Recently took a trip on Elephant Hill in Canyonlands UT. Great trail, but learned a few lessons the hard way I would like to pass along:

1) All of your bread must be in boxes. Otherwise it will turn to mush.
2) When it gets hot, thermo-electric coolers don't cut it unless they run continuously. If you use one, you will need to mod the rear 12 volt port so that it can run when the car is off.
3) Control arm skids are a must. They are 75$, and you will destroy your rear control arms if you don't do this. I managed to avoid structural or weld damage, but the minimal stock protection is pretty messed up. I have some on the way, but wish I had done this BEFORE going on a technical trail.
4) There is a reason the stock height 4runner has a rake. When you load down the rear of the 4runner with gear and passengers, it sinks, and you hit your tail on everything. Avoid this by simply lifting the rear and front by the same amount when unloaded.

Long story short, I need to do an always on 12 volt mod and I need to replace my rear eibach pro-truck lift springs with something closer to 2-2.5" instead of 1". I sagged so much my rear bumper was lower than an unladen stock 4runner...

Pics? Elephant hill is an awesome trail.

Lower link mount skids are awesome, they are the only skid of mine that isn't dented, but they get used all the time. Saved a lot of headache.

Working on pics. I mostly shoot film these days so I have to wait to have time to develop and/or get stuff back from the lab xD In the meantime, a quick cell phone shot on the way out:

(This image is pretty close to level which should tell you how steep it was. My buddy in the jeep completely screwed up his line and it took him a couple of tries, but after watching his mess I was able to make it on the first go )

Was not prepared for how awesome elephant hill was. It is a fantastic off roading trail, with beautiful views and super unique topography. Unfortunately, my sagging rear end meant I kind of banged my way down the trail.

The eibach shocks I think are a straight up improved version of the Bilsteins, and their front springs I've been pretty pleased with. When I put it on, I was afraid the rear 1" wouldn't be enough and I was right. I'm probably going to a Dobinsons progressive spring next to help keep things a little more level when there is a load back there.

But yeah, after that experience, I'd tell people to do armor in this order: rock sliders, control arm skids, gas tank skid, then a full skid package.

Oh! One other lesson learned. Replace the radiator cap before it breaks on high mileage 4runnners. Mine kind of exploded internally on the trail, spewing coolant everywhere. Good news is I found all the parts, and Moab had a replacement and more Zyrex Red coolant... but I paid waaaay more than if I'd just done it with the timing belt.

I was able to resolve my similar sagging issues with an airlift kit. Cost ~$100 and I can dial it in for when I’m loaded up/empty.

Also, not sure what kind of 12v cooler you’re running, but some have had issues using the stock outlet. I ran a custom harness with 10 gauge wire.


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What airbags are you using? I have had some really bad experiences with them which is part of my hesitance.

Went with these: Amazon.com: AIR LIFT 60744 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit: Automotive

More pics! I miss Utah. Some of us will be living vicariously through your pics till we can get out there again. My most memorable trip was to the Maze district, but I rented a Jeep in Moab.

I have the Dobs progressive springs, while they're super nice when empty, they don't get stiff enough, fast enough when loading it down.

I ended up adding some airlift bags to mine to compensate for when I'm loaded down.

Thanks for the recommendations! Funny enough, I was just watching the trail recon video and a few others 2 days ago about that part of Moab. It’s high on the list, looks awesome! What brand did you end up going with for skids?

I don't have skids yet. I ordered new skids for the control arm mount, but the rest I'm planning to go RCI for skids and C4 for gas tank skid.

It is an awesome trail. Highly recommend it and the Joint Trail.

Interesting, I had not heard anything but good things about the dobinsons. I know they offer different weights of progressive springs.

How do you like the airbags off road? I'm concerned about durability. I may get the sway away rear spring, and then get airbags if that doesn't cut it.

I got the Icon Overland springs for the same reason. They are dual-rated so they ride ok when unloaded and hold quite a bit of load. Unloaded you do get 3" of lift though (don't have a rear bumper), loaded about 2". Had Toytec springs before and kept hitting my bump-stops all the time when loaded. Not anymore with the Icons. Really happy with them.

Here a picture of how it sits with the Icon Overland springs fully loaded. Front springs are 700lb set to 3" with full bumper and winch.

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I put in a switch so I can swap between an independent and linked system.

Independent system is nice because it keeps the rear end from swaying.

Linked is nice because I can get more articulation off-road.

Best of both worlds imo.


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