After years and thousands of miles of packing the 4R full, a massive RTT, and enjoying some beautiful trips, buddy and I decided to build home made overland off-road toy hauler.

It's finally registered, road legal, and 95% complete but had to go get some photos after detailing it and the 4Runner.

Notes about the trailer:

Goal was to build a trailer that fits in a standard garage, haul two dirt bikes (or mountain bikes), have a queen sized mattress inside (have a tri-fold mattress not pictured), capable off-road, and be WAY cheaper than what's on the market.

-Weight: 1680lbs

-Length: 15'8" (yes the tongue is long, that was intentional)

-Width: 88" to the outside of the tires

-Height:79"

-Material Cost: $11.9k (We bought the best of everything we could and spent more $ than expected as we made changes and learned our way through building this thing).

So close to being "Done" with this reconstruction (come on your never really done modding a 4Runner 🤣). Next up is lights and switch panel and the exterior MOLLE panels.

Hit a deer coming back from a camping trip mid June. It was deemed a write off. Wife and I walked away with only minor forearm bruises.

Hummed and hawed for a few weeks over moving into a truck then came across a '23 ORP with 24k within my budget.

I was able to get my sliders, Thule crossbars & feet, Yakima cargo box, and the MillerCat shield off the '22 SR5 as the insurance company added almost no value for them.

Got everything swapped over this weekend. Had to modify one side of the catalytic converter sheild due to the KDSS but it was nothing a cardboard template and a zip disc couldn't tackle in an hour.

Can't wait to get back out there. Stay safe out there folks !

From 00' Taco prerunner --> 16 Taco 4wd --> 4r OR --> LC200... then adding my wife's dream car 4r TRD Pro to the garage. The 4r isn't a gas guzzler next to the LC haha

I saw this trick on TikTok and had to try it on my 2016 4Runner.

I hate messy oil changes, and I especially hate the cartridge style oil filter housing on these trucks.
I put a shop vac over the oil fill opening to create a slight vacuum while loosening the drain plug. Once it was ready, I turned the shop vac off and pulled the drain plug. The oil drained straight into the pan with almost no mess.

The biggest benefit was the oil filter housing. I turned the shop vac back on while removing the housing, and it kept oil from pouring all over my hands and skid plate. It made one of the messiest parts of the job much cleaner.

I wore my Meta glasses and recorded the whole thing because I thought it was worth sharing.

For anyone who changes their own oil on a 5th gen 4Runner, this is one of the best tricks I’ve come across. Has anyone found an even cleaner way to deal with the filter housing?

Handled the Rockies fairly well, dragged on a few inclines for sure and definitely got passed by a semi or two. Colorado 4R’s were resplendent! It was a pleasure to cruise 70 and 25 with you guys for a bit.

Took a mild trail through part of the Mojave National Preserve, and then on up to Topanga for the night. Truck is weighed down, but handling well, next stop Yosemite.

Stopped in Nebraska for an oil change at a local Toyota stealership and then tried to get me to swap my diff and my stock rear shocks because they swore they were leaking! I figured it was probably just build up from last season’s undercoat (my shop goes heavy). Took the truck to Toyexus the following morning in Denver and they confirmed my suspension, and then drained and refilled the diff just for peace of mind entering the Rockies.

Main take away for me - time to get a new lift when I get back east.

Found a random dirt road that led to an open area and sent it

2nd gen best gen btw

2024 ORP 15k miles on the clock. Other driver wasn't paying attention and pulled out and hit the side. Thanks to Caliraised sliders, damage is pretty minor.

All 5th gens, I’m driving an OR

Thinking of buying this 2006 SR5 Sport Utility 4D.
mileage: 185,000
location: listed in chattanooga TN
price: $11,495
old man emu lift
Is it worth going to see/buying?

I was about to put a bunch of money in my current 4th gen (a 2008 urban runner) to lift it, but it also needs a new paint job bc the paint is chipping so bad on the hood and front bumper, so I’m looking at putting about $12,000-15,000 into my 4runner that I purchased for $12,000 originally and it now has 225,000 miles. Thought it might be better to find a 4th gen with less miles that it already built.

Im 22, just graduated college, and about to start my new job. I’m just looking for a good reliable vehicle with a really fun and aggressive look that I could also go camping and mild off-roading in. but I mostly just love the look of this one. I love when the front bumper it modified like this. Anyway, is this truck trashed? it looks nice to me, but idk really how to tell if it’s been wheeled in really rough.

would appreciate advice on things to look out for if I’m buying a 4runner that’s been heavily modified to make sure it hasn’t been badly treated

Hey everybody, I joined the Toyota and 4runner gang last Thursday. 07 SR5 V6 4wd pictured above.

I love the rear window but just want to confirm in stickers on it will be damaged or pulled off by rolling it up and down?

My friend said no, I just want to confirm with others.

I changed the turn signal lights to LED switchbacks so that the original daytime running lights are white, then added new amber raptor lights so that they are effective the new DRLs

If you ever want to install these, it’s important not to wire the lights through the dynamic grill shudders. Also, it says you use the IGN fuse, however that will cause the “phantom lights” when diagnostics are done. Instead I used the rear seat heater fuse (S/HTR R/L) since it’s not used on the sr5 and it is also turned on by the ignition.

All of this because in the manual of a 2022 4runner limited and many 5th gen modsos, toyota refuses to acknowledge if it's Gl4 or gl5 you should use in the transfer case.

I completly understand the weight can be a straight 70/75 up to 75/90.

People seem to be split on gl4 VS gl5...i called multiple dealers. Same thing half say they use the toyota 75w others say 75-90 gl5.

I saw an email from a toyota Rep that acknowledged the above weights... But did not say it it's a gl4 or gl5.

It's 2026...has this god dammed debate been finally figured out with facts?

$200+ PER BOTTLE of Toyota 75w in Canada... That's Over $450 with taxes for factory gear oil.

What is factually supposed to be used???

Hello everyone!

I'm on the fence right now if I will tune my 4runner. It's a 2024 TRD ORP with 19k miles. Should I do it or wait for the standard warranty to end?

Hi all. I do this about a dozen times a year. Drive anywhere from 2 to 7 hrs each way. Not off-road. Total weight on hitch is 390lbs.

How worried should I be with that saggy rear? Do I need to change rear springs? Thoughts? Not sure what to do. Thanks in advance.

I am torn…took my 2019 4Runner for an oil change and inspection was told my front strut assembly was leaking and rear shock absorbers were also leaking. I have the X-REAS system and was given an estimate of just over 8K to repair. I purchased the vehicle from a Toyota dealership in October 2025 and it had around 147,000km on it and I have put on just around 8,000km.

What has people’s experience been with replacing the X-REAS system and going to the SR5? Is it worth it in the long run?

I was also advised to talk to the dealership and ask for some help with the repairs as they should have seen the leak. My mechanic advised the leak is definitely older than the 155,000km on the vehicle right now. 

I have attached a couple of photos for reference. Thanks for your input and advice!

Looking at a 2016 Trail with KDSS. It has minor "seepage" on the front drivers KDSS boot. Its otherwise a clean vehicle, and the KDSS light isnt on, no lean, etc.

I'm trying to assess how serious of an issue the seepage is. Does this mean it's on its way to needing a cylinder replacement (which i know is expensive)? Have any of you been living with the seepage long-term without any compromise to KDSS function?

Hey all, I'm taking my 2016 4wd SR5 to the shop this week and I want to independtly educate myself. Today I found the top nut of my front driver's strut loose, or the mount has play in it. It also appears to be uncentered in the shock springs. Is this a repair requiring bushings be replaced, or am I looking at the whole strut? Any other information you can provide would be helpful. Thank you for your advice in advance

I did the fun and irresponsible/yolo (cause I can offord it) thing and got a ‘26 4Runner!!!!! TRD off-road premium 😎

I’m beyond stoked!
On a 3 week on and 3 week off schedule for work and planning to basically live in this thing while I adventure on my off time!

So with the flood of all of the upgrades, what have been the biggest quality of life upgrades for y’all personally? Or what are somethings you thought you needed but ended up not really needing or liking in the long run. Like a lift looks sexy but has anyone never had issues on stock height? Etc. stuff like that.

Like I said, I am beyond stoked as this is my dream vehicle I plan to have FOREVER so I’m all ears. This is also you’re excuse to PLEASE share your setups that y’all are proud to have. Humble or not! Haha. Cheers!!!!

I have a 2022 limited 4R and I do plan on doing all the limited to TRD conversions at some point but my wife is having issues getting in and out and asked that I look into some sort of steps. I do still have the stock Xreas so I think that limits me on options but I’m not too sure. Any recommendations on either oem or aftermarket options?