Top 5 Overland Mods to Maximize Your Off-Grid Setup in 2025 (5th Gen 4Runner Edition)
When it comes to off-grid capability, the Toyota 4Runner is already a proven platform — but for those of us who push past the pavement and into the wild, stock just doesn’t cut it. At PAKRAX, we design steel-built gear that transforms your rig into a trail-ready, camp-dialed machine — and this guide is built for 5th Gen 4Runner owners ready to step up.
Here are five essential upgrades to make your 4Runner unstoppable in 2025:
1. PAKRAX Rock Sliders: The First Line of Defense
Your rig can't take you deep into the backcountry if it's getting chewed up on the way there. PAKRAX bolt-on rock sliders offer hardcore protection for your rocker panels, giving you the confidence to crawl over rocks, ledges, and debris.
They’re made from 100% USA-grade steel, designed and manufactured in Arizona, and available for KDSS and non-KDSS setups. As a bonus, they double as a side step—especially handy when accessing your roof rack.
👉 Pro Tip: Jack up the sliders during installation using jack stands or a buddy to hand-thread the bolts. Everything lines up clean with factory mounting points.
2. PAKRAX Roof Rack: Built for Real-World Loads
This is not your average aluminum basket. Our PAKRAX 4Runner Roof Rack is crafted entirely from US-made steel, powder-coated in-house, and designed for strength, flexibility, and longevity.
With pre-drilled accessory slots and a rugged, aerodynamic profile, it's ready for rooftop tents, MAXTRAX, jerry cans, or a full camp kitchen setup. The rack hugs the roofline and gives you a quiet ride on the highway but shines when the adventure begins.
3. Behind-the-Grill Light Bar: Form Meets Function
Clean. Sleek. Powerful. The PAKRAX behind-the-grill light bar mod keeps your lighting tucked away and protected while giving you the lumen output you need to light up trails at night. Whether you’re driving through deep desert washouts or setting up camp after dark, this mod pays for itself on your first trip.
It pairs perfectly with factory aesthetics while seriously upgrading visibility.
4. PAKRAX Anytime Locker: Traction When You Need It
One of our most innovative add-ons, the Anytime Locker, gives you full control over your rear locker—no matter what terrain you're on or what speed you're driving. Follow our detailed instructions to install it yourself, or let a shop do it in under an hour.
Whether you're navigating slickrock, snow, or technical mountain trails, this mod means you don’t have to wait for your rig to "decide" when it’s time to lock up. You call the shots.
5. Tires & Wheels: Grip and Clearance Go Hand-in-Hand
We’re gearheads, but let’s be real — no build is complete without proper shoes. Pair your armor and rack setup with a reliable tire upgrade like BFGoodrich KM3s or Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws for better grip on loose terrain.
For wheels, something like Method Race Wheels or SCS adds strength and just the right offset to fill out the stance and keep those new sliders company.
Wrapping It Up
Whether planning a weekend in Moab or a month-long overland trip through Baja, these five upgrades transform the 5th Gen 4Runner into an off-grid beast. At PAKRAX, we don’t believe in gimmicks — we believe in real steel, real testing, and real people who know what it means to depend on their rig.
If you’re ready to start building a 4Runner that doesn’t just look the part — but earns it — we’ve got your back.
📍 All of our gear is designed and manufactured in Arizona, using 100% USA steel. Built to last. Built for the wild. Built by PAKRAX.