Didn't even know it existed.... Thanks.
Calling all stockers'...or would that be the non-'builds'?
- Thread starter mnofpeace
- Start date
Didn't even know it existed.... Thanks.
Lugboot
New member
:iagree:
Way more into hiking and mountain biking than wheeling, but the truck gets us and our gear to where we want to go.
mnofpeace
Member
just wanted to let the newer folks chime in...because the 'mod'rs' and wanna be mod'rs can sometimes take over the majority of the threads, which is great...but hey. Not that im asking for this to become a 'sticky' or anything
I will never mod, outside of better AT tires and some Trail rims...i bought my truck for its legendary dependability(200K miles is the plan), 4WD for the snow, SUV for the family room and road trips, and have discovered some light wheeling...and yes, it is fun.
And i surely love seeing guys turn SR5s into zombie escape vehicles...shows the true capability without going Trail or Lmt levels...guys like Fargo4x4...love his truck...
I will never mod, outside of better AT tires and some Trail rims...i bought my truck for its legendary dependability(200K miles is the plan), 4WD for the snow, SUV for the family room and road trips, and have discovered some light wheeling...and yes, it is fun.
And i surely love seeing guys turn SR5s into zombie escape vehicles...shows the true capability without going Trail or Lmt levels...guys like Fargo4x4...love his truck...
TrkyMfns
New member
I'm a mountain biker first. The truck just gets me and the gear where I want to go easier. I also enjoy taking the scenic routes. With that being said, I will be getting some A/T tires and a 5100 lift, sliders, etc. But that's just to slightly enhance what it can already do. Other than those few things, I'm content for now...
Arttieboy
New member
Here is what it looks like and what it looked like. I plastidip end front and rear valance matte black. Rhino lined the stock roof rails black and rhino lined the tail gate step for the dogs. All cosmetic mods so I would consider stock? I will change the tires because omg this is the first vehicle I have ever hydroplaned in on the highway. My wife ask why I drive it so slow in the rain. I told her I don't trust these tires any longer.
Got the 16 last week,Broke it in Sunday. It did great and the crawl control did what it promised. The only mods so far are some skidplate scrapes and az pinstripes. Coming from a jk,this has been impressive so far! Only 1 poser shot.
Rock rails on the way, some ledges were a little too close for comfort.
Rock rails on the way, some ledges were a little too close for comfort.
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RysiuM
New member
Thank you for the thread - after going trough the forum I though I'm the only one, who bought 4Runner to use it as it is.
Me to, I don't have that kind of money to trash. I bought my 2012 4Runner SR5 for reliability and toughness. I mean if something is built to drive on dirt and rock, it will last many times longer on a paved highway.
I have 95 Tacoma 4x4 with 315k miles under the hood. It is a base model (5 speed manual with windows that have a crank) with everything stock and was used as a daily commute with occasional trips to Yosemite or Death Valley off-road campgrounds. And it is still good for another 20 years and 300k miles (no rust in California).
OK, I did change stuff in my Tacoma and 4Runner, but I wouldn't call it "mods". Swapping bulbs for LEDs or adding anti-theft skid plate for catalytic converter is not a mod. Tacoma was upgraded to touch screen deck and backup camera, but all that was almost plug-and-play without cutting or welding any metal.
When I retire to place where I could actually drive on snow I will change tires for A/T type, but till then my 4Runner is my "sofa" where I spend 2 hours every day driving back and forth to my work and listening to my audio-books.
:iagree:
Me to, I don't have that kind of money to trash. I bought my 2012 4Runner SR5 for reliability and toughness. I mean if something is built to drive on dirt and rock, it will last many times longer on a paved highway.
I have 95 Tacoma 4x4 with 315k miles under the hood. It is a base model (5 speed manual with windows that have a crank) with everything stock and was used as a daily commute with occasional trips to Yosemite or Death Valley off-road campgrounds. And it is still good for another 20 years and 300k miles (no rust in California).
OK, I did change stuff in my Tacoma and 4Runner, but I wouldn't call it "mods". Swapping bulbs for LEDs or adding anti-theft skid plate for catalytic converter is not a mod. Tacoma was upgraded to touch screen deck and backup camera, but all that was almost plug-and-play without cutting or welding any metal.
When I retire to place where I could actually drive on snow I will change tires for A/T type, but till then my 4Runner is my "sofa" where I spend 2 hours every day driving back and forth to my work and listening to my audio-books.
Here is what it looks like and what it looked like. I plastidip end front and rear valance matte black. Rhino lined the stock roof rails black and rhino lined the tail gate step for the dogs. All cosmetic mods so I would consider stock? I will change the tires because omg this is the first vehicle I have ever hydroplaned in on the highway. My wife ask why I drive it so slow in the rain. I told her I don't trust these tires any longer.
Love the look of the roof rails!
chickhien
New member
care to share or suggest mod on storing shotgun vertically (like a pillar if you will) right behind the passenger seat?
the4Rdan
New member
This is a cool thread. I enjoyed seeing this. Other than some random accessories (mats, hood protector, Thule roof rack) and swapping on a set of TE wheels, it's stock. These are cool rigs - modded or stock!
My last few vehicles, I've tried to buy something that I know I'd enjoy stock or slightly modded, meaning it will probably look stock to the world, but anyone knowing whatever vehicle I have would pick up the subtlety (e.g., last 4Runner I swapped on a set of FJ wheels and Scion HU, adding a Leer cap to my Tacoma...I guess simple stuff really).
Anyway, thanks for starting this thread!
My last few vehicles, I've tried to buy something that I know I'd enjoy stock or slightly modded, meaning it will probably look stock to the world, but anyone knowing whatever vehicle I have would pick up the subtlety (e.g., last 4Runner I swapped on a set of FJ wheels and Scion HU, adding a Leer cap to my Tacoma...I guess simple stuff really).
Anyway, thanks for starting this thread!
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My 2015 TP will more than likely remain stock, I purchased the truck for the durability, the need for a 4WD around the house and where we go camp and also in the event we go through another Katrina again...if you have not been through a storm like this, be thankful. We used the 4WDs to move a lot of debris, branches, etc in the clean up effort.
77
77
Here was my situation. I've always been a car guy. I've never liked trucks, never wanted a truck, never had any interest in trucks. In fact after buying a 4Runner a bunch of my friends gave me shit because I always said trucks were for hillbillies. Living in the midwest/Chicago that was true, everything was flat, the worst you came across was a dirt road if you drove hours to get to it, you may have to park in a field during an event of some kind but people bought them and lifted them and gave them the off road look for nothing. I never once even considered a truck living there even though I was all about the outdoor stuff - hiking, biking, triathlons, skiing, ect.
That changed when I moved to Colorado. I had a modded 4 door MK6 GTI and first time it was no longer practical. Dirt roads and driving over cattle grates to get to trail heads for mountain biking, and driving a low front wheel drive car on mountain passes with 300 ft/lbs of torque and snow tires to go skiing just wasn't practical for our lifestyle living in the mountains. Ski trips were no longer a week long vacation to Colorado, they are now midweek vacation day drives to hit powder days.
Biking - this thing hated unpaved road.
Fall/spring when you can bike or ski
Skiing - plowing snow while hoping the snow tires keep biting.
Stuff like this is no joke
My first thought was a Subaru would be perfect. I was all for it, but then I actually drove one. I really wanted to like it but it felt like you were sitting on a folding chair with a cushion on it inside an interior designed and built by Fisher Price. They just felt so cheap and crappy, I couldn't do it. But working for a car dealership I'd regularly take used cars home for a night to spend some time driving them and seeing if it was what I wanted. After literally a year of casual researching and looking at and driving everything from small hatch backs to station wagons, to pick ups and SUVs. I kept modifying and tweaking the list of things I wanted in a more useful replacement for my GTI. I narrowed down my non-negotiable firm requirements to the following - Real truck/SUV (body on frame, no crossovers), 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, 4 doors, 2" hitch receiver, a center differential inside the transfer case (full time 4WD that you don't have to mechanically lock any part of the drivetrain, not 2WD untill you lock the center and then have drivetrain binding issues if the road isn't straight), I had to be able to adjust the driver’s seat to where I want to sit and then be able to get out and fit comfortably in the seat behind that one (I'm 6'2"), fit me laying down in the back with the seats folded flat for sleeping in it, reliability and long term durability, one touch auto up and down windows... ALL of the windows and not just the driver door, split folding rear seats, and the ability to comfortably fit 4 adults + all of our ski equipment inside the vehicle.
After a long time the winner was a used 2011 Toyota 4Runner Limited with 29K miles on it. It was mechanically perfect but with a lot of minor cosmetic issues up close. That was perfect for me, the price was lower, the value was better, and not being a mint perfect truck I wouldn't be so stupidly over anal about it like I have been with every other vehicle I've had.
My truck is basically stock, I've changed some things but nothing major.
-I've wired in a relay to run high beams, low beams, and fogs at the same time and I've upgraded the fogs housings to LEDs. It's an easy practical mod, and out on small 2 lane middle of nowhere cliff side mountain roads where there is zero ambient light other than what you get from the moon you can never have enough light. My GTI was great on stuff like that because it had bi-xenon headlights that I could run with the brights and fogs and AFS which would pivot the HID lights to light up around the bends in the roads. Sometimes those roads aren't quite 2 lanes or paved.
-Weather Techs for the floor and Canvas Back for the cargo area.
-I have my stock 20" wheels wrapped in Blizzak DM-V1 snow tires.
-Gray TRD Pro 17's with E rated 275 K02s for not winter.
-Thule XTR bike racks (2 bike holder with a second 2 bike extension)
-A big tote with an Oh Shit Kit with all sorts of emergency stuff - tools, first aid, survival equipment, emergency repair stuff, tow strap, ropes and bungees, etc.
-LED interior light because I light the higher output.
-One one real(ish) mod I've done is RCI skids for the engine, trans, transfer case, and cross member. It was more of a piece of mind mod like the Oh Shit Kit, better safe than sorry and I'd rather have them and not need them then need them and not have them, especially being around plenty of places where they could be useful. I have smashed them up pretty good in a couple of places already.
I'd like to think I use my truck a lot more than an average owner, not only have I put over 16,000 miles on it in the first year I had it but I've taken it over plenty of rough stuff. To be honest I would have loved to get a TRD Pro. If I was going to get a truck that's the one that was the most visually pleasing to me. In fact I wanted a Pro or a Trail because I liked the look (for a 4Runner anyway) but in the end the full time 4WD took priority for me over looks.
My Limited with the X-REAS suspension and all has gotten me through stuff like this without a problem.
When the stock suspension wears out and NEEDS to be reaplced i'll probably lift it an 1-1.5" all the way around but I don't have much in terms of plans for it besides continuing to over maintain it and driving it forever.
If anyone is interested I have an Adventures in a 4Runner flickr album
https://flic.kr/s/aHskgnQD8U
That changed when I moved to Colorado. I had a modded 4 door MK6 GTI and first time it was no longer practical. Dirt roads and driving over cattle grates to get to trail heads for mountain biking, and driving a low front wheel drive car on mountain passes with 300 ft/lbs of torque and snow tires to go skiing just wasn't practical for our lifestyle living in the mountains. Ski trips were no longer a week long vacation to Colorado, they are now midweek vacation day drives to hit powder days.
Biking - this thing hated unpaved road.
Fall/spring when you can bike or ski
Skiing - plowing snow while hoping the snow tires keep biting.
Stuff like this is no joke
My first thought was a Subaru would be perfect. I was all for it, but then I actually drove one. I really wanted to like it but it felt like you were sitting on a folding chair with a cushion on it inside an interior designed and built by Fisher Price. They just felt so cheap and crappy, I couldn't do it. But working for a car dealership I'd regularly take used cars home for a night to spend some time driving them and seeing if it was what I wanted. After literally a year of casual researching and looking at and driving everything from small hatch backs to station wagons, to pick ups and SUVs. I kept modifying and tweaking the list of things I wanted in a more useful replacement for my GTI. I narrowed down my non-negotiable firm requirements to the following - Real truck/SUV (body on frame, no crossovers), 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS, 4 doors, 2" hitch receiver, a center differential inside the transfer case (full time 4WD that you don't have to mechanically lock any part of the drivetrain, not 2WD untill you lock the center and then have drivetrain binding issues if the road isn't straight), I had to be able to adjust the driver’s seat to where I want to sit and then be able to get out and fit comfortably in the seat behind that one (I'm 6'2"), fit me laying down in the back with the seats folded flat for sleeping in it, reliability and long term durability, one touch auto up and down windows... ALL of the windows and not just the driver door, split folding rear seats, and the ability to comfortably fit 4 adults + all of our ski equipment inside the vehicle.
After a long time the winner was a used 2011 Toyota 4Runner Limited with 29K miles on it. It was mechanically perfect but with a lot of minor cosmetic issues up close. That was perfect for me, the price was lower, the value was better, and not being a mint perfect truck I wouldn't be so stupidly over anal about it like I have been with every other vehicle I've had.
My truck is basically stock, I've changed some things but nothing major.
-I've wired in a relay to run high beams, low beams, and fogs at the same time and I've upgraded the fogs housings to LEDs. It's an easy practical mod, and out on small 2 lane middle of nowhere cliff side mountain roads where there is zero ambient light other than what you get from the moon you can never have enough light. My GTI was great on stuff like that because it had bi-xenon headlights that I could run with the brights and fogs and AFS which would pivot the HID lights to light up around the bends in the roads. Sometimes those roads aren't quite 2 lanes or paved.
-Weather Techs for the floor and Canvas Back for the cargo area.
-I have my stock 20" wheels wrapped in Blizzak DM-V1 snow tires.
-Gray TRD Pro 17's with E rated 275 K02s for not winter.
-Thule XTR bike racks (2 bike holder with a second 2 bike extension)
-A big tote with an Oh Shit Kit with all sorts of emergency stuff - tools, first aid, survival equipment, emergency repair stuff, tow strap, ropes and bungees, etc.
-LED interior light because I light the higher output.
-One one real(ish) mod I've done is RCI skids for the engine, trans, transfer case, and cross member. It was more of a piece of mind mod like the Oh Shit Kit, better safe than sorry and I'd rather have them and not need them then need them and not have them, especially being around plenty of places where they could be useful. I have smashed them up pretty good in a couple of places already.
I'd like to think I use my truck a lot more than an average owner, not only have I put over 16,000 miles on it in the first year I had it but I've taken it over plenty of rough stuff. To be honest I would have loved to get a TRD Pro. If I was going to get a truck that's the one that was the most visually pleasing to me. In fact I wanted a Pro or a Trail because I liked the look (for a 4Runner anyway) but in the end the full time 4WD took priority for me over looks.
My Limited with the X-REAS suspension and all has gotten me through stuff like this without a problem.
When the stock suspension wears out and NEEDS to be reaplced i'll probably lift it an 1-1.5" all the way around but I don't have much in terms of plans for it besides continuing to over maintain it and driving it forever.
If anyone is interested I have an Adventures in a 4Runner flickr album
https://flic.kr/s/aHskgnQD8U
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Great post. Thanks for sharing. I'll be getting the grey TRD wheels with stock size KO2s put on next week. And you've convinced me to reuse the stock rims with Blizzaks for winter.
I have a feeling you want the K02's for the look not the function.
I can tell you first hand the K02's are not "good" in the snow. They have the severe duty snow flake emblem on the them so I fully expected decent performance int he snow but it's just not the case. They aren't bad but they were no better than the factory all seasons. The Blizzak DM-V1s on the other hand are absolutely fantastic in the snow and the dry handling is great for a soft snow tire. I highly recommend them for areas with harsh winters. I was even able to pull a Volvo out of a ditch on an iced over road with them. Originally I thought I was settling by getting the Blizzaks over the much more expensive hakkapeliitta 8 SUVs but I have no regrets at all.
pauldavis
New member
Yeah great thread. I have not seen it until today. Maybe it deserves a sticky?
Although, I cannot say I am staying stock. This is my first vehicle that I can actually do some mods and have some fun with so I can't help myself from making some changes. That being said I am trying my best to make careful choices that combine form and function. I do want a nice rugged look but I don't want to kill my GPM or make the thing feel like a tank going down the road or ruin my reliability. Plus I really enjoy working on it. I am tired of only changing brake pads on all my past cars and want to do fun automotive projects. I will probably stop at a new suspension setup for now. Then the rest are just add-ons like ladder and Front Runner attachments for my rack. Once the 4runner is much older I may add some bumpers and sliders.
I bought the 4runner because it looks fantastic and is great SUV. Form and Function in one. I also think it looks the best sitting on some 285/70/r17s too.
I don't blame anyone keeping this awesome truck stock. One of the only manly SUVs left.
Although, I cannot say I am staying stock. This is my first vehicle that I can actually do some mods and have some fun with so I can't help myself from making some changes. That being said I am trying my best to make careful choices that combine form and function. I do want a nice rugged look but I don't want to kill my GPM or make the thing feel like a tank going down the road or ruin my reliability. Plus I really enjoy working on it. I am tired of only changing brake pads on all my past cars and want to do fun automotive projects. I will probably stop at a new suspension setup for now. Then the rest are just add-ons like ladder and Front Runner attachments for my rack. Once the 4runner is much older I may add some bumpers and sliders.
I bought the 4runner because it looks fantastic and is great SUV. Form and Function in one. I also think it looks the best sitting on some 285/70/r17s too.
I don't blame anyone keeping this awesome truck stock. One of the only manly SUVs left.
Ras_Thavas
New member
I'm an old guy. Back in the day I tore up my 79 Jeep 4 wheeling, and took my 84 Toyota 4X4 out on the beach plenty of times. As I got older priorities changed. Now I want the ruggedness and reliability of my 4R, I just have no need to spend a ton of money on things that will never be used on my daily driver.
If funds allow I would like to get a set of Grey TRD wheels, just because I like the way they look. I also plasti dipped my front and rear valence panels in dark grey, I think that looks better on the blue than the light silver.
I do appreciate looking at all the modded trucks here though.
If funds allow I would like to get a set of Grey TRD wheels, just because I like the way they look. I also plasti dipped my front and rear valence panels in dark grey, I think that looks better on the blue than the light silver.
I do appreciate looking at all the modded trucks here though.
pauldavis
New member
I have these on my 4runner. It is level because it also has a 1" rear spacer. The front wheel well sits at 37.75" and the rear sits at 38".
http://truxxx.com/2003-2015-toyota-4runner-2wd-4wd-lift-kit-905099.html
