5th gen 4runner build for road tripping?

[Jhalko]

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.

Possible that something changed... But you may have gotten a defective pair as well. When my first set went out I tried three different aftermarket before I got tired of the crappy job and went back to the Oem which are outstanding.

 

[Riskijer]

What is an MDX?

Acura.

For what you're looking to do, I think it's an option:
Better gas mileage
Better interior, more features
Just as reliable
Way more power
Can tow more
Better ride

Sorry, just saw you already have a limited. (halfway through first cup of coffee)

 

[Loadedpocketz]

Acura.

For what you're looking to do, I think it's an option:
Better gas mileage
Better interior, more features
Just as reliable
Way more power
Can tow more
Better ride

Sorry, just saw you already have a limited. (halfway through first cup of coffee)

Blasphemy! :lightsaber:

 

[paulndot]

X's 2 on the MPGs.

I replaced stock with 275/70/17 BFG KO2s and my mileage has been hovering between 16.4 and 16.9 MPG.s That's after keeping data for about 6 months.

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.).

 

[paulndot]

Thanks for posting this. I've berated those exact Rigid boxes for a while, and now that I see what they'll be like in the cargo area, I'll be getting a set. I like your idea. I'll be doing some light off-loading myself and we love to road trip.

SUBSCRIBED!

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.

 

[turbomw]

Great thread to gain some knowledge. Thinking of doing a major, cross country road trip from Philly out to the West coast, and come back through the south and up the Appalachians. Most likely by myself.

 

[cbielat]

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 (On Order)
Blue Ridge Overland Visor Organizer (On Order)
Escort Radar Detector Remote Cord (Purchased, not installed yet)
Ram Mount X-Grip with Suction Cup Mount (Upcoming)
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)

LOL Windshield wipers. All I have done is just replaced the rubber strip. They're still working just fine.

 

[cjacob316]

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

Do you know if there is a US distributor?

Equipt1
http://www.equipt1.com/i/fridges/indel-b
Just curious, but what if you're by yourself and it's your seat belt stuck and door that won't open, how do you get to your tool?

 

[Chromdome35]

Equipt1
Indel B Portable Fridges | Equipt Expedition Outfitters
Just curious, but what if you're by yourself and it's your seat belt stuck and door that won't open, how do you get to your tool?

I'd just unzip my pants ound:

Good point, I will probably carry it in the console or on the visor

 

[Chromdome35]

On Friday I received my Visor organizer from Blue Ridge Overland Gear and my cargo liner from Canvasback.

The cargo liner was easy to install, it took about 10 minutes. I ordered it with the optional 20" tailgate flap. As a nice touch Canvasback includes a couple of dog cookies with the liner. My 180lb English Mastiff liked the dog cookies but wished they were bigger.

The cargo liner as it arrived.

The dog cookies

Before the install

After the install

With the seats raised. I adjusted the wrinkle out of the bottom right side after the picture.

The BLOG (Blue Ridge Overland Gear) Visor was extremely easy to install, took about 2 minutes to get it exactly where i wanted it. Other than the items you see in the picture, I keep my insurance card and proof of registration in the zippered compartment along with a small notebook and my AAA card.

In the afternoon, the wife and I went out to some property we own in the middle of nowhere NW Arkansas. Our property is about 8 miles down a series of bad dirt roads. This is about as extreme as I plan on my off roading to get in the 4Runner.

 

[Chromdome35]

Great thread to gain some knowledge. Thinking of doing a major, cross country road trip from Philly out to the West coast, and come back through the south and up the Appalachians. Most likely by myself.

That would be an epic trip. How long are you thinking of being on the road?

 

[Ohio_Steve]

This is about as extreme as I plan on my off roading to get in the 4Runner.

Hey, you really do go to my barber!

I like the additions that you are making. Everything is practical and makes the trip more enjoyable. We took stuff with us that we couldn't find when we needed it, and lots of stuff we didn't need. I've gotta get better organized instead of just moving everything from the Outback to the 4Runner when it arrives.

 

[Chromdome35]

I have an appointment for next Wednesday to get the Windows ceramic tinted. I opted to go with 15% all around (excluding the front windshield) and 5% on the sunroof. For those who are wondering, the % is the amount of light it lets through so the lower the %, the darker the tint.

According to the tint place the 4Runner rear windows are factory tinted at 17% so the tint I am having done will make the rear slightly darker. And the two front windows will match.

Does this sound reasonable to you guys who know about such things?

 

[Chromdome35]

I know it's a bit dumb but my wife and I always name our vehicles. We decided to name the 4Runner Maximus.

She made this for me tonight, I think it's pretty bad ass!

 

[wanderMT]

Anything except factory tint is illegal in many parts of country, providing reason to be pulled over. When on the road I don't want any contact with the law.

 

[Bzert #12]

Tint

I work for a company that installs window tint and nearly anything else automotive related. The factory tint is around 20%. If you have tint installed over that, it's gonna be extremely dark and tough to see out at night (I always recommend against it). Also, check your state & local laws on the tint limit for the front doors. Here in Washington state, we are limited to 24% net (that's the combination of 35% film + the natural darkness of the factory glass) for the front doors, any darkness is permitted for the 2nd & 3rd row in a multi-purpose class vehicle. Passenger class vehicles are limited to 24% net on all windows. The police around here are good at spotting it because we remove the illegal film fairly often.

If you install 15% tint over factory, you will be blocking an additional 85% of the light that is let through by the factory tint. If the factory tint is truly 17%, it is already blocking 83%. Add a baja rack and led light bars for the sides and rear so you can see outside at night

BTW, this is my first post to this forum. Just got my first 4Runner a week ago!

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

If Toyota would be so kind as to provide us with a cruise control that was not originally designed for the Model T, it would be awesome.

As for the tint, make sure you can get the front windows to match exactly, or it will look pretty bad. I have 5% on my sunroof in another car and it's great, especially in the never-ending Colorado sun. It actually had 5% in the entire vehicle, but I had to remove most of it. I simply could not see safely in bad weather or at night (awesome on the sunroof though).

I have found that the 4Runner makes a good road trip vehicle. Every summer I make at least 1 3k mile road trip and it works great. If it's just my gf and I, we sleep in the back. If we have 4 people, we actually put the smaller seat down in the back so one person can be passed out at all times. Were I to "build" my runner for road tripping, I would get good road tires (Michlen LTX etc.) and call it good.

 

[burnurass]

I did 35% tint on my front windows and they are slightly darker than the factory tint. I don't think 15% is a good idea all around.

speaking of film, maybe look into getting you front end clear bra'd to keep the front end nice.
I did partial hood/fenders, full bumper, a pillars/partial roof, mirrors and headlights.

I drive a lot on the road and it has kept the 4runner paint in nice condition. Almost 19,000 miles on it since October of 2015.

Good luck!

 

[4FL]

Anything except factory tint is illegal in many parts of country, providing reason to be pulled over. When on the road I don't want any contact with the law.

Most (maybe all) states allow in accordance to where the car is registered at. I do not know any states that do not allow for this though there could be. This means that as long as the tint is legal where the car is registered, it is legal in the state it is driving around in.

Side note; never understood tint laws, front window makes since, but given cargo vans, conversion vans, RVs, pick-ups with campers, etc, numerous things you cannot see out the back, I fail to see the purpose for the extra rules around the back windows when so many cars are allowed that have no way to view out the back at all.

 

[Tilldain]

why GoPro? have you seen the Virb?

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

GoPro Hero 4 Silver (for recording road trip footage)

Have you seen the Garmin Virb. I love seeing the g metrix on the footage and it will pair up with a obdII and provide engine data to the camera such as RPM and pretty much anything else you could need or want.

I love mine water proof out of the box, and will use all the same mounts as the GoPro. i have used both the original Virb elite and the new Virb XE. The xe is a huge step forward from the old elite.

Just my .02 lots of videos out there with the overlays so you can see what i am talking about.