[kott3670]

Finally read through this entire thread! Exactly the info I was looking for coming to this site!

Ok, sooooooo- Just bought a new 2017 TRD Off-Road last week, before even knowing about "overlanding" whatever you want to define it as, I intended on buying a 4Runner and building it to handle well on long trips, lots of adventure, and be able to "live" out of it.

My ultimate goal is to build the truck to get off work on a Thursday night of a 4 day weekend and with 5 mins of packing be able to go out on an adventure and spend the 4 days exploring new things and putting as many miles behind me as possible with as little reliance on the outside world as possible. It isn't "true" overlanding, but it's not car camping or off roading either. What I want is comfortable adventure and capability with self reliance.

I just got back from a tour overseas sleeping in a sleeping bag with little to no internet, no reliable hot water, enough food to live but not all that great and having to use as little as possible to last as long as possible. And even though it was in a terrible country and miserable at times, I realized just how little I need to be comfortable, so my mods being on a limited budget are going to take the theme of "How little can I have and still accomplish the mission?"

For now I have a light bar going in tomorrow (I'm starting a build thread now that I've reached the minimum posts and will put this in) behind the front grill on a custom mount, Interior lights are going to LED for usable light and energy savings (If that's even a concern..... It seems like a valid excuse to me!), New tires- mostly just for better reliability considering the stock tires are basically Prius tires, Rock rails / sliders- I've noticed out west you get yourself in trouble with clearance quicker than you can react off road, and some sort of recovery method.

Anyways, Love the idea / experience of "overlanding" to take a trip and enjoy the journey instead of just driving to a destination and taking as many obscure routes as possible. I'm open to any and all essential mods!

[Vinsil]

Hey all.

Got my rack on. Will post pics tomorrow, it seems like it will suit my needs very well. The PC is pretty then, I'll have to have it redone down the road but that I see ok, the price was good! Putting my shovel, axe and highlift on it. Still not sold on awning...


So going to take my test for my HAM and going with the newer updated radio...

Here. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=AA3MGRC7F9EI2



Next month I'm renting a CVT Mt. Denali so I'll be able to report back on that.


Leveled out the front for looks, mostly. Lol. Added a CO2 tank.


Trips coming, will be posting em as they come.

[Trifecta23]

Help!!


I went on a business trip last week and ended up buying a SUV, one that we have looking for a long time. It is a Toyota 4Runner and I loved it. They brought it to the hotel for me to test drive and it was very nice and the salesman seemed very trust worthy.

Tomorrow morning I need to send the money before shipping, but my question is what is the most sucure way of sending my money. I'm considering money wire,but I'm afraid if the car never shows up I'm left holding the bag.

What should I do?!?
__________________

[Trifecta23]

Originally Posted by greatape

Where are you located?

Illinois

[Vinsil]

Before

[Vinsil]

After. Rack on, sorry it was getting dark.

[A10MileHusker]

Originally Posted by Vinsil

After. Rack on, sorry it was getting dark.

Looks good! I see you're from OR. Hope to see you out there!

[Vinsil]

Originally Posted by A10MileHusker

Looks good! I see you're from OR. Hope to see you out there!

I'm sure we will run across each sometime.

[N.Alvarez]

@Vinsil rack looks good! can't wait for my prinsu to get here! This rack was my second choice.

[Vinsil]

[QUOTE=greatape;2618110]

Originally Posted by Vinsil

After. Rack on, sorry it was getting dark.


Looks good! very low-profile. Like to see some more shots especially from above

Thanks, I started this thread and put some more shots in it.

Ecotechne rack

[fan of fanboys]

son is out of school in March for spring break. I am going to take off work, load up 4runner with boy and the dog and head to Pisgah

will sleep in truck and spend a lot of time on the service trails where I can drive. with service trails can also pull over and camp and there is no fee. so whole trip will only cost gas and food

I have a basket for roof from prior owner, though unsure best way to attach?

plan to spend 3-4 days up there

anyone done any short overland trips like this? tips? will probably stay in the pisgah district and/or appalachian district. will hike few hours each day as well

tips on overland, tips on pisgah, all welcome

son and I go camping a lot. this will be first time not tent camping at campground, 1st time on service trails, first time doing anything like this

[fan of fanboys]

I will add my son is 7 and the 4runner is a new to me 1999 that I bought off a fellow forum member few weeks ago. dog is a lab

[fan of fanboys]

another question: I just skimmed over this whole thread and why don't more people sleep inside the 4runner?

lay the back seats down and use either air mattress or sleeping bags

that is my plan for March

[Liquidmantis]

Originally Posted by fan of fanboys

another question: I just skimmed over this whole thread and why don't more people sleep inside the 4runner?

lay the back seats down and use either air mattress or sleeping bags

that is my plan for March

Some reasons not to do it:
- space: at around the 6' mark it gets tight unless you remove the rear seat bottoms.
- space 2: it's okay for a couple at the most. Add kid[s] and/or dog[s] and it's going to be really cramped.
- space 3: Depending on your load, this may require pulling stuff out of the vehicle, which isn't ideal in bear country.
- ventilation: in bug country you either deal with bugs, hot box in your own funk (or SO's, kids', dogs'...), or rig up screens.
- comfort: it's not flat unless you build up some sort of platform.
- comfort 2: depending on the load you might only have room to mummy sleep.

[fan of fanboys]

Originally Posted by Liquidmantis

Some reasons not to do it:
- space: at around the 6' mark it gets tight unless you remove the rear seat bottoms.
- space 2: it's okay for a couple at the most. Add kid[s] and/or dog[s] and it's going to be really cramped.
- space 3: Depending on your load, this may require pulling stuff out of the vehicle, which isn't ideal in bear country.
- ventilation: in bug country you either deal with bugs, hot box in your own funk (or SO's, kids', dogs'...), or rig up screens.
- comfort: it's not flat unless you build up some sort of platform.
- comfort 2: depending on the load you might only have room to mummy sleep.

gotcha, makes sense

for me, and for short trips, it will work

just me, a 7 year old, and fairly small dog. dog can sleep in front seat. I am only 5'7 and will have air mattress. being only few days I should be good on space

bugs is something to pay attention to. I have a couple thermacells I can use as needed

good points I had not thought about though can bring tent just in case, does not take up much room