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What did you do to your 6th Gen 4Runner today?? 👨🏻🔧 🧰 🛠
My TRD ORP Hybrid turned one year yesterday so figure it deserves some attention.
Notably, I had my first opportunity to use the tow tech package features - I really liked the help from the Trailer Reverse Assist function. Calibration took very little time and effort and having the feature made it possible to back into my driveway in the dark. I used Tow Haul mode for a while but found that the engine never shut off even when coasting downhill and given the relatively light weight of the trailer (maybe 1500#) I really didn't need the extra RPMs - I had no issue cruising at 70 on I-95 in regular drive mode (and accelerating to change lanes when needed).
I also took the opportunity to check all the fluid levels, and clean the hybrid air intake filters.
I had recently replaced the cabin air filter because I had "rattling" when the defrost fan was on high and discovered this disconcerting site:
Looked like mice had chewed through the filter (no idea how they got into this spot). I figured the rattling was the pieces of filter in the fan. I was wrong. Turns out that my fan was a food storage location. Note that vehicle is garaged every night so they must be in my garage - where they must have gotten into the dog food.
Below is view looking down from inside glove box where cabin air filter goes. Removing the fan was unfortunately necessary to remove the debris. Not hard but need to be a bit of a contortionist and use some stubby tools to get to the 3 8 mm bolts holding the fan assembly up.
So... Happy Birthday Mr. Blue. Someday I owe the forum a thread with all the mods but this is what I did to my 4Runner "today".
Notably, I had my first opportunity to use the tow tech package features - I really liked the help from the Trailer Reverse Assist function. Calibration took very little time and effort and having the feature made it possible to back into my driveway in the dark. I used Tow Haul mode for a while but found that the engine never shut off even when coasting downhill and given the relatively light weight of the trailer (maybe 1500#) I really didn't need the extra RPMs - I had no issue cruising at 70 on I-95 in regular drive mode (and accelerating to change lanes when needed).
I also took the opportunity to check all the fluid levels, and clean the hybrid air intake filters.
I had recently replaced the cabin air filter because I had "rattling" when the defrost fan was on high and discovered this disconcerting site:
Looked like mice had chewed through the filter (no idea how they got into this spot). I figured the rattling was the pieces of filter in the fan. I was wrong. Turns out that my fan was a food storage location. Note that vehicle is garaged every night so they must be in my garage - where they must have gotten into the dog food.
Below is view looking down from inside glove box where cabin air filter goes. Removing the fan was unfortunately necessary to remove the debris. Not hard but need to be a bit of a contortionist and use some stubby tools to get to the 3 8 mm bolts holding the fan assembly up.
So... Happy Birthday Mr. Blue. Someday I owe the forum a thread with all the mods but this is what I did to my 4Runner "today".
It was epic. Lots of new scrapes on the rock sliders and skid plates**.
The jeepers were impressed with the performance of the "stock" (no lift) 4Runner. (listen at 1:20 or so - hope the video works) It seems I'm always in a group with only jeeps.
Mike coming down the bowl at Potts Mtn
** As it would happen, I think the only skid that did not get abused was the rear diff skid I installed just before this trip after spying this damage from a previous outing:
The jeepers were impressed with the performance of the "stock" (no lift) 4Runner. (listen at 1:20 or so - hope the video works) It seems I'm always in a group with only jeeps.
Mike coming down the bowl at Potts Mtn
** As it would happen, I think the only skid that did not get abused was the rear diff skid I installed just before this trip after spying this damage from a previous outing:
I was holding out hope that someone would make me a front hitch, but in the end I gave up and started planning for carrying stuff in the back.
Kuat swing away, Harbor Freight cargo rack, aluminum mesh to keep the small bits from dropping through, and a Curt hitch pin tensioner to keep the cargo rack from rattling. The swing away has a tightening mechanism to keep it from rattling and it can be rotated to two different positions. Might even keep the grill on it while on the beach and use it for grilling as it seems to be at a pretty good height. The rack used to live on the front of our JKU that had a front hitch - hence the red corner markers to help me not forget it was up there when easing up to cars in traffic! Might even keep them on to help folks behind me from not seeing it.
Kuat swing away, Harbor Freight cargo rack, aluminum mesh to keep the small bits from dropping through, and a Curt hitch pin tensioner to keep the cargo rack from rattling. The swing away has a tightening mechanism to keep it from rattling and it can be rotated to two different positions. Might even keep the grill on it while on the beach and use it for grilling as it seems to be at a pretty good height. The rack used to live on the front of our JKU that had a front hitch - hence the red corner markers to help me not forget it was up there when easing up to cars in traffic! Might even keep them on to help folks behind me from not seeing it.
Got the Pro grill put on the Limited. That chrome grill was the only thing I hated about my 4Runner. What a relief 
Also put on the Land Cruiser front skid plate
SCS F5s and some 285/70/R17 on the way…
before:
during
Also put on the Land Cruiser front skid plate
SCS F5s and some 285/70/R17 on the way…
before:
during
Last edited:
- First Name
- Greg
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2026
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- Pittsburgh
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Nice work my man! What a beast.It was epic. Lots of new scrapes on the rock sliders and skid plates**.
The jeepers were impressed with the performance of the "stock" (no lift) 4Runner. (listen at 1:20 or so - hope the video works) It seems I'm always in a group with only jeeps.
Mike coming down the bowl at Potts Mtn
** As it would happen, I think the only skid that did not get abused was the rear diff skid I installed just before this trip after spying this damage from a previous outing:
Mr. Wolfe
i just received my WT window deflectors for my 2025 4R today but yet to install. looks great!Added WeatherTech window visors and some black door handle covers (Amazon).
New updates from Westcott:
Full length low profile rack
Rock Sliders
Driver's side hitch swing out for two jerry cans and a spot in the middle for the floor jack (I have to order the mount that has locking capabilities).
Full length low profile rack
Rock Sliders
Driver's side hitch swing out for two jerry cans and a spot in the middle for the floor jack (I have to order the mount that has locking capabilities).
Let's see what you've done to your 4runner today / lately ? 
The running boards disappeared too!Got the Pro grill put on the Limited. That chrome grill was the only thing I hated about my 4Runner. What a relief
Also put on the Land Cruiser front skid plate
SCS F5s and some 285/70/R17 on the way…
before:
during
Real easy for mice to get in there through the air inlet above that filter.My TRD ORP Hybrid turned one year yesterday so figure it deserves some attention.
Notably, I had my first opportunity to use the tow tech package features - I really liked the help from the Trailer Reverse Assist function. Calibration took very little time and effort and having the feature made it possible to back into my driveway in the dark. I used Tow Haul mode for a while but found that the engine never shut off even when coasting downhill and given the relatively light weight of the trailer (maybe 1500#) I really didn't need the extra RPMs - I had no issue cruising at 70 on I-95 in regular drive mode (and accelerating to change lanes when needed).
I also took the opportunity to check all the fluid levels, and clean the hybrid air intake filters.
I had recently replaced the cabin air filter because I had "rattling" when the defrost fan was on high and discovered this disconcerting site:
Looked like mice had chewed through the filter (no idea how they got into this spot). I figured the rattling was the pieces of filter in the fan. I was wrong. Turns out that my fan was a food storage location. Note that vehicle is garaged every night so they must be in my garage - where they must have gotten into the dog food.
Below is view looking down from inside glove box where cabin air filter goes. Removing the fan was unfortunately necessary to remove the debris. Not hard but need to be a bit of a contortionist and use some stubby tools to get to the 3 8 mm bolts holding the fan assembly up.
So... Happy Birthday Mr. Blue. Someday I owe the forum a thread with all the mods but this is what I did to my 4Runner "today".
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