any 4runner owners from orange county?
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SConnors
New member
I'm in Huntington Beach (Bolsa Chica and Heil) and have a completely stock 2007 limited 4x4. I guess I'm one of the plain ones!
I took the runner up to Azusa last weekend and have to admit that I'm impressed with the 4runner stock. It handled everything I threw at it without flinching, as well as my old 99 Cherokee with OME lift, 31" tires, ARB bull bar, Jet chip, and Rubicon controll arms, etc, etc... Don't get me wrong, I could do things with the Jeep that my 4R wouldn't be able to keep up with, but for moderate froading, not looking for trouble stuff, it's just fine for me stock.
I was going to upgrade the suspension to OME, but now I'm not so sure. I think I'd like 10 - 20% stiffer front springs and elimination of most of the foreword rake, but I'm not too bent out of shape over it and will probably wait for the summer.
I thought the first thing I'd do was take off the running boards, but after using them to wash the car and taking them off road with no clearance issues, they're going to stay. I think of them as expendible rocker guards... and they were free with the L imited.
I did do the Nav disk mod and would be happy to pass you along a copy if you want to come by.
I took the runner up to Azusa last weekend and have to admit that I'm impressed with the 4runner stock. It handled everything I threw at it without flinching, as well as my old 99 Cherokee with OME lift, 31" tires, ARB bull bar, Jet chip, and Rubicon controll arms, etc, etc... Don't get me wrong, I could do things with the Jeep that my 4R wouldn't be able to keep up with, but for moderate froading, not looking for trouble stuff, it's just fine for me stock.
I was going to upgrade the suspension to OME, but now I'm not so sure. I think I'd like 10 - 20% stiffer front springs and elimination of most of the foreword rake, but I'm not too bent out of shape over it and will probably wait for the summer.
I thought the first thing I'd do was take off the running boards, but after using them to wash the car and taking them off road with no clearance issues, they're going to stay. I think of them as expendible rocker guards... and they were free with the L imited.
I did do the Nav disk mod and would be happy to pass you along a copy if you want to come by.
michael90630
New member
I am not coastal - at Tustin. Also plain - stock '07 SR5 V6 4WD.
I am taking a 4x4 training class in Hungry Valley this weekend and hope to find out what this stock T4R can do on moderate trails.
BTW where is Azusa - is there a nice trail? Anything interesting to see and enjoy? Directions?
Thanks
I am taking a 4x4 training class in Hungry Valley this weekend and hope to find out what this stock T4R can do on moderate trails.
BTW where is Azusa - is there a nice trail? Anything interesting to see and enjoy? Directions?
Thanks
SConnors
New member
Azusa is at the 210 and hwy 39. Take 39 north of 210 about 8 miles and you'll see OHV parking on the right hand side. Tell the ranger you want to go playing in the OHV area. It costs 8 bucks to get the permit, and there are river crossings (mild) a mud flat, and other stuff to play around in.
I thought it was worth it, but I went up to do a trail from the ORV area to Angeles Crest. It's written up on this site somewhere. The trail was closed last week because of the fires.
There is also a fire road around Ortega Highway that's written up here as well. I'm not sure if it's open so soon after the fires, though.
Sean
I thought it was worth it, but I went up to do a trail from the ORV area to Angeles Crest. It's written up on this site somewhere. The trail was closed last week because of the fires.
There is also a fire road around Ortega Highway that's written up here as well. I'm not sure if it's open so soon after the fires, though.
Sean
jeremysoca
New member
Trabuco Canyon here
Maybe we should all get together and do some exploring. Michael, tell me how the class goes and if you felt it was worth it.
Maybe we should all get together and do some exploring. Michael, tell me how the class goes and if you felt it was worth it.
josh220
Banned
Haha that's funny SConnors, I'm about a block away from you. I'm on Sims between Heil and Warner. Closer to Harbor View and the "Huntington Harbor Mall" which is basically just the Ralphs.
Sounds like the fires messed up most of the trails for us here. But hey, you can always go crash through the gates for the wetlands and do doughnuts where they are building the houses.:satan:
I wasn't talking down on stock 4runners though. I haven't gotten to the bars or anything yet so mine just has small mods. (Skid plate, chrome exhaust tip, iForce V8 emblem, door sills, sport pedals, radar detector, etc.)
Sounds like the fires messed up most of the trails for us here. But hey, you can always go crash through the gates for the wetlands and do doughnuts where they are building the houses.:satan:
I wasn't talking down on stock 4runners though. I haven't gotten to the bars or anything yet so mine just has small mods. (Skid plate, chrome exhaust tip, iForce V8 emblem, door sills, sport pedals, radar detector, etc.)
michael90630
New member
jeremysoca
Sure - I will find out Saturday afternoon if it was worth the drive up there and the cost. From what I have read so far, seems like people have positive things to say about this training.
Sure - I will find out Saturday afternoon if it was worth the drive up there and the cost. From what I have read so far, seems like people have positive things to say about this training.
E
Even Steven
Guest
Orange county........... New York!
There is more than one Orange County in the U.S.!
There is more than one Orange County in the U.S.!
*wishlist*
Member
i'm in lakewood/cerritos area. someone should set up an azusa meet. i haven't been there in a while. i'd like to see how much the 2/1 lift helped. most of the 4th gens i see around here are stock but every once in a while i see street modded mall queens with a drop and 22's. sorry i'm not being prejudiced to them, it's just that they couldn't do any offroading with those wheels is all.
michael90630
New member
jeremysoca
I took the day long class at Hungry Valley with "Badlands Off Roads Adventures, Inc.".
I had a great time. It met my expectations and my stock 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD performed WAY beyond my expectations. This baby rocks!
Only two other vehicles -a FJ Cruiser and a Ford F150 pickup were stock. All others were Rubicon Jeeps and mode Nissan Xterra with lifts, 35" tires', aftermarket front and rear bumpers, some with winches, after-market beefed up brakes etc. etc.
I did not expect my T4R to go thru the training setups and later the practice trails so gracefully and solidly! I have some minor under-carriage "battle scars" but heck it comes with the territory! Moreover, I could have easily avoided that if I had not rushed. The spotter/instructor was very good - so even though I was hesitant to do this hill climb with large protruding rocks with my stock "running-boards", he guided me right to the the top. At the end I was I guess to jubiliant and just powered thru the last large rock and scraped the bottom. No damage done - in fact kinda proud of it now!
The class has 4 hours of instructions and the rest of the day on the training and practice runs. 99% of the time I did not turn on the DAC because the instructor wanted us to learn the basics without the help of electronics. And that's what I did - basically use 4LO all the time and for steep downhill descents, go down to 2 or L. And boy - she was solid and steady....
Once or twice, just for me to understand my vehicle, I turned on the DAC and WOW all kinds of sounds started. The vehicle did exactly what it is supposed to do (with lots of bells and whistles and minor skidding etc.).
The Hill Assist Climb also worked without any problems. Most of the time I just powered up and did not loose moementum. Couple of times, almost at the top of the hill I intentionaaly took my feet from the gas-pedal to see if the vehicle starts sliding down - and it did not - she held her ground. Not sure if it is supposed to creep up on it's own.
Overall it was a fantastic experience for me. I never dreamed my T4R would go over some of the obstacles withou scraping or damage to the under-carriage. The class gives out a free 200 page book "Four-Wheelers Bible". The technical session was very informative.
I also did the 20 degree and 30 degree inclines, large ruts/ditches and this baby came out with flying colors.
They have a follow-up class after this basic class today which I had not signed up 'cause I thought my stock vehicle may not be equipped for it. After the class I asked the instructor Tom if he thinks my vehicle can handle the courses seeing what it could do the whole day. And he said no problem - easily.
So I can highly recommend this class to anyone who want to know their vehicle and also learn the skills to use it in the proper and safe way.
As for me, I have a new found respect for my vehicle. I can really appreciate what all our Forum members have all along known and first-hand experienced the versatility of this vehicle.
TOYOTA IS THE BEST!! GO TOYOTA!!! :biggrin2: :rocker: :bigok:
I took the day long class at Hungry Valley with "Badlands Off Roads Adventures, Inc.".
I had a great time. It met my expectations and my stock 4Runner SR5 V6 4WD performed WAY beyond my expectations. This baby rocks!
Only two other vehicles -a FJ Cruiser and a Ford F150 pickup were stock. All others were Rubicon Jeeps and mode Nissan Xterra with lifts, 35" tires', aftermarket front and rear bumpers, some with winches, after-market beefed up brakes etc. etc.
I did not expect my T4R to go thru the training setups and later the practice trails so gracefully and solidly! I have some minor under-carriage "battle scars" but heck it comes with the territory! Moreover, I could have easily avoided that if I had not rushed. The spotter/instructor was very good - so even though I was hesitant to do this hill climb with large protruding rocks with my stock "running-boards", he guided me right to the the top. At the end I was I guess to jubiliant and just powered thru the last large rock and scraped the bottom. No damage done - in fact kinda proud of it now!
The class has 4 hours of instructions and the rest of the day on the training and practice runs. 99% of the time I did not turn on the DAC because the instructor wanted us to learn the basics without the help of electronics. And that's what I did - basically use 4LO all the time and for steep downhill descents, go down to 2 or L. And boy - she was solid and steady....
Once or twice, just for me to understand my vehicle, I turned on the DAC and WOW all kinds of sounds started. The vehicle did exactly what it is supposed to do (with lots of bells and whistles and minor skidding etc.).
The Hill Assist Climb also worked without any problems. Most of the time I just powered up and did not loose moementum. Couple of times, almost at the top of the hill I intentionaaly took my feet from the gas-pedal to see if the vehicle starts sliding down - and it did not - she held her ground. Not sure if it is supposed to creep up on it's own.
Overall it was a fantastic experience for me. I never dreamed my T4R would go over some of the obstacles withou scraping or damage to the under-carriage. The class gives out a free 200 page book "Four-Wheelers Bible". The technical session was very informative.
I also did the 20 degree and 30 degree inclines, large ruts/ditches and this baby came out with flying colors.
They have a follow-up class after this basic class today which I had not signed up 'cause I thought my stock vehicle may not be equipped for it. After the class I asked the instructor Tom if he thinks my vehicle can handle the courses seeing what it could do the whole day. And he said no problem - easily.
So I can highly recommend this class to anyone who want to know their vehicle and also learn the skills to use it in the proper and safe way.
As for me, I have a new found respect for my vehicle. I can really appreciate what all our Forum members have all along known and first-hand experienced the versatility of this vehicle.
TOYOTA IS THE BEST!! GO TOYOTA!!! :biggrin2: :rocker: :bigok:
jeremysoca
New member
Thanks Michael
Wow, sounds fun! Thanks for the info! Are you up to exploring any local trails?
Wow, sounds fun! Thanks for the info! Are you up to exploring any local trails?
michael90630
New member
jeremysoca
Oh yes. I have saved some of the information regarding local trails in the hopes that I can explore them some day. There was a book the instructor recommended for Southern California which I might purchase. A buddy system is very important.
So, let me know when will be a good time for you. We can discuss and also see if anyone else in our area might be interested. I think it is very doable and will be lot of fun.
You or anyone else in this area can contact me at my e-mail address: [email protected]
Oh yes. I have saved some of the information regarding local trails in the hopes that I can explore them some day. There was a book the instructor recommended for Southern California which I might purchase. A buddy system is very important.
So, let me know when will be a good time for you. We can discuss and also see if anyone else in our area might be interested. I think it is very doable and will be lot of fun.
You or anyone else in this area can contact me at my e-mail address: [email protected]
