Inside a Clean 4Runner on 37s: Daily Driver Comfort Meets Off-Road Beast

When you’re scrolling through Toyota 4Runner content, you’ll find plenty of builds that talk big but don’t back it up with the details. That’s not the case with Snowbound Customs and their seriously dialed-in 2001 third-gen 4Runner. This rig isn’t just another Instagram build - it’s a well-thought-out machine that’s been methodically modified for serious off-road duty while maintaining daily driver comfort.

The heart of this build centers around fitting 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3s under a third-gen 4Runner, which anyone who’s worked on these rigs knows isn’t exactly a bolt-on affair. The owner runs these meats on 17x9 Falcon Offroad T7 wheels with -12mm offset, paired with 1.25-inch Spidertrax wheel spacers. The suspension setup includes Radflo 2.0 coilovers up front with 600-pound springs, though he admits he’d go with 2.5s and 650-pound springs if he built it again. The rear runs Land Cruiser 7.5-wrap coils with Tokico shocks, sitting the rig at about three inches of lift in front and four to five inches in the rear depending on cargo load.

Getting those 37s to fit required some serious commitment to the cutting wheel. The fender flares got trimmed by about two inches along the natural body line, and the inner fender wells received proper tubbing to clear the rubber. But the real work happened when it came time to address the rear quarter panel clearance issues.

The quarter panel modification process is where things get interesting. Instead of going the traditional route with welded patches, this build uses a technique borrowed from Doc Offroad that involves making relief cuts every inch or so up to a marked line, then folding the metal underneath and sealing it with Flex Seal. It’s not the prettiest method from underneath, but it maintains the structural integrity of the pinch weld while creating the necessary clearance. The cuts get hidden by the fender flares once everything’s buttoned back up, so the finished product looks clean from the outside.

The drivetrain upgrades match the serious nature of the tire choice. ARB air lockers front and rear provide serious traction capability, powered by a dedicated air compressor mounted in the rear storage area. The diff gearing has been swapped to 5.29s to help turn those big tires, and a one-inch diff drop keeps CV angles manageable. Upper control arms from Camberg with uniballs handle the increased demands of the lifted suspension geometry.

The interior setup shows this isn’t just a weekend warrior. A custom drawer system from Snowbound Customs integrates seamlessly with a JL Audio 10W1v3 subwoofer box, providing both storage and sound. The driver’s side drawer holds recovery gear including a Spartan kinetic recovery rope and soft shackles, while the passenger side accommodates a Set Power AJ30 fridge on heavy-duty slides. A Jackery 500W power station keeps the fridge running for days when the engine’s off, and the whole setup is designed so you can still access factory storage areas and power outlets.

The attention to detail extends to smaller touches that make a real difference on the trail. A custom dash cam setup uses the factory keyhole location for a flush-mounted rear camera, while the mirror doubles as both front and rear recording unit. Switch panels control the air compressor, front and rear lockers, and a traction control defeat switch that’s essential for any lifted third-gen dealing with ABS freakouts on tight turns.

Protection comes from a full complement of armor including Shrockworks bolt-on rock sliders, an Addicted Offroad front bumper, and a complete set of skid plates. The headlights are custom-built units using mini D2S 5.0 projectors with Panamera shrouds, providing serious light output with a clean cutoff that won’t blind oncoming traffic.

What makes this build stand out isn’t just the parts list - it’s the thoughtful approach to making everything work together. The owner admits to mistakes along the way, like wishing he’d gone with heavier springs up front or choosing different skid plates for easier oil changes. But that honest assessment of what works and what doesn’t makes this build more valuable than the usual “everything’s perfect” social media content.

The real test comes when rubber meets rock, and this rig has proven itself on technical terrain. The combination of proper suspension geometry, adequate tire clearance, and smart armor placement means it can handle serious obstacles without the constant worry of body damage or mechanical failure that plagues many builds.

For anyone considering a similar build path, this 4Runner demonstrates that fitting 37s on a third-gen is absolutely doable, but it requires commitment to doing the work properly. The quarter panel modifications, suspension upgrades, and gearing changes aren’t optional - they’re necessary steps to make the whole package work reliably.

You can follow the build progress and see more detailed content at Snowbound Customs or check out their Instagram for regular updates. This is the kind of build that proves you don’t need unlimited budgets to create something truly capable - you just need to be willing to do the work and make smart choices along the way.