Purchased the car in 2020 with 77,000 miles. It is a 2012 base model, 4cyl with 4wd.
Started off with a full detailing, and fixed any scuffs / paint chips that surfaced. Then applied ceramic wax.
![170240]( "170240")
The paint on the steel wheels was worn down on several areas and they looked pretty bad, so decided to paint them black.
![170241]( "170241")
![170242]( "170242")
![170243]( "170243")
The car sits a little nose-down from the factory, so I installed 1/4" front spacers from Northwoods Performance to raise the front a bit. Car sits fairly level now, and the spacers only took about 30min to install.
The next issue is the lack of underbody protection. The factory splashguard also hangs down very low and looks pretty bad from the front. There is a skidplate from Northwoods for over $300, but I decided to make my own for around $100. Its aluminum and protects the engine and transmission pans from light debris and barely affects ground clearance. I made a thread for its full construction. The Rav4 is obviously not a rock crawler, so didn't want go overboard with a heavy steel skid. On the 2012, the Evap components have a metal shield and the hoses have a plastic one, so I left those alone.
![170244]( "170244")
Added all weather mats and trunk liner, interior and reverse LEDs, and window air deflectors. Tools / camping gear / recovery equipment are stored underneath the trunk. I also removed the mud flaps and tire air deflectors since they hang down too low for plastic flaps and make the wheels look even more tucked in to the fender. Looks better without them imo
Next, the tires had pretty terrible tread and I wanted to upsize a little. Ended up going with 245/65r17 Cooper Discoverer All-Terrains. This is a 29.5" tire, you cant go bigger than 30" stock. They were only $90 at Walmart. The tire cover wont fit but I like the look of the tire on the back door anyways and since I'll be rotating all 5 I don't need to worry about dry rot.
![170245]( "170245")
They very slightly rub on the engine bay plastic shield when turned all the way to the right, but doesn't damage anything. (update, heated the plastic up and pushed it in a little and no rubbing now).
Next up was lighting. I started with a 30" single row curved light bar, which fit absolutely perfect in the slot under the grille. I was able to mount it by removing the front bumper and installing threaded inserts, into the beam that is in front of the radiator. Tt sits flush and matches the curve of the bumper. I also installed some ditch lights to help me see where I am turning when on trails / backroads. Had to make custom brackets which mount where the A-pillar meets the fender.
![170248]( "170248")
Wiring took several hours. I made my own harnesses so that I didn't have excess wiring under the hood, used relays, add a circuit to the interior fuses for switch LED power, protected wires with conduit, and ran switch signal wire through firewall with a coat hanger using the same hole as the rest of the wires on the driver side. The ditch lights and light bar switches perfectly filled the two "blanks" to the left of the steering well on my base model.
![170249]( "170249")
I added two 1/2" shackles to the front, attached to factory screw in tow hooks with rubber isolators. Would probably hook up to a front control arm or the tow hitch if I ever get stuck bad. Using a kinetic recovery rope and soft shackle helps also.
I dragged my bumper and cargo area a little on a trail, no permanent damage but needed some rear end "departure" protection and a recovery point, and wanted to tow a small trailer so installed a tow hitch. It drags more frequently now, but keeps my rear end protected, and could use it for recoveries without worrying about bending anything.
![170250]( "170250")
Potential future mods: LED headlights (once one of the stock ones burn out). Maybe 1" wheel spacers. Lift Kit. Maybe some sort of rock sliders that attach to pinch welds, Gas Tank Armor, Limited-slip rear diff.
![170251]( "170251")
One day I will buy a tacoma or 4runner, but in the meantime the Rav4 is a great reliable first car.
Started off with a full detailing, and fixed any scuffs / paint chips that surfaced. Then applied ceramic wax.
The paint on the steel wheels was worn down on several areas and they looked pretty bad, so decided to paint them black.
The car sits a little nose-down from the factory, so I installed 1/4" front spacers from Northwoods Performance to raise the front a bit. Car sits fairly level now, and the spacers only took about 30min to install.
The next issue is the lack of underbody protection. The factory splashguard also hangs down very low and looks pretty bad from the front. There is a skidplate from Northwoods for over $300, but I decided to make my own for around $100. Its aluminum and protects the engine and transmission pans from light debris and barely affects ground clearance. I made a thread for its full construction. The Rav4 is obviously not a rock crawler, so didn't want go overboard with a heavy steel skid. On the 2012, the Evap components have a metal shield and the hoses have a plastic one, so I left those alone.
Added all weather mats and trunk liner, interior and reverse LEDs, and window air deflectors. Tools / camping gear / recovery equipment are stored underneath the trunk. I also removed the mud flaps and tire air deflectors since they hang down too low for plastic flaps and make the wheels look even more tucked in to the fender. Looks better without them imo
Next, the tires had pretty terrible tread and I wanted to upsize a little. Ended up going with 245/65r17 Cooper Discoverer All-Terrains. This is a 29.5" tire, you cant go bigger than 30" stock. They were only $90 at Walmart. The tire cover wont fit but I like the look of the tire on the back door anyways and since I'll be rotating all 5 I don't need to worry about dry rot.
They very slightly rub on the engine bay plastic shield when turned all the way to the right, but doesn't damage anything. (update, heated the plastic up and pushed it in a little and no rubbing now).
Next up was lighting. I started with a 30" single row curved light bar, which fit absolutely perfect in the slot under the grille. I was able to mount it by removing the front bumper and installing threaded inserts, into the beam that is in front of the radiator. Tt sits flush and matches the curve of the bumper. I also installed some ditch lights to help me see where I am turning when on trails / backroads. Had to make custom brackets which mount where the A-pillar meets the fender.
Wiring took several hours. I made my own harnesses so that I didn't have excess wiring under the hood, used relays, add a circuit to the interior fuses for switch LED power, protected wires with conduit, and ran switch signal wire through firewall with a coat hanger using the same hole as the rest of the wires on the driver side. The ditch lights and light bar switches perfectly filled the two "blanks" to the left of the steering well on my base model.
I added two 1/2" shackles to the front, attached to factory screw in tow hooks with rubber isolators. Would probably hook up to a front control arm or the tow hitch if I ever get stuck bad. Using a kinetic recovery rope and soft shackle helps also.
I dragged my bumper and cargo area a little on a trail, no permanent damage but needed some rear end "departure" protection and a recovery point, and wanted to tow a small trailer so installed a tow hitch. It drags more frequently now, but keeps my rear end protected, and could use it for recoveries without worrying about bending anything.
Potential future mods: LED headlights (once one of the stock ones burn out). Maybe 1" wheel spacers. Lift Kit. Maybe some sort of rock sliders that attach to pinch welds, Gas Tank Armor, Limited-slip rear diff.
One day I will buy a tacoma or 4runner, but in the meantime the Rav4 is a great reliable first car.
