The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is the biggest redesign the platform has seen in 14 years. New chassis, new powertrain options, new interior, and a fast-growing aftermarket built specifically for it. If you just took delivery and you're asking where to start, this post has you covered: the upgrades 6th gen owners are actually doing first, organized from easy wins to full trail builds.
You do not need to do everything at once. A few smart early additions will make your 4Runner more organized in the cabin, better lit on dark trails, and protected underneath before you ever touch a rocky road.
In this article
- What are the best first interior upgrades for the 6th gen 4Runner?
- Should I upgrade the lighting on a 2025 4Runner?
- What underbody protection does the 2025 4Runner need?
- When should I add rock sliders to my 6th gen 4Runner?
- How do I build out the roof of a 2025+ 4Runner?
- What order should I do these upgrades in?
- Frequently asked questions
What are the best first interior upgrades for the 6th gen 4Runner?
The 6th gen cabin is a genuine step forward from the 5th gen, with a larger touchscreen, improved materials, and a redesigned center console layout. A few low-cost additions make it immediately more functional without any drilling or permanent modification.
The center console is where most owners start. The flat side face of the console is perfect for a MOLLE panel, which lets you run a pouch for a first aid kit, a handheld radio, or a multi-tool right where you can reach it. The Cali Raised LED Interior Center Console MOLLE Panel attaches directly to the factory console with no drilling required and adds a full grid of webbing attachment points in minutes. At $39.99, it is the easiest first win on this list.
Quick win
Interior Center Console MOLLE Panel
No-drill MOLLE panel custom-fit for the 2025+ 4Runner console. Mount pouches, a radio, or a first aid kit right at arm's reach.
$39.99
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The 12.3-inch touchscreen is one of the best features on the 6th gen, and a tempered glass screen protector is worth adding in the first week before it picks up scratches. Beyond that, AJT Design's billet aluminum climate and drive mode knobs ($110) swap out the factory plastic for a machined finish that feels noticeably more solid and holds up better over time. A small but satisfying upgrade every time you reach for the dial.
Should I upgrade the lighting on a 2025 4Runner?
Yes. The 6th gen's factory lighting is improved over the 5th gen, but side coverage on dark trails is still limited. Your headlights throw light straight ahead. Ditch lights solve the gap by flooding the area directly in front of your fenders, where you need it most on switchbacks, tight forest roads, and low-speed technical terrain.
Cali Raised LED's Ditch Light Bracket Kit for the 2025+ 4Runner includes laser-cut mounting brackets engineered specifically for the 6th gen body lines, paired with your choice of LED pods and an optional OEM-style switch that installs cleanly in the factory switch panel. No cutting, no modification, no zip-tie solutions. The bracket sits low-profile against the hood and you would barely notice it during the day. At night, the difference is immediate.
Top seller
Ditch Light Bracket Kit (2025+ 4Runner)
Laser-cut brackets + LED pods + optional OEM-style switch. Bolt-on fit for the 6th gen. Floods your fender line where headlights don't reach.
From $169.99
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If you want more forward throw in bad weather, the Fog Light Replacement Kit ($199.99) is a direct swap for the factory fog housings, available in white or amber. Plug-and-play, no harness modifications needed.
What underbody protection does the 2025 4Runner need?
This depends on how you use it, but even occasional off-road use justifies getting underbody protection on before the first trail run. The 6th gen's new platform includes additional drivetrain components that the 5th gen did not have, and some of them sit lower and more exposed than owners expect.
The catalytic converter is a known theft target across all Toyota platforms. The transmission on the 2025 4Runner also sits at a height that makes rock contact a real possibility on moderate trails. Cali Raised LED's Cat Shield and Transmission Skid Plate covers both in a single bolt-on install. Available in steel or aluminum, raw or powder coat, it adds serious peace of mind without adding unnecessary weight.
Trail protection
Cat Shield & Transmission Skid Plate
Covers the catalytic converter and transmission in one bolt-on install. Steel or aluminum. Hybrid and non-hybrid variants available.
From $299.99
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For owners who plan to run rocky terrain regularly, the full skid system covers the front differential, transfer case, and fuel tank as separate bolt-on plates. Each is available in steel or aluminum with raw or powder coat finishes. Cali Raised LED makes all four plates specifically for the 6th gen, so fitment is exact.
When should I add rock sliders to my 6th gen 4Runner?
Before the rocks answer that question for you.
Rock sliders are frame-mounted steel tubes that protect the pinch welds and lower body panels when you drop a wheel off a ledge or slide sideways into a boulder. The 6th gen has a wider stance than the 5th gen, which makes low-speed body contact more likely on tight off-camber lines. The factory rocker panels are exposed and expensive to replace.
Cali Raised LED's Trail Edition Rock Sliders are frame-mounted for real protection rather than the bolt-to-body-panel designs that look good but flex under impact. They come in kick-out or straight styles depending on whether you want extra step access and side clearance. Available raw or in powder coat.
Trail armor
Trail Edition Rock Sliders (2025+ 4Runner)
Frame-mounted steel protection for the rocker panels. Kick-out or straight styles. Built for real trail use, not just looks.
From $909.99
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How do I build out the roof of a 2025+ 4Runner?
The 6th gen has a redesigned roofline that required a fully new rack solution. The Cali Raised LED Premium Roof Rack ($999.99) is a low-profile bolt-on platform engineered for the 2025+ body, sitting close to the roofline to minimize wind noise and drag. Standard extrusion channels let you attach crossbars, light bars, traction boards, or a rooftop tent without needing adapters.
Pair it with the T4R 6th Gen Exterior Window MOLLE Panels ($279.99 per side) for additional gear storage on the rear quarters. These panels mount to the exterior glass surround and give you a full MOLLE field on each side of the cargo area, useful for recovery gear, fuel cans, or a high-lift jack mount.
What order should I do these upgrades in?
Most new 6th gen owners ask this on the forums, and the answer depends on how you plan to use the truck. Here is a simple framework:
- Daily driver, light off-road: Start with the interior MOLLE panel and ditch lights. Add the cat shield before your first trail.
- Regular trail use: Prioritize underbody protection and rock sliders early. Then build out lighting and storage as needed.
- Full overland build: Do protection first, then roof rack, then exterior MOLLE and lighting. Recovery gear (winch, compressor) comes after the foundation is in.
A useful shorthand: protect first, then organize, then build out. The 6th gen aftermarket is moving fast and new products are arriving regularly, so you have room to add layers over time without needing to redo earlier work.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 6th gen 4Runner the same platform as the 5th gen?
No. The 2025 6th gen 4Runner rides on Toyota's TNGA-F platform, which is a completely new architecture compared to the 5th gen (2010-2024). Body panels, roofline, interior dimensions, and underbody layout all changed. 5th gen accessories do not fit the 6th gen without modification.
Do 5th gen 4Runner mods fit the 6th gen?
Generally no. Roof racks, sliders, bumpers, interior trim pieces, and most lighting mounts are platform-specific. Always confirm a product explicitly lists 2025+ or 6th gen compatibility before buying.
Does the 2025 4Runner come in a hybrid version?
Yes. The 6th gen is available with a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain as well as a standard non-hybrid option. Some underbody accessories, including skid plates, have separate hybrid and non-hybrid variants. Check the product page for your powertrain before ordering.
How many 6th gen 4Runner accessories are available right now?
The catalog is growing fast. As of mid-2026, Cali Raised LED carries more than 20 products built specifically for the 2025+ 4Runner, covering lighting, underbody protection, interior storage, exterior MOLLE, rock sliders, and a roof rack. New products are added regularly as the platform matures.
Ready to build your 6th gen?
Everything on this list is made or sourced specifically for the 2025+ Toyota 4Runner. Browse the full 6th gen catalog at Cali Raised LED.
Shop 6th Gen 4Runner Accessories →Free shipping on qualifying orders. Questions? We're here to help.
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