Feature Friday: 6 Exterior Storage Setups For The 4Runner

This Week’s Topic: Exterior Storage Setups

Welcome back to another Feature Friday! Last week we discussed Amazon mods for the 5th Gen 4Runner. This week, we are getting you ready for the upcoming season with exterior storage setups!

I’m sure we all know the importance of optimizing storage space in our vehicles and ensuring easy access to all of the gear. This is where exterior storage options really shine!

There are many solutions that not only enhance the functionality of your 4Runner but also elevate your off-roading and camping experiences. Let’s take a look at a few setups below and hopefully, help show you how these setups can transform your car into a well-organized and adventure-ready machine.

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Note: The builds listed below are in no particular order

What Are Exterior Storage Mods?

There are several options to consider for exterior storage modifications for 4Runners. Some of those include:

• Roof Racks: Roof racks provide valuable space for carrying bulky items such as boxes, rooftop tents, or recovery gear, freeing up interior room for a more comfortable off-roading or camping experience.
• Exterior MOLLE Panels: These panels offer versatile attachment points for gear organization, allowing you to secure items of all shapes and sizes.
• Spare Tire Bags: These bags are designed to utilize the often-underutilized space around the spare tire. They provide a convenient storage solution for items like recovery gear or camping equipment. Or, if you don’t want to carry your trash back home in your trunk, this is a great alternative. These are usually mounted on spare tire swing-outs or on ladders.
• Mounted Storage Boxes/Cases: Mounted boxes are ideal for securely storing and protecting valuable items or smaller gear you want to keep within easy reach.
• RotopaX Containers: RotopaX containers are stackable fuel or water containers that can be mounted to the exterior, ensuring a reliable supply of essential fluids during extended adventures.
• Ladders: These are designed for mounting on the rear of the 4Runner, providing easy access to the roof, or they can be used as additional mounting points, making them a great option for exterior storage.

These modifications enhance versatility, convenience, and functionality all at the same time. They make off-roading and camping experiences more enjoyable and organized.

1. Andree Hoang – (@funrunrr) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• Prinsu Roof Rack
• Front Runner Boxes mounted w/ Front Runner Roof Rack Mounts
• RotopaX
• C4 Fabrication Ladder w/ Side Steps
• Ladder-Mounted Bag

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

All of these brands are reliable and functional.

Starting with the rear, I love the look of the C4 ladder. It’s sturdy and I can mount my RotopaX and a ladder-mounted bag on the top half of the ladder when traveling.

Before getting a rooftop tent, I mounted the Front Runner boxes on the Prinsu rack. On every trip, I still use these boxes to store my camp and safety equipment. The way that these boxes are designed, they can be securely stacked without sliding off each other.

I absolutely hate storing camp trash inside my truck, so I got the ladder-mounted bag to store them and a couple of the 16oz propane bottles. Overall, all of these additions have improved my road-trip experience tremendously.

2. Sean Migone – (@mig_rnr) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• Apache 9800 Long Cases
• ALL-TOP Spare Tire Bag
• C4 Fabrication Ladder
• RotopaX

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

The Apache cases from Harbor Freight are a fraction of the cost of other cases on the market. For this reason, I did not feel too bad drilling holes in the bottom of the cases to attach them to my roof. I can easily remove them when not in use. That’s important considering that my rig is also a daily driver.

I’ve done over 10,000 miles with these cases, having mostly my recovery gear stored in them. They perform perfectly for what I need them for, and I didn’t have to spend an arm and a leg on them. They look great too.

I also have an ALL-TOP Spare tire bag, and although this is advertised as a trash bag, I use it to store other items. When I’m not actually at camp, I use it to store my firewood for transport, and the outside of the bag also has MOLLE webbing as well as small netted pouches. All of my outside storage items do exactly what I need them to do, and they didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. I couldn’t be happier with them.

3. Gloria Arriaza – (@silverfox_therunner) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• upTOP Overland Bravo Roof Rack
• Pelican V700 Vault Takedown Case

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

My upTOP Overland Roof Rack is one of my favorite mods! When I was initially looking for a roof rack, I wasn’t super interested in basket-style roof racks. I wanted to keep a low profile, so I went with the upTOP Overland. I mount my storage box and full-size spare on my roof rack for longer trips since I don’t have a tire carrier yet.

My Pelican V700 Vault Takedown Case is attached to the roof rack and I picked it because it also has a low profile. It’s also cheaper than other storage cases. I keep spare parts, camping gear, and recovery gear in there.

The cool thing about my current setup is I have space to mount another Pelican V700 Vault Takedown Case if I need to add more storage space later on.

4. Sebastian Ferregur – (@lanathe4runner) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• Sherpa Roof Rack
• Trasharoo Spare Tire Bag

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

I went with both of these brands cause they are known for their durability. Sherpa has incredibly strong roof racks available for the 3rd Gen 4Runner, and the Trasharoo can withstand any conditions.

Mounted to my roof rack are my awning and rooftop tent. I go on lots of road trips and camping trips, so investing in a rooftop tent was the way to go. The Sherpa roof rack is great because it can take the weight of anything I put on it when going on my trips.

The Trasharoo is attached to my spare tire. Inside the bag, I store things I don’t want to carry inside the truck such as garbage, etc.

5. Cory Flood – (@cfloodgo) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• Roam Adventure Co 95L Rugged Cases (Mounted w/ Roam Quick Mounts)
• Front Runner Slimline II 3/4 Roof Rack

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

I got a great deal on both of these Roam boxes with the quick-release mounts from Facebook. After using them for over a year now, I would’ve paid full price for these, as the design is very smart. The quick-release mounts make moving the boxes around a breeze, the gas struts pop open the lids automatically, and Roam also makes some pretty handy internal storage accessories for the boxes.

One of my boxes is designated for camping gear (stove, dry sack with extra clothes, tent, cooking box, etc.). The other is designated for tools (recovery gear, shackles, socket set, arb air pump, shovel, etc.).

I love this storage setup, as I can keep all the gear I don’t frequently use or the dirtier gear up top and out of the way. I sleep in the back of my 4Runner for trips, so the less stuff I have to move around, the better!

6. Victor Lam – (@offthegrid.adventure) 

Exterior Storage Setup 

• Prinsu Roof Rack
• Tactical Roof Rack Exterior MOLLE Panels
• RotopaX

What Do You Like About Your Setup?

My exterior storage setup isn’t super extensive; however, it works very well for my build and what I do. I have one exterior MOLLE panel from Tactical Roof Racks on the driver’s side. In the summer, it carries my WaterPort Day Tank. In the winter, it carries my Diesel RotoPax for my Diesel Heater.

I also have my Prinsu roof rack that has a rooftop tent mounted to it. Both of these have been a great addition to my build.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up another Feature Friday! We hope you enjoyed this week’s post.

Exterior storage setups offer a game-changing solution for individuals seeking to expand and optimize their storage capacity. Whether you require additional space or simply prefer keeping gear outside, these mods are great ways to accomplish either. These modifications will ensure you are fully prepared and organized for off-roading or camping adventures!

Next week, we’ll be taking a look at storage mods for the interior. This can include your interior MOLLE panels, drawer systems, shelving, behind-the-seat organizers, and much more! If you want to submit your 4Runner to be featured, make sure to fill out the form above!