Which Mods to Do First? 5th gen SR5

[sting555]

I have a 2015 SR5 4x4. As of right now, it's bone stock. I'm in So-cal and I like to hit the trails on occasion and want to get some advice on which mods I should focus on first. I'm going to hold off on lifting the rig for a while, so ive decided to get a full set of skids and some sliders so that I don't f*** up my truck when I inevitably go over something that I can't clear. Aside from the armor, what other mods would you fellow 4Runner owners place a high priority on?

To give a little more context, I will be doing Mojave road in April. I like to go on random trails and camping trips around so-cal. I'd like to hit the trails in the big bear area sometime soon.

Aside from a suspension lift, which mods would you guys focus on in the beginning stages of a build?

 

[jicko]

- Tires. (Stock sucks)

- Air-pump. (Get your air back into your tires after your low psi offroad track)

The next one probably you would not hear much of it around here regularly:
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JXY0CQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006JXY0CQ&linkCode=as2&tag=jickrevi-20&linkId=CQT6WFEEYAPBWCWM">ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ Personal Locating Beacon with 406 MHz Floating PLB, Built-In GPS, Strobe and 121 MHz Homing Beacon</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jickrevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006JXY0CQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JXY0CQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006JXY0CQ&linkCode=as2&tag=jickrevi-20&linkId=CQT6WFEEYAPBWCWM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B006JXY0CQ&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=jickrevi-20" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jickrevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006JXY0CQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
But this thing is a great & cheap insurance policy.

Few others that I personally will want sooner than later:
- Gobi Rack, and maybe some jerry cans to mount on top (gas and water)
- HAM Radio / Antenna

 

[sting555]

- Tires. (Stock sucks)

- Air-pump. (Get your air back into your tires after your low psi offroad track)

The next one probably you would hear much of it around here regularly:
- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JXY0CQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006JXY0CQ&linkCode=as2&tag=jickrevi-20&linkId=CQT6WFEEYAPBWCWM">ACR PLB-375 ResQLink+ Personal Locating Beacon with 406 MHz Floating PLB, Built-In GPS, Strobe and 121 MHz Homing Beacon</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jickrevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006JXY0CQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JXY0CQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006JXY0CQ&linkCode=as2&tag=jickrevi-20&linkId=CQT6WFEEYAPBWCWM"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B006JXY0CQ&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=jickrevi-20" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=jickrevi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B006JXY0CQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
But this thing is a great & cheap insurance policy.

Few others that I personally will want sooner than later:
- Gobi Rack, and maybe some jerry cans to mount on top (gas and water)
- HAM Radio / Antenna

I agree on the tires. Looks like I can get 275/70/17 tires without lifting and avoid any rub issues. I wonder if I could get someone to buy my stock dunlops...

I have a portable compressor which should run fine off the built in 110v outlet.

 

[jicko]

I have heard mixed answer regarding whether 275/70R17 will rub or not..... some say it will not, but some experience that it will.... I kind of want to get that too... I am just waiting for the verdict... let me know your result...

I am either seriously thinking about going with BFG T/A KO2, either in 275/70R17 LRE or 265/70R17 in either LRC or LRE (265/70R17 should be coming out in March).

 

[Saker]

I have heard mixed answer regarding whether 275/70R17 will rub or not..... some say it will not, but some experience that it will.... I kind of want to get that too... I am just waiting for the verdict... let me know your result...

I am either seriously thinking about going with BFG T/A KO2, either in 275/70R17 LRE or 265/70R17 in either LRC or LRE (265/70R17 should be coming out in March).

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/156378-5th-gen-tire-fitment-guide.html#post1550444

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Remember that a suspension lift not only lifts the vehicle for improved clearance and angles, but also serves to increase the load carrying capacity and improve on and off road handling after you start adding 100's of lbs of armor and sliders and bumpers and such. Both of these factors are equally important and should not be overlooked.
If you're going to add a full set of skids using the stock suspension, better make sure they're aluminum.

But if I were to answer your question, my most recommended mod based on my frequency of use(other than lift, armor and sliders) would be a good roof rack.
My most recommended piece of gear based on my frequency of use: A high quality compressor or CO2 solution.

 

[st8rocks]

I have a 2015 SR5 4x4. As of right now, it's bone stock. I'm in So-cal and I like to hit the trails on occasion and want to get some advice on which mods I should focus on first. I'm going to hold off on lifting the rig for a while, so ive decided to get a full set of skids and some sliders so that I don't f*** up my truck when I inevitably go over something that I can't clear. Aside from the armor, what other mods would you fellow 4Runner owners place a high priority on?

To give a little more context, I will be doing Mojave road in April. I like to go on random trails and camping trips around so-cal. I'd like to hit the trails in the big bear area sometime soon.

Aside from a suspension lift, which mods would you guys focus on in the beginning stages of a build?

I started my build the same way you're planning. RCI full aluminum skids and sliders. It's nice to see someone else modding their truck not just for looks. It seems first mods are usually led lights everywhere when those trucks will never be on a trail in the dark. :bathbaby:

Protect your investment then go out and get your skill/trail experience points up. Lift and tires will come later.

 

[HerT4R]

not really a HUGE mod...

but a set of Husky Weatherbeaters or Weathertech Floorliners never hurts to have.

It was my first "mod" to my ride and i have been thankful for them many times over...

good luck and happy modding
:cheers:

 

[Swarty]

Dif Breather Mod

Definitely do the Dif breather mod first. Cheap and can save your bacon.

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Definitely do the Dif breather mod first. Cheap and can save your bacon.

Good call. Really good call. Totally forgot about this, but something I had done fairly early on.

 

[sting555]

but a set of Husky Weatherbeaters or Weathertech Floorliners never hurts to have.

It was my first "mod" to my ride and i have been thankful for them many times over...

good luck and happy modding
:cheers:

I've been eyeballing these two. Weather Tech and Husky seem similar in price. I was leaning toward Husky just because they seem more "rubbery" as opposed to "plasticky"

 

[sting555]

Definitely do the Dif breather mod first. Cheap and can save your bacon.

Yep. I'm gonna do this one for sure. There's a great post on here with pictures. I'm all over this. Good call.

 

[sting555]

I started my build the same way you're planning. RCI full aluminum skids and sliders. It's nice to see someone else modding their truck not just for looks. It seems first mods are usually led lights everywhere when those trucks will never be on a trail in the dark. :bathbaby:

Protect your investment then go out and get your skill/trail experience points up. Lift and tires will come later.

Yes! I'm looking at the RCI aluminum skids as well. I hit up Josh from RCI to see if there were any group buys in the works. How do you like them? Have you had a chance to test their strength with any serious impacts?

I could care less about looks at this point, I just want to be able to hit some trails without breaking my truck. I used to have a wrangler back in the day and now I want to re- live my glory days with the new 4Runner. I have a 2007 4Runner, but it's 2wd. Never even considered modding that one.

 

[sting555]

Remember that a suspension lift not only lifts the vehicle for improved clearance and angles, but also serves to increase the load carrying capacity and improve on and off road handling after you start adding 100's of lbs of armor and sliders and bumpers and such. Both of these factors are equally important and should not be overlooked.
If you're going to add a full set of skids using the stock suspension, better make sure they're aluminum.

But if I were to answer your question, my most recommended mod based on my frequency of use(other than lift, armor and sliders) would be a good roof rack.
My most recommended piece of gear based on my frequency of use: A high quality compressor or CO2 solution.

I totally hear ya. The lift will come eventually. I def want to get a roof rack too. Any specific brand/model you guys reccomend? I've had people mention Gobi which seem pretty legit.

 

[2014 Warthog]

You're definitely on the right track

I also recommend tires #1 and sliders #2. I actually didn't get skids till pretty late in my build. Generally if you are going over rocks you do so with your tires which is the BIG reason for sliders! The rocker panels and lower doors are in the biggest danger of getting whomped on a rock!

A mild lift helps a LOT as well. Not /necessary/ for like Mojave Road really, but the first few times I went to Borrego without a lift I frequently hit my head on the roof by going over something that bottomed out the suspension and caused the front end to really bounce. Didn't take much either. Check out your front bump stops and look how close they are to contacting the lower control arms stock There's not a lot of down flex there.

Lifting 2.5 in front and 1.5-2 in back REALLY opens up the suspension, can travel over all kinds of stuff and open it up in washes without having to worry about bottoming out all the time. Haven't hit my head once since!

 

[Ol'Baditude]

I totally hear ya. The lift will come eventually. I def want to get a roof rack too. Any specific brand/model you guys reccomend? I've had people mention Gobi which seem pretty legit.

I run a Baja Flat Utility Rack. Love it.

 

[sting555]

I run a Baja Flat Utility Rack. Love it.

Very cool. By the way, I love what you've done with your rig. I checked out your build thread and I must say that it's quite impressive. I love the pictures showing it in action

 

[Ol'Baditude]

Very cool. By the way, I love what you've done with your rig. I checked out your build thread and I must say that it's quite impressive. I love the pictures showing it in action

Thanks. Check out Intruder's if you haven't already!

 

[daytime]

Updates?

So what mods have you gone with so far? I am in the same boat, 2014 4x4 SR5, stock at the moment. Me and the family have been to Anza Borrego, Corral Canyon, Picacho SRA, and Old Dale Rd out in Joshua Tree over the past year. The 4runner is an awesome machine bone stock, but the most recent Old Dale rd trail was the biggest test yet of the stock system. Needed 4 low in first gear to clear some tough obstacles and I got a good size ding on a cross member under the body. Now I know I want to get some skid plates first and then probably look at sliders. That extra weight will start to tax the stock suspension soon I have a feeling. Then maybe OME springs and shocks, they seem like a solid economical choice.

 

[DesertCanyons]

Mods for 2015 SR5

You're definitely on the right track with rock sliders and skid plates. Skid plates are not the first thing on my list though.
I think bigger tires are the best way to increase ground clearance, which is limited by the height of the rear axle and front suspension.
A lift is the next mod on my list. A lift is the best way to avoid body and undercarriage damage, after the sliders of course.
The differential breather extension is important for stream crossings. That's something we don't have a lot of in So Cal - and you probably won't find any in Mojave unless you drive through a flooded wash during a flash flood. lol :fishing:
The roof rack is great for light gear storage. I always put my bulky, dusty firewood and propane tank for cooking, etc on the rooftop rather than in the vehicle. Tip: put down some cardboard or thin plywood to avoid scratching your roof top if you don't have a rugged rack.
If you find So Cal dealers in sliders or skids let us know. It can save some money for shipping if we can pick the stuff up from the supplier. Thanks.