Desert Dawg build...what a switch!

[Desert Dawg]

cool.....so the Bronco will be on the block?...lol

No, we got an offer we couldn't refuse and let it go! Of course, now I wish we still had it...lol.

Desert Dawg - Really love what you did to your rig! Outstanding man. I'd like to do the same roof rack, ladder and LED's. What would you charge me to fab some brackets as you did for your lights so that it'd be bolt-on ready? Possible?
Thanks!

Thanks man! The brackets were pretty easy except for the fact I had to cut them by hand with a hacksaw and file them down. Other than that, it was a quick trip to Lowes to buy them.

So, what are you scoping out for your next vehicle?

That's the ongoing debate in my house...lol. I initially thought I would build this up to do some trailing with the family and then give to my wife since she loves it (she is driving a GTI now) and then buy the new redesigned Raptor once it comes out. But I have really been liking this vehicle a lot. So now I am thinking of keeping it for our weekend trips to northern NM and CO and have my sights set on a certain sports car but only after I get my wife something. But all of that is still in the early dream phase as I am sure reality will dictate something else when the time comes...lol.

man does someone have a short attention span

Yeah, I have to admit I do get bored with my vehicles after some time (3 months to 3 years). But I am also a real hardcore car nut and can't help myself sometimes. I think having access to all that "blue crystal" in New Mexico has warped my mind...lol.

Next time anyone tells me I go through vehicles a lot I am going to show them your post! LOL

Current T4R is probably my favorite too, thing is looking awesome for sure

lol...well, I am sure I not the worst. Thanks Michael!

Someone has a lot of cash and time on their hands...

I dream of that world....


sweet Bronco!!

Depends; when I do have the time and knowhow, I definitely like doing stuff myself. But when I have less time, usually because of my business travels and the fact I might be modding my daily driver, I have to be more selective otherwise my DD might sit for weeks.

You might be surprised, but most of these vehicles I have gotten all my money back (including the mods) or even made money. When I sell them, I always put everything I have into them as part of price (I keep ridiculous records). I seem to attract certain buyers too that are willing to pay my full price because it was exactly what they wanted and it's all done (for example, I had a Pro Hockey player fly out from Phoenix to buy my 2008 F250 and a law enforcement official from the Bay Area fly out to buy my 2011 Platinum, or the lawyer that just had to have my Tahoe for hunting...lol, and so on). Also, I have some friends in the aftermarket industry that get me wholesale pricing (which saves a ton), and I have also received "free" and highly discounted aftermarket components in exchange for advertising a manufacturer's product (for example, some of my vehicles are featured on n-Fab, Nitto Tires, CarId, MudFlaps.com, Stage 3 Motorsports sites, etc.) so that also helps a lot. Anyway, my point is I can sell them and take the same money back and invest in a new project.

 

[DigableKid]

You might be surprised, but most of these vehicles I have gotten all my money back (including the mods) or even made money. When I sell them, I always put everything I have into them as part of price (I keep ridiculous records). I seem to attract certain buiyers too that are willing to pay my full price because it was exactly what they wanted and it's all done (for example, I had a Pro Hockey player fly out from Phoenix to buy my 2008 F250 and a law enforcement official from the Bay Area fly out to buy my 2011 Platinum, or the lawyer that just had to have my Tahoe for hunting...lol, and so on). Also, I have some friends in the aftermarket industry that get me wholesale pricing (which saves a ton), and I have also received "free" and highly discounted aftermarket components in exchange for advertising a manufacturer's product (for example, some of my vehicles are featured on n-Fab, Nitto Tires, CarId, MudFlaps.com, Stage 3 Motorsports sites, etc.) so that also helps a lot. Anyway, my point is I can sell them and take the same money back and invest in a new project.

You're my hero lol! Hard work pays off.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Finally, we're packing up tonight for our trip to southern CO. Can't wait to finally stretch the 4runner's legs out a bit and get some trailing done. Hopefully will be able to get some good photos too and report back on how the build performed! :banana:

 

[NoDak]

don't forget the dashcam video's.

need to post some up when you get back.

 

[bimrunner]

Gotta be honest. I'm jealous of a few of the rigs but the Bronco is tops! Wow! Hope you didn't sell that one.

 

[NWA16711]

Now what...

Ok, I did my build earlier this year and I've been looking at the Gobi rack and some black wheels. Now if I do that our 4Runner's will look almost identical. I was going for unique...hwell:

 

[Desert Dawg]

don't forget the dashcam video's.

need to post some up when you get back.

Yeah, I have to remember to download the supporting software when I get back. Hope I don't flub it up...lol! :smashputer:

Gotta be honest. I'm jealous of a few of the rigs but the Bronco is tops! Wow! Hope you didn't sell that one.

Thanks Ben, but unfortunately I sold it when I got an offer that was almost too good to be true. I think it's roaming around Arizona somewhere now.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Ok, I did my build earlier this year and I've been looking at the Gobi rack and some black wheels. Now if I do that our 4Runner's will look almost identical. I was going for unique...hwell:

Sorry man, but at least we're not on the same block...lol. It'll look great and will be curious to see what you select!

 

[NoDak]

take a few decent size memory cards. and if you have a video you want to keep, make sure you lock/save it, otherwise it will over write older videos.

I use a 32gb but the new ones can take 64gb cards maybe even a 128gb.

if your running at the highest setting it will fill up pretty quick and start over writing. hope to see some nice trail vid's.

 

[NoDak]

Ok, I did my build earlier this year and I've been looking at the Gobi rack and some black wheels. Now if I do that our 4Runner's will look almost identical. I was going for unique...hwell:

well if you mirror his build, at least you have a guinea pig

 

[Desert Dawg]

take a few decent size memory cards. and if you have a video you want to keep, make sure you lock/save it, otherwise it will over write older videos.

I use a 32gb but the new ones can take 64gb cards maybe even a 128gb.

if your running at the highest setting it will fill up pretty quick and start over writing. hope to see some nice trail vid's.

Yeah, I am running it with a 64gb card and at 1920x1080 so not the highest setting. Definitely will have to remember to push "save"....I could see having some amazing event like a cougar running in front of me (actually happened to me once) and getting too excited to push the button...lol.

 

[NWA16711]

Sorry man, but at least we're not on the same block...lol. It'll look great and will be curious to see what you select!

True! I don't think we'll run into each other on the street...lol. I think it's gonna look a lot like yours. I really like the wheels and lights you selected. Thanks for doing the hard work for me! They aren't in the picture I posted, but I do have different steps. I went with the Shrockworks rock rails with the diamond plated steps built in. I really like them, but they were a bit of a pain to install.

 

[Desert Dawg]

Arrived in Pagosa Springs, Colorado this evening. First stop was a micro brewery for some dinner and beers, so really didn't get a chance to do anything yet but have these quick shots.

Drive up from central New Mexico;


Drive into northern NM with storm clouds brewing;


Home base at friend's cabin;


Lake view from front yard and early morning fishing spot;


Quick pic by lake before dusk:


Heading out tomorrow afternoon to hopefully find some trails to try out. Lots of rain in the forecast so hope we don't get washed out.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Arrived in Pagosa Springs, Colorado this evening. First stop was a micro brewery for some dinner and beers, so really didn't get a chance to do anything yet but have these quick shots.

Drive up from central New Mexico;


Drive into northern NM with storm clouds brewing;


Home base at friend's cabin;


Lake view from front yard and early morning fishing spot;


Quick pic by lake before dusk:


Heading out tomorrow afternoon to hopefully find some trails to try out. Lots of rain in the forecast so hope we don't get washed out.

Awesome shots as always.

Hopefully you don't get washed out up there but maybe you can do some mud testing with the Coopers. :thumb:

 

[Desert Dawg]

Today was all about taking the family up to Four Miles Falls; basically a good 7-8 mile hike. It was a great hike and saw lots of wildlife.













Tomorrow we head up to Wolf Creek area and get some fourwheeling in!

 

[Jeremy556]

How long are you around? Been avoiding the San Juans this weekend because of the big JEEP club from the denver area.

 

[nguyenn]

such an awesome build. keep up the good work Paul ;-)

 

[Desert Dawg]

How long are you around? Been avoiding the San Juans this weekend because of the big JEEP club from the denver area.

We are going to be leaving back to Albuquerque tomorrow (Monday) sometime after lunch. Today we are taking the 4Runner up to Wolf Creek; we're going to Silver Falls and then do some fourwheeling up to Elwood Pass and loop back down past the Ski Resort. It's just going to me and a friend with no other vehicles, so I don't want to tackle anything too extreme. Hopefully it will be a decent ride.

Sure hope we don't run into the Jeep Club. So far, we haven't seen them around the Pagosa Springs area.

 

[Desert Dawg]

such an awesome build. keep up the good work Paul ;-)

Thanks man! :cheers:

 

[PhoRunner]

Love your build. This is one of the cleanest on the entire forum. In my top 3 for sure.