Interesting, I have had my 4xI tire carrier on for a couple of weeks and have been dailying it, no noise or excessive shaking (other than the Flintstone tires first thing in the AM). I have the 2 can carrier and do have them filled (1 x water, 1 x gas) for now to just see how it handles and feels with the weight. Maybe that's dampening things a little, but it didn't seem to have any shaking before I filled the cans.

ah thanks. your explanation makes it so much more clear. for some reason i wasn't quite understanding the changes in the rack thread.

but yea, i've had the same problem on-and-off with the 4xI folding table, but the locking mechanism mostly works and I actually really like using it when camping. Fits a Coleman stove perfectly (with the gas canister propped up next to the swing-out handle)

Sherpa rack looks good!

Mine really doesn't shake that much overall. It's mainly going over significant bumps, or wavy sections of road. I DO have a large 315/75/16 spare on there though. I don't roll around daily with gas in the jerry can.

Here are some pics from a recent trip. Started off needing to do a stuck padlock delete as I actually needed to fill the Jerry can for this set of trails and what we planned to do. Then it was off across the pass via 410, (the more scenic of the passes.).

We met up with a few friends, one Taco, four FJs, and of course, my 4Runner. We got in late Thursday night and chilled out long enough to throw back a few oat sodas before turning in. I tried out hammock camping for the second time running from my new Sherpa roof rack to a tree. I am trying to give hammock camping an honest try as the camp load out is MUCH simpler than just about everything else. Overall it went well. My back wasn't destroyed. It was a bit chilly though.

Then it was a nice day of trails. Lots of threading the runner through tight trees. Of course, this wasn't captured very well as I was living in the moment, not grabbing pics, and trying to keep my glass and body panels intact on the tricky sections.

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Second night camping. This time tried out my 2-man Kodiak Canvas Flex Bow tent. I love this thing. Great 4 season canvas tent. I have this in the bigger 10x10, but the smaller one is much lighter, more compact, and sets up / tears down faster. Did i take any pics of either camp set up? Hell no.

As for the 4runner, what a difference a year makes. Since last year's trip, I added 35s, added a snorkel, added 4.88 gears and rear ARB locker and a Sherpa roof rack. Not to mention, more comfortable camping options. I need to check my air filter, but i feel the snorkel helped keep some of the dust from getting to the filter. The other performance mods made it that much easier to get up, over, and around obstacles.

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Some cooler pics I snapped.

Total trail carnage:
1 FJ tail light.
1 FJ body scrape from an angry tree root.
1 FJ ring gear. 3 hour fix at camp so he could drive home in front wheel drive.

Done and dusted.

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I think I have be sabotaging all my pics by reducing the size via pixel. Anyway, I need to figure that out.

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Your truck looks great, glad to see you out having fun in it. I really like your wheels/35s...had the same wheels on my old 80 series and would love to eventually be there on the 4Runner but have some other mods to get to first...maybe one day!

Thanks Chris! I think I got one of the last Matterhorn Mk I racks. I got it mounted and that week saw the release of the Mk II. LOL. I wish I had the new front leveling mounts and extra couple of crossbars that come with the Mk II, but it is what it is.

I am looking forward to incorporating it into my load plan though.

Thanks papabeach! It has been nice to get it to where I want it to be. From here, I plan to make a few minor tweaks. I plan to lower the front somewhere between 1" to 1.5". It might be time for a coilover rebuild. There is nothing wrong at the moment, but I "might" swap springs for other spring rate maybe 650# and take out most of the preload. I also plan on adding my Total Chaos spindle gussets that I have laying around for a bit more structural piece of mind. Then I should be good.

Jumping up to 35s can be a bit of a pain in the ass. But, I seem to be able to crawl over taller obstacles and roll over some things I would have to climb UP with the 33s. I am used to seeing them on there now and it looks "normal" to me, lol.

I don't see how your 4Runner could get much better. Man, that thing is clean! Hard to beat a clean black 4Runner build. 35s are nice, but it is a fair amount of effort for a little more clearance. With your front and rear locker, I bet you are plenty capable in that rig.

Good times, really like that area. Was the hill climb shot @ Funny Rocks? We were just there a couple of weeks ago, went up to the right of that path, didn't think I could climb that ledge at the bottom.

It was indeed Funny Rocks. That's where one of the FJs broke the ring gear. We were able to limp it back to camp to repair it, so it cut our visit there a bit short. I didn't get a chance to go up, but I would have taken the right side as well. I am less excited about climbing up rock walls. LOL. I imagine that those trails take on a whole new level of difficult when it's rainy. That mud can get slick! And those trees wouldn't be too forgiving when you slide into them.

I am curious to hear/see more of your suspension changes. How high is the front now that you want to lower it? I just ordered the TC spindle gussets this weekend...preparing for some more difficult trails. I am still breaking in my new gears so I haven't really played much with the front locker but it was a game changer in my 80 series and I suspect it will be the same here. The next "major" mod will be dual cases...on the wait list currently with Marlin so no idea when this will happen. The only other thing that has crossed my mind is manual hubs but it seems like it would be an extra PITA to swap broken CVs with all the extra parts and all etc.

I'll keep you posted about suspension changes. I am currently running OME 861s in the back with Tokico black LC shocks in the rear, and the King extended travel have 600# coils. But, a long time ago I wanted it raised up a bit, but miscalculated. I am running about 23" up front and a little over 24" in the rear. But the fronts have FAR too much preload on the coils. If I am going to make adjustments, it might just make sense to rebuild them. I might consider swapping coil weights at the same time. I want to maintain a lower COG in the front and when I pack for camping, it gets too close to level. If I drop it down somewhere close to 21.5 or 22" up front, this should give me greater flex without all the current preload. So, that is probably my next 50 meter target.

I might add some lights as well. The HID retrofits have been a super nice addition to the runner.

Those 35s look great on that thing. Awesome!


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