New 4Runner Owner - Recommendations?

[Nefy]

Hey guys and gals, new 4Runner owner here, ordered a 2011 SR5 4WD w/ CP and PT pack in Salsa Red/Beige...can't wait for my baby to arrive and I will be 'official'! This site is crazy, so nice to find it! I can't make it through the entire forum having not been following long, so my 2 questions....

1. What common mods are preferred by the majority? I read a bit about the snub nose antennas and was curious why go this route? And then what else are some common minor mods?

2. I see that most people - at least judging from owner pictures - elect not to get running boards, I think it looks nice without them as well, but it's a hike to get in, just curious if there was any reasoning to not getting them other than aesthetics?

So great to find everyone, hope to hear from you all!

 

[snow&surf]

Hey guys and gals, new 4Runner owner here, ordered a 2011 SR5 4WD w/ CP and PT pack in Salsa Red/Beige...can't wait for my baby to arrive and I will be 'official'! This site is crazy, so nice to find it! I can't make it through the entire forum having not been following long, so my 2 questions....

1. What common mods are preferred by the majority? I read a bit about the snub nose antennas and was curious why go this route? And then what else are some common minor mods?

2. I see that most people - at least judging from owner pictures - elect not to get running boards, I think it looks nice without them as well, but it's a hike to get in, just curious if there was any reasoning to not getting them other than aesthetics?

So great to find everyone, hope to hear from you all!

Welcome, and congrats whenever you take delivery! To answer your questions, it depends on what you plan to do with your truck but the most general/basic mods are new tires, tint, antenna swap, horn replacement, floor/cargo liners or mats. I changed the antenna because the 5 foot mast was plain ugly. Reception is terrible with this antenna but I only listen to my iPod, CDs, or stream Pandora so it matters none to me.

For running boards, I believe US models do not come standard or as an option (only Canadian) that's why most trucks you see don't have any.

Oh, and you're right, this forum is awesome!!! Very helpful and friendly members.

 

[Nefy]

Hey snow&surf, thanks so much for the reply! I also noticed that not very many people elect to get the Salsa Red - I guess I wanted too since everyone seems to get the other colors - I'm feeling a little left out now haha, but curious if there is any reason or has been any discusson the red....oh well! Yeah running boards are $659 installed - that's a pocket full. Anyway, I don't want to burden you with too many questions, but one last one, because I'm considering this....should I get the toyota roof cross bars or are there aftermarket ones? Thanks again this is great! SEE I knew there was a whole family of 4Runner people out there! Wanted to be a part of this family since before I could even drive! Finally!

 

[Quentin]

I thought running boards were more on the order of $300 for parts.

Anyway, I don't run them because they eat up even more clearance on the sides than the standard SR5 skirts. My wife is 5'8", so no need on that front.

 

[Nefy]

Yeah, I read that, got the quote here and it was quite pricey though! I also read that the running boards do not stick out very far, and can be quite slippery....

 

[snow&surf]

Hey snow&surf, thanks so much for the reply! I also noticed that not very many people elect to get the Salsa Red - I guess I wanted too since everyone seems to get the other colors - I'm feeling a little left out now haha, but curious if there is any reason or has been any discusson the red....oh well! Yeah running boards are $659 installed - that's a pocket full. Anyway, I don't want to burden you with too many questions, but one last one, because I'm considering this....should I get the toyota roof cross bars or are there aftermarket ones? Thanks again this is great! SEE I knew there was a whole family of 4Runner people out there! Wanted to be a part of this family since before I could even drive! Finally!

I think Salsa Red (and Shoreline Blue) is just hard to come by. I've only seen one Salsa Red in SoCal since I purchased in Dec '09 and no Shoreline Blues! Consider yourself one of the lucky few.

Wow! I agree with Quentin, that's expensive for running boards. My sliders weren't even close to being that expensive even with install.

I got the cross bars because I needed them for snowboarding and surfing. They work for the time being, but I will be replacing the factory system and installing an aftermarket rack that will accommodate both of my hobbies and my new passion....off-roading! So, it just depends on your needs, what you plan to do with your truck, and how quickly you need/want to do it.

 

[Quentin]

BTW, don't pay someone to install your boards. The install is the matter of a few bolts. Get a pizza and invite a mechanically inclined friend over and have fun working on your new truck.
:cowboy:

 

[scanny]

Hey snow&surf, thanks so much for the reply! I also noticed that not very many people elect to get the Salsa Red - I guess I wanted too since everyone seems to get the other colors - I'm feeling a little left out now haha, but curious if there is any reason or has been any discusson the red....oh well!

If I could wait 3 months I would order Salsa Red - it looks awesome, but my lease was expiring and I had to buy what was available. There are very few 4Runners where I live.

 

[Will733]

I definitely would have chosen the red over gray if I got a trail edition...

But since I went with the SR5 4x4, the gray just looked better to me, but to each his own. The red is still a cool color and had I gotten the trail, I would have preferred the Red over gray.

Antenna mod: I needed to do it since they are very tall and bang very badly in my work's car garage.

Tire upgrade: Stock tires are great street tires... pretty wimpy for offroad.

Shift Knob: Like many on here, I just didn't like the look and feel of it so went with the FJ Cruiser knob that matches the 4x4 shifter.

Next on my list...
LED lighting in the interior (Just to brighten it up)
Husky Floor Liners (Seem to be favored over the Weathertechs)
Rock Sliders w/ triming rocker panel (Offroad protection and trimming is needed on SR5's & Limiteds to make them fit)
Debadging of the SR5 emblem (Like the cleaner look without it)
Bilstein shocks (level out the rake since the front is 2" lower than rear and seems like the best quality for a cheap lift)

 

[Snooperstyle]

And don't forget the LED mod. Replacing your interior light bulbs with LED ones is a VERY EASY thing to do for not much money. Super Bright LEDs ? LED Lights, Bulbs, and Accessories

 

[Nefy]

Thanks!

Hey thanks guys! I did see that people are choosing the Salsa Red Trail, however, I also went with the SR5 - it will have all the offroading capability I would ever need... Guess I won't be so late to the game after all - one of the first SR5 Salsa dances, sweet! Def want to check into a few of the mods you suggested, those are the kinds of things I was looking for, simple nice touches...thanks again!