3wbdriver's 2014 TE build thread.

[3wbdriver]

I bought a Tepui Ayer RTT at Jambo the first weekend of May. I ordered adapter plates from Baja Rack at the same time but they back ordered them to June 9th. I started brainstorming last week because I was tired of waiting and canceled the order. I decided to go with some 2" square tubing to use as cross beams to anchor the tent to the basket tubing with U-bolts. So far so good. I'll post up later if there are any problems.

 

[Runnin4mylife]

Fellow Louisianian Looking for Trails

Love the build. I just picked up a 2016 TE this past weekend and I'm looking to get my feet wet on some trails. I'm in Baton Rouge and I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a newbie. Any advise is much appreciated.

 

[3wbdriver]

Love the build. I just picked up a 2016 TE this past weekend and I'm looking to get my feet wet on some trails. I'm in Baton Rouge and I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a newbie. Any advise is much appreciated.

Actually Louisiana Land Krewesers is having a food drive meet at Northshore Toyota in Baton Rouge this Saturday from 11 - 1. I plan to be there. You can pick lots of good brains if you decide to come. You don't have to be a member to attend and they are serving lunch to anyone who makes a canned or dry good donation to the Covington food bank.

Another group I belong to out of Shreveport (ArkLaTexoffroad) will be making a day run up to Barnwell Mountain OHV park in Texas on the 1st, but that may be a bit long for you to travel for a single day. You might also check this website out. They are located about an hour north of BR, and put on guided trail runs every Sunday. The last time I went it was $60 for the day, but well worth it. They will match you and your vehicle's capacity up so you don't get in over your head. I've been out there once and plan to do 2 or 3 per year.

4x4 Life offroad - Guided Off-road Park, Off-road Vehicles

 

[Runnin4mylife]

Actually Louisiana Land Krewesers is having a food drive meet at Northshore Toyota in Baton Rouge this Saturday from 11 - 1. I plan to be there. You can pick lots of good brains if you decide to come. You don't have to be a member to attend and they are serving lunch to anyone who makes a canned or dry good donation to the Covington food bank.

Another group I belong to out of Shreveport (ArkLaTexoffroad) will be making a day run up to Barnwell Mountain OHV park in Texas on the 1st, but that may be a bit long for you to travel for a single day. You might also check this website out. They are located about an hour north of BR, and put on guided trail runs every Sunday. The last time I went it was $60 for the day, but well worth it. They will match you and your vehicle's capacity up so you don't get in over your head. I've been out there once and plan to do 2 or 3 per year.

4x4 Life offroad - Guided Off-road Park, Off-road Vehicles

Thanks, CJ. I'll definitely have to try out the 4x4 life offroad trails in St. Francisville. I'm actually originally from Shreveport, so i'd love to get up there to Barnwell Mountain. I've seen some pictures from Lone Star Toyota Jamboree and it looks like a blast.

 

[Simpleman74]

I bought a Tepui Ayer RTT at Jambo the first weekend of May.

How are you liking the Ayer? I am on the fence between that and a Barroud hardshell.... half tempted to remove my gobi and run factory rails with Yakima crossbars

 

[3wbdriver]

How are you liking the Ayer? I am on the fence between that and a Barroud hardshell.... half tempted to remove my gobi and run factory rails with Yakima crossbars

I've only slept in it for a half hour nap at work, so I don't want to give you a false review. It's been pretty simple to setup and take down with about 15 minutes needed for each. It may well be this fall before I get a real night's sleep in it. We're already staying in the high 70's at night down here, with high humidity. I'm past trying to sleep while stewing in my own juices anymore. Lol

I will say I'm pretty sure the Ayer will only sleep one full size adult comfortably. The mattress is only 42" wide.

 

[3wbdriver]

Thanks, CJ. I'll definitely have to try out the 4x4 life offroad trails in St. Francisville. I'm actually originally from Shreveport, so i'd love to get up there to Barnwell Mountain. I've seen some pictures from Lone Star Toyota Jamboree and it looks like a blast.

It is. I've been to every one for the past 4 years. And it was my first offroading with my 4R after I bought it. I see from another post you're already setup with an SSO bumper and tires. Hope to see you Saturday.

 

[3wbdriver]

I finally got to set the Ayer up somewhere in the woods (Appalachian Toyota Roundup). And then spent the next 24 hours either in it or under the awning because TS Harvey just wouldn't leave us alone. I was snug as a bug in a rug, and it slept quite comfortably. I had enough room in there for some small gear (iPad and phone) and a change of clothes. I will need to figure out something better than a small trash bag for muddy shoes though. And I'm thinking of some astro-turf remnants for the base of the ladder and under the awning.

Important camping tip!: Always fully setup the roof top tent BEFORE deploying the awning! DER........ :shocked:

 

[DanTh3Man]

I just finished reading your thread and wanted to say thanks for sharing all of the great information that you have compiled.

I have a stock '13 SR5 that I am planning to begin building in the spring and this info will be invaluable.

 

[Brittrick]

I finally got to set the Ayer up somewhere in the woods (Appalachian Toyota Roundup). And then spent the next 24 hours either in it or under the awning because TS Harvey just wouldn't leave us alone. I was snug as a bug in a rug, and it slept quite comfortably. I had enough room in there for some small gear (iPad and phone) and a change of clothes. I will need to figure out something better than a small trash bag for muddy shoes though. And I'm thinking of some astro-turf remnants for the base of the ladder and under the awning.

Important camping tip!: Always fully setup the roof top tent BEFORE deploying the awning! DER........ :shocked:

I’ve really enjoyed your thread. Thank you. Spent an hour or so reading it all! Haha. I myself have a 2015 Pro, stage 5 icon and methods on 33’s. Next step is either Baja Rack or gobi and under skids.. am recommendations from experience?

Thanks and excited for more. Step after will either be SSO slimline or Pelfry hidden winch system.. thoughts? Haha

 

[3wbdriver]

I’ve really enjoyed your thread. Thank you. Spent an hour or so reading it all! Haha. I myself have a 2015 Pro, stage 5 icon and methods on 33’s. Next step is either Baja Rack or gobi and under skids.. am recommendations from experience?

Thanks and excited for more. Step after will either be SSO slimline or Pelfry hidden winch system.. thoughts? Haha

Thanks for the kind comments. I like the Baja Rack but am a little disappointed in the quality of the powder coat. And Gobi seems to have an insane wait time. SSO is about to release a 5th Gen roof rack that conforms to the roof line very similar to the Ecotechnique. I really like the way their current one fits the GX series. Here is a link to that one. The 5th Gen 4R rack is supposed to be announced in the coming weeks.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/246555-something-new-coming-black-friday.html

As far as skids I have no specific manufacturer recommendations. The Budbuilts almost literally fell in my lap on that long trip and they have been great for peace of mind off road. So my only recommendation is to definitely get a set of some sort of skids.

I still love my SSO Slimline bumper because it allowed me to keep the factory look but I will admit on very rare occasions I would have felt more secure with a full width bumper up there. Not enough to make me change my mind but something to think about. I just try to be very careful about choosing my line if I think I might drag the nose.

 

[Brittrick]

Thanks for the kind comments. I like the Baja Rack but am a little disappointed in the quality of the powder coat. And Gobi seems to have an insane wait time. SSO is about to release a 5th Gen roof rack that conforms to the roof line very similar to the Ecotechnique. I really like the way their current one fits the GX series. Here is a link to that one. The 5th Gen 4R rack is supposed to be announced in the coming weeks.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/246555-something-new-coming-black-friday.html

As far as skids I have no specific manufacturer recommendations. The Budbuilts almost literally fell in my lap on that long trip and they have been great for peace of mind off road. So my only recommendation is to definitely get a set of some sort of skids.

I still love my SSO Slimline bumper because it allowed me to keep the factory look but I will admit on very rare occasions I would have felt more secure with a full width bumper up there. Not enough to make me change my mind but something to think about. I just try to be very careful about choosing my line if I think I might drag the nose.

Thank you for the great advice. One last question about your wind guards from weathertech. How are they holding up? Any failures or issues with the fitting and auto windows? I want to get them but been reading the reviews and it’s 50/50.. yet I still see a lot of owners put them on

 

[3wbdriver]

Thank you for the great advice. One last question about your wind guards from weathertech. How are they holding up? Any failures or issues with the fitting and auto windows? I want to get them but been reading the reviews and it’s 50/50.. yet I still see a lot of owners put them on

I've had to resort to some Goop adhesive to hold the back ones up when the windows are open. In hindsight I would have gone the tape on route.

 

[Brittrick]

I've had to resort to some Goop adhesive to hold the back ones up when the windows are open. In hindsight I would have gone the tape on route.

That’s what I’ve read. And these are twice as expensive.. adhesive it is. Hah. Thank you

 

[3wbdriver]

After my minor debacle at ATR Labor Day weekend I have thought long and hard and decided I would put the RTT on a trailer for most of my wheeling weekends. I will do this because most times I do one I set up a base camp and wheel in an enclosed park, returning to the same camp every night. I still like the idea of using it on the 4Runner on trips like whenever I get to do a long weekend down at Big Bend NP, when you will break camp every morning and move on to another location for the night. But this will allow me to have both options. I plan a slow build and hope to have it ready for the Lone Star Jamboree the first weekend in May. My first mod will be a spring over axle swap to level it up with the 4R, followed by leveling jacks on all 4 corners, and then some framework on the top to mount the RTT on. I may run some reinforcement tubing inside or out to make sure the box will support my large muscular buttocks in the tent also. This is a 4x6 cargo trailer if anyone is curious. Tiny, but it should hold most of my camping gear inside no problem. I may even see if I can install a largish water tank. Forgive the poor picture quality. It was an overcast day and the second shot was taken from inside a restaurant.

And yes, I understand this is NOT an off road trailer capable of climbing Mount Kilamanjaro. It is however in my price range, and should hold up fine to the limited trail riding I expect it to weather. If not, I will refresh my welding skills to make it so. And it will free up space in and on the 4Runner.

 

[3wbdriver]

It's been a kind of busy last month. I purchased and installed of a new Southern Style Off Road roof rack. It allowed me to mount a rack with a full flush to the roof fairing in front that is almost 4" shorter overall than the Baja Rack was. The downside is the new rack uses a slotted rail system (80/20 Inc) that is not compatible with most Front Runner, Prinsu, or Ecotechne rack accessories. I have found that Rhino Rack awning mounts will work with it and hope to have that mounted this weekend, and Prinsu has a newer awning mount that looks like it SHOULD work. I will update as I find more accessories that are compatible with or can be adapted to the new rail system. For now I am gathering 80/20 specific nut inserts and screws, a small block chevy valve cover stud kit, assorted tie down loops and looking at other accessories that may work. SSO is making accessories available as they CAD them up.

The trailer has been mostly on hold due to poor weather on all of the weekends I have had since buying it. I have a local welder who will put new spring perches on the top of the axle when I can get it to him. I have some railing and square tubing to reinforce the top of the trailer to support the weight of me and the tent. And I'm still in the planning stages of what all will go inside it. Here are some pictures from what I have managed so far.

 

[3wbdriver]

Got the trailer spring over axle swap done last week. It did as I hoped and leveled the trailer with the 4Runner. I've decided to frame the inside of the box with 2x4 lumber to provide a little more support for the tent and myself. It won't affect inside storage space and will give me a little peace of mind that the box will be strong enough with me in the tent. I'll post pics of that when I get it completed. I'm 3 weeks behind due to bad weekend weather since buying the trailer, and it's getting a little frustrating (trying for Lone Star Jamboree 1st weekend of May). I am mounting the spare on the right front wall down low but above frame level, and I have a 2.5 gallon/10 liter Scepter water can and holder inbound for the left front wall (easier for an older man to lift than a full 5 or 6 gallons). I'll also be replacing the fixed jack with a folding sidewinder jack, and at a minimum adding leveling jacks on the rear. Still brainstorming where to put them on the front.

 

[3wbdriver]

Not 4Runner specific, but I have finally mounted the RTT after a month of brainsmoking to figure out how.

 

[3wbdriver]

Test drove a 20 mile loop at varied speeds and road conditions. It's ready for Jambo.

 

[3wbdriver]

The trailer setup worked very well for the weekend at Jambo. everything you see in the camp came out of the trailer, and I was able to keep the load in the 4Runner down to recovery gear and coolers. As a bonus I scored a Foxwing style awning (strapped on the roof rack) that I will be adding to the trailer over the summer.