Ballin' on a Budget - Underground TRD Off-Road Hybrid Build

[ropdykex11]

The mindset of this build: Bang for the buck. How capable can I make the new 4Runner platform, without spending way too much on parts? The solution: find stuff that WORKS, without breaking the bank, prioritizing function over form where I can.

Starting off with the TRD Off-Road Hybrid trim level. It delivers the best drivetrain available (same as TRD Pro/Trailhunter), but cuts out all of the fat. Spending money to get what I need, and saving money where I can. Don't need leather seats, advanced tow features, sway bar disconnect, gigantic touch screen, power hatch, etc. Everything in this trim level works for what I want, and is overall reasonably affordable.

This is my daily driver. Overlanding, camping, adventuring, skiing, and my daily commute. I built this to be all-purpose, comfortable, capable, and within reach for my budget. I am not interested in rock-crawling or extreme off-roading, as I have no experience doing so and don't want to run the risk of bricking my daily driver. No lift, rock rails, or suspension upgrades needed. I'll stick to forest roads!

Now let's get into the mods.

Everything was either repurposed from a previous build or bought on sale (discontinued, military discount, etc), and installed by myself where possible. The biggest compromise you might notice is me going with aftermarket crossbars instead of a full frame roof rack. I did this because the full rack is ABSOLUTELY a slippery slope of accessory purchases. The rack itself is almost $1k, molle panels cost $400 each, plus all the individual tool mounts. I got my crossbars for $220, and spent the rest of that $1k+ on other accessories. Stretch the value of the dollar. Does a full rack look badass? Sure. Are you getting a more capable storage solution? Barely. Not worth it IMO.

External: emphasizes the "how much shit can I strap to this car" mindset, balanced with "don't spend $15k on mods."

• Rago Fabrication Exterior Molle Storage Panels (both sides)
• Rhino Rack Vortex Crossbars (59" width, 220lb dynamic load rating for RTT)
• Cloud Nine Camping Co RTT (Bend Oregon, local company, $650 very affordable!)
• Yakima Slim Shady awning (repurposed from old build)
• Yakima Skybox 16 (interchangeable with RTT)
• Toyota OEM skid plates, engine + transmission (for 24+ Landcruiser, fits 25+ 4Runner)
• Falken Wildpeak AT3w LT Tires (on sale, discontinued, RIP)
• Removed air dam (duh), added red accent recovery points

Lighting: driving forest roads at night, increased fog light capability, and a *little* flair.

• Rough Country ditch lights (all external lights wired to open AUX fuses – turn off with battery)
• Rough Country 30" light bar (mount pending)
• Rough Country 6" light bars as reverse lights (mount bracket pending)
• Lasfit Switchback LED turn signals
• 4Runner Lifestyle Sequential turn signals
• Alpharex Doubletap fog lights
• Meso customs overhead lights

Internal: storage up the wazoo, and an upgraded sound system.

• Cali Raised Interior Molle Panels
• Cali Raised Overhead Molle Tray
• Lasfit all-weather floor liners
• Beat Sonic ENA 2T3 Amplifier (makes a HUGE difference, speaker upgrade possible down the line but not needed)
• Rove 4k Dual Front/Rear Dash Cam (with piggyback power off of rear-view mirror)

Performance: with premium fuel brings my estimated HP to almost 400. These REALLY make a difference, it drives like a gigantic Corolla GR. Negligible impact to MPG.

• OTT Stage 1 Tune
• SXTH Element Cold Air Intake

A few others are in the works, but nothing major. I can update this post If anything crazy happens, but feels pretty complete as is.

This thing can go anywhere, do anything, is a baller daily driver, and has taken me from the southern Oregon Cost, to Glacier NP, Banff Alberta, and soon the Yosemite Valley.

Also, a friend 3D printed me my own widdle wadda, and shoutout to @nocoastyota for the sticker

Questions about individual mods, installations, or anything else are welcome!

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[KTRAN]

Love the concept behind and execution of your build. All function no bling. And carries gear like a badass sherpa on your adventures.

 

[Mad Ghost]

• Alpharex Doubletap fog lights

If you don't mind could share your thoughts on performance vs oem and maybe pictures of both colors?

 

[ropdykex11]

Love the concept behind and execution of your build. All function no bling. And carries gear like a badass sherpa on your adventures.

@KTRAN Thanks! It still looks pretty badass IMO.

 

[mightysnopants]

Killer build.
how did you install the sequential mirror turn signals?

 

[Bernie]

The mindset of this build: Bang for the buck. How capable can I make the new 4Runner platform, without spending way too much on parts? The solution: find stuff that WORKS, without breaking the bank, prioritizing function over form where I can.

Starting off with the TRD Off-Road Hybrid trim level. It delivers the best drivetrain available (same as TRD Pro/Trailhunter), but cuts out all of the fat. Spending money to get what I need, and saving money where I can. Don't need leather seats, advanced tow features, sway bar disconnect, gigantic touch screen, power hatch, etc. Everything in this trim level works for what I want, and is overall reasonably affordable.

This is my daily driver. Overlanding, camping, adventuring, skiing, and my daily commute. I built this to be all-purpose, comfortable, capable, and within reach for my budget. I am not interested in rock-crawling or extreme off-roading, as I have no experience doing so and don't want to run the risk of bricking my daily driver. No lift, rock rails, or suspension upgrades needed. I'll stick to forest roads!

Now let's get into the mods.

Everything was either repurposed from a previous build or bought on sale (discontinued, military discount, etc), and installed by myself where possible. The biggest compromise you might notice is me going with aftermarket crossbars instead of a full frame roof rack. I did this because the full rack is ABSOLUTELY a slippery slope of accessory purchases. The rack itself is almost $1k, molle panels cost $400 each, plus all the individual tool mounts. I got my crossbars for $220, and spent the rest of that $1k+ on other accessories. Stretch the value of the dollar. Does a full rack look badass? Sure. Are you getting a more capable storage solution? Barely. Not worth it IMO.

External: emphasizes the "how much shit can I strap to this car" mindset, balanced with "don't spend $15k on mods."

• Rago Fabrication Exterior Molle Storage Panels (both sides)
• Rhino Rack Vortex Crossbars (59" width, 220lb dynamic load rating for RTT)
• Cloud Nine Camping Co RTT (Bend Oregon, local company, $650 very affordable!)
• Yakima Slim Shady awning (repurposed from old build)
• Yakima Skybox 16 (interchangeable with RTT)
• Toyota OEM skid plates, engine + transmission (for 24+ Landcruiser, fits 25+ 4Runner)
• Falken Wildpeak AT3w LT Tires (on sale, discontinued, RIP)
• Removed air dam (duh), added red accent recovery points

Lighting: driving forest roads at night, increased fog light capability, and a *little* flair.

• Rough Country ditch lights (all external lights wired to open AUX fuses – turn off with battery)
• Rough Country 30" light bar (mount pending)
• Rough Country 6" light bars as reverse lights (mount bracket pending)
• Lasfit Switchback LED turn signals
• 4Runner Lifestyle Sequential turn signals
• Alpharex Doubletap fog lights
• Meso customs overhead lights

Internal: storage up the wazoo, and an upgraded sound system.

• Cali Raised Interior Molle Panels
• Cali Raised Overhead Molle Tray
• Lasfit all-weather floor liners
• Beat Sonic ENA 2T3 Amplifier (makes a HUGE difference, speaker upgrade possible down the line but not needed)
• Rove 4k Dual Front/Rear Dash Cam (with piggyback power off of rear-view mirror)

Performance: with premium fuel brings my estimated HP to almost 400. These REALLY make a difference, it drives like a gigantic Corolla GR. Negligible impact to MPG.

• OTT Stage 1 Tune
• SXTH Element Cold Air Intake

A few others are in the works, but nothing major. I can update this post If anything crazy happens, but feels pretty complete as is.

This thing can go anywhere, do anything, is a baller daily driver, and has taken me from the southern Oregon Cost, to Glacier NP, Banff Alberta, and soon the Yosemite Valley.

Also, a friend 3D printed me my own widdle wadda, and shoutout to @nocoastyota for the sticker

Questions about individual mods, installations, or anything else are welcome!

Tell me about that Anker Power Bank in the back. I like their products, but they don’t have anything like this on their website. I’m thinking that having remote power for an induction cooking plate would be a lot easier than a gas stove.

 

[ropdykex11]

Killer build.
how did you install the sequential mirror turn signals?

@mightysnopants easy to pop off the mirrors, this thread helped: https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...nstalled-ft-vinyl-wrapped-gas-cap-cover.3144/

 

[ropdykex11]

Tell me about that Anker Power Bank in the back. I like their products, but they don’t have anything like this on their website. I’m thinking that having remote power for an induction cooking plate would be a lot easier than a gas stove.

@Bernie I like it, got it on sale and had it for a while. Charges up in the back with the included AC adapter into the plug in the back. Hybrid for the win.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FF46FQ9?th=1

 

[C/G]

Awesome build for the buck! Great work.

Question - Where did you get the Assist Grab bars for the front seats? Toyota missed this one.

C/G

 

[ropdykex11]

Awesome build for the buck! Great work.

Question - Where did you get the Assist Grab bars for the front seats? Toyota missed this one.

C/G

@C/G huh, I didn't have to buy them. They came with the truck! Yours were missing?!

 

[ropdykex11]

• Alpharex Doubletap fog lights

If you don't mind could share your thoughts on performance vs oem and maybe pictures of both colors?

@Mad Ghost Don't think I forgot about you! Just had to wait till night time to get the lights on video. Personally I think they are super super bright compared to the OEM, and I especially love the turn signal feature and the yellow light. I basically constantly have them on the yellow light whenever I'm night driving. Got them on sale, and they were great. My only gripe is you have to basically take off the entire bumper to install them, and they need to be aimed after installation. The lights pointed basically directly up on mine, shooting above the headlights. So they needed to be calibrated with the screw on the bottom. Just a Phillips head screwdriver will aim the throw of the lights up or down. If you buy them you'll see.

 

[C/G]

@C/G huh, I didn't have to buy them. They came with the truck! Yours were missing?!

Nope! Limited Hybrid doesn't have them - total PITA.

 

[mightysnopants]

Perfect place for rear camera mount!

 

[ropdykex11]

Update:

Installed:

• Light bar

Pending Install:

• Diode Dynamics HitchMount LED Pod Reverse Kit (C1R + Brake)
• Openroad Panther 3S 13500lb Winch (with battery disconnect)
• CBI Offroad Super Stock Front Bumper (waiting for sale, or Rough Country hidden winch mount)
• Rough Country Twin Compressor, with 4Runer Lifestyle 4 tire fill kit (mounted with BPF compressor mount)

 

[KTRAN]

Update:

Installed:

• Light bar

Pending Install:

• Diode Dynamics HitchMount LED Pod Reverse Kit (C1R + Brake)
• Openroad Panther 3S 13500lb Winch (with battery disconnect)
• CBI Offroad Super Stock Front Bumper (waiting for sale, or Rough Country hidden winch mount)

Please post photos when you take some!

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