A Crash Course in Overlanding with the 2016 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

[surfbm]

This is an interesting discussion, and I find myself siding with those that say overlanding can be a broader term used to describe a variety of levels of the same activities. I think the example of Skiing mentioned earlier is a great analogy. Add to it the following:

Surfing - surfing can be on 40-50 foot waves that require a wave runner tow to rider in, and require a 12-15 foot Gun. It can also mean somebody on a 5'6" board riding 1'-2'shore break, or a 10 foot longboard surfing wind waves in the great lakes.

Gaming - do i need a state of the art cutting edge graphics card and processor? or does playing solitaire on my economy laptop count?

To [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] 's point, if someone asks what the best gaming laptop is, the answer is probably the cutting edge top of the line graphics card and processor option. But just because its the best, does not mean its the best for that particular person's usage. more info is needed to determine what the best for a particular person's usage.

Personally i just call it an adventure, because for me and my kids, it always is!

 

[1engineer]

This is an interesting discussion, and I find myself siding with those that say overlanding can be a broader term used to describe a variety of levels of the same activities. I think the example of Skiing mentioned earlier is a great analogy. Add to it the following:

Surfing - surfing can be on 40-50 foot waves that require a wave runner tow to rider in, and require a 12-15 foot Gun. It can also mean somebody on a 5'6" board riding 1'-2'shore break, or a 10 foot longboard surfing wind waves in the great lakes.

Gaming - do i need a state of the art cutting edge graphics card and processor? or does playing solitaire on my economy laptop count?

To [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] 's point, if someone asks what the best gaming laptop is, the answer is probably the cutting edge top of the line graphics card and processor option. But just because its the best, does not mean its the best for that particular person's usage. more info is needed to determine what the best for a particular person's usage.

Personally i just call it an adventure, because for me and my kids, it always is!

Exactly. If you are coming here to ask a question, do not tell me you are going "overlanding" with your 4Runner. That could mean anything. Tell me exactly what you want to do so we can help you. I personally could care less what you call it to your friends but here, tell us what you really want to do.

Again, if it's just to get the overlanding "look" and never go off road (except back yards) or you are getting ready to run the Rubicon, the answers are different. Way different! The term "overlanding" is now the same and broad as "off roading." Didn't used to be, but it is now and that's fine. You gotta narrow it down if you want good advice though.

 

[surfbm]

Exactly. If you are coming here to ask a question, do not tell me you are going "overlanding" with your 4Runner. That could mean anything. Tell me exactly what you want to do so we can help you. I personally could care less what you call it to your friends but here, tell us what you really want to do.

I agree with this completely. If you want specific answers, you need to provide specific details.

I am fairly new here, and haven't really had any questions i was not able to find answers to through the plethora of information already posted, but maybe it would be helpful to have a "How to Ask a Question" sticky that lists out what info should be provided with your question. Such as, What specifically do you plan to do with it? How often? What is your "pucker" tolerance? etc.

Something like this might exist, but like i said using the search function has been sufficient for me so far, so i haven't come across a reason to look!

 

[NautiBlue]

People had a lot of good thoughts, but these stuck out for me:

1. Be specific when asking questions about your vehicle and you should be fine.

2. Enjoy your vehicle and whatever you may do with it whether that be going through the Sahara or Walmart parking lot.

I think the term "overlanding" is going through what many words go through - a semantic change. Happens all the time. So some will shake their fists at change while others will embrace it.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

WTF we are still on this?

 

[MRM69]

WTF we are still on this?

Ya, we are and I'm just as guilty for keeping it alive:bash:

The OP never asked a question, didn't state "I went overlanding to Walmart," and didn't try to define the term "Overlanding," in any way shape or form. He just shared something he read. This didn't stop the first reply from being a termaphobic socialnetworking masterdebate and ever since then the us and them's have been going at it:fencing:

I guess until someone comes up with some new exciting vehicle modification were stuck with this:deadhorse:

Overlanding! :cheers:

 

[1engineer]

Ya, we are and I'm just as guilty for keeping it alive:bash:

The OP never asked a question, didn't state "I went overlanding to Walmart," and didn't try to define the term "Overlanding," in any way shape or form. He just shared something he read. This didn't stop the first reply from being a termaphobic socialnetworking masterdebate and ever since then the us and them's have been going at it:fencing:

I guess until someone comes up with some new exciting vehicle modification were stuck with this:deadhorse:

Overlanding! :cheers:

You know you have a good vehicle when the best thread is on the definition of overlanding...

 

[Titanpat57]

This didn't stop the first reply from being a termaphobic socialnetworking masterdebate

special thanks to [MENTION=147450]Throwback[/MENTION] for getting a tactically, overland rated, totally epic thread going in a direction it was destined to go...:cheers:

:thumb3:

 

[Liquidmantis]

special thanks to [MENTION=147450]Throwback[/MENTION] for getting a tactically, overland rated, totally epic thread going in a direction it was destined to go...:cheers:

:thumb3:

Wal-Mart, after a stop at McDonald's?

 

[Aussiedogs]

Yeah WTF? The term overlanding is a HOT button on this forum. Think better stick to word's like camping, wheeling, off road, and jeeping. Seems to be safer, and by the sounds of it more appropriate vocabulary to use unless going to Africa.

 

[Sleeter]

Yeah WTF? The term overlanding is a HOT button on this forum. Think better stick to word's like camping, wheeling, off road, and jeeping. Seems to be safer, and by the sounds of it more appropriate vocabulary to use unless going to Africa.

Yeah.. wtf.. are you talking about?

 

[shufly09]

special thanks to [MENTION=147450]Throwback[/MENTION] for getting a tactically, overland rated, totally epic thread going in a direction it was destined to go...:cheers:

:thumb3:

Tactical...don't get me started on that! Anything that is tan or green with MOLLE webbing is being called "tactical". I guess everyone is an operator these days...

For those that have served, we've all seen these guys:

 

[Titanpat57]

Tactical...don't get me started on that! Anything that is tan or green with MOLLE webbing these days is "tactical". I guess everyone is an operator these days...

For those that have served, we've all seen these guys:
View attachment 245106

lol...

The was the best laugh all day:thumb3:

 

[Vinsil]

Tactical...don't get me started on that! Anything that is tan or green with MOLLE webbing these days is "tactical". I guess everyone is an operator these days...

For those that have served, we've all seen these guys:
View attachment 245106

ROFL! I carry a gun for a living and work with a few guys (and gals) like that. Seriously, thanks for posting that I will be printing that out for the break room.

 

[Aussiedogs]

Yeah.. wtf.. are you talking about?

No it wasn't any offense to anyone. I just meant that I personally better not use any words like overlanding until I understand the real meaning of it. Maybe by the end of this thread there will be one? But until then I'll just enjoy taking trips and "camping" with my 4runner.:cheers:

 

[4runnertrdgirl]

OEX is the real deal on their trips...that goes without saying

yes they are.....Bruce is the real quintessential....
they have a Mongolia trip as well....

I'm considering that one, maybe next year...

 

[1engineer]

By the way, for those who are interested in talking about overlanding in the 4Runner I stickied this thread in the general section a few months ago. Here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/231202-all-things-overlanding-thread.html

 

[sn_85]

^^^ This.

My personal definitions: (yours may be different)
Offroading / 4Wheeling: Driving in an area that requires 4WD or an ATV/UTV/Motorcycle. Also includes "roads" in poor condition such that your average 2WD couldn't make it. Any length of time meets the definition from 30 seconds through a ditch during an interstate U-turn to an "epic" month-long journey through the outback.
Camping: Temporary living in primitive conditions. My personal definition requires that most luxury allowed is a 2-room tent, (whether on the ground or on the roof), laid out in the back of your truck, or a bed in a trailer (teardrop). Bonus points for sleeping in a hammock or on the open ground. IMO dragging a portable house with kitchen, toilet, and shower behind you (or, in the case of my parents driving your Class A portable house) does not count as "camping". That said, phrases such as "camp house" and such do exist, and my brother sleeps in a 4-bed "camper" with full amenities. Each to his/her own.
Car-camping: Camping while carrying your gear in a vehicle or pulled behind in a trailer. Typically driving down paved roads and stopping for the night to camp. The camp is typically a developed commercial/public campground, but that isn't necessary.
Road-trip: Long distance travel via vehicle, typically over paved roads. Must be longer than a "day trip" or an "overnighter" and must be progressive (different sleeping location each day). May or may not include car-camping.

Overlanding is the combination of all the above. A long-distance journey over roads or trails (or fields) requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle where you bring all supplies with you. Not a park-and-ride such as a trip to Moab where you leave your gear in a permanent base camp for day trips. You are traveling with all gear/food/water as you move, setting up a different camp each night. Almost impossible to do in the eastern US because any off-road sections are generally short and disconnected, but totally possible in the western US.

You forgot Expedition. That seems to be popular now too

 

[kott3670]

Tactical...don't get me started on that! Anything that is tan or green with MOLLE webbing is being called "tactical". I guess everyone is an operator these days...

For those that have served, we've all seen these guys:
View attachment 245106

So it wasn't anything I purchased myself.... But my last deployment they issued me 6 pairs of fireproof underwear.... (Price? $132)

Apparently Sundays you are supposed to free-ball it? 6 Pairs? WTH?

 

[MTN4RNR]

Well at least we all hashed that one out. Now when someone asks about "Overland" suspension, we can link to this thread and let them see how things tend to go when we debate how a word is best defined.

Having been researching my own suspension upgrade for god knows how long, here are a few good preemptive questions for anyone looking for suspension advice with their 4Runner, regardless of what type of build they are going for, that will aid in a correct and direct response from our "vast knowledge" of everything we probably don't need to know:

- What is your primary driving surface to off road terrain ratio? (how much time do you spend on/off-road?)

- What is your typical terrain/style when off-road? (baja speed, rock crawling, forest road exploring, etc)

- Does your truck vary weights from loaded to unloaded? (Are you full time loaded, or do unload after each trip to DD?)

- Do you have varying amount of people in your rig with you when your are on a trip? (This will effect loaded weights) If so, what is your MAX weight with all included?

- What are your actual loaded and unloaded weights, specifically? (weigh your axles front/rear at a certified scale) *note: these weights should not include items that are on the long term portion of your build as they will adversely effect the suspension you build. They should reflect the current or short term build*

- Do you have any specific needs or desires with your build that will alter your suspension needs directly? (I need to fit 35's; I need to tow 5k pounds; I need to be low enough to fit in my parking garage; I want "X" type of stance)

- Do you plan to maintain your suspension system by yourself, and do you know about how different suspension systems require different service intervals and requirements?

- Do you like to tinker with adjustments on ride firmness (compression/rebound) or do you like to "set it and forget it?" (if you have to look up compression/rebound, put yourself in the second category, you'll save a lot of $$)

- Are you ok with squeaks, creaks, rattles and clunks in your suspension system?


- What is your overall budget?


I am sure that there might be other questions to ask, but these are the main ones that I feel are relevant in building a suspension systems that will best suit the needs of the driver.

I think that many people come here with the idea that they want an "overland" style suspension because they have the notion that it just means a suspension designed for carrying gear/whatever to and from a remote destination (mostly because of influences like social media and shows like Expedition Overland). And while that might be true, there are many definitions of overlanding that can apply, and they will all have their different preferred suspension setups. Example being someone who spends a week blasting through Death Valley, covering hundreds of miles of back country washboards versus someone who travels to high alpine lakes for an extended weekend where rock crawling and high clearance is required. It's all for the same goal; getting out there. And honestly, I don't care what it's labeled as, it's just for fun!

So, maybe we can take some of these questions and format them into a copy/paste where if someone comes to the forum needing information on their whatever suspension setup, we can actually get the information needed to help out. Because lets face it, we all know more about this stuff than is likely healthy anyways.