Suggestions welcome on all points below.
I'm not planning on doing anything close to the builds I see here, but I do need to "dial my 4runner in" to my specific usage. Here are the problem areas, and my proposed solutions:
1. Carpeting. I would've taken a rubber/vinyl floor if I could've. I spend most of my time in sand and mud, so this (black carpet) interior is tough to keep clean. Solution: Husky mats throughout. This is already done, as I knew it would get out of hand quickly. I chose Husky over Weathertech because I was able to get a better deal on them. Frankly, I don't think there's much difference.
2. Interior lighting. Since most of my work happens before sunrise, I'm usually setting up gear in the car in the dark. The interior lighting is just too dim (as so many here have pointed out). I'm thinking I'll just get the Precision LED kit that has everything for 50 bucks or so and switch it all out. Looks pretty easy. Suggestions welcome.
3. Roof Rack. I have the factory cross bars on now, and they're doing the job. I have a fold down kayak rack and my hi-lift mounted up there pretty much all the time.
4. Brush Guard. I really would like to find something that's light weight and doesn't require an entire bumper swap out or suspension mods to accommodate extra weight. All I really need is something that protects the grill/headlights from occasional tree branches, and gives me a nice, convenient tie-off point for my kayak. Right now, I have to bring the front tie strap all the way down to the recovery hook, and I've had to pad the strap so it doesn't ruin the paint on the front. I'd rather just tie it to a brush guard....but there just aren't many (none that I can find) available for the 2014 trail. Would love suggestions here.
5. Skid Plates. I'm really unsure here. When I had my FJ cruiser, I pretty much destroyed the factory skid plate (front) within a few months of owning it. I wound up putting Bud-Built plates on it, but I also lifted it and beefed up the suspension. I don't want to lift the 4Runner, and upon inspecting the factory skids....they look a lot tougher than the ones the 2008 FJ came with. Any feedback you can give regarding their durability would be appreciated. I really don't want to have to swap out any suspension on the 4Runner. I'm OK with changing out the skids if I need to as long as I'm not having to mod the suspension.
6. Tires. No brainer here. The Dunlops are nice on the highway, and next to worthless for anything else. I'm looking at the Nitto Exo's, the new Toyo's, the DuraTecs, and any other hybrid AT/Mud that is coming out. Not in a huge hurry, as I can tolerate the Dunlops for a few more months so I won't feel so bad tossing fairly new tires. I'm planning on sticking to factory size for now. Plenty of threads on this here for sure.
7. Entune System. Mine has the non-Nav unit. GPS is absolutely essential to me, so I'm using an external Garmin unit instead. This is one where I wish I could've just dropped another 500 bucks off the price and gotten one with no radio. I'd have just dropped a Kenwood/Garmin unit in and been set. That said, I also don't think it's worth it to swap it out for another head unit now. It does fine regarding radio and having that usb interface handy for iPod or a thumbdrive gets the job done. My wife has the full Nav system in her Rav4, and I prefer the Garmin Nav system to whatever Entune is using. I do think I'll swap out the speakers eventually, but that's very low priority. I do wish Toyota would allow Bluetooth connection to external Garmin units though. Anyway, I'm open to speaker suggestions to replace stock with better sound (even though it's "ok" now).
ETA:
8. Alarm System. I have to do this, as the insurance I carry for my photography gear requires it. Thanks to another forum member (GShadow325) I have already decided to go with Compustar here.
9. Scuba Mod. This one actually ticks me off a bit, as I think it's a design issue. I had to do this on my 2008 FJ, and now I'll likely have to do it again on a 2014 4Runner. Might perhaps be an opportunity to tell Toyota we think it's dumb to mount these diff breathers on 4x4's under the vehicle. Seems to be an issue on every Toyota 4x4 forum. Sure would be nice if I don't have to do it when I buy my NEXT Toyota.
Thanks.
I'm not planning on doing anything close to the builds I see here, but I do need to "dial my 4runner in" to my specific usage. Here are the problem areas, and my proposed solutions:
1. Carpeting. I would've taken a rubber/vinyl floor if I could've. I spend most of my time in sand and mud, so this (black carpet) interior is tough to keep clean. Solution: Husky mats throughout. This is already done, as I knew it would get out of hand quickly. I chose Husky over Weathertech because I was able to get a better deal on them. Frankly, I don't think there's much difference.
2. Interior lighting. Since most of my work happens before sunrise, I'm usually setting up gear in the car in the dark. The interior lighting is just too dim (as so many here have pointed out). I'm thinking I'll just get the Precision LED kit that has everything for 50 bucks or so and switch it all out. Looks pretty easy. Suggestions welcome.
3. Roof Rack. I have the factory cross bars on now, and they're doing the job. I have a fold down kayak rack and my hi-lift mounted up there pretty much all the time.
4. Brush Guard. I really would like to find something that's light weight and doesn't require an entire bumper swap out or suspension mods to accommodate extra weight. All I really need is something that protects the grill/headlights from occasional tree branches, and gives me a nice, convenient tie-off point for my kayak. Right now, I have to bring the front tie strap all the way down to the recovery hook, and I've had to pad the strap so it doesn't ruin the paint on the front. I'd rather just tie it to a brush guard....but there just aren't many (none that I can find) available for the 2014 trail. Would love suggestions here.
5. Skid Plates. I'm really unsure here. When I had my FJ cruiser, I pretty much destroyed the factory skid plate (front) within a few months of owning it. I wound up putting Bud-Built plates on it, but I also lifted it and beefed up the suspension. I don't want to lift the 4Runner, and upon inspecting the factory skids....they look a lot tougher than the ones the 2008 FJ came with. Any feedback you can give regarding their durability would be appreciated. I really don't want to have to swap out any suspension on the 4Runner. I'm OK with changing out the skids if I need to as long as I'm not having to mod the suspension.
6. Tires. No brainer here. The Dunlops are nice on the highway, and next to worthless for anything else. I'm looking at the Nitto Exo's, the new Toyo's, the DuraTecs, and any other hybrid AT/Mud that is coming out. Not in a huge hurry, as I can tolerate the Dunlops for a few more months so I won't feel so bad tossing fairly new tires. I'm planning on sticking to factory size for now. Plenty of threads on this here for sure.
7. Entune System. Mine has the non-Nav unit. GPS is absolutely essential to me, so I'm using an external Garmin unit instead. This is one where I wish I could've just dropped another 500 bucks off the price and gotten one with no radio. I'd have just dropped a Kenwood/Garmin unit in and been set. That said, I also don't think it's worth it to swap it out for another head unit now. It does fine regarding radio and having that usb interface handy for iPod or a thumbdrive gets the job done. My wife has the full Nav system in her Rav4, and I prefer the Garmin Nav system to whatever Entune is using. I do think I'll swap out the speakers eventually, but that's very low priority. I do wish Toyota would allow Bluetooth connection to external Garmin units though. Anyway, I'm open to speaker suggestions to replace stock with better sound (even though it's "ok" now).
ETA:
8. Alarm System. I have to do this, as the insurance I carry for my photography gear requires it. Thanks to another forum member (GShadow325) I have already decided to go with Compustar here.
9. Scuba Mod. This one actually ticks me off a bit, as I think it's a design issue. I had to do this on my 2008 FJ, and now I'll likely have to do it again on a 2014 4Runner. Might perhaps be an opportunity to tell Toyota we think it's dumb to mount these diff breathers on 4x4's under the vehicle. Seems to be an issue on every Toyota 4x4 forum. Sure would be nice if I don't have to do it when I buy my NEXT Toyota.
Thanks.
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westin makes a nice one 
