Some days at Morimoto start in an office, and some days start with a Sasquatch riding shotgun in a 4Runner named Tarzan. This one was the latter. We loaded up a crew of off-road rigs and dirt bikes, headed out to a track, and spent the day scoping the terrain, unloading bikes, and figuring out exactly where we would send it. If you have ever wondered what goes into one of our off-road content shoots, this behind-the-scenes session pulls the curtain all the way back. We tested lights, we mounted pods, and we talked through every build before the fireworks and drifts started flying.
Below we break down each vehicle in the lineup, the lighting that made it onto the trail, and how the whole crew came together for one rowdy day of jumps, drifts, and pyrotechnics. If you are shopping for 6th gen 4Runner rock lights or auxiliary pods of your own, there is plenty here to get your gears turning.
Rounding Up the Crew
As we mention in the video, Morimoto is always an adventure. The plan was simple on paper: round up the guys, head down to the track area, unload all the bikes, scope out the lay of the land, and figure out where we were going to shoot. In reality, that meant a convoy of rigs, a couple of dirt bikes, and a Sasquatch named Gary riding along for moral support. We had a thick ore sticker getting some love, a lot of laughs, and the guys stacked in the back looking (as we put it) absolutely adorable.
The star of the convoy was Joe’s 4Runner, and the moment we got rolling, the conversation turned straight to the lighting. That is usually how it goes around here.
Meet Tarzan: Joe’s 6th Gen 4Runner
Joe’s 4Runner is named Tarzan, and the story behind the name is a good one. When he first bought the truck, all he really wanted was a mild spacer lift and some bigger tires. To do it as cheaply as possible, he bought everything from Amazon, hence the name Tarzan. From humble budget beginnings, the build has come a long way, and the lighting is where it really shines now.
Tarzan runs Morimoto headlights along with auxiliary four banger lights mounted up front. Those four bangers are the compact LED pods we lean on constantly for off-road builds, and seeing them on a 4Runner that gets used hard is exactly the kind of real-world validation we love. If you want the deep dive on why these little pods punch so far above their weight, read our write-up on the 4Banger LED Light Pods: Off-Road Reinvented.
For 4Runner owners who want a clean, bolt-on mounting solution, the 4Banger A-Pillar Ditch Light System for the 4Runner is a popular route. It positions the pods right where you need extra visibility on tight trails, and it pairs perfectly with the headlights Tarzan already runs. You can see the full range of pods and brackets in the 4Banger Off-Road Lighting lineup if you want to spec out your own setup.
The KTM 790 Adventure With Front-Mounted Four Bangers
The lighting fun did not stop with four wheels. One of the standout builds in the group was a KTM 790 Adventure fitted with four banger lights mounted right up front. When Corey rolled up on it, we could not stop praising the mounting job. The pods fit so cleanly on the front end that it looked almost factory. As we said on camera, we absolutely loved how he mounted them right there, and it literally fit perfectly too.
Seeing the same four banger pods work beautifully on both a 4Runner and an adventure bike is a great reminder of how flexible these lights are. Whether you are lighting up a trail from the handlebars or clearing the darkness ahead of a full-size SUV, the pods deliver. That versatility is exactly why they show up across so many of our builds.
The Lexus Retrofit With Profile Performance LED Halos
Not every rig in the lineup was built for dirt. We also had a Lexus in the group that received a proper headlight retrofit, and the detail that caught our eye was the Profile Performance LED halos worked into the housings. Retrofits like this are where lighting goes from functional to downright artful, and the halos give the front end a signature look that stands out whether the lights are on or off.
If you are considering adding accent lighting to your own headlights, the Profile Performance LED accent lighting shop is the place to browse what is possible. For halos specifically, check out the Profile Pivot Switchback Halos, which are a favorite for retrofit builders who want a distinctive accent ring up front.
Two KTM 500s Ready to Send It
Of course, no off-road shoot would be complete without bikes built purely for action. We brought along two KTM 500s, piloted by Connor and Cam (yes, just Cam, not a K name), for the jumps and high-speed passes. These bikes were staged and ready to go the moment we figured out our shooting spots, and they ended up being some of the most exciting footage of the day.
Having dedicated jump bikes in the mix let us capture the kind of dynamic, in-air shots that make an off-road video feel alive. While they were set up for action rather than trail lighting, they rounded out the lineup perfectly alongside the lit-up 4Runner, Lexus, and 790 Adventure.
Fireworks, Drifts, and Getting Rowdy
Here is where the day took a turn for the wild. We got approval from Mr. Matt to shoot off some fireworks and throw down some drifts right on location. As soon as that green light came, we knew it was about to get rowdy. Combining LED pods, dirt bikes, a drifting rig, and actual fireworks is a recipe for the kind of footage that makes a shoot memorable.
With the extra elements approved, the energy on set jumped up a notch. Everyone knew we were about to put together something special, and the crew got right to work setting up the drift zone and the fireworks staging area.
Sending the Big Jump
The highlight of the day came when the riders got on two wheels and we realized just how big they were willing to go. There was a moment where we honestly thought one of the bikes was going to flip it. Bear threw down a challenge, betting the rider would not jump a particular gap, and the answer came back loud and clear: you better bet that I will jump it.
The rider absolutely sent it, and the whole crew erupted. As we shouted afterward, that was amazing, and they freaking sent it. Those are the moments that make a long day at the track worth every minute, and they are exactly why we keep bringing these builds and riders together.
Lighting Takeaways From the Shoot
Beyond the action, this shoot was a showcase of how our lighting scales across completely different platforms. The same four banger pods looked right at home on Joe’s 4Runner and on a KTM 790 Adventure, and the Profile halos transformed the Lexus into something with real presence. If you are building a 6th gen 4Runner and want to round out the look, adding underglow with a Morimoto White Rock Light Kit is a great way to light up the undercarriage for both style and visibility on the trail.
Whether you came here for the dirt bikes, the drifts, the fireworks, or just to see Tarzan in action, we hope this behind-the-scenes look gives you a feel for how we put our lighting through real-world use. Off-road builds deserve lighting that performs, and days like this are how we prove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles were featured in this Morimoto BTS video?
The video showcased a customized 4Runner nicknamed Tarzan, a Lexus with a headlight retrofit, and dirt bikes including two KTM 500s and a KTM 790 Adventure.
What lighting was installed on the 4Runner?
The 4Runner featured Morimoto headlights along with auxiliary four banger lights mounted up front.
What upgrade did the Lexus receive?
The Lexus had a headlight retrofit that included Profile Performance LED halos.
Were the KTM dirt bikes also lit up?
Yes, the KTM 790 Adventure was fitted with four banger auxiliary lights mounted on its front end.
What was the purpose of this gathering?
It was a behind the scenes shoot bringing together off-road vehicles and riders for a Morimoto content shoot featuring jumps, drifts, and fireworks.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
