Just picked up a 2016 4runner trail ... first upgrade?

So I just picked up a new 2016 4runner trail with Kdss. Tires are the stock tires. From what I can gleen, the stock skidplate may not hold up to well and has a shovel effect when you get into mud and sand. I do not want to radically change the vehicle but I do like going offroad. Was thinking the skidplate first followed by 3in lift and offroad tires. My main concern right now is the stock skidplate. Let me know if you don't feel this is the case. Asking for advice with any of this.

 

If you plan on wheeling it now, why not go with daystar 2.5/1.5 spacers and bigger tires for the time being? It won't ride amazingly but you should have enough clearance for bigger tires, and to avoid smashing your skidplate into anything as long as you're careful. That way you can replace the skid plate later and go wheeling now.

 

Actually the stock skidplate is decent enough. I mean, I have used the hell out of mine and dented it badly, but it has held up. I finally replaced it but it has literally been the last modification I've made after a long list of other stuff. I wouldn't consider replacing the skidplate immediately. Obviously this is conditional on how aggressively you actually use the truck, and what sort of terrain you are finding yourself in (location in profile exists for a reason). You mention 'sand / mud', the skid plate is really more of a rock defense. I will say though, that one benefit that no one mentions to some aftermarket skids is easier oil change access - the OEM skid has to be dropped to get to the filter. Some aftermarket ones have oil filter access doors.

Tires are the best modification you can make to the truck. If you do nothing else, those will have the most positive effect on it's off road ability. If you are planning on lifting and want bigger tires, then it's best to do tires and lift together - you can get a larger tire size, there is some duplicity of labor involved, and you can get it aligned correctly at the same time. If you decide not to lift, then you can still size up the tires slightly (275s).

Here's my skid plate after 52,000 miles, a lot of off road, and some major rock hits. I have removed it twice and pounded it back out and repainted it. This was taken a few weeks after I removed it, reshaped it, and repainted it for the second time, I finally decided at that point to get an RCI skid. There is a weight difference (RCI aluminum skid is 5 lbs more than OEM, RCI steel is I think 19 lbs more), the RCI skid is more narrow, and the RCI skid covers (front to back) what 2 OEM skids normally cover.

 

I know I say this alot, but just go take it somewhere and see what it won't do. I have a 2016 Trail 4Runner and a 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road, and the wife and I went on a 19.5 mile beach trail yesterday. Some of it was easy and done in 2HI, then some 4HI, then finally 4LO with MTS set to Sand on both vehicles. Never used CC or Rear Lockers. All I did was air down the tires (both vehicles are factory height and stock tires for their models).

When we got to the other side we came across a Wildlife Ranger who asked where we came from. We mentioned Sea Rim state park and she said, "How? Trail trail is currently impassable." I told her if obviously wasn't with a grin, to which she replied, "Can't believe you made it in that..." and we joked about it for a bit. I told her to look behind me, as my wife pulled up in her 4Runner, and mentioned I had her follow me so she could get some off roading experience (she loves it too, so we both take our rides).

So yea, here's a list of off road mods on my 4Runner and Tacoma:

2017 Tacoma DCSB TRD Off Road - Off Road Mods
(none)

2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/o KDSS - Off Road Mods
(none)

Go drive that thing. It's a freaking monster just stock. When you get stuck, upgrade the part that got you stuck

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to poke around and see if lifting voids my warranty in any way. Bigger tires would be a plus also.

 

Also, I really do like the low profile front bumpers with winch mounts like Relentless makes.

 

Cool story. So you have the stock Dunlops on your Trail???

 

Yep. The Dunlop Grandtrek AT20 or something, 265/65/r17.

Honestly, a boring looking tire, but dang if I can't get it to not do well.

I'm pretty sure it would suck in deep mud, but I like to avoid mud if possible, I don't enjoy nasty water in my ride.