jakerunner
New member
Hello all!
I am the proud new owner of a Metallic Gray SR5 Premium 2016 4Runner, as of this past summer. This is to be my build thread. While I may be new to the 4Runner, I am not by any means new to modification and fabrication.
I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em Horns!). This means one thing: My builds will almost all be low-budget. That is not to say they will not be done right (NO Half-A** here).
My first mod was to Plastidip my stock wheels. I have to say I am more than pleased with the result in appearance and durability. It has been several months, and no signs of wear or peeling has appeared. The stock roof rails are next on the Plastidip list, until I can get a proper Gobi Stealth Roof Rack.
The mod in progress is my cargo area remodel. It is centered around a large storage drawer build, which is nearly complete.
I determined that I could gain several inches of width for my drawer if I removed the plastic side panels, so that is where it begins, with a complete teardown of everything behind the second row seats. Lots of pics!
Look at all that wasted space in the walls! Kills me!

Next comes the Drawer Build. It is made out of 3/4 inch plywood. Overall Dimensions 43 W x 36 D x 10 H.

As you can see, it is as wide and deep as would possibly fit. It is secured using existing mounting points (No modifications to the car itself!) as seen below.

Paint! Gray primer, with spray-on black bedliner topcoat for a durable and grippy surface.

I then installed aluminum trim around the edges, to protect the corners and give a nice finish. I’m still not completely pleased with the fit of the trim, so I am toying with ways to finish it better. Last piece of the drawer is a Southco C5 locking latch that I’m waiting on. Last pics were taken at night, and the drawer is dirty, apologies.
There is still lots of work to be done to finish the rest of the cargo area. I’m working on making fiberglass copies of the plastic panels I removed, for a clean look (I don’t want to cut up the original panels in case I ever reinstall them.)
Merry Christmas everyone!
-Jake
“If it isn’t worth doing right, it isn’t worth doing at all.”
I am the proud new owner of a Metallic Gray SR5 Premium 2016 4Runner, as of this past summer. This is to be my build thread. While I may be new to the 4Runner, I am not by any means new to modification and fabrication.
I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ’em Horns!). This means one thing: My builds will almost all be low-budget. That is not to say they will not be done right (NO Half-A** here).
My first mod was to Plastidip my stock wheels. I have to say I am more than pleased with the result in appearance and durability. It has been several months, and no signs of wear or peeling has appeared. The stock roof rails are next on the Plastidip list, until I can get a proper Gobi Stealth Roof Rack.
The mod in progress is my cargo area remodel. It is centered around a large storage drawer build, which is nearly complete.
I determined that I could gain several inches of width for my drawer if I removed the plastic side panels, so that is where it begins, with a complete teardown of everything behind the second row seats. Lots of pics!
Look at all that wasted space in the walls! Kills me!

Next comes the Drawer Build. It is made out of 3/4 inch plywood. Overall Dimensions 43 W x 36 D x 10 H.

As you can see, it is as wide and deep as would possibly fit. It is secured using existing mounting points (No modifications to the car itself!) as seen below.

Paint! Gray primer, with spray-on black bedliner topcoat for a durable and grippy surface.

I then installed aluminum trim around the edges, to protect the corners and give a nice finish. I’m still not completely pleased with the fit of the trim, so I am toying with ways to finish it better. Last piece of the drawer is a Southco C5 locking latch that I’m waiting on. Last pics were taken at night, and the drawer is dirty, apologies.
There is still lots of work to be done to finish the rest of the cargo area. I’m working on making fiberglass copies of the plastic panels I removed, for a clean look (I don’t want to cut up the original panels in case I ever reinstall them.)
Merry Christmas everyone!
-Jake
“If it isn’t worth doing right, it isn’t worth doing at all.”
