Like every knight needs a noble steed, every 4wd adventurer needs their knobby-tired stallion. There are all kinds of options out there for all kinds of budgets and tastes. I was looking for something that combined good looks, out-of-the-box capability, reliability, and enough practicality to be my everyday vehicle.
Back in November of 2010, I kicked off my search. The 5th Gen 4Runner Trail Edition quickly topped my list. It met all of my criteria, and when the truck debuted in 2010, it knocked my socks off and reminded me a little bit of the 3rd gen 4Runner (1996-2002), which I loved from when I was a kid.
I found my truck at a dealer in NY, slightly used, and priced well below any others I could find in a nationwide search. Game on. I called the dealer, made sure the deal was legit, and committed over the phone to buy, and quickly followed up with a wire deposit. I was on a plane the next day and picked her up, my shiny (almost) new Black 2010 4Runner Trail Edition.
Here she is in all her stock Glory!
A quick rundown on my 4Runner, it is a “base” Trail Edition (no extras like KDSS, and no Navigation). Why get a Trail Edition? A couple of reasons, including a rear locker, manual transfer case,factory full skid plates (better than no skid plates!), higher approach and departure angles (than SR5 and Limited). That being said, I have friends with all trim levels of 4Runners and they are all really capable.
I wheeled the truck in stock form, but it was only a few months into ownership when I started to tinker. There have been three primary guiding principles for my modifications: build on the strengths of the truck, address weaknesses, and keep it practical enough to daily drive. It has been a ton of fun thinking about my needs (and wants), learning from trips and offroad excursions, and carefully researching modifications and manufacturers.
The 4Runner in various stages of modification over the last three years:
Current Modifications:
Tires:
Goodyear MT/R 285/70/17
Exterior Modifications:
Shrockworks Front Bumper
Warn VR1000-S Winch
Shrockworks Skid Plates
Shrockworks Sliders
Bajarack Low-Profile Roof Rack
ARB 2.5M Awning
Gobi Rear Ladder
Rigid Industries E-Series 36” combo light bar (front)
Rigid Industries Dually flood lamps (rear)
Suspension:
Icon Vehicle Dynamics 2.5’’ Remote Reservoir Front Coilovers with compression adjustment
Icon Vehicle Dynamics S2 dual front shock hoop and lower control arm skid
Icon Vehicle Dynamics Omega Bypass 2.5’’ bypass shocks (front secondaries and rear shocks)
Icon Rear 2’’ Lift Coil Springs
Camburg Uni-Ball Upper Control Arms
Interior Modifications:
Weather Tech Floor Liners
Wet Okole Seat Covers
ARB Outback Rear Storage Drawers
ARB 50 Quart Fridge
RAM Mount Ipad Mounting System
Electrical:
IBS Dual Battery System
Sears Die Hard Group 31 and Group 34 Batteries
“OTRATTW” Switches
ABR Sidewinder Secondary Battery Tray
Blue Sea Auxiliary Fuse Box + Auxiliary interior USB sockets
Cobra C75 WX ST w/ 4 ft FireStik
Current Setup
Do you have a “Bulld Page?” I’d love to see the seat covers and the iPad mount and see more info related to your build all consolidated. Wife and I are looking to get a T4R and ditch my Tacoma soon.
Hey there, I don’t have a consolidated build page per se (like guys do on the forums), but if you search on DirtRoadTrip I have several writeups on various parts of the build (including the iPad mount). The seat covers are made by a company called Wet Okole, and they are design to be a perfect fit for the 4Runner. If I recall, they ran about $500 for the front and rear set. I’ve been extremely happy with them over the past 100K miles. The driver bolster is wearing through on the cover now, but I’d expect that over 5 years and 100K miles.
Im in Virginia. who did the install of the shockworks
The bumper was installed by High-Tech Auto in Chantilly, VA.
Hey,
Where did you get your roof rack? Could you send me some closer pictures of it?
The rack is a Bajarack full-length, low profile rack. It is available through Bajarack directly and also carried by some other retailers.