Anyone taken any long road trips?
- Thread starter Samm25
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Mullett757
New member
Drove from Virginia Beach, Va to Key West, FL with many stops along the way. 2004 v6 with 105k on the clock last November. had zero problems with it and got about 18mpg along the way
JukeRedlin
New member
Regularly add 1200 miles to the odometer traveling from Tampa, FL to Charlotte, NC and back, in varying weather. Never had any issues at all. I keep my maintenance up to par and if it's ridiculously hot, (90°F+) I run higher octane to avoid any knocking or unnecessary wear. I usually run ethanol free otherwise. A couple extra pounds of air to reduce rolling resistance as much as I can without stressing the tire, and I just set off. That's a ten hour drive, so i would think a weekend trip is a non-issue.
I trust my 4Runner implicitly. Hasn't failed me yet.
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I trust my 4Runner implicitly. Hasn't failed me yet.
Sent from my SM-G892U using Tapatalk
BRUIN8124
New member
Nothing incredibly long. My 4Runner has 208K and I dont hesitate to take it anywhere.
Most weekends I usually go out camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing etc at various places around Maine that are about an hour to maybe 3 hours away.
The longest I have driven it is down to Rhode Island. I have done that a bunch of times. I plan to take it to Vermont at the end of the month.
I just make sure to check the fluids real quick before heading out.
Most weekends I usually go out camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing etc at various places around Maine that are about an hour to maybe 3 hours away.
The longest I have driven it is down to Rhode Island. I have done that a bunch of times. I plan to take it to Vermont at the end of the month.
I just make sure to check the fluids real quick before heading out.
For my bday last year I did an all off road trip from Sacramento to Arizona and back through Nevada. Everyday was frame bashing wheeling on rocks, sand, mud, dirt and snow with some freeways thrown in for fun when I got tired of being off road. Took lots of tools and spare parts with me and did an alignment myself about 5 times on the trip.
I also had to cut my exhaust off because I smashed it, but it was a great time and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Trip was around 1300 miles.
I also had to cut my exhaust off because I smashed it, but it was a great time and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Trip was around 1300 miles.
dirty-chainrings
New member
when i first got my 4runner, my girlfriend and i went from austin to Big Bend. camped and did the river road out there for 3 days. such an awesome experience. that drive was 8hrs out and 8hrs back, plus the 3 days of "offroading" (there are some soft spots for sure. nothing that the stock 03 4runner couldn't handle easily).
then, we had to move to atlanta so i drove from austin to atlanta, towing a 12' trailer for 14 hrs. not a hickup there.
since living in atl, my girl and i started missing the west, so we packed up again, and drove from atl to moab in 2 days. that was a 25 hr drive. we hung out in moab for xmas and did several trails in my completely stock vehicle. then we drove east to colorado to do some skiing, and got the 4runner tires in some mud and snow. after that, another 20 hr drive back to atlanta
so yea, we've done some road trippin haha. and that's all in the past year of owning this truck. i absolutely adore it. i bought it in march '18 with 143xxx miles on it and now it has 184xxx. the only minor thing that happened was in colorado, it had an episode of hard starting. it sounded like the fuel pump wasn't working, or the fuel rail wasn't pressurized. it would crank, and almost catch, then kinda hang. after doing that 2x, we had another hot chocolate. then i went back, listened to the sound of the fuel pump on start, then it started right up. weirdest thing...
the only non-stock thing is tires. i have nitto terra grapplers in the stock size, and they absolutely kicked ass in the dirt and rocks of moab (aired down to about 22 from 36) and they absolutely ruled in the snowy highways of colorado. being a florida boy, i don't have a lot of exp driving in snow, but these totally covered my ass.
and all this obviously doesn't include the 1.5-3 hr drives for camping and mtn biking excursions. to me those don't really count haha.
then, we had to move to atlanta so i drove from austin to atlanta, towing a 12' trailer for 14 hrs. not a hickup there.
since living in atl, my girl and i started missing the west, so we packed up again, and drove from atl to moab in 2 days. that was a 25 hr drive. we hung out in moab for xmas and did several trails in my completely stock vehicle. then we drove east to colorado to do some skiing, and got the 4runner tires in some mud and snow. after that, another 20 hr drive back to atlanta
so yea, we've done some road trippin haha. and that's all in the past year of owning this truck. i absolutely adore it. i bought it in march '18 with 143xxx miles on it and now it has 184xxx. the only minor thing that happened was in colorado, it had an episode of hard starting. it sounded like the fuel pump wasn't working, or the fuel rail wasn't pressurized. it would crank, and almost catch, then kinda hang. after doing that 2x, we had another hot chocolate. then i went back, listened to the sound of the fuel pump on start, then it started right up. weirdest thing...
the only non-stock thing is tires. i have nitto terra grapplers in the stock size, and they absolutely kicked ass in the dirt and rocks of moab (aired down to about 22 from 36) and they absolutely ruled in the snowy highways of colorado. being a florida boy, i don't have a lot of exp driving in snow, but these totally covered my ass.
and all this obviously doesn't include the 1.5-3 hr drives for camping and mtn biking excursions. to me those don't really count haha.
I've taken my 2008 Tacoma with 231k to Texas and back to Ohio recently, I also, on more apples to apples note... I drove my 277K Mile tundra (4.7) to and from Texas many times as well as my 207k mile 2003 GX470 from Ohio to Colorado and then also to Texas and back (pulling a trailer).
The odds are in your favor, but you need to be keeping up on the services everyone ignores. Tranny flush (even on WS transmissions), gear oil change, T-Belt water pump exc....
The odds are in your favor, but you need to be keeping up on the services everyone ignores. Tranny flush (even on WS transmissions), gear oil change, T-Belt water pump exc....
Berty_K
Member
Follow this DIY if you have a sealed transmission. I used it and it worked great. 150k on OEM fluid (should have happened about 50k earlier). DIY would probably work for nonsealed transmissions too
ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)
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ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)
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Ducks & Trucks
New member
I didn't read the entire thread but here's my take. If the OP has been diligent on doing his PMs then I see no problem with taking trips.
I'm at 350,xxx miles and don't hesitate to hit the road. We did a 3500 mile trip over the winter break for two weeks with my 12 yo daughter. She even drove it in Death Valley NP and accidentally drifted it around the corners :lookout:
I'm anal about PMs and don't abuse it but do tend to "use" it on wheeling trips. It's all about making memories for me and my daughter. Oh and to keep OPEC in business
Good luck.
I'm at 350,xxx miles and don't hesitate to hit the road. We did a 3500 mile trip over the winter break for two weeks with my 12 yo daughter. She even drove it in Death Valley NP and accidentally drifted it around the corners :lookout:
I'm anal about PMs and don't abuse it but do tend to "use" it on wheeling trips. It's all about making memories for me and my daughter. Oh and to keep OPEC in business
Good luck.
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Rawkkrawler
New member
Planning on taking a 9000 mile trip around the country in the next few weeks. 2007 4th Gen V8 with 155K miles. Just changed all the fluids (trans, front and rear diff, transfer case, cooling system and oil). All stock except 32" tires (Toyo Open Country) and a 3" lift. All stock otherwise. Building the sleeping platformn now. I plan to start a new thread before I leave and post some pics. Should be a good time!
snivilous
Senior Member
This is my girlfriend's 4Runner over Christmas. 270k on it, did a 2000 mile trip down to Baja and back, and right in the middle of the trip we helped pull this 75000lb 18 wheeler up a bypass because he didn't have the traction. Never had a hiccup the whole way and all we did was change fluids before the trip.
Just got back from a bachelor party in Rochester Minnesota and then down to Wisconsin Dells over this past weekend.
We took the 4runner without a second thought. Short drive at only 850 ish miles but still no issues at all.
Grabbed some spotted cows on the way back, but I have no interest in drinking them for a LONG while after this weekend of over-indulgence.
We took the 4runner without a second thought. Short drive at only 850 ish miles but still no issues at all.
Grabbed some spotted cows on the way back, but I have no interest in drinking them for a LONG while after this weekend of over-indulgence.
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Bumbo
New member
You are making a thread about a 3 hour drive?
At about 200k miles I did a 3000 mile road trip across states with some light off-road and camping along the way to save cost… I was gone for 2-3 weeks and went by myself. Temps ranged from freezing to 100F
Often times I was in the middle of nowhere, not a person in sight, no cellular. Sometimes I didn’t even have radio coms because I couldn’t find a HAM repeater.
It’s probably one of the most challenging things I have done personally and there was a ton of planning and prep. The truck breaking down was the least of my concerns throughout the entire journey. If anything it was the one thing that brought me the most piece of mind and comfort as I ventured out. That said, I did fix up the truck a bit myself before leaving… lift, brakes, fluids, spark plugs, and other stuff… but that was all part of my trip prep.
Truck was loaded up, carrying a bunch of gear and weight. It never skipped a beat. Just go out there any enjoy the truck… these things can endure more than most. It could certainly endure more than I could.
At about 200k miles I did a 3000 mile road trip across states with some light off-road and camping along the way to save cost… I was gone for 2-3 weeks and went by myself. Temps ranged from freezing to 100F
Often times I was in the middle of nowhere, not a person in sight, no cellular. Sometimes I didn’t even have radio coms because I couldn’t find a HAM repeater.
It’s probably one of the most challenging things I have done personally and there was a ton of planning and prep. The truck breaking down was the least of my concerns throughout the entire journey. If anything it was the one thing that brought me the most piece of mind and comfort as I ventured out. That said, I did fix up the truck a bit myself before leaving… lift, brakes, fluids, spark plugs, and other stuff… but that was all part of my trip prep.
Truck was loaded up, carrying a bunch of gear and weight. It never skipped a beat. Just go out there any enjoy the truck… these things can endure more than most. It could certainly endure more than I could.
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fulltimervexplorer
New member
Ive been on a constant road trip travelling around the country now for 3 years pulling my 21ft travel trailer. Beeb to over 39 states and dont have any plans on quitting anytime soon. Were going up the coast this coming year from San Diego to Seattle.
Dirtrider216
New member
Bought the runner in June '17, moved from Orlando to northern maine in July '17, lifted the 4runner in November '17 and the pulled a uhaul trailer from northern maine back to Orlando in may '18.
Monthly trips across maine and through logging trails. Drove on i95 with 6" of snow on the interstate for 3 hours to get to the closest city in maine.
Monthly trips across maine and through logging trails. Drove on i95 with 6" of snow on the interstate for 3 hours to get to the closest city in maine.
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