Just bought a 2015 Trail Premium. What should my first upgrades be?

[Brandonium]

Oddly I find the back incomplete without a license plate frame. This is the first time I have ever felt that a vehicle needed one. :cheers:

I love some of the replies,

Sounds like you don't need anything but if your after some personalization I would consider

*PLastidip something (front and rear valence, "4runner" logo, hub cap emblem etc)
*New License plate frame if yours came with one that include the dealer name
*TRD Pro Grill
*Window tint
*Weather Tech or similar mats
*Interior LED lights
*Replace Side mirror glass with part from highlander that has blind spot mirror
*Some recovery gear to be helpful if ever off road
*Paint the Transfer case shift knob "2H, 4H, N, 4L" inlay color or your choice
*Salex organizers


For actual use
*Avoid running boards
*self recovery gear!
*Portable air compressor to allow you to air down tires
*consider a more suitable off road tire
*Sliders give a nice peace of mind along with rear dif. breather extension

 

[minimalist]

I love some of the replies,

Sounds like you don't need anything but if your after some personalization I would consider

*PLastidip something (front and rear valence, "4runner" logo, hub cap emblem etc)
*New License plate frame if yours came with one that include the dealer name
*TRD Pro Grill
*Window tint
*Weather Tech or similar mats
*Interior LED lights
*Replace Side mirror glass with part from highlander that has blind spot mirror
*Some recovery gear to be helpful if ever off road
*Paint the Transfer case shift knob "2H, 4H, N, 4L" inlay color or your choice
*Salex organizers


For actual use
*Avoid running boards
*self recovery gear!
*Portable air compressor to allow you to air down tires
*consider a more suitable off road tire
*Sliders give a nice peace of mind along with rear dif. breather extension

This is what I was looking for. Thanks so much

 

[minimalist]

In all seriousness A husky rear mat or weather tech mats are a great investment, and the center console divider is a must.

Do you have a link for the divider?

 

[jtc44]

I love some of the replies,

Sounds like you don't need anything but if your after some personalization I would consider

*PLastidip something (front and rear valence, "4runner" logo, hub cap emblem etc)
*New License plate frame if yours came with one that include the dealer name
*TRD Pro Grill
*Window tint
*Weather Tech or similar mats
*Interior LED lights
*Replace Side mirror glass with part from highlander that has blind spot mirror
*Some recovery gear to be helpful if ever off road
*Paint the Transfer case shift knob "2H, 4H, N, 4L" inlay color or your choice
*Salex organizers


For actual use
*Avoid running boards
*self recovery gear!
*Portable air compressor to allow you to air down tires
*consider a more suitable off road tire
*Sliders give a nice peace of mind along with rear dif. breather extension

Good list. I'll add Canvasback (a cargo liner and my second mod after some proper all-weather mats.)

 

[philsey]

Just wondering what the consensus is on some things to do to a newer 4Runner. Only has 11k miles. I know I want running boards and to get some lug locks for the wheels. After that, not sure. Any suggestions?

Spend at least 2 weeks reading the 5g forum, especially the stickies. There is also a Google search tool, again, stickies.

Pay particular attention to all the "problems with ... weird noise ... how to ... broken xxx ... etc etc etc" threads. In this way you'll know how to avoid >90% of all the problems posted on here, aka "mods".

The nearer you are to 100% stock the nearer you'll be to 100% trouble-free.

 

[gdmaddog]

Being serious for second... WeatherTech or Husky floor liners are a must. Its a cheap investment on preserving the interior from mud and dust that can destroy all the carpet.

Next I would say a quality set of rock rails. If you plan on doing even some mild rock crawling they will save your truck from some ugly situations. They are not a major investment and if you install them yourself you will be well on your way to a new addiction. LED interior lights make a huge difference. Again this is a cheap upgrade.

After this stuff you can move on to tires/wheels/lift if that is your thing. It all gets rather pricey really fast.

 

[Matteblack]

I agree with some others, first practical additions while you wait and see what more involved mods you would like are IMO:

1) Salex organizers. Inexpensive and very helpful to organize all the stuff you use day to day.

2) All weather floor liners WeatherTech or Husky and others. Keeps more square inches of the carpet covered to help preserve the new condition early in ownership.

MB

 

[MagLE]

Definitely agree on new floor mats. I tried Weathertech and they weren't near the quality of Husky. The custom rear compartment mat for my new Limited is MUCH nicer from Husky. I returned the Weathertech, not custom fitted at all and was thin junk.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Just wondering what the consensus is on some things to do to a newer 4Runner. Only has 11k miles. I know I want running boards and to get some lug locks for the wheels. After that, not sure. Any suggestions?

Depends on your use...

In terms of bang for your buck, the consensus is tires. However if your stockers have a lot of life left, and you primarily commute you might want to wait and pick something else.

 

[Cruj0nes]

Weathertechs
Wheels/Tires
Laminx yellow fog covers
Lift
Plastidip
:cheers:

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I would learn to use all the 4x4 features firstly. Using them during light wheeling will give you some idea of how they function.
Then decide what set of tires you want.

 

[calcrc]

Keep the 4runner Clean all the time. My brother in law once told me that every time he washes his BMW he gets a 15hp gain. Because the dust doesnt get caught in the wind hence if its clean it will cut thru the air ! LoL

Oh and go get them 285's Duratracs !

 

[Engineer]

Keep the 4runner Clean all the time. My brother in law once told me that every time he washes his BMW he gets a 15hp gain. Because the dust doesnt get caught in the wind hence if its clean it will cut thru the air ! LoL

Oh and go get them 285's Duratracs !

Will they rub?

 

[calcrc]

Yes they will, but you will get wheel spacers after and then you will get new coils and then you will get new stuts and then you will get a roofrack and then you will get some lights and then you will add a second batterie and then you will get new UCA's and then you will get a compressor and then...... damn too tired to type on this tiny phone but I think you get the point

 

[ToyoDriver]

Where can you get locking lug nuts for a T4R?

 

[catrains]

If the vehicle has toyota shocks replace with the bilsteins.

5100 is good since you can , if necessary raise the vehicle . sells for same price as the 4600 shock no lift .

these will give the truck a solid less dip ride. probably less tire wear and bump steer.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Learn your electronic traction systems!! Some of the best systems ever put in an offroad vehicle. Read the manual and take it on a mild trail to learn what it is capable of.
What amazes me is most people pay for all this 4x4 capability and never use it. "Well I got it if I need it" don't work unless you know it's capablilities.
The 4Runners are quite competent off road in stock trim, but unless you have practiced using it, you might as well drive a Prius. Then once you have used it off road and experimented on different terrain, you might have a better idea of what mods you want to apply.
Big mud tires are useless on the highway but look cool at the mall if thats your thing. Low profile tires on 20" rims look cool at the mall too, but are not a good choice for off road performance. A racing style suspension such as the KING Shocks (expensive) I have are overkill in FLA. BUT, the on road manners of this vehicle are greatly improved, and I can hit a power line road at 50 mph to get my speed fix, and still do some hill climbs and mild rock crawling, so I get the most out of it.
If camping off of mild trails is your thing? Spacer lift with a size taller tire might be good enough for you. But, USE the vehicle off road and get it dirty! Toyota put a lot of R+D into these trucks, and I say again, use it for what it was designed for, then you will get better at driving it, and possibly help you decide on the direction your mods need to go. OH, I love my Weather Tech floor mats good investment! Lastly, LISTEN to, and research the senior member threads! I did and have been able to put together a cool rig that is still very functional on the hwy and extremely capable off road. These guys have been very generous in sharing their knowledge, you just have to spend a little time searching for and reading about it.

 

[FelixFJ40]

If you're just looking for stuff to do, then sure. Plastidip the logos, emblems or whatevers. LED lights, etc.

If you're looking for what will provide you the most benefit in the long run, just buy gas and go camping. Seriously. Nothing will pay off more than time behind the wheel, learning what the truck can do. Learn how to pick the right line. Learn how to maintain momentum through some mud. Find some more experienced folks in your area and tag along with them.

Re: the running boards, unless you have a member of your family that needs them to get in and out, skip it. That's the first thing most folks rip off their truck.

Only other place I'd spend money at this point is on a thick recovery strap (loops at both ends - no metal), a quality tire pressure gauge to use when airing down and a portable air pump to air back up once you're back on pavement.

 

[bjohnston115]

Shameless plug...

Anytime rear camera kit or add a front camera too!

BriGuyDIY | Any time Backup Camera, Auxilary Video Input - Toyota

 

[Jaydub514]

Make sure you get a 'TRAIL' badge to show everyone that you have a trail and didn't "overpay" for a TRD Pro and that you'll use the extra savings to buy suspension, have a moonroof, etc.