Drummer's Adventure Thread

[ECUDrummer]

I acquired my 4Runner about a year ago. The wife and I found out we were expecting and I came to the realization that my Silverado wouldn't cut it for our daughter, 2 dogs, and whatever stuff we planned on hauling. So, I traded it in after finding this beast at a dealer down in Clemson:

Now, I know what it looks like - some guy bought a rig that was way over his head, that had mods he didn't even know about. Trust me when I say I didn't buy this thing without researching every bit of work done to it. One previous owner, did all of the work himself - much like many of you here.

There's no point in making this a build thread, considering most of the heavy lifting had been done before my purchase. I'll make some additions along the way, but this will be more of an adventure thread. Having a 10 month old and an ileostomy doesn't make for easy travel, but I'll update it when I can.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Our first REAL trip came in late September to Charleston SC for our anniversary. My wife was 8 months pregnant and we were looking to escape for a bit. Stayed on Kiawah and travelled into town each day for a little bit of exploring, but couldn't do too much considering my wife's condition.

 

[ECUDrummer]

First real off-road trip was to Uwharrie this past April, and there was a good mix of vehicles - mostly Jeeps, but a few FJs and even a Nissan. I mainly road easier trails with one of the FJs since I had no experience on Uwharrie's trails.

 

[ECUDrummer]

The great part about living in Charlotte is proximity. 2 hours to the mountains, 3 hours to the beach, 2 hours to the next closest city (if you happen to find boredom in Charlotte). We had some longer trips coming up in the summer, so of course it would be appropriate to take a quick day trip up into the Blue Ridge - for research purposes and practice, of course.

We took 321 from Gastonia up to Blowing Rock, where we got on the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove down to Grandfather Mountain. After learning of the temp up at the summit (11 degrees), we decided to take some pics at one of the lookouts from the BRP and headed south to Linville Falls. Much better, considering it was around 55 degrees once we got out of the truck.
Original Plan (omitted the Linn Cove VC, but drove the Viaduct)

If we didn't have the baby with us, we would have hiked to the other viewpoints. From here, we drove a few miles further into the forest for Wiseman's View. Well worth the drive (wife wasn't too pleased with the bumpy ride and having to hold our daughter's head still, but she'll tell you it was worth it)

 

[ECUDrummer]

One of those larger trips I mentioned was to visit family in Ocean Isle Beach. Spent our first weekend glamping. Not bad.

 

[Spaulding Metals]

Looks like you are getting some good use out of the 4 runner. I hope you enjoy the time with the family on all the future trips. I got my 4 runner for similar reasons, enough room for the family and enough capability to really go fine some adventure. Gongrats on the kid.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Between family trips, I was able to sneak back up to the mountains for a day trip on Richland Road, which is an old state road that connects from just north of Lenoir to the BRP in Blowing Rock. What was supposed to be a 3ish hour ride through the woods ended up being 6 hours after one of the only other 4Runners suffered right front lower ball joint failure and the only other t4r cut down a tire. Wish I had more pics from this run, but there's not much in terms of overlooks and scenic views until you get to the Parkway - by that time I was ready to get home and take the crown for having the only 4Runner that didn't have an issue.
I need to run this trail again soon.

Hi-Lift Level: F*** it.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Luckily, the wife was cool with me having some more time away at Uwharrie with the Carolina 4Runners Off-Road Group. Had a blast, as usual. Magnetic Gray was the dress code, but it was only loosely adhered to.

@apexoverland posted up.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Took a family trip out to the Outer Banks and stayed in Corolla. Had to stop by our alma mater, East Carolina, since that's where it all started for us. Finally had a chance to take the truck out into the sand a bit. Parked where I shouldn't have for some nice pics. Was worth it.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Looks like you are getting some good use out of the 4 runner. I hope you enjoy the time with the family on all the future trips. I got my 4 runner for similar reasons, enough room for the family and enough capability to really go fine some adventure. Gongrats on the kid.

Thanks. It's been great so far. I've got a lot more planned for this thing.

 

[ECUDrummer]

My wife surprised me with some cool stuff for my birthday last month. Ditch light brackets from CBI, LED cubes from Lifetime LED. I couldn't install them though since I was neck deep in Series 7 studying. You bet your ass I installed them ASAP after passing.
Also threw some cheap LEDs on the back of the roof rack. Pretty good output, but needs a new switch (original one purchased was defective).

 

[SteadfastZach]

Good looking! I want a Gobi bad! Most likely getting some 5100's then going from there. Again, rockin rig!:guitar2:

 

[ECUDrummer]

Good looking! I want a Gobi bad! Most likely getting some 5100's then going from there. Again, rockin rig!:guitar2:

Thanks dude! The rack is awesome. If you choose to go that route and you think you might want to have lights up there, then let them know. I think I read somewhere that they aren't prewiring them anymore unless you specifically ask them to.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Rode out to Uwharrie for a quick trip on the trails. Only ran Wolf's Den, Falls Dam and stopped for some pics on this rock.

 

[ECUDrummer]

More from today

 

[ECUDrummer]

Stayed on pavement today, couldn't pass up an empty parking garage with Uptown as he backdrop.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ECUDrummer]

No trips for a few weeks in the beast, she sure does clean up well. Worth noting that 2 hours after this pic was taken it rained only enough to leave a bunch of water spots. Thanks, mother nature.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Took another trip to Uwharrie with some of the folks from our local t4r and FJ groups. Another great time - wish we had some of the trail systems seen out west, but URE has a way of making you feel pretty damn secluded in a short amount of time.

Proof that you can be pavement princess AND dirty at the same time

 

[ECUDrummer]

Starting last year, my wife and I decided to start a tradition of driving to the mountains and cutting down our Christmas tree. Really wanted to start in the Blowing Rock area and head further west, but decided to stay closer to home due to the wildfires in NC (at the time, sections of BR were being evacuated). Ended up just east of South Mountain.

Figured it was time for a good wash.

 

[ECUDrummer]

Last run at Uwharrie for the year before they close until April. Originally started as a "ladies trail day" for our Carolinas group, then morphed into a "bring your significant others and let them drive day" to "f**k it, let's get dirty".

Half of us were baptized in the soup bowl. Funny, the same number of rigs are going to be finding mud for ages to come.

Half of the group.