Why and how are you modding your 4Runner?

Awynt

Awynt

New member
So we all have different things we'd like do to our Toyotas, for different reasons. What are your reasons? Do you like to go offroad or do you want it to look blingy? Just want a unique look or are you going for function?
:lookout:
 
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Ask your husband, he'll understand. :biggrin2:

JUST KIDDING!

I couldn't resist after that other post about the dealership!
 
I'm going to do some cosmetic "pretty" things, but in the future I'll be doing mods that will improve offroad capabilities. Might also do some stuff that makes camping even more fun.
 
Awynt said:
So we all have different things we'd like do to our Toyotas, for different reasons. What are your reasons? Do you like to go offroad or do you want it to look blingy? Just want a unique look or are you going for function?
:lookout:
Click to expand...

Mine have been to make it the way it should have came stock!
Wider toyota wheels, larger tires, pushed out stance, leveled the front rake out, stubby antenna, shift knob to match the 4x4 knob, interior LED's, and debadged SR5 emblem.

I wasn't looking to make this a crazy off road beast with 35" tires or anything like that, since I only get out once a month. I also wasn't looking to make it unique yet, since they are still so rare in my area that it's already unique the way it is. Once there are more around here I will most likely do some changes by blacking out the chrome and removing the rocker panels. Maybe the mid generation refresh will give me ideas too later on down the road.
 
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Most of my mod have been for two reasons:
1. Business/Travel - I now have 5K on the odometer in 2 months of ownership. I drive a lot, both for business and to see my daughter play soccer in college which is 200 miles away one way. So I have built my own cell phone mount, GPS mount, a few LEDs, ipod cubby in glove box etc. BTW my wife loves this vehicle for comfort on trips, much better than the Honda Ridgeline(s) I had in the past. Because of milage I will do very little cosmetically to the vehicle because I like getting 23 mpg on trips. I love the look of wheels/tires/lift but with lots of miles that would be very expensive.

2. Mountain Biking - I love to ride and rode over 1500 miles last season of singletrack. I also live about 15 minutes away from a ski resort and we get a lot of snow. I mostly ride locally and use the 4Runner to get to the trail head, which can be a challenge, especially when we have a good rain. It hauls the bike and the gear. It also looks great to take my wife out to a nice dinner with a sport jacket thrown on over the jeans. I am a little older, a little wiser and so far have enjoyed the 4Runner. Oh, one other mod: Portable seat cover for when I get really muddy after a ride. Nothing like a blue tarp cut to fit the seat to keep the mud and water away. Keep it under the seat, get through with the ride, put it on the seat and drive away. Hose it off when I get home. Also made a little sleeve to fit over the seat belt too with velcro for quick install. You would be suprised how quick mud and sweat can stain a seatbelt.

So the 4Runner is great for dependability on the road, capability in the snow and off road and just add soap and water for a nice looking ride for the evening.
 
I like to take stuff apart. So, I keep taking things apart, and wiring stuff up. I go for the stuff that most won't notice, like my onboard compressor for my airbags that I made from the guts of a 12v portable unit I had. BUT- no hack jobs for me - even though I dont mind cutting stuff up, or off. I like things neat and organized for a "cool factor". I love it when people check out my interior and are like " Wow! Check that out!" But that's just me..
 
Two reasons:

1) To make it unique from others.

2) To get rid of some of the things that irk me (i.e. too much chrome, incadescent lights) but don't irk me so much that I looked at another truck besides the T4R.

One other reason: to make a mod thread.:driving:
 
That's a good question. I like to think that I have so far decided on mods for function, form being right behind that. I upgraded tires because I wanted something that would work in all of the conditions that I go/will go through. At the same time I think the bfg a/t's look good on the truck. I put the CAI in because of the supposed performance and possible economy boosts. But as I'm the sure several other people that have it will attest to it looks pretty cool in their engine compartment. But at the end of the day I think that everyone wants to look at their truck and say "Yep, that's MY 4runner".
 
My mods at this point are focused on making a cross-country trip from VA to MT and back this summer easier and more enjoyable for myself and my GF (who has never ever gone camping before!. After that I'm going to figure out what I want to do with the rest of it!
 
Awynt said:
I'm going to do some cosmetic "pretty" things, but in the future I'll be doing mods that will improve offroad capabilities. Might also do some stuff that makes camping even more fun.
Click to expand...

Just don't do something like this -
28978780001_large.jpg


Sorry couldn't resist :)
 
I mostly mod to impress dudes on internet forums? Just kidding, but I probably would spend much less time thinking about mods and money on them if it weren't for sites like this. That said, I am mostly into functional stuff, but lean towards the most cosmetically appealing solutions.
 
My 11' Limited will be function and form. I've been using my T4R's for the last 12 years for hunting, transporting bicycles to races and rides, and daily driver. I tow an 18' duck boat from Devil's Lake,ND to Galveston Bay,TX, hunting waterfowl along the migration route, loaded with dogs, guns, gear and taken game. I've had various T4R's buried up to the top of the fender wells in marsh mud, yanked other guys rigs out of 3' of snow/mud. I've traveled miles of dirt and gravel roads in search of Pheasants, Ducks and Geese. I've done the stubby, removed the sliding rear deck to make room for dog crates, and I'll take off the side skirts and front valance. I'll most likely put a front hitch on it for backing boat trailers and vehicle recovery, and I'll run BFG AT KO's on 17" wheels during hunting season, and a wiring harness for my boat winch......that's about it.
 
It's a doomer wagon. Sure, we'll use it for camping and photography and the never-ending cargo project but mostly I'm making modifications that will give us the best chance to get out of town should we survive an earthquake like they had in Japan, or a volcanic eruption of Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker, or any other unforeseen societal disruptions. Fortunately any nuclear attack will vaporize us, but anything less than that and we have a chance of getting elsewhere.

I've mapped out three phases of mods, each designed to lengthen the time we can remain self-sufficient. Phase one gets us shelter, dry food, basic cooling of my wife's meds, recovery gear, CB, and enough gas to get us over the mountains... twice. Phase two adds refrigeration, on-board air compressor, dual/triple batteries (with solar panel input), water tank, new suspension with lift, taller (at least) tires, and possibly a snorkel. Phase three is all the comfort mods that make it possible to be out for weeks; hot water supply with pump for showers, bigger airtank and tools, HAM radio, and possibly a FLIR for stealth night driving ;)

Wave if you think I'm crazy... :hello:
 
SeattleMike said:
It's a doomer wagon. {...} I'm making modifications that will give us the best chance to get out of town should we survive an earthquake like they had in Japan, or a volcanic eruption of Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker, or any other unforeseen societal disruptions.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound crazy...I actually think the same thing living so close to DC....I'm close enough where I would be vaporized in a nuclear attack; however, if something small happens I'm loading up the 4Runner and hitting the mountains.

You forgot to add a .50 cal mount to your list! :50cal:
 
Most of the mods I do are functional, but I have a few comsetic in mind. (Hate Chrome!) Either way this site has already taught me a lot.
 
SeattleMike said:
It's a doomer wagon. Sure, we'll use it for camping and photography and the never-ending cargo project but mostly I'm making modifications that will give us the best chance to get out of town should we survive an earthquake like they had in Japan, or a volcanic eruption of Mt. Rainier or Mt. Baker, or any other unforeseen societal disruptions. Fortunately any nuclear attack will vaporize us, but anything less than that and we have a chance of getting elsewhere.

I've mapped out three phases of mods, each designed to lengthen the time we can remain self-sufficient. Phase one gets us shelter, dry food, basic cooling of my wife's meds, recovery gear, CB, and enough gas to get us over the mountains... twice. Phase two adds refrigeration, on-board air compressor, dual/triple batteries (with solar panel input), water tank, new suspension with lift, taller (at least) tires, and possibly a snorkel. Phase three is all the comfort mods that make it possible to be out for weeks; hot water supply with pump for showers, bigger airtank and tools, HAM radio, and possibly a FLIR for stealth night driving ;)

Wave if you think I'm crazy... :hello:
Click to expand...

:hello: (x100)
 
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