Making My Runner

[jrc_bar]

Upgrading my Runner

Hi,
I have a 2006 4runner sport edition V8.
I love the truck and want to do some small upgrades.
I'm not the extra offroading guy but I Like the car to be ready for when I want to go off road.
Also I wanted to add aditional mods.

My most important or desired mods are:

- JAOS Skid plate
- Brush Gard(black)
- Hella Black Magic lamps
- Navigation system(one of dose that can be detached and used in other cars and you can load maps from other countries.)
- Safari basket(Yakima or Thule)
- Back up lights
- Maybe leather seats.(I have seen upgrade pkgs on Ebay, can any one coment on dose?)
- TRD Oil and air filters.(Is there any filter or intake for the V8 Engine?)
- Valentine 1 hard wire.


So far I have done this mods
- Window Tinting
- Ipod dock connector
- Rear Spoiler
- Husky Cargo liner.
- Home link module.
- Weather Tech Floormats.

I would like to read some coments on this mods. I'm specially intrested on knowing if any of you have Yakima or Tule cargo baskets, which of this two brands can I add the roof lamps and the spare tire cargo accesories.
Is the JAos skidplate usefull or is it just a pure looks mod?
Has any of you guys bough any of dose navigation systems they sell now at Best Buy or Circuit city(Tom Tom, Magellan or Garmin? Are they off road capable? Can you upload maps of Europe?
Thanks for all the feedback in advanced!
Regards
JR

 

[OUTRNNR]

A couple comments:

I haven't heard much about the leather upgrade packages on eBay, but what I have heard is they're hit or miss, meaning you never know what you are going to get. Could be well fitting and high quality, and could be poor fitting and poor quality. I advise to you check out CST (Classic Soft Trim) leather options for custom installed leather. Check out http://www.classicsofttrim.com/ and search for 4Runner and to find a location close to you.

The V8 engine has a couple different brands of replacement drop-in filters available. Volant just released the first intake system for the '05-'06 V8's. Go to http://www.burtmanindustries.com/index.php and search for a Volant cool air intake system for your year and engine.

Hope this helps...

 

[sketch1]

I am not sure about Thule, but I know for a fact Yakima makes light brackets and a spare tire mount for their cargo baskets. And the baskets are very high quality. And can I ask what dock connector you installed? I am thinking about doing one but I am not sure which one I want to go with.

 

[4RunnerRon]

Well... you kind of covered a lot of topics in one thread. My response is regarding the leather. I would stay away from the Ebay leather because you'll have to install it yourself (pain in the a**) or pay someone to do it (will probably cost as much to do as Classic Soft Trim leather). My local Toyota dealerships offer the Classic Soft Trim leather packages for around $1000 (a few hundred more if you want heated fronts). I've seen a 4Runner with this leather installed and it looked and felt very nice. Just as good as the Limited 4Runner's stock leather, if not better. I'd go that route to be safe rather than trying to save a buck on Ebay... cause in the end, you probably won't save anything.

By the way, you listed that you did the Homelink mod on your 4Runner. I also have an 06 Sport Edition V8 and was wondering if you have the correct part number for the Homelink. I'd like to add that myself, but the Toyota dealer can't seem to figure out their computer system to find it.

 

[jrc_bar]

By the way, you listed that you did the Homelink mod on your 4Runner. I also have an 06 Sport Edition V8 and was wondering if you have the correct part number for the Homelink. I'd like to add that myself, but the Toyota dealer can't seem to figure out their computer system to find it. [/B]

Regarding the Home link I did had to resource to Ebay as Dealers cant seem to find one for the 4 runner. Turns out that this option is only factory installed as the parts department told me.
My way arround this problem was to search on ebay for a Toyota home link. Search turned out a couple of home link consoles from Toyota Camary's. It looked pretty similar to what we have on the map lights overhead console.
I went to the dealer inspected a Camary and determined that it was the same deal. I bought the one on ebay and got a pretty good deal. Like 70 dollars with shipping on a practically new overhead console with home link.
Its an exact fit the Camary's console with the 4runner's.
Only problem that you might find is if you have a sunroof on your Runner. In that case you need to buy a console with the sunroof switch. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[MW 4Runner]

I have the Yakima Loadwarrior basket. I also have the light mounting brackets installed but have yet to put any lights up there til after I lift mine. Yakima makes all kinds of other accessories for the basket, Tire carrier, shovel/axe holder, etc...


Here is a close up of the light mounting brackets...

 

[jrc_bar]

I have the Yakima Loadwarrior basket. I also have the light mounting brackets installed but have yet to put any lights up there til after I lift mine. Yakima makes all kinds of other accessories for the basket, Tire carrier, shovel/axe holder, etc...


Here is a close up of the light mounting brackets...

Is it noisy at high speeds? Like on the freeway?

 

[MW 4Runner]

Is it noisy at high speeds? Like on the freeway?

I would say 80 mph + and you can hear it. Under 75 and it's not noticable. On VERY windy days you can hear it too. Other than that I forget it's up there.

 

[rweddy1]

Regarding the Home link I did had to resource to Ebay as Dealers cant seem to find one for the 4 runner. Turns out that this option is only factory installed as the parts department told me.
My way arround this problem was to search on ebay for a Toyota home link. Search turned out a couple of home link consoles from Toyota Camary's. It looked pretty similar to what we have on the map lights overhead console.
I went to the dealer inspected a Camary and determined that it was the same deal. I bought the one on ebay and got a pretty good deal. Like 70 dollars with shipping on a practically new overhead console with home link.
Its an exact fit the Camary's console with the 4runner's.
Only problem that you might find is if you have a sunroof on your Runner. In that case you need to buy a console with the sunroof switch. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Did you have to run wires or are they already there?

Thanks!

 

[jrc_bar]

Did you have to run wires or are they already there?

Thanks!

No extra wires. It's just a plug play.

When you dismount your original lamp maps be careful not to pull the console out. Hold it and unplug the power cord. Plug in the console with the home link and make sure the little light, lights up when you press the buttons.
If it lights you are ok and just fit the console back inn.
Programming for the home link is the usual drill as with all other home links.

 

[jrc_bar]

I would say 80 mph + and you can hear it. Under 75 and it's not noticable. On VERY windy days you can hear it too. Other than that I forget it's up there.

I saw your page, your runner looks nice. And dose photoshop powder coated wheels look nice.

If you add the fog lamps to the cargo basket, where do you plan to run the wires trough?
thanks

 

[MW 4Runner]

I saw your page, your runner looks nice. And dose photoshop powder coated wheels look nice.

If you add the fog lamps to the cargo basket, where do you plan to run the wires trough?
thanks

Thanks!! I'll run the wires along the rack and under the black strip to the cargo area I think. Not much info out there on this. I've done alot of searching and haven't found much.