Jeep Trailhawk Modification - Make Your 4R Like a Jeep!

[High_Country]

Okay - it's a tongue-in-cheek thread title aimed at getting you to look. I have NO desire to make my 4Runner more 'jeep like'. But, I do dig the red accents on the Trailhawk models, specifically the recovery points.

I have chosen red as my accent color for my rig. I have the red toytec front coils, red bow shackle for the receiver hitch, etc. This continues that aesthetic them.

It obviously does have a functional purpose - to make the recovery points more visible / noticeable to those that may not be familiar with the vehicle.

Anyways, our rear recovery points are bolted to the frame. Simply take it off, clean, scuff, and paint (I used red implement pain - gloss enamel) and re-install.
(Note - the frame underneath the recovery point is BARE metal, meaning I suppose they paint the frame after the recovery points are attached). Unfortunately, the front recovery points are welded on - not bolted on. I didn't have the energy to go through the trouble to mask and paint those yet.

And the pics...

 

[On Point]

Okay - it's a tongue-in-cheek thread title aimed at getting you to look. I have NO desire to make my 4Runner more 'jeep like'. But, I do dig the red accents on the Trailhawk models, specifically the recovery points.

I have chosen red as my accent color for my rig. I have the red toytec front coils, red bow shackle for the receiver hitch, etc. This continues that aesthetic them.

It obviously does have a functional purpose - to make the recovery points more visible / noticeable to those that may not be familiar with the vehicle.

Anyways, our rear recovery points are bolted to the frame. Simply take it off, clean, scuff, and paint (I used red implement pain - gloss enamel) and re-install.
(Note - the frame underneath the recovery point is BARE metal, meaning I suppose they paint the frame after the recovery points are attached). Unfortunately, the front recovery points are welded on - not bolted on. I didn't have the energy to go through the trouble to mask and paint those yet.

And the pics...

It's the little details i love. Nice work!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

You should have just bought the Jeep!

 

[Jeremy556]

Unfortunately, the front recovery points are welded on - not bolted on.

It's like I'm taking crazy pills.

 

[Jeremy556]

Want to know how many Trail Chickens I've seen on anything more difficult than a graded dirt road? 0. Anyone that uses their recovery points regularly doesn't need ****ing paint to find them. This thread sucks.

 

[wfo9]

Ran across a trailhawk on the trail one day. Not sure how the :hippie: got there but he was in way over his head. We guided him down to an easy trail, but it was slow going and required spotting on ever single tiny obstacle. We had to stack rocks in many places to prevent serious body damage... I kept laughing at the "trail rated" badges, but he was dam lucky we found him vs a bunch of jeeps. We were super nice an saved his "car" from being destroyed. We had planned to turn off on to a much more difficult trail, but we stuck to the easiest ones to get him down.

Be thankful you don't have a trailhawk. :lol:

The other guys in the group kept chatting on the CB saying "4x4 of the year in all its glory".

 

[Bourbonator]

Want to know how many Trail Chickens I've seen on anything more difficult than a graded dirt road? 0. Anyone that uses their recovery points regularly doesn't need ****ing paint to find them. This thread sucks.

Okay, but tell us how you really feel.

 

[thaewogrei]

You should have just bought the Jeep!

 

[High_Country]

Okay okay....geez. I guess my humor sucks. Let me be a little clearer:
I don't want a jeep. Don't want a trailhawk. I understand their shortfalls. That's why I bought a 4Runner and I love it.
I just thought I'd post up something I hadn't seen done yet , was an easy mod, and a way to add a little bit of customization to the ride.
Did I NEED to do it? Nope. But, I've seen LOTS and LOTS of threads on here about unnecessary modifications (e.g. HID's, wheels, spacers, TRD Pro grill, Satoshi, etc) all done in the name of aesthetic or customization.
Sorry for the misinterpreted humor.
I love my 4R. Have a great Monday!

 

[High_Country]

It's like I'm taking crazy pills.

Haha...yes. Take a pill. I'm glad the points are welded. I was saying 'unfortunately' from the standpoint of not being able to take them off.

Man, I love the passion on this forum.

 

[STX4Runner]

Did I NEED to do it? Nope. But, I've seen LOTS and LOTS of threads on here about unnecessary modifications (e.g. HID's, wheels, spacers, TRD Pro grill, Satoshi, etc) all done in the name of aesthetic or customization.

Exactly. But despite what Trail Hawk's have I think this looks kinda cool for some reason. Good job. And if you want to compare it to a more offroad worthy vehicle, the 10th Anniversary Rubicon has red recovery hooks too.

 

[marshal]

And let's not forget the rubicon, let alone a base model wrangler - can walk circles around a 4Runner Offroad all day long without breaking a sweat.

 

[STX4Runner]

And let's not forget the rubicon, let alone a base model wrangler - can walk circles around a 4Runner Offroad all day long without breaking a sweat.

Of course a Rubicon can. I bet a 4Runner trail with the e-locker could get up some stuff that would stop a base Wrangler with open diffs, though. Anyway, I was giving the OP a more capable rig to compare to.

 

[Jeremy556]

Haha...yes. Take a pill. I'm glad the points are welded. I was saying 'unfortunately' from the standpoint of not being able to take them off.

Man, I love the passion on this forum.

Sorry man, there was a Trail Hawk in my normal parking spot in front of Paradox Pizza in Moab last night. :wink2:

 

[Giskarded]

For what it's with I like the mods and color
Definitely better than a lot of urban 4runner mods done people post.

I think some folks took objection to the title .. Lol

 

[gundad]

If you really want it to look like a KL you need to add a big puddle of tranny fluid under it! Thats how mine and others looked at least.

 

[Plano26]

Ya, I've been out with a Trail Hawk and here is how it turned out on the 4x4 101 course thru a boulder field..had some body damage after this little stint.

 

[Intruder]

One of my wheeling buddies runs a local Jeep forum. He refuses to add a section to the forum for the Trailchicken. Even real Jeep guys are embarrassed by it

 

[Engineer]

One of my wheeling buddies runs a local Jeep forum. He refuses to add a section to the forum for the Trailchicken. Even real Jeep guys are embarrassed by it

TrailChicken.....love it, also OP I like it, its the small personalization that make each truck its own.

 

[hrod79]

You're right! he was damn lucky we decided to help him!

Ran across a trailhawk on the trail one day. Not sure how the :hippie: got there but he was in way over his head. We guided him down to an easy trail, but it was slow going and required spotting on ever single tiny obstacle. We had to stack rocks in many places to prevent serious body damage... I kept laughing at the "trail rated" badges, but he was dam lucky we found him vs a bunch of jeeps. We were super nice an saved his "car" from being destroyed. We had planned to turn off on to a much more difficult trail, but we stuck to the easiest ones to get him down.

Be thankful you don't have a trailhawk. :lol:

The other guys in the group kept chatting on the CB saying "4x4 of the year in all its glory".