Toyota 4Runner TRD Surf concept revives removable roof

• Toyota plans 4Runner TRD Surf concept for 2024 SEMA show
• The concept has a removable canopy, an option offered on early 4Runners
• Custom parts were made using a blend of traditional methods and 3D printing

Toyota looks like it will have one of the more intriguing vehicles on display at the 2024 SEMA auto show next week, in the form of the new 4Runner TRD Surf concept which the automaker previewed on Thursday.

The concept is an extra-rugged 4Runner with a removable rear canopy, an option that was offered on some early-generation 4Runners. Toyota said it wanted to pay tribute to some of those early 4Runners while also exploring a design that would appeal to surfers, especially those who frequent the beaches of Southern California, where 4Runners were a common sight back in the 1980s.

The concept is based on the redesigned 2025 4Runner, specifically a 4Runner TRD Limited. However, a lot of mechanical changes were required, not least of which was swapping from a four-door body to one with just two doors. Before starting the build, Toyota practiced on a previous-generation 4Runner. Once a final design was locked in, many of the custom parts were made using a blend of traditional fabrication and modern 3D printing technology.

One of the trickiest parts to design and build was the canopy, as the cutlines needed to perfectly mirror both sides of the body to create an ideal fit. Toyota also wanted to design the canopy so that it could be easily removed or installed by a single person.

Various upgrades were also made to the chassis to ensure even the biggest beach dunes can be conquered. New features include long-travel suspension with billet aluminum front upper and lower A-arms, a custom front axle, and custom 17-inch wheels with 37-inch tires. The interior was also modified, including receiving some much-needed waterproof flooring.

The 2025 4Runner was revealed earlier this year and is expected to start sales later this year. The recipe is a familiar one, but gone is the old V-6. In its place is a turbo-4 that can be optioned as a hybrid.

The concept runs the hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.4-liter turbo-4 with a single electric motor for a combined output of 278 hp. Power is distributed by way of a full-time four-wheel-drive system complete with an electronically controlled dual-range transfer case. A TRD sports exhaust was added to give a throatier exhaust note.

The SEMA show kicks off in Las Vegas on Nov. 4, and Toyota said it has a few more surprises up its sleeve.