Toyota 4Runner Built on Family and Trails

A Toyota 4Runner Forged by Family and Trails

For Rob, Toyota isn’t just a brand—it has been a constant positive presence in his life. Growing up in Southern California, he was surrounded by them. Rob’s dad drove a Toyota truck. His brother rolled around in a 1st Gen 4Runner. His uncle had a classic ‘89 Toyota pickup, and his dad’s best friend— someone who Rob spent a lot of time with growing up—owned a 1990 4Runner. Wherever he looked, Toyotas weren’t just vehicles—they were part of the family fabric.

It’s no surprise that Rob’s first real experience behind the wheel was in a Toyota of his own—a manual ‘92 4Runner. “I actually ran over the curb during my parallel parking test,” he says laughingly. “And somehow I still passed.” Maybe the instructor didn’t care that day, or maybe as  Rob likes to believe, the suspension soaked it up so well that no one noticed. Either way, it marked the start of something more than just a driving lesson. It was the moment he felt at home behind the wheel of a Toyota—and he has never looked back.

Years later, that seed would grow into something far more capable—and far more aggressive.  Rob’s current build, a fully dialed-in 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner, is a tribute not just to his roots, but to the  evolution of his passion for exploration, engineering, and pushing limits. It’s also now the chariot  for his next adventure in life—fatherhood. Just recently, this very 4Runner carried Rob’s newborn son home from the hospital, adding one more unforgettable memory to its ever-evolving story.

But this isn’t just a family hauler. This Toyota 4Runner is a weapon built to take on the harshest  environments with confidence and control. And Rob hasn’t cut any corners.

At the heart of the build lies its suspension system. Up front, Dirt King +3.5-inch long-travel control arms work in perfect sync with Fox Factory Race Series DSC coilovers and Fox triple bypass shocks, delivering the kind of damping control you’d expect from a Baja-ready platform. The setup is reinforced with Wicked Creations tie rods and front hydraulic bump stops, ensuring everything stays locked in when things get rowdy.

Out back, Wicked Creations’ custom 3-link rear suspension keeps articulation smooth and  predictable, using Fox 2.0 coilovers paired with 2.5-inch remote reservoirs. The rear is also backed by rear hydraulic bump stops, ensuring plush bottom-outs even on the gnarliest drop-ins.

Underbody protection comes from a full suite of RCI steel skid plates, and RCI’s 20-degree  plated frame sliders offer side protection without compromising clearance. At each corner, the build sits on Lock Off-Road Invader beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch Arroyo Tamarock M/Ts—serious rubber for serious terrain. To bring it all to a stop, Rob upgraded to an R1 Concepts slotted brake kit, providing confident braking power when coming down from technical climbs or desert sprints.

Lighting is another key element. Up front, a Drew’s Fab Baja-style bumper houses five Baja Designs LP4s, backed by a dual S8 behind-the-grille kit and XL80 ditch lights. Out back, a Drew’s Fab carbon fiber third brake light holds two Baja Designs S2s, providing trail  illumination where most forget to look. The 5th gen Toyota 4Runner also features AlphaRex Nova Series projectors and LUXX Series LED taillights, ensuring it turns heads whether it’s crawling  through the rocks or rolling through town.

The powertrain hasn’t been overlooked either. Rob added a K&N aluminum cold air intake, paired with RIPP Supercharger’s performance ignition coil pack to optimize airflow and spark delivery. The rig exhales through a Carven dump-exit exhaust, giving it the growl to match its bite.

Visually, the truck is just as dialed. A full Inozetek Liquid Metallic Aventurine wrap covers the body, contrasted by Tinybot 6D carbon fiber accents on the hood and details. Speaking of which, the hood is a Seibon carbon fiber unit, secured with pins for strength and style. The rear bumper is a tube-style Outgear Solutions unit, complete with a swing-out tire carrier because with a rig like this, the spare needs to be just as serious.

Every part of this Toyota 4runner build tells a story—some of it is scratched into the paint, while others are etched in memories. From stalling out during a driver’s test to crawling over rocks with ease, Rob’s journey has come full circle. What started with a stock 4Runner and a steep learning curve has evolved into a purpose-built rig that grips tight when the terrain tries to shake everything loose. These days, it’s just as ready to carry recovery gear as it is to haul diapers. And that’s the beauty of it—this 4Runner isn’t just a build. It’s a reflection of where Rob has been, where he’s going, and everything in between.

It’s a timeline.
A legacy.
A machine that keeps up with life’s toughest trails—on and off the dirt.