Feature Friday: Peter Klippel’s Voodoo Blue Toyota 4Runner Build
There’s something to be said for starting with a 4Runner you already love and taking your time figuring out exactly where you want the build to go.
That’s the approach Peter Klippel (@voodoo.texas) is taking with his Voodoo Blue Toyota 4Runner. His build is still in its early stages, but he already has a solid start and a long list of plans for what comes next.
And when your starting point is a Voodoo Blue TRD Pro, you don’t exactly need to rush it.
Starting With the Right 4Runner
When we asked Peter what he loves most about his setup, his answer was simple:
“That it was factory ready for me to build exactly how I intend to use it over time. Plus, it’s Voodoo.”
That pretty much sums up the direction of this build.
Rather than changing everything immediately, Peter is starting with a platform he already likes and adding to it over time. It’s an approach that makes a lot of sense, especially when you already have one of the most recognizable 4Runner colors Toyota has offered.
The Build So Far
Peter’s current mod list is fairly simple, with upgrades focused on protection, lighting and a few personal touches.
RCI 20° Rock Sliders
Peter has already added RCI 20° rock sliders, giving the 4Runner additional rocker protection and setting the stage for some of the more trail-focused upgrades he has planned.
Sliders are one of those modifications that make sense early in a build. They add real protection without dramatically changing the look of the 4Runner, and the angled design works especially well with the TRD Pro’s stance.
Meso Customs LED Interior Kit
Inside, Peter upgraded the factory lighting with a Meso Customs full LED interior kit.
It’s a relatively simple upgrade, but one that makes a noticeable difference every time you get into the truck at night. It also modernizes the interior without requiring any major changes to the cabin.
Toyota Vinyl Mountain Badge
Rounding out the current list is a Toyota Vinyl mountain badge, adding a small personalized detail to the exterior.
Peter may only be a few modifications into the build, but there’s quite a bit more on his list.
What’s Next?
When we asked Peter if there were any modifications he regretted or anything he would do differently, he didn't really have a list of regrets.
Instead, his answer was about what he doesn't have yet.
Peter mentioned a URD supercharger, headers, hidden front bumper, 2-inch lift, roof rack, and upgraded headlights and taillights. He also mentioned red leather interior, which sounds like one factory option he wishes he had started with.
There’s a lot of room for this 4Runner to evolve.
More Power Is on the Wishlist
A URD supercharger and headers immediately stood out to us on Peter's future-mod list.
Plenty of 4Runner builds focus heavily on suspension, armor and exterior accessories, so it's always interesting to see performance upgrades make the list too.
Combined with the other changes Peter has planned, adding more power would take this build well beyond simply changing its appearance.
Lighting: Our Pick for the Voodoo Blue
Peter specifically mentioned headlights and taillights as future upgrades, and if this were our build, we already know what we'd want up front: Morimoto XB EVO headlights.
The black and titanium internals would look killer against Voodoo Blue, while the lighting signature would give the front of the 4Runner a much more modern appearance.
They're not just an aesthetic upgrade, either. The XB EVOs use dual Bi-LED projectors and allow the DRLs to be configured in white or amber, along with different turn-signal settings. They're also plug-and-play across 2014–2024 4Runner submodels.
TD4R Pick: Morimoto XB EVO Headlights for the 5th Gen 4Runner
Roof Rack: Our Pick for Peter’s Build
A roof rack is also on Peter's future list, and we think the Martin Off-Road Full-Length Roof Rack would fit the direction of this build really well.
Its low-profile, satin-black design would work especially well against the bright Voodoo Blue while tying in with the black wheels, sliders and other dark accents already on the 4Runner.
The Martin Off-Road rack is constructed from CNC laser-cut and bent 1/4-inch 5052 aluminum, comes powder-coated in satin textured black and installs without drilling.
It's the kind of addition that would give Peter more utility while still keeping the relatively clean look he has going now.
Building It Over Time
One of our favorite answers from Peter might actually be the simplest.
When we gave him a chance to add anything else about the build, he said:
“I am always looking for someone’s old parts.”
We can appreciate that.
A 4Runner build doesn't have to come together from one massive parts order. Finding the right used part, waiting for the upgrade you actually want, and letting the build evolve over time is part of the process.
And that's what makes @voodoo.texas an interesting build to feature now rather than waiting until it's “finished.”
What We Love About Peter’s 4Runner
What we like most about Peter's 4Runner is that he isn't rushing to change it.
There's a tendency with builds to immediately start replacing parts, but a TRD Pro is already an extremely capable 4Runner right from the factory. Peter seems to appreciate what he started with and is taking the time to figure out which upgrades actually make sense for how he wants to use it.
The mods he has added so far are purposeful, and the rest can come as the build evolves. There's something refreshing about enjoying the 4Runner you already have instead of treating the stock vehicle like a list of things that need to be replaced.
Especially when the stock vehicle just happens to be a Voodoo Blue TRD Pro.
We'll definitely be interested to see where Peter takes it next!
Follow @voodoo.texas on Instagram to watch the build come together.
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