2025 Toyota 4RunnerBuild Guide (6th Gen)
The trim you bought decided half your build.
Start With Your Trim
The badge fixes your wheels, ride height and payload before you touch it.
Nine trims, two engines. Your wheels and clearance are set at purchase, so start here.
| Trim | Wheels / tire | Clearance | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| SR5 | 17 in / 245/70R17 | 8.1 in | 18° |
| TRD Sport, Limited, Platinum | 20 in / 265/55R20 | 8.8 in | 18° |
| TRD Off-Road (+ Premium) | 18 in / 265/70R18 | 9.1 in | 19° |
| TRD Pro, Trailhunter | 18 in / 265/70R18 | 10.1 in | 33° |
The 17 and 18 inch sizes have real all-terrain choice, the 20 inch is a road size. A TRD Pro or Trailhunter already has the lift most people want.
- Payload governs the buildAn SR5 4x4 carries about 1,390 lb, a Trailhunter 1,005. Four adults and fuel eat most of it before any gear.
- The hybrid brings its own poweri-FORCE MAX adds a 120V 2400W cargo outlet, standard on Platinum, Pro and Trailhunter. It can replace a power station.
- The Trailhunter arrives pre-builtARB rack, steel rock rails, onboard air, OME suspension. Price those in before calling it expensive.
What to Upgrade First
The upgrades in almost every 6th gen build, with the parts owners recommend.
1.Tires, by your wheel size
The first upgrade most owners make. What fits depends on your wheels.
- Falken Wildpeak A/T4WAll-around
The most-run tire here. No rub, strong in snow.
The on-road choice, and the factory Pro and Trailhunter tire.
- BFGoodrich KO3Durable
LT-only in the sizes that fit here.
Longest tread warranty in the set.
- Cooper Discoverer Road+TrailQuietest
What most 20 inch owners run.
"No complaints, only increased everything I love about the truck."SVIKIS88 on the Wildpeak A/T4W, 4Runner6G.com
- SR5, 17 inch. Deepest choice. 265 to 285/70R17 fit stock, 285 is a 33 inch tire.
- Off-road trims, 18 inch. Stay at 265/70R18 for no mods. 275/70R18 rubs the flaps.
- Sport, Limited, Platinum, 20 inch. Thin market. Upsize to 265/60R20 or 275/60R20, or swap to 18s.
2.A roof rack, if you sleep or carry up top
Every trim has factory rails, so a rack bolts on. Get the wind deflector, and expect a small mpg hit.
- Prinsu ProMost installed
Surprisingly quiet for its size.
- Sherpa The CapitolBest reviewed
Zero negative owner reports.
- Westcott Lo-ProLow profile
Garage-friendly, but the most wind noise.
- ARB 3/4 rackFactory
The Trailhunter rack, dealer-sold, easiest install.
"I was amazed at how quiet it is."lockwoodjd on the Prinsu Pro, 4Runner6G.com
3.Suspension, where your trim matters most
TRD Pro and Trailhunter run factory Fox or OME, so most kits skip them. Everyone else: the OME MT64 with Dobinsons rear springs.
- OME MT64Forum default
Pair it with Dobinsons rear springs.
- Westcott Preload CollarPro / Trailhunter
The only kit for these trims, keeps factory dampers.
- Bilstein 5100Budget
The cheapest fix for ride, not height.
- Dobinsons or EibachHybrid
The kits with a dedicated i-FORCE MAX version.
"rides smoother than factory even with E rated tires"2012BAJA on the MT64 with Dobinsons rear springs, 4Runner6G.com
Hybrid: only Dobinsons, Eibach and Toyota fit the i-FORCE MAX. It sits about half an inch lower on the same coilover, so match the kit to your powertrain.
4.A place to sleep
The cargo area fits two adults. No community scores yet, on purpose, the 6th gen is too new for owner history.
- CarToCamp Sleeping PlatformNo tools
Snap-together, 6th gen specific.
- TrunkMate BlitzBedDrawer option
A platform with an optional drawer.
- Air Down Gear Up SS1Full system
Drawer and sleep platform in one.
What Owners Regret
The mistakes 6th gen owners warn each other about, in their own words.
1.Building past the payload
The Trailhunter and TRD Pro weigh the most and carry the least. At 1,005 lb, a tent, rack, fridge, water and four people is a real math problem, and the weight changes how it drives before the limit.
"I decided on not doing a winch on my 6th Gen because I barely used it on my 5th Gen and it added so much weight. Created a tremendous amount of nose dive on hard braking."TRD Pro owner, 4Runner6G.com
2.Front-end sag under armor
The OME MT64 holds height until a bumper or winch goes on the nose, then the front settles. Owners fix it with load-rated Dobinsons rear springs and planning front weight early.
"Less than pleased is the drop on the front end with the added weight."PearlyGates on a loaded MT64, 4Runner6G.com
3.Assuming 5th gen parts carry over
New platform, not a 5th gen. The Sherpa Crestone that fits a 5th gen does not fit here, the widths differ.
4.Skipping the wind deflector
Almost every rack noise complaint is a missing deflector or a tent shoved against the front. Close that gap and the whistle stops.
"A hit on mpg, and yes on wind noise if I have my sunroof open."Archer on a low-profile rack, 4Runner6G.com
Common Questions
The questions every new 6th gen owner asks, answered from owner reports.
Should I buy the hybrid?
It adds a 120V 2400W cargo outlet that can replace a power station, and it is more efficient, 23 mpg against 21. The costs: about 375 lb more, less payload, and fewer kits that fit it.
I have a TRD Pro or Trailhunter. Do I need a lift?
Not for height, you already have 10.1 inches and a 33 degree approach. Owners lift these only for bigger tires, using preload collars that keep the factory shocks.
What is the biggest tire I can fit?
Your factory size needs no mods. A stock SR5 clears up to 285/70R17, a 33 inch tire, no lift. On the 18s, 275/70R18 rubs the flaps until you swap to TRD Pro flaps.
My Sport, Limited or Platinum has 20 inch wheels. What tires?
Almost nobody replaces the stock 265/55R20, it barely exists as an all-terrain. Upsize on the stock wheels to 265/60R20 or 275/60R20, or bolt on 18 inch TRD Pro wheels, no adapters, for the full 18 inch choice.
Can I put a rooftop tent on it?
Yes, every trim has rails. The limit is payload, not the rack. Add the tent, rack and people and check your door sticker, a Trailhunter carries about 1,005 lb.
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