What Order of Upgrades Would You Make

[Latetom]

I am interested in knowing what everyone thinks I should add to my 4Runner and the order I should (money is always an issue) purchase and install.

I am driving from Tangiers, Morocco to Cape Town, South Africa. I will leave Tangiers in the first week of Sept. 2020 and arrive in Cape Town in late Feb. 2021.

I am driving a 2014 Toyota 4Runner that I bought in 2016 and had outfitted for overlanding. Work done in 2016 includes:

• 4Runner came equipped with Skid Plates & Back-up Camera
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• OME 2885 Medium Duty Front 3” Springs
• OME 90010 X2 Front 3” Medium Struts
• OME 2898 Rear Heavy Load 3” Springs
• OME 60081 Rear Heavy Shocks
• OME Shock Stone Guards
• 
  
• BFG99728 285/70/17 KO2 All Terrain Tires – replaced in Feb 2020 in Spain
• Sliders
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• 2cd Battery & associated Wiring & IBS Dual Battery Management System
• Blue Sea Dual USB Charger Socket – 3 each
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• Zero Dark 30” Terminator Light Bar
• Front lamps, Fog lights, & Interior Lights – to replace with LED in Feb 2020 in Spain (carrying w/me on plane)
• 
  
• ARB 50 QT Fridge/Freezer
• Tembo Tusk Standard Pull Front Slide w/Cutting Board
• ARB Fridge/Freezer Tie-Down Kit
• 1 Marinco SeaLink Delux USB Charger & 12v Receptacle
• 
  
• FRO Full Length Roof Rack
• Gobi 5th Gen 4Runner Rear Ladder
• UWS Roof Mounted Storage Foot Locker
• RotoPAX; roof mounted – Gasoline Packs/4 gal – 2 each
• RotoPAX; roof mounted– Water Pack 2 gal
• FRO Stratchit Utility Straps – 4 each
• FRO Under Rack Stainless Steel Camp Table & Storage Slide
• ARB 4401A – 2500 Awning
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• Weathertech front & back Floor Mats
• Dynamat (sound proofing) material
• Raingler Cargo Barrier Net
• FRO Cub Storage Box & 2 FRO Wolf Storage Boxes
• 
  
• Viair 40048 – 400P Portable Air Compressor
• 2.5 LB MaxOut Fire Extinguisher
• 
  
• Hi-Lift Offroad Base
• Hi-Lift Jack – added in Feb 2020 in Spain
• MaxTrack Traction Ramps – 2 each – bought in Australia in 2016
• Rugged Ridge 11234.01 Receiver Shackle
• Jumper Cables
• Yellow Warning Vest
• Warning Triangles – 3 each
• LED Emergency Beacon
• Recovery Strap
• Tire repair kit
• Hand Tools, Tie Wire, Rope, Duct Tape, WD-40, Electrical Fuses, and for a full listing see http://iwontgo55.com/days-things-go-bad/
• 
  
• Console Vault – locking insert to 4Runner console
• Locking spare key box (outside of 4Runner)
• Pad Lock that opens with ignition key
• Chain and Lock that opens with ignition key
• Locking license plate holders – front and rear
• Locking Gas Cap (haven’t used but may on this drive)
• 3M Crystaline Front Windshield Film
• 3M SAC 35 and 5 REST Security Film
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• Visor Storage – driver’s side
• Blue Ridge Attic Storage (mesh compartment for storing coats, hats, etc.)
• Blue Ridge Medium Hook Pouch – 1 each & attached to Headrest Bag
• Blue Ridge Overland Gear – Headrest Bag – 2 each
• Blue Ridge Overland Gear – Bottle/Umbrella/etc holder
• 
  
• IPhones for Navigation using Google Maps
• Maps.me added in Jan. 2020
• IPhone dashboard mount

Before trip I had all belts, hoses, and brakes replaced. Brake work done in Australia, Nepal, Italy & Spain All belts & hoses replaced in Barcelona, Spain in August 2019.

My thoughts (and dreams) of upgrades include but are not limited to:

CBI Offroad Bushmaster 2.0 Rear Bumper w/Dual Swing Away (&drop table) -- $2500
CBI Offroad Moab 2.0 Front Bumper -- $1500
Hood Lock
ARB Safari Snorkel -- $575

(New) Differential – Detroit TrueTrac -- $900
4.56 Ratio Nitro Gears (or what ever will be best for increased weight)
Locking Front & Rear Differentials

Extra or enlarged replacement gas tank -- $400
Solar panels -- $500

Lighting – all LED -- $2000

Additional back-up lights – Rigid SR-M Flush Mounted Flood Lights​

ExtremeLED pods on each side for external lighting; camp lighting​

Ditch lights​

Front bumper lights or rack lights​

Fan (for sleeping in car during the West Africa drive) -- $25

Shovel (have a collapsible shovel & knock on wood haven’t had to use) & FRO mounting hardware to existing Rack

Flag Pole Mount & Flag Pole (should have had in Australia)

Camp Stove (bought one in Australia but couldn’t ship in container to Singapore so gave it away)

New front seats – Scheel-Mann -- $4000 -- A true dream!!! (My wife's back isn't the best back)

And of course, anything you would do I haven’t done or don’t list as a potential to do?

My wife and my plan is to stay in various types of lodging. We do carry a tent and sleeping bags.
I will most likely drive the first three+ months by myself, pick my wife up at an airport in Nigeria, on to Cameroon and she will then fly out of Gabon; about six weeks. I will continue to drive to Cape Town and fly home for two months. Total time of drive is approximately 6.5 months.
Both of us will then return to Cape Town for approximately four months of exploring the southern part of Africa in 2021.

Our drive around the world began in May 2016 in Japan (4 wks), Australia (picked up our 4Runner and 6 months); Indonesia (3 wks while 4Runner on a ship to Singapore)
2017 Singapore (picked up our 4Runner) & Malaysia (3 months) including Cambodia (2 wks w/out the 4Runner); India/Nepal/India (6 months); & Italy (6 wks) and USA (2 months);
2018 USA (1 month); London (3 wks); Rome (2 wks) & picked up 4Runner and Italy & Sicily (2 months); Tunisia (3 wks); Italy (1 month) Solvenia/Croatia/Bosnia/Hungary (2 months); USA (2.5 months); Hungary/Croatia/Slovenia/Austria/Germany/Austria/ Italy/France/Spain (3 months), USA (2 months)
2019 USA (9 months – damn doctors); Spain/Portugal (2.5 months); USA (1.5 months)
2020 USA (1 month) & leave for Spain/Morocco/Western Sahara/Morocco/Spain on 29 Jan. 2020

And yes, we will turn 69 & 72 in Morocco. Hey, you only live once.

Some of you helped me before we began our trip and therefore looking for more great help.

 

[phsycle]

Not sure what you should do (if anything). But super excited for your trip. You do only live once and it seems you are doing it right! Safe travels.

 

[Tex68w]

It's hard to say what should be given precedence without knowing the level of difficulty and what types of terrain you're tackling in your travels. A lot of those options are very valid and worthwhile but quite a few of them are very expensive and should be considered extremely necessary in order to be rushed and justified prior to your next departure especially if money is an issue as you claim. Consider what gives you the most valuable overall improvement as well as what will give you the most bang for your buck. I'll comment on your list with my thoughts.

CBI Offroad Bushmaster 2.0 Rear Bumper w/Dual Swing Away (&drop table) -- $2500 Long lead times, might not arrive prior to your departure, added weight/spring upgrade
CBI Offroad Moab 2.0 Front Bumper -- $1500 See reply above
Hood Lock Don't see the point
ARB Safari Snorkel -- $575 Easy install, cleaner air, need is subjective and personal

(New) Differential – Detroit TrueTrac -- $900 Have you encountered situations where you needed it?
4.56 Ratio Nitro Gears (or what ever will be best for increased weight) A valuable upgrade but pricey and need proper break-in
Locking Front & Rear Differentials Have you needed them in the past? Expensive

Extra or enlarged replacement gas tank -- $400 Extra fuel is nice but it comes with added weight, spring change. Pricey, LRA aux fuel tank is $1900 before install
Solar panels -- $500 Are your current electrical needs being met?

Lighting – all LED -- $2000 4Runner headlights lights suck, I would never bash this upgrade on a T4R, pricey

Additional back-up lights – Rigid SR-M Flush Mounted Flood Lights I support this and rather inexpensive
ExtremeLED pods on each side for external lighting; camp lighting Subjective, never found the need, headlamps work well
Ditch lights Not necessary IMHO
Front bumper lights or rack lights Two additional front aux lights or upgraded fogs is really all one needs

Fan (for sleeping in car during the West Africa drive) -- $25 No brainer, look at battery powered or USB units

Shovel (have a collapsible shovel & knock on wood haven’t had to use) & FRO mounting hardware to existing Rack E-Tool

Flag Pole Mount & Flag Pole (should have had in Australia) Cheap and easy

Camp Stove (bought one in Australia but couldn’t ship in container to Singapore so gave it away) Must have, inexpensive

New front seats – Scheel-Mann -- $4000 -- A true dream!!! (My wife's back isn't the best back) Valuable upgrade if you can afford and justify it


As someone who also suffers from a bad back and hip I can relate to your wife's ailment. I know that the factory 4Runner seats aren't very comfortable, but that's a lot of scratch for some seats so make sure you sit in some before you spring for them. Maybe look into swapping out for GX460 seats, they might swap in with no modification and are much more comfortable than the factory 4Runner seats. It's hard to put a price on your comfort. I think better lighting is a must on the 5th Gen, whether or not that means added LED auxiliary lighting or upfit replacement head lights is for you to decide, but I would definitely consider that a valuable upgrade. While regearing is valuable in regards to recovering power and possibly fuel economy it is also very expensive. If you are going to regear then I would spring for the locker(s) at the same time.

Ask yourself what you longed for the most on the last leg of your excursion. Which upgrade(s) do you deem the most valuable for your travel needs? A few of those items are a no brainer and rather inexpensive and should be added without question. Best of luck with your project and safe travels on your upcoming adventures.

 

[Latetom]

Tex68w, Thank you for your thoughts. I do believe your best recommendation or comment is:

"Ask yourself what you longed for the most on the last leg of your excursion. Which upgrade(s) do you deem the most valuable for your travel needs?"

I feel like this West Africa drive has the potential to be a very different drive than our previous drives. I believe the roads will be rougher, most likely will encounter mud, less likely to break down where a mechanic will be available, and then again maybe as I get older I am worrying more.

As I have noted before (and at least one other poster has noted back in early 2016) I am probably the least automotive intelligent gal or guy on this forum. And when it comes to using tools I am more likely to screw things up more than fix them.

Back to your "Ask yourself what you longed for the most ....." Answer, "nothing" other than maybe a better back for my wife. So I am going to investigate the seats you noted above.

I have purchased new lamps for front lights, low and high beam, fog, and interior. Will carry these lamps with me and install in Spain. The older I get the more light is something I appreciate.

I do believe I will add additional lights, in this case I believe "more is better". Most likely will not add the camp lighting on the sides of the 4Runner -- we try to avoid camping at all cost, we are creatures of comfort.

I don't know if this is a "need" or just a "want" but I would like to replace the existing rear bumper with a bumper and dual swing away. I want to get my spare tire out from underneath the 4Runner to an easier place to get to it. I would like to get the emergency/extra water or the spare gas containers off the roof rack and lower to the ground -- this is a shifting of weight from high to lower and again, easier to access. Being almost 69 years old I am not as limber as I once was and staying off the rear roof ladder is a good thing. The bumper/swing away I noted above isn't what I have to have but an example -- anyone with a recommendation please let me know what you recommend. Weight is a prime consideration.

So, unless someone has a different set of thoughts/recommendations I am thinking:

Additional lights -- yes
New seats -- yes, if I can something that makes a drive easier on my wife's back
Rear bumper/swing away -- yes, if I can find something available in my time frame and budget

and as you noted the easy things such as:
fan - yes
camp stove - yes
shovel - most likely

Looking for recommendations for seats and rear bumper/swing away. I will have this work done in Spain or Morocco and therefore will most likely have these items shipped to one of these countries.

Additional note: we are thinking of driving West Africa in Sept 2020 - Feb 2021, southern Africa in 2021, and maybe Ethiopia to Egypt in early 2022 -- all depends on how fast we get old.

Again, thank you.

 

[luthj]

Sounds like a great trip.

That rig sounds really heavy. Whats your weight distribution high/low? I would be concerned about breakage and wear if you are running really heavy.

Post up some pictures. I would enjoy a good look at this rig.

 

[roving1]

Gears and the Truetrac hands down. Re-gearing will literally make every moment of driving more fun and less stressful on the vehicle. Frankly re-gearing should have been one of the first things done. The Truetrac isn't 100% needed but for what it costs it is a no brainer to do at the time of re-gearing. My gears and Truetracs were and continue to be my favorite mods and provide the highest dollar to value for anything I have bought for my vehicle.

 

[Latetom]

Iuthj, the easiest way to see photos of our 2014 4Runner is to go to my blog: IWontGo55.com. Suggest you start with this link:

Modifications to Our 4Runner - I Won't Go 55

I also know we need to make modifications to our 4Runner to minimize – or better yet, eliminate – our potential ride problems and quite simply make the

iwontgo55.com

All the posts here tell what we are driving, modifications, and what has happened to the 4Runner during our drives.

It is a constant battle to keep the weight off or in the 4Runner. Since leaving India we have not used the water or gas containers on top of the roof rack, saving weight. Our storage box has probably a 100 lbs of gear, tools, and spare parts. It is our luggage -- two 50 lb rolling duffle bags/suitcases -- plus other clothing such as jackets that is a constant fight to keep to what we consider a minimum. On our last trip home I reduced our language, bird & guide books in half again in number and thereby reducing weight.

Any ideas on how to reduce weight will be appreciated.

 

[luthj]

Any ideas on how to reduce weight will be appreciated.

The first step is a stop at a scale for axle weights. It may not be necessary to cut much weight. From there is a safety and reliability consideration. I know many overlanders who operate for years over gross weight. But they are very aware of it, and typically have modified the vehicle to operate safely at that weight.

 

[Latetom]

Roving1, I was afraid someone might bring up differentials, gear ratios, etc. This is a subject I know nothing about. Can you suggest a internet site where I can begin my schooling on this subject matter?

 

[DaveInDenver]

Not knowing anything firsthand about Africa it seems to me you'd want it to be as stock as possible. A highly customized vehicle is going to make any repair much harder than it already will be. So any modification needs to be understood well by either you or the mechanic.

 

[Latetom]

DaveInDenver, when we first began planning our drive around the world and I started researching vehicles to make the drive I immediately became a believer in (a) don't touch the engine and didn't except for a second battery, (2) upgrade the underside of the vehicle and better tires and don't think these changes make a difference in potential repairs while on the road, (3) tried to keep the weight manageable and any added weight as close to the ground as possible, and (4) make a comfortable ride -- sound deadening material so as to be able to listen to music and audio books, window tinting for sun & security, storage, and room for friends and family.
Other than the above noted differentials/gears in my above original post I don't believe anything I am thinking and asking for recommendations breaks the rules in the above paragraph.
The 4Runner spent two days with a great Toyota dealership, Mastertrac +34 696 561226, in Barcelona, Spain this past August 2019. I had brought with me new hoses and belts, oil filter, and wiper blades which they installed plus inspected and changed out parts of the brakes, all fluids not just oil, etc. Not being mechanically inclined I have relied on mechanic shops and Toyota dealerships in Australia, India, Nepal, Italy, Hungary and Spain to change oil, rotate tires, fix tire punctures, broken brake line (done by a resort helicopter mechanic), broken 2cd battery tray mount and probably one or two other things I have forgotten at this moment.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Just an opinion like you were asking for. Anyway my point would have been then that CBI and Detroit Locker probably have no support in Africa. A steel bumper isn't a big deal, welding is welding. But I'd stick with stock diffs. OME/ARB is globally available and doesn't seem to have been an issue for you. You're also talking about electrical changes, which confound just about everyone.

 

[racingjason]

Another late opinion. West Africa is known for mud. Cut the weight as best you can, buy good quality mud tires (in a common size if they fit, 235/85R16, 265/75R16) and take care of them. I would have front and rear selectable lockers. We had air lockers in our Cruiser during our year in Africa and I would not have been without them (we were however, towing a trailer/caravan). An extra 25% traction in a sticky situation can be most welcome. Bring two shovels preferably one with a decent length and a D-handle. If you have to clean out from the underside with a stubby collapsible shovel you will be there for a while. We used Caframo Ultimate fans. The have soft blades and no cage so are compact and move a ton of air. Don't waste your time with a small fan, get something that moves a lot of air because when the humidity soars there is little relief. Good backup lights are a must and can be used for camp lighting if necessary (we used Rigid dually diffused rather than flood.) It is nice to have some extra front light but don't go crazy, you should not be driving at night and if you do, please go slow. A strip of cheap waterproof led under the awning will give you camp light next to the vehicle which will spill out somewhat to the rest of the camp. A snorkel is probably better suited to Southern and East Africa but since you are starting in the North it may of some use. See if you can get a factory washable air cleaner for the 4Runner. Another cheap and easy item is a small air tank. We forgot to close the back of the caravan in the Kalahari and having an air reserve for a blow gun saved us a huge amount of wiping things down. It makes airing up easier as well.

The golden rule of overlanding is bring less stuff and more money.

 

[Latetom]

DaveinDener -- thanks for your thoughts. Other than possibly adding some additional lights I'am not going to touch existing electrical. The steel bumper(s) worry me in that they add additional weight. Am going to look into some type of light weight rear bumper that allows me to move the spare tire from underneath the 4Runner to the back of the 4Runner.

Racing Jason -- In early Feb. 2020 I had new tires put on and will go with them rather than buy a mud tire.
The front and rear lockers I am going to investigate (I have time since the virus has shut our travels down).
I am definitely going to add a "real" shovel to our equipment. The day we drove to Marrakesh to catch the second to last or maybe the last flight out of Morocco to the U.S. by way of London I hit a sink hole with the front left tire which made it out but sunk to the axle on the rear tire -- the collapsable shovel was worthless in the mud or sink hole and even less than worthless in the almost concrete soil surrounding the sink hole. Long story short, a Landcruiser couldn't pull us out but a small tractor on its second try did get us out.
Thanks for the recommendation on a fan.
We travel with an air compressor and especially recommend anyone traveling in Australia to make this a priority -- I have never deflated and reflated tires as much as I did in Australia.

Not sure what we are going to do but driving West Africa isn't going to happen for us this year. Our 4Runner is currently parked in Marrakesh, Morocco International Airport. After Morocco shut its airports, ferry ports and land borders and the present U.S. administration was doing nothing to assist American citizens (their recommendation was try to catch an European charter flight to Europe and then maybe there would be a flight from Europe to catch to the U.S.) we had decided we were going to spend several months in Morocco (or longer). Then at 3:30 pm we received an email stating the U.S. government was providing five chartered plans to get Americans out of Morocco starting at 9:30 am and we decided it was time to go home.

I had expected to turn 69 in the Western Sahara rather than Tucson, AZ. At our age and with no guess as to when we may return to Morocco and then be able to leave Morocco. I do hope that if we can return to travel early next year that maybe we can ship our 4Runner from Morocco to South Africa, Namibia or maybe even Gabon but driving from Morocco to South Africa is most likely out for us.

For more on our trip home: http://iwontgo55.com/what-a-long-strange-trip-its-been/

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations.

 

[bkg]

That's about over $12k in upgrades... Not sure that money is really an issue.