This Week’s Topic: Aftermarket Off-Road Lighting Setups
We’re back with a brand new Feature Friday! We previously talked about regearing your 5th Gen 4Runner. This week, we are back with a new post all about upgrading with aftermarket lights.
Whether you are in the market for a whole new light setup or just trying to pick a brand to get started, we have you covered! Below you will find 10 4Runner owners and their experiences with aftermarket lighting. They’ll highlight why they chose their specific products and which lights are their favorites.
If you’re still unsure about which lighting setups are right for you, check out our lighting section, where you can find in-depth reviews on tons of products.
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Note: The builds listed below are in no particular order
Table Of Contents
1. Verónica Fryer – (@t4r.chic)
Lighting Setup
- Morimoto XB LED Amber Headlights w/ Amber DRL
- Morimoto 4Banger Fog Lights | HXB | Yellow
- Extreme LED 32″ X6 Amber/White 180W Light Bar | Combo Beam
- Taco Vinyl Smoked Amber 4Runner Grille Lights
- Aiden James 4Runner LED DRL Amber Fog Light Bezel Kit
Which Is Your Favorite?
Choosing my favorite is tough. I love an aggressive but sexy look, and I feel that all these products on my rig achieve that. The C4 Fabrication bumper with the high clearance additions also completes the aggressive look. Who am I kidding, are we ever done making mods to our rigs?!
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I made these upgrades because I wanted an aggressive look on the front end of the 4Runner. I saw each of these mods individually on different rigs and knew they would allow me to achieve the look I wanted.
2. Camillo Lopez – (@roaming4runner)
Lighting Setup
- Diode Dynamics
- SS3 Fog Light | Pro SAE | Yellow
- SS3 Ditch Lights | Sport SAE | Yellow
- Stage Series 42in Light Bar | White
- Amazon Raptor Lights | Amber
Which Is Your Favorite?
This is tough since they are all great, but I love my SS3 fog lights and use them frequently. They are incredibly bright and provide the perfect amount of peripheral light, which significantly helps on trails.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I frequently find myself wheeling and/or camping at night and wanted to have lights for different purposes. Having three different types of lights gives me the flexibility to light specific parts of the road for any given situation.
3. Michael Reardon – (@6ixrunner)
Lighting Setup
- AlphaRex Nova Headlights | Amber
- Vivid Lumen LED Fang 5 Ditch Lights | Yellow
- Rigid Industries Flush Mount Lights | Yellow
- Diode Dynamics Chase Lights | Amber
- AUXITO LED Grill Lights | Amber
- ProjectX HP 7.0 High Power 7″ LED Auxiliary Light | Amber
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite product on the front end of my 4Runner is the AlphaRex Nova headlights. These are great because they are super bright, which comes in handy during night adventures or just driving around at night.
I also really like them because they completely changed the appearance of the 4Runner. It’s no surprise that the stock ones are outdated. These AlphaRex headlights give my 4Runner a modern look.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I made the upgrades because the OEM lighting was awful. I do a lot of camping, hunting, and driving at night and it was so hard to see anything before these upgrades. After upgrading and adding extra lighting, I can see everything no matter what time of the day it is.
4. Karl Thompson – (@ibkarlito)
Lighting Setup
- Baja Designs
- LP9 Pro LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Amber | Driving/Combo
- LP9 Racer Edition LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Amber | Spot
- LP6 Pro LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Amber | Driving/Combo
- S8 30″ Grille Lower Light Kit | Amber | Driving/Combo
- Squadron-R Sport Fog Pocket Light Kit | Amber | Driving/Combo
- S1 Black LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Clear | Work/Scene
- Squadron Pro Black Flush Mount LED Auxiliary Light Pod – Amber Wide Cornering
- Xenon Depot H11: XTR HID Kit
- Pro Comp 3 LED Rock Light Kit | White
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite lights are the Baja LP9s, mounted on the hood as “ditch lights”. I love them because they look ridiculously oversized for the location, and I have yet to see anyone else with the same application. Overkill, sure, but functional. I’m good with not following the norm.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I have an obsession with making sure I have sufficient lighting. It’s paramount that I can see through all types of elements and any mild to wild terrain while driving at night. It’s also always nice to have extra lighting when needing to work on or repair the rig at any given time. I went with Baja Designs for their excellent customer service, fantastic products, and superior quality!
5. Ashley Young – (@ashlaymae)
Lighting Setup
- AlphaRex Projector Headlights | PRO-Series | Jet Black
- Diode Dynamics
- SS5 CrossLink 7-Pod LED Light Bar | White
- Stage Series 3″ LED Ditch Lights | Sport SAE | Yellow
- Stage Series 5″ LED Pods | Sport SAE | Yellow
- Stage Series 3″ Flush Mount LED Pod | Sport SAE | Yellow
- Stage Series 2″ Flush Mount LED Pod | Sport SAE | Yellow
- Stage Series 30-inch Light Bar | Amber
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite product is the SS5 CrossLink lightbar on my roof rack. Each light features a selectable backlight with eight different color options. It’s perfect for an extra styling accent or more visibility when you’re not using the main beam. These lights really elevate the build, and the backlighting feature sets it apart from any other brand. I get so many compliments on it!
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
Lighting is always the fun part of a build, in my opinion. Lights before lockers, right!? Haha, just kidding. It was fun shopping all the different options on the market. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the big names. What made me decide on going full Diode Dynamics was the fantastic products and unique look. Not many 4Runners are running them right now, and I’m trying to stand out, not blend in.
6. Alex Hong – (@nautical_4runner)
Lighting Setup
- Baja Designs
- LP6 Pro LED Auxiliary Light Pods | Amber & White
- Squadron-R Sport Black LED Auxiliary Light Pod Pair Ditch Lights | Amber
- Squadron-R Sport Fog Pocket Light Kit | Amber
- GTR Carbide Projector LED Headlights w/ Clear Side-Marker
- 4WDKING 30″ LED Light Bar
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite product has to be the most recent upgrade, the Baja Designs LP6 Pros. They’re insanely bright compared to the lightbar I had previously. They’re overkill for my use but look badass. The amber color also helps with seeing more clearly during snowstorms.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
Every light upgrade was made to help me see better at night and out on the trails. The stock halogen headlights on the 4Runners are underpowered, so upgrading to the GTR headlights helped me see significantly more at night and be safer.
In my opinion, the Baja Designs lights are the best in the market in terms of quality and brightness. So, it was an easy decision to choose them for my trail lighting. They’re heavy-duty and can take a lot of beating, so I don’t have to worry about them breaking.
7. Lucas Johnson – (@midwest4r)
Lighting Setup
- Morimoto XB LED Headlights w/ Amber DRL
- Overland Depot Raptor Lights | Smoked Amber
- Diode Dynamics
- Stage Series 3″ LED Ditch Lights | Pro SAE | White
- Elite Series Fog Lamps | Amber
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite has to be the Morimoto headlights. They transform the front end’s look, even with the lights off. It makes the appearance more aggressive over the stock headlight housing. The light output is a nice upgrade, and the amber DRLs paired with all my other amber backlighting really sets it off.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I made these upgrades for function and form. Sure, the lights add a nice look to the 4Runner’s front end, but the added light output when on the trail is awesome. I also love supporting Diode Dynamics as they’re a local company and making great things here in the USA.
8. Zach – (@overland_engineer)
Lighting Setup
- Diode Dynamics
- SS5 CrossLink 7-Pod LED Light Bar | Driving | White
- Stage Series 3″ LED Ditch Lights | Pro SAE | Combo | White
- Stage Series C1 LED Pod | Sport SAE | White
- Stage Series 30″ Light Bar | Driving | White
- SS3 Fog Light | Pro SAE | Yellow
- AlphaRex NOVA-Series G2 LED Projector Headlights | Alpha-Black
- Harbor Freight 12V Utility/Rock White LED Light
Which Is Your Favorite?
Either the SS5 Crosslink Bar or AlphaRex headlights. The crosslink bar is show-stopping and outputs crazy light when bombing down forest roads late at night. The DRLs are also nothing like what most people see.
I also love the headlights because you can revolutionize 4Runner’s look with new headlights. The 2021+ 4Runners come with LEDs, but all older models come with halogens. My grille lights are also an honorary mention since they provide a high output as a bumper light bar.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I’m a big lighting guy. It’s okay if people want to joke about lights before lockers because I get the draw (I also have a rear locker).
Lighting setups are two-fold; I have taken trips where you get to camp late or don’t know where to camp. I have also had group trips where my 4Runner is easily the most capable, and I have to scope out trails late at night. Not being able to see well takes a lot of extra time. Being able to drive at daytime speeds at night because everything is lit up, is awesome.
I also love this light setup for the DRLs. If any of you follow me on IG, I post many DRL photos because I love the challenge of coordinating all the DRLs in an aesthetically pleasing way that looks awesome without being overdone.
9. Will K. – (@groovyrunner)
Lighting Setup
- Baja Designs
- LP4 Pro LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Amber
- S8 30″ Grille Lower Light Kit | Amber
- Squadron-R Sport Fog Pocket Light Kit | Amber
- Squadron-R Sport Black LED Auxiliary Light Pod Pair Ditch Lights | Amber
- S2 Sport Black LED Auxiliary Light Pod | Amber
- Extreme LED 38″ X6S Slim Amber 180W LED Light Bar
- Morimoto XB LED Amber Headlights w/ Amber DRL
- Overland Depot Raptor Lights | Smoked Amber
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite light modification would be the LP4s on my bumper. I don’t like using the rooftop lights because of the glare it causes, so my LP4s do a great throwing light where I need to see.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
I did these light upgrades because I travel a lot at night, so I needed to be able to see everything in front of me.
10. Dian Sumukti – (@trddle._)
Lighting Setup
- Morimoto XB LED Headlights w/ White DRL
- Baja Designs
- S8 40″ Straight LED Light Bar | Amber
- S8 30″ Grille Lower Light Kit | Amber
- S8 20″ Straight LED Light Bar | Amber
- Squadron-R Sport Fog Pocket Light Kit | Amber
- KC HiLites Flex Era 3 – 2-Light System Ditch Lights
- Aiden James 4Runner LED DRL Amber Fog Light Bezel Kit
Which Is Your Favorite?
My favorite products on my 4Runner are the Baja Designs light bars. They not only look great in contrast to the color of my truck but they also work great when I need them.
Why Did You Add Your Lights?
My build is centered around functionality and aesthetics as both my daily and off-roading vehicle. I wanted trusted, high-quality brands that could serve both of those purposes.
I like the output of the Morimoto headlights for daily driving and chose amber auxiliary lighting for off-roading as it helps cut through the dust and provides high visibility when going on night trails.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up this week’s Feature Friday!
There are so many different lighting setups that you can add to the 5th Gen 4Runner. These are just a few examples, and the possibilities are nearly endless! The two main restrictions are almost certainly your creativity and budget.
I hope this article gave you some inspiration for your future lighting modifications!
Next week, we’ll be back to feature OG Trail Edition builds!
