My new 2014 Trail... Build Thread?

[RedPowerstroke]

I’m not new to the 4Runner world, but I did unfortunately get away from it for a while. I had an 87 and then a 96 SR5 V6 manual transmission that I loved... but I sold it a couple years ago. The itch finally got too strong and I drove down to Charleston, SC a few days ago and picked up this 2014 Trail!!! I’ve wanted a 5th gen for a long time, and specifically a magnetic gray trail edition, so I couldn’t believe I found everything I was looking for. This one seems to be in great shape, it has 127,000 miles on it but it’s a Toyota so I’m not concerned with that. I guess this will be my official build thread... I already have a list of things I want to do to it. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive toy!

List of mods that I’ve already decided I wanted:
-Leveling or lift kit. I can’t stand the front rake
-C4 or comparable low pro winch bumper with winch
-Different wheels... TRD Pro maybe?
-Sliders
-Pro grille with raptor lights (ordered)

I’m open to any suggestions or pointers!

 

[rhadam]

That's a clean-looking Trail right there, and I LOVE the mag grey color it was my first choice but the super white I found was too good a deal to pass up. Welcome back to the family.

For the mods you want, there are a ton of discussion threads on the boards you can search through. Everyone has a different need an opinion on what's "best." Really it depends on what you plan on doing with the rig: mall crawl, overland, off-road, Moab, etc. I can't say enough good things about Dobinson's for suspension, I put in their shocks/struts/coil and then a few months later added the UCAs. Really improves the driving performance on road, and obviously has the added off-road benefits. Crikeymike on the forums here is quick to answer questions and help you get a setup that fits your needs. Customer service is important to me, and they rock it.

The new TRD wheels look great, so that's an option for sure. I like my RRW wheels but if I needed a new set i'd probably swap to a different company like SCS.

The CBI front bumper is on my upgrade list as well, solid price for what you get. Rago Fabrication also makes a solid bumper along with great armor.

As for sliders, i'm very happy with my RSG sliders, great customer service there. Lots of options here, many great fab companies to look at.

 

[RedPowerstroke]

That's a clean-looking Trail right there, and I LOVE the mag grey color it was my first choice but the super white I found was too good a deal to pass up. Welcome back to the family.

For the mods you want, there are a ton of discussion threads on the boards you can search through. Everyone has a different need an opinion on what's "best." Really it depends on what you plan on doing with the rig: mall crawl, overland, off-road, Moab, etc. I can't say enough good things about Dobinson's for suspension, I put in their shocks/struts/coil and then a few months later added the UCAs. Really improves the driving performance on road, and obviously has the added off-road benefits. Crikeymike on the forums here is quick to answer questions and help you get a setup that fits your needs. Customer service is important to me, and they rock it.

The new TRD wheels look great, so that's an option for sure. I like my RRW wheels but if I needed a new set i'd probably swap to a different company like SCS.

The CBI front bumper is on my upgrade list as well, solid price for what you get. Rago Fabrication also makes a solid bumper along with great armor.

As for sliders, i'm very happy with my RSG sliders, great customer service there. Lots of options here, many great fab companies to look at.

Thanks for all the pointers!! I love the white too, white with the black wheels and all just looks so clean! I’ll be putting a lot of road miles on this one, but I want to set it up for light trails and camping. We have a trail system nearby here in NC called Uwharrie OHV, it has everything from mild to wild, and I’m going for the mild haha. But if nothing else it needs to be leveled to look better haha

 

[cbielat]

Let's see the Powerstroke! Looking into one shortly for another tow rig.

 

[honda250xtitan]

x2 need pics of the powerstroke........is it a 17-19? i'm selling my retrofitted headlights. projectors up top, baja designs down low, black, etc.

 

[RedPowerstroke]

x2 need pics of the powerstroke........is it a 17-19? i'm selling my retrofitted headlights. projectors up top, baja designs down low, black, etc.

Let's see the Powerstroke! Looking into one shortly for another tow rig.

It’s a 2000 7.3! I added the 2006 front end and 2008 back end. My plans are to lower it a couple inches and get rid of the stack, it’s not as cool as it used to be haha. It’s been a great truck though, I’ll never get rid of it!

 

[Saker]

Good looking 2014 Trail!

Welcome back to the T4R fam.

 

[T4R416]

I’m not new to the 4Runner world, but I did unfortunately get away from it for a while. I had an 87 and then a 96 SR5 V6 manual transmission that I loved... but I sold it a couple years ago. The itch finally got too strong and I drove down to Charleston, SC a few days ago and picked up this 2014 Trail!!! I’ve wanted a 5th gen for a long time, and specifically a magnetic gray trail edition, so I couldn’t believe I found everything I was looking for. This one seems to be in great shape, it has 127,000 miles on it but it’s a Toyota so I’m not concerned with that. I guess this will be my official build thread... I already have a list of things I want to do to it. I can already tell this is going to be an expensive toy!

List of mods that I’ve already decided I wanted:
-Leveling or lift kit. I can’t stand the front rake
-C4 or comparable low pro winch bumper with winch
-Different wheels... TRD Pro maybe?
-Sliders
-Pro grille with raptor lights (ordered)

I’m open to any suggestions or pointers!

Sweet trail, but the 13 trail would’ve been even better looking! but yea can’t wait to see it come together !

 

[cbielat]

It’s a 2000 7.3! I added the 2006 front end and 2008 back end. My plans are to lower it a couple inches and get rid of the stack, it’s not as cool as it used to be haha. It’s been a great truck though, I’ll never get rid of it!

Nice. I'm looking into the 7.3 gas motor. No need for a diesel for me.

 

[honda250xtitan]

Nice. I'm looking into the 7.3 gas motor. No need for a diesel for me.

those 7.3's with the 10 speeds are so tempting. ESPECIALLY in white or black with the LED package and color matched bumpers

 

[RedPowerstroke]

I’ve been working on a few little mods while this thing is sitting in my driveway. Apparently if you buy a car from a private seller in SC and you live in NC, there is no way to get a temporary tag. You just have to wait to get the title and go to the DMV.

The first thing I did was tackle the rear hatch lights. The previous owner swapped some LED’s into them, but they were so dim they had to be worse than stock. I found the drop in 4Runner specific LED panels that are around $100, but I really didn’t want to spend that just for hatch lights. So I found these bulbs on Amazon, and for $12 I figured it was worth a shot.

The swap was easy, just pop the light housings out (push in on the gold clip), take the lenses off and swap the bulbs. I couldn’t believe how much light these little bulbs put out, it’s like daylight under my hatch now!!

The next mod was the classic, maybe overdone, but still cool American flags in the back windows. Because ‘Merica. I run a sign shop so this was an easy one. I cut them out of 3M black reflective, which is a little twist on what most people have. I think they turned out cool!

The last thing I’m working on are some replacements for the “Trail” emblems. The previous owner 3D printed the ones that are on it, but I wasn’t happy with the font. I have a 3D printer so I decided to see if I could improve on the idea. I drew up the file and got some help with making it ready to print on a 3D printing forum. After a few attempts, I’m happy with how they came out. I’m working on sanding and painting them now and then I’ll update this when I put them on.

The biggest thing I want to get done ASAP is the lift/level kit. I can’t stand the stance it has right now. I’m looking at the Bilstein 5100’s and the Eibach kit, I’m just trying to figure out what is best especially with KDSS. I’m also really leaning towards the TRD Pro wheels, even though everyone has them haha. I like the look a lot, but I’m worried they won’t stick out far enough. I’d rather not run spacers, but we will see.


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[cbielat]

those 7.3's with the 10 speeds are so tempting. ESPECIALLY in white or black with the LED package and color matched bumpers

I'll hardly drive it so I may even end up just getting the XL or XLT package.

 

[rhadam]

I’ve been working on a few little mods while this thing is sitting in my driveway. Apparently if you buy a car from a private seller in SC and you live in NC, there is no way to get a temporary tag. You just have to wait to get the title and go to the DMV.

The first thing I did was tackle the rear hatch lights. The previous owner swapped some LED’s into them, but they were so dim they had to be worse than stock. I found the drop in 4Runner specific LED panels that are around $100, but I really didn’t want to spend that just for hatch lights. So I found these bulbs on Amazon, and for $12 I figured it was worth a shot.

https8537930d1d783b070757d7afba
The swap was easy, just pop the light housings out (push in on the gold clip), take the lenses off and swap the bulbs. I couldn’t believe how much light these little bulbs put out, it’s like daylight under my hatch now!!
[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210225a4a538b13df7bd3ea41fe65.jp


The next mod was the classic, maybe overdone, but still cool American flags in the back windows. Because ‘Merica. I run a sign shop so this was an easy one. I cut them out of 3M black reflective, which is a little twist on what most people have. I think they turned out cool!



The last thing I’m working on are some replacements for the “Trail” emblems. The previous owner 3D printed the ones that are on it, but I wasn’t happy with the font. I have a 3D printer so I decided to see if I could improve on the idea. I drew up the file and got some help with making it ready to print on a 3D printing forum. After a few attempts, I’m happy with how they came out. I’m working on sanding and painting them now and then I’ll update this when I put them on.



The biggest thing I want to get done ASAP is the lift/level kit. I can’t stand the stance it has right now. I’m looking at the Bilstein 5100’s and the Eibach kit, I’m just trying to figure out what is best especially with KDSS. I’m also really leaning towards the TRD Pro wheels, even though everyone has them haha. I like the look a lot, but I’m worried they won’t stick out far enough. I’d rather not run spacers, but we will see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Nice work on the emblems, looks great. If you want a better stance, you'll want to look at wheels running -10 or -12 offset which is really common. Rather have that than spacers. The new TRD wheels are nice, but there are many great wheel options out there: RRW, SCS, FN (looking to replace my RRW with FN), Method, Fuel, etc. You could likely find the look you want with a negative offset to improve the stance. My RRW wheels are -12 and I love the stance, and fit 275 Wildpeaks with minimal work.

 

[daytonaviolet]

I like the 3D printed emblems. I have a set as well

 

[RedPowerstroke]

I like the 3D printed emblems. I have a set as well

Haha that’s awesome!


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[RedPowerstroke]

I knew I would be bad at updating this thread... haha. So some updates. Lift/level kit is on. I went with Bilstein 5100s all the way around and 1” Cornfed rear spacers. I was nervous going into it because of all the posts about KDSS nightmares, but there is really nothing to worry about. It went smooth and the KDSS didn’t cause any issues. I set the front at 1.75” but now I’m wishing I would’ve went all the way up. I still have a slight forward rake but with the way the wheel wells are offset on the 4Runners it still looks like I’m nose diving. I’m debating on taking it all back apart again to move the front up.

I also added the Pro grille, Raptor lights and a front tag holder. All of that was a very fast and easy install. I know it isn’t a Pro, but in my opinion all of the 4Runners should have came with this grille from the factory. I was going to paint the letters MGM, but honestly the dark silver they came in looks nice. I also know that the Raptor lights are “played out” and overly popular, but I like the look.

After the leveling kit, I dumped the Westin running boards and ran across a few deals. I ordered an Artec Venture Series front winch bumper from Dino’s Offroad and also bought a set of Rago rear window panels from a guy on one of the 4Runner Facebook pages. I installed the rear window panels (very easy install) and ordered a Rough Country 9,500 lb. winch for the front bumper.

The winch I ordered came from a highly rated seller on eBay, and the listing said “SAME DAY SHIPPING”. Well several days after ordering I found out they didn’t have the winch in stock and were having to have it drop shipped from the manufacturer with no firm date on when it would ship, so needless to say I won’t be putting the bumper on for a while. I’m also going to have to find a single row lightbar to fit the bumper. I have a 25” dual color red/white (for off-road and fire Department use) but it won’t fit, I need a 30”. I’m also still actively searching for wheels because I really can’t stand how these factory wheels look haha.


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[alphabeast]

Looks good! I have a 2014 Trail w/ KDSS like yours. Agree that all the horror stories about putting a lift on a KDSS equipped 4Runner is mainly smoke. The rear is pretty straightforward (just put my 3rd set of springs in). The front gets alot easier with the use of ratchet straps.