I've been invited to go on a few trips, what do I need.

Hey guys, you have helped me many times before so i thought I'd ask again.

I'm planning on taking 2 wheeling trips in the near future. My neighbor has a big lifted land cruiser and found a cool trail and it has a few stream crossings. I believe the water level is under a foot, so would it be completely necessary to do the rear diff breather extension before i go? I plan on doing it, but I was going to wait until I lifted my 4runner so I wouldn't have to extend the hose again. I understand the breather is there to relieve pressure when the diff gets hot, and it is supposed to close automatically. Would you all suggest I would be alright? or do I need to go ahead and extend the rear breather before I go through any water at all?

I also have been invited to run Potts Mountain Jeep Trail in Salem, VA. I was told by a friend that I should be fine in my stock 01, but I'm a little skeptical. He said he made it most of the way in his mostly stock 90 4runner with a 1 inch lift in the rear. I was told there were like 2 parts that I might need to be pulled through, but other than that I would be ok. I really want to go, but don't know if I should wait until I get my lift/tires/sliders this summer. There are some videos on youtube that look ok in some sections an harder in others.

What to bring?
Ive got my snatch strap, tool box, food/water, shovel, not really any spare parts... like cvs or anything. What else do I need? Keep in mind I would be going with a group of people, most of which would have the tools/knowledge to help me out in a bad situation.

Thanks for the help guys,
Russell

I would strongly suggest a basic air compressor and a tire guage so you can deflate and reinflate your tires.

Basic Air Compressor Kit



For a foot of water I would not worry too much about the rear diff breather unless you expected to be in the water for a long time and the possibility of submerging the axle in a hole under water. Not withstanding that, you can still install the breather now and leave enough pipe so when you lift you will have no worries. Its only going to be a couple extra inches anyway.

Enjoy the trips!

Here is a link to the safety requirements for a lot of major runs and also Clubs.

Safety Requirements

I also carry a ratchet and socket set along with 1-2 CV's(depending on hard a run[ have not needed them yet]). I also carry a couple quarts each of Oil and Tranny Fluid, 1 gal Coolant.

I've definitely plan on getting one of the compressors from overland warehouse. I think i might go for the bigger one though. I was trying to hold off on that until summer when i am at my internship and making some money. I do want to pick up a spare cv or two. I'm assuming they are different lengths for each side? I know on my civic they are atleast. What do you guys think about sealing the bottom of the air intake box? I looked yesterday and saw in the corners there are some small holes that would let water in if it ever got splashed up in there.

the diff breather is not needed. It will be okay, I never had an issue with water getting in the diff through it, the transfercase is a different story. The diff breather works pretty good. One time i sunk my 4runner in a creek (water to the headlights) I was stuck. the interior filled with water to the seats. The diff had no water in it, but the transfer case was full of water. then again the water was almost to the shift knob..

in that same case i had the air box elbow off (open airbox) and no water got into the airbox. you will be fine on the air box unless your planning on going hood deep.

and the cv's are the same for the left and right. You really shouldnt have any issue of breaking one unless you running something really hard to where you have to have locker. They are stronger than you think. Plus you need all the tools to change one, since if does you no good unless you change it on the trail

Id just bring a few tools, a quart of oil, tow strap, highlift and a way to pump your tires up.

Most of it has been covered. I keep an "emergency kit" I got that came with my first used car. It has some flares, a foil heat blanket, rain coat, spare jerry can, some leather gloves, first aid kit and some fluids like extra engine oil, gear oil, rad fluid, and brake fluid. Just extra amounts I've acquired after doing work on the truck. I also bring jack stands, a socket kit and a milk crate full of my electrician tools, a hi lift, shovel (saved my ass more than once), and my recovery gear. Proper recovery straps, and recovery points on your vehicle are easy to come by and go a long way as far as safety and aiding the recovery. Please make sure you have the right stuff, and if you have any questions ask. I'll preach about wearing leather gloves when handling shackles and winch lines or really any recovery. It doesn't take much to get a small cut on your hand, and especially if your on a multi-day run can run the risk of getting infected and needing proper medical attention which might not be around.

Other things that come along with me are a sleeping bag, a change of clothes and boots. Nothing to me is worse driving in boots caked in 2" of mud on the bottom, I normally swap out to some shoes when I get back into the truck. I've also been driving on a frozen river and stopped to get out and look at something ahead, stepped out of my truck and my foot found snow sitting on slush which dipped my leg almost knee high in a moving river. It was also -25 that day... I was very thankful I brought extra pants, socks and boots.

I bring enough food and water for a day extra normally. Sound unnecessary but its normally just filling the bottom of a cooler with water, gatorade, or whatever you have until it stops rolling around. Then a handful of granola bars, bag of cookies and any other snacks that are around.

It all sounds like a lot but I've made use of everything at some point. Prepare for the worst and plan for the best. You may not have everything yet and that is plenty ok. Before our runs we have "driver meetings" where we normally heckle each other, explain any questions or the basic run down for the day, and find out who has what on their truck. To attest to the being as prepared as possible we have come across some people that were forced to spend a night on the trail and were completely unprepared. One example of two young guys who buried a F-350 King Ranch in a frozen bog who spent an Alberta winter night in nothing but track pants, and T-shirts with no food or water, cell service, or TP There are a couple other stories but for me at least a couple extra minutes packing in the morning is well worth the time spent.

vthokie said:

What to bring?
Ive got my snatch strap, tool box, food/water, shovel, not really any spare parts... like cvs or anything. What else do I need? ....

Click to expand...

At least a qt of every fluid, gal of water. Air filter, at least 50ft of strap, clothes, cell charger, lots of beer and ice. I would just go ahead and do the diff breather in case you happen to get stuck in the water. It's a lot quicker to do than change the fluid.

Have fun

Thanks for the help guys. I've got most of that so far. I'll be sure to throw a towel in the back. I'll pick up a spare cv axle sometime this summer just to have. I'll be sure to check what fluids I have sitting in the back and pick up whatever I am missing.

Clean underwear, or commando..... your choice

I ended up going this past Thursday to a pretty cool trail in Christiansburg, VA. It had about 6 or 7 stream crossings, and some small obsticles on the sides. The 4runner was awesome and didnt have any problems. The water was not too deep, and was pretty fun. I dont really have any pics of my 4runner but i got some of the 2 guys i went with(landcruiser and 4th gen 4runner) that i might post up. Thanks for the advice guys, now i just cant wait to go again.

Make sure your water jug closes tightly. The last 2 times I took water along, it emptied out in the back. And make sure someone in your group has a winch. they come in handy sometimes.

a picture from todays adventure. I was scared out of my mind at first, then i realized i wasn't going to flip...