4th Gen 4Runner Accessories: Upgrades Worth Buying for 2003–2009
The 4th gen 4Runner is having a moment. Trucks built from 2003 to 2009 are some of the most affordable ways into a real, body-on-frame 4Runner, and they are old enough to need a little love but new enough to deserve it. That combination makes them perfect to mod: every upgrade is money spent on a truck you plan to keep, not one you are afraid to scratch.
This roundup pulls together the 4th gen 4Runner accessories we carry at The Daily 4Runner. Every pick below is made for the 2003–2009 4Runner (or is a universal-fit staple that works on any rig), and every one was checked in stock before it made the list. One thing to know before you order anything: the 4th gen has a mid-cycle split. Many fitted parts are made for either 2003–2005 or 2006–2009, not both, so we label the fitment on every pick where it matters.
Where to Start
Overwhelmed? This is the order most 4th gen owners end up following:
- Protect it first: Ark TriXPoly Mudflaps or the 2006–2009 version keep gravel and road salt off rockers and rear quarters that are getting harder to replace.
- Carry more: The Martin Off-Road Roof Rack turns the roof of any 2003–2009 truck into usable cargo space.
- Fix the little stuff: A $33 AJT key fob case solves the broken factory fob almost every 4th gen owner has.
- Be ready: MAXTRAX boards and the Wolfbox dash cam are the two “glad you have them” items nobody regrets.
1. Ark TriXPoly Mudflaps (2003–2005) — from $80.99
Fitment: 2003–2005 only. If your early 4th gen still wears its factory flaps — or none at all — this is the maximum-coverage option, extending farther than Ark’s smaller flares to help shield doors, rockers, rear quarters, and even trailers from mud, gravel, snow, and road salt. They are molded specifically for the 2003–2005 body lines and factory mounting points in Ark’s TriXPoly blend, backed by a lifetime warranty and made in the USA. Choose a complete set or front/rear-only, pick a logo color, and note the delete function is built in, so there is no separate delete kit to buy. Shop the 2003–2005 Mudflaps
2. Ark TriXPoly Mudflaps (2006–2009) — from $80.99
Fitment: 2006–2009 only. Same idea, different truck: the facelifted 4th gens get their own version, engineered for the 2006–2009 wheelwell geometry and mounting points rather than stretched to fit both halves of the generation. You get the same maximum tire-spray coverage, the same TriXPoly durability and lifetime warranty, and the same complete-set, front-only, or rear-only choices with colored logos. If you do one protection mod before winter roads and gravel season, this is the one. Shop the 2006–2009 Mudflaps
3. Ark TriXPoly Mudflap Deletes (2003–2005) — from $49.99
Fitment: 2003–2005 only. Running bigger tires, or just prefer the clean look? When the factory mudflaps come off a 2003–2005 truck, they leave unfinished mounting areas behind. These deletes cover those spots for a low-profile, finished wheelwell without traditional mudflap bulk, in the same TriXPoly material with the same logo color options and lifetime warranty as the rest of the Ark line. Hardware and installation guidance are included. Shop the 2003–2005 Deletes
4. Ark TriXPoly Mud Flap Deletes (2006–2009) — from $49.99
Fitment: 2006–2009 only. The facelift trucks get their own delete kit, shaped for the 2006–2009 body lines and factory mounting points. It is the tidy finishing touch for builds where the stock flaps rub, look bulky, or no longer match the setup — a small part that makes removing the flaps look intentional instead of unfinished. As with the early-truck version, all necessary hardware is in the box. Shop the 2006–2009 Deletes
5. Martin Off-Road Roof Rack (2003–2009) — $1,029
Fitment: all 2003–2009. The platform everything else mounts to. Martin Off-Road’s rack for the 4th gen is CNC laser cut and bent from 1/4-inch 5052 aluminum, powder coated, and shipped with stainless steel mounting hardware. Pick a standard wind deflector, a 40-inch light bar cutout, or the 44-inch cutout version, and plan around the listed 2–3 week lead time — these are not sitting in a warehouse. For a truck this affordable, a real roof platform is what turns it into a trip vehicle. Shop the Martin Roof Rack
6. TUFSKINZ Full Interior Trim Kit (2003–2009) — $369
Fitment: all 2003–2009. Twenty-year-old interiors show their age on the dash first, and this 23-piece kit is the fastest refresh. TUFSKINZ pieces are positioned across the dash — radio, A/C controls and vents, glove box and more — and install with 3M automotive-grade adhesive in about 30 minutes, per the listing. Choose Real Carbon Fiber (domed or raw), Forged Carbon Fiber, or Gloss Black to match the direction of your build. Shop the TUFSKINZ Interior Trim Kit
7. TEQ Offroad Center Console Modular Accessory Mount (2003–2009) — from $88.78
Fitment: all 2003–2009. The 4th gen dash predates everyone carrying a phone, GPS, and radio on every drive, and TEQ Offroad’s MAM fixes that. It is precision laser-cut aluminum with a black powder coat, bolts in, and sits flush without blocking vents or controls, giving you a modular base for phones, GPS units, walkie-talkies, and light panels. Add the optional walkie-talkie attachment if trail comms are part of your setup. Shop the TEQ Offroad MAM
8. AJT Design Injection Fob IF004 (3rd/4th Gen) — $33
The cheapest fix on this list, and maybe the most satisfying. The IF004 is a two-piece case, injection molded from high-strength, impact-resistant ABS, that replaces the factory fob case — you reuse your existing electronics, battery, buttons, and seal. Instead of a snap fit, it bolts together with socket head cap screws, and the robust key ring hole addresses the common factory fob breakage. It fits some 3rd and 4th gen 4Runners, so confirm your fob matches on the product page, pick a screw color, and do not use threadlocker. Shop the AJT IF004 Fob Case
9. Wolfbox G900 TriPro Dash Cam — $374.99
Fitment: universal. A 2003–2009 truck has none of the camera tech newer 4Runners take for granted, and the G900 TriPro adds all of it at once. It records three channels — 4K front, 2.5K rear, and a 1080p waterproof bumper camera that doubles as a trail spotter — on a 12-inch touchscreen mirror display, with 5.8GHz Wi-Fi app control, voice control, and GPS. Because it is a universal mirror-mount system, there is no generation-specific hardware to get wrong. We break it down in full in our G900 TriPro guide. Shop the Wolfbox G900 TriPro
10. MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards — $259
Fitment: universal. Recovery gear is not generation-specific, and the MKII is the original lightweight recovery board — easy to stash on a roof rack or in the cargo area, and there when sand, mud, or snow wins a round. Sold as a pair in 12 colors, from Black and Desert Tan to Signature Orange and Pink, so they can match the build instead of clashing with it. On a budget-friendly 4th gen that actually gets wheeled, a set of boards is the cheapest insurance on this list. Shop MAXTRAX MKII
11. DuroBumps DBR35 Rear Bump Stops (2003–2023 4Runner) — $229.99
Fitment: includes all 2003–2009. The unglamorous mod your rear suspension will thank you for. The DBR35 is a rear bump stop set sized 5 x 3 x 3 inches each, engineered with .5 inches of deflection at 1,500 lbs — real cushioning at the end of suspension travel instead of a harsh factory stop. No lift is required, and the set works from stock height up to 3-inch-plus lifts, so it suits a stock daily driver and a built trail rig equally well. Shop DuroBumps DBR35
4th Gen 4Runner Accessories FAQ
What is the difference between 2003–2005 and 2006–2009 4Runner accessories?
The 4th gen got a mid-cycle refresh for 2006, and body lines, wheelwell geometry, and factory mounting points changed with it. Fitted exterior parts — mudflaps and mudflap deletes are the classic example — are made for one side of that split or the other, not both. Interior, roof, and universal gear often covers the full 2003–2009 run. Always check the years in the product title before ordering.
Will 5th gen 4Runner accessories fit my 4th gen?
Generally, no. The 5th gen (2010–2024) is a different body with different panels, interior, and mounting points, so fitted accessories need to be designed for 2003–2009. Everything in this roundup is either made specifically for the 4th gen or is a universal-fit item, like recovery boards and the mirror-mount dash cam, that does not depend on generation-specific fitment.
What are the best first accessories for a 4th gen 4Runner?
Start with protection — mudflaps keep gravel and salt off rockers and quarters that are getting harder to source — then fix the everyday annoyances, like a cracked key fob case or a faded dash. A roof rack and recovery boards come next if you plan to travel or wheel. Every product page lists exactly what it fits, so you can build in stages without buying twice.
Do I need to check anything besides my model year before ordering?
Yes. Year is the big one because of the 2003–2005 vs 2006–2009 split, but options matter too: Ark pieces come in complete-set, front-only, and rear-only versions with logo colors, the Martin rack has three wind deflector choices, and the AJT fob only fits some 4th gen fobs. Each product page spells out its fitment notes and options, so confirm yours there before you check out.
How hard are these accessories to install?
Most of this list is driveway-friendly: adhesive interior trim the listing puts at about 30 minutes, a bolt-in dash mount, mudflaps and deletes that include hardware and guidance, and a fob case that needs the included allen key. The roof rack is the biggest job here, and any local off-road shop can handle an install you would rather not do yourself.
How long will my order take to arrive?
It varies by product, and the honest answer is on each product page. The Martin Off-Road rack, for example, lists a 2–3 week lead time, while in-stock items ship on the store’s standard timeline. Check the lead-time note on the product page before ordering if you have a trip deadline.
The Bottom Line
The 4th gen is the sweet spot of the 4Runner world right now: affordable to buy, proven to last, and supported by parts that are still being made for it — as long as you respect the 2003–2005 vs 2006–2009 split. Start with protection, add the gear your kind of driving actually needs, and check the fitment line on every product page before you check out. Your twenty-year-old truck has a lot of life left in it; these are the upgrades worth spending on.