Whenever I acquire a new vehicle, typically one of the first things I do is replace the stereo. I’ve never heard a factory sound system that was satisfactory. Additionally, the navigation systems that auto manufacturers come up with usually drive me crazy. You make cars. You’re crap at designing a UX. The stock sound system in the 4Runner is notoriously poor. Multiple owners report back with the same complaints. Theres a significant amount of bass due to the large size of the stock speakers but the system over all sounds flat and muddy. Theres no definition or separation I opt instead for a head unit that supports Apple Car Play. A number of apps support Car Play such as Spotify, Pandora, Apple Maps, Google Maps and many more including off road navigation apps. Its a much more pleasing user experience.

In this install I opted for the Sony XAV-AX1000 (https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV1000/Sony-XAV-AX1000.html) I’ve got the same one in my Subaru. Its a pretty basic model which is all I need. Also really like having a physical volume knob. The only thing I’d change is the USB port on the front of the unit. Wiring a USB cable from the back of the unit into the glove box or somewhere else more discrete would be preferable. That feature can be found with other models. The head unit will supply signal via RCA cables to a 400 watt JL Audio amplifier. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698361/JL-Audio-JD400-4.html The amplifier will push sound to 6.5” Infinity separates in the front doors, surface mounted tweeters in the dash, controlled by an active crossover. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108P6510CM/Infinity-Primus-PR6510CS.html It’ll also route sound back up to the head unit and tap into the factory speaker wire found there to be distributed to the rear doors and the tailgate. I opt for a simpler co-axle style 5.25’ Kenwood speaker https://www.crutchfield.com/p_1131396PS/Kenwood-KFC-1396PS.html Toyota runs those four speakers in series so the 4 speakers are sharing the 3rd and 4th channel from the amp. I had concerns about resistance in this configuration but it seems fine. I added a powered subwoofer by Alpine which will nestle under the front passenger seat: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PWES8/Alpine-PWE-S8.html Signal runs from the pass through on the amp via RCA cables to the sub and power runs from the distribution block on the amp plate.

I purchased almost everything from Crutchfield. They’re definitely the leader in car audio. They’ll add in all the accessories you’ll need to make all this stuff fit your specific application. Their install database is really solid. They also have the necessary kits to make stuff like steering wheel controls work with the head unit of choice.

In addition, I bought a mounting plate from TacoTunes that’s fabricated to fit under the drivers seat and provides a solid place to mount the amp and power distribution block to. TacoTunes also has a ton of install videos on YouTube illustrating all the various aspects of audio install on the 5th Gen 4Runners.

I pulled power through the firewall, via a 4 gauge cable attached directly to the battery with an inline fuse holder. Leaving some slack in anticipation of re-routing it to a secondary battery system sometime in the future. The 4 gauge cable goes to a fused power distribution block which delivers power to the amp and the powered sub.

Overall, I’m extremely happy with this setup. It is probably the best sounding install I’ve ever done. It gets quite loud with great resolution between the highs and lows. A healthy yet not overpowering amount of bass. Theres nothing like cranking it up with the windows down on a warm day. Party on.

I’ve been looking for an off road vehicle for a number of years. Casually browsing online listings and forums. I’d had my heart pretty set on a vintage Land Cruiser. Specifically a 1989 FJ62, preferably with a 5 speed manual transmission. However, when I got serious about acquiring and building out something, I decided that a modern, more reliable platform would be the intelligent choice. I then began the search for a 4Runner. I looked first at the 2020 models. I test drove a 2020 TRD Off Road Premium. I ruled this model out for a couple reasons. Primarily, because the 2020s come with Toyota Safety Sense standard. I’m not a fan of complicated electronics. I don’t want my truck telling me if I’m diverging from my lane or there’s someone in my blind spot. I don’t want it to stop for me if there’s an object in my path. I feel that the reliance on sensors makes people worse drivers. I want to be an active participant in piloting a vehicle. Additionally, any modifications, lifts or suspension upgrades or bumpers, etc mess up the safety sense. I’d rather have a more stripped down platform. And that’s what I found in a 2019 TRD Off Road. It has a real key instead of push button start, no sunroof, no safety sense and yet it has all the off road capabilities that make it such a strong, genuine off road vehicle. It did come with KDSS which I was initially leery of, but upon further research, it seems that KDSS is pretty well liked and problem free. By now most after market parts can work with or around the KDSS.

Also, buying a used vehicle feels better when it comes time to do installs and chop bumpers. Making cuts on something pristine feels wrong somehow. And when you find just the right vehicle with only 13,000 miles on it? Giddyup!

So, on the menu for this rig. Upgraded wheels and tires, new suspension, bumpers front and rear, roof rack, interior sleeping platform, possibly a dual battery setup and auxiliary solar and compressor. We’ll see. My goal is to have a truck where I can bug out and be off the grid and self sustainable for multiple days at a time.

Looking forward to the new adventures.