Rattlesnake44
New member
I've been sketching and planning a leveling/storage platform for a couple weeks now as well. I'll probably commence to actually "doing" this weekend. I'll be checking in to see what you come up with. [emoji1360][emoji481]
Building, Driving and Adventuring the MTN4RNR
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MTN4RNR
New member
Haha. I have had preliminary sketches for months. But I wanted to really use the truck for a number of trips of figure out what I really needed in a set up. I think at this point, I've nailed the design. Bought the wood today, no going back :heh:
Rattlesnake44
New member
Same here. Everytime I tell myself "okay, this is the day, go tear all that crap out of the back and get to work" something comes up and I need my truck to be in one piece to go to Home Depot or something. I guess I need to just go buy some wood and commit to this. Or.... I could wait another week or so and see what you come up with [emoji12].
Cymon
New member
Meanwhile...
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What a progressive but adaptable article!
MTN4RNR
New member
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MTN4RNR
New member
I see what you did there :spy:
I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the back platform, that prep slide out area looks like an interesting idea. You said make it level with the back seats so I'm assuming you don't have the dealer installed slide out deck?
Also, I thought you were waiting on the BP-51's, What's your thoughts on Fox? My mind has been swayed a bit that direction as well (Fox 2.5 IFP / 2.0 IFP) as I think running a shock with reservoir would be overkill for my application. I'd like the adjustability that the BP-51 or DSC res provides, just not sure its worth it for me personally.
Also, I thought you were waiting on the BP-51's, What's your thoughts on Fox? My mind has been swayed a bit that direction as well (Fox 2.5 IFP / 2.0 IFP) as I think running a shock with reservoir would be overkill for my application. I'd like the adjustability that the BP-51 or DSC res provides, just not sure its worth it for me personally.
LifestyleOverland
Member
After a number of nights sleeping in the back of the 4R, I have decided to move forward with a platform that will make the cargo area level with the rear seats. It will also incorporate multiple aluminum tie down strips and a slide out prep board for cooking off of the back. It will be made of 3/4 and 1 inch Baltic Birch Plywood, with a Line-x top surface. Sketching and material purchasing today, so look for something in the near future...
opcorn: Looking forward to this one...
FLY_FISHING
Member
great pics!We moved on to a fun 4x4 section that we heard had some technical sections that pointed us towards a lake visible on the map, our potential lunch destination. As it was a new day, a side trail was in order. We left the main trail, and wound down a trail to where we thought might be a creek. But in this case, maps lie. We pulled an about-face to reconnect with the main trail. Back at the top, we stopped to enjoy the trail, and to take a photo op. Back on the main trail, we came to a technical section that required some spotting. The other guys had no issue with the help of a spotter, I was last and worried about clearance, again. And again, with good spotting and the rear locker engaged, I made it through without a scratch. I got out with a huge smile on my face. Stock suspension and a tire upgrade. Holy shit is this thing awesome. We were just around the corner from our lunch spot at the lake. But it happens that the lake we were looking at was a retreat location for churches and thus private property. But we made good use of the area outside the gate for our lunch. Eating on the back of my truck with other people that enjoy these trips as much as I do, is nirvana. It’s the simple things. A beer, a burrito and good conversation.
MTN4RNR
New member
No OEM slider deck for me, so I am building something better!
I'm constantly back and forth between them all while funds are being saved. I like the idea of adjustability, but reality tells me that if the shocks are valved correctly, I likely will never need to adjust them. BUT... I can't stop thinking, go big or go home :bounce:
I think that Fox makes a good product. It ultimately comes down to price, and the particular features available on the shocks. I wouldn't mind Fox, King or OME at this point. But I still have time to figure that out. Remote reservoirs will likely be on my options list as I like driving on bumpy roads for a long time. Shock fade is something I'd rather not deal with.
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Mistaken
New member
Definitely one of my favorite little mods to the 4Runner.
Prestige Worldwide
New member
All the better to see you with, my dear...
That seems to fit the mirror perfectly. What brand convex mirror is that?
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MTN4RNR
New member
It does, because it's the Toyota RAV4 mirror that comes with the convex mirror built in (Part # 87961-42D20 - Driver's Side). Why this $40k truck didn't come with a stupid convex mirror is beyond me. I spend the extra money and went the OEM route because the generic stick on ones always end up scratching and hazing over time. This, I imagine, will have a long lifespan and look great doing it! Thanks for the idea, [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION]
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BS Goodwrench
New member
Breakfast on the creek
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See 3 of 3 below
Loving your information on your build and mods.
Some really really great ideas here.
What's cool is Sierra Nevada in Mills River is where I live. Hahaha
Wife and I were able to purchase a home right before we got married and its in Mills River.
Stay safe and keep up the good work.
Prestige Worldwide
New member
I totally agree that it should hold up better. Thank you for the information!
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MTN4RNR
New member
Slick Rock / Corral Hollow - August 2016 (1 of 3)
This weekend, I took a day-trip up highway 4 in the Sierras with a group of Expedition Portal members. On the to-do list for the day: Slick Rock, Corral Hollow. I decided after talking with a friend who had recently been to Slick Rock that I would be sidelining my 4Runner for the trail, and riding along with V_man. I had been told that the trail had gotten considerably tougher over the winter due to the mother nature’s placement of some good sized boulders. I do have a set of bomb proof sliders, however, my lack of ground clearance and skid plates forced my decision. I was thinking that I would be bummed to not be able to tackle the trail myself, but the day went very well and I saw great benefit in walking the trail, spotting the other drivers, and observing how their rigs navigated the trails. Rockmpr was great to watch as he has the future incarnation of what I want my 4Runner to end up looking like. Getting the opportunity to spot a solid axled 2nd gen, a 5th gen, and two 3rd gens, really showed me the differences between these generations of the 4Runner and it helped me learn how to run different lines with different gear. All around, a great learning experience.
5am start time from the Bay Area
Cruising some back roads to avoid road closures through the central valley
Coffee stop in Copperopolis, thanks for the new (to me) caffeine stop, V_man!
Trail fuel
Arrival in Bear Valley
I had to park here, but I found another 4Runner to park next to, and because there was a Search and Rescue training day basing out of Bear Valley that day, the parking lot was full of Sheriff vehicles from many different California counties. Safest. Parking. Ever.
We met up with the rest of the group at Slick Rock, and pup and I got ready for our hike down the trail.
Things look smaller up here in V_man’s tall rig
5am start time from the Bay Area
Cruising some back roads to avoid road closures through the central valley
Coffee stop in Copperopolis, thanks for the new (to me) caffeine stop, V_man!
Trail fuel
Arrival in Bear Valley
I had to park here, but I found another 4Runner to park next to, and because there was a Search and Rescue training day basing out of Bear Valley that day, the parking lot was full of Sheriff vehicles from many different California counties. Safest. Parking. Ever.
We met up with the rest of the group at Slick Rock, and pup and I got ready for our hike down the trail.
Things look smaller up here in V_man’s tall rig
MTN4RNR
New member
Slick Rock / Corral Hollow - August 2016 (2 of 3)
“I eat diff’s for breakfast” -Boulder
This was a technical section of the trail, that require high clearance, good spotting, and a bit of a squeeze at the end. The only damage were some scraped diff’s (see above photo), and a bit of rear quarter panel damage on Rochmpr’s 5th gen.
(This is where I stopped being a photographer, and became a spotter)
Moving along…
(Note: Will add more photos of “the staircase” here when I get them from V_man)
This was a technical section of the trail, that require high clearance, good spotting, and a bit of a squeeze at the end. The only damage were some scraped diff’s (see above photo), and a bit of rear quarter panel damage on Rochmpr’s 5th gen.
(This is where I stopped being a photographer, and became a spotter)
Moving along…
(Note: Will add more photos of “the staircase” here when I get them from V_man)
MTN4RNR
New member
Slick Rock / Corral Hollow - August 2016 (3 of 3)
We ran into a T4R member (Magnetic4R) outside Union Reservoir
We made Union Reservoir the mid-day lunch spot
We then headed back to my truck, and up the Corral Hollow trail
We found a great vista point for some photos and droning
With keeping our drive back home in mind, we departed and headed back to the highway
The bittersweet air up at the end of the day. I cannot wait to re-visit Slick Rock when I have upgraded my suspension and my undercarriage. As for the Corral Hollow, I would like to come up when winter hits (and the trail is still open) to run it in reverse with hopefully less dust to deal with. Great day with great people. What more do you need?
More to come…
We made Union Reservoir the mid-day lunch spot
We then headed back to my truck, and up the Corral Hollow trail
We found a great vista point for some photos and droning
With keeping our drive back home in mind, we departed and headed back to the highway
The bittersweet air up at the end of the day. I cannot wait to re-visit Slick Rock when I have upgraded my suspension and my undercarriage. As for the Corral Hollow, I would like to come up when winter hits (and the trail is still open) to run it in reverse with hopefully less dust to deal with. Great day with great people. What more do you need?
More to come…
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