AZBubs poor man build and budget Adventures.

Took the Runner on a long drive to Yucaipa, Anaheim then to Joshua Tree for a long weekend.


You came out to Yucaipa, huh? That’s where I live. What brought you out here? Not really anything to do out here tourist wise, except for the apple farms up in Oak Glen.

Cool to see you made it out to Joshua Tree. That’s a really cool place to check out, but I totally agree with you on the camping in the campground. You definitely get those people when you camp out there. That place tends to attract a lot of different people. Both good and bad.

Where at in AZ are you in? I’m hoping to move out there in the next few years once my wife finishes school.
 
So the LC spring and Monroe shock (specific to the LC?) are great for people who don't do heavy of roading? I don't carry much weight on a regular basis. I do some towing a few times a year, that's about it.

Did you get the official Toyota LC spring or aftermarket?

Thanks!

I put on new KYB shocks and MOOGs 99 tall springs, but the ride is pretty rough in my opinion. Especially in the rear.

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I have used landcruiser springs. If your springs are new i presume that’s why the rough ride. I read on here that the moog springs do wear out quicker than say OME stuff. just an fyi


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You came out to Yucaipa, huh? That’s where I live. What brought you out here? Not really anything to do out here tourist wise, except for the apple farms up in Oak Glen.

Cool to see you made it out to Joshua Tree. That’s a really cool place to check out, but I totally agree with you on the camping in the campground. You definitely get those people when you camp out there. That place tends to attract a lot of different people. Both good and bad.

Where at in AZ are you in? I’m hoping to move out there in the next few years once my wife finishes school.



My wife lived in Yucaipa, went to Crafton Hills?, and we were out visiting friends there. I like the town but every time we go back there is more growth. And yes, there are things my wife insists we do in Yucaipa. Go to the glen and get Apple Butter :-/ and buy a thrifty ice cream. I keep telling here there has to be some trails we can go on but unfortunately so far the runner hasn’t touched a trail in CA[emoji20].

I live out south of Queen Creek. South east of “the valley” where there is still a lot of farming. Gilbert, Queen Creek like to pretend they are little country towns so you get that feel even with all the growth. Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek are in the top 20 places to live in AZ.


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My wife lived in Yucaipa, went to Crafton Hills?, and we were out visiting friends there. I like the town but every time we go back there is more growth. And yes, there are things my wife insists we do in Yucaipa. Go to the glen and get Apple Butter :-/ and buy a thrifty ice cream. I keep telling here there has to be some trails we can go on but unfortunately so far the runner hasn’t touched a trail in CA[emoji20].

I live out south of Queen Creek. South east of “the valley” where there is still a lot of farming. Gilbert, Queen Creek like to pretend they are little country towns so you get that feel even with all the growth. Chandler, Gilbert and Queen Creek are in the top 20 places to live in AZ.


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Hey! I was just enjoying some steak at San Tan Flat! Howdy neighbor!
 
Yeah I’ve only lived here in Yucaipa for about 6 years and really like it but even in the time I’ve lived here, it has definitely grown. It still has that small town feel compared to most of the other cities out here. There aren’t really any trails in Yucaipa itself but if you go up the highway a couple miles you can jump on the dirt and head up to Big Bear and most of the mountain via fire roads which is pretty cool.

My brother wants to move out to Gilbert area if he gets the chance with work. He can do it now but there isn’t enough room for growth in his company if he moves out there right now. I’m thinking possibly Prescott area if I end up in AZ. I like the moderate weather and small town feel that it has, but still a lot of growth for business opportunities.
 
My brother wants to move out to Gilbert area if he gets the chance with work. He can do it now but there isn’t enough room for growth in his company if he moves out there right now. I’m thinking possibly Prescott area if I end up in AZ. I like the moderate weather and small town feel that it has, but still a lot of growth for business opportunities.



Gilbert is a good town. Downtown has become a foodies paradise. SE Gilbert is where all the growth is. Prescott is a little $$$ but nice. Downtown is definitely old town feel. Plus it’s a good hub for all the good off-road places here. We are looking at the area N-NE of Flagstaff out in the countryside , East side of San Fransisco peak. Over time 30+ years you get tired of looking at cactus.


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Got some more done. Wiring went smooth! Just need to make the connecting wire from the starter battery to the circuit breaker and buy the battery.
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You can see more pics at my Instagram @providentpathfinders


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Finally got rid of the POS Goodyear Authority tires and got larger Falkens from Discount tire. First impression isn’t with the tire itself but the fact Discount didn’t hammer any weights on my wheels. They used the inside sticky ones. I think they knew the hammer on ones kept flying off. Second, No vibration. It’s been so long i’ve dealt with Wal-Mart shitty balancing jobs I sort of got used to it. https://instagram.com/p/BkdQDxbBtl-/

Now it’s time to wash her up and play with tire pressure and chalk.


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Still fit in parking garage. I measured the tallest hard spot on the 4runner and got 6’ 8 1/2” and 6’10” is the max. Looks like I need some taller suspension[emoji57]


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Got stuck at work on my last day (promoted!). Heat killed the battery, had to wait for parking management to come jump me. If I had my dual battery system 100% complete I could have jumped it myself with the push of a button.
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Went to Costco today and replaced the starter battery with an Interstate.
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In 2 weeks I should be able to put the AGM in back and begin testing for any issues with the system i built.


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Just a shitty drive through the ugly ass countryside of AZ, what an effin’ dump...
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Finally got the battery. 65 amp hours, should be good for running fridge a couple of days at fridge temps.

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So lots of little updates. The battery is in! Everything is working as designed. While the engine is on the house battery in the back is seeing 13.2v. Once I turn the 4runner off the Battery Doctor waits for 60 seconds then times out and auto disconnects. I am happy to have the ability to run accessories and the fridge for extended periods of time now. So one chapter is closed. This was the last of the internal buildout for the foreseeable future.

Today I did some digging into my steering. I was fearing that my semi-new steering rack from Napa was failing. After some digging around I found it to be nothing more than a loose connection from the steering wheel input connection at the rack. Tightened it up and all other connections, and adjusted the firmness and now my steering is super crisp.

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I have a 4-night camping trip planned out in a very remote area of Arizona along the black river in 2 weeks so time to start organizing!

I also made a new youtube video ill share just as soon as my computer is done processing it. It outlines the finishing touches on the dual battery setup, as well as some other nonsense.

<iframe width="640" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6TBGt8ZA3G4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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New adveture awaits. just got the rig all packed up. Jerry cans are full. Time to cool down the fridge and have a cold one.

<iframe width="640" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MOE5u-1GnqQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Glad your steering issue pretty much wasn't.

Dual batteries are a good addition for adventure off the beaten path. It's nice to be able to jump myself in case I'm not on an incline or even throw one of the batteries in the other 4Runner if need be.

Getting the dual set-up done with two weeks to test the battery/fridge set-up is terrific. Have a great trip and catch some pretty fishies!
 
I hope to catch some fish! I’ve been skunked the whole year here in AZ. In Wisconsin all you have to do is clap your hands and fish jump into the boat.


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