Any mods / accessory / upgrade regrets?

[Maximus4R]

I use a Lasfit cargo tray in the back on top of the canvasback because they cover up all the gaps and super easy to drag out and wash the drool off.

That’s awesome, thank you!

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[BonRunner]

How dark did you go? I did 3% for my 6" windshield strip, it's really dark. Much darker than the rest of the tint. I like it. I did a lighter one on my Tundra a few years ago, and didn't care for it.

10%. It's not low enough lol.. Darkness is fine for me when the sun is there but I'd have the visor down anyways.

 

[BonRunner]

This photo lives rent free in my head. Your photo game is on point.

Makes me want to find hood swap or even buy one so I can have that sweet hood scoop life.

Appreciates you

 

[VasWander]

I like the heritage grille but you gotta take advantage of unsolicited accessory approvals every chance you get! I really do think the illuminated emblem looks cool at night on the one I’ve seen. Maybe someone I’ll make some backlight heritage letters, wonder if that would end up tacky or cool. a lot of the Bronco owners run backlit letters.

Ya I bought mine used 4K miles and original owner ordered illuminated emblem which at first I wasn't a fan of by now has grown on me and will keep. The PPF is good but I am repairing a lot of chips. Bought Husky Matts bomber had them in my 98 runner. Mud flaps and hood lifters are great. Installing skid plate this weekend and will make a lot more mods with use as needed - I'm old and no longer drive at night so no light needs saving me money!

 

[Nodak]

I had to look it up - theOCDplug Matte Anti-glare.
Its okay, not great not bad. I managed to leave one speck of dust on the screen which annoys me. I doubt anyone else even sees it.

ah ok, i was wondering. dont think anyone that has picked up the screen protech matte version has had any issues with them.

i have the 14in and the MID screen protector on the 23 tundra and its been flawless. the MID screen was a PITA to get on. you really have to drench the MID screen to get it to set correctly vs the 14in screen.

looking at the 25 4R, the curve of the MID screen is not as pronounced as the 23 tundra, so it should go easier this summer when i install it.

the 23 tundra had some decent bubbles, but the summer heat after about 2 months finally removed the bubbles and that was after i used the 2nd screen protector (i bought the double pack for an extra $15)

 

[Nodak]

Interesting. The OEM running boards are one of my favorite options. They are nice and wide and make loading equipment on the roof much easier. I found with my past two 4runners and Tacoma, that the only place I would get seat wear was on the drivers side seat bolsters. You tend to slide over and compress the bolsters when you enter and exit the vehicle. I really like how I can step on the running board and lift over the side bolster when getting in, or exiting the drivers's seat. My wife is around 5'8" and finds it is much easier to get in the 4Runner. It is also a really clean look for the vehicle. Time will tell if there are any mechanical issues.

just grease/lube the pivot points. barely have had mine and this winter has made them groan a little on full extension and full retraction.

dont think they were lubed enough at the factory.

 

[Nodak]

have those same lights on the wife's 23 tundra

 

[get.outside.75]

have those same lights on the wife's 23 tundra

It makes me smile every time I open the door. It's the little things! I am involved with a boxer dog rescue and because we have so many dogs, we had to get to bigger SUV and this 4Runner is truly a FurRunner.

 

[Nodak]

It makes me smile every time I open the door. It's the little things! I am involved with a boxer dog rescue and because we have so many dogs, we had to get to bigger SUV and this 4Runner is truly a FurRunner.

yeah same. i alway keep the back seats folded down, its mostly for the dogs (now dog) for when i took them to get the dogs nails done. crack the back window down so they can stick their heads out and they were happy.

we had a liver GSP and a dalmation colored GSP. had to put the liver one down about a few months ago. her system had gone haywire the last 10 months and 5 different meds and numerous diet changes didnt help. she couldnt keep her urine in check or her excrements either. she would randomly drop either in the house. she would be eating dog food and just drop a puddle while eating.

went thru numerious rugs and what not the past year. happy its over but the wife was extremely sad. it was her primary hunting dog for pheasants. the younger black/white GSP was and is still to high strung to go hunting.

i run the 4Runner lights and she runs the paws on her tundra

 

[Joestac]

Oh I remembered one more thing I regret based on comments here, I regret getting the anti-glare matte screen protector from screenprotech. I know I’m weird, but in direct light all is does is completely wash out the display making it impossible to see anything. At least with the regular protect screen can still see it other than some glare. I went back to the regular after removing the matte one, easier for me to see.

I’m weird, I know.

This is why I have no pulled the trigger on one. I had the anti-glare on my 11" screen in my Outback and it did the same thing. Washed out way too much. Their HD one attracts more fingerprints than the factory. So for now, she is naked.

 

[bakutheleo]

Great feedback here! I will list mine but first a couple questions:

@get.outside.75 That dog paw light I assume is the one from Operation Modout? How big is the paw image on the ground? Does it illuminate the area sufficiently or is the shadow area really dark? That is, I really think that is cool but my practical side wonders if a plain light (which they have) would be better for functionality.

Spigen (and similar) screen protectors: I had not planned on bothering with a screen protector, but after reading the comments here I think I will. I have seen a few comments here as well as online about the matte surface. I am also concerned that the matte surface, even a slight one, would really wash out the screen when direct sun is on it. That is what it is like in my wife's RAV4--can barely read it when sun is on it (happens quite a bit). Might be partly the older technology (RAV4 is a 2020) but still. I am fine with the gloss surface like the stock screen--reflections have really not been a problem. There are plenty of options for both on Amazon, so I am wondering how the Spigen and others fare.

My upgrades:

I am not much into aesthetic upgrades, mostly functional ones. At least not expensive ones.

Muslogy tray behind 14" screen:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYJRLDYC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Really fits well, and looks like it is part of the vehicle. It creates useful space where there was none. I got the version with the red stripe...nice touch. It is of course in full sun, so nothing should go there that cannot be hot, or that you do not want visible to the world.

LasFit cargo area (including back of the rear seats) mats. They seem very good, tough, and stay in place well. I have the hybrid, so it is a little stiff when you want to open the 2 storage areas, but very doable. I am wondering if there are ways to improve that and actually will be sending a couple of suggestions to LasFit on that. The car came with the front and rear foot area mats which seem fine--if they fail then I will replace them as needed.

Cali (I think) ditch light brackets: Were the least expensive I found and are very well made. I (finally) installed them (not hard) but have yet to actually install the lights (maybe this weekend).

Ditch lights: I have several versions of Nilight brand LEDs from Amazon. On sale at the time, but dirt cheap even when not. I bought several patterns to try, and have uses for the others that I do not use on the 4Runner. I am sure the Baja Designs and all those are better quality, maybe (?) last longer, but these are 2 orders of magnitude less expensive than most of those (around $20 for a set of 2, some a little more, some even a little less). When I tested them they are quite bright. If they fail I could replace them many times before I make up the difference--and failure does not mean I am stranded so not a huge consequence.

Front, transfer case, and rear differential OEM skid plates. I was on the fence doing this, as I do not do heavy-duty rock crawling, but still there are a lot of rocks in the desert where I go so protection is certainly not a bad thing. When they were all on sale before Christmas, and with the dealer discount as well, the whole set was about $700 so seemed worthwhile. I got the aluminum front one; would have been even a little less expensive for the steel one but I wanted to save weight (although that amount probably would not make any difference).

Weathertech side window deflectors, headlight protectors, sun shade. Window deflectors fit, look, ad work great--seem to reduce the "hammering" sound if I have a window open a bit, especially the back windows. Should also of course keep rain out if the windows are open slightly. Haven't installed the headlight protectors yet (put it off and lately it has been too cool, although this weekend we are getting really warm weather)--seemed to make sense considering the cost of headlight replacement. Haven't used the shade yet, but tested its fit and it really fits well--completely blocks the windshield. A little expensive but seems very sturdy, and the custom fit is nice.

Heininger Twistep for the dogs (I have Leonbergers and Alaskan Malamutes). Product is excellent, not impressed with their customer service (I believe I have a post on that somewhere in this forum; just search). One warning--their lock does *not* fit theh 4Runner, and the unit does not use a standard hitch pin. It uses a bolt--good as it keeps it rock solid, no movement at all--but bad as you cannot use standard locking (or non) hitch pins. Their lock does not work because, as I found out, the 4Runner hitch is wider than most--it has an extra layer of metal. Their lock is perhaps 1/2" (probably less) too short. I still have to get back to them to let them know, but based on past communications I do not expect them to do anything (or perhaps even care).

Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating: Inexpensive, easy to apply, fared well in a test by ProjectFarm (YouTube), and lasted for months before I noticed water not beading as much. There are very expensive ones that PF tested that did better and claim to last years--may very well be worth it. But the Turtle Wax product is quite good.

 

[get.outside.75]

Great feedback here! I will list mine but first a couple questions:

@get.outside.75 That dog paw light I assume is the one from Operation Modout? How big is the paw image on the ground? Does it illuminate the area sufficiently or is the shadow area really dark? That is, I really think that is cool but my practical side wonders if a plain light (which they have) would be better for functionality.

Spigen (and similar) screen protectors: I had not planned on bothering with a screen protector, but after reading the comments here I think I will. I have seen a few comments here as well as online about the matte surface. I am also concerned that the matte surface, even a slight one, would really wash out the screen when direct sun is on it. That is what it is like in my wife's RAV4--can barely read it when sun is on it (happens quite a bit). Might be partly the older technology (RAV4 is a 2020) but still. I am fine with the gloss surface like the stock screen--reflections have really not been a problem. There are plenty of options for both on Amazon, so I am wondering how the Spigen and others fare.

My upgrades:

I am not much into aesthetic upgrades, mostly functional ones. At least not expensive ones.

Muslogy tray behind 14" screen:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYJRLDYC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

Really fits well, and looks like it is part of the vehicle. It creates useful space where there was none. I got the version with the red stripe...nice touch. It is of course in full sun, so nothing should go there that cannot be hot, or that you do not want visible to the world.

LasFit cargo area (including back of the rear seats) mats. They seem very good, tough, and stay in place well. I have the hybrid, so it is a little stiff when you want to open the 2 storage areas, but very doable. I am wondering if there are ways to improve that and actually will be sending a couple of suggestions to LasFit on that. The car came with the front and rear foot area mats which seem fine--if they fail then I will replace them as needed.

Cali (I think) ditch light brackets: Were the least expensive I found and are very well made. I (finally) installed them (not hard) but have yet to actually install the lights (maybe this weekend).

Ditch lights: I have several versions of Nilight brand LEDs from Amazon. On sale at the time, but dirt cheap even when not. I bought several patterns to try, and have uses for the others that I do not use on the 4Runner. I am sure the Baja Designs and all those are better quality, maybe (?) last longer, but these are 2 orders of magnitude less expensive than most of those (around $20 for a set of 2, some a little more, some even a little less). When I tested them they are quite bright. If they fail I could replace them many times before I make up the difference--and failure does not mean I am stranded so not a huge consequence.

Front, transfer case, and rear differential OEM skid plates. I was on the fence doing this, as I do not do heavy-duty rock crawling, but still there are a lot of rocks in the desert where I go so protection is certainly not a bad thing. When they were all on sale before Christmas, and with the dealer discount as well, the whole set was about $700 so seemed worthwhile. I got the aluminum front one; would have been even a little less expensive for the steel one but I wanted to save weight (although that amount probably would not make any difference).

Weathertech side window deflectors, headlight protectors, sun shade. Window deflectors fit, look, ad work great--seem to reduce the "hammering" sound if I have a window open a bit, especially the back windows. Should also of course keep rain out if the windows are open slightly. Haven't installed the headlight protectors yet (put it off and lately it has been too cool, although this weekend we are getting really warm weather)--seemed to make sense considering the cost of headlight replacement. Haven't used the shade yet, but tested its fit and it really fits well--completely blocks the windshield. A little expensive but seems very sturdy, and the custom fit is nice.

Heininger Twistep for the dogs (I have Leonbergers and Alaskan Malamutes). Product is excellent, not impressed with their customer service (I believe I have a post on that somewhere in this forum; just search). One warning--their lock does *not* fit theh 4Runner, and the unit does not use a standard hitch pin. It uses a bolt--good as it keeps it rock solid, no movement at all--but bad as you cannot use standard locking (or non) hitch pins. Their lock does not work because, as I found out, the 4Runner hitch is wider than most--it has an extra layer of metal. Their lock is perhaps 1/2" (probably less) too short. I still have to get back to them to let them know, but based on past communications I do not expect them to do anything (or perhaps even care).

Turtle Wax 53409 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Spray Coating: Inexpensive, easy to apply, fared well in a test by ProjectFarm (YouTube), and lasted for months before I noticed water not beading as much. There are very expensive ones that PF tested that did better and claim to last years--may very well be worth it. But the Turtle Wax product is quite good.

The paw print is large (20”) and very bright (way brighter than the OEM puddle lights). Not sure how much light the other ones they put out but the paw print is bright! And yes from operation mod out.

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