My 2009 Trail Edition Overland build

[chmura]

I purchased a 2009 Trail Edition on 12/29/2012 as my overland exploration rig. Also to get wife into remote overland camping.

So before purchasing the 4runner I was thinking about a lift. First I was certain I was going to go with daystar spacers, than I thought about FJ springs with 5100's, so in the end I bought an Icon lift. Glad I did, I couldn't be happier with the Icon lift.

So within two weeks I was installing the Icon Suspension.

ICON 2.5 front extended coilover shocks

ICON rear coils

ICON left, Toyota Bilstiens right

Installed Total Chaos UCA

ICON lift with stock rims and tires

The Trail Edition comes with old FJ cruiser 16inch rims that I do not like. So I knew I wanted to upgrade to 17 inch rims. I was not sure which wheel. Then I came across a great deal on a set of 2013 4runner Trail Edition rims for $220. I immediately jumped on that and purchased them.

Since I got them cheap I went ahead and got them powder coated matte black on BFG KM MT's.

As it sits with a 2" lift and new tires. Front ICONS are set at factory settings.

Tires are BF Goodrich Mud Terrain KM 255/75/17's.

 

[chmura]

modifications:

SUSPENSION:
- ICON 2.5 extended coilover front shocks
- Total Chaos UCA
- Front Sway Bar Relocates
- ICON 2.0 Rear Shocks
- ICON Rear Springs
- ICON Shin Guards

WHEELS TIRES:
- 2013 Toyota 4runner TE 17" rims powder coated matte black
- 255/75R17 BF Goodrich Mud Terrains KM

 

[NJshadow93]

Great truck, enjoy it. Not enough 4th gen Trail Editions on the forum. I wish Toyota would have started the TE trim earlier and gave it a V8. You certainly have a gem!

 

[jediwebdude]

Expedition/Overland is my end goal. I look forward to following your progress.

 

[Synister]

Nice man, welcome to the very very very exclusive "Lifted Silver 4th Gen TE rolling on Black Rims" Club...I think you and I are the only members!! :laugh:
Glad to see you went big with the lift components, my stock Billies have been fine but they are on the chopping block for replacement with bigger and better in the next couple months. If I could offer only one piece of advice it would be to play with EVERY mode of 4wd you can at every opportunity. The only real difference between the 4th gen TE and a 5th gen TE, capabilities wise, is that the 5h gen does everything automatically through multi-terrain select and crawl. We have to know all the different modes and sub-modes of the 4wd as well as the benefits/drawbacks of selectable ATRAC and a rear locker. Read and re-read the manual and you'll be fine. Congrats again on the purchase!!

Silver on Black 4th gen TE club

 

[chmura]

Thanks for the comments!
[MENTION=46480]Synister[/MENTION]

Yes I remember emailing you regarding suspensions prior to purchasing the 4runner. Thank you for your help as well.

 

[cmiller]

The truck looks great! And nice choice on the suspension:naughty:

 

[chmura]

You are the one that is responsible for my hefty credit card bill this month!

Thanks for all your feedback/help!

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Looks great! I look forward to following your build. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[chmura]

Looks great! I look forward to following your build. PM me if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Too bad I couldn't attend the Death Valley trip a couple weekends ago from 120. That weekend I was installing my icon lift. Next I want to come along sure.

Fortunately I will be in Death Valley this weekend for 3 nights.

 

[ridefast]

This is going to be a fun build to watch!!! Looks great!!!

 

[chmura]

Update:

I could not take the crappy Toyota TomTom stereo anymore. Very hard to use, small, and very outdated for a 2009 vehicle. Glad its gone!

I replaced it with a Pioneer AVH-X8500BHS. I used a PAC SWI RC steering wheel control module. No lag what so ever with this unit. Only problem I had was the PAC programing instructions were vague so it took me 10+ times to get the programming right. Once got it correct took less than 2 minutes to program vs 2 hours trying. All buttons work on my steering wheel with no lag.

I had to cut into the oem piggy back harness since metra does not make a harness for the TomTom units. See picture below.

Install went smoothly. Looks oem which I like. I reused the factory tomtom trim piece so it looks like this HU came from Toyota.

Love the stereo now. Radio reception improved significantly. It sounds like I have new speakers with this new HU.

Here are some pictures:

 

[oljedi11950]

Nice job Thomas !!

 

[Dawg4Runner]

Very nice install. The unit looks great, much better unit with an oem fit! :bigok:

 

[chmura]

My next upgrade to finish the HU install it to add a OEM Toyota USB/AUX port
that goes into the existing AUX port inside the arm rest. Since the port alone is $65 from the dealer I will wait a little before doing it.

Here are the details.

HOW TO: Tundra USB/Stereo input on Tacoma aftermarket head unit - Tacoma World Forums

 

[chmura]

I got my Gobi Stealth Rack a few days ago. Awesome rack, very high quality and looks great. It better for the amount they charge for the thing. I had Gobi custom make it for a 40 inch LED bar. I ordered it from Trail Duty.com awesome company. Received the rack exactly 5.5 weeks. After about 1.5 weeks that I placed my order, Trail Duty had a 10 percent black friday special. I emailed Trail Duty if they could credit me the 10% and they said sure no problem! Very good customer service from them.

Here are some pictures of it. Some of the pictures are from my Death Valley trip from last weekend.

2009 Toyota 4runner Trail Edition on South Saline Valley Road 12-28-13 - YouTube

 

[oljedi11950]

Very nice Thomas !! Good amount of snow , that Death Valley ? How's the boy ?

 

[chmura]

Very nice Thomas !! Good amount of snow , that Death Valley ? How's the boy ?

Thanks! He's doing great. Getting so big so fast.

Yeah that is Death Valley. Southern end of saline valley road.

 

[oljedi11950]

Pretty good amount of snow man ! How many days you camp out for ?

 

[Stuck CAPS]

I got my Gobi Stealth Rack a few days ago. Awesome rack, very high quality and looks great. It better for the amount they charge for the thing. I had Gobi custom make it for a 40 inch LED bar. I ordered it from Trail Duty.com awesome company. Received the rack exactly 5.5 weeks. After about 1.5 weeks that I placed my order, Trail Duty had a 10 percent black friday special. I emailed Trail Duty if they could credit me the 10% and they said sure no problem! Very good customer service from them.

Here are some pictures of it. Some of the pictures are from my Death Valley trip from last weekend.

2009 Toyota 4runner Trail Edition on South Saline Valley Road 12-28-13 - YouTube

Getting a little deep in that snow. Looks like it was a blast!