Toyota 4Runner · 5th Gen

The Ultimate Skiing & Winter Build

Skiing out of a 4Runner means sleeping at trailheads in single-digit temps, driving icy mountain roads before dawn, and hauling wet gear home without destroying your interior. The T4R.org and r/4Runner communities have figured out a build order that works: heat first (a diesel heater changes everything), then winter tires, then electrical to keep batteries alive in the cold. This guide focuses on the winter-specific gear that makes ski trips comfortable and safe, not a full overland build, just the mods that matter when the temperature drops.

1

Tires & Suspension

Winter Tires

The successor to the legendary KO2 with improved tread design, better mud self-cleaning, and full-depth 3D sipes for snow. 50,000-mile warranty with Severe Snow Service (3PMSF) rating. The gold standard for overlanding all-terrain tires.

56 lbs50K mi warranty3PMSF
$1,140set of 4
2

Recovery & Safety

Recovery

Industry-leading recovery boards with lifetime warranty, 10,000 lb tested capacity, and a reputation earned across thousands of real-world recoveries. The engineering-grade nylon won't crack like cheaper alternatives under heavy vehicles.

15 lbs10,000 lb Tested
$280
CO Alarm

If you're running any combustion heater, propane or diesel, a CO detector is not optional. It's a $25 life insurance policy.

1 lbs
$25
3

Sleep & Shade

Sleep System

The best all-weather softshell hybrid, proven comfortable from sub-zero to tropical conditions, with the fastest setup/teardown time in its class and iKamper's industry-leading build quality.

150 lbsSoft-Shell Hybrid
$3,499
Heater

The sweet spot between budget Chinese heaters and premium Webasto. Name-brand reliability with a touchscreen controller, high-altitude capability, and quiet brushless motor, at half the Webasto price.

14 lbs13-30W
$869
4

Power

Power & Electrical

Premium drop-in lithium upgrade with 3,000-5,000 cycle lifespan and 10-year warranty. Charges 5x faster than lead-acid and provides full capacity regardless of discharge rate.

30 lbs100Ah10-yr warranty3,000-5,000 Cycles
$799

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