman
Poncho
Space Blanket
Glow Sticks
Head light
Glass Breaker/Seat Belt Cutter
Toilet Paper

The larger box holds items I won't need as often (Hopefully)
Small Compressor
Tire Plug
Jumper Cables
Socket Set
Misc Tools
Flares
Reflective Triangles
Bungee Cords
Large Plastic Bags
Other misc stuff

What is really nice is that when combined, they fit perfectly underneath the cargo area cover.