Feature Friday: Brandon Castaneda’s 6th Gen Toyota 4Runner Build
Welcome to our very first TD4R Feature Friday, where we take a closer look at 4Runners from the TD4R community - the builds, the parts, and the people behind them!
For this week we're featuring Brandon Castaneda's (@Ezytrd) 6th Gen Toyota 4Runner.
Brandon is no stranger to building Toyotas. He's put together several Toyota trucks over the years, and his latest 4Runner is already becoming one of his favorites.
Rather than just throwing parts at the new platform just for the sake of modifying it, Brandon's build has a clear purpose behind it. He wanted a capable 4Runner that still works as a comfortable vehicle for him and his family.
“I love the functionality of my rig most. The way it's set up right now just works so well for what me and my family like to go do, and it's super comfortable.”
That focus on functionality carries through just about every part of the build, from the suspension and 35" tires underneath it to the armor, lighting, storage, and adventure gear added around it.
Dialing In the Suspension
Underneath, Brandon is running FOX 2.5 HTO coilovers paired with Dirt King 4130 upper control arms.
In the rear, he's running Dobinsons rear springs to round out the suspension setup.
It's an important part of the build for Brandon, and also the area he says he'd prioritize differently if he had the opportunity to start all over again.
“One thing I would do differently if I started over was dialing in my suspension setup first and foremost before doing any other mods. Making sure my ride is comfortable and enjoyable should definitely be prioritized.”
That's especially relevant on a build like this one. With bigger tires, added armor, a roof rack, an awning, storage and other equipment going onto the 4Runner, suspension isn't simply about achieving a certain stance. How the vehicle rides and handles ultimately affects how enjoyable the entire build is to use.
Brandon's experience is a great reminder for anyone just starting on a new 4Runner build: it can be worthwhile to figure out your suspension goals early rather than treating suspension as just another item on the mod list.
Stealth Custom Series Wheels & Toyo Open Country A/T III Tires
Brandon paired the suspension with SCS Gen5 wheels in a 17x8.5 +20 configuration.
They're wrapped in 315/70R17 Toyo Open Country A/T III tires, giving the 4Runner a much more aggressive footprint.
The larger tire setup fits well with the rest of the build. This isn't a 4Runner that's been modified in one area while leaving everything else untouched, the wheel and tire setup is part of a much larger combination of suspension, protection and utility upgrades.
And visually, the SCS wheels and Toyo tires give Brandon's 6th Gen a noticeably more aggressive look without taking away from the clean overall style of the build.
Cali Raised Armor Up Front
Moving to the front of the 4Runner, Brandon chose a Cali Raised LED Stealth Front Bumper.
The low-profile bumper adds to the functionality of the front end while maintaining a relatively clean appearance rather than completely changing the look of the 4Runner.
Underneath, Brandon added a Cali Raised aluminum front skid plate for additional protection.
Together, the bumper and skid plate give the front end added protection that makes sense alongside the rest of the modifications he's chosen.
CBI Offroad Rock Sliders
Protection continues down the sides with CBI Offroad rock sliders.
Sliders are one of those modifications that usually serve more than one purpose on a 4Runner build. They contribute to the overall off-road setup while also fitting the more rugged appearance Brandon has created with the suspension, larger Toyo tires and front-end upgrades.
It's another piece that fits the theme running throughout this build: functionality first.
A Full Prinsu Roof Setup
Brandon has also put the roof of the 4Runner to work.
At the center of the setup is a Prinsu Pro Roof Rack, giving him additional space and mounting options for gear.
The rack is paired with Prinsu side MOLLE panels, adding even more versatility to the exterior storage setup.
He's also running Prinsu quick-release awning mounts, which secure his Kammok Crosswing awning.
The combination gives Brandon a setup that can be adapted depending on what he and his family are heading out to do. Rather than having the roof rack simply there for looks, the surrounding accessories turn it into another functional part of the build.
Kammok Crosswing Awning
Mounted alongside the Prinsu setup is Brandon's Kammok Crosswing awning.
An awning is a relatively straightforward addition, but for a family-oriented adventure build, it's also one of those accessories that can make the vehicle more useful once you've actually reached your destination.
Combined with Prinsu's quick-release mounts, it fits naturally into Brandon's emphasis on keeping the 4Runner practical for the activities he and his family enjoy.
Storage With Solid Wood Worx
The organization doesn't stop on the outside.
Inside the 4Runner, Brandon is using a Solid Wood Worx precut drawer system.
Drawer systems can make a big difference when a 4Runner regularly carries recovery equipment, tools, camping gear or everyday supplies. Instead of everything ending up loose in the cargo area, dedicated storage makes it easier to keep the vehicle organized and actually get to the gear when it's needed.
It's another modification that may not attract as much attention as the wheels or lighting, but it fits Brandon's priorities for the build particularly well.
Diode Dynamics Lighting Throughout
One area where this 4Runner definitely isn't lacking is lighting.
Brandon has incorporated several Diode Dynamics products throughout the build, with each covering a different lighting position.
His setup includes Diode Dynamics SS5 CrossLink lights, along with Diode Dynamics SS6 fog lights.
He's also running Diode Dynamics SS3 ditch lights, providing another lighting position higher up on the vehicle.
Finally, a Diode Dynamics SS30 light bar adds another piece to the lighting setup.
Rather than relying on one auxiliary lighting upgrade, Brandon has built out several different positions across the 4Runner.
The result is one of the more extensive portions of his overall build and another area where there are multiple individual components working together rather than one standalone modification.
Keeping It Controlled With Auxbeam
Of course, adding that much auxiliary lighting also means having to control it all.
For that, Brandon is using an Auxbeam 8-button switch panel.
The switch panel is paired with a 686 Baja switch panel mount, helping integrate the controls into the 4Runner rather than just leaving individual switches scattered throughout the cabin.
It's a smaller part of the overall build, but exactly the type of supporting modification that becomes important as more electronic accessories are added.
SXTH Element Intake & Trail Pipe
Brandon has made a couple of changes beyond the suspension, armor and accessories as well.
Under the hood, he's running a SXTH Element CPLT intake.
That's paired with a SXTH Element Trail Pipe, adding another layer to the build beyond the more immediately visible exterior modifications.
While the wheels, lighting and armor are naturally the first things most people will notice, Brandon's build extends beyond what you can see at first glance.
The Details That Make It His
Not every modification has to completely transform how a 4Runner performs.
Some are simply about making the vehicle your own.
Brandon has added Aspire Auto Accessories smoked red tail lights to change up the rear appearance of the 4Runner.
He's also running a Tac Form dash clip phone mount inside the cabin, a much smaller modification than a suspension setup or front bumper, but one that can make a huge difference every time the vehicle is driven.
On the exterior, Beyond Wraps supplied both the hood decal and pillar topo wrap, adding some personalized styling without overwhelming the overall look of the 4Runner.
Those smaller touches help tie the build together and distinguish it from another 6th Gen sitting on the same suspension or wheels.
Building a 4Runner Around How You Actually Use It
It's easy for a build to become an endless list of parts.
What makes Brandon's setup interesting is that when you ask him what he likes most about it, he doesn't point to the FOX coilovers, the Prinsu rack, the lighting or any one particular modification.
He points to how the whole thing works together.
For Brandon, the end result is a 4Runner that suits what he and his family want to do while remaining comfortable enough to enjoy getting there.
And having already built multiple Toyota trucks, he has some perspective on where the newest 4Runner fits among them.
“I have built quite a few Toyota trucks in my young adult hood and the 6th gen 4Runner is one of my favorites so far. It's not the fastest or the roomiest, but it checks off my needs and is a comfortable ride for my family.”
That might be the best summary of the entire build.
It's not about having the longest possible mod list. It's about putting together the right combination of parts for the person actually driving it.
From the FOX suspension and Dirt King control arms underneath to the SCS wheels and Toyo Open Country A/T III tires, Cali Raised armor, Prinsu rack, Diode Dynamics lighting, Kammok awning, and storage inside, Brandon has built his 6th Gen around what he wants his 4Runner to do.
And based on what all he says about it, that combination is working.
What We Love About This Build
What we love most about Brandon’s 4Runner is that there’s a purpose behind the build. It’s easy to get caught up in adding all of the newest parts or building the most capable rig possible, but Brandon has kept how he and his family will actually use the 4Runner at the center of it.
From prioritizing a comfortable suspension setup to adding practical storage, an awning, lighting, and protection, the build is set up to make getting out and exploring together easier and more enjoyable.
We also love Brandon’s advice about dialing in the suspension early. A build can look great sitting still, but at the end of the day, you still have to enjoy driving it.
It’s an extremely capable 4Runner, but more importantly, it’s a build that works for Brandon and his family, and we think that’s what makes it such a great rig for our first ever Feature Friday.
Follow Brandon’s Build
Want to see more of Brandon’s 6th Gen 4Runner? Head over to @Ezytrd on Instagram to follow along with his build and see what he adds next!
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