The 15,000 mile update and parts list

[photorunner]

The 2025 Heritage Blue SR5 that I picked up back in March of 2025 crossed over the 15,000 mile mark this week while I was camping. At the time I bought it, there was a fairly large difference in price between the SR5 trim and the next one up which was the TRD Sport- roughly $12k. I decided to see if I could make an upgraded SR5 using (cheapish) parts from higher trims and high quality aftermarket parts. The first addition was a new set of tires and picking up a spare wheel so I could have a full size spare. The wheel was $199 and I picked up a used tire for $80. I chose Cooper Discoverer Road+ Trail in a modest 255/75 at $235 each. No complaints on the tires whatsoever, they have handled everything from rain to moderate trails perfectly. Looking back I probably should’ve went one size up.
Taking advantage of a Toyota sale gained me front and transmission skid plates for the TH trim at $650. I then picked up the matching rock rails as take offs from a local guy building out his Trailhunter for $440. I tackled the suspension early this spring adding Fox 2.0 rear shocks and Radflo 2.0 sport adjustable front coilovers. This was the biggest expense at $400 and $1150 respectively. Obviously the biggest factor in all these upgrades was being able to do my own labor, which kept the costs low. The remaining upgrades were cosmetic, TRD shifter ($100), TRD center caps ($60) and front window tint ($170). The last thing I swapped in was a TRD air filter that I got on sale for $40. All in I didn’t spend close to the amount that I would have on the next trim level, but that was also knowing going in that I would likely not needing some of the features of the higher trim for what I do.

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[RunnerRocks]

How do the Radflo 2.0's ride compared to stock ?

 

[photorunner]

How do the Radflo 2.0's ride compared to stock ?

I’ve been impressed with the Radflos, definitely an upgrade over stock as far as dampening and rebound. I’m not as sold on the Fox in the rear, they are better though and not super expensive- I might end up upgrading the rear shocks at some point.

 

[Nodak]

difference in self labor vs the oem labor cost and parts up charge.

DIY will always win in cost but turn key solutions exist for those that cannot DIY.

i always say, if you have the know how and time and ability to DIY, always get a SR5 and do all the upgrades yourself.

1. the quality of parts and install cant be beat
2. the cost is usually 1/2 or 2/3 cheaper if you DIY
3. you dont have to jury rig the oem systems to get around the DIY parts
4. you dont have to replace oem parts with new parts, so you are really pay for the item twice to upgrade it
5. usually the final product of your build is most of the time better than the oem built version for the fraction of the cost

 

[photorunner]

difference in self labor vs the oem labor cost and parts up charge.

DIY will always win in cost but turn key solutions exist for those that cannot DIY.

i always say, if you have the know how and time and ability to DIY, always get a SR5 and do all the upgrades yourself.

1. the quality of parts and install cant be beat
2. the cost is usually 1/2 or 2/3 cheaper if you DIY
3. you dont have to jury rig the oem systems to get around the DIY parts
4. you dont have to replace oem parts with new parts, so you are really pay for the item twice to upgrade it
5. usually the final product of your build is most of the time better than the oem built version for the fraction of the cost

I agree -- I have been fortunate to be able to do the work on the upgraded parts myself, or when 2 sets of hands are needed, a friend. In the last 25 years I've worked on 3 4Runners and a Tacoma and it's saved me a boatload of money over that time vs paying for labor. The 5th gen I owned was the only upmarket trim I've owned and of course I wasted money by replacing a bunch of parts, lol. But for those who aren't able to DIY it's pretty nice to get a capable rig right outta the box.

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