Feature Friday: Luis Castillo’s Toyota 4Runner Build on 35s
This week’s TD4R Feature Friday highlights Luis Castillo’s Toyota 4Runner - a build that brings together suspension, lighting, 35-inch tires, and overland gear without losing sight of how the 4Runner actually drives.
Luis, better known as @mrluilou on Instagram, has put together a setup with upgrades throughout the rig. Underneath, there’s a Dobinsons IMS suspension, JBA upper control arms, and Perry Parts MK3 bump stops. The 4Runner rides on 17-inch SCS Ray10 wheels wrapped in 35-inch Mastertrack R/Ts, while a full Baja Designs lighting setup and Attica headlights and taillights handle lighting duties.
Add a GOBI USA rack, WaterPORT overland tank, and a handful of smaller functional upgrades, and the result is a 4Runner built to be used both on and off the pavement.
Dobinsons IMS Suspension
Of everything he has added to the 4Runner, Luis points to the Dobinsons IMS suspension as his favorite upgrade.
And it's not simply because of what it allows the rig to do off-road.
“I love my suspension the most because of how enjoyable the drive is off and on the road.”
That says quite a bit about the direction of the build. Off-road capability matters, but so does having a 4Runner that is enjoyable to drive when the trail ends.
Dobinsons’ IMS line is a monotube suspension system designed for both on-road ride quality and off-road performance, making it a popular step up for 4Runner owners looking beyond a basic lift.
Luis pairs the IMS setup with JBA upper control arms and Perry Parts MK3 bump stops, rounding out a suspension package built around more than simply adding ride height.
17-Inch Stealth Custom Series Ray10s & 35-Inch Mastertrack R/Ts
It’s hard to miss the wheel and tire setup.
Luis is running 17-inch SCS Ray10 wheels with 35-inch Mastertrack R/T tires, giving the 4Runner a much more aggressive footprint.
Going to a 35-inch tire is a significant jump on a 5th gen 4Runner and can require considerably more attention to clearance than the more common 33-inch setups. Fitment varies by suspension, wheel specs and vehicle setup, which makes the supporting modifications especially important when building around a tire this size.
Visually, the combination of the Ray10s and 35s also plays a major role in the overall look of Luis’s build. It gives the 4Runner an aggressive stance without taking away from the rest of the build.
Baja Designs Lighting
Lighting is another area where Luis went all in.
His setup includes Baja Designs LP6s, Squadrons, and S2s, giving him several different auxiliary lighting options around the 4Runner. He’s also running Ronin ditch light brackets as part of the setup.
Together, the different Baja Designs lights give Luis plenty of lighting options while adding to the aggressive look of the 4Runner’s front end.
Attica Headlights & Taillights
Luis also replaced the factory lighting at both ends with Attica headlights and taillights.
Combined with the Baja Designs equipment up front, the upgraded housings help carry the modified look throughout the entire 4Runner rather than concentrating everything on suspension and tires.
It’s one of those changes that can make a build look considerably more finished, particularly when the rest of the exterior has already moved well beyond stock.
GOBI USA Roof Rack
Up top, Luis chose a GOBI USA roof rack.
A full-length rack adds another layer of utility to a 4Runner build, especially when interior cargo space needs to stay available for passengers, gear, or longer trips.
On this build, the GOBI rack adds useful cargo space while complementing the 4Runner’s overall look and other exterior upgrades.
WaterPORT Overlander Water Tank
Luis also carries a WaterPORT overlander water tank, adding a simple but useful piece of gear to the setup.
On trail days, camping trips, or longer stretches away from easy access to water, having an onboard water supply can be useful for everything from rinsing equipment to cleaning up at camp.
It’s a relatively small addition compared with suspension or tires, but it’s exactly the type of practical modification that can make a built 4Runner easier to actually use.
The Smaller Details
Luis also included Scrubblade wipers in his build, a simple, functional upgrade for keeping visibility clear on and off the road.
It’s a small detail compared to the suspension, lighting, and overland gear, but one that adds everyday functionality to the 4Runner.
A 4Runner Built for Both Sides of the Pavement
What stands out about Luis’s 4Runner is the balance.
The 35s, SCS wheels, Baja Designs lighting, and GOBI rack give it the presence you’d expect from a heavily modified 4Runner, but Luis’s favorite part of the entire setup isn't how it looks.
It’s how it drives.
His Dobinsons IMS suspension is the modification he specifically credits with making the 4Runner enjoyable both on and off-road, showing just how much the right suspension setup can change the overall driving experience.
And when we asked Luis if there were any modifications he regretted or anything he would do differently if he were starting over?
“None that I can think of.”
Hard to argue with that!
What We Love About This Build
What stands out about Luis’s 4Runner is that it feels like a build that’s meant to be driven, not just looked at.
It has the stance and capability you’d expect from a well-built 4Runner, but he hasn’t sacrificed how it feels behind the wheel to get there. In fact, when we asked what he loves most about his build, that’s exactly what he pointed to, how well it drives both on and off-road.
That says a lot about the way this 4Runner came together. Every upgrade has a purpose, and the end result is a truck that looks great, performs where it needs to, and is still enjoyable to drive every day.
For us, that’s what makes a build feel finished.
Follow Luis’s Build
Want to see more of Luis’s 4Runner?
Follow @mrluilou on Instagram to keep up with the build and see where it goes next!
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