New Purchase! And a few questions...

[d_rosey44]

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I purchased this bad boy Thursday! I'm beyond excited to start modding it a little, but with that being said, I am a newbie to 4Runners, and even modding cars in general, so I have a few questions to say the least.

1. I purchased the vehicle with the roof rack already on it. I don't think I like the flat rack, so I was curious if there was any easy way to uninstall the rack, sell it, and buy one that I like?

2. Assuming I keep the rack, I definitely want to throw on a light bar soon. Any ideas on which mounts I could use to mount a light bar on this particular rack? (See attached pics below.)

3. Thinking about plasti-dipping the door handles black...thoughts on how that'd look? Also, is dipping safe? I don't want to ruin the beautiful paint job at all.

4. Mudding will be in my very near future. What will I need to mud? I know a tow strap, and a D-Ring Reciever Hitch...anything else? Also, any 4R mudding tips?

5. In yall's opinion, what are some must have mods?

Thanks guys!

 

[wfo9]

Welcome... nice truck.

First off, mudding kinda sucks. You will learn that real quick. No fun and tons of wear and tear on your rig. It ends up in places where it simply won't leave (like your alternator and rear drums). You will be digging out often... It just tears up the environment for no good reason. There is a reason there is a very popular Toyota forum called IH8MUD. Because we all learn to hate it eventually.

If you are in a mud situation.. Max trax + shovel + high lift are great tools to have. Most important thing is another vehicle with a snatch strap but I have seen many scenarios where 10+ vehicles get stuck. Winches don't help many times and there is really not much that can be done once on the frames rails besides digging out. Hilift to break the suction (You will need the attachment to lift from the wheel). It's often a mess and really hard work.

Since you are in DFW, I would suggest trip to Barnwell in Gilmer or the park in Bridgeport. I've never been to Bridgeport but really enjoy Barnwell.

and you won't want to miss this https://www.lonestartoyotajamboree.com/

And check into this group. Toyota Trail Riders (TTR) - Get Out and Explore.


As far as light bar goes.. Just my opinion, but they are not very functional up on the roof. Way too much glare off the hood for me... The only good place I have found to place a light bar is below the hood line. BTW, you don't need one really.

Rack can be easily replaced.. but that is a good rack.

Must have mods are mainly recovery gear and decent tires (which it looks like you have). After that you might consider more armor (proper gas tank and transfer case skid..) REAL rock sliders. What you have looks like the fake junk (better to just remove) Lift is also high on many peoples list, but it depends on what you end up doing with it. Plus, the pros are pretty decent out of the box. Go try it out as is first. Learning to manage what you have is much more important than mods to start with.

The only thing I would be concerned with out of the gate on your truck is those steps. They tend to hang on everything and increase damage potential.

Also, the install on the rack looks a little off. Get the feet even.

 

[Kashoggio]

Nice rig, before you sell the rack make sure it didn't put dents in to your roof. Baja had a bracket design issue and the mounting brackets would damage the roof. If you are going to do a lot of mudding I would suggest a bubba rope


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[SirBarton]

Nice rig, before you sell the rack make sure it didn't put dents in to your roof. Baja had a bracket design issue and the mounting brackets would damage the roof. If you are going to do a lot of mudding I would suggest a bubba rope


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That's what I was thinking. You are going to want to remove that rack either way to make sure it's installed properly. The Baja Racks have some bad feet that damage 4Runners and you might as well find out now if yours are bad.

Also, I'm relatively old to 4Runners but new to modding and my new philosophy is to not mod anything until I run up against something I can't handle with my truck in it's current state.

As to mudding, if that's your primary use case for the 4Runner the first thing I would buy is a good car wash set up. Seriously. If you love the way that thing looks, mud is the most damaging and will require the most routine cleaning and servicing.

If I was looking to mud, I'd buy an old 2nd or third gen and have at it. Maybe even an old Tacoma.

 

[08runnertjb]

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I purchased this bad boy Thursday! I'm beyond excited to start modding it a little, but with that being said, I am a newbie to 4Runners, and even modding cars in general, so I have a few questions to say the least.

1. I purchased the vehicle with the roof rack already on it. I don't think I like the flat rack, so I was curious if there was any easy way to uninstall the rack, sell it, and buy one that I like?

2. Assuming I keep the rack, I definitely want to throw on a light bar soon. Any ideas on which mounts I could use to mount a light bar on this particular rack? (See attached pics below.)

3. Thinking about plasti-dipping the door handles black...thoughts on how that'd look? Also, is dipping safe? I don't want to ruin the beautiful paint job at all.

4. Mudding will be in my very near future. What will I need to mud? I know a tow strap, and a D-Ring Reciever Hitch...anything else? Also, any 4R mudding tips?

5. In yall's opinion, what are some must have mods?

Thanks guys!

Merry Christmas. First off, nice rig. I've always loved the color and it looks like you've picked up a great turn key rig judging by the pics.

To address your questions from my POV,


1) Baja racks are great and you should be able to sell without minimum effort. However, I have to ask, other than not liking the flat look, what is it that the rack won't do for you that another rack would? I've got a Gobi and I love it, but I'd just consider intended use first. You've got a great multiple purpose rack that's low pro (aerodynamic), lighter than most, and has a decent accessory market thru BAJA rack. Just my thought. That said, if the front support feet are bolted into your roof, be sure to seal those holes very well if you move to a rack that doesn't require the front two feet to be drilled into the roof, and one of your pics looked like a foot was crooked, but it could've been the pic.

2) as for as light bars, check and see if BAJA racks makes light bar mounts. RIGID makes mounts for their light bars for nearly every rack manufacturer.

3) plastidip won't hurt anything and if you screw up or change your mind it peels off.

4) mudding. What does that entail exactly? If you're talking off roading/wheeling in general, then leave it alone and drive it for a while so you better understand the capability and limits that you currently have although most would agree that the stock 4runner can do more than most drivers can or will do on a trail. If your speaking of mudding as in mud bogging in deep mud and still water, etc, then I'd consider a good shovel and maxxtrax, and perhaps the diff and locker breather mod or money set aside to get your fluids flushed.

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I purchased this bad boy Thursday! I'm beyond excited to start modding it a little, but with that being said, I am a newbie to 4Runners, and even modding cars in general, so I have a few questions to say the least.

1. I purchased the vehicle with the roof rack already on it. I don't think I like the flat rack, so I was curious if there was any easy way to uninstall the rack, sell it, and buy one that I like?

2. Assuming I keep the rack, I definitely want to throw on a light bar soon. Any ideas on which mounts I could use to mount a light bar on this particular rack? (See attached pics below.)

3. Thinking about plasti-dipping the door handles black...thoughts on how that'd look? Also, is dipping safe? I don't want to ruin the beautiful paint job at all.

4. Mudding will be in my very near future. What will I need to mud? I know a tow strap, and a D-Ring Reciever Hitch...anything else? Also, any 4R mudding tips?

5. In yall's opinion, what are some must have mods?

Thanks guys!

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[d_rosey44]

To be clear, I wouldn't mud too often. I have some land and I would probably only do some light mudding when it rains out there and I have time to go. Probably once every 4-6 months honestly.

 

[1engineer]

To be clear, I wouldn't mud too often. I have some land and I would probably only do some light mudding when it rains out there and I have time to go. Probably once every 4-6 months honestly.

Welcome to 4Runners. Anyone who goes and knows off roading absolutely hates mud. I go around it if at all possible.

 

[Racehoss]

Trade you my stock rack for your Baja. I'm in Austin and can meet with tools. Make an offer.

 

[4runner-]

Nice truck! I looked and looked for a quicksand trdpro.....great find. Did you find it new or used?

Also, I'm about to upgrade my tires. How di those Coopers ride?

 

[d_rosey44]

Nice truck! I looked and looked for a quicksand trdpro.....great find. Did you find it new or used?

Also, I'm about to upgrade my tires. How di those Coopers ride?

Used 2016 with 6500 miles on it. We're thinking it was a repo.

Hah, funny story. Went out car shopping last Saturday and I was looking for a truck. First dealership I went to I saw this TRD Pro and thought, dang, that's really nice. Salesman said they'd just gotten it in an hour before I got there. Thought, whatever, not what I'm looking for. Went to other dealerships and test drove a bunch of trucks. Didn't find the right one. Had the idea to go BACK to the dealership Saturday night to test drive it. They had a white one on the lot that i test drove because this one was being detailed. Really enjoyed it. Slept on it and decided to pull the trigger on the quicksand one Monday when they opened. Never even got listed online! There was a chip on a doorhandle that I had them repair and that got done Thursday...so here I am!

I really like the Coopers. They are a little noiser than the stock TRD tires but it's really not bad at all. Ride is still smooth. I'll test them offroad sometime this week.

 

[Wavechaser]

Great looking TRDP! Stoked for you! I can't wait to get my preowned Quicksand T4R...just need to save a few more months to put down a larger down payment to make the payment manageable.

As mentioned Max Trax or...
TRED Pro (think they are still doing a deal on kickstarter)

https://www.tred4x4.com

Not for mudding but two other nice mod's are:
[MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION] Sliders for the TRDP pro w/removable step plates
[MENTION=110183]SouthernSS[/MENTION] Slimline bumper w/ or w/out LED bar / winch

Enjoy your new ride and welcome to T4R.ORG and Happy Holiday's(not sure how it couldn't be with that rig sitting in the driveway :flame

 

[CoolMax]

Used 2016 with 6500 miles on it. We're thinking it was a repo.

Congrats & welcome!

I think I've seen the same one, with the Baja Rack, in my hood just 2 months ago - are the tires and vent visors new?

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Great looking TRDP! Stoked for you! I can't wait to get my preowned Quicksand T4R...just need to save a few more months to put down a larger down payment to make the payment manageable.

As mentioned Max Trax or...
TRED Pro (think they are still doing a deal on kickstarter)

https://www.tred4x4.com

Not for mudding but two other nice mod's are:

[MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION] Sliders for the TRDP pro w/removable step plates

[MENTION=110183]SouthernSS[/MENTION] Slimline bumper w/ or w/out LED bar / winch

Enjoy your new ride and welcome to T4R.ORG and Happy Holiday's(not sure how it couldn't be with that rig sitting in the driveway :flame

Thanks for the shoutout about our rock sliders, we appreciate it! Also we now offer a Lo-Pro winch bumper for the 4runner that provides the same type of functions as the SS bumper: 2014+ 4Runner Lo Pro Winch Bumper | C4 Fabrication

 

[Jhalko]

Hello all and Merry Christmas! I purchased this bad boy Thursday! I'm beyond excited to start modding it a little, but with that being said, I am a newbie to 4Runners, and even modding cars in general, so I have a few questions to say the least.

1. I purchased the vehicle with the roof rack already on it. I don't think I like the flat rack, so I was curious if there was any easy way to uninstall the rack, sell it, and buy one that I like?

2. Assuming I keep the rack, I definitely want to throw on a light bar soon. Any ideas on which mounts I could use to mount a light bar on this particular rack? (See attached pics below.)

3. Thinking about plasti-dipping the door handles black...thoughts on how that'd look? Also, is dipping safe? I don't want to ruin the beautiful paint job at all.

4. Mudding will be in my very near future. What will I need to mud? I know a tow strap, and a D-Ring Reciever Hitch...anything else? Also, any 4R mudding tips?

5. In yall's opinion, what are some must have mods?

Thanks guys!

It's a nice rack, not sure if you've looked at the accessories you can easily add a light bar mount...

Baja Rack: accessories

 

[MeefZah]

The only thing I'd add, that I didn't see anyone else adding, is that you don't need a receiver D ring. They are a waste of money. A 5/8" hitch pin (with the tow strap through it) works just as well, is like $4, doesn't protrude, and won't get stolen and / or thrown through your window by some hooligan.

 

[Vinsil]

The only thing I'd add, that I didn't see anyone else adding, is that you don't need a receiver D ring. They are a waste of money. A 5/8" hitch pin (with the tow strap through it) works just as well, is like $4, doesn't protrude, and won't get stolen and / or thrown through your window by some hooligan.

I've done this for years on multiple rigs without issue. :nod:

 

[TexasTJ]

Welcome... nice truck.
Since you are in DFW, I would suggest trip to Barnwell in Gilmer or the park in Bridgeport. I've never been to Bridgeport but really enjoy Barnwell.

Northwest OHV in Bridgeport is a nice park and it's about an hour from Lewisville. It has a nice mix of trails with the option for mud if you really want to get into it.

 

[Wavechaser]

Thanks for the shoutout about our rock sliders, we appreciate it! Also we now offer a Lo-Pro winch bumper for the 4runner that provides the same type of functions as the SS bumper: 2014+ 4Runner Lo Pro Winch Bumper | C4 Fabrication

Didn't know...just checked it out! Looks good [MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION]

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Didn't know...just checked it out! Looks good [MENTION=131444]C4 Fabrication[/MENTION]

Thanks! Yeah its a new product we just released about a month ago.

 

[Toffees]

Also, I'm relatively old to 4Runners but new to modding and my new philosophy is to not mod anything until I run up against something I can't handle with my truck in it's current state.

This isn't as fun as buying stuff, but this seems like really, really good advice so I thought I'd highlight it for reading again.