What have you done to your 5th Gen 4Runner today?

It’s not an emergency hatch so to speak but a release for the back door there should be a 4”x4” square removable plastic piece that you pop off and can stick something like a flathead in and turn and it releases the latch. At least that’s how it works from my understanding. I didn’t make it that far as I found out how claustrophobic I really am and hulked out on the plastics holding the headliner up and got that bitch plugged back in asap. My wife was near dying watching the entire rig away side to side. Come to think of it I bet if the new owner ever goes to take those interior plastics off their gonna be pissed at the amount of gorilla contact cement is holding them in

 

I guess I’m slow and confused.
You gotta explain the whole story. Because I’m thinking you were set up to sleep in back, in tight quarters, and your claustrophobia kicked in when you couldn’t get the back hatch open?
Or a back side door?
You have the Ultimate Camping Mod (switches to pop hatch and roll down hatch window)?
And you forgot to plug in a connector?
So you opened up the kidnap hatch and clawed your way into the manual hatch release?

 

Yeah I am with you on this one. There has got to be more to this story. There are 4 other doors on the 4Runner and a 5/6th if you have a sunroof. The rear window rolls down so should show another exit. I am totally confused (but again that is not hard).

 

so the whole key to this is over 6’ tall. And not flexible at all. I was sitting on the drawer I had built with the big snomaster on the other side of me and my wife shuts the hatch not realizing there isn’t a handle on the inside. I couldn’t turn around to drop the rear seats and honestly I don’t think either of us thought of it. All I know is I was sitting there the door closed at first I was like oh well babe open the door. She grabbed the handle and nothing. Babe I’m stuck in here….. BABE and then panic ensued looking back an extra 5 minutes would have been release the back seats and fell backwards or scooted back and done. But nope panicked and then realized what we had done or in this case not done.

 

Sometimes when unexpected situations arise people do unexpected things. But in the end at least you got out and only destroyed some plastic. You could probably find a replacement cover if desired on a totaled 4Runner. Another thing of note. You got me looking into the rear setup and there is a guy on here that sells a kit for $60 that you wire tap into the rear hatch and it unlocks the door and rolls down/up the rear window. Might be good for you guys.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/ultimate-camping-mod-rear-window-up-down-4th-and-5th-gen.6424/

 

Relative to what many of you are accomplishing, I have added a couple bare minimums at a modest investment. My 4Runner is only 500 miles into a hopefully long journey.

First thing, was a receiver cover that I transferred from my trade-in Tacoma:




Next were a glove box organizer from JDMCAR via Amazon:



Yes, an old school map for when I am out of cell signal. On the same order, I added an organization tray for the console:



And finally, a LiOn 1500w Jump box with integrated phone charger and a flashlight from Audew. I put one of these in my wife's car about 3 years ago, and it worked great the one and only time I had to use it:



I'll study through this thread and identify essential additional items. Since I am transitioning from a Tacoma, I'll need a hitch mounted bike rack since bike(s) will not fit in the back of the 4Runner. I think my kayak j-hooks will fit the roof rack, but haven't confirmed it yet (still winter here).

 

Old school map will come in very handy.... guarantee that.

 

Got some "fiddly" stuff done today... LasFit Switchback Front Turn Signal bulbs; a total pain in the bazoo to install, and you do have to get them in the socket the correct way... I did it with the Flashers on so I could tell if I guessed right. Then the Diode Dynamics Tail-As-Turn modules, along with their XPR Backup bulbs, and Rear Turn Backup XPRs. Still have to secure the wiring so it doesn't rattle. No hyperflash, and boy are those bulbs BRIGHT! That will improve the rear view camera image at night dramatically. Last, I got my Seat Jackers and Multi Panel in for the driver's seat. Had to play around to get the right rear spacers for my body. The higher perch definitely gives better visibility, and the panel is going to grow a holster for my Judge... but I do have to duck my head just a bit getting in. Small price to pay...

Tomorrow, I go in for the ArcLight Map Light module with Red/White and Dimmers, and the Dongar Dashcam Power Module, and a Vantrue N2 camera...

I'll do pics of that fun and games and post them on their own thread...

 

Did the first oil change since I’ve had my 2017. 80k. Never had a filter housing so tight. Did plenty on my wife’s Lexus GX (which is similar), but this was brutal. Anyways, replaced with the aluminum one now. My section of the world is at peace.

 

I did the same thing when I traded my Tacoma for my 4Runner. My receiver looked pretty bad after 11 years of New England winters and I'm not sure if this cover helped or not though

 

Very cool and wish I could do the superC. Question why did you get rid of the Magnaflow?

 

Put them all in a proper sized ziplock and let 'em keep the jack company. Frees up mucho space in the glove box.
If you need the owners manual, it's still in the truck, just buried in the back.
EDIT: Or put it under a front seat.

 

Decided to clean her up since the hood was perfect. Little detail action. 19,500 miles and going strong. She has seen snow twice, lots of rain, and washed when I can (usually once a month). In my care 7 months officially.

 

No question. Most of the thousands of acres around my cabin in the PA mountains are out of cell range. I own a Dakota 20 GPS, and mount it on the handle bar of my dual sport (see avatar), but nothing, and I mean nothing beats a detailed Purple Lizard trail map.

 

Thanks - good piece of advice. I'm on it

 

Wash it after a 1400 mile road trip then got robbed at the gas station AGAIN!!

 

I wish they would catch that guy, I too got robbed at the gas station today.

 

Removed the Toyota installed steps.

I like the cleaner look and as a step they were useless for me anyway.

 

Dirt cheap probably won’t last license plate light and anew way to store my snatch rope

 

YouTube can be your friend or enemy., but some good intel if you filter through the hacks selling stuff...... Fun to do, low risk...

 

My 4Runner is still just over 500 miles old. When I bought it, I decided to get it Ceramic coated before the birds, bugs, door dingers, and road salt had their way with it. I gave it a gentle wash and it came out looking great (at least I think so). I expected to have it done professionally - until I got a quote to have it done. Then I decided to watch some YouTube video on do-it-yourself options and decided to take the 99% discount and bought a 16 oz spray bottle of Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray.

As I said, Started with a gentle wash:



Then, with all the skill of a first time rookie, I followed the instructions: one microfiber for application, one for buffing off and spent less than an hour. I managed to compress that down to 3 minutes on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sHXOE7aeW8

It still looks great, and it was easy to apply. Of course, it will be interesting to see how it holds up to a day of rain tomorrow, and then how long it holds up in the longer run. Like at 1, 3, and 6 months. I don't expect the durability of a professionally applied ceramic, but I enjoy spending time with my vehicles, and I have another 99 applications till the value proposition tips the other way.

 

I had my Tacoma for 11 years in New England. The body was actually in good shape, even with some custom trail pinstriping. Only the rear bumper was starting to show signs of rust. So I didn't bother ceramic coating my 4Runner. The frame on my taco wasn't looking great though.

 

Had the 10,000 mile service done. Dealership said there was a bulletin for reprogramming the DCM. Anyone know about that?
Then drove it about 250 miles round trip and got almost 20 MPG, which was a big improvement over what I got on my last trip of any length.

 

Decently surprised at the mpgs I CAN get if I tried. Currently averaging 21mpgs for the tank with about 110 miles in.

 

We know who he is. He was last seen entering 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

 

Got ya beat at 29.4 I'm cheating a bit, it was all down hill then started to drop like a rock.

 

Yep.. I spent several hours on Sunday working on her with a buffer, some polish, and a light... 99% of the swirls are gone now.

 

Lookin good !!!

 

Wish I had hills here in texas to take advantage of lmao

 

240 miles into ownership and decided to go ahead and get her ceramic coated. Product used was Gtechniq CSL.


Today, I also ordered the TRD Pro front and rear black valances. I can’t stand the silver they put on the Off-Roads.