b407driver
New member
My 2016 SuperWhite 'TRD Trail' w/KDSS - Build and Pic thread
After 7 weeks of waiting, today was delivery day for my 2016 Trail Premium w/KDSS converted with virtually all the TRD pieces and parts (wheels, suspension, grille and bumper valances, skidplate; everything except auto headlights). Instead of waiting 3-4 months for a TRD Pro, I really wanted KDSS and a sunroof, so had the dealer build it for me (for tax purposes, really). Yes, I'm deeming it a 'TRD Trail', not the lowly 'Trail Pro' moniker.
eep:
Ended up being within about $500 of what a TRD Pro would have been, except has the TEP extras I wanted. Added a rear blackout kit, 30% ceramic tint to the two front windows, and OEM paint protection (which I'm actually quite impressed with the extent of).
This vehicle replaces my trusty 2003 Sequoia, which will be relegated to kid use and heavily-burdened family trips (mostly mountain biking w/4 bikes). Although I do get around CO and UT for work quite a bit, not intending on any serious crawling and bashing (as you can see from my choice of running boards, though the BudBuilt BumpOuts would be sweet), just accessing out-of-the-way areas for photography.
Speaking of the running boards, although I wanted and requested the port-installed TE running boards, the version they received actually hugs the rockers more than an inch closer (i.e. higher, and more out of the way). They offered to pull a set of the Trail boards off a stock truck, but I'm fine with having more clearance. Why running boards at all, you ask? Our occasionally wet'n'sloppy (per Kathy Sabine,
winters can trash the sides of the vehicle, and I think running boards help to minimize some of the sludgy crap that gets all over the sides.
As far as crud flying off tires goes, after much research here and on other sites, it seems the Cooper AT3 was that unusual bargain of a high-performing tire that is as inexpensive as any AT out there, a win-win, for sure. Went with C, for a bit of sidewall protection in the outback (still need to settle on a pressure, they seem a little high from the dealer @46psi; seems more like an E-rated pressure to me?).
Have some minor things in mind for the future:
Mountain States Toyota went out of their way to ensure this vehicle was exactly as I wanted it, and is going the extra mile to make sure that it is as perfect as it can be, considering the somewhat unique 'build'. Lots of people have turned SR5s and TE/Ps w/out KDSS into TRD-clone 4Runners, but none have apparently gone the route that I chose (adding TRD suspension to KDSS), and it took some nudging from me to convince them it would all be OK. Still have the pax-side lean issue to get around (yes, it's currently out-of-spec by about 0.5-inch), but I'm pretty sure I've found the fix, and I'll update here if it works. [EDIT: the permanent fix was leveling the front shocks, i.e. getting rid of the TRD's "non-KDSS" asymmetry.]
A few pics of my first day with this new truck, a quick trip to Red Rocks on this gorgeous September day, more pics to come as the adventure commences...
----------------------------Mods/upgrades completed to date:
Last image is as she sits as of May 2016.
After 7 weeks of waiting, today was delivery day for my 2016 Trail Premium w/KDSS converted with virtually all the TRD pieces and parts (wheels, suspension, grille and bumper valances, skidplate; everything except auto headlights). Instead of waiting 3-4 months for a TRD Pro, I really wanted KDSS and a sunroof, so had the dealer build it for me (for tax purposes, really). Yes, I'm deeming it a 'TRD Trail', not the lowly 'Trail Pro' moniker.
eep:Ended up being within about $500 of what a TRD Pro would have been, except has the TEP extras I wanted. Added a rear blackout kit, 30% ceramic tint to the two front windows, and OEM paint protection (which I'm actually quite impressed with the extent of).
This vehicle replaces my trusty 2003 Sequoia, which will be relegated to kid use and heavily-burdened family trips (mostly mountain biking w/4 bikes). Although I do get around CO and UT for work quite a bit, not intending on any serious crawling and bashing (as you can see from my choice of running boards, though the BudBuilt BumpOuts would be sweet), just accessing out-of-the-way areas for photography.
Speaking of the running boards, although I wanted and requested the port-installed TE running boards, the version they received actually hugs the rockers more than an inch closer (i.e. higher, and more out of the way). They offered to pull a set of the Trail boards off a stock truck, but I'm fine with having more clearance. Why running boards at all, you ask? Our occasionally wet'n'sloppy (per Kathy Sabine,
winters can trash the sides of the vehicle, and I think running boards help to minimize some of the sludgy crap that gets all over the sides.As far as crud flying off tires goes, after much research here and on other sites, it seems the Cooper AT3 was that unusual bargain of a high-performing tire that is as inexpensive as any AT out there, a win-win, for sure. Went with C, for a bit of sidewall protection in the outback (still need to settle on a pressure, they seem a little high from the dealer @46psi; seems more like an E-rated pressure to me?).
Have some minor things in mind for the future:
- <s>Possibly a Baja Standard Rack; love how low it sits and how conforming the shape appears, but still a bit wary about the mounting and rusting issues</s> (really want a high-quality aluminum rack, maybe Rhino someday?)
- Possibly airbags in the back if we start towing in a few years
- Thinking about the side-exit exhaust mod as well, as I like having that rear cracked for pressure equalization with rear windows open (that buffeting is like fingernails on a blackboard!)
- Would love some BudBuilt Bump-Out sliders w/tread, but in aluminum (though it looks like there may soon be a CO-grown steel option, YAY!)
Mountain States Toyota went out of their way to ensure this vehicle was exactly as I wanted it, and is going the extra mile to make sure that it is as perfect as it can be, considering the somewhat unique 'build'. Lots of people have turned SR5s and TE/Ps w/out KDSS into TRD-clone 4Runners, but none have apparently gone the route that I chose (adding TRD suspension to KDSS), and it took some nudging from me to convince them it would all be OK. Still have the pax-side lean issue to get around (yes, it's currently out-of-spec by about 0.5-inch), but I'm pretty sure I've found the fix, and I'll update here if it works. [EDIT: the permanent fix was leveling the front shocks, i.e. getting rid of the TRD's "non-KDSS" asymmetry.]
A few pics of my first day with this new truck, a quick trip to Red Rocks on this gorgeous September day, more pics to come as the adventure commences...
----------------------------Mods/upgrades completed to date:
- TRD Pro bits/pieces dealer installed: TRD Suspension Kit, grill/garnish, front-rear black bumper valances, wheels, shift knob
- <s>Cooper AT3 265/70-R17 tires from DTD</s>
- TRD Skidplate KDSS mod (cutouts)
- Salex center console and glove compartment organizers
- <s>TRD suspension+KDSS Lean issue remedy (swap front L-R shocks)</s>
- Skidplate plastic fairing trim and re-install
- Smittybuilt BeaverStep, grip tape and snugging
- Toyota Tub-style All-Weather Mats (PT908-89160-02)
- Cooper AT3 275/70-R17 tires from DTD
- Rola Vertex cargo basket w/AT Low-Profile mounts, Platypus cargo bag
- ToyTec 1" TRD Spring Seats, both set at top perch (e.g. leveled L-R shocks, my KDSS has no lean that needs corrected)
- Wheelers/Eibach T-13 rear coils, ~1.25" effective lift
- Front fender trim
- ARB Rear Differential/E-locker Breathers, run into engine compartment
- Rotopax (4x) 2-gal fuel, (2x) 2-gal water, DLX pack mounts
- Roof rack rail blackout (satin black wrap)
- Black WaterPort portable tank/shower, rack-mounted
- ARB CMTKA12 twin compressor, Slee driver-side mount, CH4x4 switch
- RSG MetalWorks Flat Sliders with kick-out
Last image is as she sits as of May 2016.
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