Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR

[Magnetic4R]

Thanks man, a little bit of time and the right supplies makes the difference. It was a good learning experience for me for sure! Didn't blow anything up or short circuit anything, everything is good in my book :thumb3:

I hear you, time and patience. =) All these extra supplies adds up. =/ We should split between us locals. I will eventually do a rewired on all my LED's. Also I want to do the rear camera dongles but scare to pull apart. May need yours or [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] assist. =) I believe you guys have pull the center console before? Oh yeah, Stop planning these camping trips on days I can't go. LOL

 

[MTN4RNR]

I hear you, time and patience. =) All these extra supplies adds up. =/ We should split between us locals. I will eventually do a rewired on all my LED's. Also I want to do the rear camera dongles but scare to pull apart. May need yours or [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] assist. =) I believe you guys have pull the center console before? Oh yeah, Stop planning these camping trips on days I can't go. LOL

Sounds like a plan, it's amazing how much work can be done when beer is supplied for you :nerd:

Just let me know when you need a hand, and I'll be happy to give it.

 

[weeeee]

I hear you, time and patience. =) All these extra supplies adds up. =/ We should split between us locals. I will eventually do a rewired on all my LED's. Also I want to do the rear camera dongles but scare to pull apart. May need yours or [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] assist. =) I believe you guys have pull the center console before? Oh yeah, Stop planning these camping trips on days I can't go. LOL

Sounds like a plan, it's amazing how much work can be done when beer is supplied for you :nerd:

Just let me know when you need a hand, and I'll be happy to give it.

Just let me know a time/date and we can knock this out.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Happy Friday

Have a good weekend everyone, and enjoy wherever your 4Runners take you!

 

[MTN4RNR]

A day at Hollister Hills SVRA - 1 of 2

This weekend I went with [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] and another Expo member to Hollister Hills SVRA in Hollister, CA. We wanted to have a fun day to cruise the trails, and see what our rigs were capable of. [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] has his very well built 1990 4Runner, and the other with his 2014 Tacoma TRD OR. Both with sliders, lifts and bigger tires than my 4Runner, along with a whole lot more. But we were all in it for the same reason, a fun day on the dirt.

Air down at the gate.

We started the Bonanza Gulch trail that led us to the south property line.

We then hit the top of the McCrayZ obstacle course and stopped to watch a number of OR specific vehicles tackle the course.

After a bit of cringing, cheering, and observing, we headed on down the trail and wound up at the base of Truck Hill. v_man headed up first to check for ruts or washouts at the top at my request. He radioed that all was good and to head uphill! For any that have been it's impressively steep, but we didn't have any problems.

Turning on the [MENTION=87816]Baja Designs[/MENTION] S8 LED bar in the day because light bar...

From Truck Hill we moved along the West Trail to a quarry area where we had some fun on rocks. The other two were making quick work of the rocks in the area. I definitely found the stock skids a few times, although the damage was kept to scrapes and dents. Lesson learned in this area: a lift will help, and sliders are definitely a good thing to have. And a good spotter

[MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] then showed us what big tires can do

See part 2 of 2 below
​

 

[MTN4RNR]

A day at Hollister Hills SVRA - 2 of 2

We then moved on to the obstacle course area where [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] found some rocks, a rock found Andy's valve stem, I made a lot of noise learning the concrete steps, we found a group of 3rd gens with bigger tires than [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION], and dog had no idea how to not slide around both in and out of the kennel!

The Coopers stuffed in a fun wash out

Then up to Hector Heights Overlook. I feel the need to cock a wheel in the air to compensate for my lack of lift...

Then, trailed down to another hill, drove to the top, and then to the exit. We loaded up, aired up and headed home.

It was a great day of driving, observing, and learning. I can clearly see where having a lift, along with a good set of sliders (and skids eventually) will greatly improve the already awesome capabilities of my 4Runner. Getting to know what I can and can't reasonably do on the trail is a great thing to know. Also, knowing where I can both improve on my driving skills and add on to the 4Runner will go a long way for me in the near future.

More to come...​

 

[Cymon]

We then moved on to the obstacle course area where [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] found some rocks, a rock found Andy's valve stem, I made a lot of noise learning the concrete steps, we found a group of 3rd gens with bigger tires than [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION], and dog had no idea how to not slide around both in and out of the kennel!

The Coopers stuffed in a fun wash out

Then up to Hector Heights Overlook. I feel the need to cock a wheel in the air to compensate for my lack of lift...

Then, trailed down to another hill, drove to the top, and then to the exit. We loaded up, aired up and headed home.

It was a great day of driving, observing, and learning. I can clearly see where having a lift, along with a good set of sliders (and skids eventually). Getting to know what I can and can't reasonably do on the trail is a great thing to know. Also, knowing where I can both improve on my driving skills and add on to the 4Runner will go a long way for me in the near future.

More to come...​

Awesome pics and descriptions as always! Looks like a hell of a good time...way to show what a stock 4Runner with some good AT's can do.

 

[weeeee]

Looks like you had fun! Sorry I couldn't join in, but I'll catch you later this month :thumb:

 

[MTN4RNR]

Awesome pics and descriptions as always! Looks like a hell of a good time...way to show what a stock 4Runner with some good AT's can do.

I found some limits this weekend, mostly ground clearance oriented. But overall, I never felt held back. Then again, I also know roughly what I can and can't do, and steer in the doable direction. Self preservation at it's finest :bounce:

 

[MTN4RNR]

Looks like you had fun! Sorry I couldn't join in, but I'll catch you later this month :thumb:

Yes, it was a good time! It was fun to cruise around and check things out. I am now searching the "Lifted Pix" thread, you'll be happy to know :thumb: Lots of research to do, and things to consider.

Looking forward to the trip at the end of the month!

 

[kuato]

Wow! Missed you by a few days. Took my boys to Hollister on Thursday. Did many of the same things except Truck Hill...park was pretty much desolate and that hill looked to be a bit much with out a spotter.

Looks like you had a great time.

 

[pinetar]

...and dog had no idea how to not slide around both in and out of the kennel!

Just some food for thought, I had the same problem with my pup bouncing around everywhere on the big excursion I went on last year and she noticeably hated the experience.

Since then, I've gotten her a better harness that the seatbelt goes through and secures her from bouncing everywhere and still lets her lay down when she isn't hanging her head out the window.

Well worth the investment to keep her and occupants as safe as possible.

Sleepypod® Clickit Utility| Top performing Dog Harness
-

Cheers for the photos from the Hollister adventure too! I need to get out there one of these days.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Just some food for thought, I had the same problem with my pup bouncing around everywhere on the big excursion I went on last year and she noticeably hated the experience.

Since then, I've gotten her a better harness that the seatbelt goes through and secures her from bouncing everywhere and still lets her lay down when she isn't hanging her head out the window.

Well worth the investment to keep her and occupants as safe as possible.

Sleepypod® Clickit Utility| Top performing Dog Harness
-

Cheers for the photos from the Hollister adventure too! I need to get out there one of these days.

Thanks for sharing! She is always in her kennel when we are on the road, and she enjoys "the Maeve Cave".

The issue discovered on this trip was that the standard blankets that she has in her kennel slide around as we go up and down hills. All I need to add is a fitted kennel pad, and problem solved! Thanks for the tip though, if we move away form the kennel, I will check out your suggestion!

 

[MTN4RNR]

Wow! Missed you by a few days. Took my boys to Hollister on Thursday. Did many of the same things except Truck Hill...park was pretty much desolate and that hill looked to be a bit much with out a spotter.

Looks like you had a great time.

Always best to have someone spot you if you aren't sure yourself! That's what I did. I will let more of the local 4R crowd know about the next outing!

 

[cjacob316]

How are the coopers on road? Handle well in the rain? Did you lose a lot of fuel milage on them?

 

[MTN4RNR]

How are the coopers on road? Handle well in the rain? Did you lose a lot of fuel milage on them?

They are great on the road. Louder than stock, but comparably quieter than others in the same category.

Rain - Great.
Deep snow - Great.
Icy cond. - Not a winter tire, ha! But will still perform just fine with some caution.
Dirt/mud/everything else - Great.

Milage dropped, but they're an E rated tire that is built like a tank. So yeah, they weigh more, and your milage will drop 1-2 mpg. I promise you that the smiles per gallon will increase dramatically when you see what your 4Runner can do with some good tires under it :biggrin1:

I will be posting a 10k mile update on the Coopers soon so keep an eye out for that!

 

[cjacob316]

They are great on the road. Louder than stock, but comparably quieter than others in the same category.

Rain - Great.
Deep snow - Great.
Icy cond. - Not a winter tire, ha! But will still perform just fine with some caution.
Dirt/mud/everything else - Great.

Milage dropped, but they're an E rated tire that is built like a tank. So yeah, they weigh more, and your milage will drop 1-2 mpg. I promise you that the smiles per gallon will increase dramatically when you see what your 4Runner can do with some good tires under it :biggrin1:

I will be posting a 10k mile update on the Coopers soon so keep an eye out for that!

Thanks. Been looking at these and the AT3's. I drive a lot on the highway and need something that can perform on the road well enough. 35k miles in a year and a half. I'm shooting for the same size as you.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Thanks. Been looking at these and the AT3's. I drive a lot on the highway and need something that can perform on the road well enough. 35k miles in a year and a half. I'm shooting for the same size as you.

Looks like the AT3 would be a good bet if you are looking mostly for highway performance. They will also be good offroad, plenty for the weekend warrior. Here is a side by side with mine and my dad's AT3's on his GX.

He loves his for what he does, mostly highway with some snow runs and dirt trails in the mix. Plenty capable.

Good luck!

 

[cjacob316]

Looks like the AT3 would be a good bet if you are looking mostly for highway performance. They will also be good offroad, plenty for the weekend warrior. Here is a side by side with mine and my dad's AT3's on his GX.

He loves his for what he does, mostly highway with some snow runs and dirt trails in the mix. Plenty capable.

Good luck!

Thanks. My only concern down here is that those dirt roads can turn into muddy sludge messes and might have to deal with sand at points. Even just simple camp roads for hunting can become bogs. That's why I was possibly considering something more aggressive. Appreciate the responses man. Great thread here, keep it up.

 

[MTN4RNR]

Thanks. My only concern down here is that those dirt roads can turn into muddy sludge messes and might have to deal with sand at points. Even just simple camp roads for hunting can become bogs. That's why I was possibly considering something more aggressive. Appreciate the responses man. Great thread here, keep it up.

You might want to look into some traction mats (Traction Jack, Maxtrax, etc) to help in those situations. Good luck, and thanks!