2018 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium

I had to wait a couple extra days than expected, but my 4Runner delivered today.

As the Title says, 2018 TRD Off-Road Premium. My color is Silver and the Pro does not come in Silver... Here is my version of a Silver Pro.



In addition to the standard Premium options, added options Include:

XP Package - TRD "Toyota" Pro Black Grill, Predator Side Rails, Black Emblem Overlays, 17" TRD Black Wheels and Goodyear AT Tires - I am told the XP Package is only available in the South East. This package is probably called something else in other regions.

Power Tilt / Sliding Moonroof
TRD Skid Plate
2-in-1 LED Projector Fog Lights
Sliding Rear Cargo Deck - I didn't think I'd like this, but it's pretty cool.
Extra Power / and Smart USB Ports
Cargo Cover - This is nice to have in Florida.

Modification and Upgrade Plans:

Performance:
TRD Cold Air Intake - PTR03-89100
Gibson Stainless Exhaust Kit - 618815
Pedal Commander - PC27

Suspension:
I did not order a Factory Option Suspension package. (Pro or KDSS)
Icon Stage 2 Suspension Kit - 3 1/2" Extended Travel Coil-Overs and UCAs with Delta Joint Up Front and 2" Rear Coils
Added Icon Tubular Upper and Lower links and Adjustable Trac Bar to the rear.

Tires and Wheels:
Method Racing - 17x8.5" Matte Black Con-6
Toyo AT II - LT285/70/17

Engine Compartment:
Twin ARB Air Compressor - CKMTA12
Slee Off-Road Compressor Mount - SOK004
Off-Grid Dual Battery Kit with Blue Sea ACR and Remote Switch
(2) Odyssey Group 34R-PC1500 Batteries

Interior:
LED Light Kit
All Weather Floor Mats - Toyota "4Runner"
Compressor, LED Light Bar, ACR and B+ Power Switches
Rago Rear Storage Panels and Molle Bags - ???

Exterior:
Ceramic Window Tint - A Must have here in Florida. Greatly reduces HEAT.
PIAA G2 LED Headlights - Low and High Beam
LED 50w Reverse Lights
Gobi Stealth Roof Rack and Ladder - 20+ weeks for Delivery
270' Awning mounted to Gobi Rack - Undecided.

Body Armor:
Southern Style Off-Road Hybrid Winch Bumper
Warn Zeon 10-S Winch with Remote - Mounted Inside SSO Bumper
Rigid Industries SR-Pro 30" Single Row Combo LED Bar - Mounted Inside SSO Bumper
Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier - Probably Not


I have most of these parts in my shop, so now is the time to start installing. This is my first Toyota, but with a lot of research, and this website (Thanks for helping me spend my money), I'm off to a good start.

 

Lookin' GOOD!

 

Looks good!!!
Keeping the silver bumber valances or going to black ones from the pro?

 

Wow! Nice. You really are off to a good start!

 

The front Silver Valance will be replaced with the SSO Hybrid front bumper. The rear will remain.

The Pro would have been my first choice. However, paying the extra $5000 the dealerships want for the Pro was not worth it to me. I also wanted a Moonroof, which is not an option with the Pro. I cannot keep vehicles stock. So changing out some of the goodies (Pro Suspension) that come on the Pro did not make sense either.

The 4Runner rides very nice on the road, but the stock suspension is VERY soft and the well known "Nose Dive" while braking is very noticeable and a lot of squat upon acceleration. A buddy of mine has the Off-Road with the Pro Suspension and it rides MUCH better. The Pro suspension is much more firm but not harsh at all and the vehicle does not sway as much. If you are not going with a lift, order the Pro Suspension with the Truck. Since I do want a lift, I am hoping the Icon stage-2 will be a similar ride, if not a hair more stiff than the Pro to handle the extra weight up front with a bumper and winch.

I'll get the Cold Air Intake, the Gibson Exhaust, Pedal Commander and the Interior LED kit installed today. Let the games begin!

 

If you don’t mind, I’d like to hear your opinion of the Pedal Commander when you get a chance.

 

Wurd.. i think ill order one this week.

And damn sexy runner there sir ,.... damn sexy.

 

I got the TRD Cold Air Intake (PTR03-89100) installed in about an hour. I had previously done some assembly prior to getting vehicle, so about 1.5 hours total.

The Gibson Stainless Exhaust (618815) looks great, but the tailpipe slip-joint was not expanded quite enough from the factory. I did sand the inside of the joint and the corresponding pipe, but no go. Ill have to go to exhaust shop to bump/expand it a little. I'm glad I did a Bench Mock-up of the exhaust system. It would have really sucked if I had removed the original exhaust and got to the very last piece of pipe of the new one and could not get it installed.

I'll post updates as I go and provide feedback on the Pedal Commander too.

Thanks

 

That would be my next mod TRD CAI. Let me know how it goes.

 

Why get the XP package only to trade out oem matte wheels for aftermarket. Seems like a colossal waste of money. Especially considering the pro wheels look exponentially better than the method ones in my opinion.

 

Colossal? No. As far as looks go, we all have our own opinions.

I actually already have the TRD wheels and Tires sold for really not much less than the Method / Toyo combo. I also do not like a 285/70/17 tire on a 7" rim.

Here is what I have mounted and balanced. (Center Caps are not installed yet) The Method Racing Con-6 (17x8.5") is one of their newer designs and I have yet to see anyone else that has these. My choice was between these and the Method NV. I have had the NVs on many Early Broncos before and they are a popular style.

Side by side to the TRDs they are the same Matte Black.

 

Very nice..!

 

I got the Ceramic Window Tint installed this morning. Greatly appreciated for being here in florida.

 

The install for the Icon Suspension Stage 2 is almost complete. How nice it is to be working on a new truck!

Compared to Ford, Jeep and other brands, I am very impressed that everything underneath the truck has been painted from the factory.

Differential Drop Spacers and Front Coil-Overs with Delta Joint Upper Control Arms.

 

I'll post additional pictures when it's back on the ground with the new tires and wheels.

The guys at the shop that installed the suspension have worked on many Toyotas and confirmed the 4Runners Brakes were top notch. They did not recommend any type of "Big Brake Kit" but did note that the Power Stop Drilled and Slotted Rotors with Pads were a very nice upgrade and well worth it. Just something to think about for the future.

 

you're gonna love it..

 

It should be a lot better than the Soft, Stock set-up. I will greatly appreciate the firmer ride!

The only issue with the Installation for the Icon Suspension is the wrong hardware was included with the Front Sway Bar Relocation Bracket.

The Holes in the frame (For the Sway Bar Mount) are for a M10 X 1.25 bolt. Which has a fine thread. The Relocation Kit came with M10 X 1.50. It also needs an Allen Head Cap Screw type of bolt so that it will be inside the new Sway Bar Bracket, then the Sway Bar mount goes over that. The M10 X 1.25 is very hard to find to say the least.

We'll put the truck on the ground and see if the Front Coils and the Sway Bar hit each other, maybe we get lucky. But I am told the relocation bracket is needed. The Front Coils were maxed out to its tallest setting when installed. When put on the ground I am expecting the front will need to be lowered, then alignment.

 

Here is the Icon Stage-2 Lift installed today before Leveling and Alignment. The Front needs to be lowered about 2 inches to be level.

I expect the Coil-Overs and Rear Coils to settle some too.

 

Nice.!

 

Any feedback on what the suspension work did to the stock ride? I went non KDSS with the hope that a good stage 2 kit would end up better than what I could get stock.

 

Highly Recommended!

The Icon Stage-2 worked out to be VERY NICE!!! A completely different ride than the stock, soft suspension. Sportier feel and not harsh at all. Greatly decreased "Nose Dive" when braking and minimal squat when accelerating. Don't max out the front coils as we did prior to install. It's way too high and too stiff. We lowered the front coils about 2 inches to level the ride. Make sure you grease the hell out of the UCA bushings and the Ball Joint.

The ride is very similar to my Buddy's 4Runner that has the TRD Pro Suspension. Maybe a hair more firm. This will be perfect for additional weight up front for the Hybrid Bumper and a Winch.

The driver's side of the Sway Bar does hit the Lower Coil-over. I cannot install the Sway Bar Relocation Bracket because Icon sent the wrong hardware for the Sway Bar Relocation Bracket kit. (M10x1.50) You will need M10X1.25 Cap Screws (4 total) with an Allen Head to mount the bracket to the frame. These are fine thread and hard to find. Make sure the correct bolts come with the kit. Take out one Sway Bar Bracket Bolt and you will see what thread you need x 4.

I did call Icon and spoke with the Tech department. They did admit that there were some batches of Sway Bar Relocation kits that did come with the wrong M10X1.50 Bolts. He was quick to say he could overnight the correct one's to me. So, that's cool. Great customer service so far too.

Actually, the best part so far may be the Gibson Exhaust Cat-Back system. With most V6 Cat-Backs the vehicle ends up sounding like a big "Weed Eater". Not this one. The Gibson has a little deeper sound, with NO Drone in the interior at all. No popping when de-accellerating and No rattle when pushing to higher RPMs. I have used a Gibson Muffler / Exhaust many times before with great success and yet again, it would be my first choice for the V6 4Runner as well.

 

The Relocation Bracket has been installed and A LOT less noise since the Sway Bar does not hit the lower coils.

A little bit of squeak coming from the Upper Control Arm Bushings, but I expect this to go away soon.

The 4Runner rides great and is completely level from side to side. We set the coils so the lip of the Fenders is 1/2" lower in the front than back.

I am heading up to the Outer Banks of North Carolina tomorrow for a yearly Pilgrimage with the family. After a week there, and on the Beach in Corolla, I will head to VA. The 4Runner will stay up in VA for the Summer for camping and light wheeling.

 

I got the ARB Compressor and Slee Off-Road Mount installed this afternoon. The smaller bolts towards the engine are really hard to bolt down, but she's in.

The fit is very good and no clearance issues with the hood and the fuse box can be easily opened still.

 

I so want that.....we drive on the beach all the time to surf fish where we air up and down.....line coming off the beach to air up is always packed during the summer.

 

That is exactly why I got That.... Well, one reason anyway. I know what you mean.

 

I haven’t even made my first truck payment yet.....ha ha.

 

Made it up to the Outer Banks yesterday. About 12 hours driving in total. The 4Runner is very comfortable on the road and again the Icon suspension is highly recommended.

I'm looking forward to getting on the Beach. That's next.

 

I drove the 4Runner up to VA so I can have a vehicle up there for the summer. I go back and forth during the summer.

My wife is in VA and after I came back to FL I get a text yesterday, "I really like my Truck!". Seems she has claimed the 4Runner already and giving her car a rest while I am gone...... I don't blame her though.

 

I ordered the Gobi Stealth Roof Rack today. They quoted 12-16 weeks. It should have been the first thing I ordered. Looking forward to getting that installed.

Start the timer. Let's see how long it takes.....