Like many Toyota Sequoia owners who find their vehicles at places like Carmax, I appreciate the reliability and robustness of this SUV. However, as a car enthusiast, I always look for ways to personalize and improve my ride. This journey started with a bit of unexpected excitement and evolved into a series of satisfying upgrades.
It all began with a deer encounter. Unfortunately, a deer dashed out unexpectedly, and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t avoid a minor collision.
Front end damage to a Toyota Sequoia after an unexpected deer collision, necessitating auto body repairs.
Moving on to more planned enhancements, family bike trips were on the horizon, which meant adding practical accessories. A sturdy bike rack was essential for hauling our bikes, and for the little ones, a Burley trailer tucked neatly into the trunk, ready for any adventure.
Installation of a hitch-mounted bike rack on a Toyota Sequoia, preparing for family cycling excursions.
Next on the list was addressing the brakes. I noticed a pulsation when braking at higher speeds, a clear sign that new rotors and pads were needed. After considering options like Powerstop Z36, I opted for TRD brake pads paired with OE rotors. Following the TRD break-in procedure, the stopping power improved significantly—reassuring for a 6,000 lb SUV like the Sequoia. However, the trade-off is noticeable brake dust.
Close-up of TRD brake pads and OE rotors installed on a Toyota Sequoia, showcasing performance brake upgrade.
Toyota Sequoia wheel with new TRD brake pads and rotors visible, highlighting the improved braking system.
Front view of a Toyota Sequoia showing upgraded wheels and brake system, emphasizing enhanced vehicle performance.
Aesthetic improvements were also on my mind. I had some leftover vinyl wrap and decided to experiment with the chrome door handles. While it looked decent initially, the vinyl wrap didn’t prove to be a long-lasting solution.
Toyota Sequoia door handle with temporary vinyl wrap, experimenting with cosmetic car modifications.
For a more permanent fix, I invested in Duplicolor adhesion promoter, Perfect Match paint, and clear coat to properly paint the door handles. This provided a much more durable and factory-like finish to replace the chrome.
Toyota Sequoia door handles prepped for painting with Duplicolor adhesion promoter, ensuring proper paint application.
Painted Toyota Sequoia door handles using Duplicolor Perfect Match paint and clear coat, achieving a lasting color-matched finish.
Moving to lighting, I upgraded the tail lights and stop lights to LEDs. Although from different brands, the color consistency is surprisingly good, enhancing visibility and modernizing the rear of the Sequoia.
LED tail lights and stop lights installed on a Toyota Sequoia, improving vehicle visibility and aesthetics with aftermarket lighting.
One of the most impactful visual upgrades was installing a 2020 Sequoia TRD Pro grille in attitude black. This instantly transformed the front end, giving it a more aggressive and sporty look that I absolutely love.
Front grille of a Toyota Sequoia upgraded to a 2020 TRD Pro grille in attitude black, showcasing a significant style enhancement.
Full front view of a Toyota Sequoia with the new 2020 TRD Pro attitude black grille installed, dramatically altering the vehicle's appearance.
Finally, for the exhaust, I joined a Dirty Deeds group buy and got a 10″ Stainless steel standard system with a pre-welded resonator. Installation was a bit beyond my DIY capabilities due to rusted bolts, so I took it to a shop. They made quick work of the rusted components with professional tools. The new exhaust delivers an amazing sound, though I suspect it might be contributing to slightly lower MPG figures as I enjoy the sound a bit too much! There is a slight drone at lower RPMs (around 1800-2000), but shifting up eliminates it. You can hear the sound here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy1j89-1qhA
Dirty Deeds 10-inch stainless steel exhaust system for Toyota Sequoia, highlighting performance exhaust upgrade parts.
New Dirty Deeds exhaust system installed underneath a Toyota Sequoia, showing the completed performance modification.
For now, I think I’m content with the modifications. It’s been a fun journey transforming my Carmax Toyota Sequoia into something uniquely mine, blending practicality with personal style.
