Worst. Mod. Ever?

I just got my rig set up just how I want it for now. Totally enjoying the suspension lift I put in. And I got a sweet warn bumper and winch to lend a hand when needed. Very satisfied with the mods

But that brought up a question. Have you ever spent money on something for your 4runner and regretted it? Not because of defectiveness, but rather it wasnt as useful or necessary as you thought it would be?

I’ll start…I havent bought a hatch ladder, but I know Id regret it if I did. Probably because I would rip my hatch off if I put my weight on it lol. And I wouldnt know what to do when I get up there. I guess that’s not the ladder’s fault though.

Anyway, what’s been your biggest disappointing purchase? (No need to name manufacturers, just product types).

 

The off-road factor. It would be nice to use it as a dedicated pavement princess and not spend any money on mods, but..smiles per gallon

 

I never got the ladder or snorkel thing.

 

Not much I can think of. Most of the modifications I have performed are related to travel and storage. Stock suspension here which has performed very well for me, this truck sees a good amount of off road use.

 

Raptor lights are a useless mod I took off after a few months.

I have a full length roof rack and decided not to mount the hatch ladder because I knew I would never use it. It came with the rack so I just sold it. I always mount stuff from the side of my rack anyways.

 

You probably only have to worry about bad mods if you don't do your research on them or perform a simple cause and effect analysis.

Example: Ladders or even sound deadening the hatch adds weight to the door. If you did proper research you knew this already and also bought replacement hydraulic lifters rated to handle the extra weight to open the hatch properly. If you're like me you spend a couple hours sound deadening the hatch and then discover afterwards it only opens 3/4 of the way.

 

love my ladder and Im 6'4", however I camp a ton(atleast 2 w/e a month min.), we use it to get up on the rack and take pics, see farther, and loading for big trips, etc.
Snorkel makes sense if you live in a really dusty enviroment...way cleaner air up high then down in the dusty wheel well

 

"Anyway, what’s been your biggest disappointing purchase?"

Honestly, the 4Runner. Its nice and all, but it's missing something. Bit to much soccer mom styling or the fact that everyone and their soccer mom has one. Can't really put my finger on it, but it hasn't hit me in the feels like most of my old vics.

 

The worst would be a chrome bull bar, 2nd worse would be a bull bar, raptor lights 3rd

 

Not in the runner but the TRD supercharger was kind of a regret on my Tacoma. The truck was slower with it until I changed the pulley but it still never ran correctly. Power was inconsistent.

In the Runner I lightly regret the OEM Audio system only because it limits drawer options. Also I'd like more bass which I can purchase the 2nd sub but again drawer options. I'd just be limited to Goose Gear since they don't use the OEM tie down points for turnbuckles.

EDIT: Wanted to add since someone else bought it up...

Pioneer headunits are the worst mod I have made. I currently have a floating screen unit in the Runner and it sucks. There's always a connection issue through USB to my phone. I'm always having to unplug and plug it back in. The Kenwood unit in my GTO just always works.

 

I don’t understand how anybody makes use of those rear hatch ladders given that most are not rated for the weight of an adult male and are so tiny you might only be able to get 1 foot in 1 rung at a time.

 

T9 headunit... sure it looked great, and it does "work"; but the intermittent frustrations and audio issues I experienced made it more of a headache then anything.

 

My snorkel probably wasn't necessary. Regret it? No, because it was on sale and there's no disadvantage to having it (aside from the carwash ripping the intake end off that one time). But of all the things, it's the one that I had to cut metal for. So if it went wrong, it would have been expensive. But it is the one thing that gets attention when I pull into the mall.

 

GTF out of here with that heresy! I knew you were a Jeeper at heart. Go back to the "engineer" forums. And wear a mask!

 

Lol, clown.

 

Haha lol.

I kinda dig your concern. From certain angles the runner can seem a bit soccer mommy. But then again, when Hummer H2 and H3s were a thing, I swear I only saw those used in soccer mom mode. I mean 100 percent of them had steps that went almost to the ground. So looks can only take you so far in avoiding the soccer shuttle association.

The fact is, the 4runners is a very comfortable vehicle, only slightly less useful than a minivan for family duty. So it will get used for that. The magic thing about the 4runner though, is that it’s a legit off roader, a land cruiser in disguise.

I hope that helps you in finally forsaking jeeps and brings your poor, heretic attitude back in line.

 

Never been a jeep guy and nothing against the runners. Just never got/ get that new kid on Christmas morning feeling.

 

Lol, I was just messin…. What trim 4runner do you have?

 

Off road premi. With a tweak or two. One thing i do like is the parts availability... Or did. Miss digging in the bone yards though.

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/which-accessory-did-you-regret-buying.21865/

For more viewing pleasure.

 

Snorkels always remind me of the Hulkster

 

Yea I hear ya on that.....The 4Runner just ticked most of the boxes I was looking for in a vehicle. I mean it's really nice, I love it, it's extremely capable off-road, but it doesn't give me the "fizz" as James May would say.

I'm wondering for myself if it's just a symptom of getting older. I'm a huge car guy, my first couple of cars I was fanatical about them. And now that I can actually afford nice cars, there's nothing out there that really makes me go "Wow, I have to have that".

 

I get it. I actually really like the way it looks, but driving it...meh. It gets me around, but I don't especially enjoy driving it on a day to day basis, doing normal vehicle stuff.

I look at it as an appliance, or a trusty old tool like an anvil. Not sexy or "fun", but you know the damn thing will last forever.

Not a lot of character or soul, but that's not Toyota's thing.

 

I am 59 and the only vehicle I owned that I was excited about was the 77 Ford Bronco I bought when I was 20. I bought a new 88 4R and it was good vehicle, more truckish than the current 4R's with the removable top. I think the 4R and Tacoma were pretty much the same vehicle back then. I like my 2021 LR Pro! Looks good, drives well and fits my needs, but it is just a vehicle. If I had to get rid of it tomorrow it would not be a big deal. If I had to get rid of my mountain bike tomorrow I would be really bummed!

 

If you're not having fun in your 4Runner, then you're not doing it right.

 

I have 2 with 2nd one being a you live and learn type of deal:

1)Raptor lights from YotaLED. Regretted it immediately after installing. Thought it be cool at first but ended not liking them in the end

2)Agency Power Intake: did its job but was a pain to install since the holes didn't line up on the cover. Intake did its job but did not mate up to my Dobinson's Snorkel. If anyone plans on adding a Snorkel do you research first and see if the Intake and Snorkel Match up unless sticking with stock which matches up perfect.

 

Maybe it's just the one I bought but the American flags that go on the rearmost windows. The first one I put on was crooked, and the second I put on a week later I forgot to use soap and water so it had tons of bubbles and it doesn't look good. The brand I bought off Etsy wasn't pre-cut so that made it all the more difficult. Four hours and $45 wasted.

 

Did somebody say Hogan? Below is when T4R owner meets up with a Wrangler owner at a Farmers Market...you wanna be cool with them, but not that cool

 

I wonder if the new Bronco would give you the feels?