What are the best mods for a 5th gen?

I might have to check those out. I keep my sunglasses on that shelf, and sometimes they fall out if I close the door too enthusiastically.

 

Most useful modification or upgrade to this SR5 for winter ice highway use have been 20" wheels to reduce body roll and Michelin Defender LTX MS all weather tires.

 

You know I have been curious about these. Never really appreciated the usefulness but now that I mounted my midland in the center console and have the console tray it’s a little bit cramped to fit my shades in there. Considering you’re saying it’s one of your favorite purchases made me order it just now. So thanks for that!

 

Correction on my list, molle panels are a mod. I think anything you have to spend time disassembling or install vs swap is a mod, so roof rack, ladder, skids and sliders are mods. By that token, I shouldn’t have called a tires and rims a mod, more of a change. Shift knobs I wouldn’t call a modification. My favourite is “seat delete”, which is a weird way of saying “I removed the seat”, lol.

 

So I only know of one person who's done this, but I'll list a 3UR-FE (5.7L) swap. That would definitely be my favorite mod!

 

I guess we could spend all day debating what constitutes a mod versus an accessory. But, I just think of it as a generic term for " enhancement.". So, anything that isn't OEM and enhances your experience in any way could be considered a mod.

Otherwise, if we really want to get technical about it; I'd say that anything that requires welding or cutting, or replaces an OEM part could be considered a "mod". Anything that just bolts on could be considered an accessory.

 

Remember, "Mod" is short for Modify.
Adding something like phone holder, organizers (including molle) , cargo cover is not modifying.
That's like calling an air freshener a "mod". Accessories are not mods.

I agree with @Thatbassguy. To modify (mod) would require cutting, welding and/or replacing an original part.

 

Insurance companies like to be made aware of vehicle modifications.

 

I'll make sure to call up my insurance guy and let him know.

 

I think it’s not as clear cut as that. The DrKDSS module and switch can be installed with no tools, but I consider them a mod and not an accessory.

 

That would be a mod because it's modifying the system from oem.

 

I off road quite a bit, including deep sand. I don't rock climb but am often on very rough tracks. Aside from off road tires, I don't need any mods.

I suspect most of the mods I see are more for show that utility. But if that's your thing...

 

I think you'd be wrong. As for mod vs. accessory, who cares. Do what you want, when you want, and call it what you want.

 

One could consider eyes and hands tools ahhhh now it’s getting outta tool… I mean hand.

 

lots of mods are just for looks, for sure! I would say that what we’ve done is fairly utilitarian, but i can definitely confirm that i LOVE the way a tastfully/mildly modded 4x4 looks. I also love that the biggest modification we’ve done (dual cases) is fairly transparent and leaves our truck looking fairly stock looking.


and as for your only mod being tires: Kudos to you rocking the truck as designed on more moderate/mild trails. I’m a big fan of “gasp”, getting to know your rig’s capabilities before changing out parts.

love to see some pics of your explorations if you would indulge us. Also, what was your choice as far as tires go?

 

Now we have people defining what is and isn't a "mod".

 

The dictionary did that a long time ago.

 

I assume headlights are top 10, maybe top 5. Especially for anyone not living near the equator. Thanks to tons of thought and testing by @mynameistory and testing by TW crashnburn80, those 4Runner LED headlights with a 9011 HIR high beam bulb seem to be incredibly good.

It might be even more awesome to figure out a solution which re-routes the PWM'd DRL signal to an aux LED lamp so you can have the best of 3 worlds, quad high beam with 9011 HIR for highs, LED projector low beams for lows, and some fancy LED stuff somewhere else for DRL. Always something left to strive for.

 

Front seat jackers. It’s so much better with them in.

 

I just think that unless I were doing serious rock climbing there is no point in mods that result in spending more money on the truck, voiding the warranty, changing the center of gravity, making mpg worse than it already is, stressing the suspension, etc. I even removed the Yakima rack that came with it. Crawl Control, Multi Terrain Select, etc, get me where I need to go or get me out of trouble. Obviously, if I wanted to rock climb in Moab or someplace, I would change some things.

I don't take videos and or even many photos. I'm not interested in showing it off. I use the 4R to get me to projects in the back country that last up to a week, but I also want it to be as street worthy as possible. I am using stock size, Load C KO2s, which I like a lot. Just my MO

 

Kind of lucky that the 5th Gen has stuck around so long, making it very easy to stick new OEM headlights into an aging platform.

 

Agree to disagree, sorry for debating it.

Now I will say there are very specific things my insurance company considers a modification in which I have to document changes to them. Some of any claims where consider it an added cost to replace, others for risk as it relates to crashing and of course regulatory rules.

 

Is this a Canadian thing? My insurance agent (Oregon, State Farm) just said to keep receipts for everything. I'm generally trying to keep the vehicle in a condition that can be returned to OEM condition, minus normal wear and tear.

Mod vs. accessory: if the dealer looks cross-eyed at it during a warranty claim, then it's a mod.

 

Not sure, definitely a money grab thing. Up to a certain amount, allowed to claim contents/valuables should something happen (I think on my policy it’s $1,000). But for modifications I would claim in a write off, I have to provide in advance all my receipts … and then I end up having a higher premium.

 

I have those (OEM tray though)...

Had OEM size Toyo AT3's put on before I picked it up. Would have gone with the Falkens but I wanted an LT and the Falkens are so heavy...

Sliders next for me and if I get a bonus at the end of the year (he said in early April) I'm looking at a 2" lift (Dobinsons).

 

Congrats on the T4R, sounds a bit like a blank canvas. To keep it short to the point, and not get over your skis on what comes first:

1 . For safety get the most aggressive all terrains you can find before full on mud terrains. I recommend 285/70R17 with close to zero offset rims and not big negative offset.
2 . For looks blackout all your emblems with inexpensive stick on covers from Amazon
3 . For city/hwy performance invest in a throttle response device like a Pedal Commander, easy plug and play
4 . For suspension performance after lifting if you have KDSS, invest in KDSS Control switch. Stops the harsh bouncing and rattling on forest service roads over 12mph
5 . Offroad lighting
6 . Armour

 

For my first changes, I opted for a console tray with integrated qi charger, glovebox organizer, h9 headlight bulbs, remote starter from Accessorides, and a catalytic converter shield from Miller Cat. I didn’t find it early enough, but one of the armor mfrs does a transmission plate with cat shield add-ins that would’ve been about the same price, but for trail-worthy armor. I’m a city dweller so probably not an issue for me long term.

 

James, did you add on a kayak rack or do you just lash the vessel down to your Yakima?

 

Next on the list.

 

I just strap it to the Yakima. But, I've been meaning to make some crossbars specifically for the kayaks.