AZBubs poor man build and budget Adventures.
 

Finally decided its time to do one of these. Mainly for documentation and a place I can get feedback without having to start new threads and what not.

The wife and I decided almost 2 years ago we wanted to see the U.S. and avoid the touristy areas and get out with nature. The 4Runner fit the bill, capabilities and budget.

This is the OEM pic. Wife was super happy as she always wanted a 4Runner.

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This is how it sits currently.

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2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited V6 4WD Highlander trim. - $5,500

Drivetrain:

-3.4L V6, Original Engine 267,xxx Miles

-4 Speed Auto

-4:30 Gearing

Front End:

-Tundra Bilsteins w/ unknown springs from a 2008 TRD Taco - qty1 amazon warehouse $77 qty 1 amazon $89, Springs (which came with 4600s) $90

-Shaved UCAs with Energy Suspension bushings - Bartered

-NAPA Steering rack - $260

-Wheelers bump stops/sway bar kit - $24.00

-Toyota LBJs NIB - Buddy hookup $80.00 for both

-Duralast OTRE - 2qty $29.99 each

-Whiteline Racing LCA bushings

Rear End:

-Monroe LC shocks - $24/shock

-LC80 8 wraps - Barter

-Toytec braided brake line - $39.99

-Toytec bump stop drop blocks - $69.99

-Front sway bar links

Wheels and Tires:

-Falken Wildpeak A/T 3 285/75r16

-Factory 5 stars

Armor/Recovery:

Did this! Works great! http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...curt-rack.html

Electronicals:

-CBI CB bracket

-3' FireStik

-Cobra 18WXST2

-On board air - MV-50 hardwire.

-Dometic CFX35 and slide.

-Remote house battery Duralast Group 34 AGM 60 amp hours.

-Battery Doctor 150 smart solenoid dual battery management.

Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

Maintenance done within the last year:

Toyota OEM LBJs
Duralast OTREs
NAPA steering rack
Energy suspension UCA bushings
Energy suspension front sway bar bushings
all new vacuum lines from silicone intakes.
all new Denso VCVs
Repaired Charcoal can seam cracks with JB weld
MagnaFlow full bolt in Cat.
Denso O2 sensors front and rear
All new belts(which suck, get Gates at a minimum)
New Toyota OEM gas cap (+5hp)
New AC Blower complete assembly.

To Do Maintenance:

Whiteline Suspension LCA bushings - Done
TBU - Cancel post research
Valve cover gaskets - DONE 10/19/2016
AC idler pulley
Diff. and TC oil change.

Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

Just some adventures...
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How would you describe your roll in corners and how the suspension feels with weight in the back?

I believe I have these springs in the rear of my 2000 Limited (installed by previous owner) and I find the rear suspension to be especially soft.

For perspective, my other cars are a 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX, a 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen, and a 1996 Dodge Ram 3500.

I stiffened the suspension up a bit with Rancho RS5000 shocks, but it still feels way to soft to me.

Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

I do not feel they handle weight well. I'm looking at the OME LC springs


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Posting my running costs, hopefully it helps newbs with tight budgets.

Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

So we have a long road trip planned in October in which we will live out of our truck. Traveling from Az to Shoreline WA.



Plan on camping in Yosemite, Redwoods, Need to find an awesome campsite on the Oregon coast.



Along with the critical maintenance items we are beginning our search for gear.



Fridge - Danfoss type, Looking at Whynter and Dometic/Waeco.

Tent - Ours is super old would like a RTT. Pretty set on a CVT Mt. Shasta

TBD



Anyone who does long trips I would appreciate suggestions on gear etc...we wont be hitting any trails other than some service roads maybe.

Route Planned. On to inventory.

How long are you planning on making this journey? One week? Two? Longer?

You'll be traveling right through my neck of the woods, SF.
I know your trip is a while off, but should you need anything or any assistance if you're near me, I'm a PM away from it.

Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

I have tentatively 9 days. The way back will be the quickest route.
I plan on getting to Yosemite the first day by noonish. Want to spend more time on the PCH.

You might consider building a sleep platform/cargo box, instead of a RTT. It would be significantly cheaper, and will definitely save you some MPG's on the trip for sure. Don't get me wrong a RTT is super sweet and I want one myself so bad, but for the price they are if you aren't 150% positive you'll use it regularly, it's more cost efficient to build the platform.

Same argument with the fridge. And the hundreds in electrical you'll have to divvy to work said fridge.

Not trying to rain on your parade at all, but things you've already listed are pretty spendy items, for only a 9 day (max) trip.

Don't let me deter you from your dreams, after all it's your rig. I also acknowledge this is an adventure based build. If you truly believe you guys will see dozens of adventures like this in the future, the initial investment makes sense, if not....you get the point.

Just playing devils advocate. Dont hate me.

I get what you are saying. A RTT is out of the equation currently due to $$$. So a ground tent will be used. We do camp a LOT in summer to get out of the heat so when we do get one it would be used 1-2 times a month April- Oct.

The fridge would actually be used all the time. (buying ice cream and whatnot in AZ during the summer). I plan on hard mounting a slide for it in back and doing a dual battery set up so I don't have to worry about power.


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Bubba's Build and Adventures.
 

After many many months with no issue the P0420 code came back to bite. I have a brand new Cat and both O2 sensors are new Denso units. kind of bummed. Taking it to our private mechanic to see what he says as I'm at a loss for solutions.

On a positive note I have successfully planted the seed in my wife's head about a portable fridge cause I caught her doing research and she suggested the Smittybilt as an option.


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Update on the p0420: I have a hunch its due to the gas cap not being tightened down enough as it went away after driving a while for 2 fill ups. Came back on after wife filled up.

Also after putzing in my garage I realized I had some pretty amazing storage trunks for all our camp essentials (matter of fact I have a wall of them but they are stuffed full of unopened Barbies dating back to the 80's, I had to do some rearranging to get these, shhh don't tell the wife). They are some sort of case from a long defunct educational program from Cali that my wife inherited. They are super tough and weather sealed. I personally like the wheels and the spring loaded handles for easy maneuverability. One is filled with cookware and supplies while the other is the stove and pertinent items.

Heading out tomorrow for some camping and Overland Expo West. Sealed the tent like a mad man cause i'm not going to go through what we did last Overland Expo West. Also using a larger tent just in case we do get stuck in the rain we dont have to be stuck in a laying position for 17hrs straight.