1st Timer - 2022 SR5 Premium 4x4 XP

Hey everyone,

First off, happy to be here. Been stalking the forum since I committed to my new 4Runner and already gained a ton of helpful insight from you guys. Thank you!

I was able to locate and buy a '22 SR5 Premium magnetic grey 4x4 with the XP predator package at MSRP pricing (which was harder than I thought). Coming from a Subaru Outback, I wanted more space, more power (I tow an old 13' Whaler) and Toyota quality and then everything that comes with owning a 4Runner.

I have a couple questions right off the bat as I hone in on what my first mods, was hoping for some help:

- Suspension (I've read a decent amount on this) and it will likely be in the first year of ownership. I'd like everyone's best opinion on best on-road and light duty/fire roads suspension. Plan is to do a slight raise in the front simply to level the truck out. Seems like Eibach Pro Truck lift and 5100s are the two front runners from my research, but very open to other suggestions as well.

- Rear Drawer System. Found the Solid Word Works guy creates some plans for these. Any other suggestions? I like the shallower ones.

- Tint. Was planning to ceramic just the fronts to match the rears, any experience adding clear (or very slight tint) with ceramic to the rears to protect UV rays? I'm in Florida, every little bit helps.

- Remote start. Was pretty disappointed to take delivery of the truck to find out that only the Pro and Limited can get the paid subscription for Remote Connect, would have happily paid for that. Any aftermarket suggestions and what's the cost of those?

That's all for now, thanks everyone!

Shawn P.

 

I'll let the experts chime in on your queries, but wanted to say welcome to the forum and the amazing 4runner!

 

Welcome to the forum Shawn.

 

Installed this remote start in about an hour and works great. All plug and play. No splicing any wires.

$200 Start-X Plug N Play Remote Starter Kit for Toyota 4Runner 2020-2024 / Push to Start

https://www.amazon.com/Start-X-Remote-Starter-Compatible-4Runner/dp/B083CP8514?crid=3BAPG1P1N56Z5&keywords=remote+start+4runner+2022&qid=1659983283&sprefix=Remote+start+4%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1

I went full ceramic tint on mine to help with uv and heat. It costs more but feel it helps.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Nice. I had the dealer install the remote starter, that way if there were any problems it would be covered. I did the ceramic tint on my front windows to match the rear, also did a front visor strip.

 

Welcome.

Remote start with start-x or accessorides will be less expensive than the dealer anyways. And easy to install. Just sucks with push button start.

And agree with ceramic tint. Spend the cash on it, you won't regret it.

 

I like that XP package. I wish they offered that in the northeast. The SR5 looks nice blacked out with the TRD wheels.

 

Your opinion matters too. And I'm not an expert, but chime in here and there.

 

Welcome to the forum.

You'll get a lot more than a slight raise in the front simply to level the truck out if you go with the Eibach Pro Truck lift, unless you are just referring to the Pro Truck shocks. Those are what I have to level mine. The Pro Truck lift (stage 1) is shocks and springs, and lifts the front 2.75" and the rear 1".

 

Welcome from a newbie from Idaho also needing a remote start and wanting to at least level the front end up. I was pretty disappointed that my Off Road Premium didn't come with remote start being it is the second highest trim level to my knowledge. Your SR5 looks great!

 

There seems to be some problems with remote start - read some of the threads posted by others and the issues they have had.

 

And to elaborate on that, with 2.75" of front lift height, you may have to replace your upper control arms (usually referred to as UCA) as well.

I believe the Bilsteins can be set as low as 0.8" over stock.

If you're putting drawers and gear in it, don't get too crazy lifting the front to "level", because the rear will squat a bit with the weight.

 

I went from a TRD Pro to an Outback Wilderness for 3 months and then back to SR5P because I hated the Outback's tech and CVT. I have a 1" cornfed spacer to level the truck and 275's. I made a platform to level the floor. That works perfect for my dog and I. I went with 20% tint all the way around. It wasn't dark enough so I added 5% to the front today to match the 20% and factory tint which registered at 5% combined. I added a Compustar remote start and I would rather have it than the Remote Connect and all its tracking. Here is a pic of mine.

 

Welcome from Florida

 

how does the compustar work with push button start? I’ve read a few comments saying that once you open the doors it shuts off which ain’t a huge inconvenience to me. Was it all plug and play? Does it work with the factory key fob or does it come w an additional fob or is it more smart phone operated as well?
Sorry haven’t looked into the compustar which after this post I’m heading to their website to look it up thanks

 

With push button start, they all stop when you open the door. You can set the Compustar to stay on for 35 minutes which is nice when you know you will be longer sand have a dog with you. You can use stock key fob which isn't great. A separate key fob or smart phone for a subscription. I use stock key fob.

 

How do you feel going from a PRO to an SR5P? I had an SR5P and a TRD off-road before my PRO. I got the PRO for the voodoo blue, which I love and I'm currently on the list for a solar octane PRO. But I use my 4WD for snow in the winter and driving out onto the beach in summer, so the PRO is overkill for me. I'm digging the clean look of the SR5 with the black TRD wheels. I'm considering a Barcelona red SR5 and then adding window tint, emblem blackout and the TRD wheels.

 

The SR5P has been just as good as the Pro. I think the Nautical Blue is a way better color than Magnetic Gray. Living in Texas, I like have a tan interior better than the black. I don't notice much difference in the Pro suspension while daily driving. I miss having the sliding cargo tray. The SR5P has done equally as well off road and in the snow as the Pro and the only time I have ever been stuck was in the Pro. Those two knobs overhead didn't help at all. I wish I had a rear locker, but most of my driving doesn't need one. Its not like the Pro is a way better model like the Rubicon is for Wranglers.

 

SR5 with Pro rims. I like it too.

 

Here is my 2021 SR5P with TrD Pro wheels and Falken Wildpeaks (stock no lift) blackout emblem package.

 

It doesn’t get any better.

 

I dig the white with blackout here’s my 19 Taco SR access I4 4x4

 

Thanks @glwood54! Yeah, I was referring to the Eibach Pro Truck shocks for now. Seems like doing either those (or 5100s) will give me what I want for now. I figure I'll see how much off roading I actually do before I spend money on springs/lift and UCAs.

 

I have some issues with the Start-X on my 2022 4Runner SR5 premium. It will start sometimes when just hitting the lock button one or twice. It is supposed to start by hitting lock button three times and holding it down on the third time just like my OEM remote start on my Tacoma. It’s nice to have but definitely has more glitches than my factory Tacoma remote start.

 

The 5100s are a great choice in suspension for what you plan to do. We found that the 5100s provide a much more stable towing experience as compared to stock or even something like a FOX 2.0 that we found to be a bit too soft for our liking, and would also be able to handle light offroading on fireroads and such. Also yes you can level the truck with the 5100s but if you plan to tow, I would suggest to not level the 4Runner but instead to keep a slight rake. You are gonna be nose high if you level the truck while towing.

 

Really appreciate the insight. What would you suggest? If I did the billsteins at .8 in the front and Cornfed spacer in the rear? Air lift in the rear make the most sense? I don't want to go very high and have no plans to go bigger with tires either. Just a heads up, tongue weight for what I'm towing isn't very much. I'm roughly towing a 2k pound boat. But to your point, with a level truck the tongue weight plus gear may sink the rear a touch?

 

Honestly I would probably avoid a spacer and airbags in the rear. In your situation I would probably look into getting a load leveling bumpstop in the rear like the ones from SuperSprings. That way you will have minimal sag without sacrificing ride quality.

 

Suspension is certainly a personal choice but based on your requirement for on road and fire roads, this is what I set mine up for.

I used the following
Front - Bilstein 5100 set at 1.75
Rear - Bilstein 5100 and Bilstein 1" lift springs.

I am thrilled with it but based on my alignment specs, I am going to do some UCAs to get a bit more caster and I will be adding a 10mm spacer to the rear drivers side to get some of the lean out of it. Not sure if that will fully correct the very slight front lean so I may need to do something there as well.

If you go this route, I would suggest doing the spacer when you put the rear springs in so you don't have to do it twice like me.

If I were to do it over again, I would do the 6xxx series Bilsteins in the front and follow the different perch heights to make sure it's level. However the 6xxx series are a little more $$$ that I didn't want to spend at the time.

 

Cool, interesting about the bumpstop I haven't even looked into those. Did a little research, those seem perfect for what I need. Thanks!