Worst. Mod. Ever?

Those pics are like the expectation vs. reality meme, lol.

That was my expectation when buying the 4R.

I live in Rhode Island. Replace all your pics with ones of a 4Runner in a work parking lot, the grocery store parking lot, Dunkin' drivethru, stuck in traffic on 195 during a 30 mile commute, and you'll see my reality.

NONE of that is made any less terrible by driving a 4Runner.

 

Even though some of us don't always get the opportunity to utilize our 4Runners to the fullest, it's nice knowing we have vehicle that can deliver should the need arise.

 

Ladders are so lame. I enjoy pointing them out to my wife and then both of us having a good laugh. I've never seen one that appeared even remotely useable, or that looked like it had ever been used. I especially like the ladder as a mounting point for a never-used and likely empty Rotopax.

 

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I bought it. I don't get to do that any of those things on any type of regular basis, but I will eventually haha. I'm actually going on an off road trip in a few weeks up in central Middle-of-Nowhere Maine, so I'll post some pics when I'm back. This will be my first event with the 4Runner.

I do a lot of this though...

 

I built a sleeping platform for a camping trip in Wyoming. Used it once. Slept in my hammock or tent the rest of the time.

I also did a DIY breather for the rear diff using rubber fuel line and a cheap air filter that is housed in the engine bay. Should have just gone with the ARB kit. It would have been cheaper and less of a pain to install.

 

Not a fan of the Pro grill mod. Looks too wanna-be for me.

I like my ladder - great for that Trash-a-roo that you never knew you needed, till you start picking up trash from the trails and camp. Also a "better to have and not need" for spare fuel / zombie apocalypse.

 

i recently ordered a Gobi rack and the ladder comes with it. I like that it is somewhat useful to get on top of the rack (I will need to do that a lot when camping, etc…) and don’t necessarily mind the look of it if I’m going on a camping trip. However, I hate the look of it when using the 4R in the city, or for errands. It looks cheesy IMO. My daily commuter is a motorcycle but I do take the 4R once in a while to go to the store when the wife is at work with her car. I wish I could add and remove the ladder whenever I wanted. I would only put it on trips and when I actually need to get on the roof

 

The ladder…only used it twice in a couple years. The overhead molle was a waste too. I have a pouch on there that I keep sunglasses in…wooop woop lol

 

Ha! I saw the thread come back up and immediatly thought I have a regret now! Before I said that Ive been liking my mods so far…but since then I bought molle panels for the rear windows.

They sure look the part, but man are they a pain in the ass. Even putting a molle specific bag on them pisses me off…what a pain. Im going to keep them on since I have already gone through the trouble of organizing and mounting a couple of different things. For now Im just looking for some decent bags I can put up there as miscellaneous storage, which is basically what I need and is most convenient.

But be warned, molle panels are basically an expensive hanger that requires you think of a custom mounting solutions for each damn item lol you decide to mount. Way too much work. It’s honestly just as convenient to make your own panels out something, which would give you the advantage of making it in a way that is easier to mount stuff to, and reorganize easier.

 

Every bit of the 1k lbs of mileage robbing mods, now that gas is
1 MIIIIILLLLLIIIION dollars a gallon.
Most useful: 52 qt fridge, solar panel on the rack and Victron MPPT for the secondary. (I guess the Baja Rack too).
Least useful: CB radio lol. Although the Firestik on the back hatch makes me look ALMOST as cool as a Jeeper.

 

CTH wannabe TRD engine skid. Hated the look 5 minutes after installing it. Which, unfortunately, required disassembling part of my truck just to get it installed. Put the taken off parts back on, got rid of the skid.

 

I installed my bull-bar. Borrowed my neighbors new impact gun cross threaded and destroyed the main frame bolt and threads. Well, it’s on there now, welded.

 

We did the old stick a wire in the hole and the bolt will tighten. I’m gonna retap it later.

 

Made out of PVC. Attached to LR quarter glass using large suction cup. More time spent on what to put on it than the design - but needed something to do so...



Sorry, tried to flip image but apparently that's above my paygrade...

 

I had molle panels and a shelf on my Pro and sold them a few weeks later because the shelf block my view out the back and would move while driving which really messed with my OCD. Now I'm in a SR5P and I bought a Victory 4x4 drivers side molle panel only because it was cheap and I really needed a place to hang my hatchet. HAHA. And a place to store towels behind. Its functional and I don't regret this molle purchase, but the shelf was not what I thought it would be.

 

Nerf Bar with Steps for the LOSS...

 

I am keeping her Plain Jane! Part of my rationale for buying a Pro. I have had her for just over 12 months now and I will definitely de-mod the Predator Steps any day now and I want to remove the Pro Roof Rack as well.

 

Sold my predator steps on the first week of owning it (ordered angled rock slider from Westcott Design, should be getting them in July)
Ordered a Gobi rack this week and will sell my TRD Pro rack when I get it.

 

My worst mod so far was a screen protector from screen pro tech. A bit expensive but definitely wanted one that protected more than just the nav display as I start seeing small scratches everywhere.
Nav protector was easy to install, same for the dual climate screen. However the instrument cluster was way too frustrating. I tried 3 times and kept seeing bubbles or imperfections. My OCD couldn't take it anymore so I ripped it off out of frustration and now I'm back with no screen protector on the instrument cluster and $50 poorer when I could've got a nav tempered glass on Amazon for 10 bucks.

Could've been a great "mod" if it wasn't a pain in the butt to install perfectly

 

I wanted to take off the Predator Steps immediately, but just haven't gotten around to it. I disliked the Pro Rack even before I bought it and vowed to remove immediately as well. I was hoping it would grow on me, but it hasn't. I would have ordered a full rack, ie Sherpa, Prinsu, or SOS, but I really don't feel I have a need for it. The 4R is for my sole use and I can put whatever I functionally need inside of it for mtn biking, skiing, hunting, fishing, etc. It would be aesthetically nice to put a modest lift and bigger tires on; but added cost, worse MPG, rising gas prices, added wear and tear, and diminished value makes keeping her Plain Jane the most sense - for me anyway!

 

I don’t like my predator steps but my 8 year old has little legs. As soon as she can get up without having to climb, I’m selling them!

 

Ladders......on a truck where you can step up on the bumper or rear tire.

 

I already said earlier in the thread that the ladder was a silly mod that I didn't install with my roof rack. Instead, I purchased a Moki door jam step which has been way more practical and useful.

 

I hated the TRD pro rack as well before buying the 4R. It grew on me ever-so slightly but I still don't love the look compared to most aftermarket racks and it is far from being the most practical one out there.
In fact, I actually like the look of the 4R best without any roof rack. And if I didn't need for one, I would go that route
The only advantage of the Pro rack is that there is NO wind noise whatsoever. I am actually quite scared about the wind noise on the Gobi rack from what I read. I ordered a "no rise" hoping that i would help with wind noise (also, I prefer the look of it and functionality)

PS: I see that you have a 1UP bike rack. I recently acquired one, and it is one of the best thing I bought so far.

 

Bumper to get on top of the roof? I'm sure it's doable but far from practical. Rear tire, yes, if it can support the added weight of an adult climbing on it? Maybe I'll go that route in a few years when I get bigger tires that don't fit in the spare location

Edit: just realized you were talking about the rear tires and not a rear spare attached on a swing out. That's what I do already to mount stuff on the roof rack, but not ideal to actually get on top of the roof

 

The 1UP rack is fantastic! Very pleased with it!

I always find my eyes drawn to the Pro Roof Rack on every Pro I see and it is incongruous with the lean linear look of the 4R. I feel it is like a crown that says look at me - I am a Pro! The 4R's I have seen (in photos) with no roof rack at all look very sleek. Totally agree that they look great with no rack at all. If I needed a rack I would keep it or replace it, but I don't foresee a need for it. We have had a Suburban for 20 years and we would mount the skis on top (they also fit inside) and Christmas trees on top (we now have a fake tree).

I have been wondering if there is any MPG advantages and noise reduction with the Pro Rack and Predator Step removal. I would think minor, but the noise is a non-issue! The stupid ass Pro exhaust drowns out the whatever wind noise there maybe!

 

Yeah, accessing it from the side seems way more practical than trying to balance on that little ladder to get up from the back. Even having a slider with a kick out gives me a great spot to stand to access the roof.

I'll give the ladder credit as being a handy place to hang one of those trasharoo bags if you don't have a rear mount spare.

 

I certainly like the look of the pro rack and I find it pretty functional, however I still haven't looked in to how to attach any aftermarket stuff to it. So far I've only used it to cary containers, recovery gear, and stuff from home depot or other stores. The bike rack I have is a hitch-mount (way easier to get bikes on/off than the roof.) But what about Skis or a Kayak? I haven't gone there yet.

The Pro rack ads a significant amount of height making it a bit challenging for shorter parking garages.

 

I actually like my ladder. It's nice get up on the roof rack and organize my camping gear, take photos, etc.
The only mod I don't like is my nerf bars. They're only on because the Mrs. is a shorty lol. Soon enough I'll get some actual sliders

 

Lamest mods (not in any particular order): roof top tents, rack mounted canopy, snorkel, ladder, replacement shift knobs.