The Toyota 4Runner may be classified as a mid-sized SUV, but it’s so much more than that. It has just as much style as it does off-road prowess, making it a super fun utility vehicle at the least. The Toyota 4Runner boasts a body-on-frame construction in an era where the growing SUV market mostly uses car-based platforms. It’s a well-equipped SUV that’s easy to drive, a joy to own, and can handle just about anything you throw at it. Offered with a V6 powertrain mated to a five-speed automatic, the Toyota 4Runner delivers 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque.
The Toyota 4Runner’s do-anything attitude is complemented with a slew of modern tech and safety features making it comfortable for daily driving and a real treat when off-roading. Call it what you want, but the Toyota 4Runner will get you where you need to go –– no matter where that may be. It’s the family-hauling, boat-towing, hill-climbing SUV that’s been proving itself over and over again for five model generations since 1984. With a heritage built on toughness, the 2020 4Runner is no exception; in fact, it’s the most capable, accommodating, and comfortable model yet.
As one of the market’s few mid-size SUVs left with an old-school bonafide off-road platform, the 4Runner is best suited for those who have an appetite for exploration. Available in a bevy of configurations spanning a range of budgets, the 4Runner is sure to please. To further your driving experience and unleash its core DNA, we have compiled the list below featuring the top 5 mods for your Toyota 4Runner. After all, such a legendary vehicle demands to be outfitted with nothing less than the best aftermarket parts and accessories. To learn more about any of the products below, give our team a call at (480) 966-3040.
#1 Bumpers and Winches
Replacing your Toyota 4Runner’s stock bumpers with a heavy-duty aftermarket one can make a huge difference in its overall appearance and durability. Not only will your 4Runner sport a more rugged look, but it will be able to withstand harsher elements to ensure your SUV is further protected. The aftermarket houses a wide array of front and rear bumpers available in a plethora of styles and functions. For example, there are bumpers with full guards, pre-runner guards, or no guards at all. In short, your bumper’s main role is to protect your vehicle so you are going to want one that can stand up to almost anything and act as some real armor. Apart from their functionality
You can also choose a winch bumper, which has mounts for a winch to be properly and safely installed on your 4Runner. Winches are highly important when it comes to having to pull yourself or someone else out of a sticky situation, no pun intended. It also helps when hauling an obstruction out of the way becomes necessary. After all, when you’re off-roading, anything can happen; no matter how prepared you, getting stuck still remains a possibility. This is why you want to be prepared with a proper winch bumper setup that can handle being pulled and doing the pulling. Many brands offer bumpers with winch mounts as well as connection points for fog and driving lights, spare tires, and D-ring shackle mounts for all your towing needs.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Front Bumpers Here.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Rear Bumpers Here.
#2 Roof Racks
Roof racks are a very popular add-on for the Toyota 4Runner, because of the many purposes they serve. Roof racks prove to be incredibly helpful in a number of different situations and help you decrease the clutter in the cabin for more space and legroom. It also gives you a place to carry your bulkier items like recreational equipment, camping gear, and other cargo. You can’t go wrong with a roof rack; they are great for road trips, off-road expeditions, and general daily utility.
There are plenty of heavy-duty roof racks on the aftermarket too, with racks boasting lightweight aluminum construction with high load capacities to boot. The possibilities are virtually endless and having a roof rack allows you to expand your horizons in terms of what you and your truck can do. Not only does a quality roof rack allow for increased storage, but it also grants you the option of installing advanced lighting setups and mounting a rooftop tent. Options for roof racks include full-length racks, 3/4-length racks, basket racks, and factory mount racks.
When choosing a roof rack, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First, what is it that you will be transporting most of the time. Second, find out the weight capacity of your vehicle’s roof and then estimate said weight with the approximate items you will be carrying. Lastly, you will need to know what your current roof’s setup looks like. Roof side rails are almost always a factory-installed option; they run front to back along the sides of your roof to provide a mounting point for roof crossbars and a convenient tie-down point for securing cargo. Options for roof racks include full-length racks, 3/4-length racks, basket racks, and factory mount racks.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Roof Racks Here.
Shop Universal Roof Racks Here.
#3 Lift Kits
One of the most common and best off-road mods to do is upgrade your vehicle’s suspension. An aftermarket suspension system will increase clearance to accommodate larger tires, deliver more articulation, and enhance off-road and on-road performance. Your 4Runner will be able to trek through and above rougher areas you wouldn’t be able to with a stock suspension. A lift kit will literally take your Toyota 4Runner to new heights and give you more comfort and control on your next trail adventure. In fact, a lift kit will not only provide more ground clearance, but it will improve your 4Runner’s approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle.
With a lift kit, your 4Runner will be able to drive over large objects and even trudge through deeper terrain with ease. Lift kits also prove to be especially useful in protecting the underbody of your vehicle against off-roading damage. The icing on the cake? A lift kit will give your vehicle a more aggressive look when merely standing still. Investing in a high-quality suspension system is a very important mod and will transform your entire driver experience.
Before purchasing a lift kit, it helps to know what type of wheels and tires you plan on running. Having these things in mind while browsing will make it easier to choose the right amount of lift. While the 4Runner is a very capable off-road vehicle right from Toyota, a little upgraded suspension goes a long way in refining its performance and what it was born to do.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Lift Kits Here.
#4 Tires
Speaking of, after upgrading your suspension, the absolute best upgrade you can make is investing in a new set of tires. Not just any tires, though; you need to buy the proper ones meant for the type of driving that you intend to do. That being said, it’s extremely important to keep in mind the conditions you drive in or will be driving in when looking at which tires to buy. While you can go very far using the stock 31-inch tires, a nice set of all-terrain tires will give you a much better grip on a wider range of terrain. All-terrain tires have smaller treat blocks permeated with sipes, making it easier to dig into mud, sand, and gravel. If you are doing a mix of on- and off-road driving, all-terrain tires are the top choice. Another benefit of A/T tires is that they prove to be quieter on the road than, let’s say, M/T tires.
Mud-terrain tires are more aggressive than all-terrain tires and tend to be a little heavier and noisier. They boast more space between the blocks, allowing your Jeep to go where all-terrain tires cannot. These tires also self-clean thanks to their unique tread pattern, which makes them a great choice for mudding. In most cases, mud-terrain tires are not meant for everyday driving. They are specifically designed to be used when driving off-road on jagged rocks, loose soil, mud, and sand. In addition to the two tires we mentioned, there are also winter tires, rock-terrain tires, sand-terrain tires, and all-around tires.
While any of these tires will prove to be an upgrade to the stock ones, switching to a larger size can make an even greater difference. While there may not be a whole lot of room in the wheel wells at stock height, a lift kit gives you a greater range of options when it comes to tire sizes.
Shop Toyota4Runner Tires Here.
#5 LED Lighting
LED lights can drastically enhance your overall driving experience, particularly off-road, in terms of visibility, safety, and comfort. Off-roading at night can be dangerous, especially when you are taking on unknown terrain. However, this can be alleviated with the addition of upgraded headlights, fog lights, and a light bar. The aftermarket houses a wide range of attractive lighting solutions for you to choose from. Whether you are looking to just replace some bulbs or want to install an entirely new assembly, switching to LEDs will prove to be incredibly beneficial. LED lights are brighter, more efficient, and last much longer than halogen bulbs.
There are a number of off-road lighting products out there that offer added visibility while also improving the overall look of your 4Runner. Light bars, for example, can give you that extra boost of confidence to take on some new roads without worrying about being in the dark, pun intended. LED light bars can stretch along your roof or bumper and output hundreds of times more light than your standard headlights.
Small LED pods can also help to illuminate the ground and sides of your vehicle to make you more aware of what and who is in your surroundings. At the very least, it is recommended to have light bars and some pods on your rig if you plan on doing any types of trails. So when darkness falls, you can keep the fun going in a safe and effective way with better visibility and some added style.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Headlights Here.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Fog Lights Here.
Shop Toyota 4Runner Light Bars Here.
Summary
In conclusion, all of these mods are tied together in one way or another. For example, if you get stuck when off-roading, both the winch and the lights will help you get out of a sticky situation with more peace of mind. And if you have a roof rack, you can mount some additional lights on it as well. What’s more, if you upgrade your suspension with a lift kit, you’ll be able to accommodate larger tires as well as take on harsher environments with ease. It all comes full circle. We hope you found this list of the top 5 best mods helpful, and remind you that the aftermarket is filled with hundreds of options to better tailor your 4Runner to your needs and taste.
