List of Toyota 4Runner Mods & Accessories That’s Proven To Work

The 4Runner is one of the most widely supported 4×4 platforms by aftermarket parts manufacturers. The internet is full of various upgrades designed for these SUVs, but not all of them are equal in terms of design, quality, and functionality.

In this article, we have compiled a list of best Toyota 4Runner mods and accessories that have proven to be effective on the vehicles we have featured throughout the last four years. We decided to take these four 5th generation 4runner builds of different level and budget as the examples:

Step 1 – Suspension

While one of the most important parts of your off-road project is the wheels & tires, your suspension will limit you in their sizes.
*Skip this step if you don’t want to exceed factory-recommended wheel and tire specifications, but keep in mind that larger tires will tremendously improve the off-road capabilities of your rig and spice up the appearance at the same time.

• Suspension upgrade doesn’t always mean big money. If you are looking for slightly larger and beefier tires, a simple 1-3″ spacer lift kit will do the job with ease.
• If you want to step up, improve the suspension articulation, and open up the new complex trails, a full suspension kit will be your best bet.

What Suspension Options Are Available for my Toyota 4Runner?

• Leveling kits & Spacers (Good for starters and moderate trails) $50-$500
• Full suspension Lift kits (Good for serious off-roading) $600 & UP
• Long travel suspension kits (Hardcore off-roading, off-road racing) $1500 & Up
  *The prices above are a rough estimate.

What Suspension upgrades were used in our Featured Builds

Lift kits:

• Stock suspension on the Trail Edition 4Runner (vehicle 1)
• KING 2.5 OEM Performance shocks with adjustable lift (Vehicle 2)
• Toytec 2″ body lift and Bilstein 2100 series 3″ suspension lift (Vehicle 3)
• Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 7 (Vehicle 4)

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Aftermarket shocks:

• Stock suspension on the Trail Edition 4Runner (vehicle 1)
• KING 2.5 OEM Performance shocks (Vehicle 2)
• Bilstein 2100 series coil-over shocks (Vehicle 3)
• Icon Vehicle Dynamics CDC valve 2.5 remote reservoir coil-over front and rear shocks (Vehicle 4)
• Dobinson shocks (Vehicle 4)

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Aftermarket springs:

• Icon Vehicle Dynamics rear overland 3″ springs and heavy-duty 3″ springs (Vehicle 4)
• Dobinsons 701 rear coils (Vehicle 2)

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Control arms and other components:

• Timbren Industries Active Rear Bump Stops (Vehicle 2)
• Durobumps front bump stops (Vehicle 2)
• Total Chaos front lower control arms with built-in skid plate (Vehicle 4)
• Icon Vehicle Dynamics tubular front upper control arms, billet rear lower trailing arms, and tubular rear upper trailing arms (Vehicle 4)

Step 2 – Wheels & Tires

A properly selected rim and tire package will extensively improve the off-road capabilities of your Toyota 4Runner. If you chose a lift kit, then most definitely it’s supplier provided you with a maximum available tire size for your model. Just follow the recommendations and choose A/T or M/T tires that fit in your budget.

What Wheel Setups do Others Have?

Tires:

• Cooper STT Pro LT295/70r17 (Vehicle 2)
• 33″ Toyo MTs (Vehicle 3)
• BF Goodrich TA KO2 285/75R17 (Vehicle 4)

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Aftermarket off-road wheels:

• Stealth Custom Series Ray 10 in brushed gold, 17×9 with -38mm offset (Vehicle 2)
• 19″ Vision Off Road wheels with -12 offset (Vehicle 3)
• Method Race Wheels Bead grip model 703 (Vehicle 4)

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Wheel spacers:

• 1/2″ Spydertrack spacers (Vehicle 3)

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Step 3 – Exterior

Installing body armor, such as bumpers, skid plates, and sliders, on your 4×4 is crucial for protecting your vehicle from damage caused by rocks, stumps, and other obstacles encountered during off-road adventures. These modifications not only safeguard critical components like the engine, transmission, and gas tank but also improve your vehicle’s approach and departure angles, allowing you to tackle more challenging terrain.

Additionally, overlanding gear, such as roof racks, awnings, and other accessories, is essential for off-road wheeling as it provides the necessary storage space for your equipment, supplies, and spare parts. Roof racks allow you to carry items like tents, fuel cans, and recovery gear, while awnings offer shelter from the elements during rest stops or campsite setup. These accessories enhance your vehicle’s functionality and self-sufficiency, enabling you to explore remote areas with confidence and comfort.

What gear and body armor do other 4Runner owners use?

Bumpers:

• CBI Front adventure bumper and CBI Rear single swing arm bumper (Vehicle 4)
• Victory 4×4 rear bumper with rear-facing high-powered LED lights (Vehicle 3)

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Skid plates:

• CBI Full skid plate package, including washer reservoir and gas tank skid plates (Vehicle 4)
• RCI Aluminum Skid Plates (Vehicle 1)

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Sliders:

• Trail bolt on sliders HREW (Vehicle 4)
• Victory 4×4 sliders (Vehicle 3)
• RSG Offroad sliders (Vehicle 2)

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Roof racks and accessories:

• Stealth full roof rack (no sunroof) with ladder (Vehicle 4)
• Prinsu full-length roof rack (Vehicle 3)
• Front Runner Outfitters 3/4 roof rack (Vehicle 2)
• Gobi ladder (Vehicle 2)

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Awnings:

• ARB Hard case 2500 awning with light and awning room (Vehicle 4)
• Rhino Rack Sunseeker 2.0 awning (Vehicle 2)

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Other exterior mods:

• Total Chaos wheel well plates (body cut for oversized tires, no rub) (Vehicle 3)
• TRD Pro Grill, dipped fender flares, and sharkfin antenna delete (Vehicle 1)
• TREDPro Traction Boards (Vehicle 1)

Step 4 – Interior

The interior modifications are designed to improve storage capacity, organization, comfort, and overall functionality, making the 4Runner better suited for off-road adventures and overlanding trips.

What’s proven to work for other owners?

Storage solutions:

• Goose Gear 41 3/8″ x 36″ x 10″ dual drawer storage system (Vehicle 4)
• Rago Fabrication Molle storage panels (Vehicle 4)
• Victory 4×4 adventure carry right and left swing outs with modular accessories (Vehicle 3)
• Rago Fabrication rear modular storage panels, shelf, and center console modular storage (Vehicle 3)
• Blue Ridge Overland Gear MOLLE Visor Organizer and Headrest Velcro Panel (Vehicle 4)
• Attic Interior roof storage net (Vehicle 4)

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Comfort and convenience:

• Escape Gear Charcoal poly-cotton tough canvas seat covers (Vehicle 4)
• Tactical seat covers with molle on the back (Vehicle 3)
• ARB fridge freezer on a rear slider (Vehicle 3)
• ARB Twin on-board air compressor (Vehicle 3)
• Pioneer AVH-NEX4400 with wireless Apple CarPlay (Vehicle 2)

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Power management:

• Genesis dual battery system with Odyssey extremes (Vehicle 3)
• Odyssey Group 31 Battery with PelfreyBilt Battery Cage (Vehicle 1)
• Blue Sea 12-Circuit Auxiliary Fuse BlockPelfreyBilt Fuse Panel (Vehicle 1)

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Other interior mods:

• T10 stereo with touchscreen interface (Vehicle 3)
• Wired-in rear triple outlet with voltmeter read out and AC converter (Vehicle 3)
• ICS Fab dash mount (Vehicle 2)
• Ellis Precision Shift Knobs (Vehicle 1)
• StormRunner Designs Custom Drawer System (Vehicle 1)

Step 5 – Lighting

It’s often necessary to have a few more light sources other than your headlights and fogs to navigate the trails at night or set up your camping spot. Perimeter mount pod lights and light bars will allow you to light up the area around your Toyota 4Runner.

What lights do other owners use?

Headlights:

• Morimoto XB LED headlights (Vehicle 4)
• LED/HID headlights (Vehicle 3)

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Fog lights:

• Baja Designs Squadron Sport fog lights (Vehicle 2)
• Amber fog lights (Vehicle 3)
• Fog light independent control (Vehicle 1)

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Auxiliary lighting:

• Rigid (Midnight edition) 30″ E-series pro spot light (front bumper) (Vehicle 4)
• D-series pro diffused light spot (ditch lights – CBI mount) (Vehicle 4)
• D-series pro diffused light spot (rear bumper) (Vehicle 4)
• Baja Designs 40″ S8 driving combo amber light (Vehicle 4)
• S2 amber light pair (single chase light installed on rear roof rack) (Vehicle 4)
• 4Runner Lifestyle Raptor Lights (Smoked Amber) (Vehicle 4)
• Grand General 77650 Grill Lights (Vehicle 1)

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Interior lighting:

• Interior LED light conversion (Vehicle 1)
• LED interior lights (Vehicle 3)

The Cost

So how much does it cost to fully load a 4Runner with mods and upgrades? Let’s take a closer look at the full list of modifications with prices provided by the owner of the 2014 4Runner 4×4 (vehicle #4):

Engine & Performance

• Toyota TRD cold air induction intake – $375 + $75 install
• ARB Safari snorkel – $627 + $250 install
• ARB Rear differential breather – $90 + $50 install
• East Coast Gear Supply – $1,350 + $1,500 install
• Nitro 4.88 gears front – $335 + $750 install
• Nitro 4.88 gears rear – $335 + $750 install
• 8.2 installation kit – $340 x2 ($680)
• Magnaflow Overland Exhaust $807

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Suspension

• Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 7 (modified) – $6,995 + $650 install
• CDC valve 2.5 remote reservoir coil over front shocks (20,000 miles since install)
• CDC valve 2.5 remote reservoir rear shocks (20,000 miles since install)
• Tubular front upper control arms with Delta joints (new 2022)
• Billet rear lower trailing arms
• Tubular rear upper trailing arms
• Tubular rear adjustable track bar
• Rear overland 3” springs (Removed 2022 – extra parts, included)
• Total Chaos – $1,945 + $350 install
• Front lower control arms with built in skid plate 
• Dobinson – $275 + $250 install
• Rear heavy duty 3” springs (600+ lbs. load)

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Wheels

• Method Race Wheels – $1,330
• Bead grip model 703 x5 (15,000 miles)
• BF Goodrich – $1,820
• ATKO2 285/75R17 x5 (15,000 miles) 
• Powerbrake – $2,675 + $300 install
• X-Line 4×4 stage 1 6-piston front brakes – $2,675 + $300 install
• Brake Pad Set (PB05 Compound) – NEW in packaging replacement set – $229

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Exterior

• CBI – $8,645 + $1,175 install + $800 shipping
• Front adventure bumper (steel powder coated) – $2,125 + $400 install + $300 shipping
• Rear single swing arm bumper (steel powder coated) – $3,550 + $350 install + $350 shipping
• Washer reservoir skid plate – $150
• Full skid plate package – $1,320 + $200 install
• Gas tank skid plate – $580 + $75 install.  
• Trail bolt on sliders HREW – $920 + $150 install + $150 shipping
• Gobi – $2,070 + $200 install
• Stealth full roof rack (no sunroof) with ladder – $1,895 + $200 install
• Awning mount – $175
• ARB – $986
• Hard case 2500 awning with light – $686
• Awning room w/ floor – $300

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Interior

• Goose Gear – $2,885 (included shipping) + $200 install
• 41 3/8” x 36” x 10” dual drawer storage system (½ and ½) – $2,140
• Rear plate system – $745
• Rago Fabrication – $399
• Molle storage panels pair – $399
• Escape Gear – $650
• Charcoal poly cotton tough canvas seat covers (front and rear) $650
• Blue Ridge Overland Gear – $110
• MOLLE Visor Organizer ($31 x 2) – $62
• Headrest Velcro Panel ($29 x 2) – $48
• Attic (Interior roof storage) – $100

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Audio

• Total audio: $2,898 + $350 install
• Kenwood – $800
• DNX 99S Navigation multimedia receiver with Apple carplay (wired) and Android auto (wired) – $800
• Note: Front bumper camera, dash camera, rear bumper camera; plus OEM moved to rear bumper
• OEM Audio – $2,098 + $350 install
• Reference 500 complete speaker replacement with single subwoofer and amp – $1,799 + $250 install
• Dedicated subwoofer amp $299 + $100 install

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Lighting

• Total Lighting: $4,837 + $800 install
• Morimoto – $1,325 + $200 install
• XB LED headlights – $1,325 + $200 install
• Anzo – $450 + $50 install
• LED tail lights – $450 + $50 install
• Rigid (Midnight edition) – $1,682 + $250 install 
• 30” E-series pro spot light (front bumper) – $1,150 + $100 install
• D-series pro diffused light spot (ditch lights – CBI mount $62) – $297 + $100 install 
• D-series pro diffused light spot (rear bumper) – $235 + $50 install
• Baja Designs – $1,315 + $300 install
• 40” S8 driving combo amber light (roof rack front) – $1,080 + $200 install
• S2 amber light pair (single chase light installed on rear roof rack) – $235 + $100 install
• 4Runner Lifestyle Raptor Lights (Smoked Amber) – $65

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Electrical

• Electrical: $7,522 + $1,625 install
• Warn – $1,889 + $250 install
• Xeon 10,000S synthetic winch with grill access port – $1650 + $250 install
• Includes Factor 55 fairlead ($89) and flatlink ($150) – $239
• ARB – $439 + $100 install
• CMKA 12 single air compressor with mount $339 + $100 mount + $100 install
• Redarc – $745 + $350 install
• Tow pro elite electronic brake controller – $235 + $150 install
• Dual battery 40A charger – $510 + $200 install
• Odyssey – $1,984 + $350 install
• Group 34RPC1500 battery – $380
• Group 31MC2150 battery – $580 
• Dual battery kit – $699 + $350 install
• Battery tray for 31M battery – $175
• 2nd battery tray – $150
• Garmin – $500 + $175 install
• Powerswitch (Bluetooth electronics control) – $500 + $175 install
• Yaesu – $600 + $150 install
• FTM-400XD amateur radio – $600 + $150 install
• Uniden – $165 + $100 install
• CMX760 CB radio – $165 + $100 install
• WeBoost – $619 + $150 install
• Drive Reach cell phone booster – $499 + $150 install
• Drive OTR vehicle antenna – $120
• Blue Sea – $250
• Misc parts and panels – $250
• Ram Mounts – $331
• Tablet mount (driver/passenger) – $85
• Magsafe mount (driver) – $35
• Tablet mount (rear) – $85
• Garmin inreach mount – $25
• X-Grip Large Phone Holder with Ball – $39
• CBI tailgate mount for WeBoost – $23
• WeBoost mount w/ short double socket extension arm – $39

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Recovery Gear & Accessories

• Recovery Gear and Accessories: $3,672
• Warn Winch Damper w/ Rigging Accessory Storage Pocket and Reflective Strips – $59 
• Misc. Recovery Gear – $194
• Recovery Tow Strap 2in X 20ft Heavy Duty 20,000 lbs Break Strength – $15
• Winch Snatch Recovery Ring (66,000 lbs max breaking strength) – $15
• Soft Shackle 1/2 Inch x 22 Inch x 2 (56,000 lbs Max Breaking Strength) with Extra Sleeves (Red) – $20
• First Alert Autos Car Fire Extinguisher w/ mount to molle panel – $24
• Bulldog 48 in. 8,000 lb. Farm Jack – $120
• MAXTRAX – $425
• MKII Signature Orange Recovery Boards – $260
• Rear Wheel Harness – $165
• ARB – $189
• High Temperature Hose for Air Compressor – $65
• Digital Tire Inflator w/ case – $70
• E-Z Tire Deflator (PSI Gauge) w/ case – $54
• Dometic – $1,230
• CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer (36L) – $880
• CFX3 Slide 35/45 (Mounted to Goose Gear) – $350
• CBI – $626
• Dual Can Carrier – $266
• Camp Table $230
• Hi Lift Jack Mount – $130
• Wavian – $160
• Jerry Fuel Can and Spout System Black – $90
• Heavy Duty Food Grade Water Can – $70
• Wet Okole Hawaii (never used, included) – $789
• Front Seat Covers (neoprene waterproof sport) – $374
• Rear Seat Covers (neoprene waterproof sport) – $415

The total comes up to $50,000(!)

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve showcased the most popular modifications Toyota 4Runner owners have used to enhance their vehicles’ off-road capabilities, functionality, and style. From suspension upgrades like lift kits, high-performance shocks, and aftermarket springs to wheel setups featuring aggressive off-road tires and durable wheels, these mods demonstrate the various ways enthusiasts personalize their rigs.

However, it’s crucial to remember that the way we design and build our cars is highly subjective. While drawing inspiration from successful builds is valuable, it’s essential to make decisions based on your specific requirements and goals. Before investing in modifications, set clear project objectives and prioritize the ones that will have the greatest impact on your 4Runner’s performance and your overall driving experience.

When selecting parts, choose durable, reliable components that are well-suited to your intended use. Prioritize functionality over mere aesthetics, and invest in quality products from reputable manufacturers.

In conclusion, while studying the modifications used by other 4Runner owners is valuable, the key to a successful build lies in staying true to your vision and priorities.