5th gen 4runner build for road tripping?

["krax"]

I replaced my LE wheels/tires with 17" wheels and KO2s, but I had it off road (Overland Expo East mudfest, Uwharrie trails) on the dubs before and it was fine. ATRAC, DAC, plus some skill/experience driving off road is sufficient for more than you think.

The tire wheel swap definitely affected gas mileage above 55mph, which may be a concern in your road trip planning. The upside is the truck looks better with AT tires and will be that much better off road than in stock form.

If it were me, the mods I would prioritize would be a fridge and then whatever cargo mods make it easier to live out of a 4Runner (i.e. drawers, BROG attic, etc.).

 

[adrtoy]

Have you thought about taking the rear seat out?

 

[ST1FLER]

ARB Fridge, inflatable mattress, beer and gas

 

[Angelo]

One of the best pieces of advice I consistently see here is to just drive the Runner for a few months to see what you REALLY need. I think there are a lot of people here making changes without seeing what the truck will do in stock form when you're generally getting better mileage, using the parts that you already paid for, and covered pretty globally by the OEM warranty.

It looks like your list is totally reasonable and that you already have plenty of experience roadtripping, I'm just talking about Runner-specific changes. As far as lighting, take a look at the thread in my sig for a bunch of the collected lighting changes members are making.

Good Luck!

 

[High_Country]

I second...or fourth or fifth...the fridge suggestion. No melting ice and soggy bread and leaky coolers to deal with.
For lighting, I say look at the simple H9/H11 halogen mod. I think the stock headlights are pretty good and the increased output from the mod made them that much better. No real need to do any sort of HID retrofitting.

 

[Bourbonator]

After ~20k miles of "road tripping," the only things I will recommend are a USB stick filled with good music and making sure you do your regularly scheduled maintenance. We even did some light rock gardens with stock LE wheels/tires. Most everything else is superfluous.

You don't need a fridge if you just eat rice, beans, pasta, and trail mix (we'd pick up fresh fruit/veggies on the road). We had a large water jug that, depending how full the truck was, either sat in the foot well of the back seats (just open the door and flip the spigot), or in the very back wedged between rubber maids of clothes and climbing gear.

Someone already gave the best advice, but I'll say it again: just go drive for a while and you'll figure out what your essentials are.

Happy trails!

 

[team360]

We purchased our 5th 4Runner (owned every Gen but 1st) for the multi use the rigs offer. We travel mainly in the south and west chasing crags to climb and mountains to hike and explore.

I'm also in the early stages of building and have added a BajaRack, ARB awning, Blue Ridge visor, etc.

I highly recommend the Plano line of durable containers for camping and storing gear. I keep one in the back all the time with emergency stuff incl recovery gear.

Good luck with your build and happy adventures.

 

[Jhalko]

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.

What happens is that someone starts a build thread with a few minor changes then probably loses interest in the site or sharing. Nothing ever gets updated after that, I think it's funny as my thought is why did they waste their time? Two of the most viewed build threads are NOT the most offroad worthy modifications, it's based on the travel, adventure, and posting pictures of it in their trucks!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/158462-j-blickphoto-thread.html


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/143951-intruders-build-off-road-pics-thread.html

Check these out, even Antman's thread, tons of changes and write up's, but it's not just about rock crawling.

To OP, in your list you mention getting new windshield wipers, DON'T, the stock Toyota cannot be beat, trust me on this one.

Edit: Love the rigid box idea, been looking for alternatives to the bag I have which is busting at the seams, new ideas flowing already!

 

[Chromdome35]

Have you thought about taking the rear seat out?

No, we have to haul grandkids too often to think about doing that. I have thought about making some type of non permanent removable deck for the back to flatten it out and add some storage. It could be removed between road trips.

 

[Slow]

A build is a build is a build. Looks like you are on your way

Bluetooth OBD2 Adapter (researching)

There are a lot of options here from bargain basement to expensive. I have been using a ScanTool OBDLink lx for years without any issues at all for what it is worth

 

[Chromdome35]

One of the best pieces of advice I consistently see here is to just drive the Runner for a few months to see what you REALLY need. I think there are a lot of people here making changes without seeing what the truck will do in stock form when you're generally getting better mileage, using the parts that you already paid for, and covered pretty globally by the OEM warranty.

It looks like your list is totally reasonable and that you already have plenty of experience roadtripping, I'm just talking about Runner-specific changes. As far as lighting, take a look at the thread in my sig for a bunch of the collected lighting changes members are making.

Good Luck!

This mirrors most of my thinking at this point. The things I'm changing right now, are all fairly simple and don't represent any major change to the vehicle.

The near term changes all are born of our experiences on the road. We just spent 5 days roaming around central and east Tennessee, We had huge periods of time where cell service was weak or nonexistent. I was wishing for a cell booster almost the entire trip.

When we road trip, we have a set of guidelines we follow:

1) Stay off the interstate as much as possible. We'll typically interstate to the general area we want to explore and then leave it behind until we head home. On the recent TN trip, we took I40 to Nashville on Thursday, then left it behind until we came home on Monday. We drove up and across the top of TN, down to Gatlinburg, then out the bottom of the park and across the southern portion of TN until we got back to Memphis. Where we hopped back on I40 and headed home.
2) Make no hotel reservations, We just find a place to stay where ever we are when we get ready to stop. This gives us flexibility to go and do whatever we want.
3) No chain restaurants. We seek out the family diners, hole in the wall restaurants. Getting out of the car to have lunch at Joe's Grill is how we get a break from the windshield.
4) Explore Our country is beautiful, full of history and home to many things to see. If you see a sign for something that interests you...go check it out. Take the road less travelled.

I like the idea of the ARB style fridge; however, I'm not sure if it will be in the top section of the priority list. We currently carry a FETI with a few cans of soda and water. We're big Sonic Ice fans, so I'll usually buy a bag of their ice and keep it in the cooler. We fill our cups up with the ice and drinks. Yea, its a little bit of a hassle to empty the water out every few days on a long trip but what I keep thinking about is an ARB Fridge costs roughly $900. Does it make sense from a $ standpoint. It would give us the ability to carry food; but given our penchant to stop at local dinners for lunch, would it really save us anything. Things to ponder.

 

[mybabydaddy]

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

...I do this every day when I get home from work, let alone a trip... :gossip:

 

[ArmedBear]

...I do this every day when I get home from work, let alone a trip... :gossip:

Same here. Every. Single. Day. :whoo:

 

[Ohio_Steve]

1) Stay off the interstate as much as possible.
2) Make no hotel reservations
3) No chain restaurants
4) Explore

Brian, I could be reading my own guidelines here! And with your screen name, I imagine you go to the same barber as me.

We were out west exploring for 43 days last fall for a 7700 mile trip. We were on the Interstate 5 days headed out (took our daughter to college in Seattle), and two of the days coming back, plus a couple hours south of Portland. Everything else was as far off the beaten track as we could go.

We typically make a motel reservation when we get into whatever town we're staying for the night; frequently from the motel parking lot. (Better pricing online than walking into the desk.) Many times we'll extend the stay a day, two, or even three as each day comes.

#3 has always been a rule for our travels (and around home.) Only exception is when trying to cover miles on the Interstate. Local recommendations have lead to some amazing eats over the years.

We try visiting places out of season or not on everyone's radar. I hate crowds, and would just as soon hike around in a state or local park than an overcrowded national park.

I look forward to seeing what you do and where you travel. Once my 4Runner arrives, I'll be posting a similar thread, although a lot of the stuff will be moved over from my Outback. It will be interesting to compare "builds".

 

[Chromdome35]

Brian, I could be reading my own guidelines here! And with your screen name, I imagine you go to the same barber as me.

We were out west exploring for 43 days last fall for a 7700 mile trip. We were on the Interstate 5 days headed out (took our daughter to college in Seattle), and two of the days coming back, plus a couple hours south of Portland. Everything else was as far off the beaten track as we could go.

We typically make a motel reservation when we get into whatever town we're staying for the night; frequently from the motel parking lot. (Better pricing online than walking into the desk.) Many times we'll extend the stay a day, two, or even three as each day comes.

#3 has always been a rule for our travels (and around home.) Only exception is when trying to cover miles on the Interstate. Local recommendations have lead to some amazing eats over the years.

We try visiting places out of season or not on everyone's radar. I hate crowds, and would just as soon hike around in a state or local park than an overcrowded national park.

I look forward to seeing what you do and where you travel. Once my 4Runner arrives, I'll be posting a similar thread, although a lot of the stuff will be moved over from my Outback. It will be interesting to compare "builds".

Here's to the guys with solar panels on their heads!

Steve, do you camp when you road trip or stay in hotels? These days we stay in hotels. As we both get older, the idea of sleeping in the back of the car becomes less appealing to us both.

I did huge amounts of camping, backpacking and roughing it when I was younger.

 

[Ohio_Steve]

Steve, do you camp when you road trip or stay in hotels? These days we stay in hotels. As we both get older, the idea of sleeping in the back of the car becomes less appealing to us both.

I did huge amounts of camping, backpacking and roughing it when I was younger.

We used to camp all the time, usually at primitive sites. And I backpacked with my brother quite a bit. (Last time was for my 40th around Mount Rainier, but that was 22 years ago...) But now that one of us needs to get up during the night, we travel motel to motel. Plus my back feels a lot better in the morning.

On our 43 day fall trip, I did carry some camping gear to sleep in the Outback if we were too far into a park to make it back, but that didn't work out. I still carry a porta-loo, though.

I've considered picking up a used teardrop for when I travel without Deb, but the cost vs how often it would get used is not really a good ROI. The Outback can only pull 2700 pounds, so the 5000 pound rating on the 4Runner adds the strong possibility of a small travel trailer. That'll help with Deb wanting to head home after living out of a suitcase for six weeks at a time.

Take a peek at our Instagram link in my sig, and scroll back to September/October to see why I'm moving to a 4Runner. It was seriously overloaded for our outbound trip!

 

[Orbital Debris]

I would be interested in seeing you document the additions that add comfort and convenience on the road. That is more where my additions have been oriented.

My input would be to eventually take a look at improving the available power distribution system. (Applicable for the CB, cell booster, and added USB outlet). I do ham radio ops, so I added a BlueSea fuse block under the hood for DC power distribution. This provides protection and isolation for additional DC load, and there are other options for protecting the battery from being depleted. I guess Toyota got rid of the 120V outlet in the front armrest? I love mine for running a laptop, but you could string the power cord to the cargo area.

Here is an interesting link for putting in DC power distribution:
Rechargeable AGM Battery & Battery Tender JR | Powerwerx

 

[Chromdome35]

I would be interested in seeing you document the additions that add comfort and convenience on the road. That is more where my additions have been oriented.

My input would be to eventually take a look at improving the available power distribution system. (Applicable for the CB, cell booster, and added USB outlet). I do ham radio ops, so I added a BlueSea fuse block under the hood for DC power distribution. This provides protection and isolation for additional DC load, and there are other options for protecting the battery from being depleted. I guess Toyota got rid of the 120V outlet in the front armrest? I love mine for running a laptop, but you could string the power cord to the cargo area.

Here is an interesting link for putting in DC power distribution:
Rechargeable AGM Battery & Battery Tender JR | Powerwerx

Good idea, thanks for the link!

 

[HerT4R]

I like the idea of the ARB style fridge; however, I'm not sure if it will be in the top section of the priority list. We currently carry a FETI with a few cans of soda and water. We're big Sonic Ice fans, so I'll usually buy a bag of their ice and keep it in the cooler. We fill our cups up with the ice and drinks. Yea, its a little bit of a hassle to empty the water out every few days on a long trip but what I keep thinking about is an ARB Fridge costs roughly $900. Does it make sense from a $ standpoint. It would give us the ability to carry food; but given our penchant to stop at local dinners for lunch, would it really save us anything. Things to ponder.

there are deals to be had on fridges. All my taco friends i roam around with have Indel-b or waeco. I am about to end up with a dometic cf50 (waeco knock off). ARB is nice in name but a bit hard on the wallet. Getting to experience their fridges made me see they were doing everything they needed to (keeping things cold, even frozen). Why buy an ARB when the knock offs will do the same thing?

Also look for deals. The group buy system here and over on tacomaworld are the best things since sliced bread. Or look for used gear members are looking to offload (thats actually how i'm getting mine for around the price of a new 35qt Yeti).

 

[RedMagik]

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.

As someone, I love our Outback 3.6r on road trips and have pushed the car to some of our favorite camping spots that were probably not the best idea for a leased vehicle. Gas mileage is a plus. That being said, I still perfer the 4Runner because...I love it.

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.

Great start, my wife and I both noticed how much of a difference there was in the ride of our SR5 premium on the highway compared to our old Limited. We both miss it, but she's got her own vehicle now and the SR5 is suppose to be my new "toy" over the years.