Do your dreams and realities of your list of modifications ever collide?

[Wisluggo]

Here is my situation - I have a lightly modified 2019: Tough Dog lift, 24gal LRA tank, Detours of Maine rear carrier, EvoCourse wheels on 285/70/17s. All of the mods were done by the original owner, and I am happy with everything he did. On my list of dream modifications are a proper rear bumper with a rear carrier (mostly to regain use of the sensors and relocate the camera), sliders, and maybe a full or slimline front bumper to add a winch/lights.

Here is the struggle - I live in a place that doesn't have too much to offer in terms of off-road adventures and this truck is a daily driver/family hauler 99% of the time. I plan on keeping the truck for a while and want to use it as a family adventure vehicle for when my toddler is a bit older (road trips, maybe some light camping, a trip to CO, maybe some forest road driving).

My head says further modifications aren't really needed (except for the sliders), while my heart says I should go ahead and get the things done I know I want to get done so I can enjoy the vehicle fully.

 

[CharlieS]

A stock 200 would do everything you are looking for.

Toyota spends a lot of time and energy figuring out balanced choices. Lots of the modifications I've done on cruisers in the past have taken away from that balance in one way or the other. The mods optimize one thing in exchange for making something else suboptimal. If you are trying to solve for a specific purpose like overlanding, rock crawling, etc, these tradeoffs can make a lot of sense. For day to day use, I think Toyota nailed it on the head.

The one big exception for me is (edit: exterior) lighting (edit: headlights). LEDs have come so far since the 200 first came out that the upgraded lighting on the newer 200 series is so much better. Early cruisers need more usable light, so upgrades here make a huge difference. Not a problem for you with a 2019...

As much as I like sliders, if the furthest offroad you'll go is forest roads, they're probably overkill. Same with the winch.

 

[stonepa]

I would strongly agree. If your hobby is building vehicles or running tough offroad routes out west then modify. Otherwise, i wouldn’t. Adds weight, complexity, and in general degrades what you most likely need - a commuter that is still capable on the trails you drive. Neither of those scream out heavy modification.

i recently went through something similar. On my older cruisers i have ARB bumpers, OME suspensions, and winches. At the time i made those modifications I needed them for what i used them for. I am currently considering an ARB bumper (sans winch) for my 200 to protect the vehicle (and myself) from deer and moose strikes, which are common around here. In that case i do have a need rather than a want for what i consider a 100% daily use. But i dont need a winch bumper or winch as i will not use them with this vehicle. So, choices.

 

[Sandroad]

I agree with @CharlieS except for this “Not a problem for you with a 2019”. I think the interior lighting in the ’16+ LCs is still really wimpy!

I’m a big fan of the <$100 mod thread

 

[TimCFJ40]

I've owned 7 4x4s in my 20 years of driving, and none of them stayed stock completely. For your purposes, your rig will do everything you need. If you have the money and enjoy the process, build away, but don't feel like you NEED anything further. For a lot of folks enjoying the build process and having something unique drive the modifications as much as the need for the modifications.

My first build (1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee) went way overboard (Axle swap, 36" tires, etc) and eventually I wheeled it to death because it was so capable (not a straight panel left, broken windows, etc). After that I've kept my builds and adventures more mild, and it's been just as much fun.

 

[CharlieS]

I agree with @CharlieS except for this “Not a problem for you with a 2019”. I think the interior lighting in the ’16+ LCs is still really wimpy!

Sorry, I should have been more specific - the headlights are much better on the newer 200.

 

[WCDAVE]

Your truck is already well done. I was not familiar with the Detours of Maine product. Having had a look, I would agree that a proper rear bumper with a swing out might be better. Not that the Detours product doesn't do exactly what it is designed to do , but it would free up your hitch for other more versatile use and as you pointed out, proper rear camera and sensor implementation. Perhaps more useful would be a roof rack, throw the tire up there and then have much easier rear access for daily use. Roof racks also allow for a host of other camping accessories that might apply in your future use scenario. I wouldn't lose any sleep though worrying if your truck is sufficiently modded.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

My head says further modifications aren't really needed (except for the sliders), while my heart says I should go ahead and get the things done I know I want to get done so I can enjoy the vehicle fully.

I followed my heart ("wants") on a previous vehicle; I sunk about 60% of the (brand new) vehicle's cost in modifications and toys, while making it objectively worse. This time around I'm sticking purely with the "needs."

 

[Pierce]

You didn’t get a 200 to be practical. You got it because it was cool and you could do cool stuff to it! Mod it and have fun!

if you wanted practical you would’ve bought a
Honda Ridgline and hated life.

 

[TeCKis300]

My head says further modifications aren't really needed (except for the sliders), while my heart says I should go ahead and get the things done I know I want to get done so I can enjoy the vehicle fully.

I agree with much of the pragmatic advice already given above. I think we all struggle with the idea and fantasy of modifications in creating a better rig. Oftentimes, that doesn't quite borne out the way we imagined because of unexpected compromises. A tailored rig which may be better in a narrow use, but giving up performance and practicality in everyday use.

That said, with the wealth of candid information on these boards, I think there's plenty to help you navigate mods eyes wide open. Many of us enjoy the mods as much as using them, and will gladly trade some practicality as we explore this hobby.

 

[grinchy]

yep, sliders. probably some way to inflate and deflate tires (makes a huge huge difference in capability offroad). basic recovery, safety, first aid kits.

 

[Wisluggo]

I agree with much of the pragmatic advice already given above. I think we all struggle with the idea and fantasy of modifications in creating a better rig. Oftentimes, that doesn't quite borne out the way we imagined because of unexpected compromises. A tailored rig which may be better in a narrow use, but giving up performance and practicality in everyday use.

That's sound advice

 

[hickuptruck]

Well the rear bumper, you're going to have 2 or 4 more steps every time you open the rear hatch. Sometimes could get tiring to open the swingouts if you've got groceries or a toddler in tow.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Well the rear bumper, you're going to have 2 or 4 more steps every time you open the rear hatch. Sometimes could get tiring to open the swingouts if you've got groceries or a toddler in tow.

Been there, done that, can confirm.

Had my dual-swingout bumper for about half a year before I went back to stock. Pain in the butt on a daily driver. I'd have one on a dedicated camping vehicle, though.

 

[KLF]

Been there, done that, can confirm.

Had my dual-swingout bumper for about half a year before I went back to stock. Pain in the butt on a daily driver. I'd have one on a dedicated camping vehicle, though.

Having to deal with the PITA swingout is the biggest barrier to me for getting the 24 gal tank. I have one for my RLC rear bumper, unmounted in my basement. That thing would really piss me off eventually. Plus, I occasionally have to put lumber in my truck and can't shut the upper hatch. No way to close the swingout, so that's a deal breaker.

Not doing a roof rack either, truck won't fit in the garage, it's that tight (7' door).

 

[Wisluggo]

Well the rear bumper, you're going to have 2 or 4 more steps every time you open the rear hatch. Sometimes could get tiring to open the swingouts if you've got groceries or a toddler in tow.

I have to have it because I have to carry the spare on the back given the aux fuel tank

 

[afgman786]

If you can afford it, and your heart desires it why not. The parking lots at Costco can get pretty crazy where you might need the front bumper with winch, and the rear can help you out in case someone backs out too far

 

[CharlieS]

I have to have it because I have to carry the spare on the back given the aux fuel tank

Which is exactly why many people only get the 12.5 gal LRA.

 

[CharlieS]

Having to deal with the PITA swingout is the biggest barrier to me for getting the 24 gal tank. I have one for my RLC rear bumper, unmounted in my basement. That thing would really piss me off eventually. Plus, I occasionally have to put lumber in my truck and can't shut the upper hatch. No way to close the swingout, so that's a deal breaker.

Not doing a roof rack either, truck won't fit in the garage, it's that tight (7' door).

View attachment 2479842

KLF - throw either a couple of extra factory crossbars or a Thule rack and you can easily carry those long pieces of lumber, etc on the roof. Easy peasy.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I have to have it because I have to carry the spare on the back given the aux fuel tank

There's at least one member here who made a nice, simple storage platform for transporting the spare vertically in the trunk/cargo area. I'd rather do that than get swingouts.