My second expedition in the 4Runner
I traded my 2004 Land Rover Discovery for the 2013 2013 4Runner SR5 on December 10th. On the 11th I did some off roading on the 3/4 worn p-metric Dunlops that came with it. A few days later I bought a set of Toyo Open Country LT265/70R-17 10plys (very expensive but worth it - Had same tires -different size on the LR). So on thursday took the new combo for a spin.
Note: this is titled Trek 265 (previous 263 done in the Land Rover).
141230 4R Trek 265 – Bunejug Mountain checking out the Toyota properly equipped with the Toyo 10 ply mud terrains.
Almost 800 miles on the truck now about 600 with the new tires and haven’t checked out the package properly. So after an early morning trip to Fallon for a haircut and a stop for a meeting about an art commission I decided to head east to the Bunejug Mountain and the Salt Wells Basin. After about 5 miles out of town I turned south onto a dirt/sand track and proceeded between Bunejug and the dry Carson Lake.
The trail is mostly sand with some stretches of gravel. About three miles along I pass to the west side of a mile long basalt butte poking up perhaps 600 feet above the playa. I came to a mine with a locked gate and lots of no trespassing signs. I turned west then south again continuing along the slope of Bunejug Mountain.
I explored two tracks that went up rocky ravines into the interior of the mountain. Both ended on rocky plateaus where I had to turn around. I got several chances to check out low range, the A-Track and the Downhill Assist Control. The A-Track is much more responsive than the Disco version was. The DAC works much more rapidly than the Disco version and keeps the speed below 2 ½ mph no matter what gear is selected. It is a lot noisier than the Disco so one definitely doesn’t forget that it is on.
After looking for the faint Pony Express Trail at the south end of the mountain I turned east and was pretty much running the trail I followed on LR Trek 261 back in October. After another twelve miles north I returned to the highway and then headed home.
The trek had started out at 22 degrees F and ended at 32 degrees F. The 4Runner and Toyo MT combination works beautifully. I averaged 12.5 mpg for the 22 miles all in 4wd and much of it in 4wd Low thru rocks and deep sand.
in the sand alongside the basalt butte
The posted mine - west side of Bunejug Mountain
up that first ravine
starting into the cobbles - that's what 10 plies are for
On top the plateau at end of trail
heading back down to the alkaly flat
walking around looking for the Pony Express Trail turn off
Found it
Simpson Pass summit
Yep; once I am used to all the extra switches and stuff I think this will turn out to be as good in the boonies as the LR was - and supposedly a lot more reliable.......