2 Ways to 4 Runner

Trevor Takara and Thomas Piccolo have different Cakes on Toyota's stalwart SUV

- By Jered Korfhage

Thomas Piccolo: '17 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Thomas Piccolo's previous off-road exploits ranged from racing side-by-sides to rock crawling with full-size square-body Chevy trucks and he found himself looking for a more relaxed environment and something with air conditioning. The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro boasted trail maneuverability, reliability, and the cargo space to build himself a well-appointed camp kitchen. Thomas bought the rig new in 2017 and immediately began customizing his dedicated over-landing machine. His first iteration of mods was complete within six months and he wasted no time embarking on a cross-country journey. Thomas continued to fine-tune the 4Runner as he saw fit.

All kinds of 4x4s gathered in the Arizona desert for the 2020 Overland Adventure, including Two Toyota 4Runners. Though they shared the same Super White paint code, powertrain, and wheel diameter, the two fifth-gens were outfitted in significantly different ways. Read on to compare and contrast how Thomas Piccolo and Trevor Takara built their Toyota 4Runners.

Trevor Takara: '18 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium

In his search for his own reliable, spacious, and comfortable travel vehicle, Trevor Takara was ultimately drawn to the looks of the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium. After buying it new in 2018, he vowed to keep his upgrades mild and tried to avoid modifying things that, in his eyes, already worked well from the factory. He used the 4Runner for commuting and he let the rig tell him when it needed aftermarket parts. High-centering on a rock earned the 4Runner beefier skidplates and other trail adventures lead him to choosing a front bumper with more protection. Trevor still favors the stock-ish look of his rig and has plans to take it through Alaska north to the Arctic Ocean.