Build opinions for 5thgen TRD Pro.

[Bowhunter21]

Hello everyone I have been watching the forums for almost two years now and my trip is finally getting close so this is my first post.
I am in the final stages of planning my next trip it will be a 8month-1 year+ trip traveling to all the national parks in the continental US followed by driving the rest of the Alaska road system that I haven’t traveled yet. I am going to be buying a 2019 4runner TRD Pro as soon as the money making season is over up here(AK) and building it in Florida before I start the drive.
I am looking for advise on the build as I am wanting to keep cost down and capability up. I am moderately skilled in off-roading and want to be able to get in the back country of the parks and BLM land that I haven’t been able to reach on previous trips. as well as be self sustained for 7-10 days at a time.
At the moment my shopping list looks like this.

Lopro front winch bumper
Dual battery system
Pelfrybilt rear bumper
Arb(or similar) fridge
Icon overland rear springs
Full aluminum skid plates
Sliders
Soft top RTT on a slimline rack
Partner propane stove.

It will be myself and my wife traveling and living full time in the rig on the road. Is there any other additions that I will need for sure or will that have me pretty set on it.
I am mechanically inclined and Will be doing all the build myself.
Thanks in advance and for all the great posts that I have enjoyed over the last years.

 

[bkg]

This may sound rude... if you’re trying to keep costs down, don’t start with a brand new $50k vehicle.

 

[Dalko43]

Weight is your enemy with the 4runner.

Get a southern-style bumper/winch mount, 9k lb winch, a good set of A/T's, and call it a day. You really don't need to fiddle with the suspension; it works very well if you stay within the OEM's payload rating.

A fridge can be plugged into the 4runner's rear outlet if you want to go that route; you will need a separate battery to keep it charged when the engine is off.

 

[JduRunner]

My .02 cents. The icon springs are going to give 3" of lift in the back. If you leave the front suspension stock the rear, even loaded is going to sit far higher than the front. Not to mention that the stock TRD Pro shocks are going to be too short for those springs too. If you are worried about adding weight, and upgrading the suspension to handle it, just buy a trail edition and upgrade it to the suspension of your choice. It will still come in cheaper than buying a TRD Pro. The price premium of a Pro to get the suspension and different grill is far more than buying a "lesser" model and upgrading the suspension on it.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I looked at Tacomas and 4Runners last year... ended up spending many thousands less and got a crew cab f150. I now have a vehicle withfar more interior room than either Yota, but I also get better fuel economy and can tow/haul more.

Just some food for thought.

Also, for what you are planning you can use a 100% stock vehicle. Don't get caught in the expomindset where you have to bolt on fancy trinkets in order to go down a dirt road than a Subaru Forested can go. Spend your money on fuel, food, and the occasional hotel so you can have a real bed and shower every now and then ?

 

[bkg]

For the $65k budget you have, I’d buy a used 4x4 camper/van. Could even get into a nice, low mileage HOST for about that price with some good negotiation.

 

[jsnow]

I have found the TRD Pro suspension is a waste of money when you start adding on accessories. If you are buying a new vehicle just the the Off Road, and upgrade the suspension with something that will support the weight of the vehicle.

 

[Over The Silent Planet]

I agree with the others who say the TRD Pro might not be right for what you want to do. Why pay a premium for parts you're going to replace anyway (like the suspension)? I haven't had any problems in national parks/BLM lands with 5100s, OME 883s up front, and Wheeler's T13/Airlift in the rear, and I'm driving a 2012 SR5 with stock size LT all-terrains, skids, sliders, and no lockers (yet). Your mileage may vary, of course.

I'd start with

• A good stock size all-terrain tire
• Bilstein 5100s all the way around
• Airlift bags in the rear
• Sliders
• Skids
• rear differential breather mod

Those airlift bags are pretty amazing. I wish I'd installed them sooner. If you don't have them and your springs are just right for being fully loaded, you'll have more severe rake when unloaded. If you don't have them and your springs are just right for riding unloaded, you'll have reverse rake and blind oncoming drivers at night with your low beams. They're less than $100, easy to install, and give you a better ride in all situations.