5th gen 4runner build for road tripping?

[Ohio_Steve]

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 prefer the 4Runner because...I love it.

My Outback is a 2008 turbo 5-speed manual. It is slightly lifted with skid plate, and it has been on some rough stuff. But with the manual and turbo, it is geared too high and has no grunt down low when I need it for climbing over rocks very slowly. I end up slipping the clutch too much.

As for MPG, I'll lose about 2 MPG over my Outback, but I won't need to use premium with the 4Runner, so I'll save $.50 to $.80 per gallon; a savings overall.

My wife is looking at getting a new 3.6R, so we'll still be in the Subaru family.

Sorry for the highjack, Brian!

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

I think it it's a good idea, especially if you post pics and go pro edits of your adventures. Cool idea offering something different!

 

[4FL]

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?

Road trip king here.

The most important thing is starting out with a good car, in which the 4r is.

While basically everything is not important, it is a fun topic;

- A good co pilot (my wife is great at this) can help a lot. Nothing better than cruising and having someone play DJ, and snack and drink provider among other things.

- Tires. I think this is always debatable, but there is something comforting knowing I have a set of great tires to not worry too much when going down a fire road or something.

- Knowing how to change the tire. It is best to actually go through the motions in the setting of your home, than on the highway or trail.

- Water, water for washing and water for drinking. I am the type that likes to get out on the beach, walk around in the forest, etc, feet tend to get dirty, not every beach has a wash station.

- Some basic emergency food supplies that do not expire.

- Physical maps of the many parks you want to visit is helpful.

- If you got the funds, a winch and some off-road accessories like a high lift jack. Again, comforting to know you can drive a thousand miles to go off the beaten path some, and have some means to extract yourself.

- Do not be afraid to readjust the seat.

Do you want to like sleep in it?

And while you do not plan extreme off roading, I have not planned also and found myself in a bit of a situation before in what looked to be a normal, well maintained fire road.

There was a thread on here where this guy was making like a mini RV out of his 4r, he got some hack for it but I thought it was great. There is another guy who took a trip to Alaska and made it where he could sleep relatively comfortable in it, along with all the other road trip stuff.

 

["krax"]

- Tires. I think this is always debatable, but there is something comforting knowing I have a set of great tires to not worry too much when going down a fire road or something.

That's a good point. Doesn't have to be aggressive tires, just high-quality tires.

 

[Khjphoto]

Some very good information here; however I prefer the interstate. I mean that's where the fine dinning is. You know DQ, McDonalds, Starbucks...

Sometimes for adventure 4 wheelin' I'll drive on the shoulder!

 

[Da8ron]

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.

With these rims and tires do you think the rig needs any lift at all? If so, a simple body lift or something more?

I'm curious to see a rig with these tires and no lift. Should I worry about rubbing?

 

[MudPie]

Here's a thread with a few photos of KO2s on 20s.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/91302-ride-quality-20-vs-17-inch-wheels-2.html

 

[Racehoss]

Get a fridge.

I have the ARB fridge/freezer and love it. Ice on long road trips gets expensive and soggy sandwiches suck.

 

[Racehoss]

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

[/QUOTE]

Just for your info. The 50 qt ARB fridge is 20" tall. It might fit under the cover which would be nice to hide and keep from direct sunlight.

 

[Racehoss]

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. [/QUOTE]

Love the Sonic "crunchy" ice as well. Just FYI, you can set the ARB to below freezing and store a TON of your sonic ice. I've thought about going to the Blue Bell Ice cream factory in Brenham, Texas and stocking up with gallons in the fridge/FREEZER. :cowboy:

 

[cjacob316]

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.

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.

Nice job on the rigid boxes, I wish I thought of those.

As for a fridge, I have an indel-b it's been great so far and really affordable. I break.it out any occasion we would normally need an ice chest for and they aren't much more than high end ice chests.

 

[tomm9050]

New 2016 Trail Edtion w/ KDSS Upgrades

Just retired a 1987 Land Cruiser and got a new Trail edition and need some upgrade advice as well...

1. What after mkt shocks will improve the ride quality (90% on road)? Bilsteins? Which model?

2. What's the preferred method of leveling the stance? 1-2" lift in the front is what it looks like it needs. Does this affect performance?

3. Stupid question: Is there anyway to make the hood scoop actually functional? pros/cons?

Thanks!

 

[1engineer]

Just retired a 1987 Land Cruiser and got a new Trail edition and need some upgrade advice as well...

1. What after mkt shocks will improve the ride quality (90% on road)? Bilsteins? Which model?

2. What's the preferred method of leveling the stance? 1-2" lift in the front is what it looks like it needs. Does this affect performance?

3. Stupid question: Is there anyway to make the hood scoop actually functional? pros/cons?

Thanks!

Don't hijack this guy's thread. All the answers you seek are in the "Are you a new or prospective owner" sticky right above here.

Have you opened your hood?

 

[Chromdome35]

Nice job on the rigid boxes, I wish I thought of those.

As for a fridge, I have an indel-b it's been great so far and really affordable. I break.it out any occasion we would normally need an ice chest for and they aren't much more than high end ice chests.

Thank you for the recommendation on the Indel. I will check them out.

Do you know if there is a US distributor?

 

[OregonTrailRunner]

Don't leave home without it

ConsoleVault and TruckVault. I carry far to much camera gear and fly fishing gear when traveling. Being able to lock it up adds peace of mind. The ConsoleVault is cheap insurance for valuables when just stopping for meals or sightseeing...

 

[Soupbean]

Right on .. Chromdome35 & Ohio Steve ! Mine is a '10 limited AWD , pretty much all stock. Just love the 4Runner for what it is , one of the most capable , reliable , well built & cost effective (resale value) vehicles made . I don't off-road anymore , actually drive mine pretty much only on weekends . Drive a company service vehicle on weekdays. I personally like the stock 20" wheels , the only problem is all terrain tire selection . If just doing mild dirt roads , wouldn't be too concerned . Also if running mostly paved roads , road noise and ride comfort will be a consideration . I have the factory Bridgestone 684 II's , NVH is pretty good , can not hear them going down the road and ride comfort & grip is good. Maybe could be a little better in snow . Last fall took our vacation in Gatlinburgh area and stayed a few days in Fontana NC (Deals Gap). This was our third time driving "The Dragon" , first time in the 4Runner. This thing goes through hair pin corners and high speed sweepers way faster than a vehicle this size and weight should . Very impressed ! Also something I found pretty cool was going down fairly steep , fast down hill sections while braking the transmission would automatically do some aggressive down shifting at times. So for me and the kind of driving I do , the stock setup (so far) suits me just fine.

 

[Loadedpocketz]

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

Actually, I couldn't wait to get rid of the wipers on my 2016. They streaked and were generally useless right out of the gate. Maybe they've changed?

Anyway, put a quality pair on from my local auto parts retailer and they've been a huge improvement over stock.

 

[Loadedpocketz]

I haven't started a thread here yet but mine is going to be an Overland build. After some thought and driving the vehicle for a 1000K miles now (as others have suggested), I now have no plans on doing a lift. Between, the 275 /R70-17 KO2's I plan to add and the Front Runner roof rack, I'll lose 6 inches of top clearance and there's plenty of bottom clearance and adequate approach angles for what I'll typically encounter.

The fridge is something I haven't considered. I guess my first concern would be the amount of cargo capacity I'd lose. Despite my *****ing, the wife and kids tend not to travel light.

 

[Riskijer]

I would probably do an MDX and be done with it if you are only going on dirt roads. Rides a lot better and has more features.

 

[Chromdome35]

I would probably do an MDX and be done with it if you are only going on dirt roads. Rides a lot better and has more features.

What is an MDX?